Patents by Inventor Thomas Friedrich

Thomas Friedrich has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230375424
    Abstract: A sensor device. The sensor device includes a housing component with a gas-tight internal volume, at least one electrode structure arranged in the internal volume in an adjustable and/or bendable manner, at least one counter electrode fixedly disposed on and/or in the housing component, and an electronic device configured to apply an electrical excitation voltage signal between the electrode structure and the counter electrode such that the at least one electrode structure is set in an oscillating motion relative to the housing component. The electronic device is configured to detect and/or determine the internal pressure in the internal volume and/or a change in the internal pressure while taking into consideration at least one sensor signal, which is dependent on an electric voltage or capacitance between the electrode structure and the counter electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Heribert Weber, Andreas Scheurle, Peter Schmollngruber, Thomas Friedrich
  • Patent number: 11814019
    Abstract: A hydraulic braking system for a vehicle has two sub-braking systems hydraulically separated from one another. A first sub-braking system of a first axle has a first circuit, a main system with a first power supply and a first ECU, and a secondary system with a second power supply and a second ECU. The first circuit includes first and second pressure generators assigned, respectively, to the main system and the secondary system, in parallel between a fluid container and wheel brakes. A modulation unit connects the pressure generators to the wheel brakes. A second sub-braking system of a second axle includes a second circuit and an auxiliary system with a third power supply and a third ECU. The second circuit includes a pressure generator assigned to the auxiliary system arranged between a fluid container and wheel brakes, and a modulation unit connecting the pressure generators to the wheel brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Friedrich, Dirk Drotleff, Ralf Kleemann, Daniel Brenndoerfer, Bernd Hienz
  • Publication number: 20230355951
    Abstract: A pump for treating a patient is disclosed that includes a spring-biased plunger biased toward actuation against a tube; a cam shaft configured to actuate the spring-based plunger; a lever actuatable between a closed position and an open position; a shaft coupled to the lever, the shaft having a central axis centrally along the length of the shaft, the shaft coupled to the lever to rotate around the central axis in accordance with actuation of the lever; and a lift cam pivotally coupled to the shaft, wherein the lift cam pivots around a lift cam axis, the lift cam axis of the lift cam is parallel to the central axis of the shaft, and the lift cam engages with the spring-based plunger to lift the spring-biased plunger off of the cam shaft as the shaft rotates in accordance with actuating the lever to the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Michael J. Baier, David Blumberg, JR., Hugh J. Boddington, Thomas A. Friedrich, Paul G. Girouard, Larry B. Gray, David C. Nivens
  • Publication number: 20230357001
    Abstract: A production method for a micromechanical component for a sensor device or microphone device. The method includes: forming a supporting structure composed of a first sacrificial material on a substrate surface of a substrate with a first sacrificial material layer, a plurality of etching holes structured through the first sacrificial material layer, and a plurality of supporting posts projecting into the substrate; etching into the substrate surface at least one cavity spanned by the supporting structure; forming a diaphragm composed of at least one semiconductor material on or over the first sacrificial material layer of the supporting structure; depositing a layer stack comprising at least one sacrificial layer and at least one counter electrode; and exposing the diaphragm by at least partially removing at least the supporting structure and the at least one sacrificial layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Heribert Weber, Andreas Scheurle, Hans Artmann, Peter Schmollngruber, Thomas Friedrich, Uwe Schiller
  • Publication number: 20230339745
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a micromechanical sensor. The method includes: applying a first oxide sacrificial layer onto a substrate; removing material of the substrate through openings in the first oxide sacrificial layer; closing the openings in the first oxide sacrificial layer by applying a second oxide sacrificial layer; forming a sensing area on a carrier structure, the sensing area and the carrier structure being formed on the oxide sacrificial layers and the sensing area and/or the carrier structure being connected to the substrate via at least one attachment area, which forms a flexible structure; and at least partially removing the oxide sacrificial layers between the carrier structure and the substrate with the aid of an etching process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Heribert Weber, Andreas Scheurle, Christoph Hermes, Peter Schmollngruber, Thomas Friedrich
  • Patent number: 11787687
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a micromechanical structure and a micromechanical structure. The method includes: forming a first micromechanical functional layer; forming a plurality of trenches in the first micromechanical functional layer, which include an upper widened area at the upper side of the first micromechanical functional layer and a lower area of essentially constant width; depositing a sealing layer on the upper side of the first micromechanical functional layer to seal the plurality of trenches, a sealing point of the plurality of trenches being formed below the upper side of the first micromechanical functional layer and the first trenches being at least partially filled; thinning back the sealing layer by a predefined thickness; and forming a second micromechanical functional layer above the thinned-back sealing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Andrea Urban, Jochen Reinmuth, Luise Fuchs, Thomas Friedrich
  • Publication number: 20230304881
    Abstract: A micromechanical component. The micromechanical component includes: a membrane; the membrane includes at least one reinforcement structure of a geometrically defined shape, which reinforces the membrane in a defined manner, in the region of at least one anchor structure and/or in the region of at least one connecting structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Heribert Weber, Andreas Scheurle, Joachim Fritz, Peter Schmollngruber, Sophielouise Mach, Thomas Friedrich
  • Publication number: 20230304631
    Abstract: A clamp apparatus is disclosed that includes a body, first and second actuators, first, second, third and fourth gear sets, first and second movable grippers, and at least one leaf spring. The first gear set is coupled to the first actuator and the second gear set is coupled to the second actuator. The first gear set engages the second gear set. The first and second movable grippers are each operatively coupled to the body. The third gear set is coupled to the first movable gripper and the fourth gear set is coupled to the second movable gripper. The third gear set operatively engages the fourth gear set. The leaf spring engages with the third gear set and the fourth gear set to urge the first movable gripper and the second movable gripper toward a clamped position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Janway, Larry B. Gray, Matthew Richard Gill, Richard J. Lanigan, Thomas A. Friedrich, Stephen L. Fichera, John M. Kerwin, Erik N. Sabin, Dean Kamen
  • Publication number: 20230293183
    Abstract: A flow diverter delivery system having a catheter, a pusher wire slidably disposed within the catheter, a distal guide linearly coupled to a distal end of the pusher wire, and a flow diverter anchor coupled to the distal guide. A flow diverter having an undeployed and a deployed configuration is mechanically coupled to the flow diverter anchor and, when in the deployed configuration, includes a low-porosity distal cap, a transverse flow section coupled to the distal cap, and a linear support body coupled to the transverse flow section. The low-porosity distal cap is structurally configured to divert at least a portion of blood through the transverse flow section. When the flow diverter is exposed from the catheter, radial movement of the flow diverter away from the flow diverter anchor disengages the mechanical coupling between the flow diverter and the flow diverter anchor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Narlin Beaty, Mario Heintze, Thomas Friedrich
  • Publication number: 20230285662
    Abstract: A pump for treating a patient is disclosed that includes a plunger transitionable between a first position and a second position, wherein when a tube is loaded within the pump, the plunger applying a force against the tube when in the second position; a cam shaft configured to actuate the plunger to transition the plunger from the first position to the second position; a motor coupled to the cam shaft; a heatsink to dissipate heat from the motor, the heatsink including a first part and a second part; and a housing containing at least a portion of the plunger, the cam shaft, the motor and the heatsink, the first part of the heatsink extending through a surface of the housing, the second part is thermally in contact with the motor, and the first and second parts of the heatsink are movable relative to one another to define an adjustable length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Michael J. Baier, David Blumberg, JR., Hugh J. Boddington, Thomas A. Friedrich, Paul G. Girouard, Larry B. Gray, David C. Nivens
  • Publication number: 20230242393
    Abstract: A micromechanical component for a sensor or microphone device. An electrode surface of a first electrode structure is aligned with a second electrode structure. A substructure of the first electrode structure is entirely made of at least one electrically conductive material. The electrode surface and an opposite surface of the first electrode structure are outer surfaces of the substructure. A stop structure protruding from the electrode surface towards the second electrode structure is formed on the first electrode structure. The first electrode structure includes an insulating region which extends from the electrode surface to the opposite surface of the first electrode structure. The stop structure is formed either as a projection of the at least one insulating region protruding from the electrode surface towards the second electrode structure or is bordered by the at least one insulating region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Heribert Weber, Andreas Scheurle, Peter Schmollngruber, Thomas Friedrich
  • Patent number: 11707615
    Abstract: A pump for treating a patient is disclosed that includes a spring-biased plunger biased toward actuation against a tube; a cam shaft configured to actuate the spring-based plunger; a lever actuatable between a closed position and an open position; a shaft coupled to the lever, the shaft having a central axis centrally along the length of the shaft, the shaft coupled to the lever to rotate around the central axis in accordance with actuation of the lever; and a lift cam pivotally coupled to the shaft, wherein the lift cam pivots around a lift cam axis, the lift cam axis of the lift cam is parallel to the central axis of the shaft, and the lift cam engages with the spring-based plunger to lift the spring-biased plunger off of the cam shaft as the shaft rotates in accordance with actuating the lever to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Michael J. Baier, David Blumberg, Jr., Hugh J. Boddington, Thomas A. Friedrich, Paul G. Girouard, Larry B. Gray, David C. Nivens
  • Patent number: 11703069
    Abstract: A protective mechanism for use when gripping a medical device to a rack is provided. A related system and method are also provided. The protective mechanism includes a connector, an actuation member configured to have a first end portion and a second end portion. The cover member is configured to interact with the actuation member so as to pivot to uncover the connector when the actuation member pivots in a first direction and to pivot to cover the connector when the actuation member pivots in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Stephen L. Fichera, Larry B. Gray, Thomas A. Friedrich, Erik N. Sabin, Richard J. Lanigan
  • Patent number: 11705800
    Abstract: A hydraulic actuator device for a hydraulic system filled with an electrically conductive medium, the hydraulic actuator device being situatable or being situated on and/or in the hydraulic system, and including at least one actuator module, which in each case is designed in such a way that at least a portion of the electrically conductive medium is acceleratable into at least one partial volume of the hydraulic system due to its interaction with an electrical current flow generated with the aid of the respective actuator module and/or with a magnetic field created with the aid of the respective actuator module, as a result of which a pressure build-up is creatable in the at least one partial volume of the hydraulic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Rico Alf Klein, Vaclav Kocourek, Thomas Friedrich
  • Patent number: 11685346
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a hydraulic brake system for a highly automated or autonomous vehicle which includes three pressure generators which provide sufficient braking force even in a case of a fault. Two of the pressure generators are assigned in a redundant manner to one axle and a modulation unit is configured to hydraulically connect the two pressure generators to the wheel brakes of the first axle, and to perform individual brake pressure modulation in the wheel brakes. The third pressure generator is hydraulically separate from the other pressure generators, and another modulation unit is configured to hydraulically connect the third pressure generator to wheel brakes of another axle, and to perform individual brake pressure modulation in the wheel brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Friedrich, Dirk Drotleff, Ralf Kleemann, Daniel Brenndoerfer, Bernd Hienz
  • Publication number: 20230184273
    Abstract: A protective mechanism for use when gripping a medical device to a rack is provided. A related system and method are also provided. The protective mechanism includes a guide member, a connector, an actuation member configured to have a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the actuation member is pivotally coupled to the guide member. The cover member is pivotally coupled to the guide member and is configured to interact with the actuation member so as to pivot to uncover the connector when the actuation member pivots in a first direction and to pivot to cover the connector when the actuation member pivots in a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Stephen L. Fichera, Larry B. Gray, Thomas A. Friedrich, Erik N. Sabin, Richard J. Lanigan
  • Patent number: 11658359
    Abstract: A battery device has a battery housing, a plurality of battery cells arranged therein, around which a dielectric thermal management medium can flow in the battery housing at least in some areas in an immersion circuit inside the battery for the purpose of immersion thermal management, and thermally conductive elements. The thermally conductive elements are each arranged between two adjacent battery cells which each bear with at least one side against the respective thermally conductive element in thermally conductive contact with the latter. The thermally conductive elements here project in at least one direction beyond the battery cells and through a housing wall of the battery housing to the outside. The thermal management medium can likewise flow around those sections of the thermally conductive elements running from the battery cells to the corresponding housing wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Friedrich
  • Patent number: 11649924
    Abstract: A clamp apparatus is disclosed that includes a body, first and second actuators, first, second, third and fourth gear sets, first and second movable grippers, and at least one leaf spring. The first gear set is coupled to the first actuator and the second gear set is coupled to the second actuator. The first gear set engages the second gear set. The first and second movable grippers are each operatively coupled to the body. The third gear set is coupled to the first movable gripper and the fourth gear set is coupled to the second movable gripper. The third gear set operatively engages the fourth gear set. The leaf spring engages with the third gear set and the fourth gear set to urge the first movable gripper and the second movable gripper toward a clamped position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Janway, Larry B. Gray, Matthew Richard Gill, Richard J. Lanigan, Thomas A. Friedrich, Stephen L. Fichera, John M. Kerwin, Erik N. Sabin, Dean Kamen
  • Patent number: 11643311
    Abstract: A pallet lifter for use with a crane enables lifting of materials on a pallet, and then unloading of the materials at one or more locations, such as on a roof of a building. The pallet lifter may include a cage or a retainer frame that contains the material, with a pusher of the lifter used to push out individual portions of the materials. The pusher may unload the material from the top of the pallet of material, such as by sliding it down a ramp. The pusher alternatively may unload the material from the bottom of the stack on the pallet, by pushing it through a slot in the cage. For top-unloading embodiments the pallet lifter may include an assembly for changing the position of the pusher relative to the frame and the pallet, for example moving the pusher downward layer by later as the materials are unloaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Cargo Patenter AB
    Inventors: Thomas Friedrich, Terry Fidler
  • Patent number: 11608264
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a substrate including a region, which is mechanically decoupled from a support and has at least one component situated on the region; at least one recess being introduced on a front side of the substrate; an etching pattern being prepared on a back side of the substrate and etched anisotropically in such a manner, that vertical channels are produced on the back side of the substrate; and subsequently, a cavity being introduced at the back side of the substrate; the at least one recess on the front side of the substrate being connected to the cavity on the back side of the substrate; and in at least one region between the front side of the substrate and the cavity, at least two recesses or at least two segments of a recess being interconnected by at least one channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Arne Dannenberg, Mike Schwarz, Thomas Friedrich