Patents by Inventor Thomas Hafner

Thomas Hafner 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: 20240335833
    Abstract: The inventive concept described herein concerns a microfluidic component, comprising a membrane actuator with a membrane element and an actuator element for deflecting the membrane element. A signal generation device is configured to generate an electric control signal having a time-variant signal curve for controlling the membrane actuator, by which the actuator element actuates the membrane element. A signal processing device is configured to detect, during operation of the microfluidic component, an influence on the temporal signal curve of the control signal, caused by one or more external influencing factors, and, on the basis of this influence on the temporal signal curve, to identify and/or classify at least one causal external influencing factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2024
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Sebastian KIBLER, Henry LEISTNER, Karl NEUMEIER, Thomas THALHOFER, Kristjan AXELSSON, Daniel ANHEUER, Martin RICHTER, Johannes HÄFNER, Claudia DURASIEWICZ, Christian WALD, Agnes BUSSMANN, Lorenz GRÜNERBEL
  • Publication number: 20240291741
    Abstract: In some implementations, a sensor may determine a delay latency value associated with an amount of time from completion of a set of sensor tasks to an actual time of reception of a trigger to selectively transmit or sample sensor data. The sensor may calculate a deviation of the delay latency value from a target delay latency. The sensor may transmit a data frame including an indication associated with the deviation of the delay latency value from the target delay latency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2024
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Inventors: Christof MICHENTHALER, Thomas HAFNER, Benjamin KOLLMITZER, Alexander PLAUTZ, Andrea POSSEMATO, Constantin STROI
  • Patent number: 11991062
    Abstract: In some implementations, a sensor may determine a delay latency value associated with an amount of time from completion of a set of sensor tasks to an actual time of reception of a trigger to selectively transmit or sample sensor data. The sensor may calculate a deviation of the delay latency value from a target delay latency. The sensor may transmit a data frame including an indication associated with the deviation of the delay latency value from the target delay latency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Christof Michenthaler, Thomas Hafner, Benjamin Kollmitzer, Alexander Plautz, Andrea Possemato, Constantin Stroi
  • Publication number: 20230294158
    Abstract: A method for operating a servo motor (10) driven turning station (5, 6, 7) of a stacking tool for a punch press including the following steps: determining a target turning acceleration curve of the turning station (5, 6, 7) in the acceleration phase (A) of the turning increment (D); carrying out a reference acceleration run of the turning station (5, 6, 7) while providing a certain reference drive torque by the servo motor (10) or while supplying the servo motor (10) with a certain reference supply current; determining during the reference acceleration run the reference angular velocity (?ref) of the turning station (5, 6, 7) when a certain turning angle is reached; determining from the target turning acceleration curve the target angular velocity (?soll), which should be present when a certain turning angle shall be present; calculating a target drive torque of the servo motor, at which the target angular velocity (?soll) results, from the relationship, known from the reference acceleration run, between the
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Josef Thomas HAFNER, Herbert HÖGGER, Manuel BÜHLER
  • Patent number: 11677341
    Abstract: A motor drive circuit provides a drive signal to an electronically commutated motor. A control circuit the motor drive circuit based on calibration data. The calibration data indicate a relationship between an actual angular position of a rotor of the motor in response to the drive signal and an expected angular position of a rotor of an ideal motor in response to the drive signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Thomas Hafner, Leo Aichriedler, Gerald Wriessnegger
  • Publication number: 20230125037
    Abstract: In some implementations, a sensor may determine a delay latency value associated with an amount of time from completion of a set of sensor tasks to an actual time of reception of a trigger to selectively transmit or sample sensor data. The sensor may calculate a deviation of the delay latency value from a target delay latency. The sensor may transmit a data frame including an indication associated with the deviation of the delay latency value from the target delay latency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Christof MICHENTHALER, Thomas HAFNER, Benjamin KOLLMITZER, Alexander PLAUTZ, Andrea POSSEMATO, Constantin STROI
  • Publication number: 20220353108
    Abstract: A method and slave devices are disclosed in which an address assignment to slave devices takes place with the aid of a collision detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Christof MICHENTHALER, Leo AICHRIEDLER, Thomas HAFNER, Dirk HAMMERSCHMIDT
  • Publication number: 20220212431
    Abstract: The invention relates to a punch press with a crank or eccentric drive, including a crank or eccentric shaft (1a, 1b) and active connecting rods (9a, 9b) for generating the stroke movement of the press ram (13). Furthermore, the punch press includes balancing weights (2a, 2b) for balancing the vertical and horizontal mass forces and is designed in such a way that the horizontal drive movements required for the horizontal mass balancing are tapped directly at the crank or eccentric shaft (1a, 1b), preferably laterally at the crank or eccentric shaft (1a, 1b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Ugo De Santis, Josef Thomas Hafner
  • Publication number: 20210388879
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a combined clutch and brake device (5) of a punch press (1) equipped with dry friction linings (7, 8). Thereby, the friction linings (7, 8) are arranged in a chamber (R) which is sealed off from the environment of the punch press (1), and which is filled with a dry and oil-free gaseous medium, in particular with dry oil-free air. This effectively prevents moisture and oil mist from entering the region of the friction linings from the environment of the press, and a constant friction coefficient can be achieved over the mechanical service life of the friction linings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Josef Thomas Hafner, Daniel Straub
  • Publication number: 20210265927
    Abstract: A motor drive circuit provides a drive signal to an electronically commutated motor. A control circuit the motor drive circuit based on calibration data. The calibration data indicate a relationship between an actual angular position of a rotor of the motor in response to the drive signal and an expected angular position of a rotor of an ideal motor in response to the drive signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Hafner, Leo Aichriedler, Gerald Wriessnegger
  • Patent number: 11038444
    Abstract: A motor drive circuit provides a drive signal to an electronically commutated motor. A control circuit the motor drive circuit based on calibration data. The calibration data indicate a relationship between an actual angular position of a rotor of the motor in response to the drive signal and an expected angular position of a rotor of an ideal motor in response to the drive signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Thomas Hafner, Leo Aichriedler, Gerald Wriessnegger
  • Patent number: 10962090
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gear train unit, comprising a plurality of planetary gear train stages, which are connected one after the other and which each comprise a ring gear, a sun gear, and a plurality of planet gears supported on a planet carrier, wherein the sun gear of each following planetary gear train stage is formed by the planet carrier of the preceding planetary gear train stage. The gear train unit comprises a driving element, which forms the sun gear of the first planetary gear train stage, and an output element, which forms the planet carrier of the last of the gear planetary gear train stages connected one after the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: BRUDERER AG
    Inventors: Josef Thomas Hafner, Pascal Hardmeier
  • Publication number: 20200284615
    Abstract: A off-axis angle sensor may receive a set of output signals including a first output signal, a second output signal, and a third output signal. The off-axis angle sensor may determine, based on the set of output signals, a set of delta signals including a first delta signal, a second delta signal, and a third delta signal. The off-axis angle sensor may identify a set of functional safety checks, from a plurality of functional safety checks configured on the off-axis angle sensor, for selective performance in association with determining functional safety of the off-axis angle sensor. Each of the plurality of functional safety checks may be performed independently of each of the other functional safety checks. The off-axis angle sensor may perform one or more functional safety checks based at least in part on at least one of: the set of output signals or the set of delta signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Dirk Hammerschmidt, Thomas Hafner, Peter Slama
  • Publication number: 20190058427
    Abstract: A motor drive circuit provides a drive signal to an electronically commutated motor. A control circuit the motor drive circuit based on calibration data. The calibration data indicate a relationship between an actual angular position of a rotor of the motor in response to the drive signal and an expected angular position of a rotor of an ideal motor in response to the drive signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Thomas Hafner, Leo Aichriedler, Gerald Wriessnegger
  • Publication number: 20180325941
    Abstract: This invention relates to compositions for reducing the absorption or bioavailability of lipids in the gastrointestinal tract, and to methods for the preparation and use of these compositions. The compositions comprise a source of dietary fibre together with a cyclodextrin. The compositions of the invention are suitable for use in the prevention and treatment of obesity or hyperlipidaemia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Pee Win Chong, Thomas Hafner, Istvan Puskas
  • Publication number: 20180029104
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stamping press arrangement comprising a plurality of first stamping press units arranged adjacent to one another, which have working directions extending parallel in relation to each other in a common plane, and comprising a second stamping press unit, the working direction of which extends perpendicularly in relation to the working directions of the first stamping press units, such that material processed in said stamping press unit can be guided in the direct extension of the working direction thereof into the working regions of the first stamping press units. The stamping press units each have a crankshaft portion or eccentric shaft portion, by means of which the travel movement of the press ram is effected via a connecting rod. The crankshaft portion or eccentric shaft portion of the first stamping press units are driven forcibly together via a common drive unit with the same speed and comprise a common axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Josef Thomas Hafner
  • Publication number: 20160273620
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gear train unit, comprising a plurality of planetary gear train stages, which are connected one after the other and which each comprise a ring gear, a sun gear, and a plurality of planet gears supported on a planet carrier, wherein the sun gear of each following planetary gear train stage is formed by the planet carrier of the preceding planetary gear train stage. The gear train unit comprises a driving element, which forms the sun gear of the first planetary gear train stage, and an output element, which forms the planet carrier of the last of the gear planetary gear train stages connected one after the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Josef Thomas Hafner, Pascal Hardmeier
  • Publication number: 20160144588
    Abstract: The invention relates a method for warping the machine bed and/or the press ram of a punching press to compensate at least partially a bending caused by the punching force of the machine bed or the press ram during punching operation, respectively. For this a temperature gradient is generated selectively within the machine bed and/or within the press ram according to the invention, with the effect of making the machine bed warping in the direction towards the press ram and/or the press ram warping in the direction towards the press bed. In this way, machine beds and press rams of punching presses can be pre-deformed for the compensation of bendings caused by the punching force with a very small expenses on the equipment side, without having to deviate from existing and proven structure concepts. Additionally the method according to the invention can be applied to existing presses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventor: Josef Thomas Hafner
  • Publication number: 20160136710
    Abstract: A method for warping the machine bed of a punching press, which machine bed has an aperture for carrying away punching parts and rubbish, compensates at least partially for a bending of the machine bed caused by the punching force during the punching operation. Thereby, forces acting transverse to the punching direction are introduced into the machine bed and/or forces acting transverse to the punching force direction are produced inside the machine bed, by means of which the machine bed warps in the direction towards the press ram and indeed such that it warps stronger in the area adjacent to the aperture than in the areas adjacent to its longitudinal sides. By the method, apertured machine beds of punching presses can, with very little expenses on the equipment side, be spatially pre-deformed in order to compensate at least partially bendings caused by punching forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: Bruderer AG
    Inventor: Josef Thomas Hafner
  • Publication number: 20160051574
    Abstract: This invention relates to compositions for reducing the absorption or bioavailability of lipids in the gastrointestinal tract, and to methods for the preparation and use of these compositions. The compositions comprise a source of dietary fibre together with a cyclodextrin. The compositions of the invention are suitable for use in the prevention and treatment of obesity or hyperlipidaemia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Pee Win Chong, Thomas Hafner, Istvan Puskas