Patents by Inventor Thomas Kuhn

Thomas Kuhn 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: 20250081946
    Abstract: A rearing device for black soldier fly larvae includes a first insect fattening container that accommodates a first insect larvae cohort for fattening, an activity sensor device, and a processing unit. The activity sensor device detects a humidity measurement value at an insect fattening container humidity measurement point and provides the value to the processing unit. The insect fattening container humidity measurement point is in a central section of the insect fattening container. The activity sensor device also detects a temperature measurement value at an insect fattening container temperature measurement point and provides the value to the processing unit. The insect fattening container temperature measurement point is in the central portion of the first insect fattening container. The processing unit is designed to process the measured humidity value and the measured temperature value and to determine the activity of the black soldier fly larvae based on the processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Inventors: Wolfgang WESTERMEIER, Thomas KÜHN
  • Patent number: 12228383
    Abstract: A method for steering a steerable interceptor missile driven by an engine for intercepting a moving target during a midcourse phase of an interception, includes steering the missile with real steering commands produced at respective steering times based on free control parameters formed as a current parameter vector. The free control parameters are constantly and repeatedly optimized during the midcourse phase by an optimization method for optimizing the control parameters. The optimization method is carried out in parallel with the actual steering. Newly detected information about the movement of the target and/or information about the flight of the missile is used in the optimization method as soon as the information is available. Optimized control parameters are accepted into the current parameter vector after being provided by the optimization method. An interceptor missile contains the current parameter vector and a control and evaluation unit for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Kuhn
  • Publication number: 20240304832
    Abstract: An energy source provides electrical energy in a missile, which is configured to heat at least one structural section during an intended flight, so that heat is available there. At least one thermal battery has at least one cell, which contains an electrolyte. The electrolyte is to be heated by the input of heat for providing the electrical energy at the thermal battery. At least one electrolyte can be thermally coupled to the structural section in order to transfer at least part of the heat provided at the structural section during flight from there to the electrolyte. A missile contains the energy source in which at least one electrolyte is thermally coupled to the structural section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2023
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Inventors: Walter PREISS, Dominik CLEMENT, Tobias KORTHALS, Thomas KUHN
  • Patent number: 11746720
    Abstract: A method (100) is proposed for operating an internal combustion engine (210), which comprises a lean-burn engine having compression-ignition, having a throttle valve (213) in an air path (212) upstream of the internal combustion engine (210) and an exhaust gas posttreatment system (202) downstream of the internal combustion engine (210), comprising a control of the internal combustion engine (210) according to a present load demand (130) using metering of an amount of fuel in dependence on the present load demand; and if a load demand (130) is absent in a heating operating mode, further comprising partially closing (140) the throttle valve (213) and defining a minimum value for the amount of fuel, which is greater than zero. Furthermore, a computing unit and a computer program for carrying out such a method (100) are proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Magnus Labbe, Bernd Kraewer, Thomas Kuhn
  • Publication number: 20230251070
    Abstract: A method for steering a steerable interceptor missile driven by an engine for intercepting a moving target during a midcourse phase of an interception, includes steering the missile with real steering commands produced at respective steering times based on free control parameters formed as a current parameter vector. The free control parameters are constantly and repeatedly optimized during the midcourse phase by an optimization method for optimizing the control parameters. The optimization method is carried out in parallel with the actual steering. Newly detected information about the movement of the target and/or information about the flight of the missile is used in the optimization method as soon as the information is available. Optimized control parameters are accepted into the current parameter vector after being provided by the optimization method. An interceptor missile contains the current parameter vector and a control and evaluation unit for carrying out the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventor: Thomas Kuhn
  • Publication number: 20230211477
    Abstract: Handheld device for manually actuating by a user, wherein the handheld device comprises a processing unit which is configured for processing an underground, and a sensor unit which is configured for detecting sensor data which are indicative for a condition of the underground before, during, and/or after processing the underground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventor: Thomas KUHN
  • Publication number: 20220381194
    Abstract: A method (100) is proposed for operating an internal combustion engine (210), which comprises a lean-burn engine having compression-ignition, having a throttle valve (213) in an air path (212) upstream of the internal combustion engine (210) and an exhaust gas posttreatment system (202) downstream of the internal combustion engine (210), comprising a control of the internal combustion engine (210) according to a present load demand (130) using metering of an amount of fuel in dependence on the present load demand; and if a load demand (130) is absent in a heating operating mode, further comprising partially closing (140) the throttle valve (213) and defining a minimum value for the amount of fuel, which is greater than zero. Furthermore, a computing unit and a computer program for carrying out such a method (100) are proposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Magnus Labbe, Bernd Kraewer, Thomas Kuhn
  • Patent number: 11293341
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle includes an exhaust system through which exhaust gas can flow and in which a first exhaust gas aftertreatment element is disposed. An exhaust gas turbocharger has a turbine and the turbine has a turbine wheel which is disposed upstream of the first exhaust gas aftertreatment element. A bypass line bypasses the turbine wheel and via the bypass line at least part of the exhaust gas can bypass the turbine wheel. The bypass line also bypasses the first exhaust gas aftertreatment element. The bypass line is fluidically connected to the exhaust system at a branch point disposed upstream of the turbine wheel and upstream of the first exhaust gas aftertreatment element. The bypass line is fluidically connected to the exhaust system at a discharge point disposed downstream of the turbine wheel and downstream of the first exhaust gas aftertreatment element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Thomas Kuhn, Nils Brinkert, Rene Ernst
  • Patent number: 11169004
    Abstract: An inductive sensor, particularly for a proximity sensor, includes a resonance circuit including a sensing coil and an amplifier comprising a first gain stage and a second gain stage each coupled via respective adjusting elements with the resonance circuit to inject energy for maintaining an oscillation of the resonance circuit. The first gain stage provides a substantially linear amplification and the second gain stage provides a comparator characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: PEPPERL+FUCHS SE
    Inventor: Thomas Kühn
  • Patent number: 11101797
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an oscillating sensor for a measurement device comprising: an oscillator comprising a resonance circuit for providing an oscillation signal; a gain stage configured to feedback to the resonance circuit to inject energy for excitation of the resonance circuit to maintain oscillation; at least one calibration element to adjust the open loop gain of the oscillator; a calibration unit to provide a modulated calibration control signal to selectively adjust an electrical measure of the at least one calibration element based on at least one predetermined duty cycle, wherein the modulated calibration control signal has an irregularly time-varying cycle frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas Kühn
  • Patent number: 11075632
    Abstract: An oscillating sensor device, particularly for a proximity sensor, for sensing a dynamic change of attenuation caused by a measurable physical effect includes an oscillator including a resonance circuit and an amplifier fed back to the resonance circuit and configured to maintain oscillation of the oscillator, and a control unit configured to control the open loop gain of the oscillator. The amplifier comprises a non-linear gain characteristics defining an operating point at a preset amplitude of oscillation. The control unit is configured to control the open loop gain of the oscillator so that the operating point is set to a preset amplitude of the oscillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Pepperl + Fuchs GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Kühn, Jochen Vater, Christoph Braunsmann
  • Publication number: 20210189948
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle includes an exhaust system through which exhaust gas can flow and in which a first exhaust gas aftertreatment element is disposed. An exhaust gas turbocharger has a turbine and the turbine has a turbine wheel which is disposed upstream of the first exhaust gas aftertreatment element. A bypass line bypasses the turbine wheel and via the bypass line at least part of the exhaust gas can bypass the turbine wheel. The bypass line also bypasses the first exhaust gas aftertreatment element. The bypass line is fluidically connected to the exhaust system at a branch point disposed upstream of the turbine wheel and upstream of the first exhaust gas aftertreatment element. The bypass line is fluidically connected to the exhaust system at a discharge point disposed downstream of the turbine wheel and downstream of the first exhaust gas aftertreatment element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Thomas KUHN, Nils BRINKERT, Rene ERNST
  • Patent number: 10837408
    Abstract: For an optimized metering of fuel and water for the operation of an internal combustion engine in which a direct injection and an intake manifold injection are provided for metering fuel into the internal combustion engine, and in which the internal combustion engine is assigned a system for water injection, a same intake manifold injector is used for both water and fuel injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Ecker, Thomas Kuhn, Timm Hollmann, Udo Schulz
  • Patent number: 10747413
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to apparatuses, methods and computer programs for controlling a machine. The apparatus is suitable for a mobile communication device for providing a sensor input signal to a machine control entity to control a machine. The apparatus comprises one or more sensor modules for providing first user input sensor data and second user input sensor data. The apparatus further comprises a control module configured to determine the sensor input signal based on the first user input sensor data and the second user input sensor data. The control module is further configured to provide the sensor input signal for sensor data processing to the machine control entity to control the machine via an interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Daniel Schneider, Thomas Kuhn, Rasmus Adler, Viet Yen Nguyen, Patrik Feth, Emilia Cioroaica, Bastian Zimmer, Martin Kremmer, Thomas Floerchinger, Benjamin Neermann, Norbert Fritz, Stefan Volz
  • Publication number: 20200136617
    Abstract: An oscillating sensor device, particularly for a proximity sensor, for sensing a dynamic change of attenuation caused by a measurable physical effect includes an oscillator including a resonance circuit and an amplifier fed back to the resonance circuit and configured to maintain oscillation of the oscillator, and a control unit configured to control the open loop gain of the oscillator. The amplifier comprises a non-linear gain characteristics defining an operating point at a preset amplitude of oscillation. The control unit is configured to control the open loop gain of the oscillator so that the operating point is set to a preset amplitude of the oscillation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Applicant: Pepperl+Fuchs GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Kühn, Jochen Vater, Christoph Braunsmann
  • Publication number: 20200136615
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an oscillating sensor for a measurement device comprising: an oscillator comprising a resonance circuit for providing an oscillation signal; a gain stage configured to feed back to the resonance circuit to inject energy for excitation of the resonance circuit to maintain oscillation; at least one calibration element to adjust the open loop gain of the oscillator; a calibration unit to provide a modulated calibration control signal to selectively adjust an electrical measure of the at least one calibration element based on at least one predetermined duty cycle, wherein the modulated calibration control signal has an irregularly time-varying cycle frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas Kühn
  • Publication number: 20200132510
    Abstract: An inductive sensor, particularly for a proximity sensor, includes a resonance circuit including a sensing coil and an amplifier comprising a first gain stage and a second gain stage each coupled via respective adjusting elements with the resonance circuit to inject energy for maintaining an oscillation of the resonance circuit. The first gain stage provides a substantially linear amplification and the second gain stage provides a comparator characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Applicant: Pepperl+Fuchs GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Kühn
  • Patent number: 10619461
    Abstract: An automated process and accompanying apparatus simultaneously separates and measures the flow rate of any multiphase mixture of immiscible fluids. Such separation and measurement can occur in a single vessel, or multiple vessels. Liquid levels, together with a material balance analysis, are utilized to determine constituent liquid flow rates. The vessel(s) can be remotely operated and monitored in real time, while also allowing for automated or manual calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Inventor: Leroy Thomas Kuhn
  • Patent number: 10519892
    Abstract: In a method for operating an internal combustion engine with intake manifold injection and direct injection, a value of at least one parameter that is correlated with an exhaust gas of a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine and that is influenced by purging of uncombusted fuel through the combustion chamber into the exhaust gas is ascertained, and, if it is concluded, based on the ascertained value of the at least one parameter, that uncombusted fuel is purged, at least one operating parameter for filling the combustion chamber is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Claus Wundling, Rainer Ecker, Thomas Kuhn, Timm Hollmann, Udo Schulz
  • Patent number: 10505539
    Abstract: The invention relates to an oscillator comprising a resonant circuit having at least one inductor and one capacitor and having a feedback amplifier, wherein there is at least one trimming resistor in a feedback circuit of the amplifier. The oscillator is characterized in that there is an electronic switching device for alternately connecting and disconnecting the trimming resistor, in that a trimming circuit is formed by the trimming resistor and the electronic switching device, in that there is a drive device for driving the electronic switching device, in that the electronic switching device, together with the drive device, is designed to alternately connect and disconnect the trimming resistor in a switching sequence, and in that an average time value of the electrical resistor of the trimming circuit, which is active in an oscillator mode, is defined by the switching sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Pepperl + Fuchs GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Kühn