Patents by Inventor Thomas May

Thomas May 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).

  • Patent number: 11285803
    Abstract: The application relates to a fill level valve for a pressure equalization line of a fluid tank assembly, wherein the pressure equalization line is fluidically connected between a fluid tank and a filling line opening into the fluid tank, and wherein the fill level valve includes a connecting piece which can be arranged on the fluid tank. It is provided here that a dip tube, which can be arranged in the fluid tank, and which is fluidically connected to the connecting piece, originates from the connecting piece, wherein a flow resistance formed by a constricted flow cross section is provided in the dip tube. The application furthermore relates to a fluid tank assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: AFT AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Thomas May
  • Publication number: 20200376955
    Abstract: The application relates to a fill level valve for a pressure equalization line of a fluid tank assembly, wherein the pressure equalization line is fluidically connected between a fluid tank and a filling line opening into the fluid tank, and wherein the fill level valve includes a connecting piece which can be arranged on the fluid tank. It is provided here that a dip tube, which can be arranged in the fluid tank, and which is fluidically connected to the connecting piece, originates from the connecting piece, wherein a flow resistance formed by a constricted flow cross section is provided in the dip tube. The application furthermore relates to a fluid tank assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas MAY
  • Patent number: 10245728
    Abstract: A monitoring system includes at least one three-dimensional (3D) time-of-flight (TOF) camera configured to monitor a safety-critical area. An evaluation unit is configured to activate a safety function upon an entrance of at least one of an object and a person into the monitored area and to suppress the activation of the safety function where at least one clearance element is recognized as being present on the at least one of the object and the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: PMDTECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Javier Massanell, Thomas May, Manfred Strobel
  • Patent number: 9726754
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a three dimensional time-of-flight camera system mounted on a device, includes determining at a first instant a direction vector relating to an object; determining an expected direction vector and expected angle for the object to be measured at a second instant with reference to the device's assumed trajectory and optical axis of the camera; determining a current direction vector and current angle at the second instant; determining an error represented by a difference between the current direction vector and the expected direction vector; and using the error to correct the assumed direction of the main optical axis of the camera system such that said error is substantially eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: ifm electronic GmbH
    Inventors: Javier Massanell, Volker Frey, Thomas May
  • Patent number: 8453275
    Abstract: A combination bathtub and spa includes a tub enclosure that is adapted to contain a quantity of water, a drain having a drain valve that may be opened to drain water from the tub enclosure or closed to retain water therein, a supply system for supplying water to the tub enclosure, and a lid that is adapted to removably cover the tub enclosure. The combination bathtub and spa also includes a pump having an inlet and an outlet, a suction line that provides a path for water from the tub enclosure to the inlet of the pump, a jet nozzle that is located in the sidewall of the tub enclosure, and a jet nozzle supply line that provides a path for water from the outlet of the pump to the jet nozzle. A filter is provided to filter the water that flows into the tub enclosure, as well as a heater for heating the water that flows into the tub enclosure. A control valve is adapted to open to allow water to flow through the filter or to close to stop the flow of water through the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: May Manufacturing LLC
    Inventors: Thomas May, Lody Chandra, George T. Hendricks
  • Publication number: 20120327190
    Abstract: A monitoring system includes at least one three-dimensional (3D) time-of-flight (TOF) camera configured to monitor a safety-critical area. An evaluation unit is configured to activate a safety function upon an entrance of at least one of an object and a person into the monitored area and to suppress the activation of the safety function where at least one clearance element is recognized as being present on the at least one of the object and the person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: IFM ELECTRONIC GMBH
    Inventors: Javier Massanell, Thomas May, Manfred Strobel
  • Patent number: 8256741
    Abstract: A pneumatic pressure regulating valve, the opening of which can be automatically changed in a pressure-related manner, including a control diaphragm that is subjected to a reference pressure, to the gas pressure as well as to a governor spring, wherein a change in the differential pressure causes an adjustment of the control diaphragm and the latter itself or a closing element actuated by it changes the opening through an outflow cross-section, and wherein a structure that is arranged adjacent to the outflow cross-section on the diaphragm side forms a stop for the control diaphragm or for the closing element in the closed position of said control diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Hengst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Uwe Meinig, Thomas May
  • Publication number: 20120206575
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a three dimensional time-of-flight camera system mounted on a device, includes determining at a first instant a direction vector relating to an object; determining an expected direction vector and expected angle for the object to be measured at a second instant with reference to the device's assumed trajectory and optical axis of the camera; determining a current direction vector and current angle at the second instant; determining an error represented by a difference between the current direction vector and the expected direction vector; and using the error to correct the assumed direction of the main optical axis of the camera system such that said error is substantially eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: IFM ELECTRONIC GMBH
    Inventors: Javier Massanell, Volker Frey, Thomas May
  • Patent number: 8152133
    Abstract: A pneumatic pressure regulating valve, the opening of which can be automatically changed in a pressure-related manner, including a control diaphragm that is subjected to a reference pressure, to the gas pressure as well as to a governor spring, wherein a change in the differential pressure causes an adjustment of the control diaphragm and the latter itself or a closing element actuated by it changes the opening through an outflow cross-section, and wherein a structure that is arranged adjacent to the outflow cross-section on the diaphragm side forms a stop for the control diaphragm or for the closing element in the closed position of said control diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Hengst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Uwe Meinig, Thomas May
  • Publication number: 20110198519
    Abstract: A pneumatic pressure regulating valve, the opening of which can be automatically changed in a pressure-related manner, including a control diaphragm that is subjected to a reference pressure, to the gas pressure as well as to a governor spring, wherein a change in the differential pressure causes an adjustment of the control diaphragm and the latter itself or a closing element actuated by it changes the opening through an outflow cross-section, and wherein a structure that is arranged adjacent to the outflow cross-section on the diaphragm side forms a stop for the control diaphragm or for the closing element in the closed position of said control diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: HENGST GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Uwe Meinig, Thomas May
  • Publication number: 20110192472
    Abstract: A pneumatic pressure regulating valve, the opening of which can be automatically changed in a pressure-related manner, including a control diaphragm that is subjected to a reference pressure, to the gas pressure as well as to a governor spring, wherein a change in the differential pressure causes an adjustment of the control diaphragm and the latter itself or a closing element actuated by it changes the opening through an outflow cross-section, and wherein a structure that is arranged adjacent to the outflow cross-section on the diaphragm side forms a stop for the control diaphragm or for the closing element in the closed position of said control diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: HENGST GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Uwe Meinig, Thomas May
  • Publication number: 20110192473
    Abstract: A pneumatic pressure regulating valve, the opening of which can be automatically changed in a pressure-related manner, including a control diaphragm that is subjected to a reference pressure, to the gas pressure as well as to a governor spring, wherein a change in the differential pressure causes an adjustment of the control diaphragm and the latter itself or a closing element actuated by it changes the opening through an outflow cross-section, and wherein a structure that is arranged adjacent to the outflow cross-section on the diaphragm side forms a stop for the control diaphragm or for the closing element in the closed position of said control diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: HENGST GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Uwe Meinig, Thomas May
  • Patent number: 7950621
    Abstract: A pneumatic pressure regulating valve, the opening of which can be automatically changed in a pressure-related manner, including a control diaphragm that is subjected to a reference pressure, to the gas pressure as well as to a governor spring, wherein a change in the differential pressure causes an adjustment of the control diaphragm and the latter itself or a closing element actuated by it changes the opening through an outflow cross-section, and wherein a structure that is arranged adjacent to the outflow cross-section on the diaphragm side forms a stop for the control diaphragm or for the closing element in the closed position of said control diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Hengst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Uwe Meinig, Thomas May
  • Publication number: 20100223721
    Abstract: A combination bathtub and spa includes a tub enclosure that is adapted to contain a quantity of water, a drain having a drain valve that may be opened to drain water from the tub enclosure or closed to retain water therein, a supply system for supplying water to the tub enclosure, and a lid that is adapted to removably cover the tub enclosure. The combination bathtub and spa also includes a pump having an inlet and an outlet, a suction line that provides a path for water from the tub enclosure to the inlet of the pump, a jet nozzle that is located in the sidewall of the tub enclosure, and a jet nozzle supply line that provides a path for water from the outlet of the pump to the jet nozzle. A filter is provided to filter the water that flows into the tub enclosure, as well as a heater for heating the water that flows into the tub enclosure. A control valve is adapted to open to allow water to flow through the filter or to close to stop the flow of water through the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas May, Lody Chandra, George Hendricks
  • Publication number: 20090306888
    Abstract: A navigation device including a device, provided for mobile use, having input and output means, having a processor for processing software, having a navigation software for position determination and for route computation, and having a first interface for transmitting data into and/or out of the device, wherein the first interface is developed, in the operation of the device in a motor vehicle, to read operating and/or sensor data of at least one vehicle component into the device via a second interface and a data carrier having a navigation software for use in a device provided for mobile use, the navigation software including a software module which utilizes operating data, read in via an interface of the device, of a vehicle in which the device is operated or sensor data from sensors situated in the vehicle, for position determination or for determining a state of motion of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas May, Wolfgang Kopmann
  • Patent number: 7502794
    Abstract: A method for controlling access to a resource of an application in a data-processing device, comprising the steps: registering an access interface of an access-management component at the data-processing device; request by a first application for an access to the access interface of the access-management component at the data-processing device; registering of a resource of the first application at the access-management component actuation of a second application by a user which requests access to the resource of the first application; sending an access-authorization query of the first application about the user to the access-management component; and, given authorization of the user, granting access to the resource of the first application by the second application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Rodolfo Mann Pelz, Thomas May, Bjoern Hornburg, Erik Walossek
  • Publication number: 20080142091
    Abstract: A pneumatic pressure regulating valve, the opening of which can be automatically changed in a pressure-related manner, including a control diaphragm that is subjected to a reference pressure, to the gas pressure as well as to a governor spring, wherein a change in the differential pressure causes an adjustment of the control diaphragm and the latter itself or a closing element actuated by it changes the opening through an outflow cross-section, and wherein a structure that is arranged adjacent to the outflow cross-section on the diaphragm side forms a stop for the control diaphragm or for the closing element in the closed position of said control diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Uwe Meinig, Thomas May
  • Publication number: 20080091237
    Abstract: A device for locking a suture in place without the need for tying knots once the suture is placed within tissue is provided. The device comprises an anchor having a cannula and a locking mechanism for securing the suture within the cannula.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: Herbert Schwartz, Thomas May, Robert-Jan Enzerink, John Margetts
  • Publication number: 20080009904
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a surgical device including an anchor body defining a cavity and an opening to the cavity, and a flexible member extending through the opening and having a sliding knot disposed within the cavity. The anchor body includes at least two longitudinally extending slots on an outer surface of the anchor body. The disclosure also relates to a surgical device including a handle, an outer shaft including a flanged end portion and a longitudinally extending slot, and an inner shaft received within the outer shaft. The inner shaft includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the handle. The outer shaft is movable between a first position and a second position with respect to the handle. Methods of repairing a soft tissue are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: Barnard Bourque, Michael Ferragamo, Michael Terry, Thomas May, Steven Astorino
  • Publication number: 20070180044
    Abstract: An operating device for controlling several electronic devices is provided, in which an operator interface of an electronic device to be controlled is transmitted to the operating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Rodolfo Pelz, Thomas May, Ralf Flemme