Patents by Inventor Thomas Reininger

Thomas Reininger 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: 11400507
    Abstract: A method for at least locally increasing the plasticity of a metal workpiece, which contains in particular an aluminum alloy, wherein the workpiece is irradiated in order to increase its temperature, and an associated production device, is provided. In order to be able to more quickly and thoroughly heat specific regions of a metal workpiece than other regions in a targeted manner, wherein it is possible to heat these regions more quickly and thoroughly with the same radiation output, while the surface of the workpiece remains largely unaffected, it is proposed that an absorbent be applied at least locally to the workpiece prior to irradiation thereof, wherein the degree of absorption of the absorbent for the radiation is greater than the degree of absorption of the workpiece for the radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Cosma Engineering Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Reininger, Andreas Stranz, Christian Juricek
  • Patent number: 10446314
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a coil integrated in a substrate or applied to a substrate, wherein the coil has first winding portions, which each have first ends and second ends, and wherein the coil has second winding portions and third winding portions, wherein each two of the first ends are electrically interconnected by the second winding portions and two corresponding second ends of the first winding portions are electrically interconnected by the third winding portions, such that coil windings of the coil are formed hereby, wherein at least the first winding portions are applied by means of a 3D printing method, wherein this is aerosol jet or inkjet printing, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Hahn-Schickard-Gesellschaft für angewandte Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Jan Kostelnik, Alina Schreivogel, Jürgen Wolf, Jürgen Keck, Ing. Metin Giousouf, rer. nat. Thomas Reininger, Ing. Albert Kiessling
  • Publication number: 20150310982
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a coil integrated in a substrate or applied to a substrate, wherein the coil has first winding portions, which each have first ends and second ends, and wherein the coil has second winding portions and third winding portions, wherein each two of the first ends are electrically interconnected by the second winding portions and two corresponding second ends of the first winding portions are electrically interconnected by the third winding portions, such that coil windings of the coil are formed hereby, wherein at least the first winding portions are applied by means of a 3D printing method, wherein this is aerosol jet or inkjet printing, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicants: Würth Elektronik Gmbh & Co. KG, Hahn-Schickard-Gesellschaft für angewandte Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Jan Kostelnik, Alina Schreivogel, Jürgen Wolf, Jürgen Keck, Ing. Metin Giousouf, rer. nat. Thomas Reininger, Ing. Albert Kiessling
  • Patent number: 9087636
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a coil (140) integrated in a substrate (100) or applied to a substrate, wherein the coil has first winding portions (136), which each have first ends (141) and second ends (147), and wherein the coil has second winding portions (138) and third winding portions (139), wherein each two of the first ends are electrically interconnected by the second winding portions and two corresponding second ends of the first winding portions are electrically interconnected by the third winding portions, such that coil windings of the coil are formed hereby, wherein at least the first winding portions are applied by means of a 3D printing method, wherein this is aerosol jet or inkjet printing, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: WURTH ELECTRONIK GMBH & CO.
    Inventors: Jan Kostelnik, Alina Schreivogel, Jürgen Wolf, Jürgen Keck, Metin Giousouf, Thomas Reininger, Albert Kiessling
  • Patent number: 7750647
    Abstract: A position detecting device serves for finding the distance between a specimen arranged in a conductive structure and a microwave antenna arrangement of the position detecting device, produced by an inventive method, on the basis of microwaves. The microwave antenna arrangement exhibits a dielectric antenna body provided at least in part with an electrically conductive coating, which constitutes a first and a second pole face on a coupling probe of the microwave antenna arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Reininger, Marcus Maier
  • Publication number: 20100011954
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator, in particular pneumatic cylinder, with an actuator element movably located in a movement space of a housing and with a microwave position sensing device for detecting the position of the actuator element in the movement space, with a microwave aerial arrangement for the transmission of microwaves into the movement space forming a waveguide and for the reception of reflection microwaves generated by the reflection of the transmitted microwaves at the actuator element from the movement space, and with evaluation means for the generation of a position signal representing the current position of the actuator element from the reflection microwaves. In the actuator, it is provided that the actuator element has a groove arrangement with at least one groove for reflecting the microwaves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: FESTO AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Reininger, Marcus Maier, Lothar Geisbusch, Christian Bretz, Matthias Von Zeppelin, Holger Steltner
  • Patent number: 7492165
    Abstract: A position detecting device finds the position of a specimen arranged in a conductive structure on the basis of microwaves and includes an electrical circuit for the production and/or reception of the microwaves and a microwave antenna arrangement for emitting and/or receiving the microwaves. Said position detecting device includes a dielectric antenna body with a first pole face and a second pole face for the transmission of microwaves. The antenna body forms a component of the microwave antenna arrangement. The electrical circuit is at least in part arranged on the antenna body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co.
    Inventors: Marcus Maier, Thomas Reininger
  • Patent number: 7451684
    Abstract: An actuator or servo device comprises an actuator member adapted to move linearly in the motion space of an actuator housing, a microwave position detecting device for detecting the position of the actuator member in the motion space, the actuator member being capable of producing a pressure wave acting on the position detecting device on approaching the position detecting device and a high frequency microwave antenna arrangement for emitting and receiving microwaves, which are at least partially reflected by the actuator member. The actuator device includes dielectric guard cover means, arranged in front of the microwave antenna arrangement. For mechanically uncoupling the guard cover means from the microwave antenna arrangement between the guard cover means and the microwave antenna arrangement a clearance is maintained to allow deformation of the guard cover means thereinto owing to pressure waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gerald Müller, Wolfgang Rammler, Thomas Reininger
  • Publication number: 20080106272
    Abstract: A position detecting device finds the position of a specimen arranged in a conductive structure on the basis of microwaves and comprises an electrical circuit for the production and/or reception of the microwaves and a microwave antenna arrangement for emitting and/or receiving the microwaves. Said position detecting device includes a dielectric antenna body with a first pole face and a second pole face for the transmission of microwaves. The antenna body forms a component of the microwave antenna arrangement. The electrical circuit is at least in part arranged on the antenna body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Marcus Maier, Thomas Reininger
  • Patent number: 7323798
    Abstract: An electrodynamic direct drive includes an armature that travels within a housing and a drive system for moving armature in relation to housing. The drive system has two drive means, that are moved in relation to each other in the form of a coil system with at least one coil and a magnet system with at least one permanent magnet to move a load driver coupled with the armature. A displacement measurement space is defined by an end face of the armature and walls of the housing and/or the surface of the internally placed drive means. A sensor detects position of the armature within the housing by electromagnetic waves. The distance of the armature from the sensor is measured on the basis of the transit time of electromagnetic waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co.
    Inventors: Ralf Hartramph, Matthias Finkbeiner, Thomas Reininger
  • Publication number: 20070035464
    Abstract: A position detecting device serves for finding the distance between a specimen arranged in a conductive structure and a microwave antenna arrangement of the position detecting device, produced by an inventive method, on the basis of microwaves. The microwave antenna arrangement exhibits a dielectric antenna body provided at least in part with an electrically conductive coating, which constitutes a first and a second pole face on a coupling probe of the microwave antenna arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Publication date: February 15, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Reininger, Marcus Maier
  • Publication number: 20070035310
    Abstract: An actuator or servo device comprises an actuator member adapted to move linearly in the motion space of an actuator housing, a microwave position detecting device for detecting the position of the actuator member in the motion space, the actuator member being capable of producing a pressure wave acting on the position detecting device on approaching the position detecting device and a high frequency microwave antenna arrangement for emitting and receiving microwaves, which are at least partially reflected by the actuator member. The actuator device includes dielectric guard cover means, arranged in front of the microwave antenna arrangement. For mechanically uncoupling the guard cover means from the microwave antenna arrangement between the guard cover means and the microwave antenna arrangement a clearance is maintained to allow deformation of the guard cover means thereinto owing to pressure waves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Publication date: February 15, 2007
    Inventors: Gerald Muller, Wolfgang Rammler, Thomas Reininger
  • Patent number: 7104182
    Abstract: A contractile unit comprising a contractile hose extending between two spaced head pieces and adapted to perform a longitudinal contraction on being subjected to internal pressure, and a position sensor means responsive to the distance between the head pieces. The position sensor means possesses a microwave generator arranged on one of the head pieces and adapted to emit microwaves into the interior space of the contractile unit, an evaluating means being provided responsive to the distance between the head pieces using transit time measurement, phase comparison of the emitted and reflected wave or using determination of the resonant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co.
    Inventor: Thomas Reininger
  • Publication number: 20050231197
    Abstract: A position sensor designed in the form of a Hall sensor with an elongated circuit substrate (32) in the form of a molded interconnect device (MID) which includes an elongated support element consisting of injection molded plastic material, which at its front end side (37) has a support face (36), which is so fitted with a sensor element constituted by a Hall plate (27) or comprising a Hall plate (27) that the plane of the Hall plate (27) is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the circuit substrate (32). The sensor element (26) is electrically contacted by means of printed wiring (35), such printed wiring being constituted by a structured metal layer applied to the support element (34).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2003
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Reininger, Stephan Schauz, Jorg Schreier
  • Patent number: 6919719
    Abstract: A position detecting means comprising a sensor arrangement (14) for producing at least one sensor signal in a fashion dependent on a body (11) moving past said means, the sensor signal or signals continuously changing on such movement past. The at least one sensor signal is compared with at least one reference value in a comparator arrangement (20), control means being provided for electronic setting of the sensor arrangement (14) by changing the reference value and the output signal of the comparator arrangement (20) forms the position signal (P) for detection of a relative position of the body (11) and the sensor arrangement (14). Accordingly it is possible for the arrangement (14) to be mechanically set in a relatively rough manner and fine adjustment may be performed by changing the reference value electronically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co.
    Inventor: Thomas Reininger
  • Publication number: 20050139063
    Abstract: A contractile unit comprising a contractile hose extending between two spaced head pieces and adapted to perform a longitudinal contraction on being subjected to internal pressure, and a position sensor means responsive to the distance between the head pieces. The position sensor means possesses a microwave generator arranged on one of the head pieces and adapted to emit microwaves into the interior space of the contractile unit, an evaluating means being provided responsive to the distance between the head pieces using transit time measurement, phase comparison of the emitted and reflected wave or using determination of the resonant frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventor: Thomas Reininger
  • Publication number: 20050121985
    Abstract: An electrodynamic direct drive and more particularly a linear drive, comprises an armature adapted to travel within a housing, a drive system for moving such armature in relation to said housing, such drive system having two drivingly cooperating drive means, able to be moved in relation to each other, in the form of a coil system with at least one coil, and a magnet system with at least one permanent magnet in order to move a load driver coupled with the armature. In accordance with the invention, a displacement measurement space is defined by an end face of the armature and the walls of the housing and/or the surface of the internally placed drive means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Inventors: Ralf Hartramph, Matthias Finkbeiner, Thomas Reininger
  • Patent number: 6807894
    Abstract: A contraction unit with a contraction tube that extends between two spaced head pieces and that contracts in length when pressure builds upon the inside proposed, which is provided with a position sensor device for detecting the distance between the head pieces based on the expansion of an elastic measurement object with the help of an expansion measurement device, wherein the measurement object extends between head pieces or in or on the wall of the contraction tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co.
    Inventor: Thomas Reininger
  • Publication number: 20040196117
    Abstract: A method for the production of an actuator device and an actuator device. The actuator device comprises a more particularly fluid power driven actuator able to move in a housing and a position detecting means, in the case of which by means of an exciting current from a current source an actuator in a magnetostrictive wave guide a concentric magnetic field may be produced, such wave guide being arranged along a working stroke of the actuator, such magnetic field being able to be so influenced by a position indicating magnet arranged on the actuator that an ultrasonic wave deforming the wave guide is obtained. A measurement means is present for the position of the position indicating magnet on the basis of measurement of the transit time of the ultrasonic wave. The wave guide and a return guide for the reflux of the exciting current to the current source are made available on an assembly stage in a predetermined amount suitable for measurement paths of different length, at which the actuator is assembled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: FESTO AG & CO.
    Inventors: Albert Kiessling, Thomas Reininger
  • Publication number: 20030172801
    Abstract: A contraction unit with a contraction tube (10) that extends between two spaced head pieces (11,12) and that contracts in length when pressure builds up on the inside is proposed, which is provided with a position sensor device for detecting the distance between the head pieces (11,12) based on the expansion of an elastic measurement object (16) with the help of an expansion measurement device (18), wherein the measurement object (16) extends between the head pieces (11,12) or in or on the wall of the contraction tube (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: FESTO AG & Co.
    Inventor: Thomas Reininger