Patents by Inventor Thomas Schafer

Thomas Schafer 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: 11211831
    Abstract: In a system having primary conductor sections supplied with alternating current by respective feed-in devices, and having at least one mobile part, and in a method for operating such a system, in which the mobile part has a secondary winding, in particular on its underside, which is able to be, in particular is, inductively coupled with one of the primary conductor sections, the feed-in devices inject respective alternating currents of different frequencies into the primary conductor sections, and the mobile part has a device for acquiring the frequency of the alternating current injected into the primary conductor section inductively coupled with the secondary winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: SEW-EURODRIVE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Josef Schmidt, Thomas Schäfer, Jens Schäfer, Jochen Mahlein, Ulrich Stockenberger
  • Publication number: 20210394806
    Abstract: In a system and method for operating a system having a rail, a stationary unit, rail-guided mobile parts, and a slotted hollow waveguide, either a first one of the mobile parts or the stationary unit functions as a transmitter, and a second one of the mobile parts functions as a receiver. The transmitter is configured for the simultaneous transmission of an electromagnetic signal and an acoustic signal, e.g., at a first instant. The receiver, which is set apart from the transmitter, is configured to detect the arrival of the electromagnetic signal at a second instant and to detect the arrival of the acoustic signal at a third instant. The second mobile part has an evaluation unit which is configured to determine the distance between the transmitter and the receiver based on the acquired second and third instants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: SEW-EURODRIVE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Zhidong HUA, Jonas Felix BÜRGEL, Michael LINDENFELSER, Andreas WANJEK, Thomas SCHÄFER, Josef SCHMIDT
  • Publication number: 20210364633
    Abstract: In a method and system for position capture of a vehicle along a driving route, situated on a concrete floor having a reinforcement: the vehicle carries out a reference drive along the driving route, the vehicle records measuring points along the driving route, and each measuring point allocates a signal from the reinforcement to a position on the driving route; a reference profile of the driving route is determined based on the measuring points ascertained during the reference drive; the vehicle drives along the driving route and records further measuring points; a profile segment is determined from the further measuring points; the profile segment is uniquely allocated to a segment of the reference profile, e.g., using a correlation method; a position on the driving route is uniquely allocated to the vehicle with the aid of the profile segment allocated to the reference profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Josef SCHMIDT, Jürgen BÖCKLE, Zhidong HUA, Thomas SCHÄFER, Andreas WANJEK
  • Patent number: 11181931
    Abstract: A system includes vehicles, a central control unit, and a stationary transceiver module connected to the central control unit via a bidirectional communications channel. Each vehicle has a transceiver module for bidirectional communication with the stationary transceiver module and/or a vehicle. The transceiver module has a controllable light source and a light sensor. The central control unit transmits driving orders to the vehicles via the stationary transceiver module. A first vehicle that is located within a spatial transmission area of the stationary transceiver module forwards a driving order to a second vehicle that is located outside the spatial transmission area of the stationary transceiver module, and the second vehicle transmits data via the first vehicle and the stationary transceiver module to the central control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: SEW-EURODRIVE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Josef Schmidt, Zhidong Hua, Thomas Schäfer
  • Publication number: 20210344420
    Abstract: A system includes a first communications unit, e.g., a transmitter, and a second communications unit, e.g., a receiver. The first communications unit has a controllable illumination device, which emits light modulated according to a predefined data flow, and the second communications unit has a camera, including an optical element and an image sensor. A light-sensitive surface of the image sensor has a plurality of lines of light-sensitive elements, and the image sensor is arranged such that the image of the illumination device projected onto the light-sensitive surface of the image sensor by the optical element is unsharply imaged and/or covers more than half of the light-sensitive surface and is scanned line by line, e.g., so that the image has stripes of different brightness and/or that the brightness profile induced transversely to the line direction spatially indicates the time characteristic of the data flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Applicant: SEW-EURODRIVE GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Zhidong HUA, Manuel HOFFMANN, Viktoriya ZAVALISHKA, Thomas SCHÄFER, Michael LINDENFELSER, Andreas WANJEK
  • Publication number: 20210270723
    Abstract: A method for the detection and monitoring of surface fouling from the nanoscale as a predictive or real-time monitoring tool is provided. Also provided are devices for carrying out the method, and to uses of the method, in particular for optimising cleaning procedures of devices or components thereof fouled by flows of foulant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas SCHAFER, Ilianne RAFANIELLO
  • Patent number: 11092969
    Abstract: In a system and method for operating a vehicle, the system includes the vehicle and a concrete floor, which has at least one reinforcement rod, the vehicle is disposed on the concrete floor so as to be movable, the vehicle has an evaluation device and a first sensor group, which has at least two sensors, the sensors are situated along a first reference line at a distance from one another, the sensors are adapted to detect the reinforcement rod, and the evaluation device is connected to the sensors and adapted to determine the driving direction based on the signals from the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: SEW-EURODRIVE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Josef Schmidt, Jürgen Böckle, Zhidong Hua, Thomas Schäfer, Andreas Wanjek
  • Patent number: 11092687
    Abstract: In a method and system for position capture of a vehicle along a driving route, situated on a concrete floor having a reinforcement: the vehicle carries out a reference drive along the driving route, the vehicle records measuring points along the driving route, and each measuring point allocates a signal from the reinforcement to a position on the driving route; a reference profile of the driving route is determined based on the measuring points ascertained during the reference drive; the vehicle drives along the driving route and records further measuring points; a profile segment is determined from the further measuring points; the profile segment is uniquely allocated to a segment of the reference profile, e.g., using a correlation method; a position on the driving route is uniquely allocated to the vehicle with the aid of the profile segment allocated to the reference profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: SEW-EURODRIVE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Josef Schmidt, Jürgen Böckle, Zhidong Hua, Thomas Schäfer, Andreas Wanjek
  • Publication number: 20210129212
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a filter feeder intended for insertion into a casting mold used for casting metals, the filter feeder has a feeder body comprising an inner feeder volume, consisting of an exothermic and/or insulating material, with a lateral wall region and with a bottom region comprising a feeder opening for connecting the feeder volume to a casting cavity. A filter element is fixed in the feeder body of the filter feeder. The invention also concerns a device suitable for carrying out the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Schäfer, Jörg Schäfer
  • Patent number: 10934262
    Abstract: The present invention relates electroluminescent devices, comprising a compound of the formula especially as host for phosphorescent compounds. The hosts may function with phosphorescent materials to provide improved efficiency, stability, manufacturability, or spectral characteristics of electroluminescent devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: UDC IRELAND LIMITED
    Inventors: Frederique Wendeborn, Beat Schmidhalter, Thomas Schäfer, Peter Murer, Kristina Bardon
  • Publication number: 20210047162
    Abstract: In a method for operating a system, and a system, the system includes a mobile part drivable on a driving surface, and a load carrier. The mobile part includes a radar sensor connected to a control of the mobile part. The frequency spectrum of an intermediate frequency signal is determined, and, using pattern recognition, the frequency spectrum is compared with stored pattern samples, and the result of the comparison is conveyed to the control. The control actuates actuators such as a drive and/or steering unit of the mobile part as a function of the result of the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Applicant: SEW-EURODRIVE GMBH & CO.KG
    Inventors: Serdal AYHAN, Andreas WANJEK, Zhidong HUA, Thomas SCHÄFER, Josef SCHMIDT
  • Publication number: 20210048509
    Abstract: In a mobile part having at least one module, and a method for operating a mobile part, the mobile part is able to be moved on a driving surface, and the module includes a controllable illumination device. The illumination device is provided and/or situated in elongated form along a planar curve, in particular, a line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Applicant: SEW-EURODRIVE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Serdal AYHAN, Thomas SCHÄFER
  • Publication number: 20210021342
    Abstract: A system includes a first mobile part and a second mobile part, each being able to be moved in a movement plane of an installation. The first mobile part has corner modules at its outer corner areas, and the second mobile part also has corner modules at its outer corner areas. Each corner module has an electronic circuit together with transmitters and receivers such that modulated light is able to be emitted with the aid of the transmitters, and modulated light is able to be detected and demodulated with the aid of the receivers. The receivers have different sensitivities for light from different directions in space, in particular, the receivers of the respective corner module being situated in one plane with respect to this respective corner module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: SEW-EURODRIVE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Thomas SCHÄFER, Andreas WANJEK, Zhidong HUA
  • Publication number: 20200389056
    Abstract: In a system having primary conductor sections supplied with alternating current by respective feed-in devices, and having at least one mobile part, and in a method for operating such a system, in which the mobile part has a secondary winding, in particular on its underside, which is able to be, in particular is, inductively coupled with one of the primary conductor sections, the feed-in devices inject respective alternating currents of different frequencies into the primary conductor sections, and the mobile part has a device for acquiring the frequency of the alternating current injected into the primary conductor section inductively coupled with the secondary winding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicant: SEW-EURODRIVE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Josef SCHMIDT, Thomas SCHÄFER, Jens SCHÄFER, Jochen MAHLEIN, Ulrich STOCKENBERGER
  • Publication number: 20200254510
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a riser sleeve (1) for using when pouring metals into a casting mould, comprising a riser body (2), comprising a riser cavity (3) for holding liquid metal and a riser opening (4) for joining the riser cavity (3) to a mould cavity of the casting mould during the casting process, wherein the riser cavity (3) has a greater diameter than the diameter of the riser opening (4) in at least one portion, the riser body (2) is made of an insulating and/or exothermic riser material, the riser body (2) is formed as a single piece, the riser opening (4) defines an axis (5), and the riser cavity (3) is asymmetric to the axis (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Olof Hilger, Jörg Schäfer, Thomas Schäfer
  • Patent number: 10544860
    Abstract: A construction machine having a frame and at least one compaction member is provided. The machine also includes a propulsion system having a hydraulic motor adapted to rotate the compaction member. The propulsion system also includes a hydraulic pump fluidly coupled to the hydraulic motor via a high pressure line and a low pressure line. The high pressure line allows flow of a fluid at high pressure from the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic motor. The low pressure line allows flow of the fluid at low pressure from the hydraulic motor to the hydraulic pump. The propulsion system further includes a hydraulic valve fluidly coupled to the low pressure line and a casing of the hydraulic motor. The hydraulic valve selectively allows flow of a portion of the fluid at low pressure from the low pressure line to the casing for cooling of the hydraulic motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Aaron Greene, Derek Kenneth Huhn, Benjamin Thomas Schafer
  • Patent number: 10525526
    Abstract: A method for producing a feeder (10) that is intended for use in a casting mold used for the casting of metals and comprises a feeder body (11), which encloses an inner cavity (25) as a feeder volume, consists of an exothermic and/or insulating material, has at least one lateral wall region (12) and a bottom region (13) with a feeder opening (14) arranged therein for connecting the inner cavity (25) of the feeder body (11) to the mold cavity of the casting mold during the casting operation and has a mesh-like fabric consisting of a refractory material covering over the feeder opening (14) therein, is characterized in that, in the course of the production of the feeder in a core shooter, a piece of fabric (21) of the mesh-like fabric is positioned in a pattern device (17) forming the shape of the feeder (10) in a core box (30) of the core shooter, in such a way that the peripheral region (22) of the piece of fabric (21) positioned in the bottom region (13) of the later feeder (10) is at least partially bent up
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: GTP Schäfer Giesstechnische Produkte GmbH
    Inventors: Jörg Schäfer, Thomas Schäfer
  • Publication number: 20190369638
    Abstract: In a system and method for operating a vehicle, the system includes the vehicle and a concrete floor, which has at least one reinforcement rod, the vehicle is disposed on the concrete floor so as to be movable, the vehicle has an evaluation device and a first sensor group, which has at least two sensors, the sensors are situated along a first reference line at a distance from one another, the sensors are adapted to detect the reinforcement rod, and the evaluation device is connected to the sensors and adapted to determine the driving direction based on the signals from the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Josef SCHMIDT, Jürgen BÖCKLE, Zhidong HUA, Thomas SCHÄFER, Andreas WANJEK
  • Publication number: 20190361115
    Abstract: In a method and system for position capture of a vehicle along a driving route, situated on a concrete floor having a reinforcement: the vehicle carries out a reference drive along the driving route, the vehicle records measuring points along the driving route, and each measuring point allocates a signal from the reinforcement to a position on the driving route; a reference profile of the driving route is determined based on the measuring points ascertained during the reference drive; the vehicle drives along the driving route and records further measuring points; a profile segment is determined from the further measuring points; the profile segment is uniquely allocated to a segment of the reference profile, e.g., using a correlation method; a position on the driving route is uniquely allocated to the vehicle with the aid of the profile segment allocated to the reference profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Josef SCHMIDT, Jürgen BÖCKLE, Zhidong HUA, Thomas SCHÄFER, Andreas WANJEK
  • Patent number: 10406595
    Abstract: In a method for producing a riser for inserting into a casting mold used for casting metals, the riser includes a riser body (31) surrounding an inner cavity (36) as a riser volume and is composed of an exothermic and/or insulating riser material (30). To produce a single-piece riser body (31) in a two-part core box (10), a cavity (14) reproducing the outer contour of the riser body (31) is formed and, in order to produce the inner cavity (36), a reversibly expandable king (15) is set in the cavity (14) in such a way that, in the shooting of the riser body (31), the wall region (32), the cup region (33), and the base region (34) of the riser body are formed by the riser material (30) introduced into the intermediate space (41) between the expanded king (15) and the inner wall (40) of the cavity (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: GTP SCHAEFER GIESSTECHNISCHE PRODUKTE GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Baginski, Jörg Schäfer, Thomas Schäfer