Patents by Inventor Thomas Steffens

Thomas Steffens 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: 12621918
    Abstract: The invention relates to a module (1a) for a luminaire. The module (1a) comprises a processing unit (2a) and a transmitter (3a) for wireless communication. The module (1a) may be electrically connected with a bus of the luminaire. In response to an event and/or a command of the luminaire, the processing unit (2a) is configured to control the transmitter (3a) to transmit a data packet (6), when the module (1a) is electrically connected with the bus of the luminaire. The data packet (6) comprises information on the event and/or the command of the luminaire in association with an address of the luminaire and a packet number; wherein the packet number is incremented by a number, optionally by one, each time the processing unit (2a) controls the transmitter (3a) to transmit the data packet (6). The invention relates to a further module, a luminaire and a system comprising the module and the further module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2026
    Assignee: Zumtobel Lighting GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Steffens
  • Publication number: 20240357725
    Abstract: The invention relates to a module (1a) for a luminaire. The module (1a) comprises a processing unit (2a) and a transmitter (3a) for wireless communication. The module (1a) may be electrically connected with a bus of the luminaire. In response to an event and/or a command of the luminaire, the processing unit (2a) is configured to control the transmitter (3a) to transmit a data packet (6), when the module (1a) is electrically connected with the bus of the luminaire. The data packet (6) comprises information on the event and/or the command of the luminaire in association with an address of the luminaire and a packet number; wherein the packet number is incremented by a number, optionally by one, each time the processing unit (2a) controls the transmitter (3a) to transmit the data packet (6). The invention relates to a further module, a luminaire and a system comprising the module and the further module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Applicant: ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
    Inventor: Thomas Steffens
  • Patent number: 12060986
    Abstract: The invention relates to a luminaire (10) comprising illuminants (170) for generating light, and a control unit (110) for controlling the illuminants (170), and at least one further element (140), in particular an operator control element (143) or a sensor (142), for generating control information that influences the operation of the luminaire (10), wherein the control unit (110) is configured in such a way that a self-test is carried out after a supply voltage has been applied to the luminaire (10). Said self-test is carried out automatically and independently in an analysis mode of the luminaire (10), wherein the control unit (110) checks the luminaire (10) for the presence and/or the functionality of the at least one further element (140). Depending on the checking result, and the type of further unit (140) checked, the control unit (110) controls the illuminants (170) such that a temporally variable light emission (171) signals the checking result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Zumtobel Lighting GmbH
    Inventors: Steffen Block, Andreas Radler, Thomas Steffens
  • Patent number: 11812534
    Abstract: The present invention provides a transceiver (1) for a local lighting system (L1), preferably a local lighting system based on the DALI-2 industry standard, comprising a bus (2) and a control unit (3) electrically connected to the bus (2) for controlling communication via the bus (2). The transceiver (1) comprises a transmitter (1a) configured to transmit wireless signals to a global lighting system (14) comprising one or more luminaires (L2 . . . LN), a receiver (1b) configured to receive wireless signals from the global lighting system (14), and a processing unit (1c) configured to process the received wireless signals from the global lighting system (14). The processing unit (1c) of the transceiver (1) is configured to convert the received wireless signals into bus signals such that the transceiver (1) behaves as an input device of the local lighting system (L1) when electrically connected to the bus (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Zumtobel Lighting GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Böhnel, Thomas Steffens
  • Publication number: 20230040404
    Abstract: The invention relates to a luminaire (10) comprising illuminants (170) for generating light, and a control unit (110) for controlling the illuminants (170), and at least one further element (140), in particular an operator control element (143) or a sensor (142), for generating control information that influences the operation of the luminaire (10), wherein the control unit (110) is configured in such a way that a self-test is carried out after a supply voltage has been applied to the luminaire (10). Said self-test is carried out automatically and independently in an analysis mode of the luminaire (10), wherein the control unit (110) checks the luminaire (10) for the presence and/or the functionality of the at least one further element (140). Depending on the checking result, and the type of further unit (140) checked, the control unit (110) controls the illuminants (170) such that a temporally variable light emission (171) signals the checking result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Applicant: ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
    Inventors: Steffen Block, Andreas Rädler, Thomas Steffens
  • Publication number: 20220346210
    Abstract: The present invention provides a transceiver (1) for a local lighting system (L1), preferably a local lighting system based on the DALI-2 industry standard, comprising a bus (2) and a control unit (3) electrically connected to the bus (2) for controlling communication via the bus (2). The transceiver (1) comprises a transmitter (1a) configured to transmit wireless signals to a global lighting system (14) comprising one or more luminaires (L2 LN), a receiver (1b) configured to receive wireless signals from the global lighting system (14), and a processing unit (1c) configured to process the received wireless signals from the global lighting system (14). The processing unit (1c) of the transceiver (1) is configured to convert the received wireless signals into bus signals such that the transceiver (1) behaves as an input device of the local lighting system (L1) when electrically connected to the bus (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicant: ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Böhnel, Thomas Steffens
  • Patent number: 9814119
    Abstract: A method for actuating loads connected to a bus system, in particular lamp operating devices, by at least one command generator which is likewise connected to the bus system. The actuation is carried out by the transmission of data packets, wherein the command generator fills a data packet region assigned to the command generator after the data packet transmission is initiated by a central clock generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Steffens, Ralf Schladoer
  • Publication number: 20160007427
    Abstract: A method for actuating loads connected to a bus system, in particular lamp operating devices, by at least one command generator which is likewise connected to the bus system. The actuation is carried out by the transmission of data packets, wherein the command generator fills a data packet region assigned to the command generator after the data packet transmission is initiated by a central clock generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas STEFFENS, Ralf SCHLADOER
  • Publication number: 20100154940
    Abstract: A method for producing pistons that can be used in internal combustion engines made from lightweight metal, with a combustion bowl assigned to one piston head, wherein a bowl rim is subjected to a melt treatment. In a first method step, the bowl rim is inductively heated. In a second method step, the material of the bowl rim, also to be referred to as the delimiting zone, is improved by means of a laser beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: KS KOLBENSCHMIDT GMBH
    Inventors: Jochen Luft, Thomas Steffens, Christian Schaller, Bernd Sartorius
  • Patent number: 7601434
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plain bearing composite material comprising a steel carrier layer and a bearing coating which is applied to the carrier layer in such a way that it cannot be removed and consists of lead-free aluminium bearing alloy consisting of between 4.4 and 6 wt. % of zinc, between 2.5 and 6 wt % of bismuth, between 1 and 2 wt. % of silicon, between 0.8 and 1.2 wt. % of copper and between 0.2 and 0.8 wt. % of magnesium, optionally a maximum of 0.2 wt. % each of titanium, nickel, manganese, and tin, optionally a maximum of 0.6 wt. % of iron, and also optionally respectively a maximum of 0.1 wt. % of impurity related additives, the total quantity thereof not amounting to more than 1 wt. % of the sum of the constituents. The aluminium bearing alloy forms an aluminium solid solution supersaturated with zinc, said zinc being finely distributed by solution annealing and subsequent chilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: KS Gleitlager GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Schubert, Klaus Deicke, Thomas Steffens, Bernd Mueller
  • Publication number: 20070026255
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plain bearing composite material comprising a steel carrier layer and a bearing coating which is applied to the carrier layer in such a way that it cannot be removed and consists of lead-free aluminium bearing alloy consisting of between 4.4 and 6 wt. % of zinc, between 2.5 and 6 wt % of bismuth, between 1 and 2 wt. % of silicon, between 0.8 and 1.2 wt. % of copper and between 0.2 and 0.8 wt. % of magnesium, optionally a maximum of 0.2 wt. % each of titanium, nickel, manganese, and tin, optionally a maximum of 0.6 wt. % of iron, and also optionally respectively a maximum of 0.1 wt. % of impurity related additives, the total quantity thereof not amounting to more than 1 wt. % of the sum of the constituents. The aluminium bearing alloy forms an aluminium solid solution supersaturated with zinc, said zinc being finely distributed by solution annealing and subsequent chilling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2004
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Inventors: Werner Schubert, Klaus Deicke, Thomas Steffens, Bernd Mueller
  • Patent number: 6902324
    Abstract: A crankshaft bearing shell in an internal combustion engine of a vehicle is made from a steel/aluminum composite material and is composed of a steel supporting layer and an aluminum plated sliding layer containing parts of tin and copper in the aluminum sliding layer, optionally comprising an intermediate layer consisting of pure aluminum. The aluminum sliding layer comprises A1Sn (20-23) Cu(1.8-2.3) alloy, optionally containing additions of up to 0.1 wt % of Ni, 0.7 wt % of Si, 0.7 wt % Fe, 0.7 wt % Mn, 0.2 wt % Ti, wherein the sum of Si, Fe and Mn is less than 1 wt %; and impurities form a total amount of less than 0.5 wt.- % with the aluminum sliding layer having a Brinell hardness of at least 45 HB 1/5/30 after heat treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: KS Gleitlager GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Steffens, Werner Schubert, Klaus Deicke, Johann Krämer, Jürgen Claus
  • Publication number: 20040101218
    Abstract: The invention relates to a crankshaft bearing shell in an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. Said crankshaft bearing shell is made of a steel/aluminum composite material and is composed of a steel supporting layer and an aluminum plated sliding layer containing parts of tin and copper in the aluminum sliding layer, optionally comprising an intermediate layer consisting of pure aluminum. Said aluminum sliding layer comprises A1Sn (20-23) Cu(1.8-2.3) alloy, optionally containing additions of up to 0.1 wt % of Ni, 0.7 wt % of Si, 0.7 wt % Fe, 0.7 wt % Mn, 0.2 wt % Ti, wherein the sum of Si, Fe and Mn is less than 1 wt %; and impurities form a total amount of less than 0.5 wt.- % with said aluminum sliding layer having a Brinell hardness of at least 45 HB 1/5/30 after heat treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas Steffens, Werner Schubert, Klaus Deicke, Johann Kramer, Jurgen Claus
  • Patent number: 6673168
    Abstract: An aluminum-based material for anti-friction bearings composed of an aluminum alloy with 10-25 wt % tin or 5-25 wt % lead, impurity-caused components characterized by 0.75-2.5 wt % iron and an alloy additive capable of forming an intermetallic compound having a spherical phase homogeneously distributed in the aluminum alloy. The alloy additive is one of: a) manganese and silicon, in which the weight percentage fractions of manganese and silicon are at least half the weight percentage fraction of the iron and for manganese, at most 3 wt %, and for silicon, at most 2 wt %; b) 0.1-0.5 wt % cobalt; and c) 0.1-0.5 wt % molybdenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: KS Gleitlager GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Matucha, Thomas Steffens, Werner Schubert
  • Patent number: 6379819
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sliding bearing composite material with a hard metal support layer and a metallic sliding coating which is roll-bonded onto said support layer. The inventive sliding bearing composite is made of an aluminum alloy with tin comprising 10 to 20 percent by mass and with additions of copper and nickel. The sliding layer is in direct contact with the sliding mate. The sliding bearing composite material is thus improved with respect to the loading capacity and plasticity in that the aluminum alloy is comprised of tin, copper, nickel and remaining aluminum, the copper and nickel each have a percentage by mass of 0.2 to 2, and the ratio of percentage by mass of copper to the percentage by mass of nickel is between 0.6 and 1.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: KS Gleitlager GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Steffens, Werner Schubert
  • Publication number: 20020037424
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sliding bearing composite material with a hard metal support layer and a metallic sliding coating which is roll-bonded onto said support layer. The inventive sliding bearing composite is made of an aluminum alloy with tin comprising 10 to 20 percent by mass and with additions of copper and nickel. The sliding layer is in direct contact with the sliding mate. The sliding bearing composite material is thus improved with respect to the loading capacity and plasticity in that the aluminum alloy is comprised of tin, copper, nickel and remaining aluminum, the copper and nickel each have a percentage by mass of 0.2 to 2, and the ratio of percentage by mass of copper to the percentage by mass of nickel is between 0.6 and 1.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Inventors: THOMAS STEFFENS, WERNER SCHUBERT
  • Patent number: 6335106
    Abstract: The invention relates to an aluminium-based slide bearing material, comprising an aluminium alloy with 10-25% wt. tin, as well as copper, nikel and manganese additions. The invention seeks to provide a material with improved load-bearing capacity and formability. To this end, copper, nickel and manganese are each present at a portion of 0.2 to 2% wt., and 0.2 to 2% wt. silicon is added. Furthermore, the ratio of the percentage by weight of copper to the percentage by weight of nickel, and the ratio of the percentage by weight of manganese to the percentage by weight of silicon is between 0.6 and 1.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: KS Gleitlager GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Steffens, Werner Schubert
  • Patent number: 6328823
    Abstract: The invention relates to an aluminum sliding bearing alloy, comprising 3 to 6 mass % zinc, 0.3 to 2.0 mass % copper, 0.2 to 1.0 mass % magnesium, 0.3 to 2.0 mass % silicon and 2 to 4.5 mass % lead. According to the invention, said alloy is obtained by means of continuous casting with a minimum dimension, i.e. a strand thickness of more than 20 mm, solidifying in a mold which is indirectly cooled only, with a withdrawal speed of 1 to 5 mm/s and with a cooling speed of less than 100 K/s.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: KS Gleitlager GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Deicke, Werner Schubert, Thomas Steffens, Thomas Pomocnik
  • Patent number: 6296952
    Abstract: The stability under load and deformability of an aluminum-based sliding bearing material with 10-25 mass 6 tin are improved in that the aluminum alloy is composed of tin with the admixture of silicon and manganese, the remainder being aluminum, in that the proportions of manganese and silicon amount each to 0.2-2 mass %, and in that the ratio of the percentage by mass of manganese to the percentage by mass of silicon lies between 0.6 and 1.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: KS Gleitlager GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Steffens, Werner Schubert
  • Patent number: 5908709
    Abstract: A material for sliding surface bearings comprises a backing layer of steel and a clad-on layer made of an aluminum-base bearing material. To increase the fatigue limit the material 2 for sliding surface bearings has been heat-treated at 200 to 220.degree. C. for 2 to 12 hours and the bearing material is composed of14 to 18% by weight tin,1.7 to 2.3% by weight copper,balance aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Kolbenschmidt Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Deicke, Harald Pfestorf, Werner Schubert, Thomas Steffens