Patents by Inventor Thorsten Alts

Thorsten Alts 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: 7147716
    Abstract: A multifunctional, lightweight and acoustically optimized interior lining for the roof of a vehicle is disclosed. The inventive lining comprises an air permeable core layer, a first stiffening layer, a second stiffening layer and a decor layer. Said layers are connected to one another by means of air permeable adhesive layers. The total air flow resistance of the second stiffening layer, decor layer, and attached adhesive layers, arranged on the side of the core layer facing the passenger compartment, is within the range of 500 Nsm?3>Rt<3500 Nsm?3. The total surface area weight of said layers lies in the range of 300 to 800 gr/m2. A method for producing said lining and the use thereof in a roof of a vehicle are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Rieter Automotive (International) AG
    Inventors: Alain Boukobza, Jean Francois Daniel, Emmanuel Reymond, Thorsten Alts
  • Patent number: 6720068
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sound absorbent thin-layer laminate consisting of at least one open-cell support layer and a second open-cell fibre layer. The support layer consists either of a first fibre layer, especially a low-density non-woven material with a mass per unit area of less than 2,000 g/m2 and a thickness of less than 50 mm, or of an open-cell foam layer, especially an ultra-light plastic foam with a density of between 16 and 32 kg/m3 and a thickness of at least 6 mm. The second fibre layer is made of melt-blown microfibres, whose fibre diameter is approximately 1 to 10 &mgr;m, especially 2 to 5 &mgr;m. The air resistance of the thin-layer laminate is in the range of 500<Rt<4,000 Ns/m3. According to the method for producing the thin-layer laminate a microfibre layer of melt-blown microfibres with a diameter of between 1 and 10 &mgr;m, preferably between 2 and 5 &mgr;m, is fixed to the support layer by means of a spray-on adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Rieter Automotive (International) AG
    Inventors: William Ray Vanbemmel, Anthony C. Vulpitta, Thorsten Alts
  • Patent number: 6713150
    Abstract: The invention relates to a component part, especially a rear parcel shelf, and to a method for the production thereof, whereby the component part is provided with a honeycomb-like core layer (2) which is provided with a reinforcing layer (3, 4) on each side. This layer comprises a nonwoven that contains thermoplastic fibers. The core layer (2) is made of thermoplastic material and is connected to the thermoplastic fibers of the reinforcing layer (3, 4) b material fit. The reinforcing layer (3, 4) is precompressed and air permeable and has an air flow resistance ranging from 500 Nsm−3<R<3500 Nsm−3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Rieter Automotive (International ) AG
    Inventors: Thorsten Alts, Jean Casulli, Claude Buisson
  • Patent number: 6569509
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ultralight, sound and shock absorbing component set comprising at least one base layer (2), an intermediate layer (3) and a covering layer (6). The intermediate layer (3) consists of a plurality of hollow bodies (4) arranged next to each other, whose walls are perforated and which thus form a complex labyrinth of hollow spaces. The covering layer (6) preferably has a microporous stiffening layer (8) which generates an airflow resistance of 900 Ns/m3<Rt<2000 Ns/m3. The dimensions of the walls of the hollow bodies (4) are such that they allow for compression of at least 50% at a maximum plateau tension of 0.5 Mpa<&sgr;<1.2 Mpa and inelastically and fully convert an impact energy of approximately 0.5 MJ/m3 into deformation work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Rieter Automotive (International) AG
    Inventor: Thorsten Alts
  • Publication number: 20030003267
    Abstract: The invention relates to a component part, especially a rear parcel shelf, and to a method for the production thereof, whereby the component part is provided with a honeycomb-like core layer (2) which is provided with a reinforcing layer (3, 4) on each side. This layer comprises a nonwoven that contains thermoplastic fibers. The core layer (2) is made of thermoplastic material and is connected to the thermoplastic fibers of the reinforcing layer (3, 4) b material fit. The reinforcing layer (3, 4) is precompressed and air permeable and has an air flow resistance ranging from 500 Nsm−3<R<3500 Nsm−3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Thorsten Alts, Jean Casulli, Claude Buisson
  • Patent number: 6454048
    Abstract: A vehicle component has a vehicle body part in combination with an acoustic insulating structure which interacts therewith. The acoustic insulating structure has an outer covering having a shield. The shield is spaced at a distance from the vehicle body part by an intermediate layer. In a particular embodiment, the intermediate layer is at least partially filed with a foam layer which is pressed against the body part by the shield. The shield is preferably perforated and the foam layer is protected against humidity and moisture by a thin plastic film. The outer covering can be conventionally fastened to the underside of the body part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Rieter Automotive (International) AG
    Inventors: Thorsten Alts, Ralf Peter Marsch, Marzell Erdkamp, Edmund Bonna
  • Patent number: 6145617
    Abstract: A kit for reducing noise in motor vehicles having at least one areal vehicle part, the kit having a sound-insulating assembly package having several layers and an at least partly interlaying air layer. This assembly package has at least one porous cushioning layer, a microporous reinforcing layer which is lightweight, stiff and openly porous, an air flow resistance between R.sub.t =500 Nsm.sup.-3 and R.sub.t =2,500 Nsm.sup.-3, and a surface area of mF=0.3 kg/m.sup.2 to mF=2.0 kg/m.sup.2. The reinforcing layer has a stiffness of B=0.05 Nm to B=10.5 Nm. This permits replacing the weight of classic spring-mass-systems for noise reduction in vehicles with a system at least 50% lighter. In addition to the dampening effect on oscillations, this kit absorbs sound and provides thermal insulation. Preferably, this multifunctional, ultralight kit is used to insulate the floor or firewall, or as a door lining or roof inner lining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Rieter Automotive AG
    Inventor: Thorsten Alts
  • Patent number: 5683764
    Abstract: An insulating glass including at least two window panes (20, 21), which are placed at a distance from one another and encompass a sound absorber made of open-celled material, in particular made of sintered or foamed aluminum. The sound absorber increases the flow resistance of the gas enclosed between the plates, made of a mechanically rigid material, and serves as a spacer (28). The insulating glass is especially suited for vehicle construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Rieter Automotive (International) AG
    Inventor: Thorsten Alts
  • Patent number: 5509247
    Abstract: A roof construction has vibration dampening ability and includes a body member in contact with a waffle-like surface of a moulded porous compressed fibrous web which is designed to have a self-supporting stability. The waffle-like surface exhibits an anisotropic air resistant structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Matec Holding AG
    Inventors: Maurice Fortez, Thorsten Alts
  • Patent number: 5245141
    Abstract: A composite structure with sound-insulating and sound-damping effects for use on the interior surfaces of motor vehicles, comprising at least two groups of coatings resting loosely on one another. In particular, the first group consists of a bottom part (2) free to vibrate and provided with coatings (6) or a finish like that used in modern motor vehicle construction. Preferably the applied second group of coatings consists of an insulating coating (8, 9). This insulating coating can be provided with an additional protective layer (7) and/or a textile or textile-like decorative layer (5). According to the invention, insulating coating (8, 9) exhibits anisotropic air flow resistance. This is achieved in simple fashion by a carrier layer (9) with a geometric structure and a plurality of support 15 elements (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Matec Holding AG
    Inventors: Maurice Fortez, Thorsten Alts, Peter Ehrler
  • Patent number: 5186996
    Abstract: A sound-absorbing multi-layer structure is disclosed comprising a structural part which is capable of oscillating and a loosely engaging damping sheet, which sheet comprises a flexible material and high material absorption factor and is made up of a heavy sheet with a viscoelastic support layer tightly connected thereto. The support layer comprises a plurality of angularly constructed support elements which are shaped and arranged so that together with the structure which can oscillate and the flexible heavy sheet they form a coherent labyrinth of hollow spaces with acoustically effective cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Matec Holding AG
    Inventor: Thorsten Alts