Patents by Inventor Thorsten Hergenroether

Thorsten Hergenroether 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).

  • Fluid return apparatus for a double-acting cylinder and method for operating such a cylinder
    Patent number: 11674531
    Abstract: In order to reduce fluid consumption, a fluid return apparatus is provided for a double-acting cylinder having a first fluid connection for supplying fluid to a first cylinder chamber of the cylinder and a second fluid connection for supplying fluid to a second cylinder chamber at a piston rod-side of the cylinder. The fluid return apparatus comprises a first fluid passage providing fluid communication between the first fluid connection and the first cylinder chamber; a rapid venting valve comprising an inlet providing communication with the second fluid connection; an outlet providing communication with the piston-rod-side second cylinder chamber; a vent of the rapid venting valve, connected by a second fluid passage to the first fluid passage; and a non-return fitting in the second fluid passage, which prevents fluid from flowing from the first fluid passage to the rapid venting valve and an auxiliary outlet device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: SMC Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Mario Heitmann, Thorsten Hergenroether
  • FLUID RETURN APPARATUS FOR A DOUBLE-ACTING CYLINDER AND METHOD FOR OPERATING SUCH A CYLINDER
    Publication number: 20210040946
    Abstract: In order to reduce fluid consumption, a fluid return apparatus is provided for a double-acting cylinder having a first fluid connection for supplying fluid to a first cylinder chamber of the cylinder and a second fluid connection for supplying fluid to a second cylinder chamber at a piston rod-side of the cylinder. The fluid return apparatus comprises a first fluid passage providing fluid communication between the first fluid connection and the first cylinder chamber; a rapid venting valve comprising an inlet providing communication with the second fluid connection; an outlet providing communication with the piston-rod-side second cylinder chamber; a vent of the rapid venting valve, connected by a second fluid passage to the first fluid passage; and a non-return fitting in the second fluid passage, which prevents fluid from flowing from the first fluid passage to the rapid venting valve and an auxiliary outlet device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: SMC Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Mario HEITMANN, Thorsten Hergenroether