Patents by Inventor Volker Stephan

Volker Stephan 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: 8340789
    Abstract: A control system (1) for a complex process, particularly for controlling a combustion process in a power plant, a waste incinerator plant, or a cement plant, has a controlled system (14) and at least one controller (36), wherein the control system (1) is divided hierarchically into various levels (10, 20, 30, 40). The first level (10) represents the complex, real process to be controlled and is implemented by the controlled system (14). The second level (20) represents an interface to the process and is implemented by a process control system. The third level (30) represents the control of the process and is implemented by the at least one active controller (36). The fourth level (40) represents a superordinate overview and is implemented by a principal controller (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Powitec Intelligent Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Wintrich, Volker Stephan, Erik Schaffernicht, Florian Steege
  • Patent number: 8288583
    Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for preparing carboxylic acid derivatives, comprising the reaction of at least one carboxylic acid and/or of a carboxylic acid derivative with at least one alcohol and/or an amine in the presence of a metal-containing catalyst, wherein, after the reaction has ended, the metal-containing catalyst is contacted with water and a superabsorbent, the contacting of the catalyst with the water leading to hydrolysis of the catalyst. The present invention further relates to the use of superabsorbents for removing a metal-containing catalyst from a mixture after hydrolysis of the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Evonik Rohmax Additives GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Boehmke, Klaus Schimossek, Detlef Bloos, Michael Neusius, Stephan Massoth, Guenther Graeff, Alexander Dardin, Matthias Fischer, Volker Stephan
  • Publication number: 20120065746
    Abstract: A control system (1) for a complex process, particularly for controlling a combustion process in a power plant, a waste incinerator plant, or a cement plant, has a controlled system (14) and at least one controller (36), wherein the control system (1) is divided hierarchically into various levels (10, 20, 30, 40). The first level (10) represents the complex, real process to be controlled and is implemented by the controlled system (14). The second level (20) represents an interface to the process and is implemented by a process control system. The third level (30) represents the control of the process and is implemented by the at least one active controller (36). The fourth level (40) represents a superordinate overview and is implemented by a principal controller (44).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: POWITEC INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Franz Wintrich, Volker Stephan, Erich Schaffernicht, Frank-Florian Steege
  • Patent number: 8019446
    Abstract: In a control loop for regulating a combustion process in a plant (e.g., a power-generating plant, a waste incineration plant or a cement works) having a controlled system for converting material by way of the combustion process while supplying air, with at least one flame body being formed, and having at least one observation device for imaging the flame body, other sensors for determining the input data, at least one adjustment device that can be controlled by output data for supplying at least material and/or air, and a computer for evaluating the input data in relation to target values and for determining the output data by using a current process model, the computer has a feature extraction module that extracts features from the input data using an information measure. The features are informative for the target values, and are for use in an alternative process model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Powitec Intelligent Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Wintrich, Volker Stephan
  • Publication number: 20110089130
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for vertically lifting a load, preferably a crane, comprising a base, at least one jib extending out from the base, at least one cable which is guided from the base around the tip of the jib, at least one device for gripping or securing a load which is attached or can be attached to the end of the cable guided around the tip of the jib, wherein the cable is a synthetic cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventor: Volker Stephan
  • Publication number: 20100122606
    Abstract: A force transmitting assembly comprises a composite fiber tie rod having a force transmitting element on the end thereof. The force transmitting element has at least a portion having a cross-section that tapers in a direction pointing away from the tie rod end. The load bearing fiber layer of the tie rod extends over and is wound about the tapered portion of the force transmitting element, thereby establishing a positive connection between the tie rod and the force transmitting element. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing a force transmitting assembly comprising a composite fiber tie rod and a force transmitting element on an end thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Inventor: Volker Stephan
  • Patent number: 7624082
    Abstract: Material (G) is converted by a combustion process in a plant (1) while air (L) is supplied. The state of the system in the plant (1) is described by state variables (x, y) and is regulated at least by one control loop (3, 5, 7, 9). Groups of states (Z) are defined for at least one pair of correlated state variables (x, y), with the groups being comparable as regards changes (dx/dt, dy/dt) of the correlated state variables (x, y). Each group of comparable states (Z) is characterized, as regards their transition functions, by parameters (Kp, Tn, Tv) of a standard controller. In the event of changes in the state of the system in the plant (1), the closest groups of comparable states (Z) are selected, and their transition functions, characterized by the parameters (Kp, Tn, Tv), are used for the purposes of regulation the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Powitec Intelligent Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Wintrich, Volker Stephan
  • Publication number: 20090182145
    Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for preparing carboxylic acid derivatives, comprising the reaction of at least one carboxylic acid and/or of a carboxylic acid derivative with at least one alcohol and/or an amine in the presence of a metal-containing catalyst, wherein, after the reaction has ended, the metal-containing catalyst is contacted with water and a superabsorbent, the contacting of the catalyst with the water leading to hydrolysis of the catalyst. The present invention further relates to the use of superabsorbents for removing a metal-containing catalyst from a mixture after hydrolysis of the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: EVONIK ROHMAX ADDITIVES GMBH
    Inventors: Uwe Böhmke, Klaus Schimossek, Detlef Bloos, Michael Neusius, Stephan Massoth, Günther Gräff, Alexander Dardin, Matthias Fischer, Volker Stephan
  • Publication number: 20090182441
    Abstract: In a control loop for regulating a combustion process in a plant having a controlled system for converting material by way of the combustion, with at least one flame body being formed, the control loop having at least one observation device for imaging the flame body and further sensors to determine the state variables describing the state of the system in the plant, at least one regulator and/or a computer to evaluate the state variables and select suitable actions based on a process model, and adjustment devices for at least the supply of material and/or air that can be controlled by the actions, the process model provides specialized function approximators for various process dynamics, one of which function approximators is selected by a selector, and a regulator assigned to the selected function approximator is used to regulate the control loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: Powitec Intelligent Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Wintrich, Volker Stephan
  • Publication number: 20090105852
    Abstract: A control loop, which is for regulating a process in a plant having a controlled system, comprises: at least one measuring device for recording observation values of the controlled system, at least one adjustment device for acting on the controlled system in response to the adjustment device being controlled by way of action values, and a regulator. The regulator is operative to provide the action values. The regulator being operative to provide the action values comprises the regulator being adapted for: predicting, by way of a process model and at least one probability distribution of the observation values, a set of distributions of probable future states of the system; evaluating the set of distributions of probable future states of the system using target values and/or distributions of the target values; and selecting at least one probability distribution of action values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: Powitec Intelligent Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Wintrich, Volker Stephan, Steffen Muller
  • Publication number: 20080215165
    Abstract: In a control loop for regulating a combustion process in a plant (e.g., a power-generating plant, a waste incineration plant or a cement works) having a controlled system for converting material by way of the combustion process while supplying air, with at least one flame body being formed, and having at least one observation device for imaging the flame body, other sensors for determining the input data, at least one adjustment device that can be controlled by output data for supplying at least material and/or air, and a computer for evaluating the input data in relation to target values and for determining the output data by using a current process model, the computer has a feature extraction module that extracts features from the input data using an information measure. The features are informative for the target values, and are for use in an alternative process model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: Powitec Intelligent Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Wintrich, Volker Stephan
  • Publication number: 20080081302
    Abstract: Material (G) is converted by a combustion process in a plant (1) while air (L) is supplied. The state of the system in the plant (1) is described by state variables (x, y) and is regulated at least by one control loop (3, 5, 7, 9). Groups of states (Z) are defined for at least one pair of correlated state variables (x, y), with the groups being comparable as regards changes (dx/dt, dy/dt) of the correlated state variables (x, y). Each group of comparable states (Z) is characterized, as regards their transition functions, by parameters (Kp, Tn, Tv) of a standard controller. In the event of changes in the state of the system in the plant (1), the closest groups of comparable states (Z) are selected, and their transition functions, characterized by the parameters (Kp, Tn, Tv), are used for the purposes of regulation the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: Powitec Intelligent Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Wintrich, Volker Stephan
  • Patent number: 7231078
    Abstract: In a method for monitoring a thermodynamic process in an installation, in which image material (5) of the process is produced and the image material (5) is subjected to image evaluation, an eigen value problem approach is used, at least in large part, for automatic image evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Powitec Intelligent Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Wintrich, Volker Stephan
  • Patent number: 7100868
    Abstract: The exchange, removal or addition, as applicable, of media and/or power between the individual shafts of an engine, between individual engines and between the engines and the aircraft provides for additional degrees of freedom, enabling engine parameters to be addressed in terms of a reduction or avoidance of negative resonances or beats. It also provides an ability to alter thrust from engines of a multi-engined aircraft to reduce rudder trim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventor: Volker Stephan
  • Patent number: 7035717
    Abstract: In a method for controlling a thermodynamic process, in particular a combustion process, in which the system status (st) is measured, compared with optimization targets (rj), and in which suitable setting actions (ai) are performed in the system for controlling it, a process model (PM) is determined that is independent of the optimization targets (rj) and which describes the effects of actions (at) on the system status (st), and in which a situational evaluation (SB) that is independent of the process model (PM) evaluates the system status (st) by means of quality functions (ut) with regard to the optimization targets (rj).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Powitec Intelligent Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Wintrich, Volker Stephan
  • Publication number: 20050147288
    Abstract: In a method for monitoring a thermodynamic process in an installation, in which image material (5) of the process is produced and the image material (5) is subjected to image evaluation, an eigen value problem approach is used, at least in large part, for automatic image evaluation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Inventors: Franz Wintrich, Volker Stephan
  • Publication number: 20050137995
    Abstract: In a method for regulating a thermodynamic process, in which process variables in the system are measured, predictions are calculated in a neural network on the basis of a trained, current process model and compared with optimization objectives and actions suitable for regulating the process are carried out in the system, at the same time the process is automatically analyzed and at least one new process model is formed, trained and compared with the current process model with respect to the predictions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: Franz Wintrich, Volker Stephan, Dirk Tiedtke
  • Publication number: 20040232281
    Abstract: This invention relates to the exchange, removal or addition, as applicable, of media and/or power between the individual shafts of an engine, between individual engines and between the engines and the aircraft. Thus, the present invention provides for additional degrees of freedom enabling engine parameters to be addressed in terms of a reduction or avoidance of negative resonances or beats. It also provides an ability to alter thrust from engines of a multi-engined aircraft to reduce rudder trim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventor: Volker Stephan
  • Patent number: 6712314
    Abstract: The exchange, removal or addition, as applicable, of media and/or power is provided between the individual shafts of an engine, between individual engines and between the engines and the aircraft. Thus, additional degrees of freedom are provided, enabling engine parameters to be addressed in terms of a reduction or avoidance of negative resonances or beats. It also provides an ability to alter thrust from engines of a multi-engined aircraft to reduce rudder trim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventor: Volker Stephan
  • Publication number: 20040044423
    Abstract: In a method for controlling a thermodynamic process, in particular a combustion process, in which the system status (st) is measured, compared with optimization targets (rj), and in which suitable setting actions (ai) are performed in the system for controlling it, a process model (PM) is determined that is independent of the optimization targets (rj) and which describes the effects of actions (at) on the system status (st), and in which a situational evaluation (SB) that is independent of the process model (PM) evaluates the system status (st) by means of quality functions (ut) with regard to the optimization targets (rj).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: Powitec Intelligent Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Wintrich, Volker Stephan