Patents by Inventor Bernd Ackermann

Bernd Ackermann 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).

  • Publication number: 20200041076
    Abstract: A retrofit Light Emitting Diode, LED, lighting device for connection to an electronic ballast is presented. Wherein the LED lighting device comprises a steady state mode during which it emits light and a standby mode during which it is not emitting light. The retrofit LED lighting device comprises an LED array for emitting light during said steady state mode; an alternating current, AC, LED driver arranged for receiving an AC supply voltage, from said electronic ballast during said steady state mode and for driving said LED array based on said received AC supply voltage. It also comprises of a filament circuit arranged for receiving said AC supply voltage from said electronic ballast and for supporting a filament current circulating back to said electronic ballast for indicating a presence said lighting device to said electronic ballast, and a lamp current to said AC LED driver for driving said LED array for emitting said light during said steady state mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: HENRICUS THEODORUS VAN DER ZANDEN, BERND ACKERMANN, THEODORUS JOHANNES PETRUS VAN DEN BIGGELAAR, HAIMIN TAO, PIETER JOHANNES STOBBELAAR
  • Publication number: 20200015333
    Abstract: A lighting device (7) comprises an input terminal for receiving an input power, a power converter (5) for receiving the input power from the input terminal, and for transforming the input power into a charging power and a supply power, an energy storage device (11) for receiving the charging power and for providing a discharging power. The lighting device (7) further comprises an LED load (9) for receiving the supply power and the discharging power, wherein the lighting device (7) is arranged to be operated in a first mode and in a second mode, wherein in the first mode the LED load (9) is arranged to receive the supply power from the power conversion unit, and the energy storage device (11) is arranged to receive the charging power from the power converter, wherein in the second mode the LED load (9) is arranged to receive the discharging power from the energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: BERND ACKERMANN, MATTHIAS WENDT, GOUTAM MAJI, THEODORUS JOHANNES PETRUS VAN DEN BIGGELAAR, HARALD JOSEF GUNTHER RADERMACHER, PIETER JOHANNES STOBBELAAR, PRIYA RANJAN MISHRA, HAIMIN TAO, HENRY THEODORUS VAN DER ZANDEN
  • Publication number: 20190346087
    Abstract: A retrofit Light Emitting Diode, LED, tube for replacing a fluorescent tube, wherein said retrofit LED tube is arranged to be connected to a ballast, said retrofit LED tube comprising a ballast determining unit arranged for identifying a type of ballast connected to said retrofit LED tube by controlling an output voltage of said power rectifier to a first voltage and measuring a first current provided by said power rectifier, controlling said output voltage of said power rectifier to a second voltage and measuring a second current provided by said power rectifier, wherein said second voltage differs from said first voltage and determining said type of ballast based on said first and second output voltages and said measured first and second currents, wherein said ballast determining unit is further arranged to configure said configurable matching circuit based on said determined type of ballast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: ANTENEH ALEMU ABBO, HAIMIN TAO, BERND ACKERMANN, KUMAR ARULANDU, WAI PANG CHOW, PIETER JOHANNES STOBBELAAR, GER VAN HEES
  • Patent number: 10468967
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for estimating an average value of an inductor current for switched-mode power converters (100), the device (1) comprising: a sensor (10), which is configured to measure an inductor voltage (v_L) and an inductor current (i_L); a ripple-suppressor (20), which is configured to provide an estimated inductor current ripple (EIR) based on the measured inductor voltage (v_L); and a current-corrector (30), which is configured to provide a corrected inductor current (i_Lc) based on the estimated inductor current ripple (EIR) and the measured inductor current (i_L).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Albert Garcia Tormo, Hendrik Huisman, Peter Luerkens, Bernd Ackermann
  • Patent number: 10199936
    Abstract: Pre-conditioners (or line-conditioners) are used to convert electrical power having first characteristics into electrical power having second characteristics. For example, a pre-conditioner may connect electrical equipment forming a load, which requiring only a conventional mains supply level to a utility three-phase supply. This means that the power components of the load may be de-rated, making the load electrical equipment cheaper. Such circuits may be further improved. Components in the down-converter itself still need to be rated to interface with the higher voltage. An approach is proposed in which two interleaved down-converters (36, 38) can be used to supply voltages. An energy recovery element (50) connects snubbers of the interleaved down-converters, thus enabling some de-rating of the pre-conditioner circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Peter Luerkens, Albert Garcia Tormo, Bernd Ackermann
  • Publication number: 20180337613
    Abstract: The present invention relates an NPC switching device (10) for an X-ray system (86) with symmetric power supply, wherein the switching device is amended by extra damping resistors (13, 18) in the high voltage rails (24, 28). These resistors act as damping resistors. Thus, they may provide particular damping in combination with the load (100), which is capacitive dominated. Further, an additional inductor (77) may be provided at the output (48) of the NPC switching device allowing a resonant transition. In case the NPC switching device is connected with a grid capacitance of the X-ray system, comprising a cathode (90) and a grid (92), wherein the cathode and the grid form a grid capacitance, overshoot and settling time in the switching device may be controlled and reduced, in particular to a minimum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: PETER LUERKENS, ALBERT GARCIA TORMO, BERND ACKERMANN
  • Patent number: 10090097
    Abstract: A high voltage transformer (50) includes a magnetic core (5); a low voltage winding (10); a high voltage winding (20); at least one inner sleeve (30); and a coil bobbin (24) for carrying the high voltage winding (20). The coil bobbin (24) is configured to be arranged inside the at least one inner sleeve (30) and configured to be attached to the at least one inner sleeve (30) at an outer perimeter of the at least one inner sleeve (30). The coil bobbin (24) includes at least one field-control electrode (22), which is adapted to shape an electric field generated by the high voltage winding (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Bernd Ackermann, Wolfgang Efftinge, Albert Garcia Tormo, Christian Hattrup, Ralf Kröger, Thomas Scheel, Peter Lürkens, Antonius Johannes Joseph Wismans
  • Publication number: 20180235063
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for controlling a power converter (100), the device (1) comprising: a sensor module (10), which is configured to measure an inductor current (i_L) through an inductor of the power converter (100); a compensation module (20), which is configured to generate a compensation waveform (i_c); and an operating module (30), which is configured to provide a continuous conduction mode current signal (i_CCM) based on the compensation waveform (i_c) and of the inductor current (i_L) and which is configured to control the power converter (100) based on the provided continuous conduction mode current signal (i_CCM).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Albert GARCIA TORMO, Hendrik HUISMAN, Bernd ACKERMANN, Peter LUERKENS
  • Patent number: 10009966
    Abstract: Transformers (1) comprise primary parts and secondary parts with first and second taps (11, 12) for providing feeding signals to combinations of switching circuits (22, 26) and loads (21) and with third and fourth taps (13, 14) for providing data signals to receivers (23). At least one of the third and fourth taps (13, 14) is different from the first and second taps (11, 12). In that case, the data signals will be better available, even in case the first and second taps (11, 12) are short-circuited. The primary parts may comprise primary windings (15), the secondary parts may comprise secondary windings (16). The first to fourth taps (11-14) may be taps of the secondary windings (16). The first and third taps (11, 13) may be identical taps, and the second and fourth taps (12, 14) may be different taps. The first and second taps (11, 12) may be outer taps and the fourth taps may be center taps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Bernd Ackermann, Theodorus Johannes Petrus Van Den Biggelaar, Dirk Fieberg, Brian Roberge, Eberhard Waffenschmidt
  • Publication number: 20180175731
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a control device (1) for a multiple-input multiple-output converter (100) comprising: a first transformation block controller (21), which is configured to split outputs of the multiple-input multiple-output converter (100) into independent sets of outputs representing at least two independent virtual converters (100-1, 100-2, . . . , 100-n); a first converter controller (10), which is configured to control a first virtual converter (100-1) of the at least two independent virtual converters (100-1, 100-2, . . . , 100-n) by providing a first controlling signal based on the independent sets of outputs; a second converter controller (30), which is configured to control a second virtual converter (100-2) of the at least two independent virtual converters (100-1, 100-2, . . .
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Albert GARCIA i TORMO, Hendrik HUISMAN, Peter Lürkens, Bernd ACKERMANN
  • Publication number: 20180166973
    Abstract: Pre-conditioners (or line-conditioners) are used to convert electrical power having first characteristics into electrical power having second characteristics. For example, a pre-conditioner may connect electrical equipment forming a load, which requiring only a conventional mains supply level to a utility three-phase supply. This means that the power components of the load may be de-rated, making the load electrical equipment cheaper. Such circuits may be further improved. Components in the down-converter itself still need to be rated to interface with the higher voltage. An approach is proposed in which two interleaved down-converters (36, 38) can be used to supply voltages. An energy recovery element (50) connects snubbers of the interleaved down-converters, thus enabling some de-rating of the pre-conditioner circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: PETER LUERKENS, ALBERT GARCIA TORMO, BERND ACKERMANN
  • Publication number: 20180166970
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for estimating an average value of an inductor current for switched-mode power converters (100), the device (1) comprising: a sensor (10), which is configured to measure an inductor voltage (v_L) and an inductor current (i_L); a ripple-suppressor (20), which is configured to provide an estimated inductor current ripple (EIR) based on the measured inductor voltage (v_L); and a current-corrector (30), which is configured to provide a corrected inductor current (i_Lc) based on the estimated inductor current ripple (EIR) and the measured inductor current (i_L).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Albert GARCIA TORMO, Hendrik HUISMAN, Peter LUERKENS, Bernd ACKERMANN
  • Patent number: 9941932
    Abstract: Pick-up devices (1-9) for picking-up signals from first cables (21, 22) in electrically contactless manners comprise first arrangements (31) for picking-up power signals from the first cables (21, 22) in inductive manners and second arrangements (35, 36) for picking-up data signals from the first cables (21, 22) in capacitive manners. The first arrangements (31) may comprise inductive couplings such as magnetic cores (61, 62) with first openings for surrounding parts of first conductors (21) of the first cables (21, 22) and with second openings for surrounding parts of second conductors (22) of the first cables (21, 22). The second arrangements (35, 36) may comprise capacitive couplings such as first and second electrodes (71-74). The pick-up devices (1-9) may be pick-up and transfer devices (3) for transferring the signals to second cables (23, 24) in electrically contactless manners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Eberhard Waffenschmidt, Bernd Ackermann, Theodorus Johannes Petrus Van Den Biggelaar
  • Patent number: 9882506
    Abstract: A multiple inductive component (100) comprises:—a cylindrical drum core component (120) with at least two axially spaced circumferential grooves (131, 132) in its cylindrical outer surface (121), a separation disc portion (111) between said two circumferential grooves and two outer disc portions (112, 113) at the sides of the said two circumferential grooves, respectively, directed away from the separation disc portion;—at least one first winding (141) arranged in a first one (131) of said grooves;—at least one second winding (142) arranged in a second one (132) of said grooves;—a cylindrical shell core component (150) arranged coaxially around the cylindrical drum core component;—two outer air gaps (162, 163) between the cylindrical shell core component and said two outer disc portions, respectively. The separation disc portion is magnetically short circuited with the cylindrical shell core component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Bernd Ackermann, Reinhold Elferich, David Llewellyn John
  • Patent number: 9831921
    Abstract: Cables (1, 2) comprise first and second conductors (1, 2) for transporting signals to be picked-up in contactless manners. At first/second locations (3, 4), the first and second conductors (1, 2) are at first/second distances from each other. The first locations (3) are neutral locations where the conductors (1, 2) are parallel. The second locations (4) are pick-up locations. The second distances are larger than the first distances. Pick-up devices for picking-up signals in a contactless manner from the cables (1, 2) comprise parts for defining minimum values of the second distances. These parts may comprise core-parts, such as center ends (10) of E-shaped magnetic cores further comprising outer ends (11, 12) and backs (13). Methods for installing pick-up devices comprise steps of at second locations (4) increasing a distance between the first and second conductors (1, 2) from a value of the first distance to a value of the second distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Bernd Ackermann, Theodorus Johannes Petrus Van Den Biggelaar, Eberhard Waffenschmidt
  • Publication number: 20170294266
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bobbin assembly (1000-3) comprising: a plurality of winding slots (1000-4), each of which comprises a winding (10) with one turn per layer; and a plurality of isolation slots (1000-5), each of which comprises one single loop of the winding (10), and each of the isolation slots (1000-5) is adjacent to at least one winding slot (1000-4) of the plurality of winding slots (1000-4), and each of the winding slots (1000-4) is adjacent to at least one isolation slot (1000-5) of the plurality of isolation slots (1000-5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: BERND ACKERMANN, PETER LÜRKENS, ALBERT GARCIA TORMO
  • Publication number: 20170257018
    Abstract: An electrical component (10), an electric circuit (40) with the component (10), and a method of operating the electrical circuit (40) are described. The electrical component (10) comprises at least one main winding (16, 18) comprised of a plurality of conductor wire turns wound on a bobbin (14). In order to achieve simple construction of an auxiliary winding (54), at least one turn of a conductor trace (34) is provided on a surface of the bobbin (14) forming the auxiliary winding (54). In an electrical circuit (40) an integrated circuit element (46) is supplied with electrical operating power from the auxiliary winding (34).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: BERND ACKERMANN, REINHOLD ELFERICH, DAVID LLEWELLYN JOHN
  • Publication number: 20170104350
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for controlling a plurality of cells of a battery, the device comprising: a battery control module, comprising a plurality of cell control units, each assigned to one of the cells, wherein each cell control unit is configured to change a charge balance of the assigned cell and to measure at least one cell parameter of the assigned cell; and a main control module, which is configured to define a preferred range of the state-of-charge of the battery cells for a charging-discharging-cycle, wherein the preferred range is reduced compared to a full range, the main control module further configured to provide a first group of selected cells, on which a charging-discharging-cycle is performed including a fully charged state within the full range, and a second group of non-selected cells, on which the charging-discharging-cycle is performed within the preferred range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: PETER LUERKENS, ALBERT GARCIA TORMO, BERND ACKERMANN
  • Patent number: 9622317
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an LED retrofit lamp (700) adapted for operation with an alternating current. The LED lamp comprises an LED unit (740), a mains current line, first and second switching devices (710, 720) (e.g., first and second relays), and a control unit (730). The control unit (730) detects an ignition voltage on the mains current line. In response to detecting the ignition voltage on the mains current line, the control unit (730) sets the first and second switching devices (710, 720) to a conducting state such that the LED unit (740) is connected to power. By using the first and second switching devices (710, 720), safety of the LED lamp (700) is improved, in particular when installing the lamp (700) into a fixture designed for fluorescent lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Bernd Ackermann, Haimin Tao, Georg Sauerlaender, Bernhard Christiaan Van Dijk, Borong Su
  • Publication number: 20160360581
    Abstract: Transformers (1) comprise primary parts and secondary parts with first and second taps (11, 12) for providing feeding signals to combinations of switching circuits (22, 26) and loads (21) and with third and fourth taps (13, 14) for providing data signals to receivers (23). At least one of the third and fourth taps (13, 14) is different from the first and second taps (11, 12). In that case, the data signals will be better available, even in case the first and second taps (11, 12) are short-circuited. The primary parts may comprise primary windings (15), the secondary parts may comprise secondary windings (16). The first to fourth taps (11-14) may be taps of the secondary windings(16).The first and third taps (11, 13) may be identical taps, and the second and fourth taps (12, 14) may be different taps. The first and second taps (11, 12) may be outer taps and the fourth taps may be center taps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: BERND ACKERMANN, THEODORUS JOHANNES PETRUS VAN DEN BIGGELAAR, DIRK FIEBERG, BRIAN ROBERGE, EBERHARD WAFFENSCHMIDT