Patents by Inventor Birger Pahl

Birger Pahl 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: 11990766
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first coil, a second coil having a first side facing a first side of the first coil, a first radial array of magnetic material bodies disposed on a second side of the first coil, and a second radial array of magnetic material bodies disposed on a second side of the second coil such that respective magnetic material bodies of the second radial array overlap respective magnetic material bodies of the first radial array. The apparatus may be included in a wireless power transfer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Birger Pahl, Zelin Xu, Gerson Nojima, Zhichao Wu, Guangqi Zhu
  • Patent number: 11552468
    Abstract: An electrical device includes a first terminal structured to electrically connect to a power source; a second terminal structured to electrically connect to a load; a voltage sensor electrically connected to a point between the first and second terminals and being structured to sense a voltage at the point between the first and second terminals; a switch electrically connected between the first terminal and the second terminal; and a control unit structured to detect a power quality event in the power flowing between the first and second terminals based on the sensed voltage and to control a state of the switch based on the detected power quality event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Charles John Luebke, Birger Pahl, Steven Christopher Schmalz
  • Patent number: 11204396
    Abstract: A method of monitoring an electrical system may include providing a ground fault detection unit, operating a transformer rectifier unit to provide DC power to a load, sensing, via a current sensor, a ground current at or about an output of the transformer rectifier, and/or monitoring a sensor output from the current sensor via the ground fault detection circuit. The ground fault detection circuit may be configured to detect ground faults at frequencies of at least 30 kHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Chaitanya Bhalwankar, Birger Pahl, Steve Schmalz, Galen Chui
  • Patent number: 11175349
    Abstract: An electrical system includes a ground fault detection unit including a low frequency ground fault detection circuit and a high frequency ground fault detection circuit, and/or a ground fault control unit connected to the low frequency ground fault detection circuit and the high frequency ground fault detection circuit. The ground fault unit may be configured to detect a ground fault according to an output of the low frequency ground fault detection circuit and/or an output of the high frequency ground fault detection circuit. The electrical system may include a first current sensor connected to the low frequency ground fault detection circuit and/or a second current sensor connected to the high frequency ground fault detection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Chaitanya Bhalwankar, Birger Pahl, Steve Schmalz, Galen Chui
  • Publication number: 20210119436
    Abstract: An electrical device includes a first terminal structured to electrically connect to a power source; a second terminal structured to electrically connect to a load; a voltage sensor electrically connected to a point between the first and second terminals and being structured to sense a voltage at the point between the first and second terminals; a switch electrically connected between the first terminal and the second terminal; and a control unit structured to detect a power quality event in the power flowing between the first and second terminals based on the sensed voltage and to control a state of the switch based on the detected power quality event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: CHARLES JOHN LUEBKE, BIRGER PAHL, STEVEN CHRISTOPHER SCHMALZ
  • Patent number: 10910821
    Abstract: An electrical device includes a first terminal structured to electrically connect to a power source; a second terminal structured to electrically connect to a load; a voltage sensor electrically connected to a point between the first and second terminals and being structured to sense a voltage at the point between the first and second terminals; a switch electrically connected between the first terminal and the second terminal; and a control unit structured to detect a power quality event in the power flowing between the first and second terminals based on the sensed voltage and to control a state of the switch based on the detected power quality event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Charles John Luebke, Birger Pahl, Steven Christopher Schmalz
  • Publication number: 20210006095
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first coil, a second coil having a first side facing a first side of the first coil, a first radial array of magnetic material bodies disposed on a second side of the first coil, and a second radial array of magnetic material bodies disposed on a second side of the second coil such that respective magnetic material bodies of the second radial array overlap respective magnetic material bodies of the first radial array. The apparatus may be included in a wireless power transfer system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Birger Pahl, Zelin Xu, Gerson Nojima, Zhichao Wu, Guangqi Zhu
  • Publication number: 20190377021
    Abstract: An electrical system includes a ground fault detection unit including a low frequency ground fault detection circuit and a high frequency ground fault detection circuit, and/or a ground fault control unit connected to the low frequency ground fault detection circuit and the high frequency ground fault detection circuit. The ground fault unit may be configured to detect a ground fault according to an output of the low frequency ground fault detection circuit and/or an output of the high frequency ground fault detection circuit. The electrical system may include a first current sensor connected to the low frequency ground fault detection circuit and/or a second current sensor connected to the high frequency ground fault detection circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Chaitanya Bhalwankar, Birger Pahl, Steve Schmalz, Galen Chui
  • Publication number: 20190377020
    Abstract: A method of monitoring an electrical system may include providing a ground fault detection unit, operating a transformer rectifier unit to provide DC power to a load, sensing, via a current sensor, a ground current at or about an output of the transformer rectifier, and/or monitoring a sensor output from the current sensor via the ground fault detection circuit. The ground fault detection circuit may be configured to detect ground faults at frequencies of at least 30 kHz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Chaitanya Bhalwankar, Birger Pahl, Steve Schmalz, Galen Chui
  • Patent number: 10141787
    Abstract: The present invention provides a receiving circuit for magnetic coupling resonant wireless power transmission comprising: a resonant circuit, which comprises a resonant coil and a resonant capacitor; a rectifying circuit, the input of which is electrically connected to the two terminals of the resonant capacitor; a storage capacitor, the two terminals of which are electrically connected to the output of rectifying circuit; and a DC-DC converter, the input of which is electrically connected to the two terminals of the storage capacitor and the output of which is electrically connected to a rechargeable battery. The receiving circuit for magnetic coupling resonant wireless power transmission of the present invention can save energy and has high charge efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Eaton Capital Unlimited Company
    Inventors: Gerald Zheng, Jack Gu, Bruce Wu, Tiefu Zhao, Jun Xu, Birger Pahl, Yahan Hua
  • Patent number: 10119693
    Abstract: A wirelessly powered airfield lighting device includes a base can and a wireless power transmitter disposed in the base can. The wireless power transmitter can wirelessly transmit power. The lighting device further includes an isolation transformer disposed inside the base can. The isolation transformer is electrically coupled to and between the wireless power transmitter and a power source. The lighting device also includes a light fixture that includes a base disposed on and sealing the top end of the base can and that includes an electronics compartment. The light fixture further includes a wireless power receiver disposed in the electronics compartment and that wirelessly receives power from the wireless power transmitter. The light fixture also includes a light source that receives power from the wireless power receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Birger Pahl, Traver B Gumaer, John B Schneider
  • Patent number: 10116144
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an enclosure and a coil assembly in the enclosure. The coil assembly includes a magnetic core and a coil disposed on the magnetic core. The magnetic core is positioned adjacent a wall of the enclosure such that a direction of a main flux path in the magnetic core is through at least one portion of the wall having a magnetic permeability greater than air. Such an arrangement may be used for a wireless power receiver unit configured to be installed in an equipment rack in data center applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Jun Xu, Xiaojun Wang, Yilei Gu, Qinjie Zheng, Bobby Leonard Compton, Birger Pahl
  • Patent number: 10116230
    Abstract: A method of operating an AC to DC converter circuit can be provided by changing a configuration of a DC output filter circuit to reshape a current waveform in a rectifier circuit, included in the AC to DC converter circuit, based on an operating efficiency of the AC to DC converter circuit. Related circuits and articles of manufacture are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Eaton Capital Unlimited Company
    Inventors: Tangshun Wu, Jr., Jun Xu, Tiefu Zhao, Birger Pahl
  • Publication number: 20180261995
    Abstract: An electrical device includes a first terminal structured to electrically connect to a power source; a second terminal structured to electrically connect to a load; a voltage sensor electrically connected to a point between the first and second terminals and being structured to sense a voltage at the point between the first and second terminals; a switch electrically connected between the first terminal and the second terminal; and a control unit structured to detect a power quality event in the power flowing between the first and second terminals based on the sensed voltage and to control a state of the switch based on the detected power quality event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Applicant: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: CHARLES JOHN LUEBKE, BIRGER PAHL, STEVEN CHRISTOPHER SCHMALZ
  • Patent number: 10038324
    Abstract: A wireless power transfer circuit can include an input port that can be configured to couple to a power source, an ac excitation circuit having a port coupled to the input port, a resonant circuit coupled to the ac excitation circuit, and a controller circuit that can be configured to operate the ac excitation circuit. The wireless power transfer circuit can operate to inductively transfer power from the resonant circuit and the controller circuit can be configured to change an operating frequency of the ac excitation circuit and change a configuration of the resonant circuit responsive a change in indicated efficiency of the wireless power transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Prasanna Nirantare, Tiefu Zhao, Birger Pahl, Milind Kothekar, Yahan Hua
  • Patent number: 10003185
    Abstract: An electrical device includes a first terminal structured to electrically connect to a power source; a second terminal structured to electrically connect to a load; a voltage sensor electrically connected to a point between the first and second terminals and being structured to sense a voltage at the point between the first and second terminals; a switch electrically connected between the first terminal and the second terminal; and a control unit structured to detect a power quality event in the power flowing between the first and second terminals based on the sensed voltage and to control a state of the switch based on the detected power quality event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Charles John Luebke, Birger Pahl, Steven Christopher Schmalz
  • Patent number: 9979205
    Abstract: A method of providing wireless power transfer can include receiving multi-phase power at a transmitter portion of a multi-phase wireless power transfer system that is associated with an electrical equipment rack that is configured to house a plurality of electrical components and wirelessly transferring the multi-phase power from the transmitter portion to a receiver portion of the multi-phase wireless power transfer system at a power level that is configured to operate the plurality of electrical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Eaton Capital Unlimited Company
    Inventors: Prasanna Sharadchandra Nirantare, Birger Pahl
  • Publication number: 20170310117
    Abstract: A wireless power transmitter for wirelessly transmitting a power for powering a load includes a direct-current to alternating-current (DC/AC) converter coupled to a direct-current (DC) power source. The wireless power transmitter further includes a resonant network coupled to an output of the DC/AC converter. The wireless power transmitter also includes an output estimation module coupled to the DC power source. The output estimation module estimates a power characteristic of a load to generate an estimated power characteristic of the load. The load is configured to be powered based on a transmitted power that is wirelessly transmitted by the wireless power transmitter. The wireless power transmitter further includes a control system coupled to the DC/AC converter. The control system controls the DC/AC converter to control an amount of the transmitted power based on the estimated power characteristic of the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Prasanna Sharadchandra Nirantare, Milind Suresh Kothekar, Birger Pahl
  • Patent number: 9797941
    Abstract: A DC arc fault detection module includes an LF current section, an LF voltage section, and an HF current section having a plurality of outputs, each output being associated with a respective one of a plurality of frequency sub-bands. The HF current section is structured to, for each of the frequency sub-bands, (i) detect a rise in energy of the frequency sub-band above a first predetermined threshold level for at least a certain amount of time and (ii) cause the associated output to indicate a rise in energy detection in response to detecting the rise in energy above the associated threshold level for at least the associated certain amount of time. The module includes a processing device structured to determine whether a DC arc fault has occurred based on the outputs from the LF and HF current and LF voltage sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Kolker, Chaitanya Bhalwankar, Birger Pahl, Steven Christopher Schmalz, Archit Agarwal
  • Patent number: 9797940
    Abstract: An AC arc fault detection module includes an LF current section, an LF voltage section, and an HF current section having a plurality of outputs, each output being associated with a respective one of a plurality of frequency sub-bands. The HF current section is structured to, for each of the frequency sub-bands, (i) detect a rise in energy of the frequency sub-band above a first predetermined threshold level for at least a certain amount of time and (ii) cause the associated output to indicate a rise in energy detection in response to detecting the rise in energy above the associated threshold level for at least the associated certain amount of time. The module includes a processing device structured to determine whether an AC arc fault has occurred based on the outputs from the LF and HF current and LF voltage sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Kolker, Chaitanya Bhalwankar, Birger Pahl, Steven Christopher Schmalz, Archit Agarwal