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: 9768605
    Abstract: A DC arc fault detection module includes a current detecting section having at least one output, wherein the current detecting section is structured to determine whether at least one signal based on a current measured from a DC supply line exceeds at least one corresponding predetermined threshold level and cause the at least one output to indicate that the threshold level has been exceeded. The module also includes a processing device structured to: (i) receive the at least one output, (ii) determine whether an arc fault in the DC electrical system has occurred based on at least the at least one output, (iii) determine an estimation of background noise based on at least one signal indicative of a current on the DC supply line, and (iv) adjust the at least one corresponding predetermined threshold level based on the estimation of background noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Kolker, Chaitanya Bhalwankar, Birger Pahl, Steven Christopher Schmalz, Archit Agarwal
  • Patent number: 9612267
    Abstract: An AC arc fault detection module includes a current detecting section having at least one output and being structured to determine whether at least one signal based on a current measured from an AC phase line exceeds at least one corresponding predetermined threshold level and cause the at least one output to indicate that the threshold has been exceeded. The module also includes a processing device structured to: (i) receive the at least one output, (ii) determine whether an arc fault in the AC electrical system has occurred based on at least the at least one output, (iii) determine an estimation of background noise based on at least one signal indicative of a current on the AC phase line, and (iv) adjust the at least one corresponding predetermined threshold level based on the estimation of background noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Kolker, Chaitanya Bhalwankar, Birger Pahl, Steven Christopher Schmalz, Archit Agarwal
  • Publication number: 20170070082
    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: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Applicant: COOPER INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS
    Inventors: GERALD ZHENG, JACK GU, BRUCE WU, TIEFU ZHAO, JUN XU, BIRGER PAHL, YAHAN HUA
  • Patent number: 9590525
    Abstract: A system includes an AC input port configured to be coupled to an AC power source, a first AC/DC converter circuit having a first port coupled to the AC input port, and a first resonant circuit coupled to the first port of the first AC/DC converter circuit. The system further includes a second resonant circuit inductively coupled to the first resonant circuit, a second AC/DC converter circuit coupled to the second resonant circuit and a control circuit configured to control the first AC/DC converter circuit responsive to an output of the second AC/DC converter circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Eaton Capital
    Inventors: Prasanna Sharadchandra Nirantare, Birger Pahl, Milind Suresh Kothekar
  • Publication number: 20170054302
    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: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Prasanna Sharadchandra Nirantare, Birger Pahl
  • Publication number: 20160344195
    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: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Jun Xu, Xiaojun Wang, Yilei Gu, Qinjie Zheng, Bobby Leonard Compton, Birger Pahl
  • Publication number: 20160197485
    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: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Prasanna Nirantare, Tiefu Zhao, Birger Pahl, Milind Kothekar, Yahan Hua
  • Publication number: 20160187410
    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: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: DAVID KOLKER, CHAITANYA BHALWANKAR, BIRGER PAHL, STEVEN CHRISTOPHER SCHMALZ, ARCHIT AGARWAL
  • Publication number: 20160187409
    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: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: DAVID KOLKER, CHAITANYA BHALWANKAR, BIRGER PAHL, STEVEN CHRISTOPHER SCHMALZ, ARCHIT AGARWAL
  • Publication number: 20160187407
    Abstract: A DC arc fault detection module includes a current detecting section having at least one output, wherein the current detecting section is structured to determine whether at least one signal based on a current measured from a DC supply line exceeds at least one corresponding predetermined threshold level and cause the at least one output to indicate that the threshold level has been exceeded. The module also includes a processing device structured to: (i) receive the at least one output, (ii) determine whether an arc fault in the DC electrical system has occurred based on at least the at least one output, (iii) determine an estimation of background noise based on at least one signal indicative of a current on the DC supply line, and (iv) adjust the at least one corresponding predetermined threshold level based on the estimation of background noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: DAVID KOLKER, CHAITANYA BHALWANKAR, BIRGER PAHL, STEVEN CHRISTOPHER SCHMALZ, ARCHIT AGARWAL
  • Publication number: 20160187408
    Abstract: An AC arc fault detection module includes a current detecting section having at least one output and being structured to determine whether at least one signal based on a current measured from an AC phase line exceeds at least one corresponding predetermined threshold level and cause the at least one output to indicate that the threshold has been exceeded. The module also includes a processing device structured to: (i) receive the at least one output, (ii) determine whether an arc fault in the AC electrical system has occurred based on at least the at least one output, (iii) determine an estimation of background noise based on at least one signal indicative of a current on the AC phase line, and (iv) adjust the at least one corresponding predetermined threshold level based on the estimation of background noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: DAVID KOLKER, CHAITANYA BHALWANKAR, BIRGER PAHL, STEVEN CHRISTOPHER SCHMALZ, ARCHIT AGARWAL
  • Publication number: 20160181781
    Abstract: A string includes direct current electrical generating modules electrically connected in series to form a first end and a remote second end. A power line is electrically connected to one DC EGM at the first end. A return line is electrically connected to another DC EGM at the remote second end. A first string protector is in the power line of the string, and a second SP is in the return line of the string at the remote second end. One of the first and second SPs includes a number of an over current protector, an arc fault protector, a reverse current protector and a ground fault protector. The other one of the first and second SPs includes a number of an over current protector, an arc fault protector, a reverse current protector, a ground fault protector, and a remotely controlled switch in series with the power or return lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: CHARLES J. LUEBKE, JEROME K. HASTINGS, BIRGER PAHL, JOSEPH C. ZUERCHER, ROBERT YANNIELLO
  • Publication number: 20160172840
    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 15, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: CHARLES JOHN LUEBKE, BIRGER PAHL, STEVEN CHRISTOPHER SCHMALZ
  • Publication number: 20160134127
    Abstract: A wireless power system including a wireless power transmitter coupled to a power source and being structured to receive power from the power source, the wireless power transmitter including a transmitter coil structured to wirelessly transmit said power; and a wireless power receiver including a receiver coil structured to receive the power from the transmitter coil, the wireless power receiver being coupled to and load and structured to provide the power to the load, wherein the wireless power transmitter is structured to be installed in a junction box disposed in a floor, a wall, or a ceiling, or inside an exterior surface of equipment; and wherein the wireless power transmitter is structured to wirelessly transmit the power to the wireless power receiver disposed outside of the floor, the wall, or the ceiling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: YI YANG, CHARLES JOHN LUEBKE, STEVEN CHRISTOPHER SCHMALZ, BIRGER PAHL, QIANG FU
  • Publication number: 20160061430
    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: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Birger Pahl, Traver B. Gumaer, John B. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20160006356
    Abstract: A system includes an AC input port configured to be coupled to an AC power source, a first AC/DC converter circuit having a first port coupled to the AC input port, and a first resonant circuit coupled to the first port of the first AC/DC converter circuit. The system further includes a second resonant circuit inductively coupled to the first resonant circuit, a second AC/DC converter circuit coupled to the second resonant circuit and a control circuit configured to control the first AC/DC converter circuit responsive to an output of the second AC/DC converter circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Prasanna Sharadchandra Nirantare, Birger Pahl, Milind Suresh Kothekar
  • Patent number: 9123466
    Abstract: Wireless power transfer systems include at least one foil-type transmitter/receiver coil with a plurality of turns, which is configured to reduce eddy current losses therein when energized to conduct an alternating current that supports inductive power transfer including coil-to-coil power electrical transfer, inductive heating, etc. The plurality of turns includes at least an outermost turn with a first arcuate-shaped corner having a concave inner surface, which faces an immediately adjacent one of the plurality of turns. The immediately adjacent one of the plurality of turns may also have a second arcuate-shaped corner with a concave inner surface facing an innermost one of the plurality of turns. The first arcuate-shaped corner may have a non-uniform radius of curvature and/or an innermost one of the plurality of turns may have an arcuate-shaped corner, which is a mirror image of the first arcuate-shaped corner when the coil is view in transverse cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Qingjie Zheng, Yilei Gu, Tangshun Wu, Tiefu Zhao, Jun Xu, Birger Pahl, Yahan Hua
  • Publication number: 20150188446
    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: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Tangshun Wu, Jun Xu, Tiefu Zhao, Birger Pahl
  • Patent number: 9057752
    Abstract: A power circuit configured to generate and distribute DC electrical power, the power circuit includes a photovoltaic (PV) system that includes an array of PV modules electrically coupled to a combiner box, and an inverter positioned to receive DC electrical power from the array of PV modules and output AC electrical power. The PV system also includes a signal generator coupled to a first portion of the PV system, and a signal detector coupled to a second portion of the PV system, the signal detector configured to detect secondary signals generated at a loose connection of an electrical joint in the PV system, wherein the secondary signals result from a signal generated by the signal generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Charles John Luebke, Xin Zhou, John J. Shea, Birger Pahl, B. Thomas Pier
  • Publication number: 20150130583
    Abstract: Wireless power transfer systems include at least one foil-type transmitter/receiver coil with a plurality of turns, which is configured to reduce eddy current losses therein when energized to conduct an alternating current that supports inductive power transfer including coil-to-coil power electrical transfer, inductive heating, etc. The plurality of turns includes at least an outermost turn with a first arcuate-shaped corner having a concave inner surface, which faces an immediately adjacent one of the plurality of turns. The immediately adjacent one of the plurality of turns may also have a second arcuate-shaped corner with a concave inner surface facing an innermost one of the plurality of turns. The first arcuate-shaped corner may have a non-uniform radius of curvature and/or an innermost one of the plurality of turns may have an arcuate-shaped corner, which is a mirror image of the first arcuate-shaped corner when the coil is view in transverse cross-section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Qingjie Zheng, Yilei Gu, Tangshun Wu, Tiefu Zhao, Jun Xu, Birger Pahl, Yahan Hua