Patents by Inventor Christoph Loef

Christoph Loef 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: 11050304
    Abstract: A wireless power transmitter capable of detecting a receiver and a method for the same is described. According to some implementations, the transmitter is configured to detect the presence of the receiver by detecting a change in capacitance in the transmitter by detecting the change in a current flowing through a capacitive circuit at the transmitter. According to some implementations, the capacitive circuit is formed by a first transmission coil corresponding to a first electrode and a second transmission coil corresponding to a second electrode. According to some implementations, the capacitive circuit is formed by a transmission coil as an electrode and a ground, or by the electrode and the receiver circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Bart Michiel De Boer, Andries Van Wageningen, Christoph Loef, Eberhard Waffenschmidt, Lennart Yseboodt, Menno Anne Treffers
  • Patent number: 10439436
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for transmitting power inductively from a transmitter (11) to a receiver (10), the receiver (10) comprising a signal generator for generating a signal, triggered by an event reflecting that the receiver intends to receive power from the transmitter, wherein said signal intends to activate said transmitter from standby mode to activated mode; and comprising a signal transmitting coil (103) for transmitting said signal to said transmitter; said transmitter (11) comprising a signal receiving coil (112); a detector (114) for detecting said signal received by the receiving coil; and a unit (115) for activating the transmitter from standby mode to activated mode upon the detection of said signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Andries van Wageningen, Bart Michiel De Boer, Christoph Loef, Lennart Yseboodt, Menno Anne Treffers, Willem Franke Pasveer, Eberhard Waffenschmidt
  • Publication number: 20190214857
    Abstract: A method of detecting a receiver (214) by a transmitter and a transmitter for detecting a receiver are provided. The transmitter is intended to transmit power inductively to the receiver (214). The transmitter comprising a first transmission coil as a first electrode (204) and a second electrode (206). The first electrode (204) and the second electrode (206) form a capacitor (202). The method comprises the steps of applying a voltage (216) to any one of the electrodes (204, 206) and detecting a capacitance change of the capacitor (202).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: BART MICHIEL DE BOER, ANDRIES VAN WAGENINGEN, CHRISTOPH LOEF, EBERHARD WAFFENSCHMIDT, LENNART YSEBOODT, MENNO ANNE TREFFERS
  • Patent number: 10312750
    Abstract: A method of detecting a receiver (214) by a transmitter and a transmitter for detecting a receiver are provided. The transmitter is intended to transmit power inductively to the receiver (214). The transmitter comprising a first transmission coil as a first electrode (204) and a second electrode (206). The first electrode (204) and the second electrode (206) form a capacitor (202). The method comprises the steps of applying a voltage (216) to any one of the electrodes (204, 206) and detecting a capacitance change of the capacitor (202).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Bart Michiel De Boer, Andries van Wageningen, Christoph Loef, Eberhard Waffenschmidt, Lennart Seboodt, Menno Anne Treffers
  • Patent number: 9966872
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a voltage rectifier (23) comprising at least two diode arrays (33, 34, 35, 36) each comprising plural diodes (33a, 33b, 33p, 34a, 34b, 35a, 35b, 35p, 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, 36p) connected in series. The diode arrays are arranged in an enclosure (47). The diode arrays are arranged in a special arrangement for providing an even distribution of a field strength. According to an embodiment and with respect to the figures, the vertical distance between an enclosure (47) and the diode arrays (33, 34, 35, 36) increases when horizontally distancing from the direct current terminals. Further, the invention provides a voltage generator (21) and a voltage rectifier (23) having such a voltage rectifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Inventors: Peter Luerkens, Christoph Loef
  • Patent number: 9424958
    Abstract: For the generation of multiple-energy X-ray radiation, an X-ray tube (10) for generating multiple-energy X-ray radiation includes an anode (12) and a filter (14). At least a first (16) and a second focal spot position (18) are offset from each other in an offset direction (20) transverse to an X-ray radiation projection direction. The filter includes a first plurality (22) of first portions (24) with first filtering characteristics for X-ray radiation and a second plurality (26) of second portions (28) with second filtering characteristics for X-ray radiation. The filter is a directional filter adapted in a such a way that at least a first X-ray beam (30) emanating from the first focal spot position at least partly passes through the filter unit via the first portions, and a second X-ray beam (32) emanating from the second focal spot position passes obliquely through the first and the second portions when passing through the filter unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Gereon Vogtmeier, Rainer Pietig, Christoph Loef, Martin Kimutai Duerr, Gerald James Carlson
  • Patent number: 9301354
    Abstract: An interface circuit is disclosed for operating a light source from an electronic fluorescent driver. In one example, the interface circuit comprises input terminals for connection to lamp connection terminals of the electronic fluorescent lamp driver, a first string interconnecting a first pair of input terminals, a second string interconnecting a second pair of input terminals, a third string interconnecting a first terminal of the first string and a second terminal of the second string and comprising a rectifier, output terminals of said rectifier being coupled during operation to the light source. When a light source is operated making use of the interface circuit, a proper emulation of a fluorescent lamp is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Christoph Loef, Haimin Tao
  • Patent number: 8824624
    Abstract: An imaging system (100) includes a stationary gantry (102) and a rotating gantry (104). The rotating gantry (104) includes a first component (110, 114, 116) supplied with first power and a second component supplied with second power, wherein the first and second power are different. A contactless power chain (118) includes a first transformer (202, 204, 306) for transferring the first power from the stationary gantry (102) to the rotating gantry (104) and a second transformer (202, 204, 306) for transferring the second power from the stationary gantry (102) to the rotating gantry (104). The first and second transformers (202, 204, 306) are shifted relative to each other along the longitudinal axis (108) by a pre-determined finite non-zero distance (240). In another embodiment, an imaging system (100) includes a stationary gantry (102) and a rotating gantry (104) that rotates about a longitudinal axis (108).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Christoph Loef, Peter Luerkens, Hendrikus Wilhelmus Leonardus Antonius Maria Van Lierop, Joseph Gertrudis Leonardus Otten
  • Publication number: 20140105361
    Abstract: The present invention relates to filtering of X-ray radiation generated at multiple focal spots. For the generation of multiple-energy X-ray radiation, an X-ray tube (10) for generating multiple-energy X-ray radiation is provided that comprises an anode (12) and a filter unit (14). The anode comprises at least a first (16) and a second focal spot position (18), which are offset from each other in an offset direction (20) transverse to an X-ray radiation projection direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Gereon Vogtmeier, Rainer Pietig, Christoph Loef, Martin Kimutai Duerr, Gerald James Carlson
  • Publication number: 20140021871
    Abstract: An interface circuit is disclosed for operating a light source from an electronic fluorescent driver. In one example, the interface circuit comprises input terminals for connection to lamp connection terminals of the electronic fluorescent lamp driver, a first string interconnecting a first pair of input terminals, a second string interconnecting a second pair of input terminals, a third string interconnecting a first terminal of the first string and a second terminal of the second string and comprising a rectifier, output terminals of said rectifier being coupled during operation to the light source. When a light source is operated making use of the interface circuit, a proper emulation of a fluorescent lamp is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Christoph Loef, Haimin Tao
  • Patent number: 8515147
    Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray imaging device, particularly a Spectral-CT scanner, that comprises an X-ray source for generating X-radiation with an energy spectrum which varies continuously during an observation period. In a preferred embodiment, the radiation is attenuated in an object according to an energy-dependent attenuation coefficient ?, the transmitted radiation is measured by sensor units of a detector, and the resulting measurement signal is sampled and A/D converted. This is preferably done by an oversampling A/D converter, for example a ??-ADC. The tube voltage that drives the X-ray source is sampled with high frequency. In an evaluation system, these sampled measurement values can be associated with corresponding effective energy spectra to determine the energy dependent attenuation coefficient ?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Christian Baeumer, Roger Steadman Booker, Gereon Vogtmeier, Thomas Scheel, Christoph Loef
  • Publication number: 20130070493
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a voltage rectifier (23) comprising at least two diode arrays (33, 34, 35, 36) each comprising plural diodes (33a, 33b, 33p, 34a, 34b, 35a, 35b, 35p, 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, 36p) connected in series. The diode arrays are arranged in an enclosure (47). The diode arrays are arranged in a special arrangement for providing an even distribution of a field strength. According to an embodiment and with respect to the figures, the vertical distance between an enclosure (47) and the diode arrays (33, 34, 35, 36) increases when horizontally distancing from the direct current terminals. Further, the invention provides a voltage generator (21) and a voltage rectifier (23) having such a voltage rectifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Peter Luerkens, Christoph Loef
  • Publication number: 20120068550
    Abstract: A method of detecting a receiver (214) by a transmitter and a transmitter for detecting a receiver are provided. The transmitter is intended to transmit power inductively to the receiver (214). The transmitter comprising a first transmission coil as a first electrode (204) and a second electrode (206). The first electrode (204) and the second electrode (206) form a capacitor (202). The method comprises the steps of applying a voltage (216) to any one of the electrodes (204, 206) and detecting a capacitance change of the capacitor (202).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Bart Michiel De Boer, Andries van Wageningen, Christoph Loef, Eberhard Waffenschmidt, Lennart Seboodt, Menno Anne Treffers
  • Publication number: 20120069955
    Abstract: An imaging system (100) includes a stationary gantry (102) and a rotating gantry (104). The rotating gantry (104) includes a first component (110, 114, 116) supplied with first power and a second component supplied with second power, wherein the first and second power are different. A contactless power chain (118) includes a first transformer (202, 204, 306) for transferring the first power from the stationary gantry (102) to the rotating gantry (104) and a second transformer (202, 204, 306) for transferring the second power from the stationary gantry (102) to the rotating gantry (104). The first and second transformers (202, 204, 306) are shifted relative to each other along the longitudinal axis (108) by a pre-determined finite non-zero distance (240). In another embodiment, an imaging system (100) includes a stationary gantry (102) and a rotating gantry (104) that rotates about a longitudinal axis (108).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Christoph Loef, Peter Luerkens, Hendrikus Wilhelmus Leonardus Antonius Maria Van Lierop, Joseph Gertrudis Leonardus Otten
  • Patent number: 7973496
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power supply device for supplying power to a load, preferably a LED, comprising a first circuitry (12) with an inverter unit (24) adapted to provide an AC voltage, preferably a rectangular voltage, and a resonant circuit (30) with a capacitance (32) and an inductance (34), a second circuitry (14) with a rectifier unit (42), a switch (64) and said load (60), said switch being adapted to switch said load on and off, a controller unit (16) adapted to control said switch (64) as to adjust the power provided to said load (60) without any measurement signal from said primary circuitry (12), and a transformer (18) with a primary side (20) and a secondary side (22), said primary side being connected to said first circuitry (12) and said secondary side (22) being connected to said second circuitry (14), preferably said rectifier, so that said first and second circuitries are galvanically isolated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Christoph Loef, Matthias Wendt
  • Patent number: 7956714
    Abstract: Primary (4, 8) and secondary (10) windings are subjected to a significant heat stress during operation of a high voltage transformer. The present invention describes a high voltage transformer which is believed to have good temperature properties. This transformer may have a planar primary winding and a Litz secondary winding. The planar primary winding may abut against a planar face of the core (2) therefore allowing for a good heat exchange between these two elements. The Litz secondary winding and the planar primary winding may be cooled by means of a cooling medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Bernd Ackermann, Christoph Loef
  • Publication number: 20110127973
    Abstract: The invention provides a switched mode power converter adapted for zero-voltage transition operation, wherein the converter comprises a half-bridge, having a first power switch (206) and a second power switch, a generator (201) adapted for generating a switching signal S1 after a first period of time, wherein the first period of time starts at the switching off of the second power switch, a controller (202) for converting the switching signal S1 into a control signal S2, wherein the first power switch (206) is switched on in case of the control signal S2, wherein the controller (202) comprises a detector (205), wherein the detector (205) is adapted to generate a first signal S3 in case the voltage over the first power switch (206) is decreasing, a processor (203), wherein the processor (203) is adapted to generate a trigger signal S4 in case of a switching signal S1 and while the first signal S3 is not present, a storage element (204), wherein the storage element (204) is adapted to generate the control signa
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Peter Luerkens, Christoph Loef, Thomas Scheel, Christian Hattrup, Bernd Ackermann
  • Patent number: 7948774
    Abstract: A resonant DC/DC converter for supplying an output power comprises a switching device (18) for supplying a switched voltage (UWR) to a resonant circuit (20) having a transformer (T). The switched voltage (UWR) is derived from an intermediate circuit voltage (Uz) having a fixed pulse width and frequency so that the zero crossings of the resonant current (Ires) generated in the resonant current are defined. The switching configuration of an inverter circuit (18) is selected by a control device (31) to either increase, decrease or maintain at a substantially constant level the resonant current according to the polarity of the switched voltage, so as to control the output power as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Scheel, Peter Luerkens, Christoph Loef
  • Patent number: 7932801
    Abstract: A winding arrangement for a planar transformer, e.g., for high frequency AC transformation, or for an inductor includes at least two conduction layers. Each conduction layer has an inner hole and conductor paths which are electrically insulated from each other and which lead from an outer circumference to an inner circumference of the conduction layer adjacent to the inner hole in a spiral form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Christoph Loef
  • Patent number: 7932799
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transformer (12) with a planar primary winding and a planar secondary winding. In order to support the heat dissipation during operation, each winding is integrated on a substrate in at least one dedicated PCB (30, 40). The PCBs (30, 40) are separated from each other by a non-ferromagnetic and electrically insulating material (50). The material: (50) transfers heat better than the substrates. The invention relates equally to an apparatus comprising such a transformer (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Christoph Loef, Bernd Ackermann