Patents by Inventor Ralph Oppelt

Ralph Oppelt 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: 9529067
    Abstract: An arrangement for the transmission of magnetic resonance signals that are received with the aid of local coils is provided. The magnetic resonance signal is fed to an analog/digital converter and digitized by the analog/digital converter. The magnetic resonance signal is compressed in amplitude before being fed to the analog/digital converter, is low-pass filtered or band-pass filtered, and is expanded after digitization by the analog/digital converter. A clock rate that is higher by a factor 2n than a sampling rate n of the analog/digital converter (ADC) is used for the digital expander. A digital equalizing filter for compensating for a filter transmission function in a transition range may also be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jan Bollenbeck, Ralph Oppelt, Markus Vester
  • Publication number: 20160181684
    Abstract: A device for damping a standing wave on a waveguide carrying a signal is provided. The device includes at least one pair of an impedance-up-transforming and an impedance-down-transforming Boucherot bridge is connected into the waveguide. The two Boucherot bridges bring about locally increased impedances and inductance values, with the result that a significantly improved standing wave suppression or damping is obtained. The down-transforming Boucherot bridge is connected directly behind the up-transforming bridge, with the result that down-transformation to the original impedance of the waveguide again can be carried out and a signal reflection can thus be avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventor: Ralph Oppelt
  • Publication number: 20150331074
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system connection for a magnetic resonance imaging system, such as for an MRI local coil and/or patient couch, is provided. The MRI system connection is embodied with devices for a field-coupled transmission of signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Stephan Biber, Ralph Oppelt
  • Publication number: 20150293253
    Abstract: An apparatus for checking for a presence of an electrically conductive body has at least one transmitting device and at least one receiving device. The transmitting device provides a transmission signal in the form of a magnetic field. The receiving device generates a reception signal from the transmission signal that is induced into the receiving device. The transmitting and receiving devices are configured in such a way that, when the electrically conductive body is absent, partial reception signals form in the receiving device on account of the induced transmission signal and the partial reception signals substantially cancel one another out in the reception signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: FRANZ EIERMANN, ANDREAS FACKELMEIER, KLAUS HUBER, SEBASTIAN MARTIUS, RALPH OPPELT, CLAUS SEISENBERGER
  • Patent number: 9154106
    Abstract: For broadband applications of a balun in a magnetic field, the balun includes at least three line transformers each having two transformer sides. At least two transformer sides of the balun that belong to different line transformers of the at least three line transformers are embodied for the same voltage drop at least in terms of magnitude. The at least two transformer sides of the balun are also embodied with an identical number of turns. Two transformer sides connected in parallel are replaced by a single coil, with the result that the balun may be produced from a five-wire structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ralph Oppelt
  • Patent number: 9134392
    Abstract: Timing in a medical imaging system. The system comprises a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) subsystem and a non-MRI subsystem. Operation of the non-MRI subsystem involves a timing signal within a radio frequency (RF) cabin of the MRI subsystem. Basing each non-MRI subsystem timing signal on a time base common between the MRI subsystem and the non-MRI subsystem. The non-MRI subsystem can be a medical imaging subsystem. The non-MRI medical imaging subsystem can be a positron emission tomography (PET) subsystem. Each non-MRI subsystem timing signal that based on the common time base can be created using the same model of equipment used for creating timing signals in the MRI subsystem. At least one stage of the non-MRI subsystem timing signal based on the common time base can be created using the same equipment used for creating timing signals in the MRI subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignees: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: James Frank Caruba, Ralf Ladebeck, Ralph Oppelt, Patanit Sanpitak
  • Publication number: 20150244054
    Abstract: The embodiments relate to a directional coupler including, in each case, one connection for a first, a second, a third, and a fourth port. The coupler includes a first coupling network for providing the connection for the first port and a second coupling network for providing the connection for the second port. The first and second coupling networks are both connected to the connections for the third and fourth ports, wherein the second coupling network has a first inductance connected between the third port and an electrical reference potential, a first capacitance connected between the fourth port and the electrical reference potential, a second capacitance connected between the third port and the second port, and a second inductance connected between the fourth port and the second port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventor: Ralph Oppelt
  • Publication number: 20150207653
    Abstract: A transmitting apparatus for transmitting a frequency-modulated signal is provided. The transmitting apparatus includes a pilot tone generation device for generating a pilot tone. The transmitting apparatus also includes a modulation device for obtaining the generated pilot tone and a modulating useful signal and for generating a frequency-modulated signal based on a combination of the generated pilot tone and the modulating useful signal. The generated pilot tone has a frequency outside a frequency range of the modulating useful signal in order to vary a frequency range of the frequency-modulated signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Ralph Oppelt, Michael Wiehl
  • Publication number: 20140347143
    Abstract: A balancing circuit comprises a first conductor path and a second conductor path. The first and second conductor paths are arranged in parallel with one another with respect to a signal flow. The first conductor path and the second conductor path are formed by a first stage and a second stage. The first conductor path has a high-pass member that is assigned to the first stage and a high-pass member that is assigned to the second stage. The second conductor path has a low-pass member that is assigned to the first stage and a low-pass member that is assigned to the second stage. Each high-pass member is designed to shift a signal forward in terms of phase by a predetermined amount, and each low-pass member is designed to shift a signal backward in terms of phase by a predetermined amount, in order to generate a balanced or unbalanced signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventor: Ralph Oppelt
  • Patent number: 8866482
    Abstract: A preprocessing circuit for receive signals of a local coil in a magnetic resonance facility (1) includes an arrangement for supplying at least one auxiliary frequency signal of an auxiliary frequency. For at least one or the auxiliary frequency signal, a frequency multiplier generates the auxiliary frequency signal from an intermediate signal transmitted from a receive system of the magnetic resonance facility by way of a transmission link. The multiplier generates the auxiliary frequency signal with a frequency corresponding to a whole-number fraction of the auxiliary frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jan Bollenbeck, Ralph Oppelt
  • Publication number: 20140218094
    Abstract: A method for converting a sine wave signal into a square wave signal includes inputting the sine wave signal at an input of a threshold-value device that generates the square wave signal. The square wave signal is generated by comparing a sine wave signal value to a predefined threshold value, and the square wave signal is output at an output of the threshold-value device. An actuating signal is superposed on the sine wave signal at the input of the threshold-value device. The actuating signal is generated by forming an average-value signal representing an average value of the square wave signal and inputting the average-value signal at an input of a control amplifier device for generating, as the actuating signal, a signal representing a difference between an average-value signal actual value and a predefined average-value signal nominal value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Ralph Oppelt
  • Publication number: 20140062480
    Abstract: An arrangement for the transmission of magnetic resonance signals that are received with the aid of local coils is provided. The magnetic resonance signal is fed to an analog/digital converter and digitized by the analog/digital converter. The magnetic resonance signal is compressed in amplitude before being fed to the analog/digital converter, is low-pass filtered or band-pass filtered, and is expanded after digitization by the analog/digital converter. A clock rate that is higher by a factor 2n than a sampling rate n of the analog/digital converter (ADC) is used for the digital expander. A digital equalizing filter for compensating for a filter transmission function in a transition range may also be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Jan Bollenbeck, Ralph Oppelt, Markus Vester
  • Publication number: 20140009237
    Abstract: A frequency modulator includes a first pair of diodes with two capacity diodes, and a second pair of diodes with two additional capacity diodes. The second pair of diodes is employed in parallel. The frequency modulator also includes a first modulator input for reception of a first modulation signal and a second modulator input for reception of a symmetrical second modulation signal. Both pairs of diodes are coupled to an oscillator unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventor: Ralph Oppelt
  • Publication number: 20140002087
    Abstract: A method for simultaneous transmission of at least two high-frequency transmission signals via a common high-frequency line includes providing at least two input signals at respective inlet ports. The input signals are signals of a same carrier frequency. From the input signals, respective transmission signals are provided with different transmission frequencies from each other and from the carrier frequency by mixing the input signals using one frequency mixer each. The frequency mixers are supplied with respective mixer oscillator signals. The transmission signals are transmitted via the common high-frequency line. The mixer oscillator signals are provided from a same oscillator signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Ralph Oppelt, Jian Min Wang
  • Patent number: 8526902
    Abstract: An arrangement for processing a non-symmetrical signal includes an apparatus configured to balance and filter an image frequency of a nominal frequency of the non-symmetrical receiving signal. The apparatus includes a modified Boucherot bridge having a series or parallel oscillating circuit that replaces inductive or capacitive components of a conventional Boucherot bridge, such that the modified Boucherot bridge is in the harmonized state with the image frequency to be faded out and has a predetermined impedance with the nominal frequency on its symmetrical output terminals. The nominal frequency has a predetermined impedance on its symmetrical output terminals. The nominal frequency is transmitted as a signal balanced to ground to the symmetrical output terminals of the modified Boucherot bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Biber, Ralph Oppelt, Robert Rehner
  • Patent number: 8513998
    Abstract: A circuit for providing an AC signal includes an amplifier having an input and an output. A sinusoidal signal is applicable at the input of the amplifier. The output of the amplifier is connected to the input via a lowpass filter or via a part of the lowpass filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ralph Oppelt
  • Patent number: 8489025
    Abstract: Front bandpass filters that are essentially transmissive only between a minimum frequency and a maximum frequency filter the magnetic resonance signals. Front frequency mixers mix output signals of each of the bandpass filters with a front LO frequency that is standard for all the magnetic resonance signals. Rear bandpass filters that are essentially transmissive only around a front intermediate frequency filter the output signals of the front frequency mixers. Rear frequency mixers mix output signals of each of the rear bandpass filters with a respective constant rear LO frequency. Frequency filters that are transmissive for frequencies in the range of the difference of the rear LO frequency that is supplied to the rear frequency mixer arranged upstream thereof and the front intermediate frequency filter the output signals of the rear frequency mixers. Output signals of the frequency filters are combined into a common signal, which is transmitted onward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Biber, Jan Bollenbeck, Ralph Oppelt, Markus Vester
  • Publication number: 20130169375
    Abstract: For broadband applications of a balun in a magnetic field, the balun includes at least three line transformers each having two transformer sides. At least two transformer sides of the balun that belong to different line transformers of the at least three line transformers are embodied for the same voltage drop at least in terms of magnitude. The at least two transformer sides of the balun are also embodied with an identical number of turns. Two transformer sides connected in parallel are replaced by a single coil, with the result that the balun may be produced from a five-wire structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventor: Ralph Oppelt
  • Publication number: 20130162253
    Abstract: A selection unit for a magnetic resonance imaging system may be provided. The selection unit electrically connects a first number of electrical terminals to a second number of communication entities. The selection unit is arranged in and/or on a mobile object-support element for moving an examination object which is to be depicted by the magnetic resonance imaging system into a recording position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: Stephan Biber, Jan Bollenbeck, Ralph Oppelt, Georg Rauh, Wilfried Schnell, Markus Vester
  • Publication number: 20130063221
    Abstract: An arrangement for processing a non-symmetrical signal includes an apparatus configured to balance and filter an image frequency of a nominal frequency of the non-symmetrical receiving signal. The apparatus includes a modified Boucherot bridge having a series or parallel oscillating circuit that replaces inductive or capacitive components of a conventional Boucherot bridge, such that the modified Boucherot bridge is in the harmonized state with the image frequency to be faded out and has a predetermined impedance with the nominal frequency on its symmetrical output terminals. The nominal frequency has a predetermined impedance on its symmetrical output terminals. The nominal frequency is transmitted as a signal balanced to ground to the symmetrical output terminals of the modified Boucherot bridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Stephan Biber, Ralph Oppelt, Robert Rehner