Patents by Inventor Steffen Pförtner

Steffen Pförtner 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: 20240120669
    Abstract: An electronic device for mounting on a support rail, has a housing, an electronic unit arranged in the housing, and an elastic contact element that serves in the electrically-conductive connection between the electronic unit and the support rail. The contact element has two contact legs, a connecting area connecting the contact legs to one another, and a contacting section connected to the connecting area for making contact with the electronic unit, and wherein when the electronic device is in the mounted state, the contact legs of the contact element make contact in a clamping manner with a leg of the support rail in-between. The contact element arranged ensures, with small size, good electrical and mechanical contacting of the support rail. The sides of the two contact legs facing one another form a short contact area. The first contact area on is sharp-edged, and the second contact area forms a swivel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: PHOENIX CONTACT GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Steffen Pförtner, Peter Berg
  • Patent number: 11146061
    Abstract: An overvoltage protection device includes: input terminals; output terminals; at least two overvoltage protection elements for forming staggered protection levels; and at least one longitudinal element electrically connecting an input terminal and an output terminal to conduct an operating current. In order to form a first protection level, a first overvoltage protection device is connected to two input terminals on an input side upstream of the at least one longitudinal element, and, in order to form a second protection level, a second overvoltage protection element is connected to two output terminals on an output side and downstream of the at least one longitudinal element, the at least one longitudinal element influencing a response of the at least two overvoltage protection elements in case of an overvoltage. The at least one longitudinal element is provided with a thermal overload protection device for reducing a possible current flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Christian Birkholz, Steffen Pfoertner, Jens Willmann
  • Patent number: 10971916
    Abstract: The invention disclosure relates to a space-limited protection module with at least two overvoltage protection elements in parallel current branches, where the protection module includes a local multistage indicator for indicating at least one operating state, a warning state and a defect state, and where the parallel switched overvoltage protection elements are arranged on a circuit board in electrical connection to conductor tracks of the circuit board and attached in a thermally softenable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO KG
    Inventors: Gernot Finis, Christian Birkholz, Steffen Pfoertner
  • Patent number: 10959332
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly with an electrotechnical component on a carrier. A first electrical connecting line and a second electrical connecting line going to the electrotechnical component are provided on or in the carrier. The electrotechnical component comprises a first connection and a second connection. The first connection is attached on the carrier by a thermally softenable solder material to the first electrical power supply line, and the second connection is attached on the carrier by a thermally softenable solder material to the second electrical power supply line. A first electrical signal line to the electrotechnical component is provided on or in the carrier. The assembly furthermore comprises a mechanical prestressing, which in the event that the solder material is softened can displace the electrotechnical component on the surface substantially in a parallel plane to the carrier or orthogonally to the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO KG
    Inventors: Steffen Pförtner, Martin Wetter
  • Publication number: 20200169078
    Abstract: An overvoltage protection device includes: input terminals; output terminals; at least two overvoltage protection elements for forming staggered protection levels; and at least one longitudinal element electrically connecting an input terminal and an output terminal to conduct an operating current. In order to form a first protection level, a first overvoltage protection device is connected to two input terminals on an input side upstream of the at least one longitudinal element, and, in order to form a second protection level, a second overvoltage protection element is connected to two output terminals on an output side and downstream of the at least one longitudinal element, the at least one longitudinal element influencing a response of the at least two overvoltage protection elements in case of an overvoltage. The at least one longitudinal element is provided with a thermal overload protection device for reducing a possible current flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Christian Birkholz, Steffen Pfoertner, Jens Willmann
  • Publication number: 20200170115
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly with an electrotechnical component on a carrier, wherein the electrotechnical component is arranged on the carrier, wherein a first electrical connecting line and a second electrical connecting line going to the electrotechnical component are provided on or in the carrier, wherein the electrotechnical component comprises a first connection and a second connection, wherein the first connection is attached on the carrier by a thermally softenable solder material to the first electrical power supply line, and wherein the second connection is attached on the carrier by a thermally softenable solder material to the second electrical power supply line, wherein a first electrical signal line to the electrotechnical component is provided on or in the carrier, wherein the first connection on the carrier is also attached by a thermally softenable solder material to the first electrical signal line, wherein the assembly furthermore comprises a mechanical prestressing, which in the ev
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Steffen Pförtner, Martin Wetter
  • Publication number: 20190115745
    Abstract: The invention relates to a space-limited protection module with at least two overvoltage protection elements in parallel current branches, wherein the protection module comprises a local multistage indicator for indicating at least one operating state, a warning state and a defect state, wherein the parallel switched overvoltage protection elements are arranged on a circuit board in electrical connection to conductor tracks of the circuit board and attached in a thermally softenable manner, wherein the first overvoltage protection element is associated with a first force accumulator and the second overvoltage protection element is associated with a second force accumulator, which in the soldered state exerts a force on the respective overvoltage protection element in parallel with the surface of the circuit board, so that in the event of a heating of an overvoltage protection element beyond the softening point of the thermal adhesion the respective overvoltage protection element is displaced sideways, so that
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Gernot FINIS, Christian BIRKHOLZ, Steffen PFOERTNER
  • Patent number: 9118175
    Abstract: An overvoltage protector having a housing and at least one overvoltage limiter arranged in the housing, especially a gas-filled surge arrester (1), a suppressor diode (2) or a varistor. The functional ability and the state of the overvoltage protector can be controlled during operation by associating a monitoring component with the overvoltage limiter which detects a current (i) flowing over the overvoltage limiter component, and by providing an evaluation unit that evaluates the signal of the monitoring component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Friedrich-Eckhard Brand, Steffen Pförtner, Bernd Pötzsch
  • Patent number: 9083174
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a thermal overload protection device (22) for protecting an electric component (10), in particular an electronic component, wherein the overload protection device (22) has a short-circuit unit (24) for short-circuiting connections (12, 14) of the component (10), and an actuating member (26) actuating the short-circuit unit (24) in a temperature sensitive manner. According to the invention it is provided that the short-circuit unit (24) is attached to a circuit path support (16) in at least one area (28), and is supported in at least another area (30) on the component (10) disposed on the circuit path support (16) via the actuating unit (26), and/or at least one of the circuit paths (18, 20) contacting one of the connections (12, 14) to be short-circuited. The invention further relates to a respective arrangement (36) having a circuit path support (16), at least one component (10) disposed thereupon, and at least one assigned overload protection device (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Meyer, Steffen Pförtner, Friedrich-Eckhard Brand, Bernd Pötzsch
  • Patent number: 8908346
    Abstract: An overvoltage protection device for protecting electrical low-voltage installations, having a lower device part and at least one upper device part, wherein the lower device part has input and output terminals for the electrical conductors to be connected and contact elements connected to the input and output terminals. The upper device part has at least one overvoltage protection element. An intermediate device part is additionally provided which can be fitted onto the lower device part and onto which the upper device part can be fitted. The intermediate device part has mating contact elements corresponding to the contact elements of the lower device part and also has contact elements connected to the mating contact elements. The intermediate part has at least one longitudinal element connected between two mating contact elements, and the upper device part has mating contact elements corresponding to the contact elements of the intermediate device part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Birkholz, Steffen Pfoertner, Friedrich-Eckhard Brand
  • Publication number: 20140092513
    Abstract: An overvoltage protector having a housing and at least one overvoltage limiter arranged in the housing, especially a gas-filled surge arrester (1), a suppressor diode (2) or a varistor. The functional ability and the state of the overvoltage protector can be controlled during operation by associating a monitoring component with the overvoltage limiter which detects a current (i) flowing over the overvoltage limiter component, and by providing an evaluation unit that evaluates the signal of the monitoring component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Friedrich-Eckhard BRAND, Steffen PFÖRTNER, Bernd PÖTZSCH
  • Patent number: 8634176
    Abstract: An overvoltage protector having a housing and at least one overvoltage limiter arranged in the housing, especially a gas-filled surge arrester (1), a suppressor diode (2) or a varistor. The functional ability and the state of the overvoltage protector can be controlled during operation by associating a monitoring component with the overvoltage limiter which detects a current (i) flowing over the overvoltage limiter component, and by providing an evaluation unit that evaluates the signal of the monitoring component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH Co. KG
    Inventors: Friedrich-Eckhard Brand, Steffen Pfoertner, Bernd Pötzsch
  • Publication number: 20130194710
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a thermal overload protection device (22) for protecting an electric component (10), in particular an electronic component, wherein the overload protection device (22) has a short-circuit unit (24) for short-circuiting connections (12, 14) of the component (10), and an actuating member (26) actuating the short-circuit unit (24) in a temperature sensitive manner. According to the invention it is provided that the short-circuit unit (24) is attached to a circuit path support (16) in at least one area (28), and is supported in at least another area (30) on the component (10) disposed on the circuit path support (16) via the actuating unit (26), and/or at least one of the circuit paths (18, 20) contacting one of the connections (12, 14) to be short-circuited. The invention further relates to a respective arrangement (36) having a circuit path support (16), at least one component (10) disposed thereupon, and at least one assigned overload protection device (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Phoenix Contact GMBH & CO. KG.
    Inventors: Thomas Meyer, Steffen Pförtner, Friedrich-Eckhard Brand, Bernd Pötzsch
  • Publication number: 20130010395
    Abstract: An overvoltage protection device for protecting electrical low-voltage installations, having a lower device part and at least one upper device part, wherein the lower device part has input and output terminals for the electrical conductors to be connected and contact elements connected to the input and output terminals. The upper device part has at least one overvoltage protection element. An intermediate device part is additionally provided which can be fitted onto the lower device part and onto which the upper device part can be fitted. The intermediate device part has mating contact elements corresponding to the contact elements of the lower device part and also has contact elements connected to the mating contact elements. The intermediate part has at least one longitudinal element connected between two mating contact elements, and the upper device part has mating contact elements corresponding to the contact elements of the intermediate device part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Christian Birkholz, Steffen Pfoertner, Friedrich-Eckhard Brand
  • Publication number: 20110267730
    Abstract: An overvoltage protector having a housing and at least one overvoltage limiter arranged in the housing, especially a gas-filled surge arrester (1), a suppressor diode (2) or a varistor. The functional ability and the state of the overvoltage protector can be controlled during operation by associating a monitoring component with the overvoltage limiter which detects a current (i) flowing over the overvoltage limiter component, and by providing an evaluation unit that evaluates the signal of the monitoring component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Friedrich-Eckhard Brand, Steffen Pfoertner
  • Patent number: D901400
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Gerwin Mueller, Peter Berg, Michael Tegt, Oliver Thoren, Andrei Siegel, Steffen Pfoertner, Silvester Paul, Martin Wetter, Thorsten Heil, Thorsten Gelhaus, Jens Leinhart
  • Patent number: D901401
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Gerwin Mueller, Peter Berg, Michael Tegt, Oliver Thoren, Andrei Siegel, Steffen Pfoertner, Silvester Paul, Martin Wetter, Thorsten Heil, Thorsten Gelhaus, Jens Leinhart
  • Patent number: D901402
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gerwin Mueller, Peter Berg, Michael Tegt, Oliver Thoren, Andrei Siegel, Steffen Pfoertner, Silvester Paul, Martin Wetter, Thorsten Heil, Thorsten Gelhaus, Jens Leinhart
  • Patent number: D920929
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Gerwin Mueller, Peter Berg, Michael Tegt, Oliver Thoren, Andrei Siegel, Steffen Pfoertner, Silvester Paul, Martin Wetter, Thorsten Heil, Thorsten Gelhaus, Jens Leinhart