Patents by Inventor Thomas Merkel

Thomas Merkel 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: 20230246570
    Abstract: The present invention relates to establishing a rotational speed-dependent safe operating mode. For this purpose, two redundant control paths are provided and are each designed to establish either an active short-circuit or a freewheeling mode as the safe operating mode. In this way, even if one control path fails, a rotational speed-dependent safe operating mode can still be fully established.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Edwin Eberlein, Daniel Raichle, Manfred Kirschner, Thomas Merkel, Thomas Knorpp, Volker Gilgenbach
  • Publication number: 20230003212
    Abstract: The invention relates to a compressor system for a rail vehicle, having: a compressor, a cooling device and a control device or an interface for receiving control signals of a control device, wherein the control device is configured to actuate the cooling device independently of the operation of the compressor, and to be able to provide a variable cooling fluid volumetric flow rate, in particular a cooling air volumetric flow rate, which can be specified by way of the control device as an actuating variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas MERKEL, Martin SCHMID, Adrian KRAMLICH, Ehsan AFSHAR, Michael WINKLER
  • Publication number: 20220194444
    Abstract: A system for providing operational data of a vehicle component, in particular of a component of an air supply system of a rail vehicle, includes at least one detector for capturing the operational data of the vehicle component; a transmitter coupled to the at least one detector, for transmitting the operational data of the vehicle component to an external memory device for storing the operational data; and an identification number of the component, the number being provided on the vehicle component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Marc-Oliver HERDEN, Thomas MERKEL, Sebastian REHBERGER
  • Publication number: 20220135092
    Abstract: An air supply system for a rail vehicle that includes electrical consumers, such as a compressor, an air dryer, a valve or the like, and a converter coupled to a power supply of the rail vehicle, wherein the air supply system adjusts the voltage provided by the power supply to an operating voltage of at least one electrical consumer, wherein the converter is associated with at least two of the plurality of electrical consumers in such a way that the converter can control, particularly in a closed-loop manner, and/or monitor the operation of the at least two of the plurality of electronic consumers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Marc-Oliver HERDEN, Thomas KIPP, Thomas MERKEL, Martin SCHMID
  • Patent number: 11300117
    Abstract: An air supply system having a compressor driven by a motor for producing compressed air, an air drier system for extracting moisture from the compressed air produced, an electronic converter for demand-dependent control of the compressor and analog and/or digital sensors for producing electrical signals, the electrical signals being useful for controlling the electronic converter and for monitoring and controlling the compressor. The electrical signals produced by the sensors are converted in the electronic converter to bus signals that can be provided for evaluation at a bus interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FÜR SCHIENENFAHRZEUGE GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Hartl, Martin Linner, Gert Assmann, Thomas Merkel
  • Publication number: 20220105922
    Abstract: A system for providing and/or monitoring operating data of a compressed air supply in a rail vehicle includes a detector for detecting the operating data, a communication device for wirelessly transmitting the detected operating data, and an external memory device for receiving and saving the detected operating data from the communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas MERKEL, Sebastian REHBERGER, Marc-Oliver HERDEN
  • Patent number: 11130408
    Abstract: A method and device supply a vehicle with main and auxiliary air, wherein the device includes a compressor driven via an electric motor for generating compressed air to fill at least one main air tank for supplying pneumatic units of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle has at least one first and second power source for supplying electric energy, wherein a pneumatic actuator that upgrades the vehicle and activates the first power source is provided with the compressed air produced by the compressor in that, in that phase, the second power source feeds the electric motor of the compressor, wherein a switching valve device supplies the compressed air for upgrading to an auxiliary air tank associated with the pneumatic actuator, and otherwise the switching valve device supplies the compressed air produced by the to the main air tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Inventors: Gert Assmann, Thomas Merkel, Peter Berger, Boris Wittich
  • Patent number: 10688870
    Abstract: A device and method controls the different energy sources for supplying a vehicle with main and auxiliary air, for which compressed air is produced for pressurizing a main air tank and an auxiliary air tank using at least one compressor. That compressor is driven via a respective associated electric motor, wherein the main air is supplied via an external primary energy source and the auxiliary air is supplied at least partially via an internal secondary energy source which is weaker in contrast. There is a shift between the two different energy sources depending on the operating status of the vehicle, wherein the auxiliary air supply is switched off by decoupling the electric motor from the secondary energy source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FÜR SCHIENENFAHRZEUGE GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Merkel, Boris Wittich, Martin Kutschker, Martin Linner
  • Patent number: 10662984
    Abstract: The invention relates to a compressed air preparation device for rail vehicles or utility vehicles, comprising a compressed air inlet, to which an air compressor can be connected, a compressed air outlet, which is connected to the compressed air inlet via a compressed air duct, and an air drying device arranged in the compressed air duct. In the event that the air compressor is switched off, the compressed air duct is vented upstream of the air drying device so that, at restart, the air compressor can start against a reduced counterpressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEMS FÜR SCHIENENFAHRZEUGE GMBH
    Inventors: Angelika Reidi, Philipp Gehrke, Christian Urra, Thomas Merkel
  • Patent number: 10493970
    Abstract: A method and device control at least one air dryer unit of an air supply system for the primary and auxiliary air supply of a vehicle. In the method and device, at least one compressor is driven by an associated electric motor that serves both for the primary air supply of a primary air tank and for the auxiliary air supply of an auxiliary air tank. Compressed air generated by the compressor is channeled over the at least one downstream air dryer unit so as to dry the compressed air generated by the compressor while the drying agent of the air dryer is regenerated with dried compressed air. During the auxiliary air supply, the air flow used for regenerating the at least one air dryer unit is reduced or suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FÜR SCHIENENFAHRZEUGE GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Merkel, Peter Berger, Gert Assmann, Christian Urra, Angelicka Riedi, Philipp Gehrke
  • Publication number: 20190264676
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for vibration compensation in a piston compressor, the piston compressor of which is driven by means of a crankshaft by a three-phase motor controlled by a frequency converter, wherein the current position the crankshaft of the piston compressor is determined, and based on this the frequency converter, a torque (MM) for the three-phase motor is predetermined, which torque follows the load torque (ML) of the piston compressor in order to reduce the vibration stimulation of the entire piston compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas MERKEL, Michael HARTL, Stefan SCHNEIDER
  • Patent number: 10207695
    Abstract: A rail vehicle compressor system comprises a compressor, driven by an electrical machine via a drive shaft, for producing compressed air for at least one compressed air tank. The electrical machine is activated at least indirectly via a control device for operating the electrical machine at least one nominal speed between a maximum speed and a minimum speed. At least one pressure sensor determines the pressure for the control device and is disposed in a compressed-air-carrying line downstream of the compressor. A final control element for continuously influencing the speed of the electrical machine is disposed between an electrical supply and the electrical machine, wherein the control device controls activation of the final control element. A method for controlling the compressor system is also provided, wherein, the compressor is operated at a variable speed in between the maximum speed and the minimum speed based on rail vehicle operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FUR SCHIENENFAHRZEUGE GMBH
    Inventors: Gert Assman, Thomas Kipp, Thomas Merkel, Karl Hering, Robert Frank, Claus Mueller
  • Publication number: 20180320716
    Abstract: The invention relates to a compressed air preparation device for rail vehicles or utility vehicles, comprising a compressed air inlet, to which an air compressor can be connected, a compressed air outlet, which is connected to the compressed air inlet via a compressed air duct, and an air drying device arranged in the compressed air duct. In the event that the air compressor is switched off, the compressed air duct is vented upstream of the air drying device so that, at restart, the air compressor can start against a reduced counterpressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Angelika REIDI, Philipp GEHRKE, Christian URRA, Thomas MERKEL
  • Publication number: 20180265066
    Abstract: A method and device supply a vehicle with main and auxiliary air, wherein the device includes a compressor driven via an electric motor for generating compressed air to fill at least one main air tank for supplying pneumatic units of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle has at least one first and second power source for supplying electric energy, wherein a pneumatic actuator that upgrades the vehicle and activates the first power source is provided with the compressed air produced by the compressor in that, in that phase, the second power source feeds the electric motor of the compressor, wherein a switching valve device supplies the compressed air for upgrading to an auxiliary air tank associated with the pneumatic actuator, and otherwise the switching valve device supplies the compressed air produced by the to the main air tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Gert ASSMANN, Thomas MERKEL, Peter BERGER, Boris WITTICH
  • Publication number: 20180257628
    Abstract: A method and device control at least one air dryer unit of an air supply system for the primary and auxiliary air supply of a vehicle. In the method and device, at least one compressor is driven by an associated electric motor that serves both for the primary air supply of a primary air tank and for the auxiliary air supply of an auxiliary air tank. Compressed air generated by the compressor is channeled over the at least one downstream air dryer unit so as to dry the compressed air generated by the compressor while the drying agent of the air dryer is regenerated with dried compressed air. During the auxiliary air supply, the air flow used for regenerating the at least one air dryer unit is reduced or suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas MERKEL, Peter BERGER, Gert ASSMANN, Christian URRA, Angelicka RIEDI, Philipp GEHRKE
  • Publication number: 20180178653
    Abstract: A device and method controls the different energy sources for supplying a vehicle with main and auxiliary air, for which compressed air is produced for pressurizing a main air tank and an auxiliary air tank using at least one compressor. That compressor is driven via a respective associated electric motor, wherein the main air is supplied via an external primary energy source and the auxiliary air is supplied at least partially via an internal secondary energy source which is weaker in contrast. There is a shift between the two different energy sources depending on the operating status of the vehicle, wherein the auxiliary air supply is switched off by decoupling the electric motor from the secondary energy source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas MERKEL, Boris WITTICH, Martin KUTSCHKER, Martin LINNER
  • Patent number: 9839874
    Abstract: A method and device for regeneration of an adsorption air dryer having at least two desiccant-filled drying vessels connected in parallel, wherein a humid compressed-air stream generated by a compressor flows through one of the drying vessels in a drying phase and a dry compressed-air stream flows through the other drying vessel, for the purpose of dewatering the desiccant, in a simultaneous regeneration phase, wherein a valve arrangement is provided for switching the drying vessels alternately between drying phase and regeneration phase during normal operation, wherein the control mechanism are provided for implementing a post-regeneration phase, which control mechanism initiates a further flow through the drying vessel with dry compressed air for complete regeneration and also a flow through the other drying vessel; with dry compressed air for complete regeneration, so that, upon the next start of operation of the adsorption air dryer, operation commences with fully regenerated drying vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FUR SCHIENENFAHRZEUGE GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Kipp, Christian Urra, Thomas Merkel, Gert Assmann
  • Patent number: 9647478
    Abstract: A method, a device and an electrical system for discharging a first electrical network. The first electrical network comprises in particular an intermediate circuit which comprises in particular an intermediate-circuit capacitor. The first electrical network is connected to a second electrical network by means of a DC-DC converter for this purpose. The first electrical network is discharged by means of the DC-DC converter. At the same time, the DC-DC converter transfers electrical energy into the second electrical network. For discharging, the output voltage of the DC-DC converter is set to a first voltage value, which is larger than the nominal voltage of the second electrical network. For discharging, the output voltage of the DC-DC converter is set to the first voltage value for a predefinable first period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Peuser, Thomas Merkel
  • Publication number: 20160311420
    Abstract: A rail vehicle compressor system comprises a compressor, driven by an electrical machine via a drive shaft, for producing compressed air for at least one compressed air tank. The electrical machine is activated at least indirectly via a control device for operating the electrical machine at at least one nominal speed between a maximum speed and a minimum speed. At least one pressure sensor determines the pressure for the control device and is disposed in a compressed-air-carrying line downstream of the compressor. A final control element for continuously influencing the speed of the electrical machine is disposed between an electrical supply and the electrical machine, wherein the control device controls activation of the final control element. A method for controlling the compressor system is also provided, wherein, the compressor is operated at a variable speed in between the maximum speed and the minimum speed based on rail vehicle operating state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Gert Assmann, Thomas Kipp, Thomas Merkel, Karl Hering, Robert Frank, Claus Mueller
  • Publication number: 20160214054
    Abstract: A method and device for regeneration of an adsorption air dryer having at least two desiccant-filled drying vessels connected in parallel, wherein a humid compressed-air stream generated by a compressor flows through one of the drying vessels in a drying phase and a dry compressed-air stream flows through the other drying vessel, for the purpose of dewatering the desiccant, in a simultaneous regeneration phase, wherein a valve arrangement is provided for switching the drying vessels alternately between drying phase and regeneration phase during normal operation, wherein the control mechanism are provided for implementing a post-regeneration phase, which control mechanism initiates a further flow through the drying vessel with dry compressed air for complete regeneration and also a flow through the other drying vessel; with dry compressed air for complete regeneration, so that, upon the next start of operation of the adsorption air dryer, operation commences with fully regenerated drying vessels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas KIPP, Christian URRA, Thomas MERKEL, Gert ASSMANN