Patents by Inventor Uwe DROFENIK

Uwe DROFENIK 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: 11984812
    Abstract: A dual active bridge DC/DC converter in accordance with the invention comprises a first DC link, preferably comprising a first DC link capacitor; a converter bridge connected to the first DC link; a transformer, preferably a medium frequency transformer, having a primary side and a secondary side; the primary side of the transformer comprising a plurality of M>1 primary windings, each of the plurality of primary windings having a first and a second terminal; wherein the dual active bridge DC/DC converter further comprises a first plurality of M energy transfer inductors; and wherein for each of the M primary windings, a different one from the first plurality of energy transfer inductors is connected between said primary winding bridge and the converter bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: HITACHI ENERGY LTD
    Inventors: Uwe Drofenik, Thomas Gradinger, Francisco Canales
  • Publication number: 20240112849
    Abstract: A transformer coil comprises low and high voltage windings wound on a supporting construction and immersed in a main insulation material. The transformer coil has also a first barrier arranged proximate the low voltage winding and a second barrier arranged proximate the high voltage winding. Each of the first and second barriers is gas-tight and semiconductive so that gas bubbles potentially released during immersion in the main insulation material are unable to migrate to a high electric field region during the casting process or during apparatus operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Jedrzej Banaszczyk, Wojciech Piasecki, Michal Rzepecki, Filip Grecki, Uwe Drofenik
  • Patent number: 11949348
    Abstract: A multi-pulse line-interphase transformer converter includes an electric part that includes magnetic components configured to be connected to a three-phase AC grid, and an electric part that includes a multi-phase voltage system configured to be connected to a common DC capacitor. The electric part splits each AC grid phase n times into two phases, resulting in a plurality of intermediate phases at an internal interface, each intermediate phase corresponding to a pulse of the multi-pulse line-interphase transformer converter. The intermediate phases are connected to the multi-phase voltage system. The multi-phase voltage system comprises bridges with actively controlled switches. The bridges are connected in parallel to the common DC capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: ABB E-mobility B.V.
    Inventors: Uwe Drofenik, Francisco Canales, Daniel Rothmund
  • Publication number: 20230402224
    Abstract: An electrical device includes a magnetic core, a bobbin extending about and partially covering the magnetic core, wherein the bobbin is made of a thermally conductive dielectric material, wherein the bobbin further comprises an outer body connectable to an inner body, wherein the inner body comprises at least a first contact element being formed as a rib that is configured to directly contact a surface of the magnetic core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Applicants: ABB Schweiz AG, ABB E-mobility B.V.
    Inventors: Jedrzej Banaszczyk, Michal Rzepecki, Amin Bahmani, Filip Grecki, Uwe Drofenik
  • Patent number: 11636968
    Abstract: A multi-phase inductor includes a core made of a magnetic material; at least two phase windings surrounding the core for inducing a magnetic field in the core, such that a common mode inductance (LCM) is provided for the at least two phase windings; and an adjustment member made of a magnetic material, which adjustment member has at least two legs, which are interconnected with each other at an inner end and which are touching the core at an outer end to provide a differential mode inductance (LDM) for the at least two phase windings; wherein the outer end of each leg of the adjustment member overlays an axial side of the core and/or each leg of the adjustment member has a varying thickness between the inner end and the outer end to adjust the differential mode inductance (LDM).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Wunsch, Uwe Drofenik, Stanislav Skibin, Gernot Riedel, Ville Samuel Forsstrom
  • Publication number: 20230049948
    Abstract: A LIT-based bi-directional medium voltage converter topology includes active medium voltage switches that comprise low voltage switches connected in series and/or switch-cells in a cascode-configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Uwe Drofenik, Francisco Canales
  • Publication number: 20230048596
    Abstract: A bi-directional medium voltage converter topology includes an n-pulse line-interphase-transformer, LIT; a plurality of bi-directional medium voltage, MV converters connected to the LIT on an AC side thereof and connected in parallel on a DC side thereof; a bi-directional multi-stage DC/DC converter connected to the plurality of bi-directional MV converters; and a bi-directional low voltage, LV, DC/DC converter; wherein the multi-stage DC/DC converter and the LV DC/DC converter are connected to each other galvanically insulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Uwe Drofenik, Francisco Canales
  • Publication number: 20230050293
    Abstract: A charging system for electric vehicles includes a line interphase transformer, LIT-based rectifier configured for connecting an input of the LIT-based rectifier to an AC medium-voltage power signal and for outputting a medium-voltage DC-signal; a modular DC/DC converter with large step-down gain is configured for transforming the medium-voltage DC-signal into a medium-voltage HF-AC-signal; and a medium-frequency transformer, MFT, is configured for transforming the medium-voltage HF-AC-signal into a low-voltage HF-AC-signal for the at least one charging box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Uwe Drofenik, Francisco Canales, Ki-Bum Park
  • Publication number: 20230049615
    Abstract: A multi-pulse line-interphase transformer converter includes an electric part that includes magnetic components configured to be connected to a three-phase AC grid, and an electric part that includes a multi-phase voltage system configured to be connected to a common DC capacitor. The electric part splits each AC grid phase n times into two phases, resulting in a plurality of intermediate phases at an internal interface, each intermediate phase corresponding to a pulse of the multi-pulse line-interphase transformer converter. The intermediate phases are connected to the multi-phase voltage system. The multi-phase voltage system comprises bridges with actively controlled switches. The bridges are connected in parallel to the common DC capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: ABB E-mobility B.V.
    Inventors: Uwe Drofenik, Francisco Canales, Daniel Rothmund
  • Publication number: 20230050057
    Abstract: A power supply system includes a power feeding system for transforming an AC medium-voltage power signal from a medium-voltage grid into a low-voltage power signal for feeding an electricity consumer site. The power supply system further includes a low-voltage multiphase converter for transforming a low-voltage signal into a low-voltage multiphase signal. The multiphase converter is arranged antiparallel to the power feeding system, and an LV/MV multiphase transformer for transforming the low-voltage multiphase signal into an output-signal that is conformant to the AC medium-voltage power signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Uwe Drofenik, Thomas Bernhard Gradinger, Francisco Canales, Gabriel Ignacio Ortiz, Ki-Bum Park, Daniel Rothmund, Levy Costa
  • Publication number: 20230051317
    Abstract: A power electronic converter includes a plurality of converter cells, each comprising an inductive power transfer stage having a coupled inductor coupling first and second sides of the converter cell, wherein the inductor comprises a first winding around a first magnetic core and a second winding around a second magnetic core; wherein the first winding and the first magnetic core are separated from the second winding and the second magnetic core by a flat electric insulation layer that provides electric insulation between the first and second sides of the converter cell; wherein at least two of the coupled inductors are arranged so that their insulation layers form a single contiguous insulation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Thomas Bernhard Gradinger, Gabriel Ignacio Ortiz, Uwe Drofenik, Ki-Bum Park, Bernhard Wunsch
  • Publication number: 20230016771
    Abstract: A medium frequency transformer for a DC/DC converter includes: a core having an air gap and a coil surrounding a core section and having a plurality of windings; a medium voltage electric insulation, surrounding the coil each winding including a first and second termination, and a conductor wound around a portion of the core in at least one turn between the first and second termination; a plurality of terminals provided outside the insulation, each connected to a different first termination by one of a plurality of connectors, a channel extending from an outside of the insulation into and at least partially through said electric insulation, wherein the connectors extend through the channel and are insulated against one another by means of a low voltage insulation within the channel. The second terminations are connected to one another within or inside the insulation and connected to a second terminal outside of the insulation by a second connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: Hitachi Energy Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Uwe Drofenik, Gernot Riedel, Thomas Bernhard Gradinger
  • Publication number: 20220385176
    Abstract: A resonant DC/DC converter which has a first DC link, preferably including a first DC link capacitor; a DC/AC converter which has a first plurality of N>1 converter bridges connected in parallel to the first DC link; each converter bridge comprising a plurality of switches each of which may be switched between a conducting state and a non-conducting state. The resonant DC/DC converter also includes an AC intermediate circuit having an input connected to an output of the DC/AC converter and comprising: a transformer, preferably a medium frequency transformer, having a primary side and a secondary side; the primary side comprising at least one primary winding; a first plurality of N capacitors, wherein for each converter bridge, a different one from the first plurality of capacitors is connected between said converter bridge and the at least one primary winding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Uwe Drofenik, Ki-Bum Park, Thomas Bernhard Gradinger
  • Publication number: 20220375678
    Abstract: A method for producing a coil for a transformer, in particular for a medium frequency transformer for a resonant DC/DC converter or a dual active bridge DC/DC converter, is disclosed which: providing a plurality of M>1 conductive foil strips, each having a first ending and a second ending; stacking the plurality of conductive foil strips to obtain a foil strip stack having a first ending and a second ending, wherein an electrically insulating layer is provided between any two adjacent foil strips; electrically interconnecting the first endings of all conductive foil strips to a first terminal; for each of the conductive foil strips providing a connector at the second ending of the foil strip; and coiling up the foil strip stack from the first end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Uwe DROFENIK, Thomas GRADINGER
  • Publication number: 20220345045
    Abstract: A DC/DC converter which includes a first DC link, preferably a first DC link capacitor; a first plurality of N>1 converter bridges connected in parallel to the first DC link; and a transformer, preferably a medium frequency transformer. The transformer includes a primary side and a secondary side, wherein the primary side includes at least one primary winding. The converter further comprises a first plurality of N impedance elements, wherein for each converter bridge, a different one from the first plurality of impedance elements is connected between said converter bridge and the at least one primary winding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Uwe Drofenik, Thomas Bernhard Gradinger, Francisco Canales
  • Patent number: 11480602
    Abstract: Transformer assembly including a first transformer stage having a plurality of first-stage transformer cells; and a second transformer stage. An input of the second transformer stage is connected to an output of the first transformer stage. A lightning impulse breakdown voltage of a transformer cell of the second stage is at least double of a lightning impulse breakdown voltage of transformer cells of the first stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Uwe Drofenik, Thomas Gradinger, Francisco Canales
  • Publication number: 20220278624
    Abstract: A dual active bridge DC/DC converter in accordance with the invention comprises a first DC link, preferably comprising a first DC link capacitor; a converter bridge connected to the first DC link; a transformer, preferably a medium frequency transformer, having a primary side and a secondary side; the primary side of the transformer comprising a plurality of M>1 primary windings, each of the plurality of primary windings having a first and a second terminal; wherein the dual active bridge DC/DC converter further comprises a first plurality of M energy transfer inductors; and wherein for each of the M primary windings, a different one from the first plurality of energy transfer inductors is connected between said primary winding bridge and the converter bridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicant: Hitachi Energy Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Uwe DROFENIK, Thomas GRADINGER, Francisco CANALES
  • Publication number: 20220005643
    Abstract: A transformer includes a first winding arranged around an axis, and a second winding arranged around the axis. The second winding includes a litz wire having an end portion located at an axial end position of the second winding and a middle portion located at an axial middle position of the second winding. The litz wire has a first cross section at the end portion and a second cross section at the middle portion, the cross sections each including in a quadrant between the axial outward direction and the direction pointing towards the first winding a curvature extending between the axial outward direction and the direction pointing towards the first winding. The curvature of the first cross section is smaller than the curvature of the second cross section thereby reducing the peak magnitude of the electrical field between the end portion of the second winding and the first winding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas GRADINGER, Uwe Drofenik
  • Publication number: 20210398742
    Abstract: An electrical component includes a ferromagnetic core with a first and a second leg; a primary winding with a first primary winding portion arranged around the first leg of the ferromagnetic core and a second primary winding portion arranged around the second leg of the ferromagnetic core; wherein the first primary winding portion and the second primary winding portion each include parallel connectable conductors arranged around the ferromagnetic core in a cross section with the conductors being radially displaced with respect to each other at radial row positions, wherein the number of conductors of the first primary winding portion is equal the number of conductors of the second primary winding portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: ABB Power Grids Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Thomas Bernhard GRADINGER, Uwe DROFENIK
  • Publication number: 20210398741
    Abstract: A transformer includes a transformer core having a first core leg having a first longitudinal axis and second core leg having a second longitudinal axis; a first low voltage (LV) winding arranged around the first core leg, a first high voltage (HV) winding arranged around the first LV winding; a second low voltage (LV) winding arranged around the second core leg; and a second high voltage winding arranged around the second LV winding, wherein the first HV winding is provided with a first HV connector and a second HV connector each extending substantially perpendicular away from the first longitudinal axis, and wherein the second HV winding is provided with a third HV connector and a fourth HV connector each extending substantially perpendicular away from the second longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: ABB Power Grids Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Uwe DROFENIK, Thomas GRADINGER, Bernhard WUNSCH