Patents Assigned to Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
  • Patent number: 9941782
    Abstract: A switched-mode power supply system and method for converting an input voltage into an output voltage, including at least one switching stage controlled by a pulse-width modulation circuit in a clocked manner, and a control circuit that influences a pulse-width modulation circuit to vary the level of the output voltage, characterized by the provision of a current limiting circuit which, after a threshold voltage has been exceeded, limits the power supply output current first to an elevated maximum current for a first period of time, and thereafter to a regular maximum current. The control circuit is such that the first period of time for which the output current is limited to the elevated maximum current is dependent on the level of the output current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Weidmueller Interface GMBH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Klaus Schuermann, Michael Buschkamp
  • Patent number: 9905943
    Abstract: A connector module for connecting the bare end of an insulated electrical conductor with an electrical device, including a hollow generally-rectangular terminal cage body formed from a bent conductive first metal sheet to form at least one vertical generally rectangular side wall and a pair of end walls, one of the cage walls having a horizontal lower surface defining a first cage sealing surface, and a vertical interior wall surface defining a second cage sealing surface; a horizontal bus bar formed from a conductive second metal sheet and having a relatively broad horizontal top surface defining a horizontal first bus bar sealing surface, and a relatively narrow side surface defining a vertical second bus bar sealing surface; and a securing seam for securing one of the bus bar first and second sealing surfaces with the corresponding one of the cage first and second sealing surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Herrmann, Constantin Classen, Karlo Stjepanovic
  • Patent number: 9870860
    Abstract: A supply system for supplying in a contact-free manner electrical energy and data signals to a subscriber module, including a support member, a supply bar mounted on the support member, which supply bar supports primary energy and data interfaces, and at least one bus subscriber module mounted on the support member, which bus subscriber module includes secondary energy and data interfaces arranged adjacent and spaced from the primary energy and data interfaces, respectively, whereby electrical energy and data signals supplied to the primary interfaces are transmitted in a contact-free manner to the secondary interfaces, respectively. Preferably the support member is a mounting rail having an inverted top-hat configuration, with the supply bar being mounted longitudinally in the space defined by the horizontal bottom and vertical side walls of the mounting rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Derk Wesemann, Stefan Witte, Jan Stefan Michels, Bjoern Griese, Mathias Soellner, Hans-Peter Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9865940
    Abstract: A direct plug-in compression spring terminal includes a bus bar for contacting an electrical conductor, and a clamping spring for fastening the electrical conductor in the direct plug-in compression spring terminal, wherein the clamping spring has a clamping arm that can be pivoted in a clamping direction about a clamping axis, and an actuating device for pivoting the clamping bar. In an open state, in which the electrical conductor can be inserted into the direct plug-in compression spring terminal, the clamping arm is pivoted against the clamping direction against a restoring force of the clamping spring. In a clamping state, in which the electrical conductor is clamping in the direct plug-in compression spring terminal, the clamping arm is pivoted in the clamping direction by the restoring force of the clamping spring. In the open state, the actuating device is locked in the direct plug-in compression spring terminal and additionally clamped to the clamping arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Sichmann, Matthias Krug
  • Patent number: 9853409
    Abstract: A self-adjusting pliers-type crimping tool includes a crimping arrangement having movable and fixed levers that are pivotally displaced from an open condition toward a fully closed condition, thereby to generate a first crimping force for crimping an electrical contact upon a bare conductor. When the levers are at an intermediate position, a predetermined compensating energy from a caged spring assembly is released and is applied to the crimping arrangement to complete the crimping process. The spring assembly may comprise a stack of spring washers, a helical spring arrangement, or a stack of resilient elastomeric blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christoph Dierks, Guenther Hanning, Detlev Hetland, David Keller
  • Patent number: 9812796
    Abstract: A terminal block assembly is provided, comprising a plurality of terminal blocks mounted on a common horizontal support member, including a supply terminal block connected with a voltage source, and a plurality of distribution terminal blocks connected with a plurality of loads, respectively, characterized in that the length and height dimensions of the terminal blocks are the same, but the width of the supply terminal block is greater than that of the distribution terminal blocks, and that the supply conductor contact arrangements of the supply terminal block are designed for connection with a supply conductor having a relatively large cross-sectional area, while the distribution conductor contact arrangements of the distribution terminal blocks are designed for connection with distribution conductors having a relatively small cross-sectional area. A conductive comb member extends transversely across the assembly to interconnect the electrical circuitry contained within the terminal block housings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Adamczyk, Jörn Buhrke, Genadij Neumann, Andreas Rutz
  • Patent number: 9799428
    Abstract: A connector marker for identifying an electrical conductor includes a marker body formed of a synthetic plastic material and a pair of generally planar half sections normally arranged in an initial open condition in horizontal coplanar side-by-side relation. At least one of the half sections has an upper surface carrying labeling indicia. At least one integral film hinge device connects the adjacent side edges of the half sections, thereby to afford pivotal displacement of the half sections about a given pivot axis from the open condition toward a closed condition enclosing the electrical conductor to be marked. At least one non-skid element extends from the hinge device for non-skid engagement with the outer peripheral surface of the conductor as the half sections are pivotally displaced from the open condition to the closed condition, thereby to prevent longitudinal slipping of the marker body relative to the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Andreas Wieneke
  • Patent number: 9715963
    Abstract: A contact-free electrical connector arrangement is provided for transferring inductive energy from a primary connector component to a secondary connector component, comprising a pair of connector components each including a housing containing a chamber, a ferrite core arranged in the chamber, and a coil arranged in the chamber for cooperation with the core. An input cable supplies electrical energy to the coil contained in the housing of a primary one of said components, and an output cable removes inductively-transferred energy from the coil contained in the housing of a secondary one of said components. According to an operating method of the invention, a parameter is measured at the primary coil for interrupting the energy supply when the secondary component is not present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Weidmueller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Olaf Gruenberg, Andreas Steinmetz
  • Patent number: 9683723
    Abstract: A lighting arrangement for illuminating a passage, such as a wind tower or tunnel, includes at least one lighting unit having a generally rectangular base with bottom, side and end walls cooperating to define an open-topped chamber, a pair of light energy sources arranged partially in the housing chamber for directing light beams toward opposite ends of the housing, respectively, and a cover member formed of light-transmitting material, which cover member is connected with the base to extend over the light energy sources and to close the housing chamber. The cover member includes a concave dome portion containing a cavity within which the light sources are mounted. Opposite areas of the cover dome portion define collimating devices for concentrating the light beams in opposite directions longitudinally of the passage that is to be illuminated. A plurality of lighting units are longitudinally-arranged in the passage, and are electrically connected in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Weidmueller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Heggemann, Daniel Muether, Michael Gerkens, Hans Schlingmann
  • Patent number: 9680237
    Abstract: A compact spring-biased connector includes a housing having a chamber containing a conductive bus bar, a clamping spring normally having an expanded clamping condition for biasing a conductor bare end toward electrical engagement with the bus bar, and a release lever pivotally connected with the housing for displacement from a normally closed clamping position toward an open position, such that a lateral projection on the clamping lever operates the clamping spring toward a compressed open condition, thereby permitting removal of the conductor bare end from the housing chamber. The clamping spring is a compression V-shaped leaf spring having a stationary support leg and a movable clamping leg, with the lateral operating projection extending within the chamber to engage the spring clamping leg adjacent its juncture with the support leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Weidmueller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Aporius, Constantin Classen, Dirk Hanke, Sascha Nolte
  • Patent number: 9660796
    Abstract: The method and apparatus for detecting in a receiver a transmitter local time, comprising determining a reference time for the transmitter local time; receiving from the transmitter a transmission time duration signal that elapsed on the transmitter since the reference time for the transmitter local time; and determining the transmitter local time based on the reference time for the transmitter local time and the received transmitter time duration. A time stamp signal based on the transmitter local time signal is generated at the receiver and is superimposed on the sensor data stream transmitted to the receiver. Consequently, the advantage is provided that a data stream can be transmitted without the incorporation of any time stamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Weidmueller Interface GmbH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Michael Kroner
  • Patent number: 9653858
    Abstract: A connector assembly for transmitting electrical energy through a wall opening, including a horizontal generally-rectangular first connector housing arranged on one side of the wall with a collar portion of the first housing extending through the wall opening. The collar portion contains a plurality of horizontal parallel coplanar first through bores in which are mounted a plurality of electrically conductive spring contacts, respectively. A second connector housing arranged on the other side of the wall opening contains a recess receiving the collar portion, and a plurality of second bores extending collinearly opposite the first bores, respectively. An electrically conductive comb member includes a plurality of integral pin portions that extend from a common spine portion through the second bores and into the first bores for electrical engagement with the spring contacts, respectively, thereby to connect conductors arranged on opposite sides of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Weidmueller Interface GMBH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Hanke, Johann Klippenstein, Peter Stuckmann, Peter Walker
  • Patent number: 9564727
    Abstract: A crimping tool is provided for crimping the tubular portion of a turned electrical contact concentrically about the bare end of an electrical conductor, including a tool body having a main first portion, and an integral coplanar second portion extending from the main body portion to define a first lever. A crimping die arrangement includes an annular stamp holder mounted opposite an opening contained in the tool body main first portion, and an annular thrust collar is mounted concentrically about the stamp holder for angular displacement between released and crimping positions, thereby to displace a plurality of stamp members radially of the stamp holder between released an crimping positions The thrust collar is angularly displaced between the released and crimping positions by a toggle link arrangement that connects a second lever both with the tool body main portion and with the thrust collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Weidmueller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christoph Dierks, Guenther Hanning, Detlev Hetland, David Keller
  • Patent number: 9496671
    Abstract: A scissors-type crimping tool for crimping a female contact onto an electrical conductor, comprising a planar base member having body and first lever portions; an annular crimping die member connected for rotation between die-open and die-crimping positions relative to the base member body portion; a toggle link arrangement connecting a second lever for pivotal movement relative to the base member body portion; and a cascade spring arrangement operable by the toggle arrangement from a non-stressed condition to a stressed caged condition during initial movement of the second lever in the closed direction, and to a stressed condition during further movement of the second lever, thereby to afford processing of different cross-sections of ferrules and conductors in the crimping die, and to apply the force of the stressed cascade spring arrangement to the crimping die member during the final stage of the crimping operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Weidmueller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christoph Dierks, Guenther Hanning, Detlev Hetland, David Keller
  • Publication number: 20160285356
    Abstract: The invention relates to a power supply device for converting an input voltage (UE) into an output voltage (UA), comprising at least one switching stage (4) controlled by a pulse-width modulation circuit (9) in a clocked manner, wherein a control circuit (8) is provided, which influences the pulse-width modulation circuit (9) so as to change the level of the output voltage (UA), wherein a current limiting circuit is provided which, after a threshold has been exceeded, limits an output current (IA) of the power supply device first to an elevated maximum current (I?max) for a period of time and thereafter to a regular maximum current (Imax). According to the invention, the control circuit (8) is configured such that the period of time for which the output current (IA) is limited to the elevated maximum current (I?max) is dependent on the level of the output current (IA). The invention further relates to a method for limiting the output current (IA) of a power supply device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: Weidmueller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Schuermann, Michael Buschkamp
  • Patent number: 9455510
    Abstract: An adapter arrangement for electrically connecting an upwardly directed first contact on a horizontal printed circuit board assembly with a generally upwardly directed second contact on an electronics module mounted on the PCB assembly, including a rigid adapter housing adapted for mounting on one end of the module, which housing contains a generally vertical conductor having a lower end connected by a downwardly directed lower terminal with the PCB assembly first contact, and an upper end connected by a generally downwardly-directed upper terminal with the electronics module second contact, characterized in that the lower adapter terminal is vertical, and the upper adapter terminal is downwardly inclined by an acute angle relative to the vertical. In a second embodiment, the adapter is sectional and includes upper and lower sections. In a third embodiment, an auxiliary adapter section is connected between the upper adapter section and the electronics module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Weidmueller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gerald Busch, Safwan Saltajl, Sascha Dreifert
  • Patent number: 9451712
    Abstract: An electrical module arrangement for supplying electrical power to a printed circuit board mounted within the housing of an electrical module, including a plug-in electrical connector mounted in an opening contained in an end wall of the module housing. The connector is of the conductive leaf spring S-shaped type, including two reversely-bent portions defining oppositely directed recesses for receiving a bus bar voltage source and a planar contact of the printed circuit board, respectively. In a modification, the leaf spring is W-shaped including three bends, thereby permitting connection of the PCB contact with two separate parallel spaced bus bar arrangements. A plurality of the modules are supported in side-by-side relation either by mounting the module housings on a common mounting rail, or by connecting the plug-in connectors to a common bus bar mounted on a fixed support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Weidmueller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Sichmann, Bernd Van Giesen, Stefan Aporius
  • Patent number: 9421797
    Abstract: Printing apparatus is provided for printing information on a vertical stack of horizontal vertically-spaced planar objects arranged in a housing, including a separating arrangement for removing the lowermost object from the stack, and a printing device for printing information on the removed object. The stack is supported by a plurality of support arrangements each including a support member mounted for reciprocatory horizontal displacement by an electromagnetic drive device between positions that are adjacent and remote from the stack, respectively. Each support member is guided during this displacement by a guide arrangement including at least one guide lever having a first end pivotally connected with the housing, and a second end connected with a guide follower roller that is in engagement with a guide cam surface carried by the support member. The generation of noise is avoided as a consequence of the accurate guidance of the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Weidmueller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Speith, Thorsten Bornefeld, Andreas Wieneke, Andreas Toepper, Rene Manke, Michael Gockel
  • Patent number: D765039
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Weidmueller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Rutz, Genadij Neumann
  • Patent number: D770317
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Weidmueller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Heggemann, Guenter Wissmann, Patric Moammer, Stefan Freitag