Patents by Inventor Alfred Niklas

Alfred Niklas 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: 11581617
    Abstract: A method comprises determining a first pressure increase in an electrochemical energy storage unit based on a first repetition rate, detecting that the first pressure increase has exceeded a first threshold value, determining a second pressure increase in the energy storage unit based on a second repetition rate, the second repetition rate being greater than the first repetition rate, detecting that the second pressure increase exceeds a second threshold value, and outputting a signal to a control unit based on detecting that the second pressure increase has exceeded the second threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Alfred Niklas, Sebastian Ladurner
  • Patent number: 11565933
    Abstract: A sensor device may include a base layer, and an ASIC element disposed on the base layer. The ASIC element may include a plurality of electrical contact points. The sensor device may include a MEMS element. The MEMS element may include a plurality of through-silicon vias. The sensor device may include a plurality of conductive contact elements. Each conductive contact element may be disposed between, and electrically coupling, a respective through-silicon via and a respective electrical contact point. The sensor device may include a protective layer disposed between the ASIC element and the MEMS element. The protective layer may be composed of material(s) having a physical property defined to permit the protective layer to mitigate stress forces directed from the ASIC element to the MEMS element, to prevent corrosion, and/or to prevent leakage current between electrical connections due to pollution and/or humidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Michael Kandler, Alfred Niklas
  • Publication number: 20210313663
    Abstract: A method comprises determining a first pressure increase in an electrochemical energy storage unit based on a first repetition rate, detecting that the first pressure increase has exceeded a first threshold value, determining a second pressure increase in the energy storage unit based on a second repetition rate, the second repetition rate being greater than the first repetition rate, detecting that the second pressure increase exceeds a second threshold value, and outputting a signal to a control unit based on detecting that the second pressure increase has exceeded the second threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Alfred NIKLAS, Sebastian LADURNER
  • Publication number: 20200039815
    Abstract: A sensor device may include a base layer, and an ASIC element disposed on the base layer. The ASIC element may include a plurality of electrical contact points. The sensor device may include a MEMS element. The MEMS element may include a plurality of through-silicon vias. The sensor device may include a plurality of conductive contact elements. Each conductive contact element may be disposed between, and electrically coupling, a respective through-silicon via and a respective electrical contact point. The sensor device may include a protective layer disposed between the ASIC element and the MEMS element. The protective layer may be composed of material(s) having a physical property defined to permit the protective layer to mitigate stress forces directed from the ASIC element to the MEMS element, to prevent corrosion, and/or to prevent leakage current between electrical connections due to pollution and/or humidity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Michael KANDLER, Alfred Niklas
  • Patent number: 7762129
    Abstract: A tire tread sensing system includes a magnetic field sensor and a magnetic field source configured to magnetize magnetizable particles embedded in a tire tread. The magnetic field sensor is configured to measure a magnetic field strength associated with the magnetic field source and the magnetizable particles, and the magnetic field strength is indicative of a tire tread depth. Alternatively, the particles comprise alternating permanent magnets embedded in a tread portion of a tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Alfred Niklas, Dirk Hammerschmidt
  • Publication number: 20090078347
    Abstract: A tire tread sensing system includes a magnetic field sensor and a magnetic field source configured to magnetize magnetizable particles embedded in a tire tread. The magnetic field sensor is configured to measure a magnetic field strength associated with the magnetic field source and the magnetizable particles, and the magnetic field strength is indicative of a tire tread depth. Alternatively, the particles comprise alternating permanent magnets embedded in a tread portion of a tire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Alfred Niklas, Dirk Hammerschmidt
  • Patent number: 7225678
    Abstract: A pressure sensor apparatus includes a reception container for receiving a pressure sensor, the reception container having an opening on one side. Furthermore, the pressure sensor apparatus includes a protective membrane closing the opening, a pressure sensor arranged in the reception container, and a gel arranged between the pressure sensor and the protective membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Michael Kandler, Alfred Niklas
  • Publication number: 20060053895
    Abstract: A pressure sensor apparatus includes a reception container for receiving a pressure sensor, the reception container having an opening on one side. Furthermore, the pressure sensor apparatus includes a protective membrane closing the opening, a pressure sensor arranged in the reception container, and a gel arranged between the pressure sensor and the protective membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Kandler, Alfred Niklas