Patents by Inventor Andre Grede

Andre Grede 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: 11777508
    Abstract: A device for synchronizing a periodic high frequency power signal (18) and an external reference signal (10). The device comprises a phase control circuit (100) and a digital oscillator circuit (130). The digital oscillator circuit (130) is connected to the phase control circuit (100). The digital oscillator circuit (130) comprises means for generating the periodic high frequency power signal (18) dependent on the control signal from the phase control circuit. The phase control circuit (100) is configured to determine a phase difference of the periodic high frequency power signal (18) and the external reference signal (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: COMET AG
    Inventors: Manuel vor dem Brocke, Roland Schlierf, André Grede, Daniel Gruner
  • Publication number: 20230298871
    Abstract: Provided is a generator including a power amplifier, at least one sampler, an RF output, a signal generator, a controller including a digital control portion and an analogue control portion, an analogue feedback path between the at least one sampler and the controller enabling an analogue signal representation of a signal to be provided to the controller, and a digital feedback path between the at least one sampler and the controller enabling a digital signal representation of the signal to be provided to the controller. The controller is configured to adjust the RF signal at the RF output from a first state into a second state based on the analogue signal representation and/or the digital signal representation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Anton Labanc, Daniel Gruner, André Grede
  • Publication number: 20230283282
    Abstract: A control unit for generating a plurality of synchronized radio frequency (RF) output signals (RFout,i) each having a respective output frequency (fi), phase (?i), and amplitude (Ai), including a signal comparator configured to compare a reference signal having a reference frequency (fref) and a reference phase (?ref) with a feedback signal having a feedback frequency (fPLL) and a feedback phase (?PLL), and configured to generate an error signal representative of a difference between the reference signal and the feedback signal; and a data processing unit receiving as an input signal the error signal generated by the signal comparator, and outputting a plurality of waveform tuning signals (FTWPLL, FTWi) as a function of the error signal; wherein a plurality of waveform generators (DDSPLL, DDSi) each receiving at least one of the plurality of waveform tuning signals (FTWPLL, FTWi) output by the data processing unit, wherein each waveform generator (DDSPLL, DDSi) generates a time-dependent amplitude signal (
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Manuel vor dem Brocke, Roland Schlierf, André Grede, Daniel Gruner, Anton Labanc
  • Patent number: 11705314
    Abstract: Provided is a generator including a power amplifier, at least one sampler, an RF output, a signal generator, a controller including a digital control portion and an analogue control portion, an analogue feedback path between the at least one sampler and the controller enabling an analogue signal representation of a signal to be provided to the controller, and a digital feedback path between the at least one sampler and the controller enabling a digital signal representation of the signal to be provided to the controller. The controller is configured to adjust the RF signal at the RF output from a first state into a second state based on the analogue signal representation and/or the digital signal representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: COMET AG
    Inventors: Anton Labanc, Daniel Gruner, André Grede
  • Patent number: 11552657
    Abstract: The invention relates to a directional coupler comprising a non-straight main conductor line for receiving a high power signal and at least one coupling element. The main conductor line is arranged to run in a plane P0. The at least one coupling element is arranged sectionally parallel to the main conductor line. Further, the invention relates to a method for measuring RF voltage and/or RF power using a directional coupler. The method comprises the steps of combining the measured signals of the directional coupler and the measured voltage and current values of the VI sensor unit. In case, one of the measured signals has a low or zero level the sensitivity of the measuring of RF voltage and/or RF power is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: COMET AG PLASMA CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Nikolai Schwerg, André Grede
  • Patent number: 11489531
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for synchronizing a periodic high frequency power signal (18) and an external reference signal (10). The device comprises a phase control circuit (100) and a digital oscillator circuit (130). The digital oscillator circuit (130) is connected to the phase control circuit (100). The digital oscillator circuit (130) comprises means for generating the periodic high frequency power signal (18) dependent on the control signal from the phase control circuit. The phase control circuit (100) is configured to determine a phase difference of the periodic high frequency power signal (18) and the external reference signal (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: COMET AG
    Inventors: Manuel vor dem Brocke, Roland Schlierf, André Grede, Daniel Gruner
  • Publication number: 20220216838
    Abstract: A radio-frequency generator, including a power amplifier module including a power amplifier, a pickup module connected to an output of the power amplifier to generate a pickup signal, and an output configured to be connected to the respective output of the amplifier and configured to output a radio-frequency output signal. The radio-frequency generator includes a measurement module configured to receive the pickup signal and to generate a measurement signal based on the one pickup signal; and a radio-frequency signal generation module configured to generate two or more carrier signals of different frequency, and to provide a drive signal as input to the power amplifier module, and a regulation module configured to receive the measurement signal, and to regulate the power of the radio-frequency output signal based on the measurement signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Daniel Gruner, André Grede, Nikolai Schwerg, Anton Labanc, Manuel vor dem Brocke, Roland Schlierf
  • Patent number: 11382206
    Abstract: An apparatus which includes: a circuit board having a radiofrequency (RF) structure at a first location thereof, the RF structure formed from a conductive trace of the circuit board; a heat carrier; and a multi-stack cooling structure coupling the circuit board and the heat carrier to each other. The multi-stack cooling structure including a first stack adjacent the RF structure at the first location and a second stack at a second location. The first stack including a dielectric layer adjacent the heat carrier, and a thermal interface material (TIM) that couples the dielectric layer and the circuit board to each other, the dielectric layer having higher thermal conductivity and higher rigidity than the TIM. The second stack including a metal layer adjacent the heat carrier, and the TIM that couples the metal layer and the circuit board to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: COMET AG
    Inventors: André Grede, Daniel Gruner, Anton Labanc
  • Publication number: 20220190835
    Abstract: A device for synchronizing a periodic high frequency power signal (18) and an external reference signal (10). The device comprises a phase control circuit (100) and a digital oscillator circuit (130). The digital oscillator circuit (130) is connected to the phase control circuit (100). The digital oscillator circuit (130) comprises means for generating the periodic high frequency power signal (18) dependent on the control signal from the phase control circuit. The phase control circuit (100) is configured to determine a phase difference of the periodic high frequency power signal (18) and the external reference signal (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Manuel vor dem Brocke, Roland Schlierf, André Grede, Daniel Gruner
  • Publication number: 20220060160
    Abstract: A radiofrequency, RF, power amplifier, including at least one field-effect transistor, FET, wherein a source terminal of the at least one FET is connected to ground. At least one diode is included, wherein a cathode of the at least one diode is connected to a drain terminal of the at least one FET and an anode of the at least one diode is connected to ground. An output network is connected to the drain terminal of the at least one FET. An input network is connected to a gate terminal of the at least one FET.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Daniel Gruner, Andreas Hartmann, Philippe Dennler, Markus Reiff, André Grede, Anton Labanc
  • Publication number: 20210259092
    Abstract: An apparatus which includes: a circuit board having a radiofrequency (RF) structure at a first location thereof, the RF structure formed from a conductive trace of the circuit board; a heat carrier; and a multi-stack cooling structure coupling the circuit board and the heat carrier to each other. The multi-stack cooling structure including a first stack adjacent the RF structure at the first location and a second stack at a second location. The first stack including a dielectric layer adjacent the heat carrier, and a thermal interface material (TIM) that couples the dielectric layer and the circuit board to each other, the dielectric layer having higher thermal conductivity and higher rigidity than the TIM. The second stack including a metal layer adjacent the heat carrier, and the TIM that couples the metal layer and the circuit board to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: André Grede, Daniel Gruner, Anton Labanc
  • Publication number: 20210105026
    Abstract: The invention relates to a directional coupler comprising a non-straight main conductor line for receiving a high power signal and at least one coupling element. The main conductor line is arranged to run in a plane P0. The at least one coupling element is arranged sectionally parallel to the main conductor line. Further, the invention relates to a method for measuring RF voltage and/or RF power using a directional coupler. The method comprises the steps of combining the measured signals of the directional coupler and the measured voltage and current values of the VI sensor unit. In case, one of the measured signals has a low or zero level the sensitivity of the measuring of RF voltage and/or RF power is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Nikolai Schwerg, André Grede
  • Publication number: 20210074529
    Abstract: In the field of RF generator design, some output power faults may occur so quickly that a digital control system is unable to effectively address them. Accordingly, there is provided a generator including a power amplifier, at least one sampler, an RF output, a signal generator, a controller including a digital control portion and an analogue control portion, an analogue feedback path between the at least one sampler and the controller enabling an analogue signal representation of a signal to be provided to the controller, and a digital feedback path between the at least one sampler and the controller enabling a digital signal representation of the signal to be provided to the controller. The controller is configured to adjust the RF signal at the RF output from a first state into a second state based on the analogue signal representation and/or the digital signal representation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Anton Labanc, Daniel Gruner, André Grede
  • Publication number: 20200412372
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for synchronizing a periodic high frequency power signal (18) and an external reference signal (10). The device comprises a phase control circuit (100) and a digital oscillator circuit (130). The digital oscillator circuit (130) is connected to the phase control circuit (100). The digital oscillator circuit (130) comprises means for generating the periodic high frequency power signal (18) dependent on the control signal from the phase control circuit. The phase control circuit (100) is configured to determine a phase difference of the periodic high frequency power signal (18) and the external reference signal (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Manuel vor dem Brocke, Roland Schlierf, André Grede, Daniel Gruner
  • Publication number: 20200251309
    Abstract: The invention relates to high-frequency amplifier apparatuses suitable for generating power outputs of at least 1 kW at frequencies of at least 2 MHz. The apparatuses include two LDMOS transistors each connected by their source connection to ground. The transistors can have the same design and can be arranged in an assembly (package). The apparatus also includes a circuit board lying against a cooling plate, which can be connected to ground, and the assembly is arranged on or against the circuit board. The apparatuses have a power transformer, whose primary winding is connected to the drain connections of the transistors, and a signal transmitter. A secondary winding of the signal transmitter can be connected to the gate connections of the two transistors. Each of the gate connections can be connected to ground via at least one voltage-limiting structural element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Andre Grede, Alexander Alt, Daniel Gruner, Anton Labanc
  • Patent number: 10714313
    Abstract: The invention relates to high-frequency amplifier apparatuses suitable for generating power outputs of at least 1 kW at frequencies of at least 2 MHz. The apparatuses include two LDMOS transistors each connected by their source connection to ground. The transistors can have the same design and can be arranged in an assembly (package). The apparatus also includes a circuit board lying flat against a metallic cooling plate and connected to the cooling plate, which can be connected to ground, and the assembly is arranged on or against the circuit board. The apparatuses have a power transformer, whose primary winding is connected to the drain connections of the transistors, and a signal transmitter. A secondary winding of the signal transmitter is connected to the gate connections of the two transistors. Each of the gate connections is connected to ground via at least one voltage-limiting structural element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: TRUMPF Huettinger GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Andre Grede, Alexander Alt, Daniel Gruner, Anton Labanc
  • Publication number: 20200153391
    Abstract: A non-linear high-frequency amplifier arrangement suitable for generating power outputs >1kW at frequencies of >1MHz for plasma excitation is provided. The arrangement includes two LDMOS transistors each connected by their source connection to aground connection point, where the LDMOS transistors have the same design and are arranged in an assembly, a power transformer whose primary winding is connected to drain connections of the LDMOS transistors, a signal transformer whose secondary winding is connected by a first end to a gate connection of one LDMOS transistor and by a second end to a gate connection of the other LDMOS transistor, and a feedback path from the drain connection to the gate connection of each of the LDMOS transistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Andre Grede, Alexander Alt, Daniel Gruner, Anton Labanc
  • Patent number: 10615755
    Abstract: A non-linear high-frequency amplifier arrangement suitable for generating power outputs ?1 kW at frequencies of ?1 MHz for plasma excitation is provided. The arrangement includes two LDMOS transistors each connected by their source connection to aground connection point, where the LDMOS transistors have the same design and are arranged in an assembly, a power transformer whose primary winding is connected to drain connections of the LDMOS transistors, a signal transformer whose secondary winding is connected by a first end to a gate connection of one LDMOS transistor and by a second end to a gate connection of the other LDMOS transistor, and a feedback path from the drain connection to the gate connection of each of the LDMOS transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: TRUMPF Huettinger GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Andre Grede, Alexander Alt, Daniel Gruner, Anton Labanc
  • Patent number: 10551867
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for generating a plurality of clock signals or high-frequency signals. The devices includes a reference signal generator, which is connected to an oscillator and generates at its output a reference signal with a reference frequency fx. The device also includes at least one signal processor, for example, a DDS, which is connected to the reference frequency generator via a first signal line and to which the reference signal with the reference frequency fx is supplied, and which is configured to generate an output signal having a frequency less than fx.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: TRUMPF Huettinger GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Andre Grede, Daniel Gruner, Armin Bannwarth, Christian Bock, Christoph Hofstetter, Alberto Pena Vidal, Nikolai Schwerg, Manuel vor dem Brocke, Markus Winterhalter
  • Patent number: 10541459
    Abstract: A power combiner for coupling, splitting, or coupling and splitting high-frequency signals, the power combiner has a first input for a first high-frequency signal, a second input for a second high-frequency signal, an output, an equalizing connection, a first electrical conductor arranged between the first input and the output, wherein the first electrical conductor has a first total surface shaped primarily as a first planar surface electrode, a second electrical conductor arranged between the second input and the equalizing connection, wherein the second electrical conductor has a second total surface shaped primarily as a second planar surface electrode, and wherein the second electrical conductor is capacitively and inductively coupled to the first electrical conductor; and a cooling body, wherein more than 70% of the first total surface of the first electrical conductor is a same distance from the cooling body as the second total surface of the second electrical conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: TRUMPF Huettinger GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Andre Grede, Alexander Alt, Daniel Gruner, Anton Labanc