Patents by Inventor Andreas Zenkner

Andreas Zenkner 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: 12244243
    Abstract: A power converter arrangement with a modular multi-level converter which includes a series circuit of switch modules which each have a plurality of semiconductor switches and an energy source. Some of the switch modules are of a first type and others of the switch modules are of a second type. During operation, a positive switch module voltage, a negative voltage module voltage, or a null voltage is generated at connection terminals of the switch modules of the first type, and a positive switch module voltage or a null voltage can be generated at connection terminals of the switch modules of the second type. The power converter arrangement further contains a support structure having a number of levels, which each have receptacles in which the switch modules are arranged, with both switch modules of the first and second type being arranged in each level of the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Sebastian Semmler, Rodrigo Alonso Alvarez Valenzuela, Andreas Zenkner
  • Publication number: 20220337172
    Abstract: A power converter arrangement with a modular multi-level converter which includes a series circuit of switch modules which each have a plurality of semiconductor switches and an energy source. Some of the switch modules are of a first type and others of the switch modules are of a second type. During operation, a positive switch module voltage, a negative voltage module voltage, or a null voltage is generated at connection terminals of the switch modules of the first type, and a positive switch module voltage or a null voltage can be generated at connection terminals of the switch modules of the second type. The power converter arrangement further contains a support structure having a number of levels, which each have receptacles in which the switch modules are arranged, with both switch modules of the first and second type being arranged in each level of the support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Sebastian Semmler, Rodrigo Alonso Alvarez Valenzuela, Andreas Zenkner
  • Patent number: 9936610
    Abstract: A multilevel converter contains at least two submodules which are connected in a row. Each of the submodules contains at least two switches and a capacitor and two current-carrying outer module terminals. Accordingly, at least one of the submodules has at least one outer cooling member which acts as a current-carrying outer module terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin Buschendorf, Ingo Euler, Martin Pieschel, Andreas Zenkner
  • Patent number: 9210826
    Abstract: A power semiconductor module includes at least two interconnected power semiconductor units having actuatable power semiconductors, a module housing in which the power semiconductor units are disposed and which has an electrically insulating side wall, and at least one connection bus extended through the side wall and connected to at least one of the power semiconductor units. High explosion resistance and particularly inexpensive production are provided by forming the insulating side wall as a stack of insulating and partial elements constructed as a single piece, in which contact areas of the partial elements contact each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Markus Billmann, Christoph Bloesch, Dirk Malipaard, Andreas Zenkner
  • Patent number: 8859927
    Abstract: The vacuum switch is compact, requires little effort, and provides a reliable current path having a high current-carrying capacity between the terminals of the vacuum switch, particularly at high switch-on speeds. The vacuum switch has a vacuum chamber, in which a vacuum is present and in which a switching contact is arranged. The switching contact includes a fixed contact piece firmly connected to the vacuum chamber and in electrical contact with a fixed contact terminal, and a moving contact piece movably guided relative to the fixed contact piece. The moving contact piece is at a distance to the fixed contact piece in a disconnect position and contacts the latter in a contact position. A drive unit produces a drive movement. A switching mechanism is connected to the drive unit and the moving contact piece and includes a conductor section that is electrically conducting up to the moving contact piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Mathias Anheuer, Joerg Dorn, Andreas Fartuschnja, Thomas Kuebel, Peter Lell, Andreas Zenkner
  • Patent number: 8610384
    Abstract: A device converts electrical energy into heat in the field of drive voltage technology and/or high voltage technology. The device contains a brake resistance and at least one controllable brake power semiconductor for controlling the conversion, enabling a rapid and economical transformation of effective power into heat as required. To this end, the brake resistance contains a plurality of individual brake resistances that are each part of a bipolar submodule. The submodules are connected in series, form a submodule series connection, and at least partially contain an energy accumulator respectively connected in parallel to an associated individual brake resistance and a controllable brake power semiconductor, which allows the current flow over the respectively associated individual brake resistance in a brake position, and interrupts the current flow over the brake resistance in a normal operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Mike Dommaschk, Ingo Euler, Herbert Gambach, Joerg Lang, Quoc-Buu Tu, Carsten Wittstock, Klaus Wurflinger, Andreas Zenkner
  • Publication number: 20120001317
    Abstract: A power semiconductor module includes at least two interconnected power semiconductor units having actuatable power semiconductors, a module housing in which the power semiconductor units are disposed and which has an electrically insulating side wall, and at least one connection bus extended through the side wall and connected to at least one of the power semiconductor units. High explosion resistance and particularly inexpensive production are provided by forming the insulating side wall as a stack of insulating and partial elements constructed as a single piece, in which contact areas of the partial elements contact each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Markus Billmann, Christoph Bloesch, Dirk Malipaard, Andreas Zenkner
  • Patent number: 8081423
    Abstract: An electrical installation has a container which encloses high-voltage components. The electrical installation can be fitted inexpensively and quickly, and at the same time provide sufficient cooling of the high-voltage components. A control room with control elements and/or display elements of the electrical installation and a cool room with a cooling device for at least one of the high-voltage components are disposed in the interior of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Marcos Pereira, Andreas Zenkner
  • Publication number: 20110226740
    Abstract: The vacuum switch is compact, requires little effort, and provides a reliable current path having a high current-carrying capacity between the terminals of the vacuum switch, particularly at high switch-on speeds. The vacuum switch has a vacuum chamber, in which a vacuum is present and in which a switching contact is arranged. The switching contact includes a fixed contact piece firmly connected to the vacuum chamber and in electrical contact with a fixed contact terminal, and a moving contact piece movably guided relative to the fixed contact piece. The moving contact piece is at a distance to the fixed contact piece in a disconnect position and contacts the latter in a contact position. A drive unit produces a drive movement. A switching mechanism is connected to the drive unit and the moving contact piece and includes a conductor section that is electrically conducting up to the moving contact piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Mathias Anheuer, Joerg Dorn, Andreas Fartuschnja, Thomas Kuebel, Peter Lell, Andreas Zenkner
  • Publication number: 20110163702
    Abstract: A device converts electrical energy into heat in the field of drive voltage technology and/or high voltage technology. The device contains a brake resistance and at least one controllable brake power semiconductor for controlling the conversion, enabling a rapid and economical transformation of effective power into heat as required. To this end, the brake resistance contains a plurality of individual brake resistances that are each part of a bipolar submodule. The submodules are connected in series, form a submodule series connection, and at least partially contain an energy accumulator respectively connected in parallel to an associated individual brake resistance and a controllable brake power semiconductor, which allows the current flow over the respectively associated individual brake resistance in a brake position, and interrupts the current flow over the brake resistance in a normal operating position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Mike Dommaschk, Ingo Euler, Herbert Gambach, Joerg Lang, Quoc-Buu Tu, Carsten Wittstock, Klaus Wurflinger, Andreas Zenkner
  • Publication number: 20110057762
    Abstract: A short-circuit device for the electrical bypass of an electric module has a contact arrangement, which is disposed in a switching chamber. The contact arrangement has an open circuit-breaker setting, in which a current flow via the contact arrangement is interrupted, and a contact setting, in which a current flow via the contact arrangement is made possible. A pyrotechnic drive for transferring the contact arrangement from its circuit breaker setting into its contact setting, enables cost-effective, rapid bypass or short-circuiting, and the provision of a large current carrying capacity simultaneously. The switching chamber is a vacuum switching chamber in which a vacuum prevails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Jens Burger, Jörg Dorn, Thomas Kübel, Roman Renz, Andreas Stelzer, Andreas Zenkner
  • Publication number: 20100091434
    Abstract: An electrical installation has a container which encloses high-voltage components. The electrical installation can be fitted inexpensively and quickly, and at the same time provide sufficient cooling of the high-voltage components. A control room with control elements and/or display elements of the electrical installation and a cool room with a cooling device for at least one of the high-voltage components are disposed in the interior of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Marcos Pereira, Andreas Zenkner