Patents by Inventor Bernd Ackermann
Bernd Ackermann 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).
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Patent number: 11959619Abstract: The invention provides a light generating system (1000) comprising a LED module (100), a module support (200), and a connector element (300), wherein: the module support (200) comprises a first module support opening (230) for hosting at least part of a first connector element part (310); the LED module (100) comprises a LED support (120) and a plurality of LEDs (10) functionally coupled to the LED support (120), wherein the LED support (120) comprises a LED support opening (130) for hosting at least part of the first connector element part (310); and wherein the plurality of LEDs (10) are configured to generate light source light (11); the connector element (300) comprises the first connector element part (310), and wherein the first connector element part (310) comprises a first spring part (315); at least part of the first connector element part (310) penetrates through the first module support opening 230); and the LED support opening (130), the first connector element part (310), and the module support (Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2021Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.Inventors: Bernd Ackermann, Robert Van Asselt, Daniël Anton Benoy, Huibert Wouters, Wilhelmus Johannes Hendricus Ansems
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Patent number: 11881739Abstract: A control module (120,120a-b) for controlling a plurality of power switching elements (111a-d) arranged for controlling provision of power to one or more wireless network devices (125a-c); wherein the control module (120,120a-b) comprises a processor (122) arranged for: determining which one of the plurality of power switching elements (111a-d) the control module (120,120a-b) receives power through; determining a set of the plurality of wireless network devices (125a-c) which receives power via a first power switching element out of the plurality of power switching elements (111a-d); determining that the set includes all the wireless network devices which receive power via the first power switching element; determining operational state of each of the wireless network devices in the set; determining whether the control module (120,120a-b) receives power via the first power switching element; evaluating a first set of conditions; wherein the first set of conditions comprises that the control module (120,120a-bType: GrantFiled: October 20, 2020Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.Inventors: Bernd Ackermann, Matthias Wendt
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Publication number: 20230228404Abstract: The invention provides a light generating system (1000) comprising a LED module (100), a module support (200), and a connector element (300), wherein: the module support (200) comprises a first module support opening (230) for hosting at least part of a first connector element part (310); the LED module (100) comprises a LED support (120) and a plurality of LEDs (10) functionally coupled to the LED support (120), wherein the LED support (120) comprises a LED support opening (130) for hosting at least part of the first connector element part (310); and wherein the plurality of LEDs (10) are configured to generate light source light (11); the connector element (300) comprises the first connector element part (310), and wherein the first connector element part (310) comprises a first spring part (315); at least part of the first connector element part (310) penetrates through the first module support opening 230); and the LED support opening (130), the first connector element part (310), and the module support (Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2021Publication date: July 20, 2023Inventors: BERND ACKERMANN, ROBERT VAN ASSELT, DANIËL ANTON BENOY, HUIBERT WOUTERS, WILHELMUS JOHANNES HENDRICUS ANSEMS
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Publication number: 20230217565Abstract: The invention relates to an incorporation of a current limiting/regulating circuit on a luminaire board for ensuring that the luminaire board will automatically operate at its desired current after a replacement. Since the current control at the luminaire board causes an initial mismatch between the current supply of the driver and the demand of the luminaire board, the driver output voltage will drift towards the maximum output voltage of the driver. When the maximum output voltage is reached, the driver is configured to operate in constant-voltage (CV) mode, sense the output current and reduce its output current to the same value as consumed by current-controlled luminaire board. Alternatively, the driver may gradually reduce the setpoint of the output current until it just leaves the CV mode and stay at that setpoint. In this way, the driver will automatically operate at the correct current of a newly installed luminaire board without any action from the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2021Publication date: July 6, 2023Inventors: Haimin TAO, Werner Friedrich HORIKX, Matthias WENDT, Martinus Petrus CREUSEN, Bernd ACKERMANN
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Publication number: 20230209681Abstract: A circuit comprises a first printed circuit board (60) carrying a first set of components and a second printed circuit board (62) carrying a second set of components, with a clearance (64) between the first and second printed circuit boards. A transformer (66) has a primary side connected to the first set of components and a secondary side connected to the second set of components. One of the transformer windings, and its connection to a respective set of components, comprises a triple insulated wire. A glass, ceramic or mica spacer (70) mounted to the first and second printed circuit boards defines and sets the clearance (64) between the first and second printed circuit boards. The clearance requirement is met by providing separate printed circuit boards with spacing between them and the use of a triple insulated wire addresses or overcomes issues of creepage. Thus, high frequency and high voltage operation on the first printed circuit board is possible.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2021Publication date: June 29, 2023Inventors: Bernd ACKERMANN, Eugen Jacob DE MOL, Ludoviscus Franciscus Johannes OOSTVOGELS
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Publication number: 20230189421Abstract: The invention relates to an integration of a programmable memory device in a luminaire for storing service-related information such as drive parameters, repair history information and the like. The memory device can be read out by the same connectivity used for driving the luminaire, so that the driver can be informed about required operation conditions. The driver can thus learn about the service-related information before starting to drive the luminaire.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2021Publication date: June 15, 2023Inventors: Matthias WENDT, Martinus Petrus CREUSEN, Haimin TAO, Bernd ACKERMANN
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Patent number: 11512825Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lighting device (100) comprising a lighting unit (102), at least one application unit (104), and a battery housing (106) comprising a first battery compartment (108) with a first electrical contact set (110) for accommodating and connecting a first battery and with a second battery compartment (112) with a second electrical contact set (114) for accommodating and connecting a second battery, wherein the first and second battery compartments are configured to force an exclusive spatial accommodation of only one of the first and second batteries in the battery housing at a given point in time. The lighting unit is electrically connected to the first electrical contact set for being powered by the first battery in a first operational mode and the application unit is electrically connected to the second electrical contact set for being powered by the second battery in a second operational mode.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2019Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.Inventors: Bernd Ackermann, Matthias Wendt, Goutam Maji, Priya Ranjan Mishra, Eduard Gerhard Zondag
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Publication number: 20220376545Abstract: A control module (120,120a-b) for controlling a plurality of power switching elements (111a-d) arranged for controlling provision of power to one or more wireless network devices (125a-c); wherein the control module (120,120a-b) comprises a processor (122) arranged for: determining which one of the plurality of power switching elements (111a-d) the control module (120,120a-b) receives power through; determining a set of the plurality of wireless network devices (125a-c) which receives power via a first power switching element out of the plurality of power switching elements (111a-d); determining that the set includes all the wireless network devices which receive power via the first power switching element; determining operational state of each of the wireless network devices in the set; determining whether the control module (120,120a-b) receives power via the first power switching element; evaluating a first set of conditions; wherein the first set of conditions comprises that the control module (120,120a-bType: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2020Publication date: November 24, 2022Inventors: Bernd ACKERMANN, Matthias WENDT
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Publication number: 20220299549Abstract: The invention is directed to electrical load grouping based on measurements of an electrical parameter at electrical load sensors (120A, 120B). An electrical load grouping device (110) is configured for receiving a changed value of the electrical parameter from one or more of the electrical load sensors (120A, 120B) in reaction to a changed power consumption of a respective electrical load (132A, . . . , 134C). The electrical load grouping device (110) is further configured for assigning the respective electrical load (132A, . . . , 134C) to a group (130A, 130B) of electrical loads associated to an electrical load sensor (120A, 120B) or groups of electrical loads associated to electrical load sensors based on which electrical load sensor (120A, 120B) or which electrical load sensors measured the changed value of the electrical parameter received in reaction to the changed power consumption of the respective electrical load (132A, . . . , 134C).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2020Publication date: September 22, 2022Inventors: BERND ACKERMANN, MATTHIAS WENDT
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Publication number: 20220104120Abstract: The invention relates to a signal-repeater device (308) being operable in a regular repeater-operation mode and in a low-power repeater-operation mode requiring less operational power than the regular repeater-operation mode, and that comprises a signal processing unit (316) which performs, in the regular repeater-operation mode, a signal receiving function and a signal repeating function, and an operation control unit (318) configured to determine status information indicative of associated external transceiver devices being respectively operated in a low-power transceiver-operation mode, operate the signal processing unit in the low-power repeater-operation mode by switching off the signal repeating function upon determining, based on the determined status information, that each of the associated external wireless transceiver devices is being operated in the low-power transceiver-operation, thus reducing the power consumption of the signal-repeater device, and switch to operation of the signal processing unType: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2019Publication date: March 31, 2022Inventors: Bernd ACKERMANN, Harald Josef Günther RADERMACHER, Matthias WENDT
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Publication number: 20210280351Abstract: High voltage DC generators based on a resonant tank include power inductors. As the demands on power output increase, but the demands on size of such high voltage DC generators decrease, the effect of radiated magnetic emissions become more significant. The present invention concerns a design for an inductive device, and a method for the assembly of an inductive device, in which a winding facing surface of the inductive device is a continuous portion, so that no air gap is present facing the winding facing surface. This reduces leakage of magnetic flux from the inductive device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2017Publication date: September 9, 2021Applicant: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Bernd ACKERMANN, Albert GARCIA I TORMO, Peter LUERKENS
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Patent number: 11109470Abstract: A retrofit tubular lighting device (7), comprising first (p1, p2) and second connection pins (p3, p4), a first (12) and second filament emulation circuit (13) coupled to the first (p1, p2) and second connection pins (p3, p4) respectively, a lighting element (4), a driver (3) coupled to the first (12) and second filament emulation circuit (13), a battery (5) and the lighting element (4). The driver (3) provides a charge to the lighting element (4) and the battery (5). The battery (5) stores the charge provided by the driver (3) and provides charge to the lighting element (4). A communication device sends a first charging signal to another lighting device comprising a further battery and coupled to the electronic ballast, when the charge of the battery (5) is below a first threshold. The communication device receives a second charging signal from the other lighting device, wherein the second charging signal indicates that a further charge of the further battery is below a second threshold.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2018Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.Inventors: Bernd Ackermann, Theodorus Johannes Petrus Van Den Biggelaar, Pieter Johannes Stobbelaar, Haimin Tao, Henricus Theodorus Van Der Zanden
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Publication number: 20210219400Abstract: The invention provides a conversion circuit for converting first signals coming from a fluorescent ballast into second signals for feeding a light circuit via a rectifier circuit, the light circuit comprising at least one light emitting diode. The conversion circuit has an inductor in a parallel branch between the two-terminal input or the two-terminal output. This enables the ballast output power be reduced without significant increase in losses. The conversion circuit is for enabling retrofit of LEDs to fluorescent ballasts.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2017Publication date: July 15, 2021Inventors: Bernd ACKERMANN, Christian HATTRUP
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Patent number: 11019698Abstract: A retrofit Light Emitting Diode, LED, lighting device for connection to an electronic ballast, wherein said retrofit LED lighting device comprising an LED array for emitting light, an alternating current, AC, LED driver arranged for receiving an AC supply voltage or an AC supply current, from said electronic ballast and for driving said LED array based on said received AC supply voltage or said AC supply current, at least one switch, wherein in a closed position of said at least one switch, said retrofit LED lighting device provides a closed loop current circuit for an electronic ballast connected to said retrofit LED lighting device and in an open position of said at least one switch, said retrofit LED lighting device provides an open loop current circuit for an electronic ballast connected to said retrofit LED lighting device thereby simulating an absence of said LED lighting device to said electronic ballast, an auxiliary power supply and a stand-alone external trigger circuit, connected to said auxiliaryType: GrantFiled: February 5, 2019Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: Signify Holding B.V.Inventors: Bernd Ackermann, Matthias Wendt, Priya Ranjan Mishra, Goutam Maji
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Publication number: 20210116089Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting device (100) comprising a lighting unit (102), at least one application unit (104), and a battery housing (106) comprising a first battery compartment (108) with a first electrical contact set (110) for accommodating and connecting a first battery and with a second battery compartment (112) with a second electrical contact set (114) for accommodating and connecting a second battery, wherein the first and second battery compartments are configured to force an exclusive spatial accommodation of only one of the first and second batteries in the battery housing at a given point in time. The lighting unit is electrically connected to the first electrical contact set for being powered by the first battery in a first operational mode and the application unit is electrically connected to the second electrical contact set for being powered by the second battery in a second operational mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2019Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: Bernd ACKERMANN, Matthias WENDT, Goutam MAJI, Priya Ranjan MISHRA, Eduard Gerhard ZONDAG
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A RETROFIT LIGHT EMITTING DIODE, LED, LIGHTING DEVICE WITH REDUCED POWER CONSUMPTION IN STANDBY MODE
Publication number: 20210037627Abstract: A retrofit Light Emitting Diode, LED, lighting device for connection to an electronic ballast, wherein said retrofit LED lighting device comprising an LED array for emitting light, an alternating current, AC, LED driver arranged for receiving an AC supply voltage or an AC supply current, from said electronic ballast and for driving said LED array based on said received AC supply voltage or said AC supply current, at least one switch, wherein in a closed position of said at least one switch, said retrofit LED lighting device provides a closed loop current circuit for an electronic ballast connected to said retrofit LED lighting device and in an open position of said at least one switch, said retrofit LED lighting device provides an open loop current circuit for an electronic ballast connected to said retrofit LED lighting device thereby simulating an absence of said LED lighting device to said electronic ballast, an auxiliary power supply and a stand-alone external trigger circuit, connected to said auxiliaryType: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2019Publication date: February 4, 2021Inventors: BERND ACKERMANN, MATTHIAS WENDT, PRIYA RANJAN MISHRA, GOUTAM MAJI -
Patent number: 10841988Abstract: A retrofit Light Emitting Diode, LED, tube for replacing a fluorescent tube, wherein said retrofit LED tube is arranged to be connected to a ballast, said retrofit LED tube comprising a ballast determining unit arranged for identifying a type of ballast connected to said retrofit LED tube by controlling an output voltage of said power rectifier to a first voltage and measuring a first current provided by said power rectifier, controlling said output voltage of said power rectifier to a second voltage and measuring a second current provided by said power rectifier, wherein said second voltage differs from said first voltage and determining said type of ballast based on said first and second output voltages and said measured first and second currents, wherein said ballast determining unit is further arranged to configure said configurable matching circuit based on said determined type of ballast.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2017Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.Inventors: Anteneh Alemu Abbo, Haimin Tao, Bernd Ackermann, Kumar Arulandu, Wai Pang Chow, Pieter Johannes Stobbelaar, Ger Van Hees
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Publication number: 20200214107Abstract: A retrofit tubular lighting device (7), comprising first (p1, p2) and second connection pins (p3, p4), a first (12) and second filament emulation circuit (13) coupled to the first (p1, p2) and second connection pins (p3, p4) respectively, a lighting element (4), a driver (3) coupled to the first (12) and second filament emulation circuit (13), a battery (5) and the lighting element (4). The driver (3) provides a charge to the lighting element (4) and the battery (5). The battery (5) stores the charge provided by the driver (3) and provides charge to the lighting element (4). A communication device sends a first charging signal to another lighting device comprising a further battery and coupled to the electronic ballast, when the charge of the battery (5) is below a first threshold. The communication device receives a second charging signal from the other lighting device, wherein the second charging signal indicates that a further charge of the further battery is below a second threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2018Publication date: July 2, 2020Inventors: BERND ACKERMANN, THEODORUS JOHANNES PETRUS VAN DEN BIGGELAAR, PIETER JOHANNES STOBBELAAR, HAIMIN TAO, HENRICUS THEODORUS VAN DER ZANDEN
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Publication number: 20200205262Abstract: The invention provides a conversion circuit for a lamp. The conversion circuit converts first signals, from a ballast, into second signals, for a lighting arrangement. The conversion circuit comprises a transformer having characteristics which contribute to a desired conversion of the first signals to the second signals. The transformer, formed of a first winding and a second winding, further provides an isolated power supply for an auxiliary device connected to the second winding.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2018Publication date: June 25, 2020Inventors: BERND ACKERMANN, THEODORUS JOHANNES VAN DEN BIGGELAAR, PIETER JOHANNES STOBBELAAR, HAIMIN TAO, HENRICUS THEODORUS VAN DER ZANDEN
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Patent number: 10638587Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for controlling a power converter (100), the device (1) comprising: a sensor module (10), which is configured to measure an inductor current (i_L) through an inductor of the power converter (100); a compensation module (20), which is configured to generate a compensation waveform (i_c); and an operating module (30), which is configured to provide a continuous conduction mode current signal (i_CCM) based on the compensation waveform (i_c) and of the inductor current (i_L) and which is configured to control the power converter (100) based on the provided continuous conduction mode current signal (i_CCM).Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2016Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Albert Garcia Tormo, Hendrik Huisman, Bernd Ackermann, Peter Luerkens