Patents by Inventor Christian Depping

Christian Depping 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: 9754707
    Abstract: A surge protection device having a housing, two connections for connection to a current path to be protected, and at least a first discharge conductor in the housing. In a normal state of the device, the first connection is electrically conductively connected to the first connection region of the discharge conductor, and the second connection is connected to the second connection region by at least one component. A metal safety element, which has two contact regions and a connecting region which connects the contact regions to one another, is arranged within the housing. The first contact region is electrically conductively connected to the second connection region and the second contact region is electrically conductively connected to the component in the normal state. The connecting region is a fuse by which brief pulse currents can be transmitted by the connecting region, whereas mains-frequency short-circuit currents overload the connecting region destroying it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact Gmbh & Co. KG
    Inventor: Christian Depping
  • Patent number: 9748063
    Abstract: An overvoltage protection element with a housing, an overvoltage-limiting component arranged in the housing, and with two connection elements for electrically connecting the overvoltage protection element to the current or signal path to be protected, wherein, normally, the connection elements are each in electrical contact with a pole of the overvoltage-limiting component. Reliable and effective electrical connection in the normal state and reliable isolation of a defective overvoltage-limiting component are ensured by the fact that a thermally expandable material is arranged within the housing in a way that, in the event of thermal overloading of the overvoltage-limiting component, the position of the overvoltage-limiting component is changed by expansion of the thermally expandable material relative to the position of the connection elements in a way that causes at least one pole of the overvoltage-limiting component to be out of electrical contact with the corresponding connection element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Depping, Rainer Durth, Gernot Finis, Thomas Meyer, Andreas Christ
  • Publication number: 20150364281
    Abstract: An overvoltage protection element with a housing, an overvoltage-limiting component arranged in the housing, and with two connection elements for electrically connecting the overvoltage protection element to the current or signal path to be protected, wherein, normally, the connection elements are each in electrically conductive contact with a pole of the overvoltage-limiting component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Applicant: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Christian Depping, Rainer Durth, Gernot Finis, Thomas Meyer, Andreas Christ
  • Patent number: 9147510
    Abstract: An overvoltage protection element is disclosed that includes a housing, connections for electrically connecting the overvoltage protection element to a current path or a signal path to be protected The overvoltage protection element further includes two varistors arranged inside the housing and electrically connected in parallel, and a center electrode arranged at least partially between the varistors. The housing has two housing halves made of metal and electrically connected to each other, wherein the center electrode is isolated from the housing halves and is electrically connected at the opposite sides of the electrode to a first connection area of a varistor and wherein the two varistors and the center electrode are sandwiched between the two housing halves. The overvoltage protection element includes an arrester between one terminal of the overvoltage protection element and the parallel connection of the two varistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Depping, Christina Stohlmeyer, Joachim Wosgien, Philip Jungermann
  • Patent number: 9093203
    Abstract: An overvoltage protection element with a housing, an overvoltage-limiting component arranged in the housing, and with two connection elements for electrically connecting the overvoltage protection element to the current or signal path to be protected, wherein, normally, the connection elements are each in electrically conductive contact with a pole of the overvoltage-limiting component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Depping, Rainer Durth, Gernot Finis, Thomas Meyer, Andreas Christ
  • Patent number: 9088155
    Abstract: There is provided a surge protection device that includes (a) an input and an output, (b) a short-circuit-proof primary current path and a secondary current path between the input and the output, and (c) a fuse in a short-circuit-proof fuse box. The short-circuit-proof fuse box is arranged in the secondary current path, and (i) on one side of the secondary current path is contacted with the primary current path in a short-circuit-proof manner based on the primary current path, and (ii) on the other side of the secondary current path is contacted in a substantially short-circuit-proof manner based on the fuse. A help system for signalling and/or supply of devices for improving ignition behavior is arranged in the secondary current path, and the short-circuit-proof fuse box is also contacted to a short-circuit-proof discharge path so that a current can be guided by the help system current path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO., KG
    Inventors: Rainer Durth, Christian Depping
  • Publication number: 20150103462
    Abstract: A surge protection device having a housing, two connections for connection to a current path to be protected, and at least a first discharge conductor in the housing. In a normal state of the device, the first connection is electrically conductively connected to the first connection region of the discharge conductor, and the second connection is connected to the second connection region by at least one component. A metal safety element, which has two contact regions and a connecting region which connects the contact regions to one another, is arranged within the housing. The first contact region is electrically conductively connected to the second connection region and the second contact region is electrically conductively connected to the component in the normal state. The connecting region is a fuse by which brief pulse currents can be transmitted by the connecting region, whereas mains-frequency short-circuit currents overload the connecting region destroying it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Christian Depping
  • Publication number: 20140253283
    Abstract: An overvoltage protection element is disclosed that includes a housing, connections for electrically connecting the overvoltage protection element to a current path or a signal path to be protected The overvoltage protection element further includes two varistors arranged inside the housing and electrically connected in parallel, and a center electrode arranged at least partially between the varistors. The housing has two housing halves made of metal and electrically connected to each other, wherein the center electrode is isolated from the housing halves and is electrically connected at the opposite sides of the electrode to a first connection area of a varistor and wherein the two varistors and the center electrode are sandwiched between the two housing halves. The overvoltage protection element includes an arrester between one terminal of the overvoltage protection element and the parallel connection of the two varistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Depping, Christina Stohlmeyer, Joachim Wosgien, Phillip Jungermann
  • Patent number: 8780520
    Abstract: A surge protection element includes a contact stud and a contact element disposed at a distance from the contact stud. A connection element is configured to be transferred into a first position, in which the connection element is applied to the contact stud and to the contact element so as to electrically connect the contact stud to the contact element, and into a second position, in which the connection element is disposed at a distance from the contact stud and the contact element. In the first position, the connection element engages at least partially around at least one of the contact stud and the contact element and a thermally separable connection is provided between the connection element and the contact stud and between the connection element and the contact element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Depping, Ralf Lange, Viktor Horvat
  • Patent number: 8766762
    Abstract: An overvoltage protection element is disclosed that includes a housing, connections for electrically connecting the overvoltage protection element to a current path or a signal path to be protected The overvoltage protection element further includes two varistors arranged inside the housing and electrically connected in parallel, and a center electrode arranged at least partially between the varistors. The housing has two housing halves made of metal and electrically connected to each other, wherein the center electrode is isolated from the housing halves and is electrically connected at the opposite sides of the electrode to a first connection area of a varistor and wherein the two varistors and the center electrode are sandwiched between the two housing halves. One housing half is designed as a cover, which has a covering section and a recessed engagement section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Depping, Christina Grewe, Joachim Wosgien, Philip Jungermann
  • Publication number: 20140133057
    Abstract: There is provided a surge protection device that includes (a) an input and an output, (b) a short-circuit-proof primary current path and a secondary current path between the input and the output, and (c) a fuse in a short-circuit-proof fuse box. The short-circuit-proof fuse box is arranged in the secondary current path, and (i) on one side of the secondary current path is contacted with the primary current path in a short-circuit-proof manner based on the primary current path, and (ii) on the other side of the secondary current path is contacted in a substantially short-circuit-proof manner based on the fuse. A help system for signalling and/or supply of devices for improving ignition behaviour is arranged in the secondary current path, and the short-circuit-proof fuse box is also contacted to a short-circuit-proof discharge path so that a current can be guided by the help system current path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Rainer Durth, Christian Depping
  • Publication number: 20130337691
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal disconnection device, comprising a first conductor section and a second conductor section, wherein the first conductor section is guided in a surrounding insulating body at least in some sections, wherein the first conductor section and the second conductor section are connected to each other at a detachable contact point, wherein the first conductor section is subjected to a force so that the first conductor section is moved into the surrounding insulating body when the contact point is detached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Martin Striewe, Christian Depping, Sven Behnke
  • Patent number: 8582264
    Abstract: An overvoltage protection element with a housing, with at least one overvoltage limiting component which is located in the housing, with terminal elements for electrical connection of the overvoltage protection element to the current or signal path which is to be protected, and with a state display which has a display element for display of the state of the overvoltage protection element. A conclusion about the state of the overvoltage protection element is easily possible as a result of a thermally activatable, endothermic material being both in thermal contact with the overvoltage limiting component and also in mechanical contact with the display element of the state display. When the overvoltage limiting component is heated above a certain minimum temperature, expansion of the thermally activatable, endothermic material produces a change in position of the display element whose magnitude is a measure of the heating of the overvoltage limiting component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rainer Durth, Christian Depping, Thomas Meyer
  • Patent number: 8477469
    Abstract: An overvoltage protection element having at least one overvoltage limiting component in a housing, terminal contacts for electrical connection of the overvoltage protection element to a path to be protected, an electrically conductive connecting element and with a spring system acting on the connecting element, a first terminal contact being directly connected with the first pole of the overvoltage limiting component, the connecting element being in electrically conductive contact with the second terminal contact and the second pole of the overvoltage limiting component via a thermally separating connection. With the thermal connection separated, the connecting element moves out of electrically conductive contact with the second terminal contact and the second pole of the overvoltage limiting component by the force of the spring system an insulating disconnecting element connected to the connecting element is moved between the second terminal contact and the second pole of the overvoltage limiting component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Depping, Michael Tegt, Joachim Wosgien, Markus Philipp
  • Publication number: 20130106567
    Abstract: An overvoltage protection element is disclosed that includes a housing, connections for electrically connecting the overvoltage protection element to a current path or a signal path to be protected The overvoltage protection element further includes two varistors arranged inside the housing and electrically connected in parallel, and a center electrode arranged at least partially between the varistors. The housing has two housing halves made of metal and electrically connected to each other, wherein the center electrode is isolated from the housing halves and is electrically connected at the opposite sides of the electrode to a first connection area of a varistor and wherein the two varistors and the center electrode are sandwiched between the two housing halves. One housing half is designed as a cover, which has a covering section and a recessed engagement section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Christian Depping, Christina Grewe, Joachim Wosgien, Philip Jungermann
  • Publication number: 20130099889
    Abstract: The invention concerns a system for thermal safeguarding of an electric device comprising several monitored components and/or monitoring points. According to the invention, the system comprises at least one thermosensitive element and one actuator coordinated with this thermosensitive element, wherein the thermosensitive element is configured as a sleeve or tube, to which the monitored components or monitoring points are thermally coupled, such that it undergoes a change in length or volume above a threshold temperature, and is connected to the actuator such that the actuator triggers an action in dependence on the change in length or volume of the thermosensitive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Rainer Durth, Christian Depping, Thomas Meyer
  • Publication number: 20130003243
    Abstract: A surge protection element includes a contact stud and a contact element disposed at a distance from the contact stud. A connection element is configured to be transferred into a first position, in which the connection element is applied to the contact stud and to the contact element so as to electrically connect the contact stud to the contact element, and into a second position, in which the connection element is disposed at a distance from the contact stud and the contact element. In the first position, the connection element engages at least partially around at least one of the contact stud and the contact element and a thermally separable connection is provided between the connection element and the contact stud and between the connection element and the contact element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Christian Depping, Ralf Lange, Viktor Horvat
  • Patent number: 8335069
    Abstract: An overvoltage protection element with a housing, with at least one overvoltage limiting component which is located in the housing, especially a varistor, with two terminal lugs which are each connected to a respective pole of the overvoltage limiting component in an electrically conductive manner, especially soldered or welded, and with two connecting elements for electrical connection of the overvoltage protection element to the current path or signal path to be protected. In the normal state of the overvoltage protection element, the connecting elements are each in electrically conductive contact with a respective terminal lug. The overvoltage protection element can be produced especially easily and economically by the first terminal lug and the first connecting element being integrally connected to one another and by the free end of the first connecting element which faces away from the overvoltage limiting component being made as a plug-in contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Tegt, Rainer Durth, Christian Depping, Joachim Wosgien
  • Publication number: 20120268850
    Abstract: An overvoltage protection element includes a housing and at least two electric conductors leading into the housing for the electrical connection of the overvoltage protection element. A surge arrester for limiting an overvoltage of the electric conductors and a pressure-sensitive switch for short circuiting the electric conductors are arranged in the housing. Even with a defective surge arrester, the overvoltage protection element provided thereby reliably and safely short circuits the electric conductors when an arc occurs in the housing, so that an overvoltage protection preferably connected upstream of the overvoltage protection element, for example, a fuse, can be deployed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: Phoenix Contact GMBH & CO KG
    Inventors: Durth Rainer, Christian Depping
  • Publication number: 20120229246
    Abstract: An overvoltage protection element with a housing, an overvoltage-limiting component arranged in the housing, and with two connection elements for electrically connecting the overvoltage protection element to the current or signal path to be protected, wherein, normally, the connection elements are each in electrically conductive contact with a pole of the overvoltage-limiting component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Christian Depping, Rainer Durth, Gernot Finis, Thomas Meyer, Andreas Christ