Patents by Inventor Christian Gehrke

Christian Gehrke 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: 11736001
    Abstract: A method for discharging a capacitor of an input or output circuit arrangement of an inverter for supplying current to a power supply grid includes determining voltage readings at connections of the input or output circuit arrangement and a DC link capacitor of the inverter; and calculating an upper limit voltage value of the DC link capacitor based on the measured values. The method also includes operating a DC/DC converter or a bridge arrangement of the inverter such that energy from the capacitor of the input or output circuit arrangement is transferred to the DC link capacitor, ending the method if the voltage across the DC link capacitor exceeds the upper voltage limit. Otherwise the method continues to transfer energy from the capacitor of the input or output circuit arrangement to the DC link capacitor until the capacitor is discharged to or below a lower limit voltage value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Florian Steiper, Christian Gehrke
  • Patent number: 11570884
    Abstract: A relay arrangement includes at least two series-connected relays, which are mechanically and electrically connected to a main printed circuit board via first terminals and second terminals, and at least one flat conductor for conducting current between the at least two series connected relays. The flat conductor is mechanically connected to the main printed circuit board and electrically and thermally connected to the first terminals of the relays, and the at least one flat conductor is configured to dissipate heat produced during operation of the relays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Frank Papenfuss, Lars Bethke, Thomas Kuehn, Christian Gehrke
  • Publication number: 20220007498
    Abstract: A relay arrangement includes at least two series-connected relays, which are mechanically and electrically connected to a main printed circuit board via first terminals and second terminals, and at least one flat conductor for conducting current between the at least two series connected relays. The flat conductor is mechanically connected to the main printed circuit board and electrically and thermally connected to the first terminals of the relays, and the at least one flat conductor is configured to dissipate heat produced during operation of the relays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Frank Papenfuss, Lars Bethke, Thomas Kuehn, Christian Gehrke
  • Patent number: 11129272
    Abstract: A relay arrangement includes at least two series-connected relays, which are mechanically and electrically connected to a main printed circuit board via first terminals and second terminals, and at least one flat conductor for conducting current between the at least two series connected relays. The flat conductor is mechanically connected to the main printed circuit board and electrically and thermally connected to the first terminals of the relays, and the at least one flat conductor is configured to dissipate heat produced during operation of the relays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Frank Papenfuss, Lars Bethke, Thomas Kuehn, Christian Gehrke
  • Publication number: 20200321852
    Abstract: A method for discharging a capacitor of an input or output circuit arrangement of an inverter for supplying current to a power supply grid is disclosed. The method includes determining a supply voltage at connections of the input or output circuit arrangement, determining a DC link voltage of a DC link capacitor of the inverter; and calculating an upper limit voltage value of the DC link capacitor based on the measured supply voltage and the measured DC link voltage. The method also includes operating an input-side DC/DC converter or an output-side bridge arrangement of the inverter such that energy from the capacitor of the input or output circuit arrangement is transferred to the DC link capacitor, wherein the voltage across the DC link capacitor is monitored; and ending the method if the voltage across the DC link capacitor exceeds the upper limit voltage value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Florian Steiper, Christian Gehrke
  • Publication number: 20190350073
    Abstract: A relay arrangement includes at least two series-connected relays, which are mechanically and electrically connected to a main printed circuit board via first terminals and second terminals, and at least one flat conductor for conducting current between the at least two series connected relays. The flat conductor is mechanically connected to the main printed circuit board and electrically and thermally connected to the first terminals of the relays, and the at least one flat conductor is configured to dissipate heat produced during operation of the relays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Frank Papenfuss, Lars Bethke, Thomas Kuehn, Christian Gehrke
  • Patent number: 9369062
    Abstract: A method for converting DC power from a source into AC power by means of an inverter which includes three bridge branches, each having a phase output, is described. During grid-connected operation, the bridge branches are actuated in such a way that the AC power is fed, as three-phase grid-compliant power, into a grid. During emergency operation of the inverter, the AC power is provided as single-phase island grid by two of the three bridge branches at the phase outputs thereof, wherein the inverter is disconnected from the grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: SMA SOLAR TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Volker Wachenfeld, Claus Allert, Christian Gehrke, Tobias Mueller, Pablo Ignacio Correa Vasquez, Florian Steiper
  • Publication number: 20150280607
    Abstract: A method for converting DC power from a source into AC power by means of an inverter which includes three bridge branches, each having a phase output, is described. During grid-connected operation, the bridge branches are actuated in such a way that the AC power is fed, as three-phase grid-compliant power, into a grid. During emergency operation of the inverter, the AC power is provided as single-phase island grid by two of the three bridge branches at the phase outputs thereof, wherein the inverter is disconnected from the grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Volker Wachenfeld, Claus Allert, Christian Gehrke, Tobias Mueller, Pablo Ignacio Correa Vasquez, Florian Steiper