Patents by Inventor Dirk Herke

Dirk Herke 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).

  • Publication number: 20160375781
    Abstract: A charging station (10) for charging a plug-in motor vehicle (24) at a charging post (12) has a power transformer (14) and rectifier modules (16). The power transformer (14) has terminal leads (18) that are DC-isolated on the secondary side. The terminal leads (18) are connected at least partially to the rectifier modules (16). The power transformer (14) and the rectifier modules (16) are configured so that the rectifier modules (16) emit a low DC voltage when the power transformer (14) is fed with a medium voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Dirk Herke, Ralf Oestreicher
  • Publication number: 20160355096
    Abstract: An energy supply system for supplying at least first and second components of a motor vehicle with electrical energy. The energy supply system is arranged in the motor vehicle and has a charging socket (60). At least the first component an energy store and at least the second component is a consumer. The at least one first component has a first electrical voltage and the at least one second component has a second electrical voltage. To carry out a charging mode, the motor vehicle is connected via the charging socket (60) to a charging station with which current which either has the first or the second electrical voltage is to be made available. A first charging mode, a second charging mode and a travel mode of the motor vehicle can be carried out with the energy supply system (52).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventor: Dirk Herke
  • Publication number: 20160288656
    Abstract: A device (1) for the contactless charging of an electrical energy storage (2) of a motor vehicle has at least one primary coil (3) arranged in a bottom housing (4) and connected to an electrical power supply. The device (1) is formed so that alternating current flowing in the primary coil (3) can generate an alternating magnetic field (10) to induce an alternating electrical voltage in a secondary coil (6) on the vehicle that is separated from the primary coil (3) by an air gap. Thus, a current flow that is variable over time and can be converted by a rectifier means on the vehicle into a direct current for charging the electrical energy storage connected to the rectifier means. The at least one primary coil (3) is connected to the bottom housing (4) in such a way to yield mechanically under the effect of an external compressive force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas Kristof, Dirk Herke, Marina Ueffing
  • Publication number: 20160214499
    Abstract: An electrical charging apparatus (10) for charging an electrical energy store of a motor vehicle (12) has an electrical connection (16) to electrically connect the charging apparatus (10) to a charging station (14) and to interchange electrical energy with the charging station (14). An electrical converter (18) is connected to the electrical connection (16) to interchange the electrical energy with the charging station (14) via the electrical connection (16) and to convert the electrical energy. A control unit (20) is connected to the electrical converter (18) to control the interchange of the electrical energy. A communication interface (22) is assigned to the control unit (20) and is designed to interchange data (34) with the charging station (14). The control unit (20) is designed to control the interchange of the electrical energy on the basis of the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Daniel Spesser, Thomas Krauss, Dirk Herke
  • Publication number: 20160214493
    Abstract: A high-voltage charge booster is provided for charging a direct current traction battery at a direct current charging pillar. The high-voltage charge booster has a converter (14) for transforming the first voltage level into the second voltage level if the first voltage level differs from the second voltage level. A bypass (16) bypasses the converter (14) or connects through a power stage if the first voltage level corresponds to the second voltage level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Dirk Herke, Daniel Spesser
  • Publication number: 20150123612
    Abstract: A power supply unit (1) that is to be connected to different types of power supply networks includes an input (2) to receive AC power from the power supply network and an output (3) for providing power to an electrical device. The electrical device may for example be a computer, a telecom infrastructure device, inductive cooking/heating systems or an on-board charger of an electrical automotive vehicle. The power supply unit (1) includes at least two converters (4) that are connected between the inputs (2) and the output (3) and it further includes a controllable switching arrangement (5). The switching arrangement (5) includes a number of controllable switches (6) to controllably connect the converters (4) in different configurations to the input (2) and therefore also controllably to different supply lines of the power supply network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: DET International Holding Limited
    Inventors: Peter IDE, Frank SCHAFMEISTER, Jörg RICHTER, Barzin POUR, Daniel SPESSER, Dirk HERKE
  • Patent number: 8773109
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a plurality of capacitor cells connected in series in a capacitor module which are used as electrical energy stores in an energy storage device and which can be charged in same by a charge current flowing through all the capacitor cells or discharged by a discharge current. The system includes a measuring unit which can determine the voltages applied to the individual capacitor cells by measuring voltages, an evaluation unit which sets a nominal voltage for the capacitor cells, and at least one discharge branch connectable to each capacitor cell and controllable by a discharge control unit which discharges a respective capacitor cell onto said discharge branch depending upon the set nominal voltage and the applied voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Flextronics International Kft.
    Inventors: Dirk Herke, Karsten Barth, Vit Kocur
  • Publication number: 20120001618
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a plurality of capacitor cells connected in series in a capacitor module which are used as electrical energy stores in an energy storage device and which can be charged in same by a charge current flowing through all the capacitor cells or discharged by a discharge current comprises a measuring unit which can determine the voltages applied to the individual capacitor cells by measuring voltages, an evaluation unit which sets a nominal voltage for the capacitor cells, and at least one discharge branch connectable to each capacitor cell and controllable by a discharge control unit which discharges a respective capacitor cell onto said discharge branch depending upon the set nominal voltage and the applied voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Flextronics International Kft.
    Inventors: Dirk Herke, Karsten Barth, Vit Kocur
  • Patent number: 7170270
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control device for operating a load circuit provided with an inductive load, comprising a control stage producing a pulse-width modulated control signal with measuring disconnection intervals provided in between said control signal, a power stage feeding the load circuit and comprising an electronic switch controlled by the pulse-width modulated control signal and a freewheeling element which is connected in parallel to said load circuit. In order to improve upon said device so that it is possible to determine in a simple manner the amount of current flowing into the load circuit, a current detection unit for determining the amount of current flowing into the load circuit prior to the measuring disconnection interval detects the duration of freewheeling time and calculates the value of said current therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Alcoa Fujikura Gesellschaft mit beschraenkter Haftung
    Inventor: Dirk Herke
  • Patent number: 7006761
    Abstract: In order to design as inexpensively as possible a control device for DC motors which are provided with a commutator for feeding their motor windings which has at least four sliding contacts, this device comprising a modulation stage which generates at least one control signal modulated as to pulse width with a clock frequency substantially above the motor speed and a control circuit which is controlled by the at least one control signal and has at least one load branch which feeds the commutator and is provided with an electronic switch controlled by the control signal modulated as to pulse width, it is suggested that the sliding contacts be combined to form at least two control groups, that the sliding contacts be combined within each control group to form pairs of sliding contacts and that each control group have its own load branch associated with it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Alcoa Fujikura Gesellschaft mit beschraenkter Haftung
    Inventor: Dirk Herke
  • Patent number: 6882121
    Abstract: In order to improve a control device for operating a load circuit having at least one electric motor, this control device comprising a control stage which generates a pulse width modulated control signal, a power stage supplying the load circuit and having an electronic switch activated by the pulse width modulated control signal, a freewheeling element connected in parallel to the load circuit and a blocking monitoring means which generates a measurement switch-off interval by suppressing at least one switch-on interval of the pulse width modulated control signal, monitors the voltage in the load circuit during the measurement switch-off interval, compares it to a limit value and generates a blocking state signal in accordance with the comparison, in such a manner that a differentiated analysis of the voltages occurring in the measurement switch-off interval is possible it is suggested that for monitoring at least two electric motors connected in parallel in the load circuit the blocking monitoring means car
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Alcoa Fujikura Gesellschaft mit beschraenkter Haftung
    Inventors: Dirk Herke, Thomas Kanamueller
  • Publication number: 20050074229
    Abstract: In order to design as inexpensively as possible a control device for DC motors which are provided with a commutator for feeding their motor windings which has at least four sliding contacts, this device comprising a modulation stage which generates at least one control signal modulated as to pulse width with a clock frequency substantially above the motor speed and a control circuit which is controlled by the at least one control signal and has at least one load branch which feeds the commutator and is provided with an electronic switch controlled by the control signal modulated as to pulse width, it is suggested that the sliding contacts be combined to form at least two control groups, that the sliding contacts be combined within each control group to form shunt-fed pairs of sliding contacts and that each control group have its own load branch associated with it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Publication date: April 7, 2005
    Applicant: Alcoa Fujikura Gesellschaft mit beschraenkter Haftung
    Inventor: Dirk Herke
  • Publication number: 20050057199
    Abstract: In order to improve a control device for operating a load circuit having at least one electric motor, this control device comprising a control stage which generates a pulse width modulated control signal, a power stage supplying the load circuit and having an electronic switch activated by the pulse width modulated control signal, a freewheeling element connected in parallel to the load circuit and a blocking monitoring means which generates a measurement switch-off interval by suppressing at least one switch-on interval of the pulse width modulated control signal, monitors the voltage in the load circuit during the measurement switch-off interval, compares it to a limit value and generates a blocking state signal in accordance with the comparison, in such a manner that a differentiated analysis of the voltages occurring in the measurement switch-off interval is possible it is suggested that for monitoring at least two electric motors connected in parallel in the load circuit the blocking monitoring means car
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Applicant: Alcoa Fujikura Gesellschaft mit beschraenkter Haftung
    Inventors: Dirk Herke, Thomas Kanamueller
  • Publication number: 20050057240
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control device for operating a load circuit provided with an inductive load, comprising a control stage producing a pulse-width modulated control signal with measuring disconnection intervals provided in between said control signal, a power stage feeding the load circuit and comprising an electronic switch controlled by the pulse-width modulated control signal and a freewheeling element which is connected in parallel to said load circuit. In order to improve upon said device so that it is possible to determine in a simple manner the amount of current flowing into the load circuit, a current detection unit for determining the amount of current flowing into the load circuit prior to the measuring disconnection interval detects the duration of freewheeling time and calculates the value of said current therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Applicant: Alcoa Fujikura Gesellschaft mit beschraenkter Haftung
    Inventor: Dirk Herke
  • Patent number: 6840743
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fan installation for a cooling system of a motor vehicle, comprising at least two fans which respectively have an electric fan motor arranged in a separate housing and a fan wheel which can be driven by the fan motor. The fan installation also comprises a control unit for operating the fan motors. The invention provides for an improved fan installation with a simple and cost-effective design, which is achieved by arranging the control unit in the housing of one of the fans for operating both fan motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: AFL Germany Electronics GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Herke, Thomas Kanamueller
  • Patent number: 6682320
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric fan, in particular, for motor vehicles, comprising an electric drive motor, a fan wheel coupled with the drive motor, and an electronic control unit for controlling the motor. In order to make the electric fan structurally more simple and more cost-effective to assemble, it is proposed that the drive motor and the control unit be arranged in a common housing, and that the housing have air vents for passage of a flow of cooling air generatable by the fan wheel, and a heat sink of the control unit be arranged at at least one air vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: AFL Germany Electronics GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Gold, Dirk Herke, Frank Hoenig
  • Publication number: 20020195069
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fan installation for a cooling system of a motor vehicle, comprising at least two fans which respectively have an electric fan motor arranged in a separate housing and a fan wheel which can be driven by the fan motor. The fan installation also comprises a control unit for operating the fan motors. The invention provides for an improved fan installation with a simple and cost-effective design, which is achieved by arranging the control unit in the housing of one of the fans for operating both fan motors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Applicant: AFL Germany Electronics GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Herke, Thomas Kanamueller
  • Publication number: 20020187059
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric fan, in particular, for motor vehicles, comprising an electric drive motor, a fan wheel coupled with the drive motor, and an electronic control unit for controlling the motor. In order to make the electric fan structurally more simple and more cost-effective to assemble, it is proposed that the drive motor and the control unit be arranged in a common housing, and that the housing have air vents for passage of a flow of cooling air generatable by the fan wheel, and a heat sink of the control unit be arranged at at least one air vent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Applicant: AFL Germany Electronics GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Gold, Dirk Herke, Frank Hoenig
  • Publication number: 20020185984
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric drive, in particular, for a fan of a motor vehicle, comprising an electric drive motor and an electronic control unit for controlling the drive motor. The drive motor comprises a commutator and associated power supply devices rubbing on the commutator, and the control unit comprises an electronic module arranged on a printed circuit board. In order to design the electric drive so that it is of simpler construction and more cost-effective to assemble, it is proposed that the drive motor and the control unit be arranged in a common housing, with the power supply devices held on the printed circuit board. The invention also relates to an electric fan with an electric drive of this kind.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Applicant: AFL Germany Electronics GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Gold, Dirk Herke, Frank Hoenig