Patents by Inventor Dirk Otterpohl

Dirk Otterpohl 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: 12316254
    Abstract: A stator module of a linear transport system includes a plurality of drive coils, which are energizable and form part of a stator of a linear motor. The stator module also includes actuation electronics, where the drive coils are actuatable by the actuation electronics. The actuation electronics includes at least an actuation element, which is arranged to energize a number of drive coils. The actuation element has a number of half bridges, each comprising a first half-bridge connection, a second half-bridge connection, and a half-bridge center. The first half-bridge connections of the half bridges are connected to one another, and the second half-bridge connections of the half bridges are connected to one another. The half bridges and the drive coils form a chain, with the half-bridge centers and drive coils arranged alternately within the chain, at least one half-bridge center being connected to two drive coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: Beckhoff Automation GmbH
    Inventors: Tim Kaulmann, Dirk Otterpohl, Marc Hegselmann
  • Patent number: 12040634
    Abstract: A linear transport system includes a movable carriage, a guide rail for guiding the carriage, and a linear motor for driving the carriage along the guide rail. A system is provided for contactless power and data transmission; e.g., where power and data are each sent inductively via separate coils to the carriage of the linear transport system and/or received by the carriage of a linear transport system. A method of operating such a linear transport system and a contactless power and data transmission system are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Beckhoff Automation GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Prüssmeier, Thomas Vorbohle, Dirk Otterpohl
  • Publication number: 20230208335
    Abstract: A stator module of a linear transport system includes a plurality of drive coils, which are energizable and form part of a stator of a linear motor. The stator module also includes actuation electronics, where the drive coils are actuatable by the actuation electronics. The actuation electronics includes at least an actuation element, which is arranged to energize a number of drive coils. The actuation element has a number of half bridges, each comprising a first half-bridge connection, a second half-bridge connection, and a half-bridge center. The first half-bridge connections of the half bridges are connected to one another, and the second half-bridge connections of the half bridges are connected to one another. The half bridges and the drive coils form a chain, with the half-bridge centers and drive coils arranged alternately within the chain, at least one half-bridge center being connected to two drive coils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Tim Kaulmann, Dirk Otterpohl, Marc Hegselmann
  • Publication number: 20210046826
    Abstract: A linear transport system includes a movable carriage, a guide rail for guiding the carriage, and a linear motor for driving the carriage along the guide rail. A system is provided for contactless power and data transmission; e.g., where power and data are each sent inductively via separate coils to the carriage of the linear transport system and/or received by the carriage of a linear transport system. A method of operating such a linear transport system and a contactless power and data transmission system are also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Uwe Prüssmeier, Thomas Vorbohle, Dirk Otterpohl