Patents by Inventor Dirk Plewka

Dirk Plewka 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: 12143045
    Abstract: A device for disconnecting an actuation of a power stage of an electric machine includes: a first input for detecting a safety function signal and a second input for detecting a reference potential of the safety function signal; and at least one switch-off path of the actuation, each of the at least one switch-off path including: an input coupler connected between the first input and the second input on an input side for transmitting the safety function signal from the first and second inputs; and at least one output for actuating a switch of a half bridge of the power stage, and at least one modulation logic unit for logically linking a modulation signal associated with a respective switch and the safety function signal transmitted by a respective input coupler and to output it at the output as a disconnectable modulation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Alexander Guenter, Dirk Plewka, Lutz Heuer
  • Publication number: 20230299706
    Abstract: A device for disconnecting an actuation of a power stage of an electric machine includes: a first input for detecting a safety function signal and a second input for detecting a reference potential of the safety function signal; and at least one switch-off path of the actuation, each of the at least one switch-off path including: an input coupler connected between the first input and the second input on an input side for transmitting the safety function signal from the first and second inputs; and at least one output for actuating a switch of a half bridge of the power stage, and at least one modulation logic unit for logically linking a modulation signal associated with a respective switch and the safety function signal transmitted by a respective input coupler and to output it at the output as a disconnectable modulation signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Alexander Guenter, Dirk Plewka, Lutz Heuer
  • Patent number: 11749485
    Abstract: A modular switch apparatus for controlling at least one electric drive includes a mounting rail bus system having a control line and two power supply lines, a power supply device, and a safety relay module that is configured to obtain a first, high level control signal from a DC supply voltage applied to the two power supply lines and to feed the first control signal to the control line via the first bus interface if the emergency stop command device has not been actuated. Furthermore, at least one safety motor starter module is provided, which includes a processing device with an input that can be electrically connected to the control line via a bus interface. The processing device is adapted to evaluate a first, high level control signal as transferred via the control line and to provide control signals for controlling the at least two switch devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stephan Hansmeier, Bernd Schulz, Matthias Ragaller, Dirk Plewka
  • Publication number: 20220139659
    Abstract: A modular switch apparatus for controlling at least one electric drive includes a mounting rail bus system having a control line and two power supply lines, a power supply device, and a safety relay module that is configured to obtain a first, high level control signal from a DC supply voltage applied to the two power supply lines and to feed the first control signal to the control line via the first bus interface if the emergency stop command device has not been actuated. Furthermore, at least one safety motor starter module is provided, which includes a processing device with an input that can be electrically connected to the control line via a bus interface. The processing device is adapted to evaluate a first, high level control signal as transferred via the control line and to provide control signals for controlling the at least two switch devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Stephan HANSMEIER, Bernd SCHULZ, Matthias RAGALLER, Dirk PLEWKA
  • Patent number: 10298218
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling an electrical or electronic switching element that can be activated by an electrical signal, wherein a PWM signal can be produced by a PWM module for controlling the switching element and which can be modulated as a function of the supply voltage and/or of an ambient temperature on the electromechanical or electronic switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Lutz Heuer, Stephan Hansmeier, Bernd Schulz, Dirk Plewka
  • Publication number: 20180261412
    Abstract: A switching unit for controlling at least one switching element, includes a control unit adapted to control the at least one switching element; a connection for applying a supply voltage for power supply of the control unit; an energy storage connectable to the connection for applying a supply voltage and adapted, when the supply voltage drops or fails, to supply the control unit with power that is sufficient to control the at least one switching element such that the switching element executes a predetermined switching operation; wherein the switching unit includes means for monitoring the operability of the energy storage. Furthermore, a method for controlling at least one switching element using the switching unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2016
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Applicant: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Elmar SCHAPER, Bernd SCHULTZ, Lutz HEUER, Stephan HANSMEIER, Dirk PLEWKA, Alexander GUNTER
  • Publication number: 20170155250
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling an electrical or electronic switching element that can be activated by an electrical signal, wherein a PWM signal can be produced by a PWM module for controlling the switching element and which can be modulated as a function of the supply voltage and/or of an ambient temperature on the electromechanical or electronic switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2016
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: Lutz Heuer, Stephan Hansmeier, Bernd Schulz, Dirk Plewka