Patents by Inventor Dirk Riepe

Dirk Riepe 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: 11183380
    Abstract: A germicidal UV amalgam lamp with an elongated tubular lamp body and at least two filaments located on opposite ends of the lamp body. The lamp body is hermetically sealed with a pinch-sealed portion at both opposite ends, confining a gas volume in which a gas discharge can be produced along a discharge path between the filaments. Each filament has two electrical connectors, each including an internal portion connected to the filament and pinch-sealed into the lamp body. Each connector also includes an external portion located outside the lamp body for electrical connection of the lamp to a controlled power supply. The pinch-sealed portion bears a socket with an electrical temperature sensor and at least two electrical connections mounted to the socket. The at least two electrical connections of the temperature sensor are connected in parallel to the electrical connectors of the filament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Inventors: Dirk Riepe, Uwe Kanigowski, Jan Boris Loesenbeck, Sven Kaemmerer
  • Publication number: 20210057205
    Abstract: A germicidal UV amalgam lamp with an elongated tubular lamp body and at least two filaments located on opposite ends of the lamp body. The lamp body is hermetically sealed with a pinch-sealed portion at both opposite ends, confining a gas volume in which a gas discharge can be produced along a discharge path between the filaments. Each filament has two electrical connectors, each including an internal portion connected to the filament and pinch-sealed into the lamp body. Each connector also includes an external portion located outside the lamp body for electrical connection of the lamp to a controlled power supply. The pinch-sealed portion bears a socket with an electrical temperature sensor and at least two electrical connections mounted to the socket. The at least two electrical connections of the temperature sensor are connected in parallel to the electrical connectors of the filament.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Applicant: Xylem Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Riepe, Uwe Kanigowski, Jan Boris Loesenbeck, Sven Kaemmerer
  • Patent number: 10143073
    Abstract: A control algorithm for operating a fluid disinfecting system by UV radiation, wherein the UV radiation is generated by at least one UV lamp including a pair of heating cathodes having a discharge voltage (UD), the UV lamp is operated by an electronic ballast unit equipped with the control algorithm for adjusting the UV power of the UV lamp by pulse-width-modulation to reduce UV power. The control algorithm decreases the current to a level (Ikmin), increases the voltage amplitude (U) above the discharge voltage (UD) until a desired UV power level is reached. The pulse width (PW) is decreased with increasing voltage amplitude (U) until PWmin is reached. The decrease in current and the increase in voltage generate an ineffective current-voltage-ratio in which excess current heats the cathode. An electronic ballast equipped with the algorithm and systems equipped with such ballasts are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: XYLEM IP MANAGEMENT S.a r.l.
    Inventors: Reiner Fietzek, Dirk Riepe
  • Publication number: 20180077784
    Abstract: A control algorithm for operating a fluid disinfecting system by UV radiation, wherein the UV radiation is generated by at least one UV lamp including a pair of heating cathodes having a discharge voltage (UD), the UV lamp is operated by an electronic ballast unit equipped with the control algorithm for adjusting the UV power of the UV lamp by pulse-width-modulation to reduce UV power. The control algorithm decreases the current to a level (Ikmin), increases the voltage amplitude (U) above the discharge voltage (UD) until a desired UV power level is reached. The pulse width (PW) is decreased with increasing voltage amplitude (U) until PWmin is reached. The decrease in current and the increase in voltage generate an ineffective current-voltage-ratio in which excess current heats the cathode. An electronic ballast equipped with the algorithm and systems equipped with such ballasts are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Reiner Fietzek, Dirk Riepe
  • Patent number: 7061173
    Abstract: A UV lamp unit is provided and comprises a lamp in the form of a mercury low pressure amalgam lamp that is provided with at least one amalgam deposit. A cladding tube surrounds the lamp in such a way that an air gap is provided between the lamp and the cladding tube. An element is provided in one axial direction of the lamp, in the region of the at least one amalgam deposit, for influencing the temperature of the amalgam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Wedeco AG Water Technology
    Inventors: Joachim Fischer, Jan Boris Rudkowski, Dirk Riepe, Rolf Sief
  • Patent number: 7049738
    Abstract: A UV lamp unit includes a lamp in the form of a mercury low pressure amalgam lamp that is provided with at least one amalgam deposit. A cladding tube surrounds the lamp in such a way that an air gap is provided between the lamp and the cladding tube. An element is provided in one axial direction of the lamp, in the region of the at least one amalgam deposit, for influencing the temperature of the amalgam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Wedeco AG Water Technology
    Inventors: Joachim Fischer, Jan Boris Rudkowski, Dirk Riepe, Rolf Sief
  • Publication number: 20050189864
    Abstract: A UV lamp unit is provided and comprises a lamp in the form of a mercury low pressure amalgam lamp that is provided with at least one amalgam deposit. A cladding tube surrounds the lamp in such a way that an air gap is provided between the lamp and the cladding tube. An element is provided in one axial direction of the lamp, in the region of the at least one amalgam deposit, for influencing the temperature of the amalgam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Inventors: Joachim Fischer, Jan Rudkowski, Dirk Riepe, Rolf Sief
  • Patent number: 6906468
    Abstract: The invention relates to a novel ballast device for pre-heating, starting and operating at least one UV emitter, constructed in the form of a gas discharge lamp with two heating coils lying opposite each other in relation to a gas discharge path, whereby four electrical connections are provided in total for each of such gas discharge paths, namely two for each heating coil. According to the invention, switching means are provided for a parallel switching of both of said connectors of a heating coil, dependent upon operating conditions. A capacitive loading of the ballast device is thus avoided by means of the otherwise open connector line for the heating coil and the current feed to the coils is evenly distributed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Wedeco AG Water Technology
    Inventors: Dirk Riepe, Jan Boris Rudkowski, Joachim Fischer
  • Publication number: 20040232846
    Abstract: A UV lamp unit is provided and comprises a lamp in the form of a mercury low pressure amalgam lamp that is provided with at least one amalgam deposit. A cladding tube surrounds the lamp in such a way that an air gap is provided between the lamp and the cladding tube. An element is provided in one axial direction of the lamp, in the region of the at least one amalgam deposit, for influencing the temperature of the amalgam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Joachim Fischer, Jan Boris Rudkowski, Dirk Riepe, Rolf Sief
  • Publication number: 20030132717
    Abstract: The invention relates to a novel ballast device for pre-heating, starting and operating at least one UV emitter, constructed in the form of a gas discharge lamp with two heating coils lying opposite each other in relation to a gas discharge path, whereby four electrical connections are provided in total for each of such gas discharge paths, namely two for each heating coil. According to the invention, switching means are provided for a parallel switching of both of said connectors of a heating coil, dependent upon operating conditions. A capacitive loading of the ballast device is thus avoided by means of the otherwise open connector line for the heating coil and the current feed to the coils is evenly distributed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Dirk Riepe, Jan Boris Rudkowski, Joachim Fischer
  • Patent number: 6593704
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a ballast for feeding a UV light low pressure radiator. The UV light low pressure radiator is ignited and subsequently fed with direct current. The polarity of the direct current is changed at successive intervals which are greater than half the period of the conventional network frequency and smaller than a time until a lower threshold value for the operational temperature of the electrodes is reached, whereby said time is a result of the thermal time constant of the UV light low pressure radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Wedeco AG Water Technology
    Inventors: Dirk Riepe, Jan Rudkowski
  • Publication number: 20030057868
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a ballast for feeding a UV light low pressure radiator. The UV light low pressure radiator is ignited and subsequently fed with direct current. The polarity of the direct current is changed at successive intervals which are greater than half the period of the conventional network frequency and smaller than a time until a lower threshold value for the operational temperature of the electrodes is reached, whereby said time is a result of the thermal time constant of the UV light low pressure radiator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Dirk Riepe, Jan Boris Rudkowski