Patents by Inventor Engbert B. G. Nijhof

Engbert B. G. Nijhof 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: 6430065
    Abstract: A circuit for receiving electrical power from a switched source such as a solid state relay, and providing power to a semiconductor light source. A rectifier circuit and an interference filter are connected in series between input connections which are connected to the switched source, and a converter which provides the required voltage and current combination for the light source. To prevent improper operation of the switched source, such as oscillation, the portion of the circuit between the input terminals and the rectifier circuit is free from capacitive elements. Preferably the interference filter is connected between the rectifier and the converter. The light source may be used as a signal light, and the circuit may be incorporated in the housing of the signal light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Marcel J. M. Bucks, Engbert B. G. Nijhof, Johannes E. Algra
  • Publication number: 20020001205
    Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for operating a semiconductor light source, comprising
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: Marcel J. M. Bucks, Engbert B. G. Nijhof, Johannes E. Algra
  • Patent number: 6304464
    Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for operating a semiconductor light source, comprising input terminals for connecting a supply voltage, input filter means, a converter provided with a switching element having a control circuit, and provided with inductive means, and output terminals for connecting the semiconductor light source. The switching element is periodically driven into conduction for a period ton. According to the invention, the converter is formed by a flyback converter, and the inductive means are formed by a transformer, and the control circuit controls the ton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Ronny A. A. M. Jacobs, Bertrand J. E. Hontele, John E. K. G. De Clercq, Marcel J. M. Bucks, Engbert B. G. Nijhof
  • Patent number: 6147458
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement for operating a semiconductor light source includes connection terminals for connecting a control unit, an input filter, a converter comprising a control circuit, output terminals for connecting the semiconductor light source, an apparatus CM for removing a leakage current occurring in the control unit in the non-conducting state, and a self-regulating circuit for deactivating the apparatus CM. The circuit arrangement is also provided with a detection circuit for detecting an incorrect functioning of the converter or the semiconductor light source. For this purpose, preferably a minimum voltage and a maximum voltage are detected at the output terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignees: U.S. Philips Corporation, Lumileds Lighting B.V.
    Inventors: Marcel J. M. Bucks, Engbert B. G. Nijhof, Johannes E. Algra, John E. K. G. De Clercq, Pieter W. Habing, Stefan E. Roijers
  • Patent number: 6118259
    Abstract: A circuit for operation of a semiconductor light source having terminals for connecting a source of power and output terminals for connecting the semiconductor light source. The circuit is also provided with a controlled current generator and is also concerned with a signal head incorporating the circuit. The controlled current generator is controlled by the current flow through the semiconductor light source and the current supplied by the controlled current generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignees: U.S. Philips Corporation, Lumileds Lighting B.V.
    Inventors: Marcel J. M. Bucks, Engbert B. G. Nijhof
  • Patent number: 6094014
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement for operating a semiconductor light source, includes input terminals for connecting a supply voltage, an input filter, a converter having a control circuit, and output terminals for connecting the semiconductor light source. The circuit arrangement is provided with a voltage detector for detecting the output voltage at the output terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Marcel J. M. Bucks, Engbert B. G. Nijhof
  • Patent number: 6051935
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement for driving a light source includes input terminals (T1, T2) for deriving a supply current from a supply source; a circuit I for generating a control signal S; a circuit II, provided with a converter which is fitted with at least one switching element (13) and with a control circuit (17) which triggers the switching element with high frequency in a manner which is dependent on the value of the control signal S; a circuit III for generating a voltage Sc which is a measure for an instantaneous value of a supply voltage delivered by the supply source, the voltage Sc acting as a reference signal which causes the circuit I to generate a control signal S which lies alternately in a first range and in a second range, and the circuit II causing the drawing of a comparatively strong supply current (Iv1) at a value of the control signal S which lies in the first range, and the drawing of a comparatively weak supply current (Iv2) at a value of the control signal S which lies in the second range; an
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Marcel J. M. Bucks, Engbert B. G. Nijhof
  • Patent number: 6040663
    Abstract: In a multiresonant DC--DC converter provided with a switching element (S1), a transformer (T) and a rectifier coupled to the secondary winding (S) of the transformer, the rectifier is constructed as a diode bridge (D1, D2, D3, D4). It is achieved thereby that the maximum amplitude of the voltage across the switching element is comparatively low. The switching element is highly suitable for supplying a network of LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Marcel J. M. Bucks, Engbert B. G. Nijhof
  • Patent number: 6013988
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement for operating a semiconductor light source includes connection terminals for connection to a control unit, an input filter, a converter having a control circuit, and output terminals for connection to the semiconductor light source. The circuit arrangement is also provided with a self-regulating current-conducting network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Marcel J. M. Bucks, Engbert B. G. Nijhof
  • Patent number: 5729121
    Abstract: The apparatus comprises first and second input terminals (1, 3) for receiving an input voltage, a number of transformers (7), each of which comprises a primary winding (9) having first (13) and second (15) ends, and a secondary winding (11). At least one end of each primary winding is connected to a switching member (17) which comprises a first controllable switching element (19) and a second controllable switching element (21). This end (15) can be connected, via the first switching element (19), to the first input terminal (1) and, via the second switching element (21), to the second input terminal (3). The switching member (17) may be in a first state or a second state, the first switching element (19) being closed and the second switching element (21) being open in the first state whereas in the second state the first switching element is open and the second switching element is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Johannes W. Coenders, Engbert B. G. Nijhof
  • Patent number: 4189669
    Abstract: A digital device for controlling a three-phase motor comprises a circuit arrangement for generating three pulse-width modulated carrier waves which are 120.degree. phase-shifted relative to each other, whose modulation depth as a function of time represents a sinewave. A first clock signal periodically starts an up/down counter which counts the second clock signal. The carrier wave is generated by switching a flip-flop each time that the maximum count of the up/down counter is reached and the various modulation pulses which are required are generated symmetrically relative to this maximum count. A sequential network modulates the carrier wave sequentially with the correct modulation pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1980
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Johannes C. F. van Loon, Engbert B. G. Nijhof