Patents by Inventor Gerald Hirmer

Gerald Hirmer 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: 8164216
    Abstract: A modular electrical system including a first current-emitting source module and a first current-consuming sink module which is connected to the first current-emitting source module is provided. The first sink module has a first sink identification means to identify maximum power requirement of the first sink module. The object of providing power balancing between a first source module and a first sink module is achieved in that the first source module has a first source identification means for identifying the power capacity of the first source module, wherein in order to calculate a power ratio of the system the first sink identification means and the first source identification means are connected to a two-wire line for the purpose of generating a differential voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Abert, Werner Engl, Gunter Griessbach, Gerald Hirmer, Arnold Klamm, Matthias Metzler, Dirk Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7882276
    Abstract: An input/output module for a programmable controller is provided that generates an output voltage and an output current from the power input. The input/output module functions as a power supply which re-emits or outputs at least some of the power input so that the occurrence of dissipation heat internally within the module is prevented or reduced. The input/output module reduces the power loss that arises inside the input/output module whenever a digital input receives current. A method is also provided for operating an input/output module for a programmable controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Werner Engl, Stefan Grosser, Gerald Hirmer, Mario Maier
  • Patent number: 7818471
    Abstract: An input/output module for a programmable controller is provided. The input/output module has a digital input channel, and in order to prevent power losses previously incurred internally within the module, an electrical source is provided internally within the module for evaluating the status of a sensor connected to the digital input channel. The module receives no electrical energy via the digital input channel but outputs it. A reduction is thus achieved in the power loss incurred internally within the module. A method for operating an input/output module for a programmable controller is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wemer Engl, Stefan Grosser, Gerald Hirmer, Mario Maier
  • Publication number: 20100026309
    Abstract: A modular electrical system including a first current-emitting source module and a first current-consuming sink module which is connected to the first current-emitting source module is provided. The first sink module has a first sink identification means to identify maximum power requirement of the first sink module. The object of providing power balancing between a first source module and a first sink module is achieved in that the first source module has a first source identification means for identifying the power capacity of the first source module, wherein in order to calculate a power ratio of the system the first sink identification means and the first source identification means are connected to a two-wire line for the purpose of generating a differential voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Michael Abert, Werner Engl, Gunter Griessbach, Gerald Hirmer, Arnold Klamm, Matthias Metzler, Dirk Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20070094434
    Abstract: An input/output module for a programmable controller is provided. The input/output module has a digital input channel, and in order to prevent power losses previously incurred internally within the module, an electrical source is provided internally within the module for evaluating the status of a sensor connected to the digital input channel. The module receives no electrical energy via the digital input channel but outputs it. A reduction is thus achieved in the power loss incurred internally within the module. A method for operating an input/output module for a programmable controller is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Inventors: Wemer Engl, Stefan Grosser, Gerald Hirmer, Mario Maier
  • Publication number: 20070069590
    Abstract: An input/output module for a programmable controller is provided that generates an output voltage and an output current from the power input. The input/output module functions as a power supply which re-emits or outputs at least some of the power input so that the occurrence of dissipation heat internally within the module is prevented or reduced. The input/output module reduces the power loss that arises inside the input/output module whenever a digital input receives current. A method is also provided for operating an input/output module for a programmable controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Werner Engl, Stefan Grosser, Gerald Hirmer, Mario Maier
  • Patent number: 6037761
    Abstract: A voltage supply circuit for a CPU of a programmable controller is provided, the CPU receiving via the voltage supply circuit at least two supply voltages obtained from an input voltage. The circuit operates in a manner such that when the input voltage is increased from an open-circuit potential, a first supply voltage is received by the CPU as soon as the input voltage exceeds an upper input voltage threshold value. The second supply voltage is received by the CPU when the first supply voltage exceeds a primary supply voltage threshold value. When the input voltage decreases from a value (where both supply voltages are received by the CPU), the second supply voltage is no longer received by the CPU when the input voltage and drops below a lower input voltage threshold value, and also the first supply voltage is no longer received by the CPU as soon as the second supply voltage drops below a secondary supply voltage threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Gerald Hirmer
  • Patent number: 6034515
    Abstract: A current limiting circuit in which, when the input DC voltage is raised from zero volts to the reference voltage, an output DC flows through the connected load only when the value of the input DC voltage rises to a value above an undervoltage threshold value which is below the reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Gerald Hirmer