Patents by Inventor Gerd Schmitz
Gerd Schmitz 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).
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Publication number: 20240128865Abstract: A self-triggering, bidirectional control electronics component for an electronic switch (50), for the detection and rapid shutdown of currents at a selected threshold value for both current flow directions, includes a threshold switch having a plurality of selectable shutdown threshold values for both current flow directions, the threshold switch coupled to a bidirectional current sensor system (65), arranged in the electronic switch, based on sensing of sensors on an input side of the threshold switch; and a high-speed de-energizing circuit (53) on an output side of the threshold switch including a high non-load circuit voltage for rapid removal of current from a magnetic drive coil (45), the high-speed de-energizing circuit being configured to rapidly remove the current from the magnetic drive coil when the bidirectional current sensor system senses a current greater than or equal to the selected threshold value among the plurality of selectable shutdown threshold values.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2022Publication date: April 18, 2024Inventors: Gerd SCHMITZ, Wolfgang MEID, Marcel UEDELHOVEN
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Patent number: 11705289Abstract: A switching device includes: a first and a second fixed contact; a contact bridge; a first movable contact and a second movable contact that are arranged at the contact bridge; a first terminal contact on which the first fixed contact is mounted; and a second terminal contact on which the second fixed contact is mounted. The first fixed contact is in contact with the first movable contact and the second fixed contact is in contact with the second movable contact in a switched-on state of the switching device. The first fixed contact is free of contact with the first movable contact and the second fixed contact is free of contact with the second movable contact in a switched-off state of the switching device. A path of a load current flowing through the contact bridge between the first and second movable contacts in the switched-on state extends in a first plane.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2019Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITEDInventors: Lutz Friedrichsen, Volker Lang, Johannes Meissner, Julia Otte, Madeline Philipsohn, Gerd Schmitz, Kai Schroeder, Ute Molitor
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Patent number: 11658477Abstract: A multi-port power converter includes a housing that includes a plurality of ports structured to electrically interface to a plurality of loads, the plurality of loads having distinct electrical characteristics. The multi-port power converter also includes a plurality of solid state components configured to provide selected electrical power outputs and to accept selected electrical power inputs and a plurality of solid state switches configured to provide selected connectivity between the plurality of solid state components and the plurality of ports.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2021Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITEDInventors: Martin Wayne Mensch, Brandon William Fisher, Robert Stephen Douglass, Austin Robert Zurface, Jeff Howard Urian, James David, Bharath Suda, Asheesh Soni, Karsten Gerving, Guido Vollmar, Gerd Schmitz, Christoph Bausch, Ute Molitor, Lutz Friedrichsen, Kai Schroeder, Julia Otte, Madeline Philipsohn, Norbert Roesner, Volker Lang, Johannes Meissner, Paolo D'Amico, Jalpa Shah, Meng Wang, Damrongrit Piyabongkarn, Niles Stephen Ramseyer, Dennis Dukaric, Matt Haylock, Justin Keith Griffiths
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Publication number: 20220337070Abstract: A method includes interpreting a contactor open event and a contactor load value for a contactor positioned on a motive power circuit for a mobile application, determining that a contactor opening event under load has occurred in response to the contactor open event and the contactor load value, and updating a contactor wear condition in response to the contactor opening event under load, wherein updating the contactor wear condition comprises accumulating a number of the contactor opening events under load.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2022Publication date: October 20, 2022Inventors: Justin Keith Griffiths, Nilesh Surase, Ritika Shetty, Shalini Tripathy, Somdut Dey, Madhavi Gupta, Mayura Madane, Sadiya Qureshi, Toseed Khan, Amit Chavan, Kumar Prasad Telikepalli, Atul Solvande, Hao Wang, Jiong Chen, Yueyue Deng, Jason Carroll, Srinivasan Arjun Tekalur, Jacob William Green, Ashok Chakravarthi Kandru, Cheng Luo, Tianyang Jiang, Cheng Wan, Ye Zhu, John Trublowski, Robert Stephen Douglass, Rajen Modi, Nilay Mehta, Laura Natali Valencia Fritsch, Han Li, Dongxin JIn, Lewei Qian, Jun Li, Hongrae Kim, Daniel R. Ouwenga, Patrick Herranz, Miroslav Horejs, Rohit Baranwal, Zhe Zhang, Martin Wayne Mensch, Brandon William Fisher, Austin Robert Zurface, Jeff Howard Urian, James David, Bharath Kumar Suda, Asheesh Kumar Soni, Rene Guy Gallet, Michael Scott Sullivan, Karsten Gerving, Guido Völlmar, Gerd Schmitz, Christoph Bausch, Ute Molitor, Lutz Friedrichsen, Kai Schroeder, Julia Otte, Madeline Philipsohn, Norbert Roesner, Volker Lang, Johannes Meissner, Paolo D'Amico, Jalpa Shah, Meng Wang, Damrongrit Piyabongkarn, Niles Stephen Ramseyer, Dennis Dukaric, Matt Haylock, Anvaya R. Hingangave, Devendra Patil
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Patent number: 11232918Abstract: A switching apparatus for conducting and interrupting electrical currents includes: a first mechanical contact arrangement; a semiconductor switch which is connected in parallel to the first mechanical contact arrangement; a second mechanical contact arrangement connected in series to the first mechanical contact arrangement; an auxiliary coil electrically isolated from a circuit of a switching drive used to move contacts of the first and second mechanical contact arrangements, and which is electromagnetically coupled to a coil of the switching drive such that a voltage is generated therein when a voltage supply of the switching drive is switched off; and a switching electronics for switching the semiconductor switch on and off, and which is supplied with the voltage generated in the auxiliary coil when the voltage supply of the switching drive is switched off. The switching electronics switches the semiconductor switch on and off multiple times according to a prespecified sequence.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2017Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITEDInventors: Gerd Schmitz, Johannes Meissner, Marcel Uedelhoven, Michael Wohlang, Oliver Kreft
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Patent number: 11114258Abstract: A switching apparatus for carrying and disconnecting electric currents includes: a first mechanical contact arrangement; a second mechanical contact arrangement which is connected in series with the first mechanical contact arrangement; a semiconductor switch which is connected in parallel to the first mechanical contact arrangement; a switching electronics system for switching on and switching off the semiconductor switch; and a control circuit for ascertaining a voltage across the first mechanical contact arrangement as an ascertained voltage and generating an actuation signal for the switching electronics system, which actuation signal switches on the semiconductor switch, depending on the ascertained voltage. During a switching process, the switching apparatus closes the two mechanical contact arrangements with a time delay in relation to one another.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2018Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITEDInventors: Johannes Meissner, Gerd Schmitz, Kai Schroeder, Michael Wohlang, Oliver Kreft, Marcel Uedelhoven
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Publication number: 20210272758Abstract: A switching device includes: a first fixed contact; a second fixed contact; a contact bridge; and a first movable contact and a second movable contact that are arranged at the contact bridge. The first fixed contact is in contact with the first movable contact and the second fixed contact is in contact with the second movable contact in a switched-on state of the switching device. The first fixed contact is free of contact with the first movable contact and the second fixed contact is free of contact with the second movable contact in a switched-off state of the switching device. A load current that flows through the contact bridge between the first movable contact and the second movable contact in the switched-on state has a curved path. A path of the load current flows through the contact bridge between the first movable contact and the second movable contact.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2019Publication date: September 2, 2021Inventors: Lutz Friedrichsen, Volker Lang, Johannes Meissner, Julia Otte, Madeline Philipsohn, Gerd Schmitz, Kai Schroeder, Ute Molitor
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Patent number: 11070049Abstract: A mobile application includes a motive power circuit having a power storage device and an electrical load, where the power storage device and the electrical load are selectively electrically coupled through a power bus. The application includes a power distribution unit (PDU) electrically interposed between the power storage device and the electrical load, where the PDU includes a breaker/relay positioned on one of a high side and a low side of the power storage device. The breaker/relay includes a fixed contact and a moveable contact selectively electrically coupled to the fixed contact, where the moveable contact allows power flow through the power bus when electrically coupled to the fixed contact, and prevents power flow through the power bus when not electrically coupled to the fixed contact. The breaker/relay includes an armature coupled to the moveable contact, and capable to open or close the motive power circuit.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2019Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: Martin Wayne Mensch, Brandon William Fisher, Robert Stephen Douglass, Austin Robert Zurface, Jeff Howard Urian, James David, Bharath Suda, Asheesh Soni, Karsten Gerving, Guido Völlmar, Gerd Schmitz, Christoph Bausch, Ute Molitor, Lutz Friedrichsen, Kai Schroeder, Julia Otte, Madeline Philipsohn, Norbert Roesner, Volker Lang, Johannes Meissner, Paolo D'amico, Jalpa Shah, Meng Wang, Damrongrit Piyabongkarn, Niles Stephen Ramseyer, Dennis Dukaric, Matt Haylock, Justin Keith Griffiths
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Publication number: 20210218242Abstract: A multi-port power converter includes a housing that includes a plurality of ports structured to electrically interface to a plurality of loads, the plurality of loads having distinct electrical characteristics. The multi-port power converter also includes a plurality of solid state components configured to provide selected electrical power outputs and to accept selected electrical power inputs and a plurality of solid state switches configured to provide selected connectivity between the plurality of solid state components and the plurality of ports.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2021Publication date: July 15, 2021Inventors: Martin Wayne Mensch, Brandon William Fisher, Robert Stephen Douglass, Austin Robert Zurface, Jeff Howard Urian, James David, Bharath Suda, Asheesh Soni, Karsten Gerving, Guido Völlmar, Gerd Schmitz, Christoph Bausch, Ute Molitor, Lutz Friedrichsen, Kai Schroeder, Julia Otte, Madeline Philipsohn, Norbert Roesner, Volker Lang, Johannes Meissner, Paolo D'amico, Jalpa Shah, Meng Wang, Damrongrit Piyabongkarn, Niles Stephen Ramseyer, Dennis Dukaric, Matt Haylock, Justin Keith Griffiths
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Patent number: 10964497Abstract: A double-contact switch includes: a first and second tubular vacuum switching chamber formed as partial switching chambers of a switching tube; an electrode fixed in the switching tube and arranged between the first and second vacuum switching chambers and having a first fixed contact projecting into the first vacuum switching chamber and a second fixed contact projecting into the second vacuum switching chamber; a first electrode arranged in the first vacuum switching chamber and movable within the first vacuum switching chamber in an axial direction thereof, the first electrode having a region which bears a contact and is closed off in a gastight manner relative to an exterior of the first vacuum switching chamber; a second electrode arranged in the second vacuum switching chamber and movable within the second vacuum switching chamber in an axial direction thereof, the second electrode having a region which bears a contact.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2018Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITEDInventors: Johannes Meissner, Gerd Schmitz, Marcel Uedelhoven, Oliver Kreft, Michael Wohlang, Kai Schroeder
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Publication number: 20200381915Abstract: A multi-port power converter includes a housing that includes a plurality of ports structured to electrically interface to a plurality of loads, the plurality of loads having distinct electrical characteristics. The multi-port power converter also includes a plurality of solid state components configured to provide selected electrical power outputs and to accept selected electrical power inputs and a plurality of solid state switches configured to provide selected connectivity between the plurality of solid state components and the plurality of ports.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2020Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventors: Martin Wayne Mensch, Brandon William Fisher, Robert Stephen Douglass, Austin Robert Zurface, Jeff Howard Urian, James David, Bharath Suda, Asheesh Soni, Karsten Gerving, Guido Völlmar, Gerd Schmitz, Christoph Bausch, Ute Molitor, Lutz Friedrichsen, Kai Schroeder, Julia Otte, Madeline Philipsohn, Norbert Roesner, Volker Lang, Johannes Meissner, Paolo D'amico, Jalpa Shah, Meng Wang, Damrongrit Piyabongkarn, Niles Stephen Ramseyer, Dennis Dukaric, Matt Haylock, Justin Keith Griffiths
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Publication number: 20200365347Abstract: A switching apparatus for carrying and disconnecting electric currents includes: a first mechanical contact arrangement; a second mechanical contact arrangement which is connected in series with the first mechanical contact arrangement; a semiconductor switch which is connected in parallel to the first mechanical contact arrangement; a switching electronics system for switching on and switching off the semiconductor switch; and a control circuit for ascertaining a voltage across the first mechanical contact arrangement as an ascertained voltage and generating an actuation signal for the switching electronics system, which actuation signal switches on the semiconductor switch, depending on the ascertained voltage. During a switching process, the switching apparatus closes the two mechanical contact arrangements with a time delay in relation to one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2018Publication date: November 19, 2020Inventors: Johannes Meissner, Gerd Schmitz, Kai Schroeder, Michael Wohlang, Oliver Kreft, Marcel Uedelhoven
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Publication number: 20200328038Abstract: A switching apparatus tor conducting and interrupting electrical currents includes: a first mechanical contact arrangement: a semiconductor switch which is connected in parallel to the first mechanical contact arrangement; a second mechanical contact arrangement connected in series to the first mechanical contact arrangement; an auxiliary coil electrically isolated from a circuit of a switching drive used to move contacts of the first and second mechanical contact arrangements, and which is electromagnetically coupled to a coil of the switching drive such that a voltage is generated therein when a voltage supply of the switching drive is switched off; and a switching electronics for switching the semiconductor switch on and off, and which is supplied with the voltage generated in the auxiliary coil when the voltage supply of the switching drive is switched off. The switching electronics switches the semiconductor switch on and off multiple times according to a prespecified sequence.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2017Publication date: October 15, 2020Inventors: Gerd SCHMITZ, Johannes MEISSNER, Marcel UEDELHOVEN, Michael WOHLANG, Oliver KREFT
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Publication number: 20200312593Abstract: A double-contact switch includes: a first and second tubular vacuum switching chamber formed as partial switching chambers of a switching tube; an electrode fixed in the switching tube and arranged between the first and second vacuum switching chambers and having a first fixed contact projecting into the first vacuum switching chamber and a second fixed contact projecting into the second vacuum switching chamber; a first electrode arranged in the first vacuum switching chamber and movable within the first vacuum switching chamber in an axial direction thereof, the first electrode having a region which bears a contact and is closed off in a gastight manner relative to an exterior of the first vacuum switching chamber; a second electrode arranged in the second vacuum switching chamber and movable within the second vacuum switching chamber in an axial direction thereof, the second electrode having a region which bears a contact.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2018Publication date: October 1, 2020Inventors: Johannes Meissner, Gerd Schmitz, Marcel Uedelhoven, Oliver Kreft, Michael Wohlang, Kai Schroeder
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POWER DISTRIBUTION AND CIRCUIT PROTECTION FOR A MOBILE APPLICATION HAVING A HIGH EFFICIENCY INVERTER
Publication number: 20200274375Abstract: A power electronics assembly for a mobile application includes a first power electronics component selectively coupled to a high source on a first side and coupled to a high voltage battery on a second side, a second power electronics component selectively coupled to one of a low load or a low voltage battery on a first side and coupled to the high voltage battery on a second side; and a controller, including an operating mode circuit structured to determine a discharge operating mode for the mobile application, a power electronics configuration circuit structured to provide a switch state value for the first power electronics component and the second power electronics component in response to the discharge operating mode, and wherein the first power electronics component and the second power electronics component are responsive to the switch state value to coupled selected ones of the high source, low load, and low voltage battery to the high voltage battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2020Publication date: August 27, 2020Inventors: Justin Keith Griffiths, Nilesh Surase, Ritika Shetty, Shalini Tripathy, Somdut Dey, Madhavi Gupta, Mayura Madane, Sadiya Qureshi, Toseed Khan, Amit Chavan, Kumar Prasad Telikepalli, Atul Solvande, Hao Wang, Jiong Chen, Yueyue Deng, Jason Carroll, Srinivasan Arjun Tekalur, Jacob William Green, Chakravarthi Kandru, Cheng Luo, Tianyang Jiang, Cheng Wan, Ye Zhu, John Trublowski, Robert Stephen Douglass, Rajen Modi, Nilay Mehta, Laura Natali Valencia Fritsch, Han Li, Dongxin Jin, Lewei Qian, Jun Li, Hongrae Kim, Daniel R. Ouwenga, Patrick Herranz, Miroslav Horejs, Rohit Baranwal, Zhe Zhang, Martin Wayne Mensch, Brandon William Fisher, Austin Robert Zurface, Jeff Howard Urian, James David, Bharath Kumar Suda, Asheesh Kumar Soni, Rene Guy Gallet, Michael Scott Sullivan, Karsten Gerving, Guido Völlmar, Gerd Schmitz, Christoph Bausch, Ute Molitor, Lutz Friedrichsen, Kai Schroeder, Julia Otte, Madeline Philipsohn, Norbert Roesner, Volker Lang, Johannes Meissner, Paolo D'Amico, Jalpa Shah, Meng Wang, Damrongrit Piyabongkarn, Niles Stephen Ramseyer, Dennis Dukaric, Matt Haylock, Anvaya R. Hingangave, Devendra Patil -
Patent number: 10498331Abstract: A switching device for conducting and disconnecting electric currents includes: a first mechanical contact assembly; a semiconductor switch, which is in parallel to the first mechanical contact assembly; a second mechanical contact assembly, which is connected in series to the first mechanical contact assembly; and a switching electronics, which switch on and off the semiconductor switch. The switching electronics are operable, during a closing process of the first mechanical contact assembly, to turn on the semiconductor switch after a first predetermined time period t?0 after initialization of the switching electronics, and to turn the semiconductor switch off again after a second predetermined time period t?1. The first predetermined time period t?0 is set by the switching electronics depending on the first mechanical contact assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2017Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITEDInventors: Gerd Schmitz, Johannes Meissner, Marcel Uedelhoven, Michael Wohlang, Oliver Kreft
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Publication number: 20190296541Abstract: A mobile application includes a motive power circuit having a power storage device and an electrical load, where the power storage device and the electrical load are selectively electrically coupled through a power bus. The application includes a power distribution unit (PDU) electrically interposed between the power storage device and the electrical load, where the PDU includes a breaker/relay positioned on one of a high side and a low side of the power storage device. The breaker/relay includes a fixed contact and a moveable contact selectively electrically coupled to the fixed contact, where the moveable contact allows power flow through the power bus when electrically coupled to the fixed contact, and prevents power flow through the power bus when not electrically coupled to the fixed contact. The breaker/relay includes an armature coupled to the moveable contact, and capable to open or close the motive power circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2019Publication date: September 26, 2019Inventors: Martin Wayne Mensch, Brandon William Fisher, Robert Stephen Douglass, Austin Robert Zurface, Jeff Howard Urian, James David, Bharath Suda, Asheesh Soni, Karsten Gerving, Guido Völlmar, Gerd Schmitz, Christoph Bausch, Ute Molitor, Lutz Friedrichsen, Kai Schroeder, Julia Otte, Madeline Philipsohn, Norbert Roesner, Volker Lang, Johannes Meissner, Paolo D'amico, Jalpa Shah, Meng Wang, Damrongrit Piyabongkarn, Niles Stephen Ramseyer, Dennis Dukaric, Matt Haylock
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Patent number: 10290445Abstract: A switching device for conducting and interrupting electric currents, has a first mechanical contact assembly, a semiconductor switch, which is connected in parallel with the first mechanical contact assembly; a second mechanical contact assembly, which is connected in series with the first mechanical contact assembly; an auxiliary coil, which is galvanically isolated from the circuit of a switching drive for moving contacts of the first and second mechanical contact assemblies and is electromagnetically coupled to a coil of the switching drive in such a way that a voltage is produced in the auxiliary coil when the voltage supply of the switching drive is switched off; and switching electronics, which are designed to switch the semiconductor switch on and off and which are supplied by the voltage produced in the auxiliary coil when the voltage supply of the switching drive is switched off.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2014Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITEDInventors: Gerd Schmitz, Marcel Uedelhoven, Johannes Meissner, Michael Wohlang
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Publication number: 20190131966Abstract: A switching device for conducting and disconnecting electric currents includes: a first mechanical contact assembly; a semiconductor switch, which is in parallel to the first mechanical contact assembly; a second mechanical contact assembly, which is connected in series to the first mechanical contact assembly; and a switching electronics, which switch on and off the semiconductor switch. The switching electronics are operable, during a closing process of the first mechanical contact assembly, to turn on the semiconductor switch after a first predetermined time period t?0 after initialization of the switching electronics, and to turn the semiconductor switch off again after a second predetermined time period t?1. The first predetermined time period t?0 is set by the switching electronics depending on the first mechanical contact assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2017Publication date: May 2, 2019Inventors: Gerd SCHMITZ, Johannes MEISSNER, Marcel UEDELHOVEN, Michael WOHLANG, Oliver KREFT
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Patent number: 9741513Abstract: A double-contact switch has first and second tubular vacuum switching chambers; a stationary electrode, between the first and second vacuum switching chamber, having a first stationary contact protruding into the first chamber and a second stationary contact protruding into the second chamber; a first electrode, arranged in the first chamber, moveable axially therein, having a contact support region and sealed off from the first chamber exterior; a second electrode, arranged in the second chamber, moveable axially therein, having a contact support region and scaled off from the second chamber exterior; a first contact compression spring applying a first spring force to the first movable electrode so the first electrode contact presses onto the contact protruding into the first chamber; and a second contact compression spring applying a greater, second spring force to the second movable electrode so the second electrode contact presses onto the contact protruding into the second chamber.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2014Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: EATON ELECTRICAL IP GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Gerd Schmitz, Marcel Uedelhoven, Johannes Meissner, Michael Wohlang