Patents by Inventor Horst Schleifer

Horst Schleifer 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).

  • Actuator with inherent position sensor
    Patent number: 10439528
    Abstract: An actuation system is proposed for an optical system, comprising a voice coil motor for actuating the optical system, the voice coil motor comprising a magnet and an electric coil, a position measuring unit for measuring the position of the electric coil and providing a position feedback signal, and a control unit for closed loop control of the position of the optical system based on a target position and the position feedback signal, used for generating a drive signal for the electric coil. According to the disclosure, a ferromagnetic element is arranged in proximity to the electric coil so that the inductance of the electric coil depends on its position. Further, the position-measuring unit measures the inductance of the electric coil and determines the position of the electric coil based on the determined inductance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Horst Knoedgen, Horst Schleifer
  • Actuator with Inherent Position Sensor
    Publication number: 20190058423
    Abstract: An actuation system is proposed for an optical system, comprising a voice coil motor for actuating the optical system, the voice coil motor comprising a magnet and an electric coil, a position measuring unit for measuring the position of the electric coil and providing a position feedback signal, and a control unit for closed loop control of the position of the optical system based on a target position and the position feedback signal, used for generating a drive signal for the electric coil. According to the disclosure, a ferromagnetic element is arranged in proximity to the electric coil so that the inductance of the electric coil depends on its position. Further, the position-measuring unit measures the inductance of the electric coil and determines the position of the electric coil based on the determined inductance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Horst Knoedgen, Horst Schleifer