Patents by Inventor Kay Steffen

Kay Steffen 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: 11960265
    Abstract: A method adapts an apparatus to a motor-driven tool from a set of different types of motor-driven tools. The apparatus is arranged on the tool. The method has the steps of: capturing an identifier of the tool by way of the apparatus, and transmitting an item of type-specific configuration information from a database to the apparatus on the basis of the captured identifier in such a manner that the apparatus is designed to process operating data of the tool in a type-specific manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Kaiser, Andre Vaas, Kay-Steffen Gurr
  • Patent number: 11651911
    Abstract: A method operates an electrical treatment device having a user-operable operating switch, and a motor electronics system with a motor control and an electric drive motor. The switch electrically connects to a drive voltage source and the motor electronics system. The motor electronics system electrically connects to the drive motor on an output side via the motor control. The method monitors whether an input voltage at the motor electronics system meets a closed criterion or an open criterion, wherein the closed criterion is characteristic of a closed switching state of the operating switch, and wherein the open criterion is characteristic of an open switching state of the operating switch, and when the open criterion is met, operates the motor control in a state from an open state set that includes a voltage control state for limiting an increase in the input voltage caused by the running-down electric drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Tobias Schmidt, Kay-Steffen Gurr, Marc Saemann, Rudolf Saemann
  • Patent number: 11276889
    Abstract: A device for capturing operating data of a motor-driven tool includes a capture and/or evaluation device, an operating data memory, and/or a communication interface. These components draw electric power from an electrochemical energy store during operation. An operating mode control device operates the components at a temperature above a temperature limit value in a normal temperature operating mode and at a temperature equal to or below the temperature limit value in a low temperature operating mode different from the normal mode, wherein less electric power is drawn in the low temperature operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co., KG
    Inventors: Kay-Steffen Gurr, Andre Vaas
  • Patent number: 11128123
    Abstract: A method for operating an electric gardening and/or forestry apparatus system having an accumulator, a gardening and/or forestry apparatus with an electric motor, and a protective electronic circuit including inputs which are connected to the accumulator, outputs which are connected to the gardening and/or forestry apparatus, and a switching element which is disposed in a power path between one of the inputs and one of the outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kay-Steffen Gurr, Martin Schurr, Andreas Mack, Christian Heigemeyr
  • Patent number: 11038402
    Abstract: An electronic control unit is configured to operate an electric motor from a rechargeable battery pack. The control unit has a circuit board with electronic components for driving the electric motor. Furthermore, an electrical braking circuit having a braking resistor and also a braking switch is provided. The receiving surface of the circuit board is spatially divided into a first surface region and a second surface region. The first surface region serves to receive electronic components; the second surface region serves to receive the braking resistor, wherein the braking resistor is configured as a conductor track which is formed on the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kay-Steffen Gurr, Gernot Liebhard, Lothar Lehmann, Rudolf Saemann
  • Publication number: 20210157505
    Abstract: A device records operating data of a motorized tool. The device is arranged on the tool, wherein the device has: a recording and/or evaluation device, wherein the recording and/or evaluation device is designed to record at least one variable, wherein the variable is dependent on an operating state of the tool, and to evaluate the recorded variable in order to identify the operating data, and/or to record the operating data. An operating data memory is provided, wherein the operating data memory is designed to store the identified and/or recorded operating data. A communication interface is designed, in a state connected to an external appliance, to wirelessly transmit the stored operating data thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Michael KAISER, André VAAS, Kay-Steffen GURR, Michael GRAMM
  • Publication number: 20210157297
    Abstract: A method adapts an apparatus to a motor-driven tool from a set of different types of motor-driven tools. The apparatus is arranged on the tool. The method has the steps of: capturing an identifier of the tool by way of the apparatus, and transmitting an item of type-specific configuration information from a database to the apparatus on the basis of the captured identifier in such a manner that the apparatus is designed to process operating data of the tool in a type-specific manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Michael KAISER, Andre VAAS, Kay-Steffen GURR
  • Publication number: 20210074489
    Abstract: A method operates an electrical treatment device having a user-operable operating switch, and a motor electronics system with a motor control and an electric drive motor. The operating switch is electrically connected to a drive voltage source on the input side and to the motor electronics system on the output side. The motor electronics system is electrically connected to the electric drive motor on the output side by way of the motor control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Tobias Schmidt, Kay-Steffen Gurr, Marc Saemann, Rudolf Saemann
  • Patent number: 10845435
    Abstract: A device registers an On state of a drive motor of a tool. A changing magnetic flux is produced in the On state of the drive motor. First and second peak hold detectors generate upper and lower peak signals from induced voltage output signals. An evaluation device is configured to form a difference from the generated upper peak signal and the generated lower peak signal, and compare the formed difference with an adjustable threshold value in order to determine the On state of the drive motor when the threshold value is reached or exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kay-Steffen Gurr, Andre Vaas, Rudolf Saemann, Marc Saemann
  • Patent number: 10819192
    Abstract: A handheld work apparatus has an electric motor for driving a tool. A function module is to be connected to a battery pack via electrical contacts, there being provided an electrical operating switch, for putting the electric motor into operation, which is coupled to an actuating element of the handheld work apparatus. The electric motor is put into operation upon a command of the operating switch, via a control unit. To constitute the function module, provision is made to dispose the electrical contacts, the control unit and the operating switch on a common carrier. The carrier has a first side that faces toward the battery pack, and at least one second side that faces away from the battery pack. The electrical contacts are provided on the first side of the carrier, while the operating switch is held on the second side of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Andrea Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kay-Steffen Gurr, Gernot Liebhard, Matthias Mueller, Joachim Kolb
  • Patent number: 10489988
    Abstract: A device is provided for capturing operating data of a tool, wherein the tool is powered by an electric motor or a combustion engine, and wherein the device is embodied separately from the tool and is able to be coupled to the tool. The device includes: an operating data sensor, which is configured to wirelessly capture operating data of the tool, an operating data memory, which is configured to store operating data captured by the operating data sensor; and a communication interface, which is configured to wirelessly transmit operating data stored in the operating data memory to a terminal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Patrick Russ, Tommy Roitsch, Kay-Steffen Gurr, Gernot Liebhard, Rudolf Saemann
  • Publication number: 20190339338
    Abstract: A device registers an On state of a drive motor of a tool. A changing magnetic flux is produced in the On state of the drive motor. First and second peak hold detectors generate upper and lower peak signals from induced voltage output signals. An evaluation device is configured to form a difference from the generated upper peak signal and the generated lower peak signal, and compare the formed difference with an adjustable threshold value in order to determine the On state of the drive motor when the threshold value is reached or exceeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Kay-Steffen Gurr, Andre Vaas, Rudolf Saemann, Marc Saemann
  • Publication number: 20190341660
    Abstract: A device for capturing operating data of a motor-driven tool includes a capture and/or evaluation device, an operating data memory, and/or a communication interface. These components draw electric power from an electrochemical energy store during operation. An operating mode control device operates the components at a temperature above a temperature limit value in a normal temperature operating mode and at a temperature equal to or below the temperature limit value in a low temperature operating mode different from the normal mode, wherein less electric power is drawn in the low temperature operating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Kay-Steffen GURR, Andre VAAS
  • Publication number: 20190272683
    Abstract: A device identifies operating data of a motor-driven tool. The device includes an identifying and/or evaluating device, an operating data memory unit, a communication interface, a housing, and an elastic element. The housing accommodates an electrical energy storage device and has an open and closed condition. In the open condition, the electrical energy storage device is insertable or removable. In the closed condition, the elastic element is configured to fix the electrical energy storage device by applying pressure along the insertion and removal direction of the energy storage device. The force amounts to a value of the mass of the storage device multiplied by at minimum 1 N per g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Kay-Steffen GURR, André VAAS, Cornelius GINDELE, Thomas HILT, Johannes MENZEL, Uwe FRIES
  • Patent number: 10293445
    Abstract: A handheld work apparatus has an electric motor and a voltage source for operating the motor. A manual actuation element provided on a handle of the apparatus is operated by a user and is provided for activating the motor. The actuation element is connected to a control unit which controls the energy supply from the source to the motor as a function of an operating signal of the actuation element. If the control unit is in a blocking state, the energy supply to the motor is blocked independently of the operating signal of the actuation element. After receiving a control signal, the control unit switches from the blocking state to a standby state to release an energy supply to the motor. The control signal is derived from a combination of an actuation stroke and an actuation time (?TB) of the actuation element. A method for activating the apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Oliver Gerstenberger, Florian Hoche, Kay-Steffen Gurr, Fabian Gwosdz
  • Patent number: 10136542
    Abstract: An electromechanical function unit is for a battery operated, handheld work apparatus that has an operating switch for putting the work apparatus into operation. The operating switch is to be actuated by an actuating element of the work apparatus. The operating switch is connected to a control unit for operating the work apparatus. The control unit includes a circuit board having electronic components, and has a first circuit board side, and a second circuit board side that faces away from the first circuit board side. In order to avoid wiring and to reduce the tolerance chain, provision is made to dispose the operating switch on the second circuit board side. The operating switch is supported statically via a support arrangement, independently of the circuit board. The support arrangement has no mechanical connection to the circuit board, and leads from the second circuit board side to the first circuit board side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kay-Steffen Gurr, Joachim Kolb, Gernot Liebhard, Matthias Mueller
  • Publication number: 20180301892
    Abstract: A method for operating an electric gardening and/or forestry apparatus system having an accumulator, a gardening and/or forestry apparatus with an electric motor, and a protective electronic circuit including inputs which are connected to the accumulator, outputs which are connected to the gardening and/or forestry apparatus, and a switching element which is disposed in a power path between one of the inputs and one of the outputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Kay-Steffen GURR, Martin SCHURR, Andreas MACK, Christian HEIGEMEYR
  • Patent number: 10063165
    Abstract: An electric motor is connected to a voltage source via a drive circuit and, between the drive circuit and the voltage source, the operating switch is arranged for the switching of the supply voltage (U) of the voltage source as the input voltage (UE) on the drive circuit. Following the switch-out of the electric motor, the input voltage (UE) on the drive circuit is monitored and a gradient of a rising voltage ramp (dU/dt) of the input voltage (UE) is determined. The gradient of the rising voltage ramp (dU/dt) of the input voltage (UE) thus determined is compared with a predefined limiting value and, in the event of an overshoot of the predefined limiting value, the operating switch is detected as closed, and the electric motor is restarted via the drive circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kay-Steffen Gurr, Gernot Liebhard, Jens Kloeker, Jochen Siller, Heinrich Leufen
  • Patent number: 10014816
    Abstract: A method for testing the operation of an actuating circuit of a DC motor is disclosed, wherein electrical voltage connections of the DC motor are connected to a voltage source via the actuating circuit. An operating switch is arranged between the actuating circuit and the voltage source for starting up the DC motor via the actuating circuit. When the operating switch is switched on, the actuating circuit is initialized. Initialization prompts the potential on a voltage connection of the DC motor to be checked, and an indicator is actuated if, during the check, a potential on the voltage connection of the DC motor is determined that is above a prescribed limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kay-Steffen Gurr, Gernot Liebhard
  • Publication number: 20180068493
    Abstract: A device is provided for capturing operating data of a tool, wherein the tool is powered by an electric motor or a combustion engine, and wherein the device is embodied separately from the tool and is able to be coupled to the tool. The device includes: an operating data sensor, which is configured to wirelessly capture operating data of the tool, an operating data memory, which is configured to store operating data captured by the operating data sensor; and a communication interface, which is configured to wirelessly transmit operating data stored in the operating data memory to a terminal device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Patrick RUSS, Tommy ROITSCH, Kay-Steffen GURR, Gernot LIEBHARD, Rudolf SAEMANN