Patents by Inventor Kurt Vollenwyder

Kurt Vollenwyder 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: 9634523
    Abstract: A system for transferring electric energy to a vehicle. The system comprises an electric conductor arrangement which produces an alternating electromagnetic field, transfers electromagnetic energy to the vehicle, and includes a plurality of consecutive segments. Each segment extends along the path of travel of the vehicle. The system includes an alternating current supply for conducting electric energy to the segments which are electrically connected in parallel to each other with the alternating current supply. Each segment is coupled to the supply via an associated switching unit adapted to switch on and off the segment by connecting or disconnecting the segment to/from the supply. Each segment is coupled to the associated switching unit via a constant current source adapted to keep the electric current through the segment constant while the segment is switched on independently of the electric power which is transferred to one or more vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Bombardier Transportation GmbH
    Inventor: Kurt Vollenwyder
  • Patent number: 9397523
    Abstract: A system for transferring electric energy to a vehicle such as a track bound vehicle or road automobile. The system includes an electric conductor arrangement which produces an alternating electromagnetic field, transfers electromagnetic energy to the vehicle and includes a plurality of segments. Each segment extends along the vehicle path of travel and includes one line for each phase of alternating current carried by the segment. The system includes a current supply for conducting electric energy to the segments which are electrically connected in parallel. At least one segment is coupled to the current supply via a constant current source. Each constant current source includes one or more inductances and one or more capacitances, the inductances and capacitances being adapted to each other and the input side of the constant current source so that a constant current is output to the output side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Bombardier Transportation GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Vollenwyder, Konrad Woronowicz, Robert Czainski, Jürgen Meins
  • Patent number: 8827058
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for providing a vehicle, in particular a track bound vehicle, with electric energy, wherein the arrangement comprises a receiving device (200) adapted to receive an alternating electromagnetic field and to produce an alternating electric current by electromagnetic induction. The receiving device (200) comprises a plurality of windings and/or coils (9, 10, 11) of electrically conducting material, wherein each winding or coil (9, 10, 11) is adapted to produce a separate phase of the alternating electric current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Bombardier Transportation GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Vollenwyder, Jürgen Meins, Carsten Struve
  • Publication number: 20140097675
    Abstract: A system for transferring electric energy to a vehicle such as a track bound vehicle or road automobile. The system includes an electric conductor arrangement which produces an alternating electromagnetic field, transfers electromagnetic energy to the vehicle and includes a plurality of segments. Each segment extends along the vehicle path of travel and includes one line for each phase of alternating current carried by the segment. The system includes a current supply for conducting electric energy to the segments which are electrically connected in parallel. At least one segment is coupled to the current supply via a constant current source. Each constant current source includes one or more inductances and one or more capacitances, the inductances and capacitances being adapted to each other and the input side of the constant current source so that a constant current is output to the output side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Bombardier Transportation GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Vollenwyder, Konrad Woronowicz, Robert Czainski, Jurgen Meins
  • Publication number: 20140097674
    Abstract: A system for transferring electric energy to a vehicle. The system comprises an electric conductor arrangement which produces an alternating electromagnetic field, transfers electromagnetic energy to the vehicle, and includes a plurality of consecutive segments. Each segment extends along the path of travel of the vehicle. The system includes an alternating current supply for conducting electric energy to the segments which are electrically connected in parallel to each other with the alternating current supply. Each segment is coupled to the supply via an associated switching unit adapted to switch on and off the segment by connecting or disconnecting the segment to/from the supply. Each segment is coupled to the associated switching unit via a constant current source adapted to keep the electric current through the segment constant while the segment is switched on independently of the electric power which is transferred to one or more vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Bombardier Transportation GmbH
    Inventor: Kurt Vollenwyder
  • Patent number: 8544622
    Abstract: The invention is a system for transferring electric energy to a vehicle. The system includes an electric conductor arrangement for producing an alternating electromagnetic field and for thereby transferring the energy to the vehicle. The electric conductor arrangement includes at least one alternating current line, wherein each alternating current line carries one phase of an alternating electric current. The conductor arrangement includes a plurality of consecutive segments, wherein the segments extend along the path of travel of the vehicle. Each segment includes one section of each of the at least one alternating current line. The system also includes a direct current supply line for supplying electric energy to the segments. Each segment is connected to the supply line via at least one inverter which inverts a direct current carried by the supply line to an alternating current carried by the at least one alternating current line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Bombardier Transportation GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Vollenwyder, Jürgen Meins
  • Patent number: 8473129
    Abstract: A track brake control system for providing braking of a railway vehicle operates upon receipt of an emergency braking command. The control system includes a member for receiving deceleration information from one or more sensing devices. The control system further includes a member for comparing the deceleration information with a reference value or reference profile. Further, the control system includes at least one regulating device for continuously adjusting a braking demand signal to a track brake so as to cause deceleration of the railway vehicle based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Bombardier Transportation GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Vollenwyder, Sidney Maxime Berry, Albert D'Amours
  • Publication number: 20130057204
    Abstract: A system for transferring electric energy to a vehicle, in particular to a track bound vehicle such as a light rail vehicle, includes an electric conductor arrangement for producing an alternating electromagnetic field and for thereby transferring electromagnetic energy to the vehicle. The vehicle includes at least one receiver for receiving the electromagnetic energy and at least one signal transmitter adapted to repeatedly or continuously emit an enable signal towards the track. The vehicle also includes a transmitter control arrangement adapted to stop transmitting the enable signal if the receiver or if any device combined with the receiver is not to be operated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: BOMBARDIER TRANSPORTATION GMBH
    Inventors: Kurt Vollenwyder, Timothy Dickson, Konrad Woronowicz
  • Patent number: 8360216
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for transferring electric energy to a vehicle, in particular to a track bound vehicle such as a light rail vehicle, wherein the system comprises an electric conductor arrangement for producing an alternating electromagnetic field and for thereby transferring the energy to the vehicle, the electric conductor arrangement comprises at least two lines, wherein each line is adapted to carry a different one of phases of an alternating electric current, the conductor arrangement comprises a plurality of segments, wherein each segment extends along a different section of the path of travel of the vehicle, each segment comprises sections of the at least two lines and each segment can be switched on and off separately of the other segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Bombardier Transportation GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Meins, Kurt Vollenwyder
  • Publication number: 20120326498
    Abstract: An arrangement for providing a plurality of vehicles, in particular track bound vehicles, with electric energy, includes an electric conductor arrangement for producing alternating electromagnetic fields and for thereby transferring electromagnetic energy to the vehicles. The conductor arrangement includes a plurality of consecutive segments, wherein each segment comprises at least one phase line for carrying a phase of an alternating current. Corresponding phase lines of neighbouring consecutive segments are connected in series to each other. The arrangement further includes a direct current power supply line for supplying electric energy to the segments. A switching device for producing the alternating current of the conductor arrangement from the current carried by the, power supply line is connected to each interface between two neighbouring consecutive segments. The arrangement also includes a control device for controlling the operation of the switching devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: BOMBARDIER TRANSPORTATION GMBH
    Inventors: Konrad Woronowicz, Kurt Vollenwyder, Timothy Russell Dickson
  • Publication number: 20120318624
    Abstract: An arrangement for detecting the presence of a moving vehicle includes an emitting antenna adapted to emit an electromagnetic field in a range of emitting directions and mounted on the vehicle. At least one receiving antenna for receiving the electromagnetic field is mounted on the track of the vehicle. A detector device which is connected to the at least one receiving antenna and is adapted to produce a detection signal depending on a received field intensity of the electromagnetic field that is received by the at least one receiving antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: BOMBARDIER TRANSPORTATION GMBH
    Inventors: Timothy Russell Dickson, Kurt Vollenwyder, Sidney Berry
  • Publication number: 20120261482
    Abstract: A track for track bound vehicles, in particular for light rail vehicles. Includes a support element for supporting an electric conductor arrangement, which is adapted to produce an alternating electromagnetic field and—thereby—to transfer electromagnetic energy vehicle on the track. The support element confines spaces for receiving lines and/or wires of the conductor arrangement. An electrically conductive shield for shielding the alternating electromagnetic field extends along a plane below the spaces. A housing for receiving a power supply device for supplying electric power to the conductor arrangement is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: BOMBARDIER TRANSPORTATION GMBH
    Inventors: Kurt Vollenwyder, Michael Baade, Konrad Woronowicz, Kris Siedmiogrozki, Harry Seiffert
  • Publication number: 20120055751
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for providing a vehicle, in particular a track bound vehicle, with electric energy, wherein the arrangement comprises a receiving device (200) adapted to receive an alternating electromagnetic field and to produce an alternating electric current by electromagnetic induction. The receiving device (200) comprises a plurality of windings and/or coils (9, 10, 11) of electrically conducting material, wherein each winding or coil (9, 10, 11) is adapted to produce a separate phase of the alternating electric current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: BOMBARDIER TRANSPORTATION GMBH
    Inventors: Kurt Vollenwyder, Jürgen Meins, Carsten Struve
  • Publication number: 20110266109
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for transferring electric energy to a vehicle, in particular to a track bound vehicle such as a light rail vehicle, wherein the system comprises an electric conductor arrangement for producing an alternating electromagnetic field and for thereby transferring the energy to the vehicle, the electric conductor arrangement comprises at least two lines, wherein each line is adapted to carry a different one of phases of an alternating electric current, the conductor arrangement comprises a plurality of segments, wherein each segment extends along a different section of the path of travel of the vehicle, each segment comprises sections of the at least two lines and each segment can be switched on and off separately of the other segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: BOMBARDIER TRANSPORTATION GMBH
    Inventors: Jurgen Meins, Kurt Vollenwyder
  • Publication number: 20110253495
    Abstract: The invention is a system for transferring electric energy to a vehicle. The system includes an electric conductor arrangement for producing an alternating electromagnetic field and for thereby transferring the energy to the vehicle. The electric conductor arrangement includes at least one alternating current line, wherein each alternating current line carries one phase of an alternating electric current. The conductor arrangement includes a plurality of consecutive segments, wherein the segments extend along the path of travel of the vehicle. Each segment includes one section of each of the at least one alternating current line. The system also includes a direct current supply line for supplying electric energy to the segments. Each segment is connected to the supply line via at least one inverter which inverts a direct current carried by the supply line to an alternating current carried by the at least one alternating current line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: BOMBARDIER TRANSPORTATION GMBH
    Inventors: Kurt Vollenwyder, Jürgen Meins
  • Publication number: 20100198434
    Abstract: A track brake control system for providing braking of a railway vehicle is disclosed. The control system operates upon receipt of an emergency braking command. The control system includes a member for receiving deceleration information from one or more sensing devices. The control system further includes member for comparing the deceleration information with a reference value or reference profile. Further, the control system includes at feast one regulating device for continuously adjusting a braking demand signal to a track brake so as to cause deceleration of the railway vehicle based on the this comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: BOMBARDIER TRANSPORTATION GMBH
    Inventors: Kurt Vollenwyder, Sidney Maxime Berry, Albert D'Amours
  • Patent number: 5258671
    Abstract: A primary of a linear induction motor has a plenum formed on its upper surface to receive cooling air from a fan. The upper surface of the core is formed with fins to promote cooling. Air flows from the plenum to side housings in which the end turns are located. A deflector plate directs air from the plenum over the end turns of the windings. Exhaust slots are provided in the housing above the end turns and a baffle between the housing and the end turns promotes flow through the end turns as it moves toward the exhaust slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: UTDC Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Vollenwyder, David C. Gilmore, John Stannard
  • Patent number: 5007496
    Abstract: An underground unmanned, trackless mine haulage vehicle and a system for guiding such a vehicle which includes a roof mounted guide rail, physical means to detect and calculate in real time variation in angle and distance of the center line of the vehicle from the ideal path of the guide rail and means on board the vehicle to provide and carry out steering commands to correct the position of the vehicle vis-a-vis the guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Assignee: Inco Limited
    Inventors: Brian T. Whitten, Pierre Veraart, Andrew Kwasniewski, Kurt Vollenwyder