Patents by Inventor Kurt Walz

Kurt Walz 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).

  • Publication number: 20240133535
    Abstract: An optical device usable as a headlight of a motor vehicle has an optical system in the form of a lens and/or a light source which is surrounded by a housing and which is covered by a translucent, in particular transparent, cover which is connected to the housing. To increase the functionality of the optical device, a PTC heating assembly is configured to heat a space between the housing and the cover. The PTC heating assembly includes at least one PTC element and strip conductors that are connected electrically to the PTC element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Michael Niederer, Peter Scholz, Kurt Walz, Ralf Lothar Weinand
  • Patent number: 11964539
    Abstract: A control device is disclosed for an electric heating device with a PTC element as an auxiliary heater in a motor vehicle. The control device has a control housing in which a printed circuit board, equipped with at least one power switch is provided. The power switch is applied against a cooling surface in a heat-conducting manner under pretension via an elastic pretensioning element. The pretensioning element is formed from an elongated piece of a soft-elastic plastic part extruded with at least one through-opening. Also disclosed is an electric heating device having such a control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Eberspächer catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kai-Fabian Bürkle, Kurt Walz
  • Patent number: 11965675
    Abstract: An electric heating device includes at least two hollow profile elements which form a fluid channel for a fluid to be heated and, opposite the fluid channel, a heating chamber which is bounded by opposite contact surfaces against which at least one PTC element abuts in a heat-conducting manner. A scalable and easier to assemble electric heating device is achieved by connecting the hollow profile elements to one another by complementary form-fit segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Eberspächer catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kurt Walz, Michael Niederer
  • Patent number: 11943846
    Abstract: A method for the production of a heat-generating element includes placing in which at least two electrical conductor elements, provided with through holes, onto a film provided with an adhesive mass, pressing the conductor elements against the films such that the mass is forced into the through holes. At least one PTC element is subsequently placed onto one of the conductor elements, and then the other of the conductor elements, together with the film adhering thereto, is placed opposite to the one of the conductor elements onto the PTC element. The invention further relates to a heat-generating element with a PTC element and electrical conductor elements connected thereto in an electrically conductive manner for energizing the PTC element with a different polarity and an electrical insulation that is provided on the outer side thereof with a film and an adhesive mass applied thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Eberspächer catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kurt Walz, Michael Niederer
  • Patent number: 11913676
    Abstract: A PTC heating element has a casing that joins as a unit at least one PTC element, conductor paths electrically connected to the PTC element, and insulating layers bearing, in a heat-conductive manner against the PTC element. The PTC heating element also has contact strips which project over itself and which are electrically conductively connected to the conductor paths for energizing the PTC element with different polarities. The casing forms a receptacle space that receives the PTC element, the conductor paths, and the insulating layers. In order to improve heat decoupling from the PTC element, the receptacle, in a cross-sectional view, is defined by two oppositely disposed inner surfaces covering the PTC element and concave cavities, adjoining the inner surfaces and forming the longitudinal edges of the casing, the diameter of which is greater than the distance between the inner surfaces. The electric heating device has at least one PTC heating element arranged in a circulation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Eberspächer catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kurt Walz, Michael Niederer, Rüdiger Freitag
  • Patent number: 11912106
    Abstract: An electric heating device, in particular for a motor vehicle, includes a housing which has an inlet and outlet opening for a medium to be heated and which encloses a layered structure. The layered stricture comprises at least one PTC element which is electrically conductively connected to conducting elements leading to connections of different polarity, and heat-emitting elements that are conductively connected on both sides to the PTC element. In order to provide improved heat dissipation, the heat-emitting elements include a panel element that is provided with perforations and that is made of a heat-conducting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Eberspächer catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kurt Walz, Michael Niederer, Ahmad Asafi, Patrick Kachelhoffer
  • Publication number: 20240057222
    Abstract: A PTC heating device has a heating cell with at least one PTC element and conductor elements provided on opposite sides of the PTC element. The conduct elements form contact surfaces for the electrical contacting of the PTC elements, are electrically connected to the PTC element, and are to be assigned different polarities. The conductor elements also are provided with an electrical insulation on their side opposite the PTC element. A metallic housing which accommodates the heating cell is connected to the insulation in a heat-conducting manner Each of the conductor elements is provided with at least one through-hole by which the electrically conductive surface of the conductor elements is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Kurt Walz, Rüdiger Freitag, Ahmad Asafi
  • Patent number: 11737174
    Abstract: A PTC heating element for an electric heating device includes frame which is made of electrically non-conductive material and which encloses at least one PTC element, conductor tracks electrically connected to the PTC element, and insulating layers bearing, in a heat-conductive manner, against an oppositely disposed main side surface of the PTC element. The frame has contact strips which project over itself and which are electrically conductively connected to the conductor tracks for energizing the PTC element with different polarities. In order to provide an electrically well-insulated PTC heating element allows good heat coupling, s a film respectively covers the outer surfaces of the insulating layers. A corresponding PTC heating element may be provided in a circulation chamber of the electric heating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Eberspächer catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kurt Walz, Ahmad Asafi
  • Patent number: 11723119
    Abstract: An electric heating device includes a housing having a partition wall which separates a connection chamber from a heating chamber for dissipating heat and from which at least one receiving pocket, protruding into the heating chamber as a heating rib tapering towards its lower, closed end protrudes. A PTC heating element includes at least one PTC element and conductor tracks for energizing the PTC element with different polarities. The conductor tracks are electrically conductively connected to the PTC element and are electrically connected in the connection chamber. A pressure element is received which holds heat extraction surfaces of the PTC element abutted against oppositely disposed inner surfaces of the receiving pocket. The pressure element includes a sheet metal strip which, by punching and bending, forms spring segments protruding from the plane of the sheet metal strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Eberspächer catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kurt Walz, Michael Niederer, Patrick Kachelhoffer
  • Patent number: 11686502
    Abstract: A heat-generating element for an electric heating device includes a heating element casing which comprises a casing element formed from a ceramic material and a casing mating element formed from a ceramic material. The two casing elements bear against each other in a sealing manner and enclose, in a sealing manner between each other, a PTC element and conductor tracks. The conductor tracks bear, in an electrically conductive manner, against the PTC element and are assigned different polarities for energizing the PTC element. The heating element casing carries contact strips connected in an electrically conductive manner to the associated conductor tracks. At least one of the conductor tracks is formed by an electrically conductive element which is provided with through holes and which, in a height direction of the conductor track, comprises discrete points of support that bear against the PTC element and one of casing element and casing mating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Eberspächer catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Patrick Kachelhoffer, Kurt Walz
  • Patent number: 11678408
    Abstract: A PTC heating element comprises at least one PTC element and two conductor paths which are assigned to different polarities and which are electrically conductively connected to the PTC element and are provided with connection elements for the electrical connection of the PTC element. The PTC heating element has improved heat discharge due to the provision of an electromagnetic shielding which is formed from a fluid-permeable metal structure and which surrounds the PTC element and the conductor paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Eberspächer catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kurt Walz, Patrick Kachelhoffer, Sascha Barner
  • Patent number: 11516885
    Abstract: An electric heating device comprises a housing with a partition wall which separates a connection chamber from a heating chamber for dissipating heat and from which at least one PTC heating element with a heater casing protrudes in the direction toward the heating chamber. The at least one PTC element and conductor tracks are supported in the heater casing in an insulated manner. The heater casing is sealed against the partition wall by way of a seal arranged in a receptacle of the partition wall circumferentially surrounding the heater casing. A press ring is arranged in the receptacle and surrounds the heater casing circumferentially, securing the seal in the receptacle. A method of forming such an electric heating device also is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Eberspächer catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kurt Walz, Michael Niederer
  • Patent number: 11473548
    Abstract: An electrical load resistance includes a housing having at least one U-shaped receiving pocket, in which at least one PTC heating element is accommodated. The PTC heating element includes at least one PTC element and at least one contact plate electrically conductively connected to the PTC element for energizing the PTC element. The contact plate has a terminal lug for plug contacting the PTC element, and the PTC heating element abuts at least on opposite main side surfaces of the receiving pocket in a heat-conducting manner and projects beyond the terminal lug of the receiving pocket. The housing of the electrical load resistance is closed, and thus has no inlet or outlet openings for a medium to be heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Eberspächer catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Patrick Kachelhoffer, Kurt Walz, Christof Lausser, Markus Stollhof
  • Patent number: 11432374
    Abstract: A PTC heating device exhibits a good degree of efficiency while providing good electrical insulation of the device's PTC element. The insulation of the PTC heating device comprises a film and a layer that is bonded to the film and made of brown compact which comprises non-sintered ceramic particles. Also disclosed is a method in which ceramic particles are provided with a binding agent, and the mass thus produced is applied in a planar manner onto a film and bonded to the film. The multilayer insulation thus produced is placed around the PTC element and the conductor tracks, and the binding agent is subsequently removed, at least in part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Eberspächer catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kurt Walz, Michael Niederer, Ahmad Asafi, Tobias Semmler
  • Publication number: 20220268484
    Abstract: An electric heating device includes at least two hollow profile elements which form a fluid channel for a fluid to be heated and, opposite the fluid channel, a heating chamber which is bounded by opposite contact surfaces against which at least one PTC element abuts in a heat-conducting manner. A scalable and easier to assemble electric heating device is achieved by connecting the hollow profile elements to one another by complementary form-fit segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Kurt Walz, Michael Niderer
  • Publication number: 20210394585
    Abstract: A control device is disclosed for an electric heating device with a PTC element as an auxiliary heater in a motor vehicle. The control device has a control housing in which a printed circuit board, equipped with at least one power switch is provided. The power switch is applied against a cooling surface in a heat-conducting manner under pretension via an elastic pretensioning element. The pretensioning element is formed from an elongated piece of a soft-elastic plastic part extruded with at least one through-opening. Also disclosed is an electric heating device having such a control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Kai-Fabian Bürkle, Kurt Walz
  • Publication number: 20210352770
    Abstract: APTC heating assembly includes contact elements and a cuboid ceramic component on which a metallization is applied. The ceramic component comprises mutually opposing main side surfaces for heat dissipation which are larger by at least a factor of five than each of the end faces extending between the main side surfaces. The contact elements are electrically conductively connected to the metallization for introducing the power current into the ceramic component. The metallization is formed only on the main side surfaces and is in the form of elongated metallization strips. The metallization strips extend along mutually opposite edges of the cuboid ceramic component, are each assigned to one polarity, are separated by a single end face, and are connected to a power source via a common contact element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Kurt Walz, Ahmad Asafi, Kai-Fabian BÜrkle, Stefan Plewnia
  • Publication number: 20210352769
    Abstract: A PTC heating device directly converts electrical energy in the form of a DC voltage of a photovoltaic module into heat. This heat may be introduced into a circuit in which at least one heat-emitting heat exchanger is integrated, for example, in the form of a radiator. The heat exchange may be located in or on a structure such as a building.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Kurt Walz, Sascha Barner, Herbert Weisenburger
  • Publication number: 20210337631
    Abstract: A PTC heating device exhibits a good degree of efficiency while providing good electrical insulation of the device's PTC element. The insulation of the PTC heating device comprises a film and a layer that is bonded to the film and made of brown compact which comprises non-sintered ceramic particles. Also disclosed is a method in which ceramic particles are provided with a binding agent, and the mass thus produced is applied in a planar manner onto a film and bonded to the film. The multilayer insulation thus produced is placed around the PTC element and the conductor tracks, and the binding agent is subsequently removed, at least in part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Kurt Walz, Michael Niederer, Ahmad Asafi, Tobias Semmler
  • Patent number: 11105532
    Abstract: An electric heating includes a housing having a partition wall which separates a connection chamber from a heating chamber for dissipating heat and from which at least one receiving pocket, protruding into the heating chamber as a heating rib, preferably tapering towards its lower and closed end, protrudes. A PTC heating element, including at least one PTC element and conductor tracks for energizing the PTC element with different polarities, is accommodated in the housing with the conductor tracks being electrically conductively connected to the PTC heating element and being are electrically connected in the connection chamber. A pressure element is received in the housing and holds heat extraction surfaces of the PTC element abutted against oppositely disposed inner surfaces of the receiving pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Eberspächer catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Patrick Kachelhoffer, Kurt Walz