Patents by Inventor Manfred Herrmann

Manfred Herrmann 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: 9203118
    Abstract: A battery module that includes a plurality of battery cells having cell elements that are electrically coupled. Each cell includes a first capacitor plate pair having a first capacitor plate and a second capacitor plate at a first side of the cell element. Each cell also includes a second capacitor plate pair having a first capacitor plate and a second capacitor plate positioned at a second side of the cell element. The first capacitor plate at the second side of one cell element is capacitively coupled to the first capacitor plate at the first side of the cell element in an adjacent cell and the second capacitor plate at the second side of the one cell element is capacitively coupled to the second capacitor plate at the first side of the cell element in the adjacent cell so as to provide DC breaking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jochen Lenz, Jonas Hemsen, Peter Andres, Manfred Herrmann
  • Publication number: 20150285868
    Abstract: A battery system including a powerline and a plurality of electrically connected smart battery cells each having a cell monitoring unit. The battery system also includes a host controller in communication with the powerline through a plurality of connection lines, where a plurality of the battery cells between adjacent connection lines is referred to as a cell string. The number of cell strings and the number of battery cells in the system determines transfer function gains for signal levels transmitted from the cell monitoring units to the host controller and signal levels transmitted by the host controller to each of the cell monitoring units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: MANFRED HERRMANN, JOCHEN LENZ, SEBASTIAN WINKLER
  • Publication number: 20140302352
    Abstract: A battery module that includes a plurality of battery cells having cell elements that are electrically coupled. Each cell includes a first capacitor plate pair having a first capacitor plate and a second capacitor plate at a first side of the cell element. Each cell also includes a second capacitor plate pair having a first capacitor plate and a second capacitor plate positioned at a second side of the cell element. The first capacitor plate at the second side of one cell element is capacitively coupled to the first capacitor plate at the first side of the cell element in an adjacent cell and the second capacitor plate at the second side of the one cell element is capacitively coupled to the second capacitor plate at the first side of the cell element in the adjacent cell so as to provide DC breaking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jochen Lenz, Jonas Hemsen, Peter Andres, Manfred Herrmann
  • Patent number: 8765282
    Abstract: A battery module includes first, second, and third stacked battery cells, the second battery cell being arranged between the first battery cell and the third battery cell. The battery module further includes a first heat transfer layer arranged between the first battery cell and the second battery cell and a second heat transfer layer arranged between the second battery cell and the third battery cell. The battery module may further include a fluid conduit coupled to the first heat transfer layer and the second heat transfer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Manfred Herrmann
  • Patent number: 8497035
    Abstract: A battery cell for an electric vehicle battery pack, including surface-applied wires to facilitate connecting the cell to a controller. Resistive or non-resistive wiring is printed onto or otherwise applied to the outer surface of the battery cell, to eliminate the need for separate jumper wires routed around or through the battery pack. A surface-applied wire is directly connected to each terminal of the battery cell, and each wire is routed on the outer surface of the cell to a location convenient for connecting a cell monitoring controller. The surface-applied wires can be made of a suitable resistive material, such that the resistance of each wire is known and the wires can be used for dissipating power during cell state of charge equalization. An insulating layer can be applied over the surface-applied wire to minimize the risk of short circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Manfred Herrmann, Hartmut Stengelin, Peter Andres
  • Patent number: 8431282
    Abstract: A fuel cell system that employs a closed coolant loop. The system includes an expansion device having a flexible membrane, where a cooling fluid side of the membrane is in fluid communication with the cooling fluid in the coolant loop and an air side of the membrane is in communication with an air pocket. The air side of the expansion device is in air communication with an air compressor so that the pressure of the cooling fluid within the coolant loop changes as the stack pressure changes. The fuel cell system also includes a coolant reservoir that is in fluid communication with the cooling fluid in the coolant loop. Air and hydrogen bubbles within the cooling fluid are vented to the coolant reservoir where they accumulate. The coolant reservoir includes a level sensor indicating the level of the cooling fluid therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Manfred Herrmann
  • Patent number: 8377581
    Abstract: A battery system is provided for a vehicle. The battery system includes, but is not limited to, comprising: a heat transfer loop, a battery cell, a thermoelectric semiconductor device coupled to the battery cell and the heat transfer loop, a variable voltage source coupled to the thermoelectric semiconductor device, and a temperature sensor coupled to the battery cell. A controller is coupled to the variable voltage source and the temperature sensor and also configured to receive a signal indicative of a temperature of the battery cell from the temperature sensor and adjust a voltage of the variable voltage source applied to the thermoelectric semiconductor device based at least in part on an evaluation of the temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alastair Gordon Anderson, Marc Reischmann, Manfred Herrmann, Erik Heil, Michael Kueffe
  • Publication number: 20120291641
    Abstract: A cylinder of a printing press is supported by bearings in side frames of the printing press. An inner ring of a radial bearing serves a journal of the cylinder which is arranged directly over a bearing agent in an outer ring thus enabling a radial movement of the journal. The outer ring is mounted, either directly or indirectly in an opening of the side frame. The radial bearing is arranged in a region of the outer ring, as viewed in an axial direction of the cylinder, which protrudes out of a frame alignment of the side frame toward the side of the cylinder. The bearing agent which enables radial movement of the cylinder is also arranged in a region of the outer ring protruding out of the frame alignment of the side frame toward the side of the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: KOENIG & BAUER AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Manfred Herrmann Liebler
  • Publication number: 20110318632
    Abstract: A battery cell for an electric vehicle battery pack, including surface-applied wires to facilitate connecting the cell to a controller. Resistive or non-resistive wiring is printed onto or otherwise applied to the outer surface of the battery cell, to eliminate the need for separate jumper wires routed around or through the battery pack. A surface-applied wire is directly connected to each terminal of the battery cell, and each wire is routed on the outer surface of the cell to a location convenient for connecting a cell monitoring controller. The surface-applied wires can be made of a suitable resistive material, such that the resistance of each wire is known and the wires can be used for dissipating power during cell state of charge equalization. An insulating layer can be applied over the surface-applied wire to minimize the risk of short circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Manfred Herrmann, Hartmut Stengelin, Peter Andres
  • Publication number: 20110151300
    Abstract: A battery module includes first, second, and third stacked battery cells, the second battery cell being arranged between the first battery cell and the third battery cell. The battery module further includes a first heat transfer layer arranged between the first battery cell and the second battery cell and a second heat transfer layer arranged between the second battery cell and the third battery cell. The battery module may further include a fluid conduit coupled to the first heat transfer layer and the second heat transfer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: MANFRED HERRMANN
  • Patent number: 7908966
    Abstract: A cylinder, which is part of an inking system or of a dampening system, has a rotary individual drive which is embodied as a drive motor. A changeable drive is also provided. The rotary drive is driven by the drive motors by a bevel or angular gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jochen Sieber, Andreas Ewald Heinrich Bernard, Manfred Herrmann Liebler
  • Publication number: 20100243346
    Abstract: A battery system is provided for a vehicle. The battery system includes, but is not limited to, comprising: a heat transfer loop, a battery cell, a thermoelectric semiconductor device coupled to the battery cell and the heat transfer loop, a variable voltage source coupled to the thermoelectric semiconductor device, and a temperature sensor coupled to the battery cell. A controller is coupled to the variable voltage source and the temperature sensor and also configured to receive a signal indicative of a temperature of the battery cell from the temperature sensor and adjust a voltage of the variable voltage source applied to the thermoelectric semiconductor device based at least in part on an evaluation of the temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: ALASTAIR GORDON ANDERSON, MARC REISCHMANN, MANFRED HERRMANN, ERIK HEIL, MICHAEL KUEFFE
  • Patent number: 7767325
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the investigation of a fuel cell system comprising at least one fuel cell having an anode side to which a fuel is supplied in operation and a cathode side which is separated from the anode side by a membrane and to which an oxidizing agent is supplied in operation, in order to carry out at least one of the following tests: a) to test whether the fuel cell system is gas-tight at the anode side and/or at the cathode side, b) to test whether a leakage is present between the anode side and the cathode side of the fuel cell system, c) to test the starting behavior of the fuel cell system, d) to test the operation of the fuel cell system at low current yield. The respective test is carried out with a mixture of at least inert gas with at least one fuel permissible for the operation of the fuel cells, the mixture being supplied to the anode side of the fuel cell system. The mixture is so selected that the proportion of fuel lies below a value at which the mixture is flammable in air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Manfred Herrmann
  • Patent number: 7690302
    Abstract: A printing form is either raised or is lowered by the use of a pressure device which includes a roller. The roller is arranged on a cross-beam in such a way that the roller can selectively be placed on, or taken off the forme cylinder, or a forme that is supported on the forme cylinder, by a device. The pressure device, or the cross-beam which supports the roller can be displaced in a manner such that the distance of the roller from the cylinder can selectively be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellsschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Ewald Heinrich Bernard, Lars Keil, Manfred Herrmann Liebler
  • Patent number: 7549372
    Abstract: A printing machine is provided with a control panel for use in the printing machine's control. The control panel is located on one side of the printing machine which includes at least one printing unit which has at least one pair of cylinder. This at least one pair of cylinders are mechanically coupled to each other by a drive connection and are driven for rotation by a drive motor that is independent of other printing units. This drive motor and the drive connection are located on the control panel side of the printing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Ewald Heinrich Bernard, Manfred Herrmann Liebler
  • Publication number: 20090038494
    Abstract: A printing form is either raised or is lowered by the use of a pressure device which includes a roller. The roller is arranged on a cross-beam in such a way that the roller can selectively be placed on, or taken off the forme cylinder, or a forme that is supported on the forme cylinder, by a device. The pressure device, or the cross-beam which supports the roller can be displaced in a manner such that the distance of the roller from the cylinder can selectively be increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Andreas Ewald Heinrich Bernard, Lars Keil, Manfred Herrmann Liebler
  • Patent number: 7464644
    Abstract: A printing form is either raised or is lowered by the use of a pressure device which includes a roller. The roller is arranged on a cross-beam in such a way that the roller can selectively be placed on, or taken off the forme cylinder, or a forme that is supported on the forme cylinder, by a device. The pressure device, or the cross-beam which supports the roller can be displaced in a manner such that the distance of the roller from the cylinder can selectively be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Ewald Heinrich Bernard, Lars Keil, Manfred Herrmann Liebler
  • Publication number: 20080254328
    Abstract: A fuel cell system that employs a closed coolant loop. The system includes an expansion device having a flexible membrane, where a cooling fluid side of the membrane is in fluid communication with the cooling fluid in the coolant loop and an air side of the membrane is in communication with an air pocket. The air side of the expansion device is in air communication with an air compressor so that the pressure of the cooling fluid within the coolant loop changes as the stack pressure changes. The fuel cell system also includes a coolant reservoir that is in fluid communication with the cooling fluid in the coolant loop. Air and hydrogen bubbles within the cooling fluid are vented to the coolant reservoir where they accumulate. The coolant reservoir includes a level sensor indicating the level of the cooling fluid therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Manfred Herrmann
  • Patent number: 7412924
    Abstract: A printing blanket assembly for a blanket cylinder of a rotary printing press includes a dimensionally stable support plate, and a printing blanket fastened to the outside of the support plate. A leading end of the support plate and a trailing end of the support plate are fastened to the blanket cylinder by the provision of an angled or beveled, printing blanket free end. A filler is provided between the beveled end of the support plate and the inner edge of the leading and trailing ends of the printing blanket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Kümmet, Manfred Herrmann Liebler, Martin Heinz Schoeps
  • Patent number: 7344788
    Abstract: A mechanization of a fuel cell system and a method of operating the same is provided which simplifies the start-up of the fuel cell system. The fuel cell system can be started up without using any battery derived high voltage power to drive a high voltage compressor. The present invention provides for the use of a low voltage blower to provide oxygen to the cathode side of the fuel cell stack to enable start-up of the fuel cell stack without the initial use of a high voltage compressor. The low voltage blower can be powered by a low voltage power source and/or the voltage produced by the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce J Clingerman, Scott B Dewey, Rainer Pechtold, Roland Nolte, Hermann Victor, Bernhard Wnendt, Christian Kunstmann, Manfred Herrmann