Patents by Inventor Martin BREU

Martin BREU 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: 11794583
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a drive device for a motor vehicle, with a primary power network and a secondary power network, wherein a fuel-cell device is provided in the primary power network, and a battery is provided in the secondary power network, and a drive unit of the drive device is electrically connected to the secondary power network, and wherein the battery provides, within an operating voltage range delimited downwards by a minimum voltage and upwards by a maximum voltage, electric current for proper operation of at least one electrical consumer over an operating current range delimited downwards by a minimum amperage and delimited upwards by a maximum amperage. It is provided in this respect that an open-circuit voltage of the fuel-cell device correspond at most to the maximum voltage, and that the fuel-cell voltage provided by the fuel-cell device across the operating current range be higher than the minimum voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Martin Breu, Maximilian Schiedermeier
  • Publication number: 20230286370
    Abstract: Powertrain, comprising an inverter unit comprising an inverter configured for converting direct current to alternating current and an inverter housing defining an inverter housing interior volume accommodating the inverter, and an electric motor comprising a rotor and a stator, the rotor defining a motor axis and the electric motor being configured for providing torque, and an electric motor housing, and a reducing gear unit comprising a reducing gear and a reducing gear cover surrounding the reducing gear, the reducing gear defining an output reducing gear axis, wherein the output reducing gear axis is parallel to the motor axis, and in that the reducing gear cover and the inverter housing are arranged at opposite ends of the electric motor with respect to the motor axis, and in that the inverter housing comprises a cut-out, wherein the cut-out defines a cut-out region fully contained within the convex hull of the inverter housing, wherein the cut-out region is disjoint from the inverter housing interior vol
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: BRUSA Electronik AG
    Inventors: Axel KRAUSE, Pascal HALTNER, Simon ISLINGER, Nicola IVANCIC, Andreas MÜLLER, Martin BREU, Lukas BÖHLER, Konrad ZEGULA
  • Patent number: 11671016
    Abstract: A multi-phase converter for an energy system, as is used in fuel cell vehicles, and methods for operating the multi-phase converter, are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Martin Breu, Maximilian Schiedermeier
  • Patent number: 11597267
    Abstract: Powertrain, comprising an inverter unit comprising an inverter configured for converting direct current to alternating current and an inverter housing defining an inverter housing interior volume accommodating the inverter, and an electric motor comprising a rotor and a stator, the rotor defining a motor axis and the electric motor being configured for providing torque, and an electric motor housing, and a reducing gear unit comprising a reducing gear and a reducing gear cover surrounding the reducing gear, the reducing gear defining an output reducing gear axis, wherein the output reducing gear axis is parallel to the motor axis, and in that the reducing gear cover and the inverter housing are arranged at opposite ends of the electric motor with respect to the motor axis, and in that the inverter housing comprises a cut-out, wherein the cut-out defines a cut-out region fully contained within the convex hull of the inverter housing, wherein the cut-out region is disjoint from the inverter housing interior vol
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: BRUSA ELECTRONIK AG
    Inventors: Axel Krause, Pascal Haltner, Simon Islinger, Nikola Ivancic, Andreas Müller, Martin Breu, Lukas Böhler, Konrad Zegula
  • Patent number: 11508977
    Abstract: A supply device for the electrical supply of at least one consumer has a primary current system in which there is a fuel cell device, a secondary current system in which there is a battery which has an operating voltage range limited at the top by a maximum voltage and at the bottom by a minimum voltage and which has an operating current strength range for supplying current to the at least one consumer, and a frost-starting element, which is provided in the primary current system and is designed to bring about heating of the fuel cell device. An open-circuit voltage of the fuel cell device corresponds at most to the maximum voltage of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Martin Breu, Maximilian Schiedermeier
  • Patent number: 11413973
    Abstract: An electrical energy system includes fuel cells and a battery, as well as a DC converter arranged between the fuel cell and the high-voltage battery, wherein the DC converter is a buck-boost converter, having two series-connected semiconductor switches in one of its two current pathways, between which an inductance is connected, which joins the two current pathways of the DC converter. A related method for operating an electrical energy system for a motor vehicle is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Martin Breu, Maximilian Schiedermeier
  • Patent number: 11390170
    Abstract: A power supply device for the electric power supply of at least one consumer is provided having a primary power grid in which there is present a fuel cell arrangement comprising electric contacts which includes a discharge circuit switched in parallel and connected to the electric contacts comprising a switch element activatable by means of a controller across a switch line as well as a resistance element and having a DC-DC converter which is present in the primary power grid by which the primary power grid is connected to a secondary power grid characterized in that the discharge circuit comprises a safety device or a safety function, which holds the switch element in an opened state and thereby makes the discharge circuit inactive for as long as an actuating possibility exists via the switch line, and which places the switch element in a closed state and thereby makes the discharge circuit active for lowering the voltage of the fuel cell arrangement once the actuating possibility via the switch line is deni
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Martin Breu, Maximilian Schiedermeier
  • Patent number: 11370311
    Abstract: An electrical energy system containing fuel-cells and a method for operating an electrical energy system for a motor vehicle are disclosed. The electrical energy system includes, for example: at least one fuel-cell; at least one HV battery; a diode arranged between the at least one fuel-cell and the at least one HV battery, which diode allows current flow only in a direction from the at least one fuel-cell to the at least one HV battery; a switching element configured to reversibly disconnect or close a circuit between the at least one fuel-cell and the at least one HV battery; a control unit configured to control the switching element; and an inductor arranged between the at least one fuel-cell and the at least one HV battery and connected in series with the switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Martin Breu, Maximilian Schiedermeier
  • Patent number: 11349402
    Abstract: A DC voltage converter arrangement includes a plurality of full switch bridges and transformers and is for a galvanically separate, at least indirect electrical coupling of a fuel cell unit to a traction network including a high-voltage battery. The plurality of full switch bridges and transformers transform a DC input voltage to an alternating voltage, transform the alternating voltage to a transformed alternating voltage, and transform the transformed alternating voltage to a DC output voltage. At least one of the full switch bridges is included in a resonance circuit including an inductance and a capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Martin Breu, Maximilian Schiedermeier, Fabian Schulte
  • Patent number: 11342570
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a fuel cell arrangement which has a fuel cell for providing electrical energy in an electric circuit that has a circuit which is electrically connected to the fuel cell via a DC-DC converter, and a battery. It is provided that in at least one mode of operation of the fuel cell arrangement, following a start-up of the fuel cell, the battery is electrically disconnected from the circuit, and the DC-DC converter is operated in non-switched mode in order to supply at least one electrical consumer in the circuit with electric current provided by the fuel cell. The invention further relates to a fuel cell arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Maximilian Schiedermeier, Martin Breu
  • Patent number: 11271227
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a fuel cell arrangement which has a fuel cell for providing electrical energy in a circuit, at least one fuel cell auxiliary unit, the circuit electrically connected to the fuel cell via a DC-DC converter, and a battery. In this case, it is provided that, in order to place the fuel cell into operation, the battery be electrically connected to the circuit and the fuel cell auxiliary unit be operated with electrical energy drawn from the battery, wherein the battery is electrically disconnected from the circuit, and the DC-DC converter is operated in non-clocked mode in at least one operating mode of the fuel cell arrangement after placement into operation. The invention further relates to a fuel cell arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Maximilian Schiedermeier, Martin Breu
  • Publication number: 20210376743
    Abstract: A DC voltage converter arrangement includes a plurality of full switch bridges and transformers and is for a galvanically separate, at least indirect electrical coupling of a fuel cell unit to a traction network including a high-voltage battery. The plurality of full switch bridges and transformers transform a DC input voltage to an alternating voltage, transform the alternating voltage to a transformed alternating voltage, and transform the transformed alternating voltage to a DC output voltage. At least one of the full switch bridges is included in a resonance circuit including an inductance and a capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventors: Martin BREU, Maximilian SCHIEDERMEIER, Fabian SCHULTE
  • Publication number: 20210362624
    Abstract: A high-voltage system of a fuel cell vehicle and a method for operating said system are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Martin BREU, Maximilian SCHIEDERMEIER, Jessica Denisse RAMIREZ ROCHA
  • Publication number: 20210328312
    Abstract: An electrical energy system containing fuel cells and a method for operating an electrical energy system for a motor vehicle are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Martin BREU, Maximilian SCHIEDERMEIER
  • Publication number: 20210316620
    Abstract: An electrical energy system includes a fuel cell, a high-voltage battery, a direct-current converter with electrical isolation arranged between the fuel cell and the high-voltage battery, and a mains charging device connected between the fuel cell and the direct-current converter, wherein the mains charging device contains a rectifier but no DC-to-DC converter with electrical isolation. A method for operating such an electrical energy system for a motor vehicle includes charging the high-voltage battery by using the rectifier to rectify a mains voltage and passing the rectified mains voltage on to the high-voltage battery via the direct-current converter arranged between the fuel cell and the high-voltage battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Martin BREU, Maximilian SCHIEDERMEIER
  • Publication number: 20210309116
    Abstract: An electrical energy system includes fuel cells and a battery, as well as a DC converter arranged between the fuel cell and the high-voltage battery, wherein the DC converter is a buck-boost converter, having two series-connected semiconductor switches in one of its two current pathways, between which an inductance is connected, which joins the two current pathways of the DC converter. A related method for operating an electrical energy system for a motor vehicle is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Martin BREU, Maximilian SCHIEDERMEIER
  • Publication number: 20210257633
    Abstract: A power supply device for the electrical power supply of at least one consumer has a primary power grid, in which a fuel cell device is present, having a secondary power grid, in which a battery is present, having an operating voltage range bounded at the top by a maximum voltage and at the bottom by a minimum voltage, and having an operating current strength range for powering the at least one consumer. An open circuit voltage of the fuel cell device corresponds at most to the maximum voltage of the battery, while there is present in the primary power grid an impedance spectroscopy device, which is designed to perform an impedance spectroscopy measurement on the fuel cell device or on individual fuel cells of the fuel cell device. A fuel cell vehicle has such a power supply device and a method for starting a power supply device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Martin BREU, Maximilian SCHIEDERMEIER, Fabian SCHULTE
  • Publication number: 20210229557
    Abstract: A power supply device for the electric power supply of at least one consumer is provided having a primary power grid, in which there is present a fuel cell arrangement comprising electric contacts, which includes a discharge circuit switched in parallel and connected to the electric contacts, comprising a switch element activatable by means of a controller across a switch line as well as a resistance element, and having a DC-DC converter which is present in the primary power grid, by which the primary power grid is connected to a secondary power grid, characterized in that the discharge circuit comprises a safety device or a safety function, which holds the switch element in an opened state and thereby makes the discharge circuit inactive for as long as an actuating possibility exists via the switch line, and which places the switch element in a closed state and thereby makes the discharge circuit active for lowering the voltage of the fuel cell arrangement once the actuating possibility via the switch line i
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Martin BREU, Maximilian SCHIEDERMEIER
  • Publication number: 20210129654
    Abstract: Powertrain, comprising an inverter unit comprising an inverter configured for converting direct current to alternating current and an inverter housing defining an inverter housing interior volume accommodating the inverter, and an electric motor comprising a rotor and a stator, the rotor defining a motor axis and the electric motor being configured for providing torque, and an electric motor housing, and a reducing gear unit comprising a reducing gear and a reducing gear cover surrounding the reducing gear, the reducing gear defining an output reducing gear axis, wherein the output reducing gear axis is parallel to the motor axis, and in that the reducing gear cover and the inverter housing are arranged at opposite ends of the electric motor with respect to the motor axis, and in that the inverter housing comprises a cut-out, wherein the cut-out defines a cut-out region fully contained within the convex hull of the inverter housing, wherein the cut-out region is disjoint from the inverter housing interior vol
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Axel KRAUSE, Pascal HALTNER, Simon ISLINGER, Nicola IVAN?I?, Andreas MÜLLER, Martin BREU, Lukas BÖHLER, Konrad ZEGULA
  • Patent number: 10994679
    Abstract: An onboard electrical system for a motor vehicle is provided having a primary power supply network and a secondary power supply network electrically connected to the primary power supply network via a DC-DC converter, wherein the primary power supply network and the secondary power supply network are connected to one another via a blocking diode of the DC-DC converter and the blocking diode has a forward direction thereof oriented from the primary power supply network toward the secondary power supply network, and wherein an insulation monitoring device having a measuring resistor is associated with the secondary power supply network for determining an insulation fault. It is provided that an additional resistor is connected in parallel with the blocking diode for bridging thereof, such that an insulation fault common to the primary power supply network and the secondary power supply network can be determined by the insulation monitoring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Kai Müller, Maximilian Schiedermeier, Martin Breu