Patents by Inventor Michael Bothe

Michael Bothe 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: 8379411
    Abstract: The present invention relates to voltage transformers, comprising multi-layer structures of piezoelectric ceramics, so-called piezoelectric transformers. The present invention further relates to switched mode power supplies, comprising such a piezoelectric transformer as part of a piezoelectric converter. The piezoelectric transformer according to the invention comprises a primary-side electrode arrangement (102) that can be connected to the primary-side voltage, a secondary-side electrode arrangement (104) on which the secondary-side voltage can be tapped, and an auxiliary electrode arrangement (106) for creating an auxiliary electrode voltage proportional to the secondary-side voltage, wherein the auxiliary electrode arrangement (106) is formed by at least two plane electrodes located opposite one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Flextronics AP, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Bothe, Stefan Mörbe
  • Patent number: 8072783
    Abstract: The invention relates to an input circuit for a logic circuit part, comprising a voltage converter component for conversion of a mains voltage to the required low voltage in order to supply a user with a low voltage. The supply to the input circuit may hence be connected to a mains supply to rectify the mains voltage and an output from the input circuit may be connected to the voltage converter component to provide a rectified input voltage for the voltage converter component. According to the invention, an improved input circuit for a logic circuit part with improved functionality and operating security also permitting an extensive miniaturization and simplified production may be achieved by replacement of at least two of the remaining four diodes in the rectifier part of an input circuit for a logic circuit part by two controllable switches which work as a synchronous rectifier and are connected such as to be switched on and off by alternate forced control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Power Systems Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Mörbe, Michael Bothe
  • Publication number: 20100296316
    Abstract: The present invention relates to voltage transformers, comprising multi-layer structures of piezoelectric ceramics, so-called piezoelectric transformers. The present invention further relates to switched mode power supplies, comprising such a piezoelectric transformer as part of a piezoelectric converter. The piezoelectric transformer according to the invention comprises a primary-side electrode arrangement (102) that can be connected to the primary-side voltage, a secondary-side electrode arrangement (104) on which the secondary-side voltage can be tapped, and an auxiliary electrode arrangement (106) for creating an auxiliary electrode voltage proportional to the secondary-side voltage, wherein the auxiliary electrode arrangement (106) is formed by at least two plane electrodes located opposite one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: POWER SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Bothe, Stefan Mörbe
  • Patent number: 7688597
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power supply circuit comprising at least one transformer which is connected to a primary side circuit and to a secondary side circuit. The present invention further relates to a method for producing such a power supply circuit. To provide an improved power supply circuit which has a reduced size and increased power density and offers more flexibility in the formation of the safety distances between primary side and secondary side, the primary side circuit and the secondary side circuit are each mounted on at least one separate circuit carrier, said circuit carriers being mechanically and electrically coupled to one another and arranged in at least two different planes. According to advantageous embodiments, said circuit carriers may be arranged in planes that are either parallel with or transverse to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Power Systems Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Bothe, Stefan Morbe, Michael Becks, Peter Grad
  • Patent number: 7563115
    Abstract: A plug-in power supply wherein the mains plug unit is exchangeable in the form of a conversion plug system. The plug-in power supply includes a housing having a voltage transformer module for converting a mains voltage into the required low voltage, and an exchangeable mains plug unit with at least two mains plug pins. The plug-in power supply includes an exchangeable mains plug unit, and the housing includes at least two spring contacts which are electrically connected to the voltage transformer module. The mains plug unit includes at least two contact pins which cooperate with the spring contacts so as to establish an electric contact with the mains plug pins, and each contact pin is arranged in a separate recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Friwo Geraetebau GmbH
    Inventors: Kay van gen Hassend, Ulrich Bernsmann, Manfred Wegmann, Michael Bothe, Yonggui Wu
  • Publication number: 20080192516
    Abstract: The invention relates to an input circuit for a logic circuit part, comprising a voltage converter component for conversion of a mains voltage to the required low voltage in order to supply a user with a low voltage. The supply to the input circuit may hence be connected to a mains supply to rectify the mains voltage and an output from the input circuit may be connected to the voltage converter component to provide a rectified input voltage for the voltage converter component. According to the invention, an improved input circuit for a logic circuit part with improved functionality and operating security also permitting an extensive miniaturization and simplified production may be achieved by replacement of at least two of the remaining four diodes in the rectifier part of an input circuit for a logic circuit part by two controllable switches which work as a synchronous rectifier and are connected such as to be switched on and off by alternate forced control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Stefan Morbe, Michael Bothe
  • Patent number: 7403399
    Abstract: The invention under consideration refers to a circuit arrangement for a switch-mode power supply, wherein the switch-mode power supply has a primary side, which can be connected to a supply voltage, and a secondary side, which can be connected to a consumer, and wherein the circuit arrangement comprises a primary-sided switch, a control circuit for controlling the primary-sided switch and additional active primary-sided components. Furthermore, the invention under consideration also refers to a switch-mode power supply with an active primary-sided circuit arrangement of that type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: FRIWO Mobile Power GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Morbe, Michael Bothe
  • Patent number: 7362075
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a battery charger for charging a battery. The present invention especially relates to a battery charger comprising a switching power supply controlled on the primary side and a charge monitoring circuit for monitoring the charge state of the battery. For providing an improved battery charger which allows a secure and reliable charging of batteries with a reduction of the circuit complexity, the costs for appliances and the construction size, the charge monitoring circuit is—according to the invention—disposed in the switching circuit on the primary side of the battery charger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Friwo Geraetebau GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Bothe, Ralf Schroder gen. Berghegger, Georg Breuch
  • Publication number: 20070077687
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing an electrical subassembly comprising a circuit carrier and at least one passive component which is integrated into the circuit carrier and comprises an electrically functional material. For providing an improved method for manufacturing an electrical subassembly comprising a circuit carrier and at least one passive component integrated into the circuit carrier, the method ensuring a rapid and inexpensive manufacture on the one hand and permitting a high flexibility on the other hand in the selection of the electrically functional materials involved, the method comprising structuring the circuit carrier, at least one recess being created for the passive element; introducing the electrically functional material in a raw state into the recess of the circuit carrier; converting the electrically functional material from the raw state into a final state by supplying energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Applicant: FRIWO GERATEBAU GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Bothe, Stefan Morbe
  • Publication number: 20070047182
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a plug-in power supply for supplying a consumer with a low voltage, and in particular to a plug-in power supply wherein the mains plug unit is exchangeable in the form of a conversion plug system. The plug-in power supply comprises a housing having arranged therein a voltage transformer module for converting a mains voltage into the required low voltage, and an exchangeable mains plug unit with at least two mains plug pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: FRIWO GERAETEBAU GMBH
    Inventors: Kay Hassend, Ulrich Bernsmann, Manfred Wegmann, Michael Bothe, Yonggui Wu
  • Patent number: 7173190
    Abstract: A flexible flat conductor and a power supply unit including the flexible flat conductor. The flexible flat conductor includes at least two electrically conductive layers which are at least partially surrounded by an electrically insulating cover. The electrically conductive layers are insulated from one another by at least one dielectric layer arranged therebetween. At least a first one of the electrically conductive layers is patterned in at least one subarea thereof by openings in such a way that a plurality of meandrous elements is formed. The meandrous elements are serially juxtaposed in a plane defined by the fiat conductor, so as to form a filter structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: FRIWO Mobile Power GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Bothe, Stefan Mörbe
  • Publication number: 20070001648
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a battery charger for charging a battery. The present invention especially relates to a battery charger comprising a switching power supply controlled on the primary side and a charge monitoring circuit for monitoring the charge state of the battery. For providing an improved battery charger which allows a secure and reliable charging of batteries with a reduction of the circuit complexity, the costs for appliances and the construction size, the charge monitoring circuit is—according to the invention—disposed in the switching circuit on the primary side of the battery charger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: Friwo Geraetebau GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Bothe, Ralf Berghegger, Georg Breuch
  • Publication number: 20060238927
    Abstract: The invention under consideration refers to a circuit arrangement for a switch-mode power supply, wherein the switch-mode power supply has a primary side, which can be connected to a supply voltage, and a secondary side, which can be connected to a consumer, and wherein the circuit arrangement comprises a primary-sided switch, a control circuit for controlling the primary-sided switch and additional active primary-sided components. Furthermore, the invention under consideration also refers to a switch-mode power supply with an active primary-sided circuit arrangement of that type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Applicant: FRIWO MOBILE POWER GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Morbe, Michael Bothe
  • Patent number: 7121899
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a plug connection for a mobile terminal. In order to provide an improved plug system which overcomes the problems of known solutions, according to the present invention, a plug connection is provided for electrically connecting a power supply unit which is to be supplied with mains voltage and is arranged within a mobile terminal via a power line carrying mains voltage or via a coupling piece, which can be coupled to a conventional power line to the mains voltage. The preferably flexible power line can be coupled to the power supply unit via a plug system comprising a plug connector and a receptacle, said plug system being dimensioned in a way, that it is smaller than plug systems according to IEC 320, and that it is complying with the valid standards in respect to the contact and handling safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: FRIWO Geratebau GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Homann, Michael Bothe
  • Patent number: 7075779
    Abstract: The invention relates to a voltage transformer (1) including a housing (12) which encloses, at least partially, a mains plug (3, 4) connectable to a mains voltage source, a terminal plug (8) connectable to a terminal, and a voltage-transforming circuit, said housing (12) comprising a first housing component (2) and a second housing component (6) movably connected to said first housing component (2) by a guide means and implemented as a reception means (9) for receiving therein the terminal, and said voltage transformer (1) being adapted to be moved from a transport position to a charging position. In order to improve the handiness of the voltage transformer (1) during charging and, in particular, during transport, the present invention is so conceived that, at the transport position, the housing components (2, 6) have been moved relative to one another such that the space occupied at the transport position is smaller than that occupied at the charging position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: FRIWO Mobile Power GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Bothe, Kay Van Gen Hassend, Michael Becks
  • Patent number: 7002785
    Abstract: A device for protecting the electronic circuitry of electrical appliances against damage from unacceptably high voltages. An element is interposed in the power supply paths which limits the application of an externally supplied excessive voltage to a predetermined time interval and which completely interrupts the current flow when the excessive voltage and current causes a heat build-up. This is accomplished by interposing pairs of spaced-apart solder surfaces at at least one point along the current paths to the electronic circuitry. One solder surface of each pair is connected to the power supply and the other to the power consumer. An element is soldered to the respective solder surfaces of the pairs and electrically closes the current path. A mechanically prestressed spring engages the element and reliably separates it from the solder surfaces when the solder melts due to excessive heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignees: FRIWO Geraetebau GmbH, VARTA AG, Siemens AG
    Inventors: Michael Bothe, Armin Wegener, Juergen Heydecke, Ingmar Knop, Klaus Goebel, Klaus-Dieter Skwirblies, Rainer Peters
  • Publication number: 20050139379
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible flat conductor including at least two electrically conductive layers which are at least partially surrounded by an electrically insulating cover, said electrically conductive layers being insulated from one another by at least one dielectric layer arranged therebetween. Furthermore, the invention relates to a power supply unit provided with such a flexible flat conductor. In order to provide an improved flexible flat conductor as well as a power supply unit with such a flexible flat conductor, wherein the filtering can be improved, the amount of space required can be reduced and, at the same time, the cost of manufacture can be lowered, at least a first one of said electrically conductive layers is patterned in at least one subarea thereof by openings in such a way that a plurality of meandrous elements is formed, said meandrous elements being serially juxtaposed in a plane defined by the flat conductor, so as to form a filter structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Applicant: FRIWO Mobile Power GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Bothe, Stefan Morbe
  • Publication number: 20050047103
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power supply circuit comprising at least one transformer which is connected to a primary side circuit and to a secondary side circuit. The present invention further relates to a method for producing such a power supply circuit. To provide an improved power supply circuit which has a reduced size and increased power density and offers more flexibility in the formation of the safety distances between primary side and secondary side, the primary side circuit and the secondary side circuit are each mounted on at least one separate circuit carrier, said circuit carriers being mechanically and electrically coupled to one another and arranged in at least two different planes. According to advantageous embodiments, said circuit carriers may be arranged in planes that are either parallel with or transverse to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Applicant: FRIWO Mobile Power GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Bothe, Stefan Morbe, Michael Becks, Peter Grad
  • Publication number: 20050020133
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a plug connection for a mobile terminal. In order to provide an improved plug system which overcomes the problems of known solutions, according to the present invention, a plug connection is provided for electrically connecting a power supply unit which is to be supplied with mains voltage and is arranged within a mobile terminal via a power line carrying mains voltage or via a coupling piece, which can be coupled to a conventional power line to the mains voltage. The preferably flexible power line can be coupled to the power supply unit via a plug system comprising a plug connector and a receptacle, said plug system being dimensioned in a way, that it is smaller than plug systems according to IEC 320, and that it is complying with the valid standards in respect to the contact and handling safety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Frank Homann, Michael Bothe
  • Publication number: 20040201950
    Abstract: The invention relates to a voltage transformer (1) including a housing (12) which encloses, at least partially, a mains plug (3, 4) connectable to a mains voltage source, a terminal plug (8) connectable to a terminal, and a voltage-transforming circuit, said housing (12) comprising a first housing component (2) and a second housing component (6) movably connected to said first housing component (2) by a guide means and implemented as a reception means (9) for receiving therein the terminal, and said voltage transformer (1) being adapted to be moved from a transport position to a charging position. In order to improve the handiness of the voltage transformer (1) during charging and, in particular, during transport, the present invention is so conceived that, at the transport position, the housing components (2, 6) have been moved relative to one another such that the space occupied at the transport position is smaller than that occupied at the charging position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: FRIWO Mobile Power GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Bothe, Kay Van Gen Hassend, Michael Becks