Patents by Inventor Michael Burkhart

Michael Burkhart 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: 20240109248
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (01) for additively manufacturing an, in particular rotationally symmetric, component (02), said device (01) having a material application unit (03) which is movable along at least two axes and which has an extruder (04) and a nozzle (05) for applying a material strand (06), a rotary head (07) having a compressor (08) for compressing a material strand (06) and having a heating device (09) for heating at least one material application area (10) being disposed on the material application unit (03), the rotary head (07) being rotatable around the nozzle (05), and a control device (11) being comprised which is configured to control at least the rotary head (07) and the compressor (08) and the heating device (09).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Edwin Baumann, Matthias Behr, Michael Gross, Anne Burkhart
  • Publication number: 20240055989
    Abstract: A voltage converter includes: first and second switches having a first voltage rating, the first switch connected between an input voltage and a first node, and the second switch connected between the first node and a potential; a bypass switch connected between the input voltage and a second node; a first inductor connected between the first node and the second node; a first capacitor connected between the second node and the potential; third and fourth switches having a second voltage rating that is less than the first voltage rating, the third switch connected between the second node and a third node, and the fourth switch connected between the third node and the potential; and a switch control module configured to, in response to the input voltage becoming greater than a predetermined voltage: switch the first and second switches and adjust the voltage at the second node toward a target voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Cory Brent ARNOLD, Justin Michael BURKHART
  • Patent number: 11575320
    Abstract: A controller for a SIMO DC-DC converter operable in CCM and DCM receives a signal representative of an inductor current, and signals representative of a first and a second DC-DC converter output. The controller has a first and second output adapted to control electronic switches coupled to a first and second output filter, and a third and fourth output adapted to control current in an inductor. The controller controls the outputs based upon the inputs by determining a desired PWL inductor current and current waveform, and determines pulsewidths of the outputs, to match the inductor current to the desired PWL. A timer controls pulsewidths of the outputs and the controller dynamically selects DCM or CCM to maintain the first and second DC-DC converter outputs at predetermined levels. In embodiments, the desired PWL inductor current is one or both of a desired valley current and a desired peak current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: MAXIM INTEGRATED PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Justin Michael Burkhart, Matthew Straayer
  • Patent number: 11455518
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for user classification with semi-supervised machine learning. The systems and methods may include receiving user information for a first set of users, receiving survey data for a second set of users wherein the second set of users is a proper subset of the first set of users, training a first neural network and a second neural network based on the second set of users, mapping the user information for the first set of users to the embedding space using the first neural network, predicting category membership propensities for the first set of users using a low-density separation algorithm on the user information for the first set of users mapped to the embedding space, updating the first neural network and the second neural network based on the prediction, and reclassifying the first set of users based on the updated first neural network and the updated second neural network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: ADOBE INC.
    Inventors: Michael Burkhart, Kyle Shan
  • Publication number: 20210391792
    Abstract: A controller for a SIMO DC-DC converter operable in CCM and DCM receives a signal representative of an inductor current, and signals representative of a first and a second DC-DC converter output. The controller has a first and second output adapted to control electronic switches coupled to a first and second output filter, and a third and fourth output adapted to control current in an inductor. The controller controls the outputs based upon the inputs by determining a desired PWL inductor current and current waveform, and determines pulsewidths of the outputs, to match the inductor current to the desired PWL. A timer controls pulsewidths of the outputs and the controller dynamically selects DCM or CCM to maintain the first and second DC-DC converter outputs at predetermined levels. In embodiments, the desired PWL inductor current is one or both of a desired valley current and a desired peak current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Justin Michael Burkhart, Matthew Straayer
  • Patent number: 11112788
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in one aspect, provides a method for monitoring a vehicle environment. The method may include determining environmental data of a vehicle with an environmental sensor system, transmitting the environmental data to a mobile unit, determining a local position of the mobile unit with respect to the vehicle, and selecting a subset of the environmental data based on the local position of the mobile unit and depicting the subset of the environmental data on the mobile unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Burkhart, Thomas Rösch
  • Publication number: 20210142152
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for user classification with semi-supervised machine learning. The systems and methods may include receiving user information for a first set of users, receiving survey data for a second set of users wherein the second set of users is a proper subset of the first set of users, training a first neural network and a second neural network based on the second set of users, mapping the user information for the first set of users to the embedding space using the first neural network, predicting category membership propensities for the first set of users using a low-density separation algorithm on the user information for the first set of users mapped to the embedding space, updating the first neural network and the second neural network based on the prediction, and reclassifying the first set of users based on the updated first neural network and the updated second neural network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: MICHAEL BURKHART, Kyle Shan
  • Patent number: 10734904
    Abstract: A multiphase DC-DC converter includes a coupled inductor, N phases of the multiphase DC-DC converter, and a controller, where N is an integer greater than 2. The coupled inductor includes a plurality of inductors. Each inductor is coupled to two neighboring inductors or to rest of the inductors. The N phases of the multiphase DC-DC converter are respectively connected to the plurality of inductors. The controller operates the multiphase DC-DC converter in continuous conduction mode and in discontinuous conduction mode. Body diodes of switches in the N phases do not conduct when the multiphase DC-DC converter operates in discontinuous conduction mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Xin Zhou, Justin Michael Burkhart, Brett A. Miwa
  • Patent number: 10536079
    Abstract: A method for discontinuous conduction mode operation of a multi-phase DC-to-DC converter includes (a) forward biasing a first inductor being magnetically coupled to a second inductor, (b) reverse biasing the first inductor after forward biasing the first inductor, (c) while reverse biasing the first inductor and before magnitude of current through the first inductor falls to zero, forward biasing the second inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: MAXIM INTEGRATED PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Xin Zhou, Justin Michael Burkhart, Michael Warren Baker, Brett A. Miwa
  • Patent number: 10414221
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a pivot angle detection device and a method for detecting a pivot angle between a vehicle and a trailer coupling device that is coupled to the vehicle. A transmitter is hereby provided, which is designed for producing an electromagnetic field, as well as a receiver which is designed to detect a field strength of the electromagnetic field, whereby the transmitter and receiver are arranged towards each other on the vehicle and trailer coupling device in such a way that a change of the pivot angle produces a dependent change in the field strength that is detected by the receiver. Additionally, an evaluation device for determining the pivot angle based on the detected field strength is also provided. The disclosure also relates to a transmitter, a receiver and an evaluation device, that are designed for this purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Burkhart, Thomas Rösch, Georges Halsdorf
  • Publication number: 20190252980
    Abstract: A multiphase DC-DC converter includes a coupled inductor, N phases of the multiphase DC-DC converter, and a controller, where N is an integer greater than 2. The coupled inductor includes a plurality of inductors. Each inductor is coupled to two neighboring inductors or to rest of the inductors. The N phases of the multiphase DC-DC converter are respectively connected to the plurality of inductors. The controller operates the multiphase DC-DC converter in continuous conduction mode and in discontinuous conduction mode. Body diodes of switches in the N phases do not conduct when the multiphase DC-DC converter operates in discontinuous conduction mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Xin ZHOU, Justin Michael BURKHART, Brett A. MIWA
  • Patent number: 10326369
    Abstract: A converter includes first and second coupled inductors. A first phase includes first high side and low side switches connected to the first inductor. A second phase includes second high side and low side switches connected to the second inductor. In discontinuous conduction mode, the controller determines, in response to the first high side switch being turned on and the second low side switch being turned off, that coupling between the first and second inductors is strong or weak based on whether body diode of the second low side switch will conduct if not prevented from conducting. The controller prevents second low side switch body diode conduction in response to the first high side switch being turned on when the coupling is strong, and does not prevent second low side switch body diode conduction in response to the first high side switch being turned on when the coupling is weak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: MAXIM INTEGRATED PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Xin Zhou, Justin Michael Burkhart, Brett A. Miwa
  • Publication number: 20180337602
    Abstract: A method for discontinuous conduction mode operation of a multi-phase DC-to-DC converter includes (a) forward biasing a first inductor being magnetically coupled to a second inductor, (b) reverse biasing the first inductor after forward biasing the first inductor, (c) while reverse biasing the first inductor and before magnitude of current through the first inductor falls to zero, forward biasing the second inductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Xin Zhou, Justin Michael Burkhart, Michael Warren Baker, Brett A. Miwa
  • Publication number: 20180254708
    Abstract: A converter includes first and second coupled inductors. A first phase includes first high side and low side switches connected to the first inductor. A second phase includes second high side and low side switches connected to the second inductor. In discontinuous conduction mode, the controller determines, in response to the first high side switch being turned on and the second low side switch being turned off, that coupling between the first and second inductors is strong or weak based on whether body diode of the second low side switch will conduct if not prevented from conducting. The controller prevents second low side switch body diode conduction in response to the first high side switch being turned on when the coupling is strong, and does not prevent second low side switch body diode conduction in response to the first high side switch being turned on when the coupling is weak.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Applicant: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Xin ZHOU, Justin Michael Burkhart, Brett A. Miwa
  • Patent number: 9966853
    Abstract: The present disclosure eliminates the unwanted conduction of the body diode of the low side switch or the unwanted conduction of the low side switch in coupled phases of DC-DC converters operating in DCM to increase efficiency. Specifically, in one implementation, by detecting strong or weak coupling, the present disclosure eliminates body diode conduction in strong coupling by turning on the low side switch and eliminates negative body diode current in weak coupling by turning off the low side switch. Further, for multiphase switching DC-DC converters with coupled inductors operating at light load (i.e., in DCM), when a high side switch of a first phase is turned on, the body diode of a low side switch of a second phase is adaptively bypassed if needed, blocked by specific design, or prevented from conducting by reducing forward voltage across the body diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Xin Zhou, Justin Michael Burkhart, Brett A. Miwa
  • Publication number: 20170136839
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a pivot angle detection device and a method for detecting a pivot angle between a vehicle and a trailer coupling device that is coupled to the vehicle. A transmitter is hereby provided, which is designed for producing an electromagnetic field, as well as a receiver which is designed to detect a field strength of the electromagnetic field, whereby the transmitter and receiver are arranged towards each other on the vehicle and trailer coupling device in such a way that a change of the pivot angle produces a dependent change in the field strength that is detected by the receiver. Additionally, an evaluation device for determining the pivot angle based on the detected field strength is also provided. The disclosure also relates to a transmitter, a receiver and an evaluation device, that are designed for this purpose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Burkhart, Thomas Rösch, Georges Halsdorf
  • Publication number: 20170131713
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in one aspect, provides a method for monitoring a vehicle environment. The method may include determining environmental data of a vehicle with an environmental sensor system, transmitting the environmental data to a mobile unit, determining a local position of the mobile unit with respect to the vehicle, and selecting a subset of the environmental data based on the local position of the mobile unit and depicting the subset of the environmental data on the mobile unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Burkhart, Thomas Rösch
  • Publication number: 20170098998
    Abstract: The present disclosure eliminates the unwanted conduction of the body diode of the low side switch or the unwanted conduction of the low side switch in coupled phases of DC-DC converters operating in DCM to increase efficiency. Specifically, in one implementation, by detecting strong or weak coupling, the present disclosure eliminates body diode conduction in strong coupling by turning on the low side switch and eliminates negative body diode current in weak coupling by turning off the low side switch. Further, for multiphase switching DC-DC converters with coupled inductors operating at light load (i.e., in DCM), when a high side switch of a first phase is turned on, the body diode of a low side switch of a second phase is adaptively bypassed if needed, blocked by specific design, or prevented from conducting by reducing forward voltage across the body diode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Xin ZHOU, Justin Michael BURKHART, Brett A. MIWA
  • Patent number: 9373438
    Abstract: A coupled inductor array has length, width, and height. The coupled inductor array includes a monolithic magnetic core formed of a magnetic material having a distributed gap, and a plurality of windings embedded in the monolithic magnetic core. Each winding forms a respective winding loop of one or more turns around a respective winding axis, and each winding axis extends in the height direction. Areas of the monolithic magnetic core enclosed by the winding loops are greater than areas of the monolithic magnetic core outside of the winding loops, as seen when the coupled inductor array is viewed cross-sectionally in the height direction. One possible application of the coupled inductor array is in a multi-phase switching power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Volterra Semiconductor LLC
    Inventors: Alexandr Ikriannikov, Ilija Jergovic, Andrew Burstein, Serhii Mikhailovich Zhak, Brett A. Miwa, Jizheng Qiu, Michael W. Baker, Justin Michael Burkhart, Xin Zhou
  • Patent number: 9318958
    Abstract: A method of on/off modulation of a very high frequency switching cell-based power converter includes receiving an input voltage signal to be applied to a plurality of series stacked very high frequency power converter cells for producing an output voltage and/or current, and controlling a portion of the plurality of series stacked high frequency power converter cells through on/off modulation of at least one of the plurality of series stacked high frequency power converter cells to control the output current and/or the output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: FINsix Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony D. Sagneri, Jae-Won George Hwang, Justin Michael Burkhart, Fred Chen