Patents by Inventor Michael Lüders

Michael Lüders 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: 10014777
    Abstract: Disclosed examples include inverting buck-boost DC-DC converter circuits with a switching circuit to alternate between first and second buck mode phases for buck operation in a first mode, including connecting an inductor and a capacitor in series between an input node and a reference node to charge the inductor and the capacitor in the first buck mode phase, and connecting the inductor and the capacitor in parallel between an output node and the reference node to discharge the inductor and the capacitor to the output node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ivan Shumkov, Erich Bayer, Joerg Kirchner, Ruediger Ganz, Michael Lueders, Martin Priess, Nicola Rasera
  • Publication number: 20180166990
    Abstract: A controller for a DC-DC converter includes a state machine and a plurality of drivers for controlling switches in the DC-DC converter, where each state in the state machine determines a state of the drivers, and a plurality of timers, where each state in the state machine, other than a passive state, has an associated timer for the state of the drivers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Neil Gibson, Antonio Priego, Erich Bayer, Joerg Kirchner, Michael Lueders, Stefan Herzer, Michael Couleur
  • Patent number: 9991794
    Abstract: An inverting buck voltage converter constructed of a switched-mode hybrid topology, with a capacitive input stage and an inductive output stage. The input stage operates as a charge pump to charge a flying capacitor connected in series with an inductor in the output stage. Clock circuitry generates first and second non-overlapping clock phases. In the second clock phase, the flying capacitor is charged to the input voltage, with a flying node between the flying capacitor and the output inductor connected at ground through a rectifier, while in the first clock phase, the flying capacitor supports the inductor current. The arrangement of the flying capacitor and inductor is such that the voltage appearing at the output terminal is inverted from the input voltage. Continuous output current is provided. Current limiting techniques protect the flying capacitor from overcurrent conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Michael Lueders, Erich Bayer, Thomas Schaeffner, Giacomo Calabrese
  • Publication number: 20170331376
    Abstract: Described examples include DC to DC converters and systems with switching circuitry formed by four series-connected switches, inductors connected between the ends of the switching circuitry and corresponding output nodes, and with a flying capacitor coupled across interior switches of the switching circuitry and a second capacitor coupled across the ends of the switching circuitry. A control circuit operates the switching circuit to control a voltage signal across the output nodes using a first clock signal and a phase shifted second clock signal to reduce output ripple current and enhance converter efficiency using valley current control. The output inductors are wound on a common core in certain examples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Maurizio Granato, Giovanni Frattini, Pietro Giannelli, Michael Lueders, Christian Rott
  • Publication number: 20170279354
    Abstract: An inverting buck voltage converter constructed of a switched-mode hybrid topology, with a capacitive input stage and an inductive output stage. The input stage operates as a charge pump to charge a flying capacitor connected in series with an inductor in the output stage. Clock circuitry generates first and second non-overlapping clock phases. In the second clock phase, the flying capacitor is charged to the input voltage, with a flying node between the flying capacitor and the output inductor connected at ground through a rectifier, while in the first clock phase, the flying capacitor supports the inductor current. The arrangement of the flying capacitor and inductor is such that the voltage appearing at the output terminal is inverted from the input voltage. Continuous output current is provided. Current limiting techniques protect the flying capacitor from overcurrent conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Lueders, Erich Bayer, Thomas Schaeffner, Giacomo Calabrese
  • Patent number: 9748841
    Abstract: Described examples include DC to DC converters and systems with switching circuitry formed by four series-connected switches, inductors connected between the ends of the switching circuitry and corresponding output nodes, and with a flying capacitor coupled across interior switches of the switching circuitry and a second capacitor coupled across the ends of the switching circuitry. A control circuit operates the switching circuit to control a voltage signal across the output nodes using a first clock signal and a phase shifted second clock signal to reduce output ripple current and enhance converter efficiency using valley current control. The output inductors are wound on a common core in certain examples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignees: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED, TEXAS INSTRUMENTS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Maurizio Granato, Giovanni Frattini, Pietro Giannelli, Michael Lueders, Christian Rott
  • Patent number: 9595871
    Abstract: Disclosed examples include high-efficiency integrated circuits and inductive capacitive DC-DC converters with a first converter stage including first and second switches and an inductor, and a second converter stage including third and fourth switches and a flying capacitor. A dual mode control circuit regulates output voltage signal in a first mode when the output voltage signal is below a threshold by pulse width modulating the switches of the first converter stage. When the output voltage exceeds the threshold, the control circuit operates in a second mode with a first state to close the first and third switches, and a second state to close the fourth switch to connect the inductor in series with the flying capacitor. Dual mode operation of the first and second stages facilitates buck-boost operation with reduced inductor losses and converter switching losses, and the integrated circuit can be used in boost, buck or other configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Erich Johann Bayer, Michael Lueders, Ruediger Rudolf Ganz
  • Publication number: 20160329809
    Abstract: Described examples include DC to DC converters and systems with switching circuitry formed by four series-connected switches, inductors connected between the ends of the switching circuitry and corresponding output nodes, and with a flying capacitor coupled across interior switches of the switching circuitry and a second capacitor coupled across the ends of the switching circuitry. A control circuit operates the switching circuit to control a voltage signal across the output nodes using a first clock signal and a phase shifted second clock signal to reduce output ripple current and enhance converter efficiency using valley current control. The output inductors are wound on a common core in certain examples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Maurizio Granato, Giovanni Frattini, Pietro Giannelli, Michael Lueders, Christian Rott
  • Patent number: 9401638
    Abstract: A DCDC converter includes a controller, an up/down counter, a first power stage and a second power stage. The controller generates an up/down control signal. The up/down counter generates a first power stage control signal and a second power stage control signal based on the up/down control signal. The first power stage generates a first output current at a first phase and at a first voltage based on the first power stage control signal. The second power stage generates a second output current at a second phase based on the second power stage control signal. The up/down counter modifies the first power stage control signal to control the first power stage such that the first output current attenuates from a first power stage output to a secondary first power stage output. The controller can further output a control signal to modify the first voltage of the first power stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Erich Bayer, Joerg Kirchner, Michael Lueders
  • Publication number: 20150256067
    Abstract: A DCDC converter includes a controller, an up/down counter, a first power stage and a second power stage. The controller generates an up/down control signal. The up/down counter generates a first power stage control signal and a second power stage control signal based on the up/down control signal. The first power stage generates a first output current at a first phase and at a first voltage based an the first power stage control signal. The second power stage generates a second output current at a second phase based on the second power stage control signal. The up/down counter modifies the first power stage control signal to control the first power stage such that the first output current attenuates from a first power stage output to a secondary first power stage output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Erich Bayer, Joerg Kirchner, Michael Lueders
  • Publication number: 20120062197
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic device which comprises a voltage regulator for providing a regulated output voltage to an electronic circuit and a control stage coupled to control the voltage regulator. The control stage is further configured to detect a request for a change of a system configuration of the electronic circuit coupled to receive the output voltage of the voltage regulator, to determine an activity factor of the electronic circuit for the requested system configuration, to determine a system clock frequency of a system clock of the electronic circuit, to determine a required current drive level of the voltage regulator based on the activity factor, the system clock frequency or the product of both, and to adjust the current drive level of the voltage regulator to the requested current drive level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Michael Lüders, Ralf Brederlow, Rüdiger Kuhn
  • Patent number: 7083023
    Abstract: An actuating device for a safety arrangement in a vehicle has a pneumatic muscle as a drive and a pyrotechnical gas generator for feeding the pneumatic muscle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karl Birk, Uwe Class, Reiner Dannenhauer, Michael Lüders, Thomas Miodek, Thomas Hasbach
  • Patent number: 7044256
    Abstract: A drive (10) for a device for raising a hood of a vehicle includes an energy storing unit which drives an actuating member (32) of a lifting mechanism coupled to the hood. The drive (10) further includes an electromotor (16) by which the accumulator can be set into a tensioned state, and a locking element which in a rest position holds the energy storing unit in the tensioned state. In addition, a carrier (26) is provided, movable in a linear manner by the electromotor (16) and capable of being coupled selectively to the energy storing unit. The carrier (26) by a first movement tensions the energy storing unit and by a second movement releases the locking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Lueders, Karl Birk
  • Patent number: 6942251
    Abstract: An actuating device for a safety arrangement in a vehicle has a pneumatic muscle as drive and a pyrotechnical gas generator for feeding the pneumatic muscle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karl Birk, Uwe Class, Reiner Dannenhauer, Michael Lüders, Thomas Miodek, Thomas Hasbach
  • Publication number: 20040206560
    Abstract: A drive (10) for a device for raising a hood of a vehicle includes an energy storing unit which drives an actuating member (32) of a lifting mechanism coupled to the hood. The drive (10) further includes an electromotor (16) by which the accumulator can be set into a tensioned state, and a locking element which in a rest position holds the energy storing unit in the tensioned state. In addition, a carrier (26) is provided, movable in a linear manner by the electromotor (16) and capable of being coupled selectively to the energy storing unit. The carrier (26) by a first movement tensions the energy storing unit and by a second movement releases the locking element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Lueders, Karl Birk
  • Patent number: 6793245
    Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag for a vehicle occupant restraint system. The airbag comprises an airbag wall which has a front wall facing the occupant to be restrained, a back wall and a side wall. The front wall and the back wall are connected to each other by means of a detachable connection. This connection between the front wall and the back wall is severed by the unfolding of the side wall when the airbag is inflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Lüders, Norbert Ellerbrok
  • Patent number: 6533321
    Abstract: The belt retractor of the occupant restraint system comprises a frame, a belt reel rotatably mounted in the frame, a locking mechanism for selectively blocking the belt reel and a vehicle-sensitive sensor. The locking mechanism is actuated by an actor. An electronic control unit is provided with an input interface and an output interface. The vehicle-sensitive sensor is connected to the input interface and the actor is connected to the output interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Uwe Class, Thomas Kielwein, Michael Lüders