Patents by Inventor Michael Meiler

Michael Meiler 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: 20250150074
    Abstract: A gate driver component for controlling at least two power semiconductors that form a topological switch and are made of different semiconductor materials and/or types.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Sperber, Michael Meiler, Danil Hudenkov
  • Patent number: 12255525
    Abstract: A method for actuating a circuit arrangement for power semiconductors of an inverter with at least one phase, having at least two semiconductor switches, each of which has at least two power semiconductors consisting of different semiconductor materials and connected in parallel with one another, wherein the method includes switching over between the at least two power semiconductors of different semiconductor materials within a clock period in each of the phases in each case at a first or last switching time of a switchover between the at least two semiconductor switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Fabian Hohmann, Michael Meiler
  • Publication number: 20240348245
    Abstract: A method for the operating point-dependent actuation of a topological semiconductor switch for a power electronics system is proposed, in which the topological semiconductor switch is divided into at least two groups of power semiconductors made of different semiconductor materials and/or types of semiconductors. A switching threshold is also defined, at which switching from one group to another group, or adding at least one other group to the active group of topological semiconductor switches, takes place in order to conduct the output electricity. Furthermore, data for at least one physical value that describes the operating state of the system is obtained as input data and averaged. It is determined on the basis of this data and the switching threshold, which of the at least two groups of power semiconductors are actuated to conduct the output electricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Publication date: October 17, 2024
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Meiler, Teresa Bertelshofer
  • Publication number: 20240339999
    Abstract: A method for momentary value-dependent actuation of a topological semiconductor switch for a power electronics system in real time is proposed, wherein the topological semiconductor switch is divided into at least two groups (A, B, N) of power semiconductors, which are made of different semiconductor materials and/or different types of semiconductors. A negative and positive switching threshold are also defined. A momentary value for at least one variable physical value (S1) is recorded at predetermined times that describes the operating state of the system, and compared with the switching thresholds, wherein it is decided on the basis of the results, which of the at least two groups of power semiconductors are actuated in order to conduct the output electricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Teresa Bertelshofer, Michael Meiler
  • Publication number: 20240094065
    Abstract: A method for determining a semiconductor temperature Tj of a semiconductor element of a semiconductor module comprises ascertaining an estimated value of the semiconductor temperature Tj using an optimizable model of a thermal behavior of the semiconductor module, reading a measured value of the semiconductor temperature Tj, optimizing the optimizable model using the measured value, providing the estimated value of the semiconductor temperature Tj, if the measured value is not available, and the measured value if the measured value is available for the point in time, and repeating the steps of the method for further points in time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Meiler, Johannes Hager
  • Patent number: 11923785
    Abstract: Method for measuring an operating temperature of a power module (10) that is used for operating an electric vehicle drive, the power module (10) comprising a plurality of semiconductor switching elements (14) and drive electronics (16), wherein the semiconductor switching elements (14) can be switched by the drive electronics (16) in such a way that the semiconductor switching elements (14) allow or interrupt a drain-source current in order to convert the direct current fed into the power module (10) at the input side into an output-side alternating current, wherein the method comprises measurement of a voltage present at a point located on a side of a diode (22) that is connected in series with the semiconductor switching element (14) and that faces away from the semiconductor switching element (14), wherein the method comprises measurement of a drain-source current of the semiconductor switching element (14) that is generated by a current source (18), wherein the method comprises determination of a mathemat
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Meiler, Johannes Hager, Stefan Hain
  • Publication number: 20230198375
    Abstract: A method for actuating a circuit arrangement for power semiconductors of an inverter with at least one phase, having at least two semiconductor switches, each of which has at least two power semiconductors consisting of different semiconductor materials and connected in parallel with one another, wherein the method includes switching over between the at least two power semiconductors of different semiconductor materials within a clock period in each of the phases in each case at a first or last switching time of a switchover between the at least two semiconductor switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Fabian HOHMANN, Michael MEILER
  • Publication number: 20220263429
    Abstract: Method for measuring an operating temperature of a power module (10) that is used for operating an electric vehicle drive, the power module (10) comprising a plurality of semiconductor switching elements (14) and drive electronics (16), wherein the semiconductor switching elements (14) can be switched by the drive electronics (16) in such a way that the semiconductor switching elements (14) allow or interrupt a drain-source current in order to convert the direct current fed into the power module (10) at the input side into an output-side alternating current, wherein the method comprises measurement of a voltage present at a point located on a side of a diode (22) that is connected in series with the semiconductor switching element (14) and that faces away from the semiconductor switching element (14), wherein the method comprises measurement of a drain-source current of the semiconductor switching element (14) that is generated by a current source (18), wherein the method comprises determination of a mathemat
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Meiler, Johannes HAGER, Stefan Hain
  • Patent number: 10709410
    Abstract: A method of communicating between imaging components of an X-ray imaging system may include determining, by an initiator imaging component, whether a target imaging component is a primary manufacturer imaging component (PMIC). Responsive to the target imaging component not being the PMIC, the method may include generating a communication message including a communication packet according to a packet protocol. Responsive to the target imaging component not being the PMIC, the method may also include sending the communication message to the target imaging component as a secondary manufacturer imaging component. Responsive to the target imaging component being the PMIC, the method may include generating a message including a header packet and one or more data packets according to a message protocol. Responsive to the target imaging component being the PMIC, the method may also include sending the message to the target imaging component as the primary manufacturer imaging component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: VAREX IMAGING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Meiler, Steven E. Hebeler, Michelle Richmond, Lori Fry
  • Patent number: 10383203
    Abstract: Technology is described for calibrating a deflected position of a central ray of an x-ray tube to a radiation imager. An x-ray system includes an x-ray tube and a tube control unit (TCU). The x-ray tube includes a cathode that includes an electron emitter configured to emit an electron beam, an anode configured to receive the electron beam and generate x-rays with a central ray from electrons of the electron beam colliding on a focal spot of the anode, and a steering magnetic multipole between the cathode and the anode that is configured to produce a steering magnetic field from a steering signal. At least two poles of the steering magnetic multipole are on opposite sides of the electron beam. The TCU includes at least one steering driver configured to generate the steering signal. The TCU is configured to convert a position correction value to the steering signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: VAREX IMAGING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Meiler, Bradley D Canfield, Colton B Woodman, Inwoo Yoon
  • Patent number: 10383202
    Abstract: Technology is described for electronically aligning a central ray of an x-ray tube to a radiation detector. In an example, an x-ray system includes an x-ray tube and a tube control unit (TCU). The x-ray tube includes a cathode that includes an electron emitter configured to emit an electron beam, an anode configured to receive the electron beam and generate x-rays with a central ray from electrons of the electron beam colliding on a focal spot of the anode, and a steering magnetic multipole between the cathode and the anode that is configured to produce a steering magnetic field from a steering signal. At least two poles of the steering magnetic multipole are on opposite sides of the electron beam. The TCU includes at least one steering driver configured to generate the steering signal. The TCU is configured to convert an offset value to the steering signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: VAREX IMAGING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bradley D Canfield, Michael Meiler, Colton B Woodman, Inwoo Yoon
  • Patent number: 10327730
    Abstract: A communication channel for an X-ray imaging system may operatively couple a first imaging component to a second imaging component. The communication channel may include a first connector configured to couple to the first imaging component, a second connector configured to couple to the second imaging component, and a first authentication module configured to authenticate with the second imaging component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: VAREX IMAGING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Meiler, Steven Emmett Hebeler
  • Patent number: 10297414
    Abstract: An X-ray tube may include a housing, a cathode, an anode, and a tube auxiliary unit or an authentication module. The cathode and the anode are positioned within the housing. The cathode and the anode are spaced apart such that a target surface of the anode is positioned to receive electrons emitted by the cathode. The tube auxiliary unit may be coupled to the housing. The tube auxiliary unit may include X-ray tube data including tube calibration data based on parameters of the X-ray tube. The authentication module may be configured to authenticate the X-ray tube with a tube control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: VAREX IMAGING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Meiler, Inwoo Yoon, Christopher Lewis
  • Publication number: 20190076111
    Abstract: A method of communicating between imaging components of an X-ray imaging system may include determining, by an initiator imaging component, whether a target imaging component is a primary manufacturer imaging component (PMIC). Responsive to the target imaging component not being the PMIC, the method may include generating a communication message including a communication packet according to a packet protocol. Responsive to the target imaging component not being the PMIC, the method may also include sending the communication message to the target imaging component as a secondary manufacturer imaging component. Responsive to the target imaging component being the PMIC, the method may include generating a message including a header packet and one or more data packets according to a message protocol. Responsive to the target imaging component being the PMIC, the method may also include sending the message to the target imaging component as the primary manufacturer imaging component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Meiler, Steven E. Hebeler, Michelle Richmond, Lori Fry
  • Publication number: 20180103923
    Abstract: A communication channel for an X-ray imaging system may operatively couple a first imaging component to a second imaging component. The communication channel may include a first connector configured to couple to the first imaging component, a second connector configured to couple to the second imaging component, and a first authentication module configured to authenticate with the second imaging component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Meiler, Steven Emmett Hebeler
  • Publication number: 20180082818
    Abstract: An X-ray tube may include a housing, a cathode, an anode, and a tube auxiliary unit or an authentication module. The cathode and the anode are positioned within the housing. The cathode and the anode are spaced apart such that that a target surface of the anode is positioned to receive electrons emitted by the cathode. The tube auxiliary unit may be coupled to the housing. The tube auxiliary unit may include X-ray tube data including tube calibration data based on parameters of the X-ray tube. The authentication module may be configured to authenticate the X-ray tube with a tube control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Meiler, Inwoo Yoon, Christopher Lewis
  • Publication number: 20170318652
    Abstract: Technology is described for calibrating a deflected position of a central ray of an x-ray tube to a radiation imager. An x-ray system includes an x-ray tube and a tube control unit (TCU). The x-ray tube includes a cathode that includes an electron emitter configured to emit an electron beam, an anode configured to receive the electron beam and generate x-rays with a central ray from electrons of the electron beam colliding on a focal spot of the anode, and a steering magnetic multipole between the cathode and the anode that is configured to produce a steering magnetic field from a steering signal. At least two poles of the steering magnetic multipole are on opposite sides of the electron beam. The TCU includes at least one steering driver configured to generate the steering signal. The TCU is configured to convert a position correction value to the steering signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Meiler, Bradley D. Canfield, Colton B. Woodman, Inwoo Yoon
  • Publication number: 20170318651
    Abstract: Technology is described for electronically aligning a central ray of an x-ray tube to a radiation detector. In an example, an x-ray system includes an x-ray tube and a tube control unit (TCU). The x-ray tube includes a cathode that includes an electron emitter configured to emit an electron beam, an anode configured to receive the electron beam and generate x-rays with a central ray from electrons of the electron beam colliding on a focal spot of the anode, and a steering magnetic multipole between the cathode and the anode that is configured to produce a steering magnetic field from a steering signal. At least two poles of the steering magnetic multipole are on opposite sides of the electron beam. The TCU includes at least one steering driver configured to generate the steering signal. The TCU is configured to convert an offset value to the steering signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Bradley D. Canfield, Michael Meiler, Colton B. Woodman, Inwoo Yoon