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).
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Publication number: 20240094065Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Michael Meiler, Johannes Hager
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Patent number: 11923785Abstract: 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 mathematType: GrantFiled: February 11, 2022Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Michael Meiler, Johannes Hager, Stefan Hain
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Publication number: 20230198375Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2022Publication date: June 22, 2023Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Fabian HOHMANN, Michael MEILER
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Publication number: 20220263429Abstract: 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 mathematType: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2022Publication date: August 18, 2022Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Michael Meiler, Johannes HAGER, Stefan Hain
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Patent number: 10709410Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 13, 2018Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: VAREX IMAGING CORPORATIONInventors: Michael Meiler, Steven E. Hebeler, Michelle Richmond, Lori Fry
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Patent number: 10383202Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 28, 2016Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: VAREX IMAGING CORPORATIONInventors: Bradley D Canfield, Michael Meiler, Colton B Woodman, Inwoo Yoon
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Patent number: 10383203Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 28, 2016Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: VAREX IMAGING CORPORATIONInventors: Michael Meiler, Bradley D Canfield, Colton B Woodman, Inwoo Yoon
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Patent number: 10327730Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 13, 2016Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: VAREX IMAGING CORPORATIONInventors: Michael Meiler, Steven Emmett Hebeler
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Patent number: 10297414Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 20, 2016Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: VAREX IMAGING CORPORATIONInventors: Michael Meiler, Inwoo Yoon, Christopher Lewis
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Publication number: 20190076111Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2018Publication date: March 14, 2019Inventors: Michael Meiler, Steven E. Hebeler, Michelle Richmond, Lori Fry
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Publication number: 20180103923Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2016Publication date: April 19, 2018Inventors: Michael Meiler, Steven Emmett Hebeler
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Publication number: 20180082818Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Michael Meiler, Inwoo Yoon, Christopher Lewis
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Publication number: 20170318652Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2016Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Michael Meiler, Bradley D. Canfield, Colton B. Woodman, Inwoo Yoon
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Publication number: 20170318651Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2016Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Bradley D. Canfield, Michael Meiler, Colton B. Woodman, Inwoo Yoon