Patents by Inventor Michael Wohlang

Michael Wohlang 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: 11232918
    Abstract: A switching apparatus for conducting and interrupting electrical currents includes: a first mechanical contact arrangement; a semiconductor switch which is connected in parallel to the first mechanical contact arrangement; a second mechanical contact arrangement connected in series to the first mechanical contact arrangement; an auxiliary coil electrically isolated from a circuit of a switching drive used to move contacts of the first and second mechanical contact arrangements, and which is electromagnetically coupled to a coil of the switching drive such that a voltage is generated therein when a voltage supply of the switching drive is switched off; and a switching electronics for switching the semiconductor switch on and off, and which is supplied with the voltage generated in the auxiliary coil when the voltage supply of the switching drive is switched off. The switching electronics switches the semiconductor switch on and off multiple times according to a prespecified sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Gerd Schmitz, Johannes Meissner, Marcel Uedelhoven, Michael Wohlang, Oliver Kreft
  • Patent number: 11114258
    Abstract: A switching apparatus for carrying and disconnecting electric currents includes: a first mechanical contact arrangement; a second mechanical contact arrangement which is connected in series with the first mechanical contact arrangement; a semiconductor switch which is connected in parallel to the first mechanical contact arrangement; a switching electronics system for switching on and switching off the semiconductor switch; and a control circuit for ascertaining a voltage across the first mechanical contact arrangement as an ascertained voltage and generating an actuation signal for the switching electronics system, which actuation signal switches on the semiconductor switch, depending on the ascertained voltage. During a switching process, the switching apparatus closes the two mechanical contact arrangements with a time delay in relation to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Johannes Meissner, Gerd Schmitz, Kai Schroeder, Michael Wohlang, Oliver Kreft, Marcel Uedelhoven
  • Patent number: 10964497
    Abstract: A double-contact switch includes: a first and second tubular vacuum switching chamber formed as partial switching chambers of a switching tube; an electrode fixed in the switching tube and arranged between the first and second vacuum switching chambers and having a first fixed contact projecting into the first vacuum switching chamber and a second fixed contact projecting into the second vacuum switching chamber; a first electrode arranged in the first vacuum switching chamber and movable within the first vacuum switching chamber in an axial direction thereof, the first electrode having a region which bears a contact and is closed off in a gastight manner relative to an exterior of the first vacuum switching chamber; a second electrode arranged in the second vacuum switching chamber and movable within the second vacuum switching chamber in an axial direction thereof, the second electrode having a region which bears a contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Johannes Meissner, Gerd Schmitz, Marcel Uedelhoven, Oliver Kreft, Michael Wohlang, Kai Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20200365347
    Abstract: A switching apparatus for carrying and disconnecting electric currents includes: a first mechanical contact arrangement; a second mechanical contact arrangement which is connected in series with the first mechanical contact arrangement; a semiconductor switch which is connected in parallel to the first mechanical contact arrangement; a switching electronics system for switching on and switching off the semiconductor switch; and a control circuit for ascertaining a voltage across the first mechanical contact arrangement as an ascertained voltage and generating an actuation signal for the switching electronics system, which actuation signal switches on the semiconductor switch, depending on the ascertained voltage. During a switching process, the switching apparatus closes the two mechanical contact arrangements with a time delay in relation to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Johannes Meissner, Gerd Schmitz, Kai Schroeder, Michael Wohlang, Oliver Kreft, Marcel Uedelhoven
  • Publication number: 20200328038
    Abstract: A switching apparatus tor conducting and interrupting electrical currents includes: a first mechanical contact arrangement: a semiconductor switch which is connected in parallel to the first mechanical contact arrangement; a second mechanical contact arrangement connected in series to the first mechanical contact arrangement; an auxiliary coil electrically isolated from a circuit of a switching drive used to move contacts of the first and second mechanical contact arrangements, and which is electromagnetically coupled to a coil of the switching drive such that a voltage is generated therein when a voltage supply of the switching drive is switched off; and a switching electronics for switching the semiconductor switch on and off, and which is supplied with the voltage generated in the auxiliary coil when the voltage supply of the switching drive is switched off. The switching electronics switches the semiconductor switch on and off multiple times according to a prespecified sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Gerd SCHMITZ, Johannes MEISSNER, Marcel UEDELHOVEN, Michael WOHLANG, Oliver KREFT
  • Publication number: 20200312593
    Abstract: A double-contact switch includes: a first and second tubular vacuum switching chamber formed as partial switching chambers of a switching tube; an electrode fixed in the switching tube and arranged between the first and second vacuum switching chambers and having a first fixed contact projecting into the first vacuum switching chamber and a second fixed contact projecting into the second vacuum switching chamber; a first electrode arranged in the first vacuum switching chamber and movable within the first vacuum switching chamber in an axial direction thereof, the first electrode having a region which bears a contact and is closed off in a gastight manner relative to an exterior of the first vacuum switching chamber; a second electrode arranged in the second vacuum switching chamber and movable within the second vacuum switching chamber in an axial direction thereof, the second electrode having a region which bears a contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Johannes Meissner, Gerd Schmitz, Marcel Uedelhoven, Oliver Kreft, Michael Wohlang, Kai Schroeder
  • Patent number: 10498331
    Abstract: A switching device for conducting and disconnecting electric currents includes: a first mechanical contact assembly; a semiconductor switch, which is in parallel to the first mechanical contact assembly; a second mechanical contact assembly, which is connected in series to the first mechanical contact assembly; and a switching electronics, which switch on and off the semiconductor switch. The switching electronics are operable, during a closing process of the first mechanical contact assembly, to turn on the semiconductor switch after a first predetermined time period t?0 after initialization of the switching electronics, and to turn the semiconductor switch off again after a second predetermined time period t?1. The first predetermined time period t?0 is set by the switching electronics depending on the first mechanical contact assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Gerd Schmitz, Johannes Meissner, Marcel Uedelhoven, Michael Wohlang, Oliver Kreft
  • Patent number: 10290445
    Abstract: A switching device for conducting and interrupting electric currents, has a first mechanical contact assembly, a semiconductor switch, which is connected in parallel with the first mechanical contact assembly; a second mechanical contact assembly, which is connected in series with the first mechanical contact assembly; an auxiliary coil, which is galvanically isolated from the circuit of a switching drive for moving contacts of the first and second mechanical contact assemblies and is electromagnetically coupled to a coil of the switching drive in such a way that a voltage is produced in the auxiliary coil when the voltage supply of the switching drive is switched off; and switching electronics, which are designed to switch the semiconductor switch on and off and which are supplied by the voltage produced in the auxiliary coil when the voltage supply of the switching drive is switched off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Gerd Schmitz, Marcel Uedelhoven, Johannes Meissner, Michael Wohlang
  • Publication number: 20190131966
    Abstract: A switching device for conducting and disconnecting electric currents includes: a first mechanical contact assembly; a semiconductor switch, which is in parallel to the first mechanical contact assembly; a second mechanical contact assembly, which is connected in series to the first mechanical contact assembly; and a switching electronics, which switch on and off the semiconductor switch. The switching electronics are operable, during a closing process of the first mechanical contact assembly, to turn on the semiconductor switch after a first predetermined time period t?0 after initialization of the switching electronics, and to turn the semiconductor switch off again after a second predetermined time period t?1. The first predetermined time period t?0 is set by the switching electronics depending on the first mechanical contact assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Gerd SCHMITZ, Johannes MEISSNER, Marcel UEDELHOVEN, Michael WOHLANG, Oliver KREFT
  • Patent number: 9741513
    Abstract: A double-contact switch has first and second tubular vacuum switching chambers; a stationary electrode, between the first and second vacuum switching chamber, having a first stationary contact protruding into the first chamber and a second stationary contact protruding into the second chamber; a first electrode, arranged in the first chamber, moveable axially therein, having a contact support region and sealed off from the first chamber exterior; a second electrode, arranged in the second chamber, moveable axially therein, having a contact support region and scaled off from the second chamber exterior; a first contact compression spring applying a first spring force to the first movable electrode so the first electrode contact presses onto the contact protruding into the first chamber; and a second contact compression spring applying a greater, second spring force to the second movable electrode so the second electrode contact presses onto the contact protruding into the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: EATON ELECTRICAL IP GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Gerd Schmitz, Marcel Uedelhoven, Johannes Meissner, Michael Wohlang
  • Publication number: 20160322184
    Abstract: A switching device for conducting and interrupting electric currents, has a first mechanical contact assembly, a semiconductor switch, which is connected in parallel with the first mechanical contact assembly; a second mechanical contact assembly, which is connected in series with the first mechanical contact assembly; an auxiliary coil, which is galvanically isolated from the circuit of a switching drive for moving contacts of the first and second mechanical contact assemblies and is electromagnetically coupled to a coil of the switching drive in such a way that a voltage is produced in the auxiliary coil when the voltage supply of the switching drive is switched off; and switching electronics, which are designed to switch the semiconductor switch on and off and which are supplied by the voltage produced in the auxiliary coil when the voltage supply of the switching drive is switched off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Gerd Schmitz, Marcel Uedelhoven, Johannes Meissner, Michael Wohlang
  • Publication number: 20160322185
    Abstract: A double-contact switch has first and second tubular vacuum switching chambers; a stationary electrode, between the first and second vacuum switching chamber, having a first stationary contact protruding into the first chamber and a second stationary contact protruding into the second chamber; a first electrode, arranged in the first chamber, moveable axially therein, having a contact support region and sealed off from the first chamber exterior; a second electrode, arranged in the second chamber, moveable axially therein, having a contact support region and scaled off from the second chamber exterior; a first contact compression spring applying a first spring force to the first movable electrode so the first electrode contact presses onto the contact protruding into the first chamber; and a second contact compression spring applying a greater, second spring force to the second movable electrode so the second electrode contact presses onto the contact protruding into the second chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Gerd SCHMITZ, Marcel UEDELHOVEN, Johannes MEISSNER, Michael WOHLANG
  • Patent number: 7474182
    Abstract: A contactor includes a housing lower section housing a solenoid mechanism, a main contact and a housing upper section, for housing main terminals and a connector module including control terminals which may be connected to the solenoid coil of the solenoid mechanism. The housing upper section includes a recessed step to the front of a housing side, in which the connector module may be fixed. The control terminals are located facing the housing front in front of the plane of the main terminals. Connector lines extending into the main housing from the connector module connect the control terminals to the control pins, connected to the solenoid coil and located in the housing lower section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Moeller GmbH
    Inventors: Jakob Bolz, Wolfgang Kremers, Alfred Michael Wohlang
  • Publication number: 20080174391
    Abstract: A contactor includes a housing lower section housing a solenoid mechanism, a main contact and a housing upper section, for housing main terminals and a connector module including control terminals which may be connected to the solenoid coil of the solenoid mechanism. The housing upper section includes a recessed step to the front of a housing side, in which the connector module may be fixed. The control terminals are located facing the housing front in front of the plane of the main terminals. Connector lines extending into the main housing from the connector module connect the control terminals to the control pins, connected to the solenoid coil and located in the housing lower section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: Moeller GmbH
    Inventors: Jakob Bolz, Wolfgang Kremers, Alfred Michael Wohlang
  • Patent number: 6449137
    Abstract: In a multiple break contact device for electrical switchgear the fixed contacts of the switching device are mounted in such a way that they can move linearly along an axis. The multiple break contact device has improved resistance to erosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Moeller GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Roesner, Michael Wohlang