Patents by Inventor Rainer Knorr

Rainer Knorr 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: 7436080
    Abstract: Device for supplying power to a two-voltage vehicle electrical system equipped with safety-relevant components with an integrated starter-generator mechanically coupled with an internal combustion engine BKM, a double-layer capacitor DLC, a first and second energy accumulator B1, B2, with power being able to be supplied to safety-relevant components V1s via three safety switches X1 to X3, alternately by the starter-generator ISG, the double-layer capacitor DLC, the first or the second energy accumulator B1, B2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Hackl, Rainer Knorr, Günter Lugert
  • Publication number: 20080238527
    Abstract: A switching device for bi-directionally equalizing charge between energy accumulators, particularly between capacitive energy accumulators in a motor vehicle electric system, includes: an integrated starter generator; a first connection coupled to the integrated starter generator; a second connection coupled to an energy source; a controllable transfer gate having a first load current-conducting path connected between the first and second connection, and a controllable switching controller having a second load current-conducting path connected between the first and second connection in parallel to the first load current-conducting path. There is also provided a motor vehicle electric system with such a switching device, and the implementation and use of a switching controller in a transfer gate for such a switching device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Stephan Bolz, Rainer Knorr, Gunter Lugert
  • Publication number: 20080211456
    Abstract: A device and a method equalize a charge of series-connected individual cells of an energy accumulator with a DC/DC converter. The DC/DC converter draws energy from the energy accumulator or from another power source for charging an intermediate circuit capacitor whose voltage is inverted in a DC/AC converter and the alternating voltage is converted into an intermittent direct current by a rectifier via an AC bus and a coupling element. A switch is placed between the AC bus and each cell thereby enabling the cell to be coupled to the AC bus or disconnected therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: SIEMENS VDO AUTOMOTIVE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Stephan Bolz, Martin Gotzenberger, Rainer Knorr
  • Patent number: 7367302
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for switching on a power switch (S1, S2) arranged between capacitive elements (C1, DLC, B36) a choke (L) being connected in parallel to the switching contacts of the still open power switch (S1, S2). Said choke enables compensating currents to flow between the elements (C1, B36, DLC) to be interconnected and to decay before the power switch (S1, S2) is then closed in a de-energized manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Bolz, Rainer Knorr, Günter Lugert
  • Patent number: 7327543
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for switching a semi-conductor circuit breaker by means of which the resistance of the breaker gap of the semi-conductor circuit breaker is controlled by a control voltage (Vst), such that the power loss (Pist) from the circuit breaker does not exceed a predetermined setpoint (Psoll). The invention also relates to a device for carrying out said method wherein a transfer gate, which is controlled by a charge pump, is used as a semi-conductor circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Bolz, Tudor-Ion Gamulescu, Rainer Knorr, Günter Lugert
  • Patent number: 7312596
    Abstract: A device and a method are provided for equalizing the charge of the capacitors belonging to a double layer capacitor. The device includes an individual transformer associated with each individual capacitor and a flyback transformer or a spool, from which the energy is transferred, via the individual transformers, to the individual transformer, by the respective low charge. Conclusions on the state of the double layer capacitor and the charge-equalizing switch are derived from the measured charging time and discharging time of the flyback transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Bolz, Martin Götzenberger, Rainer Knorr, Günter Lugert
  • Publication number: 20070127274
    Abstract: A device and a method are provided for equalizing the charge of the capacitors belonging to a double layer capacitor. The device includes an individual transformer associated with each individual capacitor and a flyback transformer or a spool, from which the energy is transferred, via the individual transformers, to the individual transformer, by the respective low charge. Conclusions on the state of the double layer capacitor and the charge-equalizing switch are derived from the measured charging time and discharging time of the flyback transformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Inventors: Stephan Bolz, Martin Gotzenberger, Rainer Knorr, Gunter Lugert
  • Publication number: 20070040189
    Abstract: A bi-directional switch has at least one first controllable semiconductor component with a first input contact, a first output contact, and a first control contact, and at least one second controllable semiconductor component with a second input contact, a second output contact, and a second control contact. The first input contact of the first semiconductor component and the second input contact of the second semiconductor component are interconnected in an electrically conducting manner, and the first control contact of the first semiconductor component and the second control contact of the second semiconductor component are interconnected in an electrically conducting manner while the first output contact of the first semiconductor component and the second output contact of the second semiconductor component are electrically insulated from each other. The semiconductor components are disposed on a common substrate that is provided with an electrically conducting coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Inventors: Stephan Bolz, Rainer Knorr, Norbert Seliger
  • Publication number: 20060164033
    Abstract: The invention relates to an operating method for an electrical circuit with an energy store (5), made from several storage elements (C2-C5) and a charge-equalisation circuit (6), for charge equalisation between the individual storage elements (C2-C5) of the energy store (5), comprising the following steps: charging the energy store (5) and charge equalisation between the individual storage elements (C2-C5) of the energy store (5) by means of the charge equalisation circuit (6). The invention further relates to a corresponding electrical circuit for carrying out said operating method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Bolz, Rainer Knorr, Gunter Lugert
  • Publication number: 20060145536
    Abstract: Device for supplying power to a two-voltage vehicle electrical system equipped with safety-relevant components with an integrated starter-generator mechanically coupled with an internal combustion engine BKM, a double-layer capacitor DLC, a first and second energy accumulator B1, B2, with power being able to be supplied to safety-relevant components V1s via three safety switches X1 to X3, alternately by the starter-generator ISG, the double-layer capacitor DLC, the first or the second energy accumulator B1, B2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Inventors: Stefan Hackl, Gunter Lugert, Rainer Knorr
  • Publication number: 20060050461
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for actuating a semiconductor power switch, by which means the resistance of the switching path (E-A) of the semiconductor power switch is controlled by a control voltage (Vst) in such a way that the chip temperature (T1ist, T2ist) of the power switch (S1, S2) does not exceed a pre-determined nominal value (Tsoll). When the nominal temperature (Tsoll) is reached, the resistance of the switching path (E-A) is increased. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out said method, said device using a transfer gate (TG) controlled by a charge pump (LP) as a semiconductor power switch. Commercially available transistors comprising integrated temperature sensors are used in the transfer gate (TG) as semiconductor power switchs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Inventors: Stephan Bolz, Rainer Knorr, Gunter Lugert
  • Publication number: 20060048733
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for switching on a power switch (S1, S2) arranged between capacitive elements (C1, DLC, B36) a choke (L) being connected in parallel to the switching contacts of the still open power switch (S1, S2). Said choke enables compensating currents to flow between the elements (C1, B36, DLC) to be interconnected and to decay before the power switch (S1, S2) is then closed in a de-energized manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Inventors: Stephan Bolz, Rainer Knorr, Gunter Lugert
  • Publication number: 20060034138
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for switching a semi-conductor circuit breaker by means of which the resistance of the breaker gap of the semi-conductor circuit breaker is controlled by a control voltage (Vst), such that the power loss (Pist) from the circuit breaker does not exceed a predetermined setpoint (Psoll). The invention also relates to a device for carrying out said method wherein a transfer gate, which is controlled by a charge pump, is used as a semi-conductor circuit breaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Publication date: February 16, 2006
    Inventors: Stephan Bolz, Tudor-Ion Gamulescu, Rainer Knorr, Gunter Ludgert
  • Patent number: 6919648
    Abstract: A starter-generator (ISG) is mechanically connected to an internal combustion engine (BKM), comprises a bi-directional AC/DC converter (1), and can be connected to an accumulator (B1) by means of a first switch (S1), and connected to a double layer capacitor (DLC) by means of a second switch (S2). The accumulator (B1) is either connected to the double layer capacitor (DLC) by means of a control circuit (PWM), or the accumulator (B1) and the double layer capacitor (DLC) are connected to a bidirectional DC/DC converter (3) and to a second accumulator (B2) by means of a third switch (S3) and a fourth switch (S4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Bolz, Rainer Knorr
  • Publication number: 20040112320
    Abstract: A starter-generator (ISG) is mechanically connected to an internal combustion engine (BKM), comprises a bi-directional AC/DC converter (1), and can be connected to an accumulator (B1) by means of a first switch (S1), and connected to a double layer capacitor (DLC) by means of a second switch (S2). The accumulator (B1) is either connected to the double layer capacitor (DLC) by means of a control circuit (PWM), or the accumulator (B1) and the double layer capacitor (DLC) are connected to a bidirectional DC/DC converter (3) and to a second accumulator (B2) by means of a third switch (S3) and a fourth switch (S4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Stephan Bolz, Rainer Knorr
  • Patent number: 6687607
    Abstract: An operating strategy for the components of the drive train is defined as a function of data which characterizes a route to be traveled along. Depending on the operating strategy and the route data, expected energy consumption and a time period for which the energy can be made available are calculated. If the time period is detected as being sufficient, the drive train is controlled in accordance with the operating strategy. If the calculated time period is detected as not being sufficient, an alternative operating strategy is defined and the resulting time period is checked again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans-Michael Graf, Rainer Knorr, Gregor Probst
  • Publication number: 20030009269
    Abstract: An operating strategy for the components of the drive train is defined as a function of data which characterizes a route to be traveled along. Depending on the operating strategy and the route data, expected energy consumption and a time period for which the energy can be made available are calculated. If the time period is detected as being sufficient, the drive train is controlled in accordance with the operating strategy. If the calculated time period is detected as not being sufficient, an alternative operating strategy is defined and the resulting time period is checked again.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: Hans-Michael Graf, Rainer Knorr, Gregor Probst