Patents by Inventor Rainer Lochschmied

Rainer Lochschmied 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: 20240018921
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a combustion apparatus. An example apparatus includes: a burner; a side duct; and a feed duct. The side duct comprises an inlet, an outlet, and a mass flow sensor between the inlet and the outlet of the side duct. The mass flow sensor is configured to detect a signal corresponding to an amount of flow of a fluid through the side duct. The side duct comprises a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the side duct comprises the mass flow sensor. The first portion of the side duct is arranged within the feed duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Lochschmied, Mike Schmanau, Bernd Schmiederer
  • Publication number: 20230184434
    Abstract: A facility for control of a combustion apparatus comprising: a memory storing a limit value and a correction factor; a communication connection to a sensor and an actuator; and a processor. The processor: receives an input signal from the sensor; uses the signal to form a measured value specifying a fuel air ratio, an air ratio, and/or an oxygen content; and loads the limit value and compares the measured value with the limit value. If the measured value is less than or greater than the limit value, the processor either loads the correction factor and determines a correction value as a function of the limit value, the correction factor, and the measured value, or loads the stored correction value from the memory, and then creates an output signal as a function of the correction value and sends the output signal to the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Lochschmied, Bernd Schmiederer
  • Publication number: 20230017088
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a combustion apparatus comprising: a facility for open- and/or closed-loop control of the apparatus; a combustion chamber; an actuator adjusting an air supply; and a combustion sensor in a region of a flame of the chamber. The controller stores a list of support points. A first air supply value is assigned to each support point. A drift test value and an index for ascertainment of a test result are assigned to each support point. The controller: generates a specified air supply; selects a support point as a function of the air supply; and decides on a test result using the index for the support point. To ascertain a test result: receives a signal from the combustion sensor; determines a new test result; ascertains a changed drift test value for the selected support point; and stores the changed drift test value as the drift test value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Lochschmied, Bernd Schmiederer
  • Publication number: 20220282866
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a method for regulating a burner appliance comprising a combustion chamber, an air supply duct with an actuator to adjust the air supply, and a fuel supply duct with a fuel actuator to adjust the fuel supply. The method comprises: determining the value of the air supply V L; determining the value of an air ratio ?; providing an individual scalar fuel parameter h; calculating the power output P_ist of the appliance based on the air supply V L, the air ratio ?, and the individual scalar fuel parameter h using P_ist=h/?·V L; and regulating the burner appliance with the fuel actuator and the air actuator until the actual value reaches the target value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Lochschmied, Bernd Schmiederer, Harald Hauter
  • Patent number: 11231174
    Abstract: The present disclosure deals with the detection of a blockage in the air-supply duct or flue of a burner assembly. In some embodiments, a method or system may detect blockages in the form of coverings and with burner assemblies to burn fossil fuels. For example, a control device may generate: a first air-control signal; a fuel-control signal by adjusting the actual values of the ionization current to the ionization-current setpoint; a setpoint increased by a specified amount from the ionization-current setpoint; and a changed fuel-control signal by adjusting the actual values of the ionization current to the increased setpoint in the case of a first air-control signal. The control device may evaluate the changed fuel-control signal generated based on the increased setpoint by comparing it with a specified maximum value and based on the evaluation, to detect a blockage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Bernd Schmiederer, Holger Holfelder, Rainer Lochschmied
  • Patent number: 11175039
    Abstract: The present disclosure deals with the regulation of fluid flows in the presence of turbulence. The teachings thereof may be embodied in regulating a fluid in a combustion device. For example, a method for regulating a burner device may include: requesting a flow of a fluid through a feed duct; assigning the requested flow to a setting of a first actuator; transmitting a first signal to set the first actuator; generating a mass flow signal representing an actual flow through the side duct; correlating the second signal to an actual value of the flow through the side duct; correlating the requested flow through the feed duct to a required flow through the side duct; generating a regulation signal with the regulator for the second actuator as a function of the actual value of the flow through the side duct and the requested value of the flow through the side duct; and transmitting the generated regulation signal to the second actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Rainer Lochschmied, Mike Schmanau, Bernd Schmiederer
  • Patent number: 10982794
    Abstract: An example control unit may include: a processor; an output device; a valve element; an actuator; and a sensor for the position of the valve element. The valve cycles and the processor records a first signal to measure a position of the valve element. The valve cycles and the processor records a second signal to measure a position of the valve element. The processor calculates a degree of wear based on the first value and the second value and the second number of valve cycles. The processor compares the degree of wear to a predefined threshold value and generates an output signal if the degree of wear exceeds the predefined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Armin Wiegand, Martin Wetzel, Rainer Lochschmied, Thomas Gnoss
  • Patent number: 10352562
    Abstract: The present disclosure deals with the measurement of flows of a fluid in a combustion device. In particular embodiments, the teachings may be employed in the measurement of flows of fluids such as air in the presence of turbulence. For example, a combustion device may include: a burner; a side duct; and a feed duct. The side duct may include a mass flow sensor and a flow resistance element. The mass flow sensor detects a mass flow through the side duct. The flow resistance element subdivides the side duct. A connector of the feed duct comprises a Pitot probe. A first section of the Pitot probe projects into the feed duct and a sub area facing towards the outlet of the feed duct of the first section of the Pitot probe comprises the inlet of the Pitot probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Rainer Lochschmied, Mike Schmanau, Bernd Schmiederer
  • Patent number: 10260746
    Abstract: The present disclosure deals with the measurement of flows of a fluid in a combustion device. For example, a combustion device may include a burner; a combustion chamber; a side duct; and a feed duct with a connector for the side duct including a mass flow sensor and a flow resistance element. The side duct and the feed duct have a fluid connection to one another. The mass flow sensor senses a mass flow through the side duct. The resistance element subdivides the side duct and includes an admittance surface. There is an outer area. The mass flow sensor projects into the side duct. The outlet of the side duct lets the fluid flow out of the side duct directly into the combustion chamber or directly into the outer area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Rainer Lochschmied, Mike Schmanau, Bernd Schmiederer
  • Publication number: 20190017627
    Abstract: An example control unit may include: a processor; an output device; a valve element; an actuator; and a sensor for the position of the valve element. The valve cycles and the processor records a first signal to measure a position of the valve element. The valve cycles and the processor records a second signal to measure a position of the valve element. The processor calculates a degree of wear based on the first value and the second value and the second number of valve cycles. The processor compares the degree of wear to a predefined threshold value and generates an output signal if the degree of wear exceeds the predefined threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellscaft
    Inventors: Armin Wiegand, Martin Wetzel, Rainer Lochschmied, Thomas Gnoss
  • Publication number: 20180274782
    Abstract: The present disclosure deals with the detection of a blockage in the air-supply duct or flue of a burner assembly. In some embodiments, a method or system may detect blockages in the form of coverings and with burner assemblies to burn fossil fuels. For example, a control device may generate: a first air-control signal; a fuel-control signal by adjusting the actual values of the ionization current to the ionization-current setpoint; a setpoint increased by a specified amount from the ionization-current setpoint; and a changed fuel-control signal by adjusting the actual values of the ionization current to the increased setpoint in the case of a first air-control signal. The control device may evaluate the changed fuel-control signal generated based on the increased setpoint by comparing it with a specified maximum value and based on the evaluation, to detect a blockage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernd Schmiederer, Holger Holfelder, Rainer Lochschmied
  • Patent number: 10048160
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for diagnosing a valve assembly having valve members serially arranged along a flow channel of the valve assembly connecting at least one inlet and at least one outlet of the valve assembly. All of the serially arranged valve members of the valve assembly are opended to allow fluid to flow through the flow channel. The flow of fluid through the flow channel is measured by at least one sensor. At least one of the valve members is openend, and at least one sensor checks for fluid leakage caused by at least one faulted valve member. The at least one sensor may include a flow sensor, e.g., a mass flow sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thomas Gnoss, Michael Heger, Rainer Lochschmied, Anton Pallek, Mike Schmanau, Bernd Schmiederer, Martin Wetzel, Armin Wiegand
  • Publication number: 20180094809
    Abstract: The present disclosure deals with the regulation of fluid flows in the presence of turbulence. The teachings thereof may be embodied in regulating a fluid in a combustion device. For example, a method for regulating a burner device may include: requesting a flow of a fluid through a feed duct; assigning the requested flow to a setting of a first actuator; transmitting a first signal to set the first actuator; generating a mass flow signal representing an actual flow through the side duct; correlating the second signal to an actual value of the flow through the side duct; correlating the requested flow through the feed duct to a required flow through the side duct; generating a regulation signal with the regulator for the second actuator as a function of the actual value of the flow through the side duct and the requested value of the flow through the side duct; and transmitting the generated regulation signal to the second actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Lochschmied, Mike Schmanau, Bernd Schmiederer
  • Publication number: 20180094807
    Abstract: The present disclosure deals with the measurement of flows of a fluid in a combustion device. For example, a combustion device may include a burner; a combustion chamber; a side duct; and a feed duct with a connector for the side duct including a mass flow sensor and a flow resistance element. The side duct and the feed duct have a fluid connection to one another. The mass flow sensor senses a mass flow through the side duct. The resistance element subdivides the side duct and includes an admittance surface. There is an outer area. The mass flow sensor projects into the side duct. The outlet of the side duct lets the fluid flow out of the side duct directly into the combustion chamber or directly into the outer area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Lochschmied, Mike Schmanau, Bernd Schmiederer
  • Publication number: 20180094808
    Abstract: The present disclosure deals with the measurement of flows of a fluid in a combustion device. In particular embodiments, the teachings may be employed in the measurement of flows of fluids such as air in the presence of turbulence. For example, a combustion device may include: a burner; a side duct; and a feed duct. The side duct may include a mass flow sensor and a flow resistance element. The mass flow sensor detects a mass flow through the side duct. The flow resistance element subdivides the side duct. A connector of the feed duct comprises a Pitot probe. A first section of the Pitot probe projects into the feed duct and a sub area facing towards the outlet of the feed duct of the first section of the Pitot probe comprises the inlet of the Pitot probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Lochschmied, Mike Schmanau, Bernd Schmiederer
  • Patent number: 9651255
    Abstract: A control facility is provided for a burner system having a burner, actuators with which the supply of fuel and air to the burner is set, and an ionization electrode arranged in the flame zone. The control facility is equipped with a flame amplifier at the ionization electrode to generate an ionization signal and a positioning facility which, in control operation, positions a first actuator and regulates a second actuator by using a corresponding target value for the ionization signal. The positioning facility carries out a control operation in a first test step, it shifts the actuators toward a supply ratio corresponding to an air coefficient above the stoichiometric value of ?=1 and in so doing captures the ionization signal in a second test step, and it calculates a target value from this and from stored data in a third test step. Correction of drift therefore takes place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Rainer Lochschmied, Bernd Schmiederer
  • Publication number: 20160069772
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for diagnosing a valve assembly having valve members serially arranged along a flow channel of the valve assembly connecting at least one inlet and at least one outlet of the valve assembly. All of the serially arranged valve members of the valve assembly are opended to allow fluid to flow through the flow channel. The flow of fluid through the flow channel is measured by at least one sensor. At least one of the valve members is openend, and at least one sensor checks for fluid leakage caused by at least one faulted valve member. The at least one sensor may include a flow sensor, e.g., a mass flow sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas Gnoss, Michael Heger, Rainer Lochschmied, Anton Pallek, Mike Schmanau, Bernd Schmiederer, Martin Wetzel, Armin Wiegand
  • Patent number: 9062882
    Abstract: A grounded burner, actuators adjusting the supply of fuel and air to the burner, an ionization electrode in the flame region, a flame amplifier at the ionization electrode generating an ionization signal, and a final control device are included in a burner system. During air ratio control mode, the final control device sets a first actuator and adjusts a second actuator. During voltage control mode a voltage regulator controls the AC voltage source using the AC voltage measured by the voltmeter, in conjunction with an ionization current amplifier. The voltmeter is connected in parallel with a sequence of the ionization electrode, the flame region, the burner and the input of the ionization current amplifier. The voltage regulator is connected to the voltmeter such that, during voltage control mode, the time-averaged current caused by the voltmeter through the connection is less than 5% of the time-averaged current through the ionization electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wilfried Hangauer, Rainer Lochschmied, Volker Schmid
  • Publication number: 20120276487
    Abstract: A grounded burner, actuators adjusting the supply of fuel and air to the burner, an ionization electrode in the flame region, a flame amplifier at the ionization electrode generating an ionization signal, and a final control device are included in a burner system. During air ratio control mode, the final control device sets a first actuator and adjusts a second actuator. During voltage control mode a voltage regulator controls the AC voltage source using the AC voltage measured by the voltmeter, in conjunction with an ionization current amplifier. The voltmeter is connected in parallel with a sequence of the ionization electrode, the flame region, the burner and the input of the ionization current amplifier. The voltage regulator is connected to the voltmeter such that, during voltage control mode, the time-averaged current caused by the voltmeter through the connection is less than 5% of the time-averaged current through the ionization electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wilfried HANGAUER, Rainer Lochschmied, Volker Schmid
  • Publication number: 20120156628
    Abstract: A control facility is provided for a burner system having a burner, actuators with which the supply of fuel and air to the burner is set, and an ionization electrode arranged in the flame zone. The control facility is equipped with a flame amplifier at the ionization electrode to generate an ionization signal and a positioning facility which, in control operation, positions a first actuator and regulates a second actuator by using a corresponding target value for the ionization signal. The positioning facility carries out a control operation in a first test step, it shifts the actuators toward a supply ratio corresponding to an air coefficient above the stoichiometric value of ?=1 and in so doing captures the ionization signal in a second test step, and it calculates a target value from this and from stored data in a third test step. Correction of drift therefore takes place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: RAINER LOCHSCHMIED, BERND SCHMIEDERER