Patents by Inventor Reinhard Mueller

Reinhard Mueller 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: 11351556
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a high-voltage pulse system (1), preferably a system (1) for the fragmenting and/or weakening of material (2) by means of high-voltage discharges, with an energy store (3) for providing the energy for the high-voltage pulses and a charging device (4) for charging the energy store (3). According to the method, in the intended high-voltage pulse operation, a sequence of high-voltage pulses is generated with the system (1) and thereby the energy store (3) is discharged completely at each high-voltage pulse and is only after the expiry of a charging pause (LP) recharged again for the next high-voltage pulse by means of supplying charging energy with the charging device (4). By means of the operating method according to the invention, a time window is created between two successive high-voltage pulses each, in which the energy store(s) are substantially completely discharged and no charging-voltage is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: selFrag AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Kalke, Reinhard Müller-Siebert
  • Publication number: 20210291195
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a high-voltage pulse system (1), preferably a system (1) for the fragmenting and/or weakening of material (2) by means of high-voltage discharges, with an energy store (3) for providing the energy for the high-voltage pulses and a charging device (4) for charging the energy store (3). According to the method, in the intended high-voltage pulse operation, a sequence of high-voltage pulses is generated with the system (1) and thereby the energy store (3) is discharged completely at each high-voltage pulse and is only after the expiry of a charging pause (LP) recharged again for the next high-voltage pulse by means of supplying charging energy with the charging device (4). By means of the operating method according to the invention, a time window is created between two successive high-voltage pulses each, in which the energy store(s) are substantially completely discharged and no charging-voltage is applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Jürgen Kalke, Reinhard Müller-Siebert
  • Patent number: 10792670
    Abstract: A method for fragmenting and/or weakening of pourable material by means of high-voltage discharges is disclosed. Thereby, a material flow of the pourable material is, immersed in a process liquid, guided past a high-voltage electrode assembly with one or more high-voltage electrodes, while high-voltage punctures through the material are produced by means of charging of the high-voltage electrodes with high-voltage pulses. The zone of the material flow in which the high-voltage punctures through the material are produced is delimited laterally by substantially unmoved zones of the same material as viewed in a guiding-past direction. With the disclosed method, it becomes possible to fragment and/or weaken pourable material in a continuous process by means of high-voltage punctures in a low-wear and low-contamination manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: selFrag AG
    Inventors: Reinhard Müller-Siebert, Joel Kolly
  • Patent number: 10730054
    Abstract: A method for fragmenting and/or weakening pourable material includes guiding a material stream of pourable material immersed in a process liquid along an annular or arcuate channel past a high-voltage electrode assembly. The high-voltage electrode assembly, which includes one or more generators, generates high-voltage punctures through the material flow. Material is supplied to the material stream upstream of the high voltage electrode arrangement. Material is guided away from the material stream downstream of the high-voltage electrode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: selFrag AG
    Inventors: Johannes Käppeler, Reinhard Müller-Siebert
  • Patent number: 10707745
    Abstract: A power supply circuit is equipped with a converter circuit configured to convert an alternating current signal applied at an input of the power supply circuit into a direct current signal. A control circuit for the power supply circuit is configured to detect a phase of the alternating current signal and to control discharging of an internal capacitive element of the power supply circuit based on the detected phase of the alternating current signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Martin Feldtkeller, Torsten Hinz, Jens Barrenscheen, Reinhard Mueller, Anthony Sanders
  • Patent number: 10256630
    Abstract: In some examples, a controller device is configured to control power electronics circuitry and includes a high-voltage (HV) pin, a power supply (VCC) pin, a startup device configured to conduct electricity from the HV pin to the VCC pin, and comparator circuitry configured to determine whether a voltage level of the VCC pin is greater than a turn-on voltage threshold. In some examples, the comparator circuitry is further configured to cause the controller device to enter a normal-operation mode in response to determining that the voltage level of the VCC pin is greater than the turn-on voltage threshold. In some examples, the controller device also includes level detection circuitry configured to determine the turn-on voltage threshold based on a level of the HV pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Martin Feldtkeller, Reinhard Mueller
  • Publication number: 20180358890
    Abstract: A power supply circuit is equipped with a converter circuit configured to convert an alternating current signal applied at an input of the power supply circuit into a direct current signal. A control circuit for the power supply circuit is configured to detect a phase of the alternating current signal and to control discharging of an internal capacitive element of the power supply circuit based on the detected phase of the alternating current signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Martin Feldtkeller, Torsten Hinz, Jens Barrenscheen, Reinhard Mueller, Anthony Sanders
  • Publication number: 20180351357
    Abstract: In some examples, a controller device is configured to control power electronics circuitry and includes a high-voltage (HV) pin, a power supply (VCC) pin, a startup device configured to conduct electricity from the HV pin to the VCC pin, and comparator circuitry configured to determine whether a voltage level of the VCC pin is greater than a turn-on voltage threshold. In some examples, the comparator circuitry is further configured to cause the controller device to enter a normal-operation mode in response to determining that the voltage level of the VCC pin is greater than the turn-on voltage threshold. In some examples, the controller device also includes level detection circuitry configured to determine the turn-on voltage threshold based on a level of the HV pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Martin Feldtkeller, Reinhard Mueller
  • Patent number: 10046331
    Abstract: A method for fragmenting and/or weakening material by high-voltage pulses is provided. The material and a processing fluid are arranged in a processing zone formed between two electrodes such that the entire processing zone is flooded with processing fluid, and high-voltage pulses are applied to the electrodes such that high-voltage breakdowns occur between the two electrodes and/or such that predischarge channels are formed without breakdowns. An electrode with a metallic conductor is chosen for at least one of the two electrodes, the conductor being provided partially or completely with an insulator or insulating coating at the working end of the electrode that is in contact with the processing fluid, the permittivity of the insulator/insulating coating being at least 75% of the permittivity of the processing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: selFrag AG
    Inventors: Reinhard Müller-Siebert, Fabrice Monti Di Sopra, Harald Giese, Urs Friedli
  • Publication number: 20180043368
    Abstract: A method for fragmenting and/or weakening of pourable material by means of high-voltage discharges is disclosed. Thereby, a material flow of the pourable material is, immersed in a process liquid, guided past a high-voltage electrode assembly with one or more high-voltage electrodes, while high-voltage punctures through the material are produced by means of charging of the high-voltage electrodes with high-voltage pulses. The zone of the material flow in which the high-voltage punctures through the material are produced is delimited laterally by substantially unmoved zones of the same material as viewed in a guiding-past direction. With the disclosed method, it becomes possible to fragment and/or weaken pourable material in a continuous process by means of high-voltage punctures in a low-wear and low-contamination manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: selFrag AG
    Inventors: Reinhard Müller-Siebert, Joel Kolly
  • Publication number: 20180006468
    Abstract: A method for the fragmentation and/or weakening of a piece of material by means of high-voltage discharges includes immersing the piece of material in a process fluid, guiding the material past a matrix formed by a number of high-voltage electrodes, which are supplied with high-voltage pulses. As such, high-voltage disruptive discharges occur through the piece of material whilst same is guided past the matrix. The high-voltage electrodes can be moved independently from one another along movement axes running substantially perpendicular to the passing direction of the work piece. And the electrodes are moved whilst the piece of material is guided past and whilst the high-voltage disruptive discharges are generated, in such a way that each follows the contour of the piece of material at a determined distance and are thereby immersed in the process fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Johannes Käppeler, Marion Esther Morach, Alexander Weh, Reinhard Müller-Siebert
  • Publication number: 20170326555
    Abstract: A method for fragmenting and/or weakening pourable material with high-voltage discharges includes guiding an annular or arcuate material flow past a high-voltage electrode assembly while immersed in a process liquid, by means of which high-voltage electrode assembly high-voltage punctures through the material flow are produced in that high-voltage pulses are applied to the high-voltage electrodes of the high-voltage electrode assembly by means of a high-voltage generator. Material is fed to the flow upstream of the high-voltage electrode assembly, and material is led away from the flow downstream of the high-voltage electrode assembly. This enables a continuous process, in which the speed of the material and the intensity of the high-voltage punctures can be set in wide ranges, and any insufficiently processed material can be fed back to the process zone over a short distance and practically without additional space requirement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Applicant: seIFrag AG
    Inventors: Johannes Käppeler, Reinhard Müller-Siebert
  • Publication number: 20160279643
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for fragmenting material (1) by means of high-voltage discharges (6). The material (1) to be fragmented is guided through a process zone (5) formed between two electrodes (3, 4), while high-voltage discharges (6) are generated between said electrodes (3, 4) for fragmenting the material (1). The high-voltage discharges (6) are triggered subject to a continuously determined process parameter, which represents the situation with respect to the material (1) located in the process zone (5). In this way, the process can be guided such that high-voltage discharges (6) are only triggered if there is a situation in the process zone (5) in which a specified fragmentation work can be performed. By this, the energy efficiency of the process can be considerably improved, and an excessive fragmentation of the material (1) can be prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Reinhard Müller-siebert, Frédéric Von Der Weid
  • Publication number: 20160256874
    Abstract: A method of fragmenting a material by means of high voltage discharges includes feeding the material through a process zone arranged between two electrodes flooded with a process liquid. High voltage discharges are generated between the electrodes and process liquid is fed into and discharged from the process zone. In that state, a degree of turbidity of the process liquid discharged is determined and compared with a reference value. In case a deviation from the reference value is detected, one or more parameters of the generation of high voltage discharges and/or of the feeding of the material through the process zone are changed such that, when after the changing of the parameters the determination of the degree of turbidity and the comparing with the reference value is repeated, the deviation which is detected is reduced or no deviation is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Harald Giese, Frédéric Von Der Weid, Helena Ahlqvist Jean-neret, Klaas Peter Van Der Wielen, Reinhard Müller-siebert, Alexander Weh
  • Patent number: 9168996
    Abstract: An aircraft pressurized cabin door includes an integral door structure unit made of fiber composite, the unit including an outer skin and a door framework arranged on an inner side of the outer skin. The framework includes a plurality of edge supports and a plurality of longitudinal supports extending in a width direction between the edge supports so as to form door framework interstices delimited by the inner side of the outer skin, by the edge supports and by the longitudinal supports. The door framework interstices are configured in a manner open toward the inner side of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Haensch, Reinhard Mueller, Richard Braun, Patrik Schmiedel
  • Publication number: 20150238972
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for fragmenting and/or weakening material by means of high-voltage pulses, the material and a processing fluid being arranged in a processing zone formed between two electrodes such that the entire processing zone is flooded with processing fluid, and high-voltage pulses being applied to the electrodes such that high-voltage breakdowns occur between the two electrodes and/or such that predischarge channels are formed without breakdowns. An electrode with a metallic conductor is chosen for at least one of the two electrodes, the conductor being provided partially or completely with an insulator or insulating coating at the working end of the electrode that is in contact with the processing fluid, the permittivity of the insulator/insulating coating being at least 75% of the permittivity of the processing fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Reinhard Müller-Siebert, Fabrice Monti Di Sopra, Harald Giese, Urs Friedli
  • Publication number: 20150176681
    Abstract: An epicyclic gearing, particularly a planetary gearing, has at least two central wheels and at least one planet wheel, whereby the at least one planet wheel engages simultaneously with two central wheels in order to transmit a movement of the one central wheel to the other central wheel. The at least two central wheels are thereby formed as lantern elements and the at least one planet wheel is formed as a lantern wheel. Alternatively, the at least one planet wheel is formed as a lantern element and the at least two central wheels are formed as lantern wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Frank, Reinhard Müller, Christoph Lunk
  • Patent number: 8388057
    Abstract: An air-conditioned seat includes a seat area and a backrest, the seat area and/or the backrest being cushioned with foam. For climate-control, a ventilator, in particular a radial ventilator, is provided, which is in operative connection with an air distribution device in the foam of the seat area and/or the backrest, the air distribution device including an air distribution structure on the side (e.g., a B side) facing away from the seated person, as well as air-conducting channels toward the side (e.g., an A side) facing the seated person. The ventilator is to be disposed in the foam itself, on the B side. The air is transported to the A side via the air distribution structure in the form of air trenches introduced into the foam on the B side, and via the air-conducting channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignees: Volkswagen AG, Sitech Sitztechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Tomas Barkow, Heinz Etzmuss, Hans-Georg Kaiser, Bernd Wilhelm, Harald Vogel, Adrian Sievers, Reinhard Mueller
  • Patent number: 8138952
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sample holder having an insulation body (10; 50) and a first electrode (3; 33) and a second electrode (4; 34), wherein the first electrode (3; 33) and the second electrode (4; 34) project into the sample container (2; 32), the first electrode (3; 33) and the second electrode (4; 34) are connected to each other via the insulation body (10; 50), the sample container (2; 32) is filled with a dielectric liquid (5; 35), and the first electrode (3; 33) is assigned to a gas collection chamber (6; 36). The invention further relates to an assembly for the electrodynamic fragmentation of samples (38), having such a sample container (2; 32), a process container (22; 41), and means (24, 27; 39, 39.1, 39.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: selFrag AG
    Inventors: Reinhard Müller-Siebert, Christoph Anliker, Peter Hoppe, Josef Singer
  • Patent number: 8071876
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement with a high voltage electrode (1) and a process vessel (2) assigned to the high voltage electrode (1), wherein the high voltage electrode (1) and the process vessel (2) can be positioned relative to each other in such a manner that the high voltage electrode (1) with its operational electrode end (5) in an operating position is immersed in the process vessel (2) and in a non-operating position is located outside the process vessel (2). Furthermore, the arrangement includes a grounding device (3), which is designed in such a manner that upon a positioning in the non-operating position it automatically is brought into contact with the operational electrode end (5) for grounding the high voltage electrode (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: selFrag AG
    Inventors: Christoph Anliker, Reinhard Müller-Siebert, Daniel Maurer