Patents by Inventor Reinhold Elferich

Reinhold Elferich 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: 7719850
    Abstract: A power supply module arrangement with an integrated circuit mounted on a bearing unit and a power supply includes an integrated circuit mounted on a bearing unit and a power supply module arrangement that is placed on the combination of bearing unit and integrated circuit. The power supply module arrangement includes a base extending at least partially over the base of the integrated circuit and/or all around the base of the integrated circuit. The power supply module arrangement allows for greater permissible load jumps, greater permissible current change rates and ever tighter tolerances regarding the constancy of the supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Duerbaum, Reinhold Elferich
  • Patent number: 7688600
    Abstract: In a multi-resonance converter for converting a first DC voltage into a second DC voltage, wherein the output of a half-bridge comprising semiconductor switches is connected through a resonance capacitor to the primary winding of a transformer and the secondary winding of the transformer, together with rectifier elements, an output inductor and an output capacitor, forms a current output, it is proposed that a controller, which can be supplied which the voltage across the output capacitor and a reference voltage, should control the semiconductor switches alternately so that one of the semiconductor switches is respectively turned on at a predetermined time after the other semiconductor switch is turned off. Preferably, the frequency is controlled in an upper range of the drawn power while in a lower range of the drawn power, the mark-space ratio is controlled for selected respectively constant frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Georg Sauerlander, Reinhold Elferich, Cornelis Schetters, Humphrey De Groot
  • Publication number: 20100052866
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting device, particularly a lighting tile (100, 100?) for paving e.g. a floor area (1), comprising a light emitting unit and an associated control unit. The control unit is adapted to detect the presence of a first nearby object (3) and to receive wireless signals from a second nearby object, for example from an RFID-tag (2) and/or an NFC-based device, carried by the first object (3). The lighting device may for instance be used in a method for guiding passengers through a public space like an airport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Reinhold Elferich, Achim Hilgers
  • Publication number: 20090316442
    Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment a method of operating a resonant power supply comprises controlling the resonant power supply in a discontinuous way. According to an exemplary embodiment a resonant power supply comprises a first switching element, and at least one energy storing element, wherein the resonant power supply is adapted to be controlled in a discontinuous way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Reinhold Elferich
  • Publication number: 20090230875
    Abstract: In a method and a driver circuit for operating one or more light emitting diodes, LEDs, an alternating supply current is generated and transformed to an alternating secondary winding voltage. Using rectifier means, such as diodes or synchronous switches, the alternating secondary winding voltage is converted to a substantially constant load current by using a buffer element, such as an output choke, i.e. a suitable inductor. The power transferred from the power source to the LEDs may be controlled by frequency control of the alternating supply current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2005
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Georg Sauerlaender, Reinhold Elferich, Bernd Ackermann, Dirk Hente, Christoph Martiny, Matthias Wendt
  • Publication number: 20090207635
    Abstract: A control method is proposed that enables to drive a resonant (LLC) power converter at low loads with substantially reduced power losses for realizing a stand-by power. The reduction is achieved by a sub-critical operation several times below Resonance Frequency while still keeping zero voltage switching. One half-bridge switch (s1) is turned on for a short pulse—in the remaining time of the sub-critical switching period the resonant current oscillates through the other switch (s2). Zero voltage switching is obtained by evaluating the resonant capacitor voltage. The pulse length determines the stand-by power and is used as controlling variable. The power supply is suitable for Consumer Electronics products that require a low power standby supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventor: Reinhold Elferich
  • Patent number: 7573729
    Abstract: The invention relates to a resonant power LED control circuit for the independent, simultaneous brightness and color or color temperature control of two LEDs (41, 42) or two groups of LEDs, comprising a single resonant converter which is essentially formed from a half or full bridge DC/AC converter (2) with a control unit (21), a resonant capacitor, and a transformer (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Reinhold Elferich, Peter Lürkens
  • Publication number: 20090102541
    Abstract: A switching circuit arrangement (100) comprises a field effect transistor (40) and circuitry (50, 52, 54, 60, 62) for biasing the gate voltage of the field effect transistor (40), in particular forcing the gate voltage of the field effect transistor (40) under a certain threshold, in particular under a certain positive threshold level. In embodiments, reverse recovery as well as gate bounce are simultaneously mitigated. In one embodiment, the biasing circuitry comprises a biasing diode (52) connected in series to the gate (G) of the field effect transistor (40) to bias the gate voltage of the field effect transistor (40), as well as a clamping field effect transistor unit (62) connected between the gate (G) of the field effect transistor (40) and the source (S) of the field effect transistor (40) to force the gate voltage of the field effect transistor (40) under a certain threshold, in particular under a certain positive threshold level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Toni Lopez, Reinhold Elferich
  • Publication number: 20070297199
    Abstract: In a multi-resonance converter for converting a first DC voltage into a second DC voltage, wherein the output of a half-bridge comprising semiconductor switches is connected through a resonance capacitor to the primary winding of a transformer and the secondary winding of the transformer, together with rectifier elements, an output inductor and an output capacitor, forms a current output, it is proposed that a controller, which can be supplied which the voltage across the output capacitor and a reference voltage, should control the semiconductor switches alternately so that one of the semiconductor switches is respectively turned on at a predetermined time after the other semiconductor switch is turned off. Preferably, the frequency is controlled in an upper range of the drawn power while in a lower range of the drawn power, the mark-space ratio is controlled for selected respectively constant frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Georg Sauerlander, Reinhold Elferich, Cornelis Schetters, Humphrey De Groot
  • Patent number: 7298197
    Abstract: An increasing number of phases in multiphase converters causes an increase in requirements with respect to the control IC. According to the present invention, instead of deriving a new PWM signal for every single phase of the DC-DC converter, the single phases are clustered into groups (22, 24, 26). Within each group, the converters are operated on the basis of one PWM signal (PW M1, PW M2 . . . PW MN). Advantageously, this may allow to reduce the requirements with respect to the control IC and thus may allow the application of cheaper and smaller control ICs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Duerbaum, Reinhold Elferich, Tobias Tolle
  • Patent number: 7239114
    Abstract: Described herein is a DC/DC down converter which includes a synchronous rectifier, a switching element at its input side, an inductance at its output side and an auxiliary circuit which includes an auxiliary switching element, an auxiliary rectifier and an auxiliary inductance, the auxiliary circuit being coupled to the connection between the synchronous rectifier, the switching element at the input side and the inductance at the output side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Dürbaum, Reinhold Elferich, Tobias Tolle
  • Publication number: 20070080652
    Abstract: The invention relates to a resonant power LED control circuit for the independent, simultaneous brightness and color or color temperature control of two LEDs (41, 42) or two groups of LEDs, comprising a single resonant converter which is essentially formed from a half or full bridge DC/AC converter (2) with a control unit (21), a resonant capacitor, and a transformer (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Reinhold Elferich, Peter Lurkens
  • Patent number: 7141957
    Abstract: In known converter circuits switching losses occur, which are caused by reverse-recovery currents of a freewheeling diode. To reduce said switching losses it is proposed by the invention to drive the switching elements such that, upon switching from the second to the first switching element, the timing is controlled in such a manner that the shoot through currents and the conduction of the freewheeling diode are kept at a low value or, better still, are precluded. As regards the control mechanism, it is proposed to turn on the first switching element later if shoot through currents occur, and to turn on the first switching element sooner if conduction of the freewheeling diode occurs. Here, a time of overlap may be provided during which both switching elements are simultaneously conducting. For the control mechanism, the voltage across a switching element can be used as a measured input value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Tobias Georg Tolle, Thomas Dürbaum, Reinhold Elferich
  • Publication number: 20060187692
    Abstract: The trend towards more digital signal processing in mains-powered devices causes an increasing variety of supply voltages at ever decreasing levels and at higher currents. At present, the secondary side architecture provides a separate ac-dc conversion and dc-dc down-conversion stages in order to obtain stabilized voltages at those low levels. According to the present invention, a controlling synchronous rectifier is provided, comprising a power MOSFET and a control unit which allow to integrate both stages. In particular, according to the present invention, the output voltage of the synchronous rectifier is controlled by controlling the channel switching of the MOSFET. Advantageously, this provides for a very simple and efficient rectification and voltage control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventors: Reinhold Elferich, Thomas Durbaum, Tobias Tolle, Raymond Grover, Philip Rutter
  • Publication number: 20060164051
    Abstract: At The invention relates to a DC/DC down converter which includes a synchronous rectifier, a switching element at its input side and an inductance at its output side. In order to permit fast load fluctuations as well as to reduce costs and operating losses, it is proposed to provide an auxiliary circuit which comprises an auxiliary switching element, an auxiliary rectifier and an auxiliary inductance, the auxiliary circuit being coupled to the connection between the synchronous rectifier, the switching element at the input side and the inductance at the output side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Durbaum, Reinhold Elferich, Tobias Tolle
  • Patent number: 7076206
    Abstract: The invention describes a system for electrical transmission in the field of garments and a corresponding transmitter for this. Electrical circuits in garments are coupled, preferably inductively in a wireless manner with electrical devices and/or electrical circuits in other garments, wherein electrical energy is transmitted via the coupling. Energy transmission in both directions is preferably possible, wherein a distributed system results with sources and devices that can be coupled with each other. The efficiency of the inductive energy transmission is increased by regulation of the frequency, preferably using resonance. In addition, means for information transmission are proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
    Inventors: Reinhold Elferich, Georg Sauerlaender, Thomas Duerbaum
  • Publication number: 20060114700
    Abstract: A method for controlling the transient response of a power converter powering a load, said power converter comprising a power switch, a synchronous rectifier and a capacitor coupled between an input and an output of the power converter, said method comprising the step of—disabling said synchronous rectifier in response to a signal indicative of a change of said load, is characterized by—providing said signal based on a current representing said change of load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Durbaum, Franciscus Schoofs, Reinhold Elferich, Tobias Tolle
  • Publication number: 20060091867
    Abstract: The invention relates to a power converter comprising an inductor 6 for receiving energy from a power supply 1, and connected to the inductor 6 an output capacitor 7 for providing an output voltage. In order to ensure a quick compensation of a reduction of load at the voltage output using few output capacitors, it is proposed that an additional current path 11,12 is arranged in parallel either to the inductor 6 or to the capacitor 7, which additional current path 11,12 can be opened and closed. A current flowing through the additional current path 11,12 reaches basically immediately a desired value, when the additional current path 11,12 is opened. Feedback means are moreover provided for opening the additional current path 11,12, when the output voltage reaches a predetermined maximum value. The invention relates equally to a corresponding method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Publication date: May 4, 2006
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Durbaum, Reinhold Elferich, Tobias Tolle, Jeffery Olsen
  • Publication number: 20050270136
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device which comprises a circuit arrangement and at least one inductive element. In order to form a device with a circuit arrangement with one or more inductive elements which can be manufactured as economically as possible, it is proposed to use an electrically conductive plate (13) having an inductive function, the inductive function corresponding to a structure of slits (20a, 20b, 20c) formed in the plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Publication date: December 8, 2005
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Tobias Tolle, Thomas Durbaum, Reinhold Elferich
  • Publication number: 20050258889
    Abstract: In known converter circuits switching losses occur, which are caused by reverse-recovery currents of a freewheeling diode. To reduce said switching losses it is proposed by the invention to drive the switching elements such that, upon switching from the second to the first switching element, the timing is controlled in such a manner that the shoot through currents and the conduction of the freewheeling diode are kept at a low value or, better still, are precluded. As regards the control mechanism, it is proposed to turn on the first switching element later if shoot through currents occur, and to turn on the first switching element sooner if conduction of the freewheeling diode occurs. Here, a time of overlap may be provided during which both switching elements are simultaneously conducting. For the control mechanism, the voltage across a switching element can be used as a measured input value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Inventors: Tobias Tolle, Thomas Durbaum, Reinhold Elferich