Patents by Inventor Rik W. De Doncker

Rik W. De Doncker 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: 20240396477
    Abstract: Modular heavy-duty drive train comprising a plurality of drive modules and an output element, wherein each drive module comprises at least two electric drive units for driving a first summing gear and one load transmission device, wherein the at least two electric drive units drive the load transmission device of the respective drive module via the first summing gear, and wherein the load transmission devices are each coupled to the output element for parallel transmission of the drive power from the plurality of drive modules to the output element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Arne HINZ, Rik W. DE DONCKER
  • Patent number: 11290019
    Abstract: A transformer includes a first core, a first primary coil, a first secondary coil, and a first insulating member. The first secondary coil includes a second conductor wound around the first core. The first insulating member covers the first secondary coil. The second conductor has a shape of a first polygon in a cross-section of the second conductor. A first corner of the first polygon has a first radius of curvature of 0.1 mm or more. The transformer thus has improved dielectric breakdown voltage and improved power efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takushi Jimichi, Nils Soltau, Murat Kaymak, Rik W. De Doncker
  • Patent number: 10998800
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a rotor for an electric machine, wherein the rotor is composed of at least one electric sheet wherein at least one electric sheet is thermally treated regionally to directly modify its magnetic permeability in the treated region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: RHEINISCH-WESTFÄLISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE (RWTH) AACHEN
    Inventors: Tobias Lange, Rik W. De Doncker, Mareike Schenk, Stefan Koschik
  • Patent number: 10873254
    Abstract: An electrical circuit comprising an n-port m-phase active bridge converter with n?2 and m?3, where each port can be operated as an input or an output port, wherein each of the n ports has m phase legs with multiple active switches with parallel connected snubber or resonant capacitors, whereby the ports can convert a DC-voltage into an AC voltage and vice versa, whereby the ports are connected via a m-phase transformer or over m separate transformers each connected to each of the m phase legs of each of the m ports to transfer power between the ports, wherein an auxiliary circuit is connected to a star point of the transformers to feedback a fraction of a transformer input voltage and energy into a DC mid-point capacitor of a DC-link of at least one of the n-port m-phase active bridge converters to charge the DC mid-point capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen
    Inventor: Rik W. De Doncker
  • Publication number: 20200295665
    Abstract: A transformer includes a first core, a first primary coil, a first secondary coil, and a first insulating member. The first secondary coil includes a second conductor wound around the first core. The first insulating member covers the first secondary coil. The second conductor has a shape of a first polygon in a cross-section of the second conductor. A first corner of the first polygon has a first radius of curvature of 0.1 mm or more. The transformer thus has improved dielectric breakdown voltage and improved power efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takushi JIMICHI, Nils SOLTAU, Murat KAYMAK, Rik W. DE DONCKER
  • Patent number: 10727755
    Abstract: A method of controlling at least one switching module having commutation cells which are associated with a regulating winding of a regulating transformer, the commutation cells including: a first and second switching element each having two thyristors in antiparallel connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: MASCHINENFABRIK REINHAUSEN GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Engel, Rik W. de Doncker
  • Patent number: 10608522
    Abstract: An electrical circuit comprising an n-port m-phase active bridge converter with n?2 and m?1, where each port can be operated as an input or an output port, wherein each of the n ports has m phase legs with multiple active switches with parallel connected snubber or resonant capacitors, whereby the n ports can convert a DC-voltage into an AC voltage, the n ports connected via an m-phase transformer or over m separate transformers each connected to each of the m phase legs of each of the n ports to transfer power between the ports, wherein an auxiliary circuit is connected to the transformers to convert a part of a transformer input voltage and energy via an auxiliary voltage source into a DC mid-point capacitor of a DC-link of at least one of the n-port m-phase active bridge converters to recharge the DC mid-point capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen
    Inventors: Rik W. De Doncker, Johannes Voss
  • Patent number: 10530243
    Abstract: Each DC/DC converter includes a transformer, first and second switching circuits each formed of a plurality of legs having a plurality of semiconductor switching elements, and capacitors. When detecting a malfunction in semiconductor switching elements, a control circuit halts a normal operation mode and controls the first switching circuit by a protection mode for turning OFF all the semiconductor switching elements, and controls the second switching circuit by a bypass mode for bypassing the capacitor by turning ON the semiconductor switching elements in a discharge leg and causing a short circuit between the secondary side terminals, after controlling the second switching circuit by a discharge mode for discharging the capacitor by turning ON the semiconductor switching element in a discharge leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takushi Jimichi, Nils Soltau, Murat Kaymak, Rik W. De Doncker
  • Publication number: 20200007022
    Abstract: An electrical circuit comprising an n-port m-phase active bridge converter with n?2 and m?1, where each port can be operated as an input or an output port, wherein each of the n ports has m phase legs with multiple active switches with parallel connected snubber or resonant capacitors, whereby the n ports can convert a DC-voltage into an AC voltage, the n ports connected via an m-phase transformer or over m separate transformers each connected to each of the m phase legs of each of the n ports to transfer power between the ports, wherein an auxiliary circuit is connected to the transformers to convert a part of a transformer input voltage and energy via an auxiliary voltage source into a DC mid-point capacitor of a DC-link of at least one of the n-port m-phase active bridge converters to recharge the DC mid-point capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Rik W. De Doncker, Johannes Voss
  • Publication number: 20200007030
    Abstract: An electrical circuit comprising an n-port m-phase active bridge converter with n?2 and m?3, where each port can be operated as an input or an output port, wherein each of the n ports has m phase legs with multiple active switches with parallel connected snubber or resonant capacitors, whereby the ports can convert a DC-voltage into an AC voltage and vice versa, whereby the ports are connected via a m-phase transformer or over m separate transformers each connected to each of the m phase legs of each of the m ports to transfer power between the ports, wherein an auxiliary circuit is connected to a star point of the transformers to feedback a fraction of a transformer input voltage and energy into a DC mid-point capacitor of a DC-link of at least one of the n-port m-phase active bridge converters to charge the DC mid-point capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventor: Rik W. De Doncker
  • Patent number: 10500971
    Abstract: A circuit assembly for linking different electrical voltage levels in a motor vehicle, comprising: an electric machine containing induction coils in a star circuit connection with a star point; a first switch unit containing switch elements for generating an AC voltage for the electric machine from a DC voltage of a first voltage level; a DC voltage of a second voltage level; and a second switch unit for a bidirectional electrical energy flow between the DC voltage of the first voltage level and the DC voltage of the second voltage level, wherein the second switch unit has two switch elements arranged in series in an auxiliary switch branch, wherein the auxiliary switch branch is connected in parallel to the DC voltage of the first voltage level, and each connection of the switch elements is connected to the star point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: RWTH Aachen
    Inventors: Murat Senol, Rik W. De Doncker
  • Publication number: 20190238050
    Abstract: Each DC/DC converter includes a transformer, first and second switching circuits each formed of a plurality of legs having a plurality of semiconductor switching elements, and capacitors. When detecting a malfunction in semiconductor switching elements, a control circuit halts a normal operation mode and controls the first switching circuit by a protection mode for turning OFF all the semiconductor switching elements, and controls the second switching circuit by a bypass mode for bypassing the capacitor by turning ON the semiconductor switching elements in a discharge leg and causing a short circuit between the secondary side terminals, after controlling the second switching circuit by a discharge mode for discharging the capacitor by turning ON the semiconductor switching element in a discharge leg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takushi JIMICHI, Nils SOLTAU, Murat KAYMAK, Rik W. DE DONCKER
  • Patent number: 10367423
    Abstract: Each DC/DC converter includes a transformer, first and second switching circuits each formed of a plurality of legs having a plurality of semiconductor switching elements, capacitors, a discharge circuit connected in parallel to the secondary side capacitor, and a bypass switch for bypassing the capacitor. When detecting a malfunction in semiconductor switching elements, a control circuit turns OFF all of the semiconductor switching elements, and controls the bypass switch after discharge of the capacitor through the discharge circuit, so that the capacitor is bypassed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takushi Jimichi, Nils Soltau, Murat Kaymak, Rik W. De Doncker
  • Publication number: 20190229625
    Abstract: Each DC/DC converter includes a transformer, first and second switching circuits each formed of a plurality of legs having a plurality of semiconductor switching elements, capacitors, a discharge circuit connected in parallel to the secondary side capacitor, and a bypass switch for bypassing the capacitor. When detecting a malfunction in semiconductor switching elements, a control circuit turns OFF all of the semiconductor switching elements, and controls the bypass switch after discharge of the capacitor through the discharge circuit, so that the capacitor is bypassed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takushi JIMICHI, Nils SOLTAU, Murat KAYMAK, Rik W. DE DONCKER
  • Patent number: 10305336
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an aircraft with at least one synchronous reluctance machine which comprises a stator with a plurality of grooves and teeth and a rotor with a plurality of magnetic flux barriers, wherein at least one magnetic flux barrier is designed asymmetrical to the q-axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Lange, Rik W. De Doncker
  • Publication number: 20180244171
    Abstract: A circuit assembly for linking different electrical voltage levels in a motor vehicle, comprising: an electric machine containing induction coils in a star circuit connection with a star point; a first switch unit containing switch elements for generating an AC voltage for the electric machine from a DC voltage of a first voltage level; a DC voltage of a second voltage level; and a second switch unit for a bidirectional electrical energy flow between the DC voltage of the first voltage level and the DC voltage of the second voltage level, wherein the second switch unit has two switch elements arranged in series in an auxiliary switch branch, wherein the auxiliary switch branch is connected in parallel to the DC voltage of the first voltage level, and each connection of the switch elements is connected to the star point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Murat Senol, Rik W. De Doncker
  • Publication number: 20180062487
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a rotor for an electric machine, wherein the rotor is composed of at least one electric sheet wherein at least one electric sheet is thermally treated regionally to directly modify its magnetic permeability in the treated region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Tobias LANGE, Rik W. DE DONCKER, Mareike SCHENK
  • Patent number: 9825532
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter having a primary side comprising at least three actively switched primary voltage bridges with several active switches for converting a DC input voltage into primary alternating voltages for each of the primary voltage bridges, and having a secondary side comprising at least three actively switched secondary voltage bridges with several active switches for converting the secondary alternating voltages into a shared DC output voltage for each of the secondary voltage bridges. The primary and secondary alternating voltages are each shifted by a phase angle ? with the periods T, and each of the primary and secondary voltage bridges is coupled to an appertaining phase via one or more transformers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: FLEXIBLE ELEKTRISCHE NETZE FEN GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Engel, Ir. Rik W. A. A. De Doncker
  • Publication number: 20160352161
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an aircraft with at least one synchronous reluctance machine which comprises a stator with a plurality of grooves and teeth and a rotor with a plurality of magnetic flux barriers, wherein at least one magnetic flux barrier is designed asymmetrical to the q-axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Tobias LANGE, Rik W. DE DONCKER
  • Patent number: 9148065
    Abstract: The invention puts forward a bidirectional DC-DC converter for high voltages that is as simple as possible and that entails as few losses as possible. The bidirectional DC-DC converter (1) converter comprises an input stage (2) to convert a DC input voltage into first AC voltage, a transformer (3) to transform the first AC voltage into a second AC voltage, and an output stage (4) to convert the second AC voltage into a DC output voltage, whereby, in order to provide the first and/or second AC voltage, at least one of the input stages (2) and/or output stages (4) comprises a branch of a multi-level converter (5) with a first number of active first semiconductor switches (61).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: RHEINISCH-WESTFÄLISCH-TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE AACHEN
    Inventors: Stephan Thomas, ir Rik W. A. A. De Doncker, Robert Lenke