Patents by Inventor Stefan Butzmann

Stefan Butzmann 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: 9459324
    Abstract: A device comprises a battery having a multiplicity of battery cells and a sensor system for the redundant determination of a battery current flowing through the poles of the battery. The sensor system comprises a current measuring device for detecting the battery current and providing a current measurement value. Furthermore, the device comprises a voltage measuring device for separately detecting a variation with time of the single-cell voltage of at least one battery cell and providing at least one variation with time of a voltage measurement value. Furthermore, the device comprises an evaluating unit which is configured for determining the battery current from the at least one variation with time of the voltage measurement value, providing a corresponding current value and comparing the current value with the current measurement value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Andre Boehm, Stefan Wickert, Anne Heubner, Sven Bergmann, Stefan Butzmann
  • Patent number: 9457745
    Abstract: The disclosure presents a method for starting up a battery system having a battery, a DC voltage intermediate circuit which is connected to the battery, and a drive system which is connected to the DC voltage intermediate circuit. The battery has a large number of battery modules which are connected in series and which each comprise a coupling unit and at least one battery cell which is connected between a first input and a second input of the coupling unit. The method comprises a step for decoupling the battery cells of all of the battery modules which are connected in series by outputting a corresponding control signal to the coupling units of the battery modules which are connected in series. All of the battery modules which are connected in series are then bridged at the output end, and therefore an output voltage of the battery is zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Stefan Butzmann, Holger Fink
  • Publication number: 20160259386
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the secured digital transmission of current measurement values and to a battery (1) and a battery controller (10) which are suitable for carrying out the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Butzmann, Sven Bergmann
  • Publication number: 20160252580
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lithium-ion energy store (1), comprising an electrode (2, 3) having a main segment (2) and having a measurement segment (3) electrically isolated from the main segment (2), a counter-electrode (4), and a separator (5) between the electrode (2, 3) and the counter-electrode (4), wherein a measuring cell (3, 4), which forms part of the lithium-ion energy store (1), comprises the measuring segment (3) of the electrode (2, 3), a counter-electrode measuring segment, which is opposite the measuring segment (3) of the electrode (2, 3) with respect to the separator (5), and a segment of the separator (5) in arranged between the measuring segment (3) of the electrode (2, 3) and the counter-electrode measuring segment, and a main cell (2, 4), which forms part of the lithium-ion energy store (1), comprises the main segment (2) of the electrode (2, 3), a counter-electrode in main segment, which is opposite the main segment (2) of the electrode (2, 3) with respect to the separator (5), and a segm
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Butzmann
  • Publication number: 20160254571
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lithium-ion energy store, comprising an electrode comprising a main section and comprising a measurement section electrically isolated from the main section, a counterelectrode and a separator between the electrode and the counterelectrode, wherein a measurement cell, which forms part of the lithium-ion energy store, comprises the measurement section of the electrode, a couterelectrode measurement section, which is opposite the measurement section of the in electrode in relation to the separator, and a section of the separator which is arranged between the measurement sections of the electrode and the counterelectrode measurement section, and a main cell, which forms part of the lithium-ion energy store, the main in section of the electrode, a counterelectrode main section, which is opposite the main section of the electrode in relation to the separator, and a section of the separator which is arranged between the main section of the electrode and the counterelectrode main s
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Butzmann
  • Patent number: 9431932
    Abstract: A converter unit having at least one output. The at least one output is configured to be connected to a coil of an asynchronous machine. The converter unit is configured to provide several voltage levels at the at least one output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ralph Schmidt, Joachim Fetzer, Stefan Butzmann, Holger Fink
  • Publication number: 20160241129
    Abstract: The invention relates to an inverter circuit (80) which comprises first and second switching means (1, 2) that are connected, in an electrical path (10), in series to one another and parallel to a DC link capacitor (20). Said inverter circuit (80) also comprises an output (9) and two inputs (11, 12) which are each electrically-conductively connected to a pole of the DC link capacitor (20) and can each be connected to a pole of an energy store. Said inverter circuit (80) also comprises a voltage limitation element (30) which is electrically-conductively connected to the electrical path (10) by a first connection between the two switching means (1, 2), and to the control connection (3) of the second switching means (2) by a second connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventor: Stefan BUTZMANN
  • Publication number: 20160241124
    Abstract: The invention relates to a DC-DC converter with a first input voltage connection and a second input voltage connection, between which an input DC voltage can be applied, a first converter device, which is designed to convert a first sub-voltage of the input DC voltage into an output DC voltage, and a second convertor device, which is coupled between the first input voltage connection and the second input voltage connection in a series circuit relative to the first convertor device on the input side and which is designed to convert a second sub-voltage of the input DC voltage into an output DC voltage. The DC-DC converter further comprises a control device which is coupled to the first convertor device and the second converter device and which is designed to operate the first converter device with a variable first sub-voltage and the second converter device with a constant second sub-voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: David Tastekin, Stefan Butzmann
  • Publication number: 20160214485
    Abstract: An interlock switching circuit for protecting an electrical on-board power supply for an electrically drivable vehicle includes a conductor loop, a first current source, a first current mirror and a second current mirror. The first current source is configured to drive a current flowing out of an input of the first current mirror into an input of the second current mirror. The conductor loop is connected between an output of the first current mirror and an output of the second current mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventor: Stefan Butzmann
  • Patent number: 9401614
    Abstract: A method is used for controlling a battery having at least one battery module line with a plurality of battery modules that are connected in series. Each battery module has at least one battery cell, at least one coupling unit, a first connection, and a second connection. Each battery module is configured to assume one of at least two switching states dependent on a control of the coupling unit. The different switching states correspond to different voltage values between the first connection and the second connection of the battery module. The method includes determining a ranking among the battery modules. The method also includes engaging the battery modules in a supply of a desired output voltage of the battery module line using the ranking. The battery modules compare respective battery module operating states among one another and determine the ranking on the basis of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ralph Schmidt, Stefan Butzmann, Holger Fink
  • Patent number: 9400312
    Abstract: A battery system comprises at least two modules which include a plurality of battery cells, with each module being associated with a cell voltage detection unit which is connected to a central controller via a common communication bus. Each module additionally includes a module voltage detection unit which is connected to the central controller and is configured to separately detect the voltage of the associated module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Bosch, Joachim Fetzer, Stefan Butzmann, Holger Fink, Martin Lang
  • Publication number: 20160197505
    Abstract: An electric energy storage device includes two electrical terminals. The energy storage device further includes at least one first current path configured to electrically connect to the two terminals. The energy storage device further includes at least two energy storage modules configured to be connected to form a series connection of the energy storage modules. The energy storage modules include multiple storage units and a controllable multiple-voltage level converter. The converter is configured to optionally connect the one or more storage units in the first current path for the incremental adjustment of a module voltage, as at least one of a function of a control signal of a control and regulating device of the electric energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventor: Stefan Butzmann
  • Patent number: 9367420
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and an arrangement for monitoring at least one battery, to a battery having such an arrangement, and to a motor vehicle having a corresponding battery that is used for safely monitoring the battery condition with a reduced amount of hardware. The at least one battery is monitored by analyzing measured variables of the at least one battery using at least one data processing device. The signals exchanged between the at least one battery and the at least one data processing device via a communication connection are monitored at least once.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Weber, Chrysanthos Tzivanopoulos, Dirk Hasenkopf, Stefan Butzmann, Andreas Heyl, Frank Schindler
  • Patent number: 9362760
    Abstract: A method for regulating a battery voltage of a battery having a plurality of battery cells configured to be selectively bridged and connected to a battery string includes regulating the battery voltage to a desired nominal voltage by alternately driving the battery cells. The method further includes transmitting a value for a nominal switch-on probability to one or more driving circuits of the battery cells, with the result that the one or more battery cells are each switched with an allocated switch-on probability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Butzmann
  • Patent number: 9362597
    Abstract: A battery management unit includes a plurality of monitoring units. Each monitoring unit is configured to acquire at least one operating variable of at least one battery cell or of a battery module having a number of battery cells. Each monitoring unit is connected to a first bus. The battery management unit further includes a control device connected to the first bus and configured to communicate with at least one of the monitoring units of the plurality of monitoring unit via the first bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Butzmann
  • Publication number: 20160149168
    Abstract: A receptacle device for at least one electrode assembly includes a metal housing and a metal. The housing and the cover each are a prismatic shape with a base surface, side walls and an aperture. The aperture lies opposite the base surface. The base surface of the cover is at least one wall thickness of the side walls of the cover larger than the base surface of the housing. The receptacle device further includes a measuring device configured to measure at least one measurement variable. The measuring device is arranged on an edge of the aperture of the housing or of the cover. The measurement variable is a value for at least one of a voltage, a current strength, and a temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Stefan Butzmann, Holger Fink, Hans Partes
  • Patent number: 9331504
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for charging a battery having at least one battery cell. A first connection of a charging device is connected to a first pole of the at least one battery cell by a rectifying device. The rectifying device is set up such that charging current can flow. The disclosure further relates to a charging device, a battery, and a motor vehicle, which are configured to carried out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Butzmann
  • Patent number: 9329241
    Abstract: A device for measuring a minimum cell voltage among cell voltages of a plurality of battery cells connected in series includes a plurality of ohmic resistors connected in series. The device is configured to be connected to a plurality of battery cells connected in series in such a way that a respective battery cell of the plurality of battery cells is associated with each ohmic resistor of the plurality of ohmic resistors according to the series connections. Each ohmic resistor of the plurality of ohmic resistors, with the exception of a first ohmic resistor, is configured to conduct the smaller of a current that corresponds to the cell voltage of the associated battery cell and the current that is conducted by a preceding ohmic resistor in the series connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Butzmann
  • Publication number: 20160109524
    Abstract: An arrangement for determining characteristic variables of an electrochemical energy store comprises a gradient sensor with a bridge circuit including anisotropic magnetoresistive resistance elements. The arrangement additionally comprises a conductor through which a current from the energy store flows during operation of the energy store. The conductor includes a first section configured to primarily magnetically influence a first side of the bridge circuit and a second section configured to primarily magnetically influence a second side of the bridge circuit. The first section and the second section are arranged with respect to the bridge circuit in such a manner that a flow of current through the conductor produces a measurable electrical voltage across the bridge circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventor: Stefan Butzmann
  • Patent number: 9310442
    Abstract: A battery includes a plurality of battery cells connected in series between a positive terminal and a negative terminal and a resistor connected in series with the battery cells. The battery also includes a plurality of cell voltage detection units which each include a plurality of voltage measurement inputs connected to a respective group of the battery cells. The battery is configured to determine cell voltages of the battery cells connected to the respective cell voltage detection unit. The cell voltage detection units are connected to each other by a communication bus and are configured to transmit, via the communication bus, the determined cell voltages to a microcontroller which is galvanically decoupled from the cell voltage detection units by an electrical isolation device. The resistor includes a first connection connected to a selected voltage measurement input of one of the cell voltage detection units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Hasenkopf, Stefan Butzmann