Patents by Inventor Stefan Götz

Stefan Götz 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: 20240072280
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for starting a fuel cell stack at temperatures below the freezing point of a reaction product produced during the reaction between an anode-side fuel and a cathode-side fuel. The fuel cell stack comprises a plurality of individual cells having at least one internal cell which is arranged in the stacking direction in the interior of the fuel cell stack and an edge cell which is arranged in the stacking direction at the edge of the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack is connected to a cooling circuit having cooling fluid for cooling the fuel cell stack, which cooling fluid can be conducted through the fuel cell stack by a pump arranged in the cooling circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Dominik BERON, Jürgen KRAFT, Stefan HEMMER, Tobias KRÜGER, Michael GÖTZ
  • Patent number: 11909234
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recharging an energy store (102) used to drive a power semiconductor switch (100), wherein the energy store (102) and the power semiconductor switch (100) are at the same potential, wherein a switching state of the power semiconductor switch (100) is effected by a controller (204, 712), wherein the controller (204) assigns a respective potential value to the energy store (102) at a respective switching state (202) and wherein, by driving at least one charging switch (112, 114, 122, 132, 142, 152), charging of the energy store (102) is activated as soon as the potential value of the energy store (102) corresponds to a ground potential of a supply voltage (106, 216).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h. c. F. Porsche AG
    Inventor: Stefan Goetz
  • Publication number: 20240010435
    Abstract: A chain link for a plate-link chain of a chain conveyor having two substantially flat side walls, which are spaced apart from, and parallel to, each other in a transverse direction (x-direction) of the chain link and securely fastened together, and two force introduction components. Every force introduction component protrudes outwards in the transverse direction (x-direction) from its associated side wall for the purpose of fastening it to a conveyor belt of the chain conveyor and is a component that is separate from the side walls. The force introduction components are substantially flat and every force introduction component is interlockingly connected to its associated side wall. A plate-link chain having multiple chain links and a chain conveyor comprising a plate-link chain are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Applicant: Schenck Process Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas SCHUETZ, Stefan GOETZ
  • Publication number: 20230378619
    Abstract: An apparatus for magnetic flux generation on two parallel extending busbars, the apparatus including two clasps that are connected or are to be connected to one another, which are formed from a magnetic material. A respective clasp of the two clasps includes at its two ends a respective connection region for contacting the respective other clasp of the two clasps. When the two clasps are connected to one another, a central region of the respective clasp has a specified spacing from the central region of the respective other clasp. The respective clasp is formed such that, if the respective clasp is inserted perpendicular to and between the parallel extending busbars, a first part of the respective clasp extends below one of the two busbars and a second part of the respective clasp extends above another of the two busbars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Stefan GOETZ, Korbinian GOETZ
  • Publication number: 20230344368
    Abstract: A method for arranging a generalized multilevel converter switching topology with switched capacitors for converting DC current into AC current, wherein the arrangement can be configured with regard to predetermined output voltage levels. With the same number of semiconductor switches, a higher number of voltage levels can be achieved in comparison to previous methods. Depending on the given problem, a maximum output voltage of the AC current may vary from significantly lower values than the input voltage of the DC current up to a multiple of these values. The generalized circuit topology may be adapted to a desired number of voltage levels by a repeatable arrangement of voltage level units that can be arranged in a row and to a multiphase load by a corresponding selection of a number of sub-modules. Furthermore, a modular multilevel converter configured with the circuit topology is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Götz, Nima Tashakor, Farzad Iraji
  • Publication number: 20230318432
    Abstract: A method for controlling a modular multi-level converter including a multiplicity of modules having at least one energy storage unit and a plurality of controllable switches. The modular multi-level converter is controlled by pulse-width-modulated control signals. A respective control signal is generated on the basis of a respective carrier signal having a phase shift relative to the respective module, and on the basis of at least one reference signal. As a result of a comparison, based on a size comparison, of a signal profile of the respective carrier signal with the at least one reference signal, a connection time of the at least one energy storage unit of the respective module to a load current is triggered. The signal profile of the respective carrier signal is modified by at least one change within three degrees of freedom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Götz, Tomas Kacetl, Jan Kacetl, Nima Tashakor
  • Publication number: 20230218333
    Abstract: A monitoring unit which is configured to monitor a patient during an operation of a high-frequency surgery device, wherein the high-frequency surgery device is configured to separate and/or coagulate biological tissue by means of high-frequency electrical energy, wherein the monitoring unit has: measuring electrodes which are disposed in a periphery of the patient, and an evaluation and control unit which is configured to impress a predetermined measuring alternating voltage or a predetermined measuring alternating current on the measuring electrodes, and to monitor an impedance decreasing between the measuring electrodes and to monitor a time curve of the impedance and/or to monitor a temporal change thereof
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: Stefan Götz, Pascal Albert Scherz, Robert Ludwig Conle
  • Patent number: 11689039
    Abstract: A method for state-of-charge monitoring of an AC battery, in which the battery includes a central controller having a scheduler, measuring sensors and at least two battery modules. The at least two battery modules each have at least one energy storage element and at least two power semiconductor switches, which connect the respective battery module in series or in parallel or in bypass with another battery module. The battery is controlled by the central controller, and a respective switching state of the at least two battery modules is preset by the scheduler. The state-of-charge monitoring is implemented by a control program within the scheduler. During operation of the battery, a state of each individual energy storage element is monitored by virtue of a respective current flow at a respective energy storage element being determined using continued evaluation of measured values of preset battery parameters which are detected by measuring sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Inventors: Eduard Specht, Jan Kacetl, Tomas Kacetl, Malte Jaensch, Daniel Simon, Stefan Götz
  • Publication number: 20230198513
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recharging an energy store (102) used to drive a power semiconductor switch (100), wherein the energy store (102) and the power semiconductor switch (100) are at the same potential, wherein a switching state of the power semiconductor switch (100) is effected by a controller (204, 712), wherein the controller (204) assigns a respective potential value to the energy store (102) at a respective switching state (202) and wherein, by driving at least one charging switch (112, 114, 122, 132, 142, 152), charging of the energy store (102) is activated as soon as the potential value of the energy store (102) corresponds to a ground potential of a supply voltage (106, 216).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventor: Stefan Goetz
  • Patent number: 11660975
    Abstract: A method for AC-charging an intelligent battery pack, which is connected to a charging column and has at least two battery modules, which each comprise at least one energy storage element and at least two power semiconductor switches, which interconnect the respective battery module in series or in parallel with another battery module. The battery pack is connected for charging with alternating current provided by the charging column by a charging circuit, which includes a filter and a rectifier. According to the method, a state of each individual energy storage element is monitored. In accordance with a continued evaluation of the states of the respective energy storage elements, a terminal voltage of the battery pack is adjusted by way of dynamic actuation of the power semiconductor switches to a voltage provided by the rectifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Inventors: Malte Jaensch, Jan Kacetl, Tomas Kacetl, Stefan Götz
  • Patent number: 11632034
    Abstract: A method for switching control of a multi-level converter. The multi-level converter has a plurality of modules. A total switching state is formed from respective module switching states of the plurality of modules by the switching control. A current state of charge of all energy stores of the multi-level converter is provided continuously to the switching control. The switching control is divided into an offline part and an online part, wherein, in the offline part, a plurality of offline switching tables is calculated by way of optimizers in a continuous sequence and, for calculation of a respective offline switching table of the plurality of offline switching tables, a respective cost function is minimized according to at least one predefined offline optimization criterion for evaluating the total switching state. In the online part, an online switching table is selected from the plurality of offline switching tables in a continuous sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventors: Tomas Kacetl, Stefan Götz, Jan Kacetl, Daniel Simon, Malte Jaensch, Eduard Specht, Hermann Helmut Dibos, Axel Weyland
  • Patent number: 11626812
    Abstract: A method controls switching states of a multi-level converter with multiple modules. Each module has: terminals on a first and second side; controllable switches; and an energy store in series with a first switch in a first connection between the terminals. A second switch is arranged in a connection between the terminals. The control of the switching states is divided into a real-time and offline part. In the real-time part, for each time step: a voltage level is allocated to a voltage requirement; a total switching state is determined in a first switching table for the voltage level; and the total switching state is passed on as a control signal to the switches. In the offline part: a second switching table is calculated, resulting in accordance with a minimization of a cost function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Eduard Specht, Stefan Goetz, Tomas Kacetl, Daniel Simon
  • Patent number: 11611257
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing a slot base insulation in a stator (210, 220), wherein the stator (210, 220) is part of an electrical machine and is constructed from a ferromagnetic material. The stator (210, 220) is provided with at least one slot (204) to fit a winding wire (122) in the at least one slot (204). The at least one slot (204) is coated with a soft-magnetic insulation material. A stator (210, 220) also is provided with the slot base insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h. c. F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Stefan Goetz, Oliver Heil
  • Patent number: 11611248
    Abstract: A stator (1) for an electric machine (100) has stator laminations (3) stacked in an axial direction (A) to form a stator lamination stack (2). The stator laminations (3) have strip-shaped inserts (4) extending in a radial direction (R). The inserts (4) have a higher thermal conductivity than the rest of the stator lamination (3). The stator laminations (3) are rotated in relation to one another in an azimuthal direction (U) about an angle of rotation (D) in such a manner that the inserts (4) of directly adjacent stator laminations (3) are not arranged one above another in the axial direction (A). An electric machine (100), a motor vehicle (200) and a method for producing a stator (1) also are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Dr. ing. h. c. F. Porsche AG
    Inventor: Stefan Goetz
  • Patent number: 11569764
    Abstract: A method for configuring a battery for operation of at least two N-phase electric machines, in which a battery includes a plurality of energy modules, and the energy modules each have at least one energy cell and at least two power switches. A respective N-phase electric machine is assigned a respective group of the plurality of energy modules, and the assignment is carried out in accordance with an estimation of a respective energy consumption of the respective N-phase electric machines on the basis of a respective load of the respective N-phase electric machines which load is to be assumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Inventors: Malte Jaensch, Jan Kacetl, Tomas Kacetl, Hermann Helmut Dibos, Eduard Specht, Christian Korte, Stefan Götz
  • Patent number: 11440742
    Abstract: A conveying and metering device with an endless apron belt that is movable by rollers on guide rails, wherein sections of the guide rail that are opposite one another are separated from the adjacent sections and, for determining the mass of the conveyed material, are supported on weighing devices that are connected to an electronic analysis device. Provision is made that the sections of the guide rail to be weighed, together with longitudinal members and transverse struts that are perpendicular to the longitudinal members, form a weighing frame, and this weighing frame is supported at each of its four corners on a separate weighing device, wherein an adjustable centering device is provided between the weighing frame and each of the weighing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Schenck Process Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Schuetz, Stefan Goetz
  • Patent number: 11407319
    Abstract: An energy store (14a) has at least three energy storage sections (u, v, w) and at least two switching elements. Each energy storage sections (u, v, w) has multiple energy storage modules and each energy storage module has at least one energy storage element that receives and stores energy from an energy source (12). The energy store (14a) is connected to a first coil (50) so that a voltage induced in the first coil (50) is used to charge the energy storage elements. The energy store (14a) is matched to properties of the voltage provided by the first coil (50) by switching the switching elements. As a result, the energy storage modules of an energy storage section (u, v, w) are connected in parallel and/or in series with one another and/or at least one energy storage module of at least one energy storage section (u, v, w) is bypassed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h. c. F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Stefan Goetz, Hermann Helmut Dibos, Malte Jaensch, Eduard Specht, Christian Korte
  • Patent number: 11404860
    Abstract: Method for detecting a protective conductor failure inside a cable including a plurality of conductors, in which at least one conductor has a shield and this shield is respectively connected to a potential at a first end and at a second end of the cable, wherein, in order to drive its potential to a predefined potential value, the shield is actively electrically supplied at at least one end of the cable. In this case, the cable may be a charging cable which is connected, by the first end, to a charging pole and is connected, by the second end, to a battery configured to be installed in an electric vehicle, and the shield is actively supplied at the first end of the cable which is connected to the charging pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Inventors: Stefan Götz, Steve Zander
  • Publication number: 20220140632
    Abstract: A method for state-of-charge monitoring of an AC battery, in which the battery includes a central controller having a scheduler, measuring sensors and at least two battery modules. The at least two battery modules each have at least one energy storage element and at least two power semiconductor switches, which connect the respective battery module in series or in parallel or in bypass with another battery module. The battery is controlled by the central controller, and a respective switching state of the at least two battery modules is preset by the scheduler. The state-of-charge monitoring is implemented by a control program within the scheduler. During operation of the battery, a state of each individual energy storage element is monitored by virtue of a respective current flow at a respective energy storage element being determined using continued evaluation of measured values of preset battery parameters which are detected by measuring sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Eduard Specht, Jan Kacetl, Tomas Kacetl, Malte Jaensch, Daniel Simon, Stefan Götz
  • Patent number: 11299065
    Abstract: A method for charging an energy store that has at least three energy storage strings each having plural energy storage modules. The energy storage modules have at least one energy storage element that receives and stores energy from an energy source and at least two switching elements. The energy store is connected to an energy source that provides a charging voltage and to an electric machine, and the energy storage modules are supplied with energy by the energy source. A DC voltage source and/or an AC voltage source are used in a selectable manner as energy source and the energy store is matched to properties of the selected energy source by switching the switching elements. Thus, the energy storage modules of a string are connected in parallel and/or in series with one another and/or at least one energy storage module of at least one energy storage string is bypassed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Inventors: Stefan Goetz, Hermann Helmut Dibos