Patents by Inventor Stefan Kunzel

Stefan Kunzel 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: 11726446
    Abstract: A drive controller controls an electric drive of an electric machine receiving electric energy via a converter. The drive controller has a normal operating mode and a special operating mode. In the special operating mode, the drive controller determines control signals for the converter and rotates the rotor shaft first at a starting rotational speed. The rotor shaft then coasts without an applied external force, with the drive controller determining from raw signals continuously received from a position sensor raw positions of the rotor shaft, and determining therefrom correction variables for use in the normal operating mode. In the normal operating mode, the drive controller determines from continuously received raw signals in combination with the correction variables determined in the special operating mode an actual position of the rotor shaft and controls the converter with control signals based on the actual position or rotational speed of the electrical machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Stefan Künzel
  • Patent number: 10972034
    Abstract: In a method and a compensation arrangement for compensating detent torques of identically constructed synchronous motors, a no-load detent torque and a bad detent torque are measured on a reference motor as a function of a rotor position relative to a stator. A differential detent torque for the reference motor is determined by subtracting the measured no-load detent torque from each measured bad detent torque, and an operating-point-dependent spectral component of the differential detent torque is determined, A model function modeling the spectral component as a function of the operating point is then formed, and a first compensation current, which generates a compensation torque that compensates a detent torque at the instantaneous operating point with a value of the model function, is superimposed for each of the identically constructed synchronous motors on a setpoint current when operating at an instantaneous operating point in a predetermined first operating range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Stefan Künzel
  • Publication number: 20210072722
    Abstract: A drive controller controls an electric drive of an electric machine receiving electric energy via a converter. The drive controller has a normal operating mode and a special operating mode. In the special operating mode, the drive controller determines control signals for the converter and rotates the rotor shaft first at a starting rotational speed. The rotor shaft then coasts without an applied external force, with the drive controller determining from raw signals continuously received from a position sensor raw positions of the rotor shaft, and determining therefrom correction variables for use in the normal operating mode. In the normal operating mode, the drive controller determines from continuously received raw signals in combination with the correction variables determined in the special operating mode an actual position of the rotor shaft and controls the converter with control signals based on the actual position or rotational speed of the electrical machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: STEFAN KÜNZEL
  • Publication number: 20200177119
    Abstract: In a method and a compensation arrangement for compensating detent torques of identically constructed synchronous motors, a no-load detent torque and a bad detent torque are measured on a reference motor as a function of a rotor position relative to a stator. A differential detent torque for the reference motor is determined by subtracting the measured no-load detent torque from each measured bad detent torque, and an operating-point-dependent spectral component of the differential detent torque is determined, A model function modeling the spectral component as a function of the operating point is then formed, and a first compensation current, which generates a compensation torque that compensates a detent torque at the instantaneous operating point with a value of the model function, is superimposed for each of the identically constructed synchronous motors on a setpoint current when operating at an instantaneous operating point in a predetermined first operating range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Stefan Künzel
  • Patent number: 10528027
    Abstract: A method for attenuating load oscillations in a load mechanism having a controlled drive, wherein a load is coupled mechanically to a motor via a spring element, includes determining an actual motor torque value, determining an actual angular velocity value, determining a motor inertial torque, calculating a spring torque from the actual angular velocity value, the motor inertial torque and the actual motor torque value, and supplying the calculated spring torque to an attenuator connection for attenuating the load oscillations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Stefan Künzel, Carsten Hamm
  • Publication number: 20180259933
    Abstract: A method for attenuating load oscillations in a load mechanism having a controlled drive, wherein a load is coupled mechanically to a motor via a spring element, includes determining an actual motor torque value, determining an actual angular velocity value, determining a motor inertial torque, calculating a spring torque from the actual angular velocity value, the motor inertial torque and the actual motor torque value, and supplying the calculated spring torque to an attenuator connection for attenuating the load oscillations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Stefan Künzel, CARSTEN Hamm
  • Patent number: 9712095
    Abstract: A first active part of a poly-phase electric machine is connected to a converter having a control facility. The control facility updates a base commutation angle using the target speed value and determines direct-axis and quadrature-axis component values of currents and a commutation angle supplied to the machine. Target and component quadrature-axis values are provided to a quadrature-axis portion of a current controller that determines a target value of the quadrature-axis voltage component. Target and component current values are supplied to a direct-axis portion of the current controller, which determines a target value of the direct-axis voltage component therefrom. The target value of the direct-axis and quadrature-axis voltage components and the commutation angle are used to determine the target output voltages provided to the converter. A damping commutation angle determined using target values of the quadrature-axis and direct axis voltage components is used to adjust the of the voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Daniel Bönke, Michael Jäntsch, Stefan Künzel, Carsten Spindler
  • Publication number: 20160141993
    Abstract: A first active part of a poly-phase electric machine is connected to a converter having a control facility. The control facility updates a base commutation angle using the target speed value and determines direct-axis and quadrature-axis component values of currents and a commutation angle supplied to the machine. Target and component quadrature-axis values are provided to a quadrature-axis portion of a current controller that determines a target value of the quadrature-axis voltage component. Target and component current values are supplied to a direct-axis portion of the current controller, which determines a target value of the direct-axis voltage component therefrom. The target value of the direct-axis and quadrature-axis voltage components and the commutation angle are used to determine the target output voltages provided to the converter. A damping commutation angle determined using target values of the quadrature-axis and direct axis voltage components is used to adjust the of the voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: DANIEL BÖNKE, MICHAEL JÄNTSCH, STEFAN KÜNZEL, CARSTEN SPINDLER
  • Patent number: 9146166
    Abstract: A method for determining an electrical torque of an electrical machine includes determining an electrical torque in a first speed range with a first algorithm, and determining the electrical torque in a second speed range with a second algorithm which differs from the first algorithm. An upper limit of the second speed range is slightly higher than a lower limit of the first speed range. An apparatus is provided to determine the electrical torque of the electrical machine with the aforedescribed method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Hans-Georg Köpken, Stefan Künzel, Hubert Schierling, Günter Schwesig, Heiko Zatocil
  • Patent number: 8729845
    Abstract: A method and device for controlling an electric motor, in particular a machine tool drive, wherein during a sensorless open-loop control mode of operation of the electric motor the speed and the torque are determined from the motor current and the motor voltage, and the moment of inertia of the electric motor torque are determined from the determined motor current and the determined motor voltage, wherefrom then a control torque is determined, which is then associated with an open-loop torque control value and supplied as the torque setpoint value to a control element for setting the motor current and/or the motor voltage in the open-loop mode of operation. As long as the speed is below a minimum speed, the control element receives as input variable a control or pilot control torque generated from a predefined moment of inertia for a sensorless closed-loop control mode of operation of the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Künzel, Nico Spieckermann
  • Publication number: 20140026681
    Abstract: A method for determining an electrical torque of an electrical machine includes determining an electrical torque in a first speed range with a first algorithm, and determining the electrical torque in a second speed range with a second algorithm which differs from the first algorithm. An upper limit of the second speed range is slightly higher than a lower limit of the first speed range. An apparatus is provided to determine the electrical torque of the electrical machine with the aforedescribed method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans-Georg Köpken, Stefan Künzel, Hubert Schierling, Günter Schwesig, Heiko Zatocil
  • Publication number: 20120217917
    Abstract: A method and device for controlling an electric motor, in particular a machine tool drive, wherein during a sensorless open-loop control mode of operation of the electric motor the speed and the torque are determined from the motor current and the motor voltage, and the moment of inertia of the electric motor torque are determined from the determined motor current and the determined motor voltage, wherefrom then a control torque is determined, which is then associated with an open-loop torque control value and supplied as the torque setpoint value to a control element for setting the motor current and/or the motor voltage in the open-loop mode of operation. As long as the speed is below a minimum speed, the control element receives as input variable a control or pilot control torque generated from a predefined moment of inertia for a sensorless closed-loop control mode of operation of the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan KÜNZEL, Nico SPIECKERMANN
  • Publication number: 20090066360
    Abstract: The intention is to simplify the measurement of an inductance characteristic curve of a motor. To this end, provision is made for a current (i) having a non-periodic current offset component and a periodic current component to be injected into the motor's winding so that the motor accelerates. A corresponding voltage (u) across the winding is measured and a voltage interference component and a periodic voltage component are determined from the measurement. The inductance of the winding can finally be determined from these two components. It is thus possible to dispense with the operation of blocking the motor or to dispense with an expensive motor test rig in order to determine the inductance characteristic curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Stefan Kunzel
  • Patent number: 7047150
    Abstract: In a method for determining the rotor position of a synchronous motor, a plurality of current vectors having different directions is applied to the synchronous motor. Absolute values of required ones of the current vectors are determined to obtain a defined excursion of the rotor. Inverse values of the determined current vectors are then digitally filtered using several of the inverse values to determine Fourier coefficients of the first harmonic of the inverse values. The rotor position of the synchronous motor can then accurately be computed with the determined Fourier coefficients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Mihaly Nemeth-Csoka, Stefan Künzel
  • Patent number: 7024332
    Abstract: A method and a system for identifying a faulty rotor position angle signal of a synchronous motor powered by a converter, wherein a first flux angle is determined from the rotor position angle signal, wherein from the motor currents of the synchronous motor a current pointer is determined, wherein from a voltage pointer of the motor voltages of the synchronous motor and the current pointer a second flux angle is determined using a flux modeler of the synchronous motor, and wherein in the event of insufficient agreement between the first and second flux angle a faulty rotor position angle signal is identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Künzel, Mihaly Nemeth-Csoka
  • Publication number: 20050187735
    Abstract: In a method for determining the rotor position of a synchronous motor, a plurality of current vectors having different directions is applied to the synchronous motor. Absolute values of required ones of the current vectors are determined to obtain a defined excursion of the rotor. Inverse values of the determined current vectors are then digitally filtered using several of the inverse values to determine Fourier coefficients of the first harmonic of the inverse values. The rotor position of the synchronous motor can then accurately be computed with the determined Fourier coefficients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Mihaly Nemeth-Csoka, Stefan Kunzel
  • Publication number: 20050140324
    Abstract: A method and a system for identifying a faulty rotor position angle signal of a synchronous motor powered by a converter, wherein a first flux angle is determined from the rotor position angle signal, wherein from the motor currents of the synchronous motor a current pointer is determined, wherein from a voltage pointer of the motor voltages of the synchronous motor and the current pointer a second flux angle is determined using a flux modeler of the synchronous motor, and wherein in the event of insufficient agreement between the first and second flux angle a faulty rotor position angle signal is identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Stefan Kunzel, Mihaly Nemeth-Csoka
  • Patent number: 6903529
    Abstract: Damping of mechanical oscillation in a shaft that is provided by feedback wherein the output signals of multiple feedback devices are negatively coupled and added to a desired speed signal of a motor speed controller of the driving motor is disclosed. At least one sensor and/or measuring system can be provided for measuring an actual position value. The actual speed of the shaft can be determined by differentiation from the shaft position value measurements or by integration from shaft acceleration measurements. The measured or actual speed of the shaft can be supplied as an input signal to each feedback element. Each feedback element is specifically tuned to an oscillation frequency range of the shaft that is to be damped. The invention provides an easy and cost-effective way of damping mechanical oscillations that have limited frequency ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Künzel, Theo Reichel, Elmar Schäfers, Andreas Uhlich
  • Patent number: 6900609
    Abstract: According to the invention, the controller cascades are suitably divided up and the oscillation damped only in the load rotational-speed controller. Here, a motor rotational-speed setpoint value (z) of a quickly regulated motor rotational-speed controller (9) and not the motor torque, is selected as the connection point for a load acceleration (i). In order to achieve a shorter transient response time, according the invention the difference between a setpoint rotational speed (x) and load rotational speed (y) is connected to the motor rotational-speed setpoint value (z). The solution in principle according to the invention which is presented has, in contrast to other known methods, the advantage that the actuation of the corresponding controllers is comparatively simple with very good control results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Stefan Künzel
  • Publication number: 20040135535
    Abstract: Damping of mechanical oscillation in a shaft that is provided by feedback wherein the output signals of multiple feedback devices are negatively coupled and added to a desired speed signal of a motor speed controller of the driving motor is disclosed. At least one sensor and/or measuring system can be provided for measuring an actual position value. The actual speed of the shaft can be determined by differentiation from the shaft position value measurements or by integration from shaft acceleration measurements. The measured or actual speed of the shaft can be supplied as an input signal to each feedback element. Each feedback element is specifically tuned to an oscillation frequency range of the shaft that is to be damped. The invention provides an easy and cost-effective way of damping mechanical oscillations that have limited frequency ranges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Stefan Kunzel, Theo Reichel, Elmar Schafers, Andreas Uhlich