Patents by Inventor Stefan Zeh

Stefan Zeh 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: 11962833
    Abstract: A source device for providing audio data and video data on one or more digital media interfaces is described, wherein the source device is configured to automatically adjust a time alignment between a provision of audio data and a provision of video data based on an information about a latency of an audio path and based on an information about a latency of a video path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Stefan Kraegeloh, Thomas Heller, Rinat Zeh, Herbert Thoma
  • Patent number: 9124195
    Abstract: A method controls a three-phase converter with a voltage intermediate circuit by pulse-width modulation for supplying a polyphase system, in particular a three-phase machine. The converter is operated with at least two different modulation methods which are selected from among the group of modulation methods which includes single-phase switching, two-phase switching and three-phase switching, and for changeovers to be made between the at least two different modulation methods depending on the operating state of the polyphase system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Diehl AKO Stiftung & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Weinmann, Stefan Zeh, Nicola-Valeriu Olarescu
  • Publication number: 20130340485
    Abstract: A load of laundry that is distributed in an imbalanced manner in a laundry treatment appliance can lead to mechanical destruction at higher rotational speeds. A method for detecting an imbalance in a laundry treatment appliance which has a rotating drum and a drive system with electronic control system, a rotational speed or a variable linked with the rotational speed is acquired in the electronic control system as a rotational speed signal, the frequency component of the 2nd order in relation to the mechanical drum rotational speed is determined in the rotational speed signal that is acquired, and an imbalance in the drum is then detected if a value of the frequency component of the 2nd order that is determined exceeds a predetermined limiting value. The method is in particular also suitable for detecting a dynamic imbalance or in the case of laundry treatment appliances with a vertical axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: STEFAN ZEH
  • Patent number: 8368420
    Abstract: A method is specified for fault identification when operating a rotating-field motor by means of a pulse-controlled inverter, wherein electromagnetic state variables of the rotating-field motor are determined by means of a mathematical model in space-vector form, and wherein the pulse-controlled inverter is operated electronically using space-vector variables. In this case, the invention provides that, during the operation of the rotating-field motor, the space vector of an uncontrolled state variable of the rotating-field motor is formed, in that the space vector that is formed is analyzed for a spectral component at twice the frequency of the rotating field, and in that, if the spectral component at twice the frequency is present, a partial turns short is deduced in the stator windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Diehl AKO Stiftung & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Zeh, Nicola-Valeriu Olarescu
  • Publication number: 20120320650
    Abstract: A method controls a three-phase converter with a voltage intermediate circuit by pulse-width modulation for supplying a polyphase system, in particular a three-phase machine. The converter is operated with at least two different modulation methods which are selected from among the group of modulation methods which includes single-phase switching, two-phase switching and three-phase switching, and for chageovers to be made between the at least two different modulation methods depending on the operating state of the polyphase system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: DIEHL AKO STIFTUNG & CO. KG
    Inventors: MARTIN WEINMANN, STEFAN ZEH, NICOLA-VALERIU OLARESCU
  • Patent number: 8248017
    Abstract: A method for operating an electric motor with at least two motor terminals that are driven by a control device contains the steps of short-circuiting of at least two of the motor terminals of the electric motor by the control device; measurement of the motor phase currents at the short-circuited motor terminals; and identification of a standstill of the electric motor if a magnitude and/or a frequency of the motor phase currents measured lies below a predefined limit value. In the case of such a reliable identification of the standstill of the electric motor, an enable signal can then advantageously be generated in order, by way of example, to enable access to an apparatus driven by the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Diehl AKO Stiftung & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Weinmann, Stefan Zeh, Rainer Frisch, Hartmut Wauer, Nicola-Valeriu Olarescu, Radu Liviu Florea, Martin Rieser
  • Publication number: 20100283500
    Abstract: A method is specified for fault identification when operating a rotating-field motor by means of a pulse-controlled inverter, wherein electromagnetic state variables of the rotating-field motor are determined by means of a mathematical model in space-vector form, and wherein the pulse-controlled inverter is operated electronically using space-vector variables. In this case, the invention provides that, during the operation of the rotating-field motor, the space vector of an uncontrolled state variable of the rotating-field motor is formed, in that the space vector that is formed is analyzed for a spectral component at twice the frequency of the rotating field, and in that, if the spectral component at twice the frequency is present, a partial turns short is deduced in the stator windings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: DIEHL AKO STIFTUNG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Zeh, Nicola-Valeriu Olarescu
  • Publication number: 20100117583
    Abstract: A method for operating an electric motor with at least two motor terminals that are driven by a control device contains the steps of short-circuiting of at least two of the motor terminals of the electric motor by the control device; measurement of the motor phase currents at the short-circuited motor terminals; and identification of a standstill of the electric motor if a magnitude and/or a frequency of the motor phase currents measured lies below a predefined limit value. In the case of such a reliable identification of the standstill of the electric motor, an enable signal can then advantageously be generated in order, by way of example, to enable access to an apparatus driven by the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: DIEHL AKO STIFTUNG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Martin Weinmann, Stefan Zeh, Rainer Frisch, Hartmut Wauer, Nicola-Valeriu Olarescu, Radu Liviu Florea, Martin Rieser
  • Patent number: 7595603
    Abstract: Electronic motor regulation for a pump with a multi-phase permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). The system is enabled to detect and estimate a rotor phase position and rotary speed. Foam or air operation is detected by way of fluctuations in the estimated rotary speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Diehl AKO Stiftung & Co. KG
    Inventor: Stefan Zeh
  • Publication number: 20090115425
    Abstract: A drive system is provided for an electronic domestic appliance, for example a washing machine, a dryer or a dishwasher, having an electric motor and a motor controller for controlling operation of the electric motor. The motor controller is provided with a testing device which contains at least one apparatus for measuring motor currents of the electric motor, an apparatus for applying voltages to motor terminals of the electric motor, and an interface to an evaluation apparatus. The drive system can be tested without problems and at minimal cost during final testing of the domestic appliance if the drive system is fully integrated in the domestic appliance. A method for final testing of an electronic domestic appliance having a drive system and an electronic domestic appliance having the drive system, are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: DIEHL AKO STIFTUNG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Stefan Zeh
  • Patent number: 7340158
    Abstract: A method is specified for controlling a polyphase brushless electric motor, wherein the motor phase currents which are associated with the phases are produced by clocked variation of the respectively applied electrical potential. In this case, the motor phase currents flow back from the electric motor via a common return line with the peak current value in the return line being detected and being included in a controlled variable. Furthermore, a circuit configuration is specified, which is provided in a corresponding manner in order to carry out the control method. The control method and the circuit configuration allow the motor phase currents to be taken into account in the control of the electric motor in a simple and cost-effective manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Diehl Ako Stiftung & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Zeh, Martin Weinmann, Alexander Müller, Valeriu Olarescu
  • Patent number: 7285930
    Abstract: A method is specified for controlling a multiphase motor that is commutated by an inverter-side bridge circuit, in the course of which a particularly precise and technically simple detection of a control-relevant variable of a considered motor phase, in particular of a motor phase current and/or a back EMF voltage and/or a variable derived therefrom, takes place. It is provided here to determine the control-relevant variable with the aid of the current state of a freewheeling diode that is disposed in a phase half bridge, assigned to the respective motor phase, of the bridge circuit, the current state being detected during an on time in which a power switch, connected in parallel with the freewheeling diode, of the phase half bridge exhibits a conducting state, and a power switch connected in series with the freewheeling diode exhibits a blocking state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Diehl AKO Stiftung & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Weinmann, Alexander Müller, Stefan Zeh
  • Publication number: 20070194734
    Abstract: A method is specified for controlling a multiphase motor that is commutated by an inverter-side bridge circuit, in the course of which a particularly precise and technically simple detection of a control-relevant variable of a considered motor phase, in particular of a motor phase current and/or a back EMF voltage and/or a variable derived therefrom, takes place. It is provided here to determine the control-relevant variable with the aid of the current state of a freewheeling diode that is disposed in a phase half bridge, assigned to the respective motor phase, of the bridge circuit, the current state being detected during an on time in which a power switch, connected in parallel with the freewheeling diode, of the phase half bridge exhibits a conducting state, and a power switch connected in series with the freewheeling diode exhibits a blocking state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Inventors: Martin Weinmann, Alexander Muller, Stefan Zeh
  • Publication number: 20060245931
    Abstract: Electronic motor regulation for a pump with a multi-phase permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). The system is enabled to detect and estimate a rotor phase position and rotary speed. Foam or air operation is detected by way of fluctuations in the estimated rotary speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventor: Stefan Zeh
  • Publication number: 20060177204
    Abstract: A method is specified for controlling a polyphase brushless electric motor, wherein the motor phase currents which are associated with the phases are produced by clocked variation of the respectively applied electrical potential. In this case, the motor phase currents flow back from the electric motor via a common return line with the peak current value in the return line being detected and being included in a controlled variable. Furthermore, a circuit configuration is specified, which is provided in a corresponding manner in order to carry out the control method. The control method and the circuit configuration allow the motor phase currents to be taken into account in the control of the electric motor in a simple and cost-effective manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Inventors: Stefan Zeh, Martin Weinmann, Alexander Muller, Valeriu Olarescu
  • Publication number: 20060120898
    Abstract: In an effective method for starting a piston compressor which is easy to implement, and a piston compressor suitable for carrying out the method, there is provision, in a resetting phase, for driving a piston of the piston compressor in the direction of a compression point of the piston position by the application of a resetting drive moment. The resetting drive moment being maintained until the piston has reached a starting position by overstepping a steady-state point as a result of displacement of fluid out of the compression space, formed between the piston and a corresponding pressure cylinder, through at least one leakage point. In a subsequent acceleration phase, the piston is then accelerated out of the starting position into an operational direction of rotation with a starting drive moment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventor: Stefan Zeh
  • Patent number: 6973392
    Abstract: Before a washing machine is switched over to a very high spin speed in the spin program of the washing machine, the existing imbalance due to irregular distribution of laundry in the drum should be checked. If the imbalance is too strong, the spin program should be interrupted if there is a threat of excessively high bearing forces to be expected. The fluctuation in rotary speed, which may have a high frequency due to the drum speed, and of the power consumption of the washing machine motor measured downstream of the direct current intermediate circuit prior to the feed thereof into the inverter for producing the rotary field in the motor. There, the vector product of the current and the voltage for imbalance measurement by determining power is blocked off from mains network interference effects by the high capacitance of the direct current intermediate circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Diehl AKO Stiftung & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Zeh, Martin Weinmann
  • Publication number: 20050143940
    Abstract: Before a washing machine is switched over to a very high spin speed in the spin program of the washing machine, the existing imbalance due to irregular distribution of laundry in the drum should be checked. If the imbalance is too strong, the spin program should be interrupted if there is a threat of excessively high bearing forces to be expected. The fluctuation in rotary speed, which may have a high frequency due to the drum speed, and of the power consumption of the washing machine motor measured downstream of the direct current intermediate circuit prior to the feed thereof into the inverter for producing the rotary field in the motor. There, the vector product of the current and the voltage for imbalance measurement by determining power is blocked off from mains network interference effects by the high capacitance of the direct current intermediate circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventors: Stefan Zeh, Martin Weinmann
  • Patent number: 6636013
    Abstract: In order to accelerate an asynchronous motor with a squirrel-cage rotor even under load extremely quickly, and in particular within the time of an electromagnetic rotor time constant, in order to be able to cause it to start with a so-called kick start, while the rotor is not moving, quasi-stationary magnetic conditions are initially produced, like at the start of a synchronous motor with a permanent-magnetic rotor. For that purpose there is briefly produced a high-frequency rotor induction current which occurs electrically and spatially in a quasi-stationary condition when thereupon still within the rotor time constant, a strong unmoving stator magnetic field is produced, with a stator current vector which is displaced through about 90° for an optimum starting torque in relation to the rotor current vector, whereupon the stator rotary field starts with increasing amplitude and frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Diehl AKO Stiftung & Co. KG
    Inventor: Stefan Zeh
  • Patent number: 6614991
    Abstract: An inverter-fed three-phase electrical motor (1) for a household appliance is grounded through a protective conductor (8), with the motor being particularly provided for the direct drive of washing machines. The motor includes a pick-up for high-frequency currents originating from an actuation of the inverter (7) and conducts the currents to one pole of a D.C. voltage supply (13) for the inverter (7) through an ohmic or capacitive shunt path (18-19), with the shunt path leading from a stator (3) of the motor which is installed electrically insulated into the household appliance and is not connected to the protective conductor (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Diehl AKO Stiftung & Co. KG
    Inventor: Stefan Zeh