Patents by Inventor Steffen Pförtner
Steffen Pförtner 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).
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Publication number: 20240120669Abstract: An electronic device for mounting on a support rail, has a housing, an electronic unit arranged in the housing, and an elastic contact element that serves in the electrically-conductive connection between the electronic unit and the support rail. The contact element has two contact legs, a connecting area connecting the contact legs to one another, and a contacting section connected to the connecting area for making contact with the electronic unit, and wherein when the electronic device is in the mounted state, the contact legs of the contact element make contact in a clamping manner with a leg of the support rail in-between. The contact element arranged ensures, with small size, good electrical and mechanical contacting of the support rail. The sides of the two contact legs facing one another form a short contact area. The first contact area on is sharp-edged, and the second contact area forms a swivel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Applicant: PHOENIX CONTACT GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Steffen Pförtner, Peter Berg
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Patent number: 10959332Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly with an electrotechnical component on a carrier. A first electrical connecting line and a second electrical connecting line going to the electrotechnical component are provided on or in the carrier. The electrotechnical component comprises a first connection and a second connection. The first connection is attached on the carrier by a thermally softenable solder material to the first electrical power supply line, and the second connection is attached on the carrier by a thermally softenable solder material to the second electrical power supply line. A first electrical signal line to the electrotechnical component is provided on or in the carrier. The assembly furthermore comprises a mechanical prestressing, which in the event that the solder material is softened can displace the electrotechnical component on the surface substantially in a parallel plane to the carrier or orthogonally to the carrier.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2019Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO KGInventors: Steffen Pförtner, Martin Wetter
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Publication number: 20200170115Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly with an electrotechnical component on a carrier, wherein the electrotechnical component is arranged on the carrier, wherein a first electrical connecting line and a second electrical connecting line going to the electrotechnical component are provided on or in the carrier, wherein the electrotechnical component comprises a first connection and a second connection, wherein the first connection is attached on the carrier by a thermally softenable solder material to the first electrical power supply line, and wherein the second connection is attached on the carrier by a thermally softenable solder material to the second electrical power supply line, wherein a first electrical signal line to the electrotechnical component is provided on or in the carrier, wherein the first connection on the carrier is also attached by a thermally softenable solder material to the first electrical signal line, wherein the assembly furthermore comprises a mechanical prestressing, which in the evType: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2019Publication date: May 28, 2020Inventors: Steffen Pförtner, Martin Wetter
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Patent number: 10090086Abstract: The invention relates to a space-saving isolating arrester, having for at least two electronic components (EB1, EB2) to be monitored, with the electronic components to be monitored being fastened to a carrier (P) using a thermally softenable fixing means, with an energy accumulator (D1,D2) being arranged on each of the electronic components which—when a thermally softenable fixing means softens—displaces the associated electronic component substantially parallel to the carrier (P), thereby disconnecting the associated electronic component, and also having a mechanically displaceable display means (ANZ), with the mechanically displaceable display means indicating that one or more of the electronic components to be monitored has been disconnected, and with the mechanically displaceable display means (ANZ) being displaced by a disconnecting electronic component.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2017Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Jurgen Ahlemeyer, Peter Berg, Thorsten Heil, Ralf Lange, Andrei Siegel, Steffen Pfortner, Oliver Thoren
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Patent number: 10074973Abstract: The object of the invention is an overvoltage protection apparatus with monitoring function having a parallel circuit of two branch circuits, wherein the first branch circuit has a first overvoltage protection device and a second overvoltage protection device that are connected in series, wherein the second branch circuit has a third device and a fourth device that are connected in series, wherein the first overvoltage device and the third device have a first shared voltage potential during operation, and wherein the second overvoltage device and the fourth device have a second shared voltage potential during operation, wherein a first measuring tap is provided between the first overvoltage protection device and the second overvoltage protection device and wherein a second measuring tap is provided between the third device and the fourth device, with a signal being derived from the voltage between the first measuring tap and the second measuring tap that provides state information in relation to the first oveType: GrantFiled: October 1, 2015Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Rainer Durth, Steffen Pfortner
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Publication number: 20170345534Abstract: The invention relates to a space-saving isolating arrester, having for at least two electronic components (EB1, EB2) to be monitored, with the electronic components to be monitored being fastened to a carrier (P) using a thermally softenable fixing means, with an energy accumulator (D1,D2) being arranged on each of the electronic components which—when a thermally softenable fixing means softens—displaces the associated electronic component substantially parallel to the carrier (P), thereby disconnecting the associated electronic component, and also having a mechanically displaceable display means (ANZ), with the mechanically displaceable display means indicating that one or more of the electronic components to be monitored has been disconnected, and with the mechanically displaceable display means (ANZ) being displaced by a disconnecting electronic component.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2017Publication date: November 30, 2017Inventors: Jurgen AHLEMEYER, Peter BERG, Thorsten HEIL, Ralf LANGE, Andrei SIEGEL, Steffen PFORTNER, Oliver THOREN
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Patent number: 9831660Abstract: The object of the invention is a device (1) for protecting a component (EB) against thermal overload. The device (1) has an actuating mechanism (B) which is brought into thermal contact with the component to be protected (EB) when in use, and which is capable of activating a switch (S) upon reaching a certain temperature Tswitch. The switch (S) can be used both as a disconnection switch and as a short-circuiting switch in relation to the component to be protected (EB), with the switch (S) furthermore having a selection mechanism (A) with which one can choose whether the switch (S) should be used as a disconnection switch or as a short-circuiting switch in relation to the component to be protected (EB).Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2013Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Steffen Pfortner, Thomas Meyer
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Publication number: 20170279269Abstract: The object of the invention is an overvoltage protection apparatus with monitoring function having a parallel circuit of two branch circuits, wherein the first branch circuit has a first overvoltage protection device and a second overvoltage protection device that are connected in series, wherein the second branch circuit has a third device and a fourth device that are connected in series, wherein the first overvoltage device and the third device have a first shared voltage potential during operation, and wherein the second overvoltage device and the fourth device have a second shared voltage potential during operation, wherein a first measuring tap is provided between the first overvoltage protection device and the second overvoltage protection device and wherein a second measuring tap is provided between the third device and the fourth device, with a signal being derived from the voltage between the first measuring tap and the second measuring tap that provides state information in relation to the first oveType: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2015Publication date: September 28, 2017Inventors: Rainer DURTH, Steffen PFORTNER
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Patent number: 9482716Abstract: The invention relates to a base element (ST1, ST2, ST3) for receiving an overvoltage protective module (M1, M2, M3) for use in a bus system, having a first bus connection arrangement (BK1) for contacting a first bus potential (L1), a second bus connection arrangement (BK2) for contacting a second bus potential (L2), a third bus connection arrangement (BK3) for contacting a signal bus (L3), wherein the signal bus in a first state indicates the occurrence of a fault and in a second state indicates the non-occurrence of a fault, wherein a fault indicates a missing or incorrectly received or faulty overvoltage protective module (M1, M2, M3), wherein the first and second bus potential are to be used to supply arrangements on the overvoltage protective module (M1, M2, M3), wherein the base element further comprises an electronic monitoring arrangement (UE1), wherein the electronic monitoring arrangement (UE1) identifies whether an overvoltage protective module (M1, M2, M3) is received, wherein, if an overvoltage prType: GrantFiled: August 17, 2012Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Steffen Pfortner, Andrei Siegel, Thomas Meyer
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Overvoltage protection device with a measuring device for monitoring overvoltage protection elements
Patent number: 9312679Abstract: Systems and methods for overvoltage protection are disclosed. According to one illustrative implementation, an overvoltage protection device is provided having one or more overvoltage protection elements and a measuring device for monitoring the overvoltage protection elements. Further, the measuring device may include an evaluation device, which is designed to count pulse-like overvoltage events which are arrested by the overvoltage protection element, wherein the evaluation device is connected to the overvoltage protection element via a light-measuring device and/or a device for identifying a current flow.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2012Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Thomas Meyer, Steffen Pfortner, Andrei Siegel, Friedrich-Eckhard Brand -
Patent number: 9118175Abstract: An overvoltage protector having a housing and at least one overvoltage limiter arranged in the housing, especially a gas-filled surge arrester (1), a suppressor diode (2) or a varistor. The functional ability and the state of the overvoltage protector can be controlled during operation by associating a monitoring component with the overvoltage limiter which detects a current (i) flowing over the overvoltage limiter component, and by providing an evaluation unit that evaluates the signal of the monitoring component.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2013Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Friedrich-Eckhard Brand, Steffen Pförtner, Bernd Pötzsch
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Patent number: 9083174Abstract: The object of the invention is a thermal overload protection device (22) for protecting an electric component (10), in particular an electronic component, wherein the overload protection device (22) has a short-circuit unit (24) for short-circuiting connections (12, 14) of the component (10), and an actuating member (26) actuating the short-circuit unit (24) in a temperature sensitive manner. According to the invention it is provided that the short-circuit unit (24) is attached to a circuit path support (16) in at least one area (28), and is supported in at least another area (30) on the component (10) disposed on the circuit path support (16) via the actuating unit (26), and/or at least one of the circuit paths (18, 20) contacting one of the connections (12, 14) to be short-circuited. The invention further relates to a respective arrangement (36) having a circuit path support (16), at least one component (10) disposed thereupon, and at least one assigned overload protection device (22).Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2011Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Thomas Meyer, Steffen Pförtner, Friedrich-Eckhard Brand, Bernd Pötzsch
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Publication number: 20150180223Abstract: The object of the invention is a device (1) for protecting a component (EB) against thermal overload. The device (1) has an actuating mechanism (B) which is brought into thermal contact with the component to be protected (EB) when in use, and which is capable of activating a switch (S) upon reaching a certain temperature Tswitch. The switch (S) can be used both as a disconnection switch and as a short-circuiting switch in relation to the component to be protected (EB), with the switch (S) furthermore having a selection mechanism (A) with which one can choose whether the switch (S) should be used as a disconnection switch or as a short-circuiting switch in relation to the component to be protected (EB).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2013Publication date: June 25, 2015Inventors: Steffen Pfortner, Thomas Meyer
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Publication number: 20140253164Abstract: The invention relates to a base element (ST1, ST2, ST3) for receiving an overvoltage protective module (M1, M2, M3) for use in a bus system, having a first bus connection arrangement (BK1) for contacting a first bus potential (L1), a second bus connection arrangement (BK2) for contacting a second bus potential (L2), a third bus connection arrangement (BK3) for contacting a signal bus (L3), wherein the signal bus in a first state indicates the occurrence of a fault and in a second state indicates the non-occurrence of a fault, wherein a fault indicates a missing or incorrectly received or faulty overvoltage protective module (M1, M2, M3), wherein the first and second bus potential are to be used to supply arrangements on the overvoltage protective module (M1, M2, M3), wherein the base element further comprises an electronic monitoring arrangement (UE1), wherein the electronic monitoring arrangement (UE1) identifies whether an overvoltage protective module (M1, M2, M3) is received, wherein, if an overvoltage prType: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2012Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KRInventors: Steffen Pfortner, Andrei Siegel, Thomas Meyer
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OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION DEVICE WITH A MEASURING DEVICE FOR MONITORING OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION ELEMENTS
Publication number: 20140218201Abstract: Systems and methods for overvoltage protection are disclosed. According to one illustrative implementation, an overvoltage protection device is provided having one or more overvoltage protection elements and a measuring device for monitoring the overvoltage protection elements. Further, the measuring device may include an evaluation device, which is designed to count pulse-like overvoltage events which are arrested by the overvoltage protection element, wherein the evaluation device is connected to the overvoltage protection element via a light-measuring device and/or a device for identifying a current flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2012Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Thomas Meyer, Steffen Pfortner, Andrei Siegel, Friedrich-Eckhard Brand -
Publication number: 20140092513Abstract: An overvoltage protector having a housing and at least one overvoltage limiter arranged in the housing, especially a gas-filled surge arrester (1), a suppressor diode (2) or a varistor. The functional ability and the state of the overvoltage protector can be controlled during operation by associating a monitoring component with the overvoltage limiter which detects a current (i) flowing over the overvoltage limiter component, and by providing an evaluation unit that evaluates the signal of the monitoring component.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2013Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Friedrich-Eckhard BRAND, Steffen PFÖRTNER, Bernd PÖTZSCH
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Publication number: 20130200983Abstract: A thermal overload protection apparatus for protection of an electrical component is disclosed. In one exemplary implementation, such apparatus may comprise a switching element for short-circuiting or disconnecting electrical connections, an actuator apparatus for switching the switching element to a short-circuit or disconnect position, and a tripping element which trips the actuator apparatus on a thermally sensitive basis. In some implementations, the actuator apparatus may be configured to be switched over for activation from an inactive state, in which the switching element cannot be switched by the actuator apparatus, into a trippable state, in which the switching element is capable of being switched by the actuator apparatus. Innovations herein also relate to corresponding arrangements having a conductor track mount, at least one component arranged thereon, and at least one associated overload protection apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2011Publication date: August 8, 2013Applicant: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Thomas Meyer, Steffen Pfortner, Peter Berg
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Publication number: 20130194710Abstract: The object of the invention is a thermal overload protection device (22) for protecting an electric component (10), in particular an electronic component, wherein the overload protection device (22) has a short-circuit unit (24) for short-circuiting connections (12, 14) of the component (10), and an actuating member (26) actuating the short-circuit unit (24) in a temperature sensitive manner. According to the invention it is provided that the short-circuit unit (24) is attached to a circuit path support (16) in at least one area (28), and is supported in at least another area (30) on the component (10) disposed on the circuit path support (16) via the actuating unit (26), and/or at least one of the circuit paths (18, 20) contacting one of the connections (12, 14) to be short-circuited. The invention further relates to a respective arrangement (36) having a circuit path support (16), at least one component (10) disposed thereupon, and at least one assigned overload protection device (22).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2011Publication date: August 1, 2013Applicant: Phoenix Contact GMBH & CO. KG.Inventors: Thomas Meyer, Steffen Pförtner, Friedrich-Eckhard Brand, Bernd Pötzsch
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Publication number: 20130033355Abstract: A thermal overload protection arrangement for protection of an electrical component, which is arranged on a mount device having current-carrying elements, has a plurality of soldered connections, which make electrical contact between in each case on of the current-carrying elements and an associated connection of an electrical part and melt if the component is overloaded, and a disconnection apparatus for disconnection of at least one of these connections. The part is or at least has the component, and the disconnection apparatus is a disconnection apparatus which prestresses the component with respect to the mount device at least when it is heated for the physical separation of the component from at least one of the current-carrying elements, which trips when the soldered connections melt. The invention also relates to a corresponding method for protection of a component.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2011Publication date: February 7, 2013Applicant: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Thomas Meyer, Steffen Pfortner