Patents by Inventor Thomas Christen

Thomas Christen 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: 11398346
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a multicomponent permanent magnet, and a multicomponent permanent magnet are proposed. The multicomponent permanent magnet has a first permanent magnet having a R-T-B-composition, wherein R is at least one selected from the group consisting of Y, Ce, La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu and Gd and T is one or more transition metal elements including Fe; and a second permanent magnet having a R-T-B-composition, wherein R is at least one selected from the group consisting of Y, Ce, La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu and Gd and T is one or more transition metal elements including Fe, the second magnet including at least one of a heavy rare earth element (HRE) and an increased amount of Ce and/or Co, the second magnet having different magnetic properties, in particular a higher coercivity, than the first magnet. The first magnet and the second magnet are connected mechanically, wherein the connection is electrically conductive with an adjusted electrical resistivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Lavinia Scherf, Jacim Jacimovic, Darren Tremelling, Lorenz Herrmann, Thomas Christen, Jari Jappinen, Taina Suontausta
  • Publication number: 20220172889
    Abstract: A method of producing a permanent magnet includes forming a magnetisable workpiece by additive manufacturing and forming the permanent magnet by partitioning the magnetisable workpiece. The additive manufacturing includes steps of forming a first powder layer by depositing a first powder, the first powder being ferromagnetic; forming a first workpiece layer of the magnetisable workpiece by irradiating a predetermined first area of the first powder layer by means of a focused energy beam to fuse the first powder in the first area; and repeating the above steps multiple times to form further workpiece layers of the magnetisable workpiece. The permanent magnet is formed by partitioning the magnetisable workpiece, where an exposed surface of the permanent magnet formed by the partitioning is non-parallel to the first workpiece layer, and where the permanent magnet produces an external magnetic field having a magnetic field strength of at least 1 kA/m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Applicant: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Jacim Jacimovic, Thomas Christen, Lavinia Scherf, Reto Kessler, Lorenz Herrmann, Eric Denervaud
  • Patent number: 11112276
    Abstract: An arrangement (2) to calibrate a capacitive sensor interface (1) includes a capacitive sensor (10) having a capacitance (cmem, cmemsp, cmemsm) and a charge storing circuit (20) having a changeable capacitance (cdum, cdump, cdumm). A test circuit (30) applies a test signal (vtst) to the capacitive sensor (10) and the charge storing circuit (20). An amplifier circuit (40) has a first input connection (E40a) coupled to the capacitive sensor (10) and a second input connection (E40b) coupled to the charge storing circuit (20). The amplifier circuit (40) provides an output signal (Vout) in dependence on a first input signal (?Verr1) applied to the first input connection (E40a) and a second input signal (?Verr2) applied to the second input connection (E40b). A control circuit (60) is configured to trim the capacitance (cdum, cdump, cdumm) of the charge storing circuit (20) such that the level of the output signal (Vout) tends to the level of zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Colin Steele, Rene Scheuner, Thomas Christen, Mark Niederberger
  • Patent number: 10972059
    Abstract: A MEMS sensor (1) comprises a MEMS transducer (10) being coupled to a MEMS interface circuit (20). The MEMS interface circuit (20) comprises a bias voltage generator (100), a differential amplifier (200), a capacitor (300) and a feedback control circuit (400). The bias voltage generator (100) generates a bias voltage (Vbias) for operating the MEMS transducer. The variable capacitor (300) is connected to one of the input nodes (I200a) of the differential amplifier (200). At least one of the output nodes (A200a, A200b) of the differential amplifier is coupled to a base terminal (T110) of an output filter (110) of the bias voltage generator (100). Any disturbing signal from the bias voltage generator (100) is a common-mode signal that is divided equally on the input nodes (I200a, I200b) of the differential amplifier (200) and is therefore rejected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: AMS INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventors: Thomas Froehlich, Mark Niederberger, Colin Steele, Rene Scheuner, Thomas Christen, Lukas Perktold, Duy-Dong Pham
  • Publication number: 20200312548
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a multicomponent permanent magnet, and a multicomponent permanent magnet are proposed. The multicomponent permanent magnet has a first permanent magnet having a R-T-B-composition, wherein R is at least one selected from the group consisting of Y, Ce, La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu and Gd and T is one or more transition metal elements including Fe; and a second permanent magnet having a R-T-B-composition, wherein R is at least one selected from the group consisting of Y, Ce, La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu and Gd and T is one or more transition metal elements including Fe, the second magnet including at least one of a heavy rare earth element (HRE) and an increased amount of Ce and/or Co, the second magnet having different magnetic properties, in particular a higher coercivity, than the first magnet. The first magnet and the second magnet are connected mechanically, wherein the connection is electrically conductive with an adjusted electrical resistivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Lavinia Scherf, Jacim Jaci movie, Darren Tremelling, Lorenz Herrmann, Thomas Christen, Jari Jappinen, Taina Suontausta
  • Publication number: 20200249052
    Abstract: An arrangement (2) to calibrate a capacitive sensor interface (1) comprises a capacitive sensor (10) having a capacitance (cmem, cmemsp, cmemsm) and a charge storing circuit (20) having a changeable capacitance (cdum, cdump, cdumm). A test circuit (30) applies a test signal (vtst) to the capacitive sensor (10) and the charge storing circuit (20). An amplifier circuit (40) has a first input connection (E40a) coupled to the capacitive sensor (10) and a second input connection (E40b) coupled to the charge storing circuit (20). The amplifier circuit (40) provides an output signal (Vout) in dependence on a first input signal (?Verr1) applied to the first input connection (E40a) and a second input signal (?Verr2) applied to the second input connection (E40b). A control circuit (60) is configured to trim the capacitance (cdum, cdump, cdumm) of the charge storing circuit (20) such that the level of the output signal (Vout) tends to the level of zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Colin Steele, Rene Scheuner, Thomas Christen, Mark Niederberger
  • Patent number: 10697634
    Abstract: An annular combustor includes an inner liner shell and an outer liner shell defining an interior volume through which combustion gases flow in a gas flow direction from a forward end to an aft end. A cooling shroud is attached radially outward of the inner liner shell, forming a cooling passage between the inner liner shell and the cooling shroud. The cooling passage directs air in an air flow direction opposite to the gas flow direction. The cooling shroud is assembled from circumferentially adjoined cooling shroud segments, and the distance between the cooling shroud segments and the inner liner shell is greater at the forward end than at the aft end. Fastening elements are distributed across an axial length of the cooling shroud segments in circumferentially staggered rows. Each forwardmost fastening element is disposed immediately adjacent to a curved portion at the forward end of each respective cooling shroud segment to reduce vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel Haeny, Pirmin Schiessel, Martin Zajadatz, Thomas Christen
  • Patent number: 10645930
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fungicidal mixture containing (1) 2-[2-(1-chlorocyclopropyl)-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxypropyl]-2,4-dihydro[1,2,4]-triazole-3-thion of formula (I) or the salts or adducts thereof, and at least one additional fungicidal compound or the salts or adducts thereof, selected among (2) trifloxystrobin of formula (II), (3) picoxystrobin of formula (III), (4) pyraclostrobin of formula (IV), (5) dimoxystrobin of formula (V), and (6) a strobilurin derivative of formula (VI), in a synergistically active quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Eberhard Ammermann, Reinhard Stierl, Gisela Lorenz, Siegfried Strathmann, Klaus Schelberger, V. James Spadafora, Thomas Christen
  • Patent number: 10523234
    Abstract: A signal processing arrangement has a signal input for connecting a capacitive sensor. An amplifier circuit is coupled between the signal input and a feedback point. A loop filter is coupled downstream to the feedback point. A quantizer is connected downstream to the loop filter and provides a multi-bit output word. The multi-bit output word consists of one or more higher significance bits and one or more lower significance bits. A first feedback path is coupled between a quantizer and the feedback point for providing a first feedback signal to the feedback point being representative of the one or more lower significance bits. A second feedback path is coupled to the quantizer for providing a second feedback signal to the signal input being representative of the one or more higher significance bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: Thomas Christen, Colin Steele, Thomas Froehlich
  • Publication number: 20190356282
    Abstract: A MEMS sensor (1) comprises a MEMS transducer (10) being coupled to a MEMS interface circuit (20). The MEMS interface circuit (20) comprises a bias voltage generator (100), a differential amplifier (200), a capacitor (300) and a feedback control circuit (400). The bias voltage generator (100) generates a bias voltage (Vbias) for operating the MEMS transducer. The variable capacitor (300) is connected to one of the input nodes (I200a) of the differential amplifier (200). At least one of the output nodes (A200a, A200b) of the differential amplifier is coupled to a base terminal (T110) of an output filter (110) of the bias voltage generator (100). Any disturbing signal from the bias voltage generator (100) is a common-mode signal that is divided equally on the input nodes (I200a, I200b) of the differential amplifier (200) and is therefore rejected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas Froehlich, Mark Niederberger, Colin Steele, Rene Scheuner, Thomas Christen, Lukas Perktold, Duy-Dong Pham
  • Publication number: 20190277500
    Abstract: An annular combustor includes an inner liner shell and an outer liner shell defining an interior volume through which combustion gases flow in a gas flow direction from a forward end to an aft end. A cooling shroud is attached radially outward of the inner liner shell, forming a cooling passage between the inner liner shell and the cooling shroud. The cooling passage directs air in an air flow direction opposite to the gas flow direction. The cooling shroud is assembled from circumferentially adjoined cooling shroud segments, and the distance between the cooling shroud segments and the inner liner shell is greater at the forward end than at the aft end. Fastening elements are distributed across an axial length of the cooling shroud segments in circumferentially staggered rows. Each forwardmost fastening element is disposed immediately adjacent to a curved portion at the forward end of each respective cooling shroud segment to reduce vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel Haeny, Pirmin Schiessel, Martin Zajadatz, Thomas Christen
  • Publication number: 20190115932
    Abstract: A signal processing arrangement has a signal input for connecting a capacitive sensor. An amplifier circuit is coupled between the signal input and a feedback point. A loop filter is coupled downstream to the feedback point. A quantizer is connected downstream to the loop filter and provides a multi-bit output word. The multi-bit output word consists of one or more higher significance bits and one or more lower significance bits. A first feedback path is coupled between a quantizer and the feedback point for providing a first feedback signal to the feedback point being representative of the one or more lower significance bits. A second feedback path is coupled to the quantizer for providing a second feedback signal to the signal input being representative of the one or more higher significance bits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Applicant: ams AG
    Inventors: Thomas CHRISTEN, Colin STEELE, Thomas FROEHLICH
  • Patent number: 10250021
    Abstract: A high-voltage DC cable joint including a multi-wall layered construction having individual concentrically arranged layers. The joint includes, from inside to outside, an inner conductive rubber layer, a field grading rubber layer made from a predetermined tailored formulation, an insulating rubber layer and an outer conductive rubber layer. The field grading rubber layer separates and interconnects the conductive rubber layers, and wherein the rubber layers are cross-linked by a by-product-free manufacturing method. The cable joint is preferably made from platinum cured rubbers by moulding process steps. In a preferred embodiment the cable joint is made by injection moulding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: NKT HV Cables GmbH
    Inventors: Patrick Meier, Spiros Tzavalas, Thomas Christen, Alexey Sokolov, Jan Van-Loon, Xavier Kornmann
  • Publication number: 20180153477
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems, devices, and methods for detecting stroke in a patient. A system may comprise a sensor circuit for sensing in a patient at first physiological signal and a second physiological signal or a functional signal. A stroke risk circuit may establish a physiological trend from at least the first physiological signal over time, and generate a stroke risk indicator using the physiological trend and the second physiological or functional signal. Indications of behavioral or cognitive impairment may also be used in stroke risk indicator generation. The system includes an output unit that outputs the stroke risk indicator to a user or a process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Sandra Nagale, Elizabeth Mary Annoni, Bryan Allen Clark, Kyle Harish. Srivastava, Pramodsingh Hirasingh Thakur, Qi An, Thomas Christen, Stephen B. Ruble, Viktoria A. Averina, Deepa Mahajan, Sabrine Ahmed Iqbal, Edward A. Goldberg
  • Publication number: 20180153476
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods for detecting stroke. A system may comprise a sensor circuit for sensing a physiological signal, and a second sensor to detect a physical state change. The physical state change may include a transition in physical activity, posture, or sleep state. A stroke risk circuit may detect, from the sensed physiological signal, a signal indicative of blood pressure surge (BPS) in response to one or more physical state changes. The system may generate a stroke risk indicator indicating a risk of developing an impending stroke event using the detected BPS. The system includes an output unit that outputs the stroke risk indicator to a user or a process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Elizabeth Mary Annoni, Pramodsingh Hirasingh Thakur, Qi An, Sandra Nagale, Bryan Allen Clark, Thomas Christen, Edward A. Goldberg
  • Publication number: 20180006439
    Abstract: A high-voltage DC cable joint including a multi-wall layered construction having individual concentrically arranged layers. The joint includes, from inside to outside, an inner conductive rubber layer, a field grading rubber layer made from a predetermined tailored formulation, an insulating rubber layer and an outer conductive rubber layer. The field grading rubber layer separates and interconnects the conductive rubber layers, and wherein the rubber layers are cross-linked by a by-product-free manufacturing method. The cable joint is preferably made from platinum cured rubbers by moulding process steps. In a preferred embodiment the cable joint is made by injection moulding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Patrick MEIER, Spiros TZAVALAS, Thomas CHRISTEN, Alexey SOKOLOV, Jan VAN-LOON, Xavier KORNMANN
  • Patent number: 9768798
    Abstract: A delta-sigma modulator (10) comprises a modulator loop (11) and a code generator (12). The modulator loop (11) comprises a loop filter (18). The code generator (12) is configured to generate a generator signal (BS) that is realized as an extended Barker code. The code generator (12) comprises a generator output (23) that is coupled to the loop filter (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: AMS AG
    Inventors: Thomas Christen, Thomas Froehlich, Andreas Fitzi, Dusan Prelog
  • Publication number: 20170077946
    Abstract: A delta-sigma modulator (10) comprises a modulator loop (11) and a code generator (12). The modulator loop (11) comprises a loop filter (18). The code generator (12) is configured to generate a generator signal (BS) that is realized as an extended Barker code. The code generator (12) comprises a generator output (23) that is coupled to the loop filter (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas CHRISTEN, Thomas FROEHLICH, Andreas FITZI, Dusan PRELOG
  • Publication number: 20170049105
    Abstract: A fungicidal mixture, comprising (1) 2-[2-(1-chlorocyclopropyl)-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxy-propyl]-2,4-dihydro-[1,2,4]-triazole-3-thione (prothioconazole) of the formula I or a salt or adduct thereof and at least one further triazole or a salt or adduct thereof, selected from the group consisting of (2) epoxiconazole of the formula II and (3) metconazole of the formula III
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Eberhard AMMERMANN, Reinhard STIERL, Gisela LORENZ, Siefgried STRATHMANN, Klaus SCHELBERGER, V. James SPADAFORA, Thomas CHRISTEN
  • Publication number: 20160143282
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fungicidal mixture containing (1) 2-[2-(1-chlorocyclopropyl)-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxypropyl]-2,4-dihydro-[1,2,4]-triazole-3-thion of formula (I) or the salts or adducts thereof, and at least one additional fungicidal compound or the salts or adducts thereof, selected among (2) trifloxystrobin of formula (II), (3) picoxystrobin of formula (III), (4) pyraclostrobin of formula (IV), (5) dimoxystrobin of formula (V), and (6) a strobilurin derivative of formula (VI), in a synergistically active quantity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Eberhard AMMERMANN, Reinhard STIERL, Gisela LORENZ, Siegfried STRATHMANN, Klaus SCHELBERGER, V. James SPADAFORA, Thomas CHRISTEN