Patents by Inventor Thomas Dürbaum

Thomas Dürbaum 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: 12074550
    Abstract: A control device (8) for an inverter (2) that feeds an electric machine (3), wherein the control device (8) is configured to provide pulse-width modulated switching signals (15) for driving switching elements (12) of the inverter (2), wherein the control device (8) is configured to determine a modulation type by means of which the pulse-width modulated switching signals (15) are generated depending on operating point information that describes an operating point defined by at least one operating parameter, and to use a first modulation type in at least one first operating region (21, 28, 30, 31) and a second modulation type in another operating region (32, 32a, 32b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Valeo Siemens eAutomotive Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Panagiotis Mantzanas, Daniel Kübrich, Thomas Dürbaum, Alexander Bucher, Alexander Pawellek, Christian Hasenohr, Harald Hofmann
  • Patent number: 12027998
    Abstract: A control device (8) for an inverter (2) that feeds an electric machine (3), wherein the control device (8) is configured to provide pulse-width modulated switching signals (15) with a carrier frequency to drive switching elements (12) of the inverter (2), wherein the control device (8) is configured to determine the carrier frequency depending on operating point information that describes an operating point defined by a rotation speed and a torque of the electric machine (3) and, as the rotation speed increases and the magnitude of the torque falls, to increase the carrier frequency within an operating region (22) that extends within a rotation speed interval with a lower rotation speed limit (23) differing from zero and with an upper rotation speed limit (24) lying in a power-limiting operating region (21) or field-weakening operating region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Valeo Siemens eAutomotive Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Panagiotis Mantzanas, Daniel Kübrich, Thomas Dürbaum, Alexander Bucher, Alexander Pawellek, Christian Hasenohr, Harald Hofmann
  • Patent number: 11984830
    Abstract: A control device (8) for an inverter (2) that feeds an electric machine (3), wherein the control device (8) is configured to provide pulse-width-modulated switching signals (15) at a carrier frequency to drive switching elements (12) of the inverter (2), wherein the control device (8) is configured to ascertain the carrier frequency within at least one operating range (22, 23) depending on a piece of operating point information that describes an operating point defined by a rotation speed and a torque of the electric machine (3) in such a way that the carrier frequency is reduced within the at least one operating range (22, 23) compared to a maximum carrier frequency operating point at which a maximum carrier frequency is specified in the operating range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Valeo Siemens eAutomotive Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Panagiotis Mantzanas, Daniel Kübrich, Thomas Dürbaum, Alexander Bucher, Alexander Pawellek, Christian Hasenohr, Harald Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20230019218
    Abstract: A control device (8) for an inverter (2) that feeds an electric machine (3), wherein the control device (8) is configured to provide pulse-width modulated switching signals (15) for driving switching elements (12) of the inverter (2), wherein the control device (8) is configured to determine a modulation type by means of which the pulse-width modulated switching signals (15) are generated depending on operating point information that describes an operating point defined by at least one operating parameter, and to use a first modulation type in at least one first operating region (21, 28, 30, 31) and a second modulation type in another operating region (32, 32a, 32b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: Valeo Siemens eAutomotive Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Panagiotis Mantzanas, Daniel Kübrich, Thomas Dürbaum, Alexander Bucher, Alexander Pawellek, Christian Hasenohr, Harald Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20220337175
    Abstract: A control device (8) for an inverter (2) that feeds an electric machine (3), wherein the control device (8) is configured to provide pulse-width modulated switching signals (15) with a carrier frequency to drive switching elements (12) of the inverter (2), wherein the control device (8) is configured to determine the carrier frequency depending on operating point information that describes an operating point defined by a rotation speed and a torque of the electric machine (3) and, as the rotation speed increases and the magnitude of the torque falls, to increase the carrier frequency within an operating region (22) that extends within a rotation speed interval with a lower rotation speed limit (23) differing from zero and with an upper rotation speed limit (24) lying in a power-limiting operating region (21) or field-weakening operating region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Applicant: Valeo Siemens eAutomotive Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Panagiotis Mantzanas, Daniel Kübrich, Thomas Dürbaum, Alexander Bucher, Alexander Pawellek, Christian Hasenohr, Harald Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20220255488
    Abstract: A control device (8) for an inverter (2) that feeds an electric machine (3), wherein the control device (8) is configured to provide pulse-width-modulated switching signals (15) at a carrier frequency to drive switching elements (12) of the inverter (2), wherein the control device (8) is configured to ascertain the carrier frequency within at least one operating range (22, 23) depending on a piece of operating point information that describes an operating point defined by a rotation speed and a torque of the electric machine (3) in such a way that the carrier frequency is reduced within the at least one operating range (22, 23) compared to a maximum carrier frequency operating point at which a maximum carrier frequency is specified in the operating range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Applicant: Valeo Siemens eAutomotive Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Panagiotis Mantzanas, Daniel Kübrich, Thomas Dürbaum, Alexander Bucher, Alexander Pawellek, Christian Hasenohr, Harald Hofmann
  • Patent number: 7915991
    Abstract: Conventional transformers with fractional turns have pre-manufactured cores usually with a complicated structure. According to the present invention, a method is provided of manufacturing a planar transformer where a ferrite polymer compound is laminated to a PCB for forming the core of the transformer. Advantageously, this may allow for the provision of a cheap and robust transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Eberhard Waffenschmidt, Thomas Dürbaum
  • Patent number: 7907010
    Abstract: Recently, the use of class-D audio amplifiers has become more and more widespread. In contrast to the generally employed class-AB linear amplification technology, class-D allows for improved efficiency. However, the class-D principle is known for its poor distortion characteristics. According to the present invention a digital amplifier (18) is provided for converting an audio signal to a power output, comprising a ripple suppression circuit (16) for suppressing voltage ripples in a supply voltage supplied to the bridge circuit with (6) at least one pair of switches. The ripple suppression circuit (16) suppresses ripples in the supply voltage supplied to a switch in the bridge circuit (6), which has been found to cause a major part of the distortions in the output signal of the digital amplifier (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Matthias Wendt, Iain Mosely, F. Javier Esguevillas, Thomas Dürbaum, Georg Sauerländer, Heinz Van Der Broeck
  • Patent number: 7839132
    Abstract: A power converter comprising an inductor for receiving energy from a power supply, and connected to the inductor an output capacitor for providing an output voltage. In order to ensure a quick compensation of a reduction of load at the voltage output using few output capacitors, an additional current path is arranged in parallel either to the inductor or to the capacitor, which additional current path can be opened and closed. A current flowing through the additional current path reaches basically immediately a desired value, when the additional current path is opened. Feedback means are moreover provided for opening the additional current path, when the output voltage reaches a predetermined maximum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Dürbaum, Reinhold Elferich, Tobias G. Tolle, Jeffery Olsen
  • Patent number: 7602229
    Abstract: Resonant gate driver circuits provide for efficient switching of, for example, a MOSFET. However, often an operation of the resonant gate driver circuit does not allow for an application where high switching frequencies are required. According to the present invention, a pre-charging of the inductor of the resonant gate driver circuit is performed. This allows for a highly efficient and fast operation of the MOSFETs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Tobias Georg Tolle, Thomas Dürbaum, Georg Sauerländer, Toni Lopez
  • Patent number: 7579900
    Abstract: Since parallel MOSFETs are usually driven with one gate signal in power applications, the current sharing between the MOSFETs is automatically established with regard to the characteristics of the individual MOSFETs. This may lead to a large non-uniformity of the current distribution between the MOSFETs. According to the present invention, an individual control of the on-resistances of the MOSFETs is provided, which allows for an improved current sharing between paralleled MOSFETs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Thomas Dürbaum
  • Patent number: 7538554
    Abstract: An MR apparatus has a resonant circuit, which is formed by an MR receiving coil (L1) and a capacitor (C1), and has an electronic control circuit (S) for switching the resonant circuit between two or more operating modes. The invention proposes that the electronic control circuit (S) be connected with a receiving device (L2) for wireless reception of a high-frequency electromagnetic control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Koninlijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Matthias Wendt, Thomas Dürbaum, Achim Hilgers, Rainer Kiewitt, Heiko Pelzer
  • Patent number: 7408270
    Abstract: Usually, power supplies are not capable of switching off part of the outputs of a main power supply during stand-by. Due to this, stand-by power supplies are used in addition to operation power supplies. Consistent with an example embodiment, a forward converter is provided, including switches in the rectifier circuit thereof. Due to this, the rectifier circuits may be selectively switched on and off. Advantageously, this may allow that the main outputs of such a forward converter are switched off while on stand-by.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Dürbaum, Georg Sauerländer, Cornelis Johannes Adrianus Schetters
  • Patent number: 7330046
    Abstract: Power conversion circuits often consist of several MOSFETs operating in parallel. Due to thermal cycling and mechanical operations. MOSFETs or the respective electric connections of the MOSFETs may fail. For certain implementations, a diagnosis circuit for a plurality of parallel MOSFETs predicts or determines a possible failure on the basis of at least one of temperatures of the MOSFETs or gate voltages of the MOSFETs. In some applications, the MOSFETs are monitored to facilitate early determination of failures of the MOSFETs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Thomas Dürbaum
  • Patent number: 7259363
    Abstract: A control unit (2) of a remote control receiver sets the forward or reverse direction operating mode of the photodiode (1) as a function of the useful signal level of its output signal, and to be precise, during standby, the photovoltaic operating mode (forward mode), since in this mode no external bias current is required. If the useful signal level of the photodiode (1) exceeds a predefined threshold, the reverse mode is set, and this brings with it a higher sensitivity. A series circuit (A) of a number of identical photodiodes DA1 DAn the forward mode allows the realization of a controlled current source (6) having a transistor (T), since the permissible diode voltage (Ud) of the overall arrangement may have n times the value of the operating voltage of an individual photodiode. Thus at the same time the voltage across the individual diodes can be set to a very low value and a favorable operating range for the current source can be set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Carsten Deppe, Thomas Dürbaum, Georg Sauerländer
  • Patent number: 7239114
    Abstract: Described herein is a DC/DC down converter which includes a synchronous rectifier, a switching element at its input side, an inductance at its output side and an auxiliary circuit which includes an auxiliary switching element, an auxiliary rectifier and an auxiliary inductance, the auxiliary circuit being coupled to the connection between the synchronous rectifier, the switching element at the input side and the inductance at the output side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Dürbaum, Reinhold Elferich, Tobias Tolle
  • Patent number: 7190596
    Abstract: In a switching DC converter with a resonant circuit output stage, the energy remaining in the resonant circuit for switching the switches of the converter in an inductive mode of operation is used to control the phase of switching. The turn-on phase of each switch is controlled to assure zero voltage switching, and the turn-off phase of each switch is controlled to assure that the resonant circuit has sufficient energy to provide this zero voltage switching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Dürbaum, Georg Sauerländer
  • Publication number: 20070030107
    Abstract: Conventional transformers with ractional turns have pre-manufactured cores usually with a complicated structure. According to the present invention, a method is provided of manufacturing a planar transformer where a ferrite polymer compound is laminated to a PCB for forming the core of the transformer. Advantageously, this may allow for the provision of a cheap and robust transformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Eberhard Waffenschmidt, Thomas Dürbaum
  • Patent number: 7141957
    Abstract: In known converter circuits switching losses occur, which are caused by reverse-recovery currents of a freewheeling diode. To reduce said switching losses it is proposed by the invention to drive the switching elements such that, upon switching from the second to the first switching element, the timing is controlled in such a manner that the shoot through currents and the conduction of the freewheeling diode are kept at a low value or, better still, are precluded. As regards the control mechanism, it is proposed to turn on the first switching element later if shoot through currents occur, and to turn on the first switching element sooner if conduction of the freewheeling diode occurs. Here, a time of overlap may be provided during which both switching elements are simultaneously conducting. For the control mechanism, the voltage across a switching element can be used as a measured input value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Tobias Georg Tolle, Thomas Dürbaum, Reinhold Elferich
  • Patent number: 7103330
    Abstract: The invention describes a method of transmitting information between an information transmitter and an information receiver, the potential difference of which moves in cycles between a minimum value and a maximum value and is situated at the minimum value for regular intervals; having the steps: provision of information over the time interval or determining the time interval in which the potential difference between information transmitter and information receiver assumes its minimum value; closing of a switching means of the information transmitter in relation to an information memory assigned to the information receiver, only within the time interval; and transmission and storage of the information in the information memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Carsten Deppe, Thomas Dürbaum, Georg Sauerländer, Peter Lürkens, Tobias Georg Tolle