Patents by Inventor Thomas Kühn

Thomas Kühn 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: 11570884
    Abstract: A relay arrangement includes at least two series-connected relays, which are mechanically and electrically connected to a main printed circuit board via first terminals and second terminals, and at least one flat conductor for conducting current between the at least two series connected relays. The flat conductor is mechanically connected to the main printed circuit board and electrically and thermally connected to the first terminals of the relays, and the at least one flat conductor is configured to dissipate heat produced during operation of the relays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Frank Papenfuss, Lars Bethke, Thomas Kuehn, Christian Gehrke
  • Publication number: 20220007498
    Abstract: A relay arrangement includes at least two series-connected relays, which are mechanically and electrically connected to a main printed circuit board via first terminals and second terminals, and at least one flat conductor for conducting current between the at least two series connected relays. The flat conductor is mechanically connected to the main printed circuit board and electrically and thermally connected to the first terminals of the relays, and the at least one flat conductor is configured to dissipate heat produced during operation of the relays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Frank Papenfuss, Lars Bethke, Thomas Kuehn, Christian Gehrke
  • Patent number: 11169004
    Abstract: An inductive sensor, particularly for a proximity sensor, includes a resonance circuit including a sensing coil and an amplifier comprising a first gain stage and a second gain stage each coupled via respective adjusting elements with the resonance circuit to inject energy for maintaining an oscillation of the resonance circuit. The first gain stage provides a substantially linear amplification and the second gain stage provides a comparator characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: PEPPERL+FUCHS SE
    Inventor: Thomas Kühn
  • Patent number: 11129272
    Abstract: A relay arrangement includes at least two series-connected relays, which are mechanically and electrically connected to a main printed circuit board via first terminals and second terminals, and at least one flat conductor for conducting current between the at least two series connected relays. The flat conductor is mechanically connected to the main printed circuit board and electrically and thermally connected to the first terminals of the relays, and the at least one flat conductor is configured to dissipate heat produced during operation of the relays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Frank Papenfuss, Lars Bethke, Thomas Kuehn, Christian Gehrke
  • Patent number: 11101797
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an oscillating sensor for a measurement device comprising: an oscillator comprising a resonance circuit for providing an oscillation signal; a gain stage configured to feedback to the resonance circuit to inject energy for excitation of the resonance circuit to maintain oscillation; at least one calibration element to adjust the open loop gain of the oscillator; a calibration unit to provide a modulated calibration control signal to selectively adjust an electrical measure of the at least one calibration element based on at least one predetermined duty cycle, wherein the modulated calibration control signal has an irregularly time-varying cycle frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas Kühn
  • Patent number: 11075632
    Abstract: An oscillating sensor device, particularly for a proximity sensor, for sensing a dynamic change of attenuation caused by a measurable physical effect includes an oscillator including a resonance circuit and an amplifier fed back to the resonance circuit and configured to maintain oscillation of the oscillator, and a control unit configured to control the open loop gain of the oscillator. The amplifier comprises a non-linear gain characteristics defining an operating point at a preset amplitude of oscillation. The control unit is configured to control the open loop gain of the oscillator so that the operating point is set to a preset amplitude of the oscillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Pepperl + Fuchs GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Kühn, Jochen Vater, Christoph Braunsmann
  • Publication number: 20200136617
    Abstract: An oscillating sensor device, particularly for a proximity sensor, for sensing a dynamic change of attenuation caused by a measurable physical effect includes an oscillator including a resonance circuit and an amplifier fed back to the resonance circuit and configured to maintain oscillation of the oscillator, and a control unit configured to control the open loop gain of the oscillator. The amplifier comprises a non-linear gain characteristics defining an operating point at a preset amplitude of oscillation. The control unit is configured to control the open loop gain of the oscillator so that the operating point is set to a preset amplitude of the oscillation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Applicant: Pepperl+Fuchs GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Kühn, Jochen Vater, Christoph Braunsmann
  • Publication number: 20200136615
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an oscillating sensor for a measurement device comprising: an oscillator comprising a resonance circuit for providing an oscillation signal; a gain stage configured to feed back to the resonance circuit to inject energy for excitation of the resonance circuit to maintain oscillation; at least one calibration element to adjust the open loop gain of the oscillator; a calibration unit to provide a modulated calibration control signal to selectively adjust an electrical measure of the at least one calibration element based on at least one predetermined duty cycle, wherein the modulated calibration control signal has an irregularly time-varying cycle frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas Kühn
  • Publication number: 20200132510
    Abstract: An inductive sensor, particularly for a proximity sensor, includes a resonance circuit including a sensing coil and an amplifier comprising a first gain stage and a second gain stage each coupled via respective adjusting elements with the resonance circuit to inject energy for maintaining an oscillation of the resonance circuit. The first gain stage provides a substantially linear amplification and the second gain stage provides a comparator characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Applicant: Pepperl+Fuchs GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Kühn
  • Patent number: 10505539
    Abstract: The invention relates to an oscillator comprising a resonant circuit having at least one inductor and one capacitor and having a feedback amplifier, wherein there is at least one trimming resistor in a feedback circuit of the amplifier. The oscillator is characterized in that there is an electronic switching device for alternately connecting and disconnecting the trimming resistor, in that a trimming circuit is formed by the trimming resistor and the electronic switching device, in that there is a drive device for driving the electronic switching device, in that the electronic switching device, together with the drive device, is designed to alternately connect and disconnect the trimming resistor in a switching sequence, and in that an average time value of the electrical resistor of the trimming circuit, which is active in an oscillator mode, is defined by the switching sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Pepperl + Fuchs GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Kühn
  • Publication number: 20190350073
    Abstract: A relay arrangement includes at least two series-connected relays, which are mechanically and electrically connected to a main printed circuit board via first terminals and second terminals, and at least one flat conductor for conducting current between the at least two series connected relays. The flat conductor is mechanically connected to the main printed circuit board and electrically and thermally connected to the first terminals of the relays, and the at least one flat conductor is configured to dissipate heat produced during operation of the relays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Frank Papenfuss, Lars Bethke, Thomas Kuehn, Christian Gehrke
  • Patent number: 10178814
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an inverter, in particular for a photovoltaic system, including a housing with at least one chamber and a cooling air channel formed within the chamber for guiding ambient air as cooling air for electrical and/or electronic components of the inverter disposed along the cooling air channel. The cooling air channel extends through the housing from an air inlet to an air outlet. The inverter includes a further air outlet provided within the cooling air channel between two of the components to be cooled, and is arranged above the air inlet and the air outlet. The disclosure further relates to a method of cooling such an inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Andreas Falk, Jan Goldau, Thomas Kuehn, Henning Schneider, Jochen Roemer
  • Publication number: 20180123587
    Abstract: The invention relates to an oscillator comprising a resonant circuit having at least one inductor and one capacitor and having a feedback amplifier, wherein there is at least one trimming resistor in a feedback circuit of the amplifier. The oscillator is characterized in that there is an electronic switching device for alternately connecting and disconnecting the trimming resistor, in that a trimming circuit is formed by the trimming resistor and the electronic switching device, in that there is a drive device for driving the electronic switching device, in that the electronic switching device, together with the drive device, is designed to alternately connect and disconnect the trimming resistor in a switching sequence, and in that an average time value of the electrical resistor of the trimming circuit, which is active in an oscillator mode, is defined by the switching sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: Pepperl + Fuchs GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Kühn
  • Publication number: 20170238445
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an inverter, in particular for a photovoltaic system, including a housing with at least one chamber and a cooling air channel formed within the chamber for guiding ambient air as cooling air for electrical and/or electronic components of the inverter disposed along the cooling air channel. The cooling air channel extends through the housing from an air inlet to an air outlet. The inverter includes a further air outlet provided within the cooling air channel between two of the components to be cooled, and is arranged above the air inlet and the air outlet. The disclosure further relates to a method of cooling such an inverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Andreas Falk, Jan Goldau, Thomas kuehn, Henning Schneider, Jochen Roemer
  • Patent number: 9479165
    Abstract: The invention relates to an inductive proximity switch having a current-fed resonant circuit comprising at least one resonant circuit transmitting coil and a capacitance. The resonant circuit transmitting coil generates an alternating magnetic field, which is able to induct a mutual induction voltage in at least one receiving coil, and the oscillation state of the resonant circuit can be influenced by a metallic release entering or moving away from the alternating field, having an evaluating circuit for obtaining a switching signal from the change in the oscillation state of the resonant circuit, the change in the complex coupling between the at least two coils, namely transmitting coil and receiving coil, being evaluatable with the aid of an auxiliary voltage signal as a switching signal in the presence or absence of the release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: PEPPERL + FUCHS GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Kuehn
  • Patent number: 7924103
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an inductive proximity switch with an oscillator having a resonant circuit and an amplifier and with an evaluating and control device for evaluating an impedance of the resonant circuit and for outputting a switching signal. According to the invention, the proximity switch is characterized in that a frequency measuring device is provided for measuring the oscillation frequency of the oscillator and for eliminating ambiguities of the evaluation result of the evaluating and control device. The invention also relates to a method for operating an inductive proximity switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Pepperl + Fuchs GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Kuehn
  • Patent number: 7924105
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the detection of a predamping state of an inductive sensor. The sensor has at least one oscillator with a resonant circuit and an oscillation amplifier. According to the method the oscillatory response of the oscillator is analyzed with an operating amplification or gain. According to the invention the method is further developed in that the oscillatory behavior of the oscillator is additionally analyzed for an analysis amplification or gain, which is chosen lower than the operating amplification. The analysis amplification is also chosen in such a way that the oscillatory response of the oscillator reacts sensitively to objects or articles located in close proximity to the sensor. The invention also relates to an inductive sensor with predamping detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Pepperl + Fuchs GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Kuehn
  • Patent number: 7626466
    Abstract: The invention relates to a proximity switch, particularly an inductive proximity switch, with an oscillator having an at least partly self-compensated feedback network influenceable by a target to be detected, as well as an oscillator amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Pepperl + Fuchs GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Kuehn
  • Publication number: 20090243615
    Abstract: The invention relates to an inductive proximity switch which has a resonant circuit (Ls, C) comprising a resonant circuit transmission coil (Ls) and a capacitance (C), wherein the resonant circuit transmission coil (Ls) generates an alternating magnetic field which induces a mutual induction voltage in at least one receiving coil (LE), and the oscillation state of the resonant circuit can be influenced by means of a metallic release which enters or moves away from the alternating field. An evaluation circuit is used to obtain a switching signal (uswitch) from the change in the oscillation state of the resonant circuit, wherein the change in the complex coupling between the at least two coils, the transmission coil (Ls) and the receiving coil (LE), can be evaluated, as a switching signal (uswitch), using an auxiliary voltage signal (UHSP) in the presence or absence of the release.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas Kuehn
  • Publication number: 20090224841
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the detection of a predamping state of an inductive sensor. The sensor has at least one oscillator with a resonant circuit and an oscillation amplifier. According to the method the oscillatory response of the oscillator is analyzed with an operating amplification or gain. According to the invention the method is further developed in that the oscillatory behaviour of the oscillator is additionally analyzed for an analysis amplification or gain, which is chosen lower than the operating amplification. The analysis amplification is also chosen in such a way that the oscillatory response of the oscillator reacts sensitively to objects or articles located in close proximity to the sensor. The invention also relates to an inductive sensor with predamping detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas Kuehn