Patents by Inventor Thomas Kirchmeier
Thomas Kirchmeier 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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Patent number: 10374923Abstract: A vehicle has a bus system, which is formed as an Ethernet bus system and has at least one distributor device with multiple port connections, to which a bus participant is respectively connected, which, via the associated port connection during the operation of the bus system, transmits data to the distributor device and/or receives data from the distributor device. The at least one distributor device is designed to carry out a diagnosis with respect to at least one of the port connections during operation of the bus system and to provide diagnostic data with respect to the at least one port connection.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2016Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Thomas Kirchmeier, Christoph Schmutzler, Thomas Koenigseder
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Patent number: 10209294Abstract: A method for producing an arc detection signal on the basis of a plurality of observation signals comprises producing an arc detection part-signal for each of at least two observation signals. Producing each of the part-signals includes correlating the respective observation signal with a correlation signal by influencing the correlation signal with the respective observation, thereby producing a correlation result; producing or modifying a coefficient on the basis of the correlation result; and weighting the respective observation signal with the coefficient. The arc detection part-signals are added to form the arc detection signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2013Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: TRUMPF Huettinger GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Markus Bannwarth, Christian Fritsch, Ulrich Heller, Daniel Krausse, Rolf Merte, Moritz Nitschke, Peter Wiedemuth, Christian Bock, Michael Glueck, Thomas Kirchmeier, Ekkehard Mann, Krishna Kishore Nedunuri, Martin Steuber, Markus Winterhalter
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Publication number: 20160269225Abstract: A vehicle has a bus system, which is formed as an Ethernet bus system and has at least one distributor device with multiple port connections, to which a bus participant is respectively connected, which, via the associated port connection during the operation of the bus system, transmits data to the distributor device and/or receives data from the distributor device. The at least one distributor device is designed to carry out a diagnosis with respect to at least one of the port connections during operation of the bus system and to provide diagnostic data with respect to the at least one port connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2016Publication date: September 15, 2016Inventors: Thomas KIRCHMEIER, Christoph SCHMUTZLER, Thomas KOENIGSEDER
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Patent number: 8866400Abstract: A plasma supply device generates an output power greater than 500 W at an essentially constant basic frequency greater than 3 MHz and powers a plasma process to which is supplied the generated output power, and from which reflected power is returned to the plasma supply device. The plasma supply device includes at least one inverter connected to a DC power supply, which inverter has at least one switching element, and an output network, wherein the at least one output network includes at least one inductance that has at least one magnetic field strengthening element that is a Perminvar ferrite.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2013Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: TRUMPF Huettinger GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Thomas Kirchmeier, Michael Glueck
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Publication number: 20140159741Abstract: A method for producing an arc detection signal on the basis of a plurality of observation signals comprises producing an arc detection part-signal for each of at least two observation signals. Producing each of the part-signals includes correlating the respective observation signal with a correlation signal by influencing the correlation signal with the respective observation, thereby producing a correlation result; producing or modifying a coefficient on the basis of the correlation result; and weighting the respective observation signal with the coefficient. The arc detection part-signals are added to form the arc detection signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2013Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: TRUMPF Huettinger GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Markus Bannwarth, Christian Fritsch, Ulrich Heller, Daniel Krausse, Rolf Merte, Moritz Nitschke, Peter Wiedemuth, Christian Bock, Michael Glueck, Thomas Kirchmeier, Ekkehard Mann, Krishna Kishore Nedunuri, Martin Steuber, Markus Winterhalter
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Publication number: 20140125315Abstract: Determining a high frequency operating parameter in a plasma system including a plasma power supply device coupled to a plasma load using a hybrid coupler having four ports is accomplished by: generating two high frequency source signals of identical frequency, the signals phase shifted by 90° with respect to one another; generating a high frequency output signal by combining the high frequency source signals in the hybrid coupler; transmitting the high frequency output signal to the plasma load; detecting two or more signals, each signal corresponding to a respective port of the hybrid coupler and related to an amplitude of a high frequency signal present at the respective port; and based on an evaluation of the two or more signals, determining the high frequency operating parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2014Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: HUETTINGER Elektronik GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Thomas Kirchmeier, Gerd Hintz
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Patent number: 8653405Abstract: In one aspect, operating a vacuum plasma process system including a plasma discharge chamber is accomplished by generating a main plasma in the discharge chamber in a first operating state, and generating an auxiliary plasma in the discharge chamber in a second operating state. Generating the main plasma includes generating a main plasma power with a first number of RF power generators, and generating an auxiliary plasma power with a second number of RF power generators, such that the second number is smaller than the first number.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2006Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: HUETTINGER Elektronik GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Thomas Kirchmeier, Michael Glück, Christoph Hofstetter, Gerd Hintz
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Patent number: 8643279Abstract: Determining a high frequency operating parameter in a plasma system including a plasma power supply device coupled to a plasma load using a hybrid coupler having four ports is accomplished by: generating two high frequency source signals of identical frequency, the signals phase shifted by 90° with respect to one another; generating a high frequency output signal by combining the high frequency source signals in the hybrid coupler; transmitting the high frequency output signal to the plasma load; detecting two or more signals, each signal corresponding to a respective port of the hybrid coupler and related to an amplitude of a high frequency signal present at the respective port; and based on an evaluation of the two or more signals, determining the high frequency operating parameter.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2010Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: HUETTINGER Elektronik GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Thomas Kirchmeier, Gerd Hintz
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Patent number: 8482205Abstract: Operation of a plasma supply device having at least one switching bridge with at least two switching elements, and configured to deliver a high frequency output signal having a power of >500 W and a substantially constant fundamental frequency >3 MHz to a plasma load is accomplished by determining at least one operating parameter, at least one environmental parameter of at least one switching element and/or a switching bridge parameter, determining individual drive signals for the switching elements taking into account the at least one operating parameter, the at least one environmental parameter and/or the switching bridge parameter, and individually driving the switching elements with a respective drive signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2010Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: HUETTINGER Elektronik GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Thomas Kirchmeier, Michael Glueck, Hans-Juergen Windisch, Hanns-Joachim Knaus
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Patent number: 8436543Abstract: A plasma supply device generates an output power greater than 500 W at an essentially constant basic frequency greater than 3 MHz and powers a plasma process to which is supplied the generated output power, and from which reflected power is returned to the plasma supply device. The plasma supply device includes at least one inverter connected to a DC power supply, which inverter has at least one switching element, and an output network, wherein the at least one output network includes at least one inductance that has at least one magnetic field strengthening element that is a Perminvar ferrite.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2010Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Huettinger Elektronik GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Thomas Kirchmeier, Michael Glueck
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Patent number: 8421377Abstract: In one aspect, protecting high frequency (HF) amplifiers of a plasma supply device configured to deliver >500 W at a substantially constant fundamental frequency >3 MHz is accomplished by: driving two HF amplifiers with two drive signals having a common frequency and a predetermined phase shift with respect to one another; generating two HF source signals using the HF amplifiers, the HF source signals coupled in a coupler to form a HF output signal; transmitting the HF output signal to the plasma load; measuring electrical variables related to the load impedances seen by the two HF amplifiers; determining whether the load impedance seen by one of the HF amplifiers lies outside a predetermined range; and adjusting the phase shift of the two drive signals, wherein neither of the load impedances seen by the HF amplifiers lies outside the predetermined range.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2010Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: HUETTINGER Elektronik GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Thomas Kirchmeier, Michael Glueck
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Patent number: 8357874Abstract: A plasma supply device includes a full bridge circuit that is connected to a DC power supply and that has two half bridges each with two series connected switching elements. The plasma supply device further includes a primary winding of a power transformer connected to centers of the half bridges between the switching elements. The primary winding includes a tapping connectable to an alternating current center between the potentials of the DC power supply.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2008Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Huettinger Elektronik GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Thomas Kirchmeier, Hans-Juergen Windisch, Hanns-Joachim Knaus, Michael Glueck
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Patent number: 8222885Abstract: A high frequency power supply, in particular a plasma supply device, for generating an output power greater than 1 kW at a basic frequency of at least 3 MHz with at least one switch bridge, which has two series connected switching elements, wherein one of the switching elements is connected to a reference potential varying in operation, and is activated by a driver, and wherein the driver has a differential input with two signal inputs and is connected to the reference potential varying in operation.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2008Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Huettinger Elektronik GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Thomas Kirchmeier, Hans-Juergen Windisch, Michael Glueck, Erich Pivit
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Patent number: 8129653Abstract: A plasma supply device generates an output power greater than 500 W at an essentially constant basic frequency greater than 3 MHz and powers a plasma process to which is supplied the generated output power, and from which reflected power is returned to the plasma supply device. The plasma supply device includes at least one inverter connected to a DC power supply, which inverter has at least one switching element, and an output network. The output network is arranged on a printed circuit board. The output network can therefore be designed low priced and accurately.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2008Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: HUETTINGER Elektronik GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Thomas Kirchmeier, Hans-Juergen Windisch, Hanns-Joachim Knaus, Michael Glueck, Gerd Hintz
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Publication number: 20100194280Abstract: A plasma supply device generates an output power greater than 500 W at an essentially constant basic frequency greater than 3 MHz and powers a plasma process to which is supplied the generated output power, and from which reflected power is returned to the plasma supply device. The plasma supply device includes at least one inverter connected to a DC power supply, which inverter has at least one switching element, and an output network, wherein the at least one output network includes at least one inductance that has at least one magnetic field strengthening element that is a Perminvar ferrite.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: HUETTINGER ELEKTRONIK GMBH + CO. KGInventors: Thomas Kirchmeier, Michael Glueck
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Patent number: 7755451Abstract: An HF plasma process excitation configuration includes an HF generator that is connected to a plasma load through a directional coupler. The directional coupler includes a transmission line, a first coupling line for detecting reflected power from the plasma load, and a second coupling line for detecting forward power from the HF generator, is the first coupling line is spaced apart from the transmission line and is terminated at least at one end with a termination resistance. The second coupling line is spaced apart from the transmission line and is terminated at least at one end with a termination resistance. Each coupling line has a predetermined and adjusted characteristic impedance, and the termination resistances each have a resistance value that corresponds within a tolerance to the characteristic impedance of the associated coupling line with a tolerance.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2007Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: HUETTINGER Elektronik GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Daniel Krausse, Christoph Gerhardt, Peter Riessle, Thomas Kirchmeier, Erich Pivit
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Publication number: 20100170640Abstract: Determining a high frequency operating parameter in a plasma system including a plasma power supply device coupled to a plasma load using a hybrid coupler having four ports is accomplished by: generating two high frequency source signals of identical frequency, the signals phase shifted by 90° with respect to one another; generating a high frequency output signal by combining the high frequency source signals in the hybrid coupler; transmitting the high frequency output signal to the plasma load; detecting two or more signals, each signal corresponding to a respective port of the hybrid coupler and related to an amplitude of a high frequency signal present at the respective port; and based on an evaluation of the two or more signals, determining the high frequency operating parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2010Publication date: July 8, 2010Applicant: HUETTINGER ELEKTRONIK GMBH + CO. KGInventors: Thomas Kirchmeier, Gerd Hintz
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Publication number: 20100171427Abstract: In one aspect, protecting high frequency (HF) amplifiers of a plasma supply device configured to deliver >500 W at a substantially constant fundamental frequency >3 MHz is accomplished by: driving two HF amplifiers with two drive signals having a common frequency and a predetermined phase shift with respect to one another; generating two HF source signals using the HF amplifiers, the HF source signals coupled in a coupler to form a HF output signal; transmitting the HF output signal to the plasma load; measuring electrical variables related to the load impedances seen by the two HF amplifiers; determining whether the load impedance seen by one of the HF amplifiers lies outside a predetermined range; and adjusting the phase shift of the two drive signals, wherein neither of the load impedances seen by the HF amplifiers lies outside the predetermined range.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2010Publication date: July 8, 2010Applicant: HUETTINGER ELEKTRONIK GMBH + CO. KGInventors: Thomas Kirchmeier, Michael Glueck
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Publication number: 20100171428Abstract: Operation of a plasma supply device having at least one switching bridge with at least two switching elements, and configured to deliver a high frequency output signal having a power of >500 W and a substantially constant fundamental frequency>3 MHz to a plasma load is accomplished by determining at least one operating parameter, at least one environmental parameter of at least one switching element and/or a switching bridge parameter, determining individual drive signals for the switching elements taking into account the at least one operating parameter, the at least one environmental parameter and/or the switching bridge parameter, and individually driving the switching elements with a respective drive signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2010Publication date: July 8, 2010Applicant: HUETTINGER ELEKTRONIK GMBH + CO. KGInventors: Thomas Kirchmeier, Michael Glueck, Hans-Juergen Windisch, Hanns-Joachim Knaus
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Patent number: 7745955Abstract: The power output of an RF plasma supply device is controlled by producing at least a first and second RF power signal by means of a respective RF generator, coupling at least two RF power signals into a coupled RF power, and distributing the coupled RF power between a plasma power that is to be supplied to a plasma load and an equalizing power that is to be supplied to an equalizing load. The power output is controlled by adjusting the levels and/or the phase position of the RF power signals in such a manner that, for plasma power in the range between a predefined lower power limit and a predefined nominal power, an insignificant portion of the coupled RF power constitutes the equalizing power and, for plasma power below the predefined lower power limit, a significant portion of the coupled RF power constitutes the equalizing power.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2006Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: HUETTINGER Elektronik GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Thomas Kirchmeier, Ekkehard Mann, Michael Glück, Christoph Hofstetter, Christoph Gerhardt, Gerd Hintz