Patents by Inventor Thomas TRATHNIGG

Thomas TRATHNIGG 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: 11884182
    Abstract: An electric-vehicle battery system includes a high voltage system with a plurality of connected rechargeable battery cells; a low voltage system with an operating voltage lower than an operating voltage of the high voltage system, the low voltage system supplying a battery system manager; and a real time clock configured to provide a system time to the battery system manager. The real time clock may be at least temporarily powered by the high voltage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Maximilian Hofer, Christoph Schmiedhofer, Thomas Trathnigg, Kurt Duller, Renato Mandic, Damir Kovac
  • Publication number: 20230170538
    Abstract: A battery system includes: a battery management system comprising a DC/DC converter and a system basis chip; a microcontroller connected to the system basis chip to receive power from the system basis chip; and a relay driver configured to control a relay. The DC/DC converter receives power from a power source, and the system basis chip receives an output voltage from the DC/DC converter. The relay driver is connected to a node between the system basis chip and the DC/DC converter to receive the output voltage from the DC/DC converter. The microcontroller is electrically connected to the relay driver and is configured to: before switching the relay, control the DC/DC converter to increase the output voltage from a first voltage to a higher second voltage; and control the relay driver to switch the relay while the DC/DC converter outputs the second voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Jürgen FRITZ, Renato MANDIC, Peter KURCIK, Thomas TRATHNIGG, Michael HAINDL, Pramod SRINIVAS
  • Patent number: 11579202
    Abstract: An electric current measuring arrangement includes: a first control unit including a first microcontroller; a second control unit including: a second microcontroller; an amplifier electrically interconnected between the second microcontroller and terminals of a shunt resistor for current measurement; and a node interconnected between one of the terminals of the shunt resistor and the amplifier; a communication line communicatively connecting the first control unit and the second control unit. The first microcontroller is configured to generate a test pattern signal, and to transmit the test pattern signal to the second control unit through the communication line, the second control unit is configured to transmit the test pattern signal to the node, the second microcontroller is configured to receive a measuring signal through the amplifier, and the first microcontroller is configured to receive the measuring signal, compare the measuring signal with the test pattern signal, and verify the current measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Maximilian Hofer, Renato Mandic, Thomas Trathnigg, Jürgen Fritz
  • Publication number: 20230027996
    Abstract: A relay control system for a battery system is provided. The relay control system includes: an electrical interface configured to detachably receive a connector; a power supply electrically connected in parallel to a coil of a relay through power supply lines; a relay driver switch interconnected between the power supply and the coil in one of the power supply lines; and a controller electrically connected in parallel to the relay driver switch through relay driver control lines to control the relay driver switch. One of the power supply lines or the relay driver control lines is routed across the interface, and the relay control system is configured to open the relay when the one of the power supply lines or the relay driver control lines is interrupted in response to the connector being detached from the interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Jürgen FRITZ, Thomas TRATHNIGG, Damir KOVAC, Christoph SCHMIEDHOFER
  • Patent number: 11411255
    Abstract: A battery pack may include: a battery configured to include a plurality of cells; a cell balancing circuit configured to include a discharge circuit for each of the cells; a controller configured to output a first complete discharge command signal based on a control signal inputted from the outside; a mechanical switch configured to output a second complete discharge signal by mechanical manipulation; and a cell balancing controller configured to control the cell balancing circuit such that complete discharge of each cell is performed through the discharge circuits when the first complete discharge signal and the second complete discharge signal are received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hwa-Su Kim, Thomas Trathnigg
  • Patent number: 11211658
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a housing for a battery. In the case of coolant leakage, the housing includes an absorbent layer disposed on a bottom portion and an insulating film covering a portion of the absorbent layer in order to improve operational safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ralph Wuensche, Thomas Trathnigg, Guido Poscharnig, Wolfgang Luidold
  • Publication number: 20210382116
    Abstract: An electric current measuring arrangement includes: a first control unit including a first microcontroller; a second control unit including: a second microcontroller; an amplifier electrically interconnected between the second microcontroller and terminals of a shunt resistor for current measurement; and a node interconnected between one of the terminals of the shunt resistor and the amplifier; a communication line communicatively connecting the first control unit and the second control unit. The first microcontroller is configured to generate a test pattern signal, and to transmit the test pattern signal to the second control unit through the communication line, the second control unit is configured to transmit the test pattern signal to the node, the second microcontroller is configured to receive a measuring signal through the amplifier, and the first microcontroller is configured to receive the measuring signal, compare the measuring signal with the test pattern signal, and verify the current measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Maximilian HOFER, Renato MANDIC, Thomas TRATHNIGG, Jürgen FRITZ
  • Publication number: 20210300207
    Abstract: An electric-vehicle battery system includes a high voltage system with a plurality of connected rechargeable battery cells; a low voltage system with an operating voltage lower than an operating voltage of the high voltage system, the low voltage system supplying a battery system manager; and a real time clock configured to provide a system time to the battery system manager. The real time clock may be at least temporarily powered by the high voltage system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Maximilian HOFER, Christoph SCHMIEDHOFER, Thomas TRATHNIGG, Kurt DULLER, Renato MANDIC, Damir KOVAC
  • Publication number: 20210245625
    Abstract: A battery system for an electric vehicle includes a battery module having battery cells and a controller module connected to the battery cells, the controller module being configured to measure voltage values, current values, and temperature values of at least one of the battery cells, and a controller unit connected to the battery module and configured to communicate with the controller module via a data line, the controller unit being configured to determine an inherent physical property of the at least one of the battery cells based on the measured values of the controller module, to compare the determined inherent physical property with a reference value for the inherent physical property, and to perform an authentication of the at least one of the battery cells based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Maximilian HOFER, Thomas TRATHNIGG, Werner BERGMAYR
  • Publication number: 20210119267
    Abstract: A battery pack may include: a battery configured to include a plurality of cells; a cell balancing circuit configured to include a discharge circuit for each of the cells; a controller configured to output a first complete discharge command signal based on a control signal inputted from the outside; a mechanical switch configured to output a second complete discharge signal by mechanical manipulation; and a cell balancing controller configured to control the cell balancing circuit such that complete discharge of each cell is performed through the discharge circuits when the first complete discharge signal and the second complete discharge signal are received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Hwa-Su KIM, Thomas TRATHNIGG
  • Publication number: 20190326571
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a housing for a battery. In the case of coolant leakage, the housing includes an absorbent layer disposed on a bottom portion and an insulating film covering a portion of the absorbent layer in order to improve operational safety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Ralph WUENSCHE, Thomas TRATHNIGG, Guido POSCHARNIG, Wolfgang LUIDOLD
  • Patent number: 9761887
    Abstract: An energy storage apparatus having a housing, a plurality of battery cells, a temperature-control system with a liquid temperature-control medium for cooling and/or heating the battery cells in the housing. An absorbent element is arranged spatially between the battery cells and the housing such that any temperature-control medium escaping from the temperature-control system is absorbed by the absorbent element. The absorbent element is separated from the battery cells by an electrically insulating layer, the electrically insulating layer being impermeable to the temperature-control medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter Dämon, Stefan Roepke, Mario Steiner, Thomas Trathnigg
  • Patent number: 9634362
    Abstract: A safety device for a vehicle having a battery system with a plurality of battery cells, a method for controlling the safety device, and a system that includes the safety device and the battery system. The safety device includes an electronic unit; a first device configured to detect an insulation resistance between components of the battery system and a reference potential, which components are connected in an electrically conductive manner to at least one battery cell; a second device configured to supply and/or discharge heat to and/or from the battery cells via a heat transfer medium which circulates in at least one circular flow pattern; and at least a first cut-off valve configured to interrupt the circular flow path of the heat transfer medium and which is actuated by the electronic unit from an open position into a closed position when the detected insulation resistance is below a predetermined limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter Dämon, Thomas Trathnigg
  • Patent number: 9634484
    Abstract: A battery system, a vehicle having a battery system, and a method for operating a battery system. The battery system has a plurality of cells, a load circuit, a current sensor to detect current flowing in the load circuit, a pre-charging circuit to limit the current flowing through the load circuit, a disconnecting apparatus in a load circuit section of the load circuit, the load circuit section being bypassed by the pre-charging circuit, a first consumer circuit and a second consumer circuit arranged in parallel with one another and connected to the load circuit, a first fuse assigned to the first consumer circuit, a second fuse assigned to the second consumer circuit and an electronics unit to evaluate signals of the current sensor and which determines whether at least one of the first fuse and the second fuse has blown based on signals of the current sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas Trathnigg
  • Publication number: 20140300183
    Abstract: A battery system, a vehicle having a battery system, and a method for operating a battery system. The battery system has a plurality of cells, a load circuit, a current sensor to detect current flowing in the load circuit, a pre-charging circuit to limit the current flowing through the load circuit, a disconnecting apparatus in a load circuit section of the load circuit, the load circuit section being bypassed by the pre-charging circuit, a first consumer circuit and a second consumer circuit arranged in parallel with one another and connected to the load circuit, a first fuse assigned to the first consumer circuit, a second fuse assigned to the second consumer circuit and an electronics unit to evaluate signals of the current sensor and which determines whether at least one of the first fuse and the second fuse has blown based on signals of the current sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: MAGNA STEYR Battery Systems GmbH & Co OG
    Inventor: Thomas TRATHNIGG
  • Publication number: 20140154537
    Abstract: A safety device for a vehicle having a battery system with a plurality of battery cells, a method for controlling the safety device, and a system that includes the safety device and the battery system. The safety device includes an electronic unit; a first device configured to detect an insulation resistance between components of the battery system and a reference potential, which components are connected in an electrically conductive manner to at least one battery cell; a second device configured to supply and/or discharge heat to and/or from the battery cells via a heat transfer medium which circulates in at least one circular flow pattern; and at least a first cut-off valve configured to interrupt the circular flow path of the heat transfer medium and which is actuated by the electronic unit from an open position into a closed position when the detected insulation resistance is below a predetermined limit value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: MAGNA STEYR Battery Systems GmbH & Co OG
    Inventors: Peter DÄMON, Thomas TRATHNIGG
  • Publication number: 20140057148
    Abstract: An energy storage apparatus having a housing, a plurality of battery cells, a temperature-control system with a liquid temperature-control medium for cooling and/or heating the battery cells in the housing. An absorbent element is arranged spatially between the battery cells and the housing such that any temperature-control medium escaping from the temperature-control system is absorbed by the absorbent element. The absorbent element is separated from the battery cells by an electrically insulating layer, the electrically insulating layer being impermeable to the temperature-control medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Magna Steyr Battery Systems GmbH & Co OG
    Inventors: Peter DÄMON, Stefan ROEPKE, Mario STEINER, Thomas TRATHNIGG