Patents by Inventor Thomas Westebbe

Thomas Westebbe 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: 10804059
    Abstract: A microphone having a housing that includes a bottom part and an upper part, and a transducer element arranged in the housing and which is electrically and mechanically connected to the bottom part. For stress-free mounting of the transducer element, a flexible connecting element is proposed, which is pliable and/or compressible, is arranged between the transducer element and the upper part, and connects the transducer element to the upper part. The connecting element includes a plastic, in which gas bubbles are distributed, the gas bubbles having a volume fraction of between 50 and 98% in the connecting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Thomas Westebbe, Frank Werner, Peter Bobert
  • Patent number: 10727008
    Abstract: A contact device for an electrical switch, and an electrical switch are disclosed. In an embodiment the contact device includes a first connection element, a second connection element, a movable contact bridge, at least two magnets configured to quench arcs which arise during a switching of the electrical switch, wherein the magnets are configured to generate a magnetic field in a first region which comprises at least one first contact region and one second contact region, in which, when the electrical switch is in a closed switching position, the first connection element and the second connection element are in contact with the contact bridge and at least one deflection element configured to distort the magnetic field such that a first arc when formed between the first connection element and the contact bridge, and a second arc when formed between the second connection element and the contact bridge, are forced into different directions, pointing away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Robert Hoffmann, Thomas Westebbe
  • Publication number: 20190206633
    Abstract: A contact device for an electrical switch, and an electrical switch are disclosed. In an embodiment the contact device includes a first connection element, a second connection element, a movable contact bridge, at least two magnets configured to quench arcs which arise during a switching of the electrical switch, wherein the magnets are configured to generate a magnetic field in a first region which comprises at least one first contact region and one second contact region, in which, when the electrical switch is in a closed switching position, the first connection element and the second connection element are in contact with the contact bridge and at least one deflection element configured to distort the magnetic field such that a first arc when formed between the first connection element and the contact bridge, and a second arc when formed between the second connection element and the contact bridge, are forced into different directions, pointing away from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Robert Hoffmann, Thomas Westebbe
  • Patent number: 10211603
    Abstract: The invention specifies a surge protection element (100) comprising a first electrode (1), a second electrode (2) and a gas discharge chamber (10). The gas discharge chamber (10) is arranged between the first electrode (1) and the second electrode (2), wherein the surge protection element (100) comprises an intermediate electrode structure (3), which is arranged in the gas discharge chamber (10) and is electrically isolated from the first electrode and the second electrode (1, 2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Eduard Dorsch, Frank Werner, Peter Bobert, Thomas Westebbe
  • Publication number: 20180204698
    Abstract: The invention specifies a magnet armature for a contactor, a contactor, and a method for switching a contactor. The magnet armature allows the risk of the contacts of a contactor sticking to be reduced and to this end comprises a first spring element with a first stiffness and a second element with a second stiffness. The first spring element is deformed during the movement from an inoperative position to a central position. The second spring element is deformed during the movement from the central position to an end position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas Westebbe, Frank Werner, Peter Bobert
  • Patent number: 9762035
    Abstract: A multi-step tube (1) of a ceramic material comprises a tube body (1) of the ceramic material having an inner wall (11) located inside the tube body (1). A surface of the inner wall (11) is formed with a plurality of steps (2). The steps (2) are formed to extend differently far inside the tube (1). A multi-layered gas discharge tube comprises the multi-step tube (1). An inner electrode (31) is disposed on a step (21), and an outer electrode (41) is disposed on an outer surface (13) of the tube body (1). A disc (51) is partially placed on a step (22) and the inner electrode (31) between the inner electrode (31) and the outer electrode (41) so that, in case of an electrostatic discharge, the discharge will only take place in the center of the multi-step tube (1) and not at the border of the isolated ceramic disc (51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Thomas Westebbe, Yu Zhang, Eric Liu, Jiaping Hong
  • Publication number: 20170077678
    Abstract: The invention specifies a surge protection element (100) comprising a first electrode (1), a second electrode (2) and a gas discharge chamber (10). The gas discharge chamber (10) is arranged between the first electrode (1) and the second electrode (2), wherein the surge protection element (100) comprises an intermediate electrode structure (3), which is arranged in the gas discharge chamber (10) and is electrically isolated from the first electrode and the second electrode (1, 2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Eduard DORSCH, Frank WERNER, Peter BOBERT, Thomas WESTEBBE
  • Patent number: 9444227
    Abstract: A spark gap arrangement includes a discharge chamber, an electrode head and a contact connection arranged outside the discharge chamber. The electrode head is electrically conductively connected and mechanically coupled to the contact connection in such a way that, when the contact connection is removed from its position or when the contact connection reaches a preset position, the electrically conductive connection is interrupted, and the electrode head is mechanically decoupled from the contact connection so that the electrode head is movable in the direction of the discharge chamber interior and/or within the discharge chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Däumer, Thomas Westebbe
  • Publication number: 20150333488
    Abstract: A spark gap arrangement includes a discharge chamber, an electrode head and a contact connection arranged outside the discharge chamber. The electrode head is electrically conductively connected and mechanically coupled to the contact connection in such a way that, when the contact connection is removed from its position or when the contact connection reaches a preset position, the electrically conductive connection is interrupted, and the electrode head is mechanically decoupled from the contact connection so that the electrode head is movable in the direction of the discharge chamber interior and/or within the discharge chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Wolfgang Däumer, Thomas Westebbe
  • Publication number: 20140327996
    Abstract: A multi-step tube (1) of a ceramic material comprises a tube body (1) of the ceramic material having an inner wall (11) located inside the tube body (1). A surface of the inner wall (11) is formed with a plurality of steps (2). The steps (2) are formed to extend differently far inside the tube (1). A multi-layered gas discharge tube comprises the multi-step tube (1). An inner electrode (31) is disposed on a step (21), and an outer electrode (41) is disposed on an outer surface (13) of the tube body (1). A disc (51) is partially placed on a step (22) and the inner electrode (31) between the inner electrode (31) and the outer electrode (41) so that, in case of an electrostatic discharge, the discharge will only take place in the center of the multi-step tube (1) and not at the border of the isolated ceramic disc (51).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Thomas Westebbe, Yu Zhang, Eric Liu, Jiaping Hong
  • Patent number: 8547678
    Abstract: A surge arrester includes a short-circuit device. The short-circuit device includes at least one first base element. The first base element is rigidly connected in an electrically conducting and mechanical manner to a first electrode of the surge arrester. The short-circuit device also includes at least one spring arm arranged on the base element. The free end of the spring arm has a distance to the base element, and the spring arm extends over at least two adjoining electrodes of the surge arrester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Peter Bobert, Thomas Westebbe
  • Patent number: 8129648
    Abstract: An overvoltage arrester includes at least two electrodes and a melt element that connects one of the electrodes to an outer terminal of the overvoltage arrester. An extinguishing device is designed to extinguish an electric arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Gero Zimmermann, Thomas Westebbe, Peter Bobert
  • Patent number: 8080927
    Abstract: A device for protecting against lightning and overvoltages includes two electrodes closing off, in a gas tight manner, both end faces of a cylinder made of insulating material, and defining a discharge chamber in the interior of the chamber thus formed. At least one step is provided in the chamber in the contact area of at least one of the electrodes and the cylinder such that the chamber extends outwards past the internal wall of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Juergen Boy, Gero Zimmermann, Thomas Westebbe
  • Publication number: 20110299211
    Abstract: A surge arrester includes a short-circuit device. The short-circuit device includes at least one first base element. The first base element is rigidly connected in an electrically conducting and mechanical manner to a first electrode of the surge arrester. The short-circuit device also includes at least one spring arm arranged on the base element. The free end of the spring arm has a distance to the base element, and the spring arm extends over at least two adjoining electrodes of the surge arrester.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Peter Bobert, Thomas Westebbe
  • Publication number: 20100314358
    Abstract: An overvoltage arrester includes at least two electrodes and a melt element that connects one of the electrodes to an outer terminal of the overvoltage arrester. An extinguishing device is designed to extinguish an electric arc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Gero Zimmermann, Thomas Westebbe, Peter Bobert
  • Publication number: 20100156264
    Abstract: A device for protecting against lightning and overvoltages includes two electrodes closing off, in a gas tight manner, both end faces of a cylinder made of insulating material, and defining a discharge chamber in the interior of the chamber thus formed. At least one step is provided in the chamber in the contact area of at least one of the electrodes and the cylinder such that the chamber extends outwards past the internal wall of the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Juergen Boy, Gero Zimmermann, Thomas Westebbe
  • Patent number: 5644465
    Abstract: In a three-electrode surge arrester where the center electrode (3) is provided with a connecting wire (6) that projects outward radially and is provided with an outside short-circuit device, the latter consists of a two-arm spring clip (20) whose arms project axially beyond the free ends of the end electrodes and are in contact with the outside peripheral edge of the respective end electrode (1, 2) with a layer of insulating film (21) in between. Spring clip (20) has an roof-shaped arch (24) and is provided with a passage in the area of this arch that serves to secure the spring clip on connecting wire (6) of center electrode (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerhard Lange, Thomas Westebbe, Michael Bluhm