Patents by Inventor Tobias Schönherr

Tobias Schönherr 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: 10085303
    Abstract: An induction heating device comprises a frequency converter that generates a high-frequency drive voltage from an intermediate circuit voltage generated at least temporarily as a function of an AC mains voltage, a resonant circuit having an induction heating coil, with the drive voltage applied to the resonant circuit, and a temperature detection device that determines a temperature of a cooking vessel base which is heated by means of the induction heating coil. An auxiliary voltage source generated the intermediate circuit voltage over predefined time periods at a constant level. The frequency converter generates the drive voltage over time periods such that the resonant circuit oscillates at a natural resonant frequency in a substantially de-attenuated manner, and the temperature detection device further measuring at least one oscillation parameter over the time periods, and to evaluate the at least one measured oscillation parameter in order to determine the temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: E.G.O. Elektro-Geraetebau GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Schilling, Tobias Schönherr, Werner Kappes, Martin Volk
  • Patent number: 8901466
    Abstract: The invention may enable provision of a method for facilitating operation of an induction heating device, and a pot detection method for an induction heating device and to an induction heating device. The induction heating device is characterized by determining a low point of a resonant cycle on a linking node of a parallel resonant circuit and a switching element, determining a low point voltage at the low point of the resonant cycle and switching on the switching element at the low point of the resonant cycle for a cycle duration that is determined depending on the low point voltage in such a manner that a low point voltage does not exceed a predetermined maximum value in the following resonant cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: E.G.O. Elektro-Geraetebau GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Schilling, Ralf Dorwarth, Martin Volk, Tobias Schönherr
  • Patent number: 8415594
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an induction heating device. The induction heating device comprises an induction coil and a frequency converter for producing a control voltage for the induction coil. The frequency converter comprises a rectifier rectifying an alternating supply voltage (UN), an intermediate circuit capacitor, looped in between output terminals of the rectifier and equalizing the rectified voltage (UG), and at least one controllable switching element, looped in between the output terminals of the rectifier. According to the invention, in a predetermined discharge interval (INT) before a zero crossing (ND) of the alternating supply voltage (UN), the intermediate circuit capacitor is discharged to a threshold value by controlling the at least one switching element before the induction coil is controlled in order to produce an adjustable heating capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: E.G.O. Elektro-Geraetebau GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Schilling, Ralf Dorwarth, Martin Volk, Tobias Schönherr
  • Publication number: 20110120989
    Abstract: An induction heating device comprises a frequency converter that generates a high-frequency drive voltage from an intermediate circuit voltage generated at least temporarily as a function of an AC mains voltage, a resonant circuit having an induction heating coil, with the drive voltage applied to the resonant circuit, and a temperature detection device that determines a temperature of a cooking vessel base which is heated by means of the induction heating coil. An auxiliary voltage source generated the intermediate circuit voltage over predefined time periods at a constant level. The frequency converter generates the drive voltage over time periods such that the resonant circuit oscillates at a natural resonant frequency in a substantially de-attenuated manner, and the temperature detection device further measuring at least one oscillation parameter over the time periods, and to evaluate the at least one measured oscillation parameter in order to determine the temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Wilfried Schilling, Tobias Schönherr, Werner Kappes, Martin Volk
  • Publication number: 20100006563
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an induction heating device, to a pot detection method for an induction heating device and to an induction heating device. The method for operating the induction heating device is characterized by determining a low point of a resonant cycle on a linking node (N1) of a parallel resonant circuit and a switching element (24), determining a low point voltage at the low point of the resonant cycle and switching on the switching element (24) at the low point of the resonant cycle for a cycle duration that is determined depending on the low point voltage in such a manner that a low point voltage does not exceed a predetermined maximum value in the following resonant cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: E.G.O. ELEKTRO-GERAETEBAU GMBH
    Inventors: Wilfried Schilling, Ralf Dorwarth, Martin Volk, Tobias Schönherr
  • Publication number: 20090321413
    Abstract: A hob comprising a plurality of heating elements further comprises a support for a plurality of illuminating means, said support being of elongate construction and typically arcuate in shape. In one embodiment, two rows of illuminaries in the form of LEDs are provided wherein a cover with light zones is positioned thereover. The cover may indicate various symbols and letters to a user of the hob. Separate light zones may be defined to prevent light from one illuminary zone spilling over to the next illuminary zone. A controller may illuminate one row of illuminaries indicating the heating element is hot, even after power is removed from the heating element, and illuminate another row indicating a level of operation of the heating element. The hob may comprise a plurality of heating elements each having an associated illuminating means located in front of the heating area facing the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Christian Egenter, Wilfried Schilling, Tobias Schoenherr, Martin Volk, Uwe Winkler