Patents by Inventor Torsten Leifert

Torsten Leifert 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: 9300209
    Abstract: A half-bridge of a bidirectional converter is divided into a first and a second conduction path connected in parallel. In each of the conduction paths a switching element and a freewheeling diode are connected in series, and the center points of the conduction paths are connected via a second inductor. The second inductor is connected in series with a first inductor which is connected to the center point of the second conduction path. The half-bridge has two operating modes. In each of the two operating modes the switching element in one of the two conduction paths is clocked at a high frequency to cause a flow of energy in one of two directions between a pair of high voltage-side connections and a pair of low voltage-side connections to the half-bridge. The two switching elements are of different types, the switching element in the first conduction path causing higher switching losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: SMA SOLAR TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Burkard Mueller, Jens Friebe, Torsten Leifert
  • Publication number: 20150085550
    Abstract: A half-bridge of a bidirectional converter is divided into a first and a second conduction path connected in parallel. In each of the conduction paths a switching element and a freewheeling diode are connected in series, and the center points of the conduction paths are connected via a second inductor. The second inductor is connected in series with a first inductor which is connected to the center point of the second conduction path. The half-bridge has two operating modes. In each of the two operating modes the switching element in one of the two conduction paths is clocked at a high frequency to cause a flow of energy in one of two directions between a pair of high voltage-side connections and a pair of low voltage-side connections to the half-bridge. The two switching elements are of different types, the switching element in the first conduction path causing higher switching losses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Burkard Mueller, Jens Friebe, Torsten Leifert
  • Patent number: 8743570
    Abstract: A device for converting direct voltage from an electrochemical store or a fuel cell to alternating voltage, includes a two-stage design having a single DC/DC converter stage for generating an intermediate circuit voltage from the output voltage of the electrochemical store or the fuel cell, which converter stage converts, in particular raises, the direct voltage in a wide input voltage range directly to an intermediate circuit voltage with which a DC/AC converter stage can be operated to generate the alternating voltage. The single DC/AC converter stage generates the alternating voltage from the intermediate circuit voltage. The invention further relates to a method for actuating a device for converting direct voltage from a store or energy generator into alternating voltage for feeding into a supply network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Jens-Uwe Mueller, Peter Witsch, Christian Ruehling, Andreas Falk, Torsten Leifert
  • Publication number: 20130272032
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for operating a DC/DC voltage converter comprising a first switching bridge with at least two first switches coupled to an input of the DC/DC voltage converter, a second switching bridge with at least two second switches coupled to an output of the DC/DC voltage converter, a transformer and at least one capacitor, wherein the first switching bridge is connected to the second switching bridge via the transformer. The first switches are switched such that a resonant circuit formed by the transformer and the at least one capacitor is operated in resonance, and the second switches are switched at the same clock frequency with a phase shift compared to the first switches, such that the second switches are switched prior to the first switches. The disclosure also relates to a DC/DC voltage converter comprising a control circuit for the first and second switches which is configured to carry out the method, and to a backup power system including such a DC/DC voltage converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Jens-Uwe Mueller, Torsten Leifert, Sebastian Heinze, Mario Willenberg
  • Publication number: 20130028000
    Abstract: A device for converting direct voltage from an electrochemical store or a fuel cell to alternating voltage, includes a two-stage design having a single DC/DC converter stage for generating an intermediate circuit voltage from the output voltage of the electrochemical store or the fuel cell, which converter stage converts, in particular raises, the direct voltage in a wide input voltage range directly to an intermediate circuit voltage with which a DC/AC converter stage can be operated to generate the alternating voltage. The single DC/AC converter stage generates the alternating voltage from the intermediate circuit voltage. The invention further relates to a method for actuating a device for converting direct voltage from a store or energy generator into alternating voltage for feeding into a supply network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Jens-Uwe Mueller, Peter Witsch, Christian Ruehling, Andreas Falk, Torsten Leifert
  • Patent number: 7902685
    Abstract: A feed converter system for small wind energy systems has a rectifier device and an inverter device disposed in a housing, and a common control device is provided for regulating the system components under different load cases, particularly when the wind energy system starts up, or when it is being operated at an optimal operating point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignees: Sieb & Meyer AG, INENSUS GmbH
    Inventors: Nico Peterschmidt, Jakob Schmidt-Reindahl, Torsten Leifert, Katrin Bystry, Rainer Buchhorn, Holger Peters
  • Patent number: 7530414
    Abstract: An industrial tow truck (1) includes an electrical traction drive system. At least one fuel cell unit (9) is used as the energy supply for the electrical traction drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Still GmbH
    Inventors: Dietmar Kubusch, Torsten Leifert
  • Publication number: 20080174116
    Abstract: A feed converter system for small wind energy systems has a compact construction and economically efficient installation and operating costs. The system has a rectifier device and an inverter device disposed in a housing, and a common control device is provided for regulating the system components under different load cases, particularly when the wind energy system starts up, or when it is being operated at an optimal operating point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Nico Peterschmidt, Jakob Schmidt-Reindahl, Torsten Leifert, Katrin Bystry, Rainer Buchhorn, Holger Peters
  • Patent number: 7284627
    Abstract: An industrial truck, such as a fork-lift truck, has an electrical drive system and an energy supply based on gaseous media. At least one pressure vessel for the storage of at least one gaseous medium is installed in a mounting device which can be easily replaced together with the pressure vessel in the lower portion of the industrial truck (5) between the axles (7). Devices necessary for the generation of electrical energy from the gaseous medium can be advantageously installed in the mounting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: STILL GmbH
    Inventor: Torsten Leifert
  • Patent number: 7261170
    Abstract: A mobile machine, such as an industrial truck, includes at least two electrical drive systems (4, 5), at least one electrical control system (14) and at least one electrical power source (1). Excess electrical energy generated during deceleration of at least one of the electrical drive systems (4) is fed to at least one other electrical drive system (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: STILLGmbH
    Inventor: Torsten Leifert
  • Patent number: 7252166
    Abstract: An industrial truck (1) is provided that includes an electrical drive and a fuel cell system (8). A method for the operation of an industrial truck (1) with an electrical drive and a fuel cell system (8) is also provided. On the industrial truck (1) with an electrical drive and a fuel cell system (8) there can be at least one easily replaceable fuel reservoir (11). The method teaches that at least one easily replaceable fuel reservoir (11) can be kept on hand at the operating location of the industrial truck (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Still GmbH
    Inventors: Dietmar Kubusch, Torsten Leifert
  • Publication number: 20060167609
    Abstract: The invention relates to an industrial truck with an on-board energy reservoir (1) and at least one drive system (2) supplied with energy from it. On the industrial truck there is a device (4) to display the remaining operating time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Applicants: STILL GmbH, STILL S.A.R.L
    Inventors: Francois Brouart, Paulo Ferreira, Daniel Krupka, Lars Gunther, Torsten Leifert
  • Publication number: 20060137930
    Abstract: An industrial truck, such as a fork-lift truck, has an electrical drive system and an energy supply based on gaseous media. At least one pressure vessel for the storage of at least one gaseous medium is installed in a mounting device which can be easily replaced together with the pressure vessel in the lower portion of the industrial truck (5) between the axles (7). Devices necessary for the generation of electrical energy from the gaseous medium can be advantageously installed in the mounting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2006
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Applicant: STILL GmbH
    Inventor: Torsten Leifert
  • Patent number: 7000716
    Abstract: An industrial truck, such as a fork-lift truck, has an electrical drive system and an energy supply based on gaseous media. At least one pressure vessel for the storage of at least one gaseous medium is installed in a mounting device which can be easily replaced together with the pressure vessel in the lower portion of the industrial truck (5) between the axles (7). Devices necessary for the generation of electrical energy from the gaseous medium can be advantageously installed in the mounting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Still GmbH
    Inventor: Torsten Leifert
  • Publication number: 20050045391
    Abstract: An industrial truck (1) is provided that includes an electrical drive and a fuel cell system (8). A method for the operation of an industrial truck (1) with an electrical drive and a fuel cell system (8) is also provided. On the industrial truck (1) with an electrical drive and a fuel cell system (8) there can be at least one easily replaceable fuel reservoir (11). The method teaches that at least one easily replaceable fuel reservoir (11) can be kept on hand at the operating location of the industrial truck (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Inventors: Dietmar Kubusch, Torsten Leifert
  • Publication number: 20050034905
    Abstract: An industrial truck has an electrical drive (6), a fuel cell system (1), and a heating device for an operator's position. The heating device can be operated utilizing the heat that is generated during the operation of the fuel cell system (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Publication date: February 17, 2005
    Inventors: Lars Gunther, Torsten Leifert
  • Publication number: 20050029022
    Abstract: An industrial tow truck (1) includes an electrical traction drive system. At least one fuel cell unit (9) is used as the energy supply for the electrical traction drive system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Applicant: STILL GmbH
    Inventors: Dietmar Kubusch, Torsten Leifert
  • Publication number: 20040129466
    Abstract: An industrial truck, such as a fork-lift truck, has an electrical drive system and an energy supply based on gaseous media. At least one pressure vessel for the storage of at least one gaseous medium is installed in a mounting device which can be easily replaced together with the pressure vessel in the lower portion of the industrial truck (5) between the axles (7). Devices necessary for the generation of electrical energy from the gaseous medium can be advantageously installed in the mounting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Torsten Leifert
  • Publication number: 20040124020
    Abstract: A mobile machine, such as an industrial truck, includes at least two electrical drive systems (4, 5), at least one electrical control system (14) and at least one electrical power source (1). Excess electrical energy generated during deceleration of at least one of the electrical drive systems (4) is fed to at least one other electrical drive system (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: Torsten Leifert
  • Patent number: 6334796
    Abstract: An assembly having an electrical machine and a power electronics unit for use in a vehicle includes a housing part of the electrical machine connectable with a housing part of the power electronics unit at a seam between the two parts. Electrical pressure contacts are located in the vicinity of the seam between the two parts. Each pressure contact has one contact point located on the power electronics unit and one contact point located on the electrical machine. At least one contact point of a pressure contact is spring-loaded toward the other contact point of the same pressure contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Still GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Fromme, Hans-Georg Mittmann, Torsten Leifert, Martin Hinkelmann