Patents by Inventor Werner Kaps

Werner Kaps 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: 9729341
    Abstract: A building automation and building information system has a central unit, at least one control unit and first components. The central unit is connected to the at least one control unit via a bidirectional data line, as means for reception of data from the at least one control unit, and means for open-loop and/or closed-loop control of the at least one control unit. Each control unit is associated with at least one first component, to which the control unit is connected by radio. The control unit has means for open-loop and/or closed-loop radio control of the associated first components. The first components associated with each control unit can be connected to one another by radio. The central unit, the at least one control unit and the first components each have a plug-and-play capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignees: Viessmann Hausautomation GmbH, Diehl Ako Stiftung & Co., KG
    Inventors: Werner Kaps, Helmut Simon, Armin Leonhardt, Christian Roth, Jens Petersohn
  • Patent number: 9287708
    Abstract: An actuator for the power control of at least one connected load has a load detection device for detecting a magnitude of a load and/or a type of a load of the at least one as a measurement variable relating to the load of the at least one consumer. A communication interface receives at least one manipulated variable for the power control of the at least one consumer and transmits the measurement variable detected by the load detection device. Actuators of this type may be integrated into an energy management system, such as of a building automation system, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Viessmann Hausautomation GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Simon, Armin Leonhardt, Werner Kaps
  • Patent number: 8817430
    Abstract: An AC voltage controller has two transistors which can be positioned between two AC voltage terminals in series with a load. The two transistors are connected in series in such a way that their respective source terminals are connected to one another. The AC voltage controller also contains a signal generator for generating a switching signal for actuating the two transistors, a buffer which is connected downstream of the signal generator and which is set by the signal generator in order to actuate the two transistors. An actuation circuit or driver circuit is connected downstream of the buffer, for the purpose of actuating the two transistors in accordance with the set state of the buffer. A current-limiting circuit is provided for limiting or switching off the current through the two transistors in the case of an excessively large current through the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Diehl AKO Stiftung & Co. KG
    Inventors: Helmut Simon, Andreas Landerer, Werner Kaps
  • Patent number: 8810093
    Abstract: An actuating device for a heating element valve has a drive motor with a motor shaft, an actuator, and a rotation-linear conversion drive. The conversion drive is coupled on the drive side to the motor shaft and on the output side to the actuator and converts a rotational movement of the motor shaft into a linear movement of the actuator. The rotation-linear conversion drive further has a cam disc on the output side which is provided on its outer circumferential periphery with a plurality of step segments each having a substantially constant distance from the axis of the cam disc. The step segments are connected via connecting segments with a variable axle spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Diehl AKO Stiftung & Co. KG
    Inventors: Tobias Neugebauer, Werner Kaps
  • Patent number: 8581133
    Abstract: An operator control apparatus of an electronic domestic appliance contains an operator control panel on that side of the operator control apparatus which faces a user, at least one electrically conductive sensor element on that side of the operator control panel which is averted from the user, and a printed circuit board with at least one electrically conductive contact area which is arranged on that side of the printed circuit board which faces the operator control panel so as to be associated with the at least one sensor element. In this case, the at least one sensor element and the at least one contact area of the printed circuit board are connected to one another by an adhesive which is electrically conductive at least in the connection direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Diehl AKO Stiftung & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner Kaps, Thomas Frommelt
  • Publication number: 20120302092
    Abstract: A multifunctional electricity outlet for a building automation and building information system has a first interface to a line to the electricity supply, and a second interface to an electrical load. Furthermore, the multifunctional electricity outlet contains an apparatus for measurement of at least one electrical variable, a memory for the at least one measured electrical variable, a communication module with a third interface for sending and receiving data and a control module for producing a profile for at least one of the measured electrical variables over time and for comparison of the profile over time with predetermined stored profiles of loads which can be connected, over time, in order to determine the load which is connected to the second interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Werner Kaps, Helmut Simon, Armin Leonhardt, Christian Roth
  • Publication number: 20120296451
    Abstract: A building automation and building information system has a central unit, at least one control unit and first components. The central unit is connected to the at least one control unit via a bidirectional data line, as means for reception of data from the at least one control unit, and means for open-loop and/or closed-loop control of the at least one control unit. Each control unit is associated with at least one first component, to which the control unit is connected by radio. The control unit has means for open-loop and/or closed-loop radio control of the associated first components. The first components associated with each control unit can be connected to one another by radio. The central unit, the at least one control unit and the first components each have a plug-and-play capability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: Werner Kaps, Helmut Simon, Armin Leonhardt, Christian Roth, Jens Petersohn
  • Publication number: 20120019066
    Abstract: An actuator for the power control of at least one connected load has a load detection device for detecting a magnitude of a load and/or a type of a load of the at least one as a measurement variable relating to the load of the at least one consumer. A communication interface receives at least one manipulated variable for the power control of the at least one consumer and transmits the measurement variable detected by the load detection device. Actuators of this type may be integrated into an energy management system, such as of a building automation system, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicants: MRS-OFFICE GMBH, DIEHL AKO STIFTUNG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Helmut Simon, Armin Leonhardt, Werner Kaps
  • Patent number: 8101880
    Abstract: An operator control panel for a domestic appliance includes a panel body having an operator control face facing a user and a rear face facing away from the operator control face. A sensor element of an electrically conductive material forms a capacitive sensor area together with the panel body. A conversion electronics system converts capacitance values generated in the sensor area into digital signals. The conversion electronics system is electrically conductively connected to the sensor element and is disposed on the rear face of the panel body. The sensor element and the conversion electronics system are firmly connected to the panel body and are two components which are mechanically decoupled from a control electronics system of the domestic appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Diehl AKO Stiftung & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner Kaps, Thomas Frommelt
  • Publication number: 20110309714
    Abstract: An actuating device for a heating element valve has a drive motor with a motor shaft, an actuator, and a rotation-linear conversion drive. The conversion drive is coupled on the drive side to the motor shaft and on the output side to the actuator and converts a rotational movement of the motor shaft into a linear movement of the actuator. The rotation-linear conversion drive further has a cam disc on the output side which is provided on its outer circumferential periphery with a plurality of step segments each having a substantially constant distance from the axis of the cam disc. The step segments are connected via connecting segments with a variable axle spacing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: DIEHL AKO STIFTUNG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Tobias Neugebauer, Werner Kaps
  • Publication number: 20110309816
    Abstract: An AC voltage controller has two transistors which can be positioned between two AC voltage terminals in series with a load. The two transistors are connected in series in such a way that their respective source terminals are connected to one another. The AC voltage controller also contains a signal generator for generating a switching signal for actuating the two transistors, a buffer which is connected downstream of the signal generator and which is set by the signal generator in order to actuate the two transistors. An actuation circuit or driver circuit is connected downstream of the buffer, for the purpose of actuating the two transistors in accordance with the set state of the buffer. A current-limiting circuit is provided for limiting or switching off the current through the two transistors in the case of an excessively large current through the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: DIEHL AKO STIFTUNG & CO. KG
    Inventors: HELMUT SIMON, ANDREAS LANDERER, WERNER KAPS
  • Publication number: 20110187204
    Abstract: An inductive touch key switch assembly and circuit are provided. The circuit optimizes signal strength and noise immunity by reducing the number of long paths through the circuit board and localizes the driver circuit to each key switch assembly sensor coil. The key switch assembly optimizes placement of the target to enable the user interfaces on domestic appliances and products having present values of front panel thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: DIEHL AKO STIFTUNG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Kevin Lacey, James Kopec, Robert Alvord, Werner Kaps, Scot Johansen
  • Patent number: 7987738
    Abstract: A rotary selector forms a control element for inputting a setting value to an electronic control system, in particular for a control device of an electronic domestic appliance, such as a washing machine, a dishwasher, or the like. The rotary selector has a rotatably mounted control portion and an adapter non-rotatably connected to the control portion. The adapter has a latching section with side faces arranged uniformly about its periphery. Coaxially with the latching section of the adapter is a stationary spring element formed with elastic legs arranged uniformly about a periphery of the latching section and which extend tangentially relative to the side faces of the latching section. The number of the side faces of the latching section is an integral multiple of the number of the elastic legs of the spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Diehl Ako Stiftung & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner Kaps, Harald Rapp, Andreas Brauchle
  • Publication number: 20110094870
    Abstract: An operator control apparatus of an electronic domestic appliance contains an operator control panel on that side of the operator control apparatus which faces a user, at least one electrically conductive sensor element on that side of the operator control panel which is averted from the user, and a printed circuit board with at least one electrically conductive contact area which is arranged on that side of the printed circuit board which faces the operator control panel so as to be associated with the at least one sensor element. In this case, the at least one sensor element and the at least one contact area of the printed circuit board are connected to one another by an adhesive which is electrically conductive at least in the connection direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: DIEHL AKO STIFTUNG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Werner Kaps, Thomas Frommelt
  • Publication number: 20100078304
    Abstract: An operator control panel for a domestic appliance includes a panel body having an operator control face facing a user and a rear face facing away from the operator control face. A sensor element of an electrically conductive material forms a capacitive sensor area together with the panel body. A conversion electronics system converts capacitance values generated in the sensor area into digital signals. The conversion electronics system is electrically conductively connected to the sensor element and is disposed on the rear face of the panel body. The sensor element and the conversion electronics system are firmly connected to the panel body and are two components which are mechanically decoupled from a control electronics system of the domestic appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: DIEHL AKO STIFTUNG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Werner Kaps, Thomas Frommelt
  • Publication number: 20090038921
    Abstract: A rotary selector forms a control element for inputting a setting value to an electronic control system, in particular for a control device of an electronic domestic appliance, such as a washing machine, a dishwasher, or the like. The rotary selector has a rotatably mounted control portion and an adapter non-rotatably connected to the control portion. The adapter has a latching section with side faces arranged uniformly about its periphery. Coaxially with the latching section of the adapter is a stationary spring element formed with elastic legs arranged uniformly about a periphery of the latching section and which extend tangentially relative to the side faces of the latching section. The number of the side faces of the latching section is an integral multiple of the number of the elastic legs of the spring element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: DIEHL AKO STIFTUNG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Werner Kaps, Harald Rapp, Andreas Brauchle
  • Patent number: 7375656
    Abstract: A circuit configuration for a capacitive touch switch contains at least one sensor circuit with a capacitive sensor element which changes its capacitance value when touched, and an evaluation circuit which is supplied with an output signal from the sensor circuit in order to determine whether the capacitive sensor element is actuated or not. The at least one sensor circuit has a capacitance which is connected in parallel with the capacitive sensor element, and a capacitance/frequency converter which is connected to the parallel circuit containing the capacitance and the capacitive sensor element and generates, at its output, a frequency signal whose frequency depends on the total capacitance of the parallel circuit containing the capacitance and the capacitive sensor element. The evaluation circuit may thus use a significant change in the frequency of the output signal from the sensor circuit to deduce, in a simple manner, that the capacitive sensor element has been touched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Diehl AKO Stiftung & Co. KG
    Inventors: Roland Müller, Harald Mangold, Werner Kaps
  • Patent number: 7232973
    Abstract: A capacitive touch switch includes a sensor button which is disposed between a circuit board and a cover plate and which forms a terminal of a capacitor that is variable in its capacitance by an approach. The sensor button includes a body of a flexible material, which body can be adapted to the cover plate and is embraced by a conductive net.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Diehl AKO Stiftung & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner Kaps, Uwe Heimann
  • Publication number: 20060145539
    Abstract: A circuit configuration for a capacitive touch switch contains at least one sensor circuit with a capacitive sensor element which changes its capacitance value when touched, and an evaluation circuit which is supplied with an output signal from the sensor circuit in order to determine whether the capacitive sensor element is actuated or not. The at least one sensor circuit has a capacitance which is connected in parallel with the capacitive sensor element, and a capacitance/frequency converter which is connected to the parallel circuit containing the capacitance and the capacitive sensor element and generates, at its output, a frequency signal whose frequency depends on the total capacitance of the parallel circuit containing the capacitance and the capacitive sensor element. The evaluation circuit may thus use a significant change in the frequency of the output signal from the sensor circuit to deduce, in a simple manner, that the capacitive sensor element has been touched.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Inventors: Roland Muller, Harald Mangold, Werner Kaps
  • Publication number: 20060131159
    Abstract: A capacitive touch switch includes a sensor button which is disposed between a circuit board and a cover plate and which forms a terminal of a capacitor that is variable in its capacitance by an approach. The sensor button includes a body of a flexible material, which body can be adapted to the cover plate and is embraced by a conductive net.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventors: Werner Kaps, Uwe Heimann