Patents by Inventor Albert J. Boecker
Albert J. Boecker 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).
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Publication number: 20180326839Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a plastic tank, particularly a plastic fuel tank, with a pot-like installation body arranged on the inside of the tank, as well as a method for producing the same. According to the present disclosure, a ring body is provided which is arranged on an end portion of the installation body (24), wherein the ring body is engaged in an undercut section in the tank wall, and the installation body is engaged in the ring body.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2016Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventors: Alex EHLER, Albert J. BOECKER, Patrick GMUND, Peter GRAUER, Gerrit MICHAELIS, Matthias B. OLBRICH, Ahmad CHEHADE, Moez HAOUALA
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Publication number: 20180319273Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a saddle tank for motor vehicles, having two chambers connected to one another in their upper region via a central portion having a reduced cross-section, wherein the first chamber has an access opening for refueling and wherein a fill level-limiting valve is arranged in the second chamber. In order to prevent unwanted swash-over of fuel from the first chamber into the second chamber, provision is made according to the invention for there to be arranged, between the two chambers, a separating body which has a separating wall, which extends over the entire width of the central portion between an upper and a lower wall portion, and a pipe which extends from an opening in the separating wall into the first chamber and allows fluid communication between the first and the second chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2016Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Albert J. BOECKER, Alex EHLER, Thorsten SCHAEFER
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Publication number: 20180304743Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fuel tank having a module pot, which forms a first separate fuel reservoir for a fuel pump arranged inside the fuel tank. To prevent a gap in delivery of fuel to supply the first fuel reservoir in certain operating conditions, in particular when there is persistent lateral acceleration, according to the invention, a second separate fuel reservoir arranged separately from the first fuel reservoir inside the fuel tank is proposed, such that fuel is transferred from the second fuel reservoir into the first fuel reservoir at least when a predetermined acceleration level acting on the fuel tank is exceeded.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2016Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventors: Albert J. BOECKER, Gerrit MICHAELIS, Peter GRAUER, Patrick GMÜND, Matthias B. OLBRICH, Alex EHLER
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Publication number: 20180290536Abstract: A method of forming a tank with a stiffening assembly includes forming a fuel tank such that the tank wall carries at least a first and second insert, locating a connecting assembly within the tank interior aligned with the first and second inserts, the connecting assembly including a rigid body, a first coupler and a second coupler, and coupling at least a portion of the first insert with the first coupler and at least a portion of the second insert with the second coupler to limit movement of the two wall portions relative to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2018Publication date: October 11, 2018Applicant: TI AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBHInventors: Albert J. Boecker, Ahmad Chehade, Alex Ehler, Patrick Gmuend, Peter Grauer, Moez Haouala, Gerrit A. Michaelis, Matthias B. Olbrich
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Patent number: 10022904Abstract: In at least some implementations, a blow molding apparatus provides that portions of the parison are engaged by one or more clamping devices disposed on or adjacent to the blow mold parts, and that the blow mold is opened whereby the parison is torn apart between the clamping devices, into two or more pieces of the parison. In other implementations, the clamping devices may be moved relative to the blow mold to tear the parison, or the parison may be torn by a combined movement of the blow mold parts and clamping devices.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: TI Automotive Technology Center GmbHInventors: Albert J. Boecker, Andreas W. Dobmaier, Alex Ehler, Patrick Gmuend, Peter Grauer, Gerrit A. Michaelis, Matthias B. Olbrich
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Patent number: 9878612Abstract: A fuel container, in particular for motor vehicles, comprising an aereation and de-aereation device for balancing the internal gas pressure during filling of the container with fuel and during consumption of the fuel during the operation of a working machine powered by the fuel. The aereation and de-aereation device has a separator device for separating liquid fuel from an aereation and de-aereation line. In order to permit the separator device to be emptied, if a fuel pump, which serves this purpose during normal operation, is not in operation, the separator device comprises a housing and a pipe nozzle which is connected to the housing either directly or via a pipeline and in which pressure fluctuations occur as a result of incoming and outgoing fuel, said fluctuations acting as a pump for emptying the separator device.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2014Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: TI Automotive Technology Center GmbHInventors: Albert J. Boecker, Andreas W. Dobmaier, Alex Ehler, Patrick Gmuend, Peter Grauer, Gerrit Michaelis, Matthias B. Olbrich
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Publication number: 20170211724Abstract: A lead-through device for a wall comprising first and second pipe fitting elements. A supporting element is connected to the second pipe fitting element by way of an elastic portion which allows limited displacement of the supporting element in relation to the second pipe fitting element at least in the direction of a longitudinal center axis. The primary sealing toward the outside is achieved by the sealing element borne by the flange of the first pipe fitting element.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2015Publication date: July 27, 2017Applicant: TI AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBHInventors: Albert J. BÖCKER, Alex EHLER, Patrick GMÜND, Peter GRAUER, Gerrit MICHAELIS
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Patent number: 9592631Abstract: In at least some implementations, a blow molding process provides that portions of the parison are engaged by one or more clamping devices disposed on or adjacent to the blow mold parts, and that the blow mold is opened whereby the parison is torn apart between the clamping devices, into two or more pieces of the parison. In other implementations, the clamping devices may be moved relative to the blow mold to tear the parison, or the parison may be torn by a combined movement of the blow mold parts and clamping devices.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2013Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: TI Automotive Technology Center GmbHInventors: Albert J. Boecker, Andreas W. Dobmaier, Alex Ehler, Patrick Gmuend, Peter Grauer, Gerrit A. Michaelis, Matthias B. Olbrich
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Patent number: 9475382Abstract: An endoskeleton to support a fuel tank body and establish a fuel tank. The endoskeleton may include columns to support fuel system components, first and second beams staggered with respect to one another and having tank contact portions attachable to the tank body, and walls extending between adjacent first and second beams to baffle fuel and to yieldably restrain movement of the body. The fuel tank body may have a wall thickness of about 2 to 4 mm, and a combined weight of the tank body and the endoskeleton may be less than a weight of the fuel tank if the body were about 4 to 6 mm in wall thickness. Also, an endoskeleton-to-tank body contact surface area ratio may be greater than about 4% of a total interior surface area of the tank body. Further, fuel tank may include a strength to weight ratio greater than 250 l-mbar/kg.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2015Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: TI Automotive Technology Center GmbHInventors: Albert J. Boecker, Andreas W. Dobmaier, Alex Ehler, Peter Grauer, Matthias B. Olbrich
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Patent number: 9428044Abstract: In at least some implementations, a fuel tank includes a tank body defining a chamber adapted to receive liquid fuel therein, a reinforcement for the tank body to permit the pressure within the chamber to exceed the vapor pressure of a fuel to be received within the chamber, and an inlet to the tank body through which fuel is added to the chamber. The inlet is configured to mate with a refueling nozzle through which fuel is added to the chamber to permit refueling the tank and maintaining the pressure in the chamber above atmospheric pressure.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2014Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: TI Automotive Technology Center GmbHInventors: Albert J. Boecker, Alex Ehler, Patrick Gmuend, Peter Grauer, Walter B. Hersel, Gerrit A. Michaelis, Matthias B. Olbrich
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Publication number: 20160238430Abstract: A level sender for a tank includes a sensor device. A driven member is associated with a float assembly. The sensor device is adapted to determine a level of fluid within the tank based on an angular position of the driven member. A float arm is coupled to a float at a first end and is coupled to the driven member at a second end.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2016Publication date: August 18, 2016Inventors: Albert J. Boecker, Garrett M. Tetil
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Publication number: 20160214477Abstract: A tank assembly and a stiffening assembly include first and second inserts and an elongate coupler. The inserts comprise a base having flange, a head, and a neck. The elongate body has first and second couplers at respective first and second ends of the body, each coupler including a pocket sized to receive the head of a respective one of the inserts. The related method include forming a fuel tank such that the tank wall carries at least a first and second insert, locating a rigid connector within the tank interior aligned with the first and second inserts, the connector including a first coupler and a second coupler, and coupling at least a portion of the first insert with the first coupler and at least a portion of the second insert with the second coupler to limit movement of the two wall portions relative to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2016Publication date: July 28, 2016Applicant: TI AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBHInventors: Albert J. Boecker, Ahmad Chehade, Alex Ehler, Patrick Gmuend, Peter Grauer, Moez Haouala, Gerrit A. Michaelis, Matthias B. Olbrich
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Publication number: 20160167280Abstract: In at least some implementations, a blow molding apparatus provides that portions of the parison are engaged by one or more clamping devices disposed on or adjacent to the blow mold parts, and that the blow mold is opened whereby the parison is torn apart between the clamping devices, into two or more pieces of the parison. In other implementations, the clamping devices may be moved relative to the blow mold to tear the parison, or the parison may be torn by a combined movement of the blow mold parts and clamping devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2016Publication date: June 16, 2016Inventors: Albert J. Boecker, Andreas W. Dobmaier, Alex Ehler, Patrick Gmuend, Peter Grauer, Gerrit A. Michaelis, Matthias B. Olbrich
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Publication number: 20160023549Abstract: A fuel container, in particular for motor vehicles, comprising an aereation and de-aereation device for balancing the internal gas pressure during filling of the container with fuel and during consumption of the fuel during the operation of a working machine powered by the fuel. The aereation and de-aereation device has a separator device for separating liquid fuel from an aereation and de-aereation line. In order to permit the separator device to be emptied, if a fuel pump, which serves this purpose during normal operation, is not in operation, the separator device comprises a housing and a pipe nozzle which is connected to the housing either directly or via a pipeline and in which pressure fluctuations occur as a result of incoming and outgoing fuel, said fluctuations acting as a pump for emptying the separator device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2014Publication date: January 28, 2016Inventors: Albert J. Boecker, Andreas W. Dobmaier, Alex Ehler, Patrick Gmuend, Peter Grauer, Gerrit Michaelis, Matthias B. Olbrich
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Patent number: 9242549Abstract: A method of blow molding a reservoir, such as an automotive fuel tank, may include one or more steps. In one step, the reservoir is at least partially formed to have a first wall and a second wall. The first wall defines a first interior and the second wall defines a second interior that may be open to the first interior. In another step, the second wall is contracted inwardly before its material hardens. After contraction, the volume of the second interior is reduced. The contraction may be performed via a mold tool assembly having one or more moveable tool segments.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2013Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: TI AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBHInventors: Albert J. Boecker, Andreas W. Dobmaier, Alex Ehler, Patrick Gmuend, Peter Grauer, Gerrit A. Michaelis
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Publication number: 20150224871Abstract: An endoskeleton to support a fuel tank body and establish a fuel tank. The endoskeleton may include columns to support fuel system components, first and second beams staggered with respect to one another and having tank contact portions attachable to the tank body, and walls extending between adjacent first and second beams to baffle fuel and to yieldably restrain movement of the body. The fuel tank body may have a wall thickness of about 2 to 4 mm, and a combined weight of the tank body and the endoskeleton may be less than a weight of the fuel tank if the body were about 4 to 6 mm in wall thickness. Also, an endoskeleton-to-tank body contact surface area ratio may be greater than about 4% of a total interior surface area of the tank body. Further, fuel tank may include a strength to weight ratio greater than 250 l-mbar/kg.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2015Publication date: August 13, 2015Inventors: Albert J. Boecker, Andreas W. Dobmaier, Alex Ehler, Peter Grauer, Matthias B. Olbrich
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Patent number: 9050889Abstract: An endoskeleton to support a fuel tank body and establish a fuel tank. The endoskeleton may include columns to support fuel system components, first and second beams staggered with respect to one another and having tank contact portions attachable to the tank body, and walls extending between adjacent first and second beams to baffle fuel and to yieldably restrain movement of the body. The fuel tank body may have a wall thickness of about 2 to 4 mm, and a combined weight of the tank body and the endoskeleton may be less than a weight of the fuel tank if the body were about 4 to 6 mm in wall thickness. Also, an endoskeleton-to-tank body contact surface area ratio may be greater than about 4% of a total interior surface area of the tank body. Further, fuel tank may include a strength to weight ratio greater than 250 l-mbar/kg.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2009Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: TI Automotive Technology Center GmbHInventors: Albert J. Boecker, Andreas W. Dobmaier, Alex Ehler, Peter Grauer, Matthias B. Olbrich
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Patent number: 8991637Abstract: A molded reservoir support structure coupling may include an anchor and a support structure. The anchor may have one or more first flange(s) projecting generally laterally from a side wall of the anchor. The support structure may have one or more second flange(s) projecting generally laterally therefrom. When interconnected, surface-to-surface confrontation between the first flange(s) and the second flange(s) inhibits longitudinal separation of the anchor and the support structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: TI Automotive Technology Center GmbHInventors: Albert J. Boecker, Andreas W. Dobmaier, Alex Ehler, Patrick Gmuend, Peter Grauer, Gerrit A. Michaelis, Matthias B. Olbrich
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Publication number: 20150034175Abstract: In at least some implementations, a fuel tank includes a tank body defining a chamber adapted to receive liquid fuel therein, a reinforcement for the tank body to permit the pressure within the chamber to exceed the vapor pressure of a fuel to be received within the chamber, and an inlet to the tank body through which fuel is added to the chamber. The inlet is configured to mate with a refueling nozzle through which fuel is added to the chamber to permit refueling the tank and maintaining the pressure in the chamber above atmospheric pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventors: Albert J. Boecker, Alex Ehler, Patrick Gmuend, Peter Grauer, Walter B. Hersel, Gerrit A. Michaelis, Matthias B. Olbrich
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Publication number: 20140252005Abstract: A method of blow molding a reservoir, such as an automotive fuel tank, may include one or more steps. In one step, the reservoir is at least partially formed to have a first wall and a second wall. The first wall defines a first interior and the second wall defines a second interior that may be open to the first interior. In another step, the second wall is contracted inwardly before its material hardens. After contraction, the volume of the second interior is reduced. The contraction may be performed via a mold tool assembly having one or more moveable tool segments.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2013Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: TI AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBHInventors: Albert J. Boecker, Andreas W. Dobmaier, Alex Ehler, Patrick Gmuend, Peter Grauer, Gerrit A. Michaelis