Patents by Inventor Detlef Heinrich

Detlef Heinrich 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).

  • Publication number: 20110139524
    Abstract: A method and a device for controlling a drive train of a vehicle, in particular a hybrid vehicle, are described. The drive train includes at least two drive units. The one drive unit is an internal combustion engine, the other is an additional motor. A temperature value is recorded, which represents the exhaust-gas temperature of the internal combustion engine. The component for generating the drive torque with the aid of the additional motor is adjusted as a function of the exhaust-gas temperature, such that at higher exhaust-gas temperatures a greater component of the drive torque is generated with the aid of the additional motor than at lower exhaust-gas temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Detlef Heinrich, Christoph Woll, Gerhard Filp, Dimitrios Stavrianos
  • Patent number: 7881852
    Abstract: A method for checking an exhaust-gas section of a combustion engine for a leak, including the following: introducing secondary air into the exhaust-gas section of the combustion engine via a secondary-air valve, determining a measured value that indicates the magnitude of the relative pressure changes due to the expelling of exhaust gas from the combustion engine upstream from the secondary-air valve, and detecting the leak in the exhaust-gas section as a function of the measured value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, Audi AG
    Inventors: Detlef Heinrich, Anette Luther
  • Patent number: 7849673
    Abstract: The invention relates to a procedure to heat up or keep warm an exhaust gas emission control assembly of a vehicle with a drive train containing one transmission. The drive train is powered by an internal combustion engine and at least one second drive unit. It is proposed that also in an operating state, which lies outside of the idle speed, a rotational speed or a torque of the internal combustion engine deviating from values for the engine rotational speed and the torque is set, which would exist during an identical driving condition without the heating-up or keeping warm of the exhaust gas emission control assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Karsten Kroepke, Juergen Pantring, Kersten Wehmeier, Jens Wolber, Ruediger Weiss, Detlef Heinrich, Martin Streib, Karl-Bernhard Lederle, Helmut Zell
  • Publication number: 20090265074
    Abstract: A method for checking an exhaust-gas section of a combustion engine for a leak, including the following: introducing secondary air into the exhaust-gas section of the combustion engine via a secondary-air valve, determining a measured value that indicates the magnitude of the relative pressure changes due to the expelling of exhaust gas from the combustion engine upstream from the secondary-air valve, and detecting the leak in the exhaust-gas section as a function of the measured value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Detlef Heinrich, Anette Luther
  • Patent number: 7594389
    Abstract: A method for diagnosing a secondary-air system of an internal combustion engine. The secondary-air system introduces secondary air into the exhaust-gas region of the internal combustion engine, the secondary air exothermically reacting together with combustible exhaust-gas components, and a thermoreactor being formed in the reaction region. The method provides for a measure of the secondary air to be ascertained from the thermal behavior in the thermoreactor and evaluated. The measure of the secondary air, which reflects, for example, the volumetric flow rate of the secondary air, the mass flow rate of the secondary air, or the amount or mass of secondary air flowing in a time interval, is compared to at least one threshold value. At least one diagnostic signal is then generated as a function of the comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Kesch, Detlef Heinrich, Achim Guenther, Christof Thiel, Juergen Foerster
  • Patent number: 7562565
    Abstract: A procedure is introduced to test the functional capability of a secondary air system of an internal combustion engine, wherein values of a pressure are acquired, which arises in the secondary air system between the secondary air pump and a secondary air flow cross section, which can be controlled, when the secondary air pump is activated and the actuation of the secondary air flow cross section is increased; in that a measurement for the pressure is developed from the acquired values and is compared with a set point value, and the functional capability of the secondary air system is assessed as a function of a result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Detlef Heinrich, Dierk Rommel, Martin Schaeffler, Andreas Beer
  • Publication number: 20080016954
    Abstract: A procedure is introduced to test the functional capability of a secondary air system of an internal combustion engine, wherein values of a pressure are acquired, which arises in the secondary air system between the secondary air pump and a secondary air flow cross section, which can be controlled, when the secondary air pump is activated and the actuation of the secondary air flow cross section is increased; in that a measurement for the pressure is developed from the acquired values and is compared with a set point value, and the functional capability of the secondary air system is assessed as a function of a result of the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GMBH
    Inventors: Detlef Heinrich, Dierk Rommel, Martin Schaeffler, Andreas Beer
  • Publication number: 20070261388
    Abstract: The invention concerns a procedure to heat up or keep warm an exhaust gas emission control assembly of a motor vehicle with a drive train containing one transmission. The drive train is powered by an internal combustion engine and at least one second drive unit. It is proposed that also in an operating state, which lies outside of the idle speed, a rotational speed or a torque of the internal combustion engine deviating from values for the engine rotational speed and the torque is set, which would exist during an identical driving condition without the heating-up or keeping warm of the exhaust gas emission control assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GMBH
    Inventors: Karsten Kroepke, Juergen Pantring, Kersten Wehmeier, Jens Wolber, Ruediger Weiss, Detlef Heinrich, Martin Streib, Karl-Bernhard Lederle, Helmut Zell
  • Publication number: 20050150209
    Abstract: A method for diagnosing a secondary-air system of an internal combustion engine. The secondary-air system introduces secondary air into the exhaust-gas region of the internal combustion engine, the secondary air exothermically reacting together with combustible exhaust-gas components, and a thermoreactor being formed in the reaction region. The method provides for a measure of the secondary air to be ascertained from the thermal behavior in the thermoreactor and evaluated. The measure of the secondary air, which reflects, for example, the volumetric flow rate of the secondary air, the mass flow rate of the secondary air, or the amount or mass of secondary air flowing in a time interval, is compared to at least one threshold value. At least one diagnostic signal is then generated as a function of the comparison result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2005
    Publication date: July 14, 2005
    Inventors: Bernd Kesch, Detlef Heinrich, Achim Guenther, Christof Thiel, Juergen Foerster
  • Patent number: 6886399
    Abstract: A method detects mass flows to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine having a device for controlling the air supply to the intake manifold and having a sensor for detecting the intake manifold pressure and having a control apparatus for evaluating a trace of the intake manifold pressure. In the context of the method, when the internal combustion engine is switched off, the supply of air to the intake manifold is reduced in a predetermined manner and the trace of the intake manifold pressure, which adjusts thereupon, is evaluated for detecting the mass flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Eberhard Schnaibel, Wilfried Tuleweit, Manfred Pfitz, Roland Herynek, Holger Bellmann, Gholamabas Esteghlal, Detlef Heinrich, Lutz Reuschenbach, Georg Mallebrein
  • Patent number: 6813879
    Abstract: A heating of a catalytic converter in the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine is presented which can be operated in different operating modes and wherein at least one of several heating measures can be selected so that, at first, an estimate can be made for several heating measures as to whether an individual heating measure can make the desired heating effect available and that it is further estimated whether an individual heating method can be carried out in the instantaneous operating state with a view to the exhaust-gas values and the operating mode of the internal combustion engine, which is necessary for carrying out the heating measure; and that that operating mode is requested wherein the requests can best be satisfied and that at least one possible heating measure is activated in dependence upon the instantaneous mode of operation. The invention further is directed to an electronic control unit for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Wagner, Andreas Roth, Holger Bellmannn, Detlef Heinrich, Klaus Winkler
  • Patent number: 6735552
    Abstract: A method for error detection and error correction in the monitoring of measurement values is disclosed, in which the value to be tested is checked for plausibility in an evaluation device, for example a computer, and in the event that an implausibility is identified, the existence of an error is determined. If a further check finds that the error no longer exists, then an error correction takes place. A prerequisite for the error correction, however, is that the range of the value to be monitored in which the error has occurred is also the range in which a current error is no longer occurring. In an expanded method, a differentiation is also made between different errors and an error correction is only possible if it involves the same type of error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Steffen Franke, Kristina Eberle, Carsten Kluth, Detlef Heinrich, Thomas Edelmann
  • Patent number: 6722350
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine (1), especially of a motor vehicle, is described. The engine (1) is provided with a combustion chamber (4) into which fuel can be injected in a first operating mode during a compression phase and in a second operating mode during an induction phase. The engine (1) is provided with a control apparatus (18) for switching over between the operating modes. The engine (1) includes an exhaust-gas recirculation having an exhaust-gas recirculation valve (14). The engine (1) is switched by the control apparatus (18) into the first operating mode when the exhaust-gas recirculation valve (14) is jammed in the open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Volz, Ernst Wild, Manfred Pfitz, Werner Mezger, Juergen Pantring, Michael Oder, Werner Hess, Georg Mallebrein, Christian Koehler, Kristina Eberle, Roland Herynek, Detlef Heinrich, Mirjam Steger, Gudrun Menrad, Lutz Reuschenbach
  • Patent number: 6708103
    Abstract: Controlling an internal combustion engine which has an additional component provided in its exhaust gas conduit including a turbine and turbo of a turbo charger, includes enriching a mixture at a high throughput, determining a main filling signal by a main filling signal sensor and a substitute filling signal by a substitute filling sensor, converting the substitute filling signal into a control signal for at least one value selected from the group consisting of an air supply, a fuel supply and an ignition time point, such that the substitute filling signal is greater than the main filling signal by at least one protective factor, and selecting the protective factor so that at high throughput a change of the mixture toward a fattening is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst Wild, Detlef Heinrich
  • Publication number: 20040011029
    Abstract: A method for heating a catalytic converter in internal combustion engines is introduced wherein: an index for the temperature of the catalytic converter is formed; below a predetermined temperature of the catalytic converter, a first heating measure takes place wherein the temperature of the exhaust gas is increased; and, above the predetermined temperature, alternatively or supplementary to the first heating measure, a second heating measure takes place wherein a reaction-capable mixture is supplied to the catalytic converter in addition to the exhaust gas and the reaction of this mixture releases heat in the catalytic converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Jens Wagner, Andreas Roth, Holger Bellmannn, Detlef Heinrich, Klaus Winkler
  • Publication number: 20030177844
    Abstract: A method for determining mass flows into the inlet manifold (3) of an internal combustion engine, with means (5, 6, 9), for controlling the air intake into the inlet manifold (5, 6, 9), means (4), for determining the inlet manifold pressure and means (11) for evaluating the inlet manifold pressure curve, is disclosed. Within the disclosed method, the air intake into the inlet manifold, on switching off the internal combustion engine, is reduced by a set amount and the curve for the inlet manifold pressure thus produced is evaluated for the estimation of the mass flows and a leak in the inlet manifold proven by an increased rate of pressure change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Eberhard Schnaibel, Wilfried Tuleweit, Manfred Pfitz, Roland Herynek, Holger Bellmann, Gholamabas Esteghlal, Detlef Heinrich, Lutz Reuschenbach, Georg Mallebrein
  • Publication number: 20030177761
    Abstract: A heating of a catalytic converter in the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine is presented which can be operated in different operating modes and wherein at least one of several heating measures can be selected so that, at first, an estimate can be made for several heating measures as to whether an individual heating measure can make the desired heating effect available and that it is further estimated whether an individual heating method can be carried out in the instantaneous operating state with a view to the exhaust-gas values and the operating mode of the internal combustion engine, which is necessary for carrying out the heating measure; and that that operating mode is requested wherein the requests can best be satisfied and that at least one possible heating measure is activated in dependence upon the instantaneous mode of operation. The invention further is directed to an electronic control unit for carrying out the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Jens Wagner, Andreas Roth, Detlef Heinrich, Klaus Winkler
  • Publication number: 20030159431
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling an electrically heatable catalytic converter for after-treating exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine. The catalytic converter is deactivated or not activated during the start of the engine if the temperature (TKAT(tabst)) of the catalytic converter exceeds a critical temperature TKRIT when starting the engine. The temperature (TKAT(tabst)) of the catalytic converter is estimated via a temperature model. The invention also relates to an exhaust-gas after-treatment system of an internal combustion engine for carrying out the method of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Detlef Heinrich, Achim Guenther
  • Publication number: 20030051701
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine (1), especially of a motor vehicle, is described. The engine (1) is provided with a combustion chamber (4) into which fuel can be injected in a first operating mode during a compression phase and in a second operating mode during an induction phase. The engine (1) is provided with a control apparatus (18) for switching over between the operating modes. The engine (1) includes an exhaust-gas recirculation having an exhaust-gas recirculation valve (14). The engine (1) is switched by the control apparatus (18) into the first operating mode when the exhaust-gas recirculation valve (14) is jammed in the open state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Dieter Volz, Ernst Wild, Manfred Pfitz, werner Mezger, Juergen Pantring, Michael Oder, Werner Hess, Georg Mallebrein, Christian Koehler, Kristina Eberle, Roland Herynek, Detlef Heinrich, Miriam Steger, Gudrun Menrad, Lutz Reuschenbach
  • Publication number: 20020116150
    Abstract: A method for error detection and error correction in the monitoring of measurement values is disclosed, in which the value to be tested is checked for plausibility in an evaluation device, for example a computer, and in the event that an implausibility is identified, the existence of an error is determined. If a further check finds that the error no longer exists, then an error correction takes place. A prerequisite for the error correction, however, is that the range of the value to be monitored in which the error has occurred is also the range in which a current error is no longer occurring. In an expanded method, a differentiation is also made between different errors and an error correction is only possible if it involves the same type of error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Steffen Franke, Kristina Eberle, Carsten Kluth, Detlef Heinrich, Thomas Edelmann