Patents by Inventor Dirk Reichow

Dirk Reichow 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: 11764563
    Abstract: A vehicle electrical system, particularly for a motor vehicle. The vehicle electrical system has at least two electrical system branches, a disconnecting switch device between the two electrical system branches, wherein the disconnecting switch device has a first controllable switch unit and a series circuit having a second controllable switch unit and an overcurrent protection unit, wherein the first switch unit and the series circuit are electrically connected to each other in parallel between the two electrical system branches, and a control unit which in an idle mode of the vehicle electrical system, is equipped to switch the first switch unit into an open, current-disconnecting switching state and to keep it in the current-disconnecting switching state and to switch the second switch unit into a closed, current-carrying switching state and to keep it in this current-carrying switching state. A motor vehicle with the above-mentioned vehicle electrical system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Ludwig Ramsauer, Rainer Knorr, Stephanie Preisler, Dirk Reichow
  • Publication number: 20220352705
    Abstract: A vehicle electrical system, particularly for a motor vehicle. The vehicle electrical system has at least two electrical system branches, a disconnecting switch device between the two electrical system branches, wherein the disconnecting switch device has a first controllable switch unit and a series circuit having a second controllable switch unit and an overcurrent protection unit, wherein the first switch unit and the series circuit are electrically connected to each other in parallel between the two electrical system branches, and a control unit which in an idle mode of the vehicle electrical system, is equipped to switch the first switch unit into an open, current-disconnecting switching state and to keep it in the current-disconnecting switching state and to switch the second switch unit into a closed, current-carrying switching state and to keep it in this current-carrying switching state. A motor vehicle with the above-mentioned vehicle electrical system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Ludwig RAMSAUER, Reiner KNORR, Stephanie PREISLER, Dirk REICHOW
  • Patent number: 10926641
    Abstract: Various embodiments may include a control apparatus for an energy storage unit of a motor vehicle comprising: a non-volatile memory storing a first initial configuration for a first energy storage unit and a second initial configuration for a second energy storage unit. The memory is connected to a further memory having a first adaptation configuration for the first energy storage unit and a second adaptation configuration for the second energy storage unit. The non-volatile memory comprises a first memory part storing the first initial configuration and a second memory part electrically decoupled from the first memory part storing the second initial configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Dirk Reichow, Peter Voilkl, Michael Scheurer
  • Patent number: 10322687
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electrical systems in general and embodiments of the teachings may include stabilization circuits for a vehicle electrical system comprising: a first connection for a first electrical system branch; a second connection for a pole of a first energy store of the first electrical system branch; a third connection for a second electrical system branch; a fourth connection for a third electrical system branch; a grounding connection for connection of the stabilization circuit to ground; a second energy store; a third energy store; a serial disconnection switch element between the second connection and the grounding connection; and a decoupling switch element connecting the first connection to the fourth connection. The second energy store is connected between the grounding connection and the third connection. The third connection is connected via the third energy store and a first converter to the fourth connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Dirk Reichow
  • Publication number: 20190031032
    Abstract: Various embodiments may include a control apparatus for an energy storage unit of a motor vehicle comprising: a non-volatile memory storing a first initial configuration for a first energy storage unit and a second initial configuration for a second energy storage unit. The memory is connected to a further memory having a first adaptation configuration for the first energy storage unit and a second adaptation configuration for the second energy storage unit. The non-volatile memory comprises a first memory part storing the first initial configuration and a second memory part electrically decoupled from the first memory part storing the second initial configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Reichow, Peter Voilkl, Michael Scheurer
  • Patent number: 10131298
    Abstract: The present disclosure teaches a control unit for the exchange of electrical power between a first, a second, a third, and a fourth wiring system branch of a wiring system of a vehicle. The control unit may include a first switching device, a second switching device, a third switching device, and a first, second, third, and fourth terminal configured for connection to the first, second, third and fourth wiring system branches respectively. The first switching device may be connected between the first terminal and the fourth terminal. The second switching device may be connected between the fourth terminal and the third terminal. The third switching device may be connected between the second terminal and the third terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Paul Boucharel, Sergio Perez Guillen, Dirk Reichow, Damien Verdier
  • Patent number: 10000168
    Abstract: A vehicle electrical system includes a first system branch with a first nominal voltage U1, a second system branch with a second nominal voltage U2, at least one DC/DC converter configured to transmit energy between the first and second system branches, a first actuating unit to actuate the DC/DC converter(s), a first detection unit to detect an instantaneous voltage Uact,1 of the first system branch, and a comparison unit to compare the detected instantaneous voltage Uact,1 to a first upper voltage threshold value Uo,1 and to a first lower voltage threshold value Uu,1, wherein Uu,1<U1<Uo,1. The first actuating unit actuates the DC/DC converter(s) such that energy is transmitted from the first system branch to the second system branch if Uact,1>Uo,1, and such that energy is transmitted from the second system branch to the first system branch if Uact,1<Uu,1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Dirk Reichow, Tobias Galli
  • Patent number: 9944188
    Abstract: An on-board electrical system for a vehicle comprising: a first energy store; a second energy store; a DC/DC converter bidirectionally transferring energy between the first energy store and the second energy store; and two switching devices for coupling a first terminal of the second energy store to a first terminal of the first energy store via a first node, a second node, and a third node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Dirk Reichow, Peter Voelkl, Michael Scheurer
  • Patent number: 9855849
    Abstract: An on-board power system for a vehicle includes a first on-board power system branch with a first operating voltage U1, a first energy accumulator, and a first electrical consumer; a second on-board power system branch with a second operating voltage U2 and a second energy accumulator; and a third on-board power system branch with a third operating voltage U3 and a third electrical consumer. The on-board power system also includes a DC/DC converter configured to transmit energy bidirectionally at least between the first on-board power system branch and the second on-board power system branch. The on-board power system also includes a switching device configured to selectively connect the first energy accumulator and the second energy accumulator to one another in series via in such a way that the third operating voltage U3 can be made available by the first operating voltage U1 and the second operating voltage U2 together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Dirk Reichow, Markus Gilch
  • Patent number: 9806522
    Abstract: A method for controlled connection of a plurality of on-board power system branches is disclosed, wherein electrical power is exchanged between first and third on-board power system branches if an uncritical supply state is present and electrical power is exchanged between second and the third on-board power system branches if a critical supply state is present in the first or third on-board power system branch. In a critical supply state, the first on-board power system branch is disconnected from the third on-board power system branch by opening a first switching device, and the second on-board power system branch is then connected to the third on-board power system branch via a second switching device. A second actuation device that actuates the second switching device receives a switch state signal from the first actuation device and closes the second switching device only if the received signal signals an open first switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Dirk Reichow, Peter Völkl, Tobias Galli
  • Patent number: 9731610
    Abstract: A vehicle electric system for a vehicle may include a first vehicle electric system branch having a first energy store and a first dynamic electric load, a second vehicle electric system branch having a second sensitive electric load, and a first controllable switching device arranged between the first and second vehicle electric system branches and designed to assume (a) a first switch state in which a current is conducted unidirectionally from the first vehicle electric system branch to the second vehicle electric system branch only in a first current flow direction or (b) a second switch state in which a current is conducted bidirectionally between the second vehicle electric system branch and the first vehicle electric system branch both in the first current flow direction as well as in a second current flow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Dirk Reichow, Michael Leitherer
  • Publication number: 20170120849
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electrical systems in general and embodiments of the teachings may include stabilization circuits for a vehicle electrical system comprising: a first connection for a first electrical system branch; a second connection for a pole of a first energy store of the first electrical system branch; a third connection for a second electrical system branch; a fourth connection for a third electrical system branch; a grounding connection for connection of the stabilization circuit to ground; a second energy store; a third energy store; a serial disconnection switch element between the second connection and the grounding connection; and a decoupling switch element connecting the first connection to the fourth connection. The second energy store is connected between the grounding connection and the third connection. The third connection is connected via the third energy store and a first converter to the fourth connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Dirk Reichow
  • Publication number: 20160368437
    Abstract: The present disclosure teaches a control unit for the exchange of electrical power between a first, a second, a third, and a fourth wiring system branch of a wiring system of a vehicle. The control unit may include a first switching device, a second switching device, a third switching device, and a first, second, third, and fourth terminal configured for connection to the first, second, third and fourth wiring system branches respectively. The first switching device may be connected between the first terminal and the fourth terminal. The second switching device may be connected between the fourth terminal and the third terminal. The third switching device may be connected between the second terminal and the third terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Boucharel, Sergio Perez Guillen, Dirk Reichow, Damien Verdier
  • Patent number: 9487089
    Abstract: An on-board system for a vehicle and a device for controlling a current flow in an on-board system of a vehicle, as well as a vehicle (e.g., a motor vehicle) including such on-board system or device, are disclosed. The on-board system or device may include a control device and an emergency power source for closing a self-locking switch controlling the current flow in the on-board system in order to prevent a possible parasitic current injection when a faulty voltage drop occurs, and to thus prevent system overheating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Dirk Reichow, Tobias Steckermeier, Tobias Galli
  • Publication number: 20160185230
    Abstract: An on-board electrical system for a vehicle comprising: a first energy store; a second energy store; a DC/DC converter bidirectionally transferring energy between the first energy store and the second energy store; and two switching devices for coupling a first terminal of the second energy store to a first terminal of the first energy store via a first node, a second node, and a third node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk REICHOW, Peter VOELKL, Michael SCHEURER
  • Patent number: 9243601
    Abstract: An on-board electrical system for a motor vehicle contains a first energy storage unit with a first voltage level and a second energy storage unit with a second voltage level. A control unit controls a flow of current between the first energy storage unit and the second energy storage unit in both directions. A polarity-reversal protection diode connects the first energy storage unit for supplying operating voltage to the control unit. A switching element bridges the polarity-reversal protection diode when the polarity of the first energy storage unit is correct. The first voltage level is compared with the second voltage level by a comparator and the switching element is moved to its open state when the first voltage level drops to a threshold voltage value which is below the second voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Dirk Reichow, Tobias Steckermeier, Tobias Galli
  • Publication number: 20150314740
    Abstract: A method for controlled connection of a plurality of on-board power system branches is disclosed, wherein electrical power is exchanged between first and third on-board power system branches if an uncritical supply state is present and electrical power is exchanged between second and the third on-board power system branches if a critical supply state is present in the first or third on-board power system branch. In a critical supply state, the first on-board power system branch is disconnected from the third on-board power system branch by opening a first switching device, and the second on-board power system branch is then connected to the third on-board power system branch via a second switching device. A second actuation device that actuates the second switching device receives a switch state signal from the first actuation device and closes the second switching device only if the received signal signals an open first switching device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2013
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Reichow, Peter Voelkl, Tobias Galli
  • Publication number: 20150115707
    Abstract: An on-board power system for a vehicle includes a first on-board power system branch with a first operating voltage U1, a first energy accumulator, and a first electrical consumer; a second on-board power system branch with a second operating voltage U2 and a second energy accumulator; and a third on-board power system branch with a third operating voltage U3 and a third electrical consumer. The on-board power system also includes a DC/DC converter configured to transmit energy bidirectionally at least between the first on-board power system branch and the second on-board power system branch. The on-board power system also includes a switching device configured to selectively connect the first energy accumulator and the second energy accumulator to one another in series via in such a way that the third operating voltage U3 can be made available by the first operating voltage U1 and the second operating voltage U2 together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Dirk Reichow, Markus Gilch
  • Patent number: 8933580
    Abstract: An electrical system has first and second switches. The switches are used by the electrical system to produce closed circuits from a first energy storage device and/or a second energy storage device to a system load to supply power to the system load. The electrical system has a device for detecting a voltage at the second energy storage device and for comparing the detected voltage with a voltage threshold, and also a control device for producing a third, closed circuit from the second energy storage device to an earth connection by closing the first and second switches, and therefore for discharging the second energy storage device when the detected voltage exceeds the voltage threshold. This prevents the second energy storage device from charging uncontrollably when a system fault occurs in the electrical system or on the current path from the first energy storage device to the second energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Reichow, Tobias Steckermeier, Tobias Galli
  • Publication number: 20140368160
    Abstract: A vehicle electric system for a vehicle may include a first vehicle electric system branch having a first energy store and a first dynamic electric load, a second vehicle electric system branch having a second sensitive electric load, and a first controllable switching device arranged between the first and second vehicle electric system branches and designed to assume (a) a first switch state in which a current is conducted unidirectionally from the first vehicle electric system branch to the second vehicle electric system branch only in a first current flow direction or (b) a second switch state in which a current is conducted bidirectionally between the second vehicle electric system branch and the first vehicle electric system branch both in the first current flow direction as well as in a second current flow direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Dirk Reichow, Michael Leitherer