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).
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Patent number: 11764563Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 28, 2022Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES GMBHInventors: Ludwig Ramsauer, Rainer Knorr, Stephanie Preisler, Dirk Reichow
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Publication number: 20220352705Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2022Publication date: November 3, 2022Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Ludwig RAMSAUER, Reiner KNORR, Stephanie PREISLER, Dirk REICHOW
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Patent number: 10926641Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 23, 2018Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBHInventors: Dirk Reichow, Peter Voilkl, Michael Scheurer
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Patent number: 10322687Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 23, 2015Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventor: Dirk Reichow
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Publication number: 20190031032Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2018Publication date: January 31, 2019Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Dirk Reichow, Peter Voilkl, Michael Scheurer
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Patent number: 10131298Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 17, 2015Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Paul Boucharel, Sergio Perez Guillen, Dirk Reichow, Damien Verdier
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Patent number: 10000168Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 13, 2012Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Dirk Reichow, Tobias Galli
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Patent number: 9944188Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 3, 2014Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Dirk Reichow, Peter Voelkl, Michael Scheurer
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Patent number: 9855849Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 26, 2013Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Dirk Reichow, Markus Gilch
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Patent number: 9806522Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 28, 2013Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Dirk Reichow, Peter Völkl, Tobias Galli
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Vehicle electric system, device for controlling a vehicle electric system, and vehicle with a device
Patent number: 9731610Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 16, 2013Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Dirk Reichow, Michael Leitherer -
Publication number: 20170120849Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2015Publication date: May 4, 2017Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbHInventor: Dirk Reichow
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Publication number: 20160368437Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2015Publication date: December 22, 2016Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Paul Boucharel, Sergio Perez Guillen, Dirk Reichow, Damien Verdier
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Patent number: 9487089Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 12, 2011Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Dirk Reichow, Tobias Steckermeier, Tobias Galli
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Publication number: 20160185230Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2014Publication date: June 30, 2016Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Dirk REICHOW, Peter VOELKL, Michael SCHEURER
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Patent number: 9243601Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 10, 2011Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Dirk Reichow, Tobias Steckermeier, Tobias Galli
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Publication number: 20150314740Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2013Publication date: November 5, 2015Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Dirk Reichow, Peter Voelkl, Tobias Galli
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Publication number: 20150115707Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventors: Dirk Reichow, Markus Gilch
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Patent number: 8933580Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 30, 2011Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Dirk Reichow, Tobias Steckermeier, Tobias Galli
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Vehicle Electric System, Device for Controlling a Vehicle Electric System, and Vehicle with a Device
Publication number: 20140368160Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2013Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventors: Dirk Reichow, Michael Leitherer