Patents by Inventor Norbert Knab

Norbert Knab 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: 9671022
    Abstract: The invention relates to known housing seals of two housing parts lying against each other, a first housing part (1) having a first sealing surface (6) and a second housing part (2) having a second sealing surface (7), which housing seals are equipped with a seal (15), which is inserted into a groove (10) in the first sealing surface (6) of the first housing part (1), wherein the groove (10) is covered by the second sealing surface (7) of the second housing part (2). According to the invention, in order to prevent crevice corrosion, the groove (10) has an opening (11) between the sealing surfaces (6, 7), which is used to ventilate the groove (10) having the inserted seal. The invention is intended for water pumps, in particular for auxiliary water pumps of motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Lojowski, Christoph Klappenbach, Roland Schmidt, Claudius Muschelknautz, Klaus Eppel, Werner Decker, Christoph Heier, Joerg Wolf, Guenther Riehl, Norbert Knab, Benoit Monzie, Jerome Thiery
  • Publication number: 20150337962
    Abstract: The invention relates to known housing seals of two housing parts lying against each other, a first housing part (1) having a first sealing surface (6) and a second housing part (2) having a second sealing surface (7), which housing seals are equipped with a seal (15), which is inserted into a groove (10) in the first sealing surface (6) of the first housing part (1), wherein the groove (10) is covered by the second sealing surface (7) of the second housing part (2). According to the invention, in order to prevent crevice corrosion, the groove (10) has an opening (11) between the sealing surfaces (6, 7), which is used to ventilate the groove (10) having the inserted seal. The invention is intended for water pumps, in particular for auxiliary water pumps of motor vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Lojewski, Christoph Klappenbach, Roland Schmidt, Claudius Muschelknautz, Klaus Eppel, Werner Decker, Christoph Heier, Joerg Wolf, Guenther Riehl, Norbert Knab, Benoit Monzie, Jerome Thiery
  • Patent number: 9093238
    Abstract: A fuse (10) is proposed for interrupting a voltage and/or current-carrying conductor (12) in case of a thermal fault, having a conductor bar (14) ensuring an electrically conductive connection of the voltage and/or current-carrying conductor during correct operation, said fuse (10) being characterized in that the conductor bar (14) melts upon an increase in temperature above the melting point, and the electrically conductive connection of the voltage and/or current-carrying conductor is interrupted due to inherent surface tension. Also proposed is a method for producing the fuse (10) according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Knab, Georg Schulze-Icking-Konert, Thomas Mohr, Stefan Kotthaus, Nikolas Haberl, Stefan Stampfer, Michael Mueller
  • Patent number: 8633795
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal fuse in a circuit structure, particularly a punched grid, having a plurality of circuit areas, having the circuit structure with connections sites (9) and having a fusible element (3), which is electrically and mechanically connected to the connection sites (9) of the circuit structure, a material of the fusible element (3) having a melting point, in order to melt at an ambient temperature greater than the melting point, such that material of the fusible element (3) collects at the connection sites (9) and the electrical connection formed by the fusible element (3) breaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Knab, Georg Schulze-Icking-Konert, Thomas Mohr, Stefan Kotthaus, Nikolas Haberl, Stefan Stampfer, Michael Mueller
  • Patent number: 8063590
    Abstract: Both a method and a use by this method of an apparatus for detecting blocking of a direct current motor (10), in particular a direct current motor (10) for a blower of a motor vehicle, is presented. The direct current motor (10) is deactivated by a computer unit (20) with the aid of a switching means (18) for a defined time period (Toff). Within the defined time period (Toff), at least one subsequent time (ta, tb), an induced voltage (U) of the direct current motor (10) is measured and forwarded to the computer unit (20). The direct current motor (10) remains deactivated if the induced voltage (U) undershoots a predetermined threshold value (Uth), or the direct current motor (10) is reactivated if the induced voltage (U) of the direct current motor (10) does not undershoot the predetermined threshold value (Uth).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Knab, Nikolas Haberl, Frank Fischer, Joerg Eichhorn
  • Patent number: 7819094
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fan system for a controllably cooling a vehicle internal combustion engine comprising an electric fan motor and a control unit for controlling said fan motor, wherein said control unit controls the fan motor according to a regulation correcting variable dependent on a desired cooling power, the control unit is constructed in such a way that it controls the fan motor independently of the desired cooling power at a determined moment with a regulation-correcting variable increased with respect to a correcting variable for a predetermined space of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Knab, Richard Vogt, Nikolas Haberl
  • Publication number: 20100231347
    Abstract: The invention relates to a triggering device (1) for a thermal fuse comprising an actuator (11), which is designed to trigger at a threshold temperature, and a conductive bridge element (6) that is attached and connected to multiple connector points (9) exclusively by means of detachable connecting elements (10) for current flow. According to the invention the connecting elements (1) fully detach the bridge element (6) when a threshold temperature is reached or exceeded so that, in case the actuator (11) is triggered, the bridge element (6) is detached from the connecting elements (10) in order to interrupt the current flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GMBH
    Inventors: Norbert Knab, Georg Schulze-Icking-Konert, Thomas Mohr, Stefan Kotthaus, Nikolas Haberl, Stefan Stampfer, Michael Mueller, Peilei Chen
  • Publication number: 20100176910
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fusible alloy element (1), in particular for producing a thermal fuse, comprising a fusible element (2), which is made of a material that melts at a trigger temperature, and a support layer (4) on a surface in at least one contacting area of the fusible alloy element (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Norbert Knab, Georg Schulze-Icking-Konert, Thomas Mohr, Stefan Kotthaus, Nikolas Haberl, Stefan Stampfer, Michael Mueller
  • Publication number: 20100109833
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal fuse in a circuit structure, particularly a punched grid, having a plurality of circuit areas, having the circuit structure with connections sited (9) and having a fusible element (3), which is electrically and mechanically connected to the connection sites (9) of the circuit structure, the material of the fusible element (3) having a melting point, in order to melt at an ambient temperature greater than the melting point, such that material of the fusible element (3) collects at the connection sites (9) and the electrical connection formed by the fusible element (3) breaks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GMBH
    Inventors: Norbert Knab, Georg Schulze-Icking-Konert, Thomas Mohr, Stefan Kotthaus, Nikolas Haberl, Stefan Stampfer, Michael Mueller
  • Publication number: 20100102823
    Abstract: The invention relates to an error recognition device for detecting an error in an electrical component (1), comprising a first detector (12), a second detector (13) for detecting a parameter characteristic of current flows, and a triggering unit (10) for interrupting a current flow through the electrical component (1) by means of a switch (S2), depending on the parameter characteristic of the detected current flows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Norbert Knab, Georg Schulze-Icking-Konert, Thomas Mohr, Stefan Kotthaus, Nikolas Haberl, Michael Mueller
  • Patent number: 7705554
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement and a method for adjusting the power consumption of a load of a cooling fan motor of a motor vehicle that can be operated by a direct-voltage system has at least one semiconductor switch in the supply current circuit of the load, and a control unit for triggering the semiconductor switch or switches. The load is connectable via at least one sense field-effect transistor to the direct-voltage system the measurement output of the sense FET is connected to the control unit, and the control unit furnishes a signal corresponding to the current consumption of the load at the respective operating point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Knab, Nikolas Haberl, Michael Koerner
  • Publication number: 20100085141
    Abstract: A fuse (10) is proposed for interrupting a voltage and/or current-carrying conductor (12) in case of a thermal fault, having a conductor bar (14) ensuring an electrically conductive connection of the voltage and/or current-carrying conductor during correct operation, said fuse (10) being characterized in that the conductor bar (14) melts upon an increase in temperature above the melting point, and the electrically conductive connection of the voltage and/or current-carrying conductor is interrupted due to inherent surface tension. Also proposed is a method for producing the fuse (10) according to the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Norbert Knab, Georg Schulze-Icking-Konert, Thomas Mohr, Stefan Kotthaus, Nikolas Haberl, Stefan Stampfer, Michael Mueller
  • Publication number: 20100084166
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for equipping a contacting element (1), in particular a punched grid with an SMD component (4), comprising the following steps: proving the contact element (1) with a casing, a connector point (3) being provided in a recess (7) of the casing (5); placing the SMD component (4) on the connector point (3); and heating a thermally conductive element in order to heat the connector point (3) so that the SMD component (4) can be connected to the connector point (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Norbert Knab, Georg Schulze-Icking-Konert, Thomas Mohr, Stefan Kotthaus, Nikolas Haberl, Stefan Stampfer, Michael Mueller
  • Publication number: 20100073120
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal fuse, especially for use in an electric module in the automotive field, comprising a connecting element (4, 25), which is electrically and mechanically connected to multiple connector points in order to provide a permanent and electrically conductive connection, and an actuator (6) which is configured separately from the connecting element (4, 25) and triggers without absorbing electrical energy when an ambient temperature reaches a trigger temperature, thereby mechanically interrupting the electrical connection formed by the connecting element (4, 25).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GMBH
    Inventors: Norbert Knab, Georg Schulze-Icking-Konert, Thomas Mohr, Stefan Kotthaus, Nikolas Haberl, Stefan Stampfer, Michael Mueller
  • Publication number: 20090266313
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fan system for a controllably cooling a vehicle internal combustion engine comprising an electric fan motor and a control unit for controlling said fan motor, wherein said control unit controls the fan motor according to a regulation correcting variable dependent on a desired cooling power, the control unit is constructed in such a way that it controls the fan motor independently of the desired cooling power at a determined moment with a regulation-correcting variable increased with respect to a correcting variable for a predetermined space of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Norbert Knab, Richard Vogt, Nikolas Haberl
  • Publication number: 20080303461
    Abstract: Both a method and a use by this method of an apparatus for detecting blocking of a direct current motor (10), in particular a direct current motor (10) for a blower of a motor vehicle, is presented. The direct current motor (10) is deactivated by a computer unit (20) with the aid of a switching means (18) for a defined time period (Toff). Within the defined time period (Toff), at least one subsequent time (ta, tb), an induced voltage (U) of the direct current motor (10) is measured and forwarded to the computer unit (20). The direct current motor (10) remains deactivated if the induced voltage (U) undershoots a predetermined threshold value (Uth), or the direct current motor (10) is reactivated if the induced voltage (U) of the direct current motor (10) does not undershoot the predetermined threshold value (Uth).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Norbert Knab, Nikolas Haberl, Frank Fischer, Joerg Eichhorn
  • Publication number: 20070248336
    Abstract: A circuit system and a method for operating an electric motor having variable speed from a direct-voltage source is proposed, in particular for operating a cooling air fan motor of a motor vehicle from the vehicle's electrical system. The circuit system uses pulse-width-modulated input signals that are provided by a control unit, and enables, through integration and threshold value comparison of the signals, an operation of the electric motor with different speeds based on differentiated series resistor connection, corresponding to the pulse-duty ratio of the pulse-width-modulated input signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventors: Norbert Knab, Karlheinz Lunghard, Holger Thoelke
  • Publication number: 20070229011
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement and a method for adjusting the power consumption of a load of a cooling fan motor of a motor vehicle that can be operated by a direct-voltage system has at least one semiconductor switch in the supply current circuit of the load, and a control unit for triggering the semiconductor switch or switches. The load is connectable via at least one sense field-effect transistor to the direct-voltage system the measurement output of the sense FET is connected to the control unit, and the control unit furnishes a signal corresponding to the current consumption of the load at the respective operating point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Norbert Knab, Nikolas Haberl, Michael Koerner
  • Patent number: 7122981
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring and controlling reversing actions in electrically actuatable units, wherein an actuating drive unit can exert an actuating force in order to move an electrically actuatable unit, and a safety circuit automatically switches off the actuating drive unit after a jamming switch-off time that is predetermined for a movement if no movement occurs despite the triggering of the actuating drive unit. According to the invention, a triggered reversing action results in a temporary extension of the predetermined jamming switch-off time from a short jamming switch-off time t1 that is predetermined for normal operation to a longer jamming switch-off time t2 (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Knab, Patric Kahles
  • Patent number: 7123458
    Abstract: A method and a circuit for protecting an electric motor and/or its trigger circuit against overload in the emergency-operation mode in a motor vehicle direct-current fan motor operated by means of pulse width modulation, in which the trigger circuit is designed as an emergency-operation controller, with a microcontroller preceding the motor end stage and with a comparator assembly for detecting overvoltages. Overload protection is assured at elevated battery voltage and at the same time when the emergency-operation controller is activated in response to malfunctions in the normal triggering of the electric motor. To that end, at least one overvoltage threshold (Us1, Us2) is defined; when it is exceeded, the power supplied to the motor is reduced or switched off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Mohr, Norbert Knab, Albert Eisele, Juergen Rapp