Patents by Inventor Norbert Normann

Norbert Normann 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: 7017403
    Abstract: An arrangement having a device for measuring the tire pressure in a pneumatic tire, wich device is enclosed in a casing which is located inside the pneumatic tire when the pneumatic tire has been mounted on a wheel and also having spring acting resiliently upon the casing and a holder for the spring, which is to be fixed to the wheel. According to the invention, the spring and the casing are so designed and adapted one to the other that the casing finds support on the holder and is clamped for this purpose between the spring and the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: BERU Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Norbert Normann, Andreas Kühnle
  • Patent number: 6972671
    Abstract: There is described an arrangement on vehicles equipped with wheels (1) with pneumatic tires, having an evaluation and control unit (8) arranged in the vehicle (2) and one or more receiving antennas (4), that are assigned to individual wheels (1) or groups of wheels (1) of the vehicle (2) and are connected to the evaluation and control unit (8) via an RF receiver (5) comprising a demodulator (6), for use in a tire-pressure monitoring system in which a unit (3), that is mounted on the respective wheel (1) and that comprises a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure in the pneumatic tire and for generating an electric pressure-measurement signal, comprises a control circuit and a transmitter with a sending antenna for sending out, under the control of the control circuit, the pressure-measuring signal or a signal derived therefrom in the form of a radio-frequency signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: BERU Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Norbert Normann, Gunter Lothar Schulze
  • Patent number: 6828905
    Abstract: A system for monitoring and signaling by radio a pressure or a change in pressure in pneumatic tires of wheels on vehicles consists of a receiver unit provided in or on the vehicle to which at least one antenna is associated, and of a unit, arranged in the pneumatic tire, for measuring, evaluating and transmitting tire pressure signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventors: Norbert Normann, Andreas Kühnle, Gunter Lothar Schulze, Ralf Kessler
  • Publication number: 20040206169
    Abstract: An arrangement comprising a device for measuring the tyre pressure in a pneumatic tyre, which device is enclosed in a casing (1) which is located inside the pneumatic tyre when the pneumatic tyre has been mounted on a wheel, and further comprising a spring (2) acting resiliently upon the casing (1), and a holder (3, 25) for the spring (2) to be fixed on the wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Norbert Normann, Andreas Kuhnle
  • Patent number: 6801872
    Abstract: There is described a method for determining the speed of a wheel on a motor vehicle, for which purpose an acceleration sensor is mounted on the wheel. It is proposed according to the invention to measure the frequency &ohgr; or the period T of an alternating signal contained in the acceleration signal supplied by the acceleration sensor and produced by the influence of gravitational acceleration g. The method is suited for use in automatic tyre-pressure monitoring systems for assigning signals, that have been transmitted by radio from a wheel-mounted electronic module, to a particular wheel position and for controlling the transmission rate of a wheel-mounted electronic module as a function of the speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Inventors: Norbert Normann, Gunter Lothar Schulze
  • Patent number: 6794993
    Abstract: An arrangement for transmitting signals from a device (3) for monitoring the tire pressure in vehicle wheels (1), being arranged in the tire preferably as one module together with a valve, and comprising a pressure sensor arranged for measuring the tire pressure and generating an electric pressure signal, a control circuit, a battery as power source, and a transmitter with a sending antenna for transmitting the measured pressure signal as a radio-frequency (RF) signal under the control of the control circuit to a central evaluation and control unit (8), which is arranged in the vehicle (2) and which is connected to receiving antennas (4), to which individual wheels (1) or groups of wheels (1) of the vehicle (2) are allocated, via a RF receiver which comprises a demodulator and transforms the received RF signals to low-frequency (LF) signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventors: Ralf Kessler, Andreas Kühnle, Roland Michal, Norbert Normann, Lothar Gunter Schulze
  • Publication number: 20040055370
    Abstract: There is described an arrangement on vehicles equipped with wheels (1) with pneumatic tires, having an evaluation and control unit (8) arranged in the vehicle (2) and one or more receiving antennas (4), that are assigned to individual wheels (1) or groups of wheels (1) of the vehicle (2) and are connected to the evaluation and control unit (8) via an RF receiver (5) comprising a demodulator (6), for use in a tire-pressure monitoring system in which a unit (3), that is mounted on the respective wheel (1) and that comprises a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure in the pneumatic tire and for generating an electric pressure-measurement signal, comprises a control circuit and a transmitter with a sending antenna for sending out, under the control of the control circuit, the pressure-measuring signal or a signal derived therefrom in the form of a radio-frequency signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Norbert Normann, Gunter Lothar Schulze
  • Patent number: 6633229
    Abstract: A method for allocating identifiers, that are contained in signals issued by transmitters arranged in a tire pressure monitoring system, to the positions of the wheels by transmitting the signals to a receiving and analysis circuit, which analyses the information, contained in the signal, wherein for differentiating between wheels on the right side of the vehicle and wheels on the left side of the vehicle, the sign of a translation acceleration b is determined for each running wheel, the sign of the variation of the centrifugal acceleration z occurring during the translation acceleration b is additionally determined and multiplied by the sign of the translation acceleration b determined for the respective wheel, and the differentiation between wheels on the right side of the vehicle and wheels on the left side of the vehicle is effected by comparing the products of the two signs determined for the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Beru Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Norbert Normann, Roland Michal, Ralf Kessler, Andreas Kühnle, Lothar Gunter Schulze
  • Publication number: 20030042890
    Abstract: There is described a method for determining the speed of a wheel on a motor vehicle, for which purpose an acceleration sensor is mounted on the wheel. It is proposed according to the invention to measure the frequency &ohgr; or the period T of an alternating signal contained in the acceleration signal supplied by the acceleration sensor and produced by the influence of gravitational acceleration g. The method is suited for use in automatic tyre-pressure monitoring systems for assigning signals, that have been transmitted by radio from a wheel-mounted electronic module, to a particular wheel position and for controlling the transmission rate of a wheel-mounted electronic module as a function of the speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Norbert Normann, Gunter Lothar Schulze
  • Patent number: 6446502
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for assigning identifiers, contained in signals emitted by transmitters in a tire pressure control system, to the position of the wheels where the transmitters are located. Said system comprises a pressure sensor, a transmitter and a transmit antenna on each of a plurality of wheels of a vehicle, one or more receive antennas on the vehicle body, and receiving and evaluating units connected to this body via cables. In this method, the signals containing the identifier are intercepted by the receive antenna(s) and transmitted to the receiving and evaluating units, where they are evaluated in accordance with their identifiers. The invention is characterized in that, for the monitored wheels, not just the air pressure in the tires, but also the acceleration obtained from the movement of the wheel is measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Beru Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Norbert Normann, Roland Michal
  • Patent number: 6445286
    Abstract: A method for operating a device for monitoring and indicating a pressure change in vehicle tires by wire, being preferably arranged in the tire as one module together with the tire valve, and comprising a current source, a pressure sensor arranged for measuring the tire pressure at first time intervals, an analog/digital converter for digitizing a pressure signal obtained from the pressure sensor, a memory for storing the pressure signal, a transmitter for transmitting the measured tire pressure information to a receiving unit located in the vehicle, a comparator, especially one realized in one module with a microprocessor, which compares the pressure signal with a previously stored comparison pressure signal and controls the transmitter in such a way that the transmitter will transmit signals at second time intervals greater than the first time intervals, so long as the decrease of the pressure signal, relative to the comparison pressure signal (drift), does not exceed a threshold value, but will transmit si
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Beru Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ralf Kessler, Andreas Kuhnle, Norbert Normann, Gunter Lothar Schulze
  • Publication number: 20020113692
    Abstract: The system for monitoring and signalling by radio a pressure or a change in pressure in pneumatic tires of wheels (1) on vehicles (2) consists of a receiver unit (9) provided in or on the vehicle (1) to which at least one antenna (6, 7) is associated, and of a unit (3), arranged in the pneumatic tire, for measuring, evaluating and transmitting tire pressure signals, hereinafter referred to as “wheel-mounted electronic unit”, the latter comprising
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Norbert Normann, Andreas Kuhnle, Gunter Lothar Schulzer, Ralf Kessler
  • Patent number: 6194999
    Abstract: The proposed device is fitted on vehicles equipped with pneumatic tires and is used for monitoring tire pressure. The device comprises: a pressure measurement sensor on each of the wheels (2) being monitored; a transmitter mounted next to each pressure measurement sensor which emits signals carrying the pressure data obtained from the pressure measurement sensor, and a receiver for those signals fitted on the vehicle chassis. An antenna (5a, 6a, 7a, 8a) is arranged next to each wheel (2) as the receiver. The antennae are connected to a common receiving and monitoring circuit (15, 17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Inventors: Günter Uhl, Norbert Normann, Gunter Lothar Schulze, Ralph Kessler, Michael Schröttle
  • Patent number: 6181241
    Abstract: A vehicle tire pressure monitoring system includes a pressure sensor, a transmitter, and a transmitting antenna at each of N wheels of the vehicle, and at least one receiving antenna attached to the vehicle, respectively allocated to each transmitting, antenna. The receiving, antenna is connected to an electronic receiving, and analysis system which determines whether a signal belongs to the local vehicle by allocating an identifier characterizing the individual wheel to its transmitter. Emitted signals contain the identifier and are forwarded to the central electronic receiving and analysis system, which records the signal intensities under the signal's identifier, compares the intensities, selects those N transmitter identifiers with the greatest intensities, then stores the N transmitter identifiers as belonging to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Beru Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Norbert Normann, Ralf Kessler, Gunter Schulze
  • Patent number: 6169480
    Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring device includes a pressure measurement sensor provided on each of the wheels to be monitored, a transmitter arranged near each pressure measurement sensor for sending signals representative of the pressure determined by the pressure measurement sensor, respective antennas for receiving the signals, the antennas being arranged on the vehicle chassis near the respective wheel. Each antenna is formed by making use of a separate electric line belonging to another monitoring system that is associated to the same wheel or is formed by making use of a sensor belonging to another monitoring system associated to the same wheels. Alternatively an electric line that leads to another consumer which is associated to the respective wheel, like a lamp, is used as an antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Doduco GmbH
    Inventors: G{umlaut over (u)}nter Uhl, Norbert Normann, Gunter Lothar Schulze, Ralf Kessler
  • Patent number: 6155119
    Abstract: An arrangement made up of an electrical circuit board (7) and an electrical pressure transducer (1) which has, in a housing (2), a pressure sensor onto which the pressure to be measured is transferred by means of a fluid through a channel (5) leading into the housing (2), and from which there proceed electrical lines which project out of the housing (2) as leads (4) and are connected to the circuit board (7). The channel (5) is shielded on the outer side of the housing (2) so that the flow resistance for fluid entering and leaving the channel (5) increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: AMI Doduco GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Normann, Andreas Kuhnle
  • Patent number: 6124786
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring tire pressure on automobiles, having an arrangement (1), intended for installation into a wheel, made up of a pressure sensor, a transmitter, and a circuit for operating the pressure sensor and transmitter, and having a battery (2) which supplies the circuit with power via a power supply line (3), the arrangement (1) and the battery (2) being located in a sealed housing (9). Located in the power supply line (3) is an electronic switch (4) which has a control electrode (5) and is nonconductive when the control electrode (5) is connected to ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Ami Doduco GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Normann, Gunter Lothar Schulze, Gunter Uhl
  • Patent number: 6112165
    Abstract: A method of operating a device for monitoring vehicle-tire pressures and indicating changes in pressure by radio, which is arranged in the valve of the pneumatic tire and contains a power source; a pressure sensor; an analog/digital converter for digitizing the pressure signal obtained from the pressure sensor; a memory for storing the pressure signal; a transmitter; a comparator, in particular in a module with a microprocessor, which compares the pressure signal with a previously stored comparison pressure signal, generates a signal if the deviation of the pressure signal from the comparison pressure signal exceeds a threshold, and activates the transmitter, which thereupon transmits a datum regarding the detected deviation to a receiver arranged in the vehicle; and a timing switch which activates the device at time intervals for a measurement and comparison operation and otherwise keeps it deactivated for purpose of power conservation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: DODUCO GmbH
    Inventors: Gunter Uhl, Norbert Normann, Gunter Lothar Schulze, Ralf Kessler
  • Patent number: 6034597
    Abstract: A method for processing signals of a tire pressure monitoring system on vehicles on each of whose N wheels (R1 through R5) a transmitter is mounted and a reception antenna (1 through 5) which is connected to the input of a common receiver (8) is allocated to each transmitter in its vicinity, the transmitters transmitting, at time intervals, data telegrams which contain an individual identifier and a data portion following the latter. The signals received simultaneously from the reception antennas (1 through 5) and having the same identifier are conveyed in summed fashion to the receiver (8), alternately from all N reception antennas (1 through 5) and from N-1 reception antennas (1, 2, 4, 5), such that the one reception antenna (3) whose signal is blanked out of the sum of the signals is selected by cyclical transposition from the total number N of reception antennas (1 through 5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Ami Doduco GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Normann, Gunter Lothar Schulze, Ralf Kessler, Andreas Kuhnle
  • Patent number: 6018993
    Abstract: A method for allocating transmitters and receiving antennas in tire pressure monitoring systems which consist of a pressure sensor, a transmitter, and a transmitting antenna at each wheel, of a receiving antenna respectively allocated to them on the body, and of an electronic receiving and analysis system connected thereto via cables. In this, an identifier characterizing the wheel is allocated to each transmitter, and the signals are forwarded to the central electronic receiving and analysis system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Doduco GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Normann, Ralf Kessler, Gunter Schulze