Patents by Inventor Olaf Toedter
Olaf Toedter 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: 8976505Abstract: A method for controlling a glow plug in a diesel engine, in particular in the preheating phase, is described. According to the invention, it is provided that the time gradient of an electrical variable which varies according to the temperature of the glow plug is measured and compared with a threshold value, and when said time gradient exceeds or drops below the threshold value, the electric supply voltage of the glow plug is changed.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2007Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: BorgWarner BERU Systems GmbHInventors: Markus Kernwein, Olaf Toedter
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Patent number: 8800539Abstract: The invention relates to a method for igniting a fuel/air mixture in one or more combustion chambers which are delimited by walls that are at ground potential, wherein an electric resonant circuit is excited in which an ignition electrode, which is guided through one of the walls delimiting the combustion chamber in an electrically insulated manner and which extends into the combustion chamber, in cooperation with the walls of the combustion chamber that are at ground potential constitutes a capacitance, and in which the excitation of the resonant circuit is controlled such that a corona discharge igniting the fuel/air mixture is created in the combustion chamber at the ignition electrode.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2010Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: BorgWarner BERU Systems GmbHInventors: Olaf Toedter, Helmut Mueller, Gerd Braeuchle
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Patent number: 8656898Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a glow plug to a target value of the surface temperature while the engine is running. An effective voltage is generated by pulse width modulation of a vehicle electrical system voltage. This effective voltage is applied to the glow plug. The electric resistance of the glow plug is measured and compared to a resistance value expected for the target value of the surface temperature. The effective voltage is varied as a function of the deviation of the measured value of the electric resistance from the expected value of the electric resistance. A pressure sensor of the glow plug is used to measure the combustion chamber pressure. The resistance value expected for the target value of the surface temperature is determined as a function of the combustion chamber pressure.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2011Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Borgwarner Beru Systems GmbHInventors: Martin Sackmann, Bernd Last, Marc Rottner, Hans Houben, Olaf Toedter
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Patent number: 8374767Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a glow plug with running engine, with the engine having a crankshaft and at least one cylinder. An effective voltage is generated from a vehicle electrical system voltage, with the effective voltage being applied to the glow plug. A plurality of measurement values of the combustion chamber pressure prevalent in the cylinder is measured during each working cycle of the cylinder, with the angular position of the crankshaft being determined for each individual measurement value. A characteristic value of the combustion process is determined from the evolution of the combustion chamber pressure measured in relation to the angular position of the crankshaft, and the determined characteristic value is compared with a setpoint value, and the effective voltage is set to a minimum value required for reaching the setpoint value.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2010Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: BorgWarner BERU Systems GmbHInventors: Olaf Toedter, Ulrich Stephan
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Patent number: 8153936Abstract: Herein is described a method for the heating-up of a ceramic glow plug by applying a variable electric voltage to the glow plug. In accordance with the invention it is provided that, starting from a base value, the electric voltage increases in a time-averaged manner superproportional to the elapsed heating-up time. The invention relates also to a glow plug control unit for carrying out of such a method.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2008Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: BERU AktiengesellschaftInventors: Markus Kernwein, Jörg Stöckle, Olaf Toedter, Ganghua Rüan, Marc Rottner
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Patent number: 8082090Abstract: A method and device for operation of glow plugs of a Diesel engine in which the type of glow plugs used is determined, by a parameter typical of the glow plugs, for example, the electrical glow plug resistance, being detected and evaluated. The detected values of the parameter typical of the glow plugs are compared with corresponding data for various types of glow plugs stored in the glow controller to determine the type(s) of glow plug(s) in the engine. After identification of the type(s) of glow plug(s), stored sets of parameters, which correspond to the type(s) of glow plug(s) determined, are likewise called upon to control the glow plugs.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2008Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: Beru AGInventors: Markus Kernwein, Andreas Bleil, Olaf Toedter, Helmut Mueller, Odd Peters
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Publication number: 20110305998Abstract: The invention relates to a method for igniting a fuel/air mixture in one or more combustion chambers which are delimited by walls that are at ground potential, wherein an electric resonant circuit is excited in which an ignition electrode, which is guided through one of the walls delimiting the combustion chamber in an electrically insulated manner and which extends into the combustion chamber, in cooperation with the walls of the combustion chamber that are at ground potential constitutes a capacitance, and in which the excitation of the resonant circuit is controlled such that a corona discharge igniting the fuel/air mixture is created in the combustion chamber at the ignition electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2010Publication date: December 15, 2011Applicant: BorgWarner BERU Systems GmbHInventors: Olaf Toedter, Helmut Mueller, Gerd Braeuchle
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Publication number: 20110220073Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a glow plug to a target value of the surface temperature while the engine is running, wherein an effective voltage is generated by pulse width modulation of a vehicle electrical system voltage and this effective voltage is applied to the glow plug, the electric resistance of the glow plug is measured and compared to a resistance value expected for the target value of the surface temperature, and the effective voltage is varied as a function of the deviation of the measured value of the electric resistance from the expected value of the electric resistance. According to the invention, a pressure sensor of the glow plug is used to measure the combustion chamber pressure and the resistance value expected for the target value of the surface temperature is determined as a function of the combustion chamber pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2011Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicant: BorgWarner BERU Systems GmbHInventors: Martin Sackmann, Bernd Last, Marc Rottner, Hans Houben, Olaf Toedter
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Patent number: 7957885Abstract: Method for controlling a group of glow plugs in a diesel engine, which are connected with a direct current source via individual supply lines and which are to be controlled by a pulse width modulation process at the same temperature, at least in time average. The electric resistance of the glow plugs, less the resistance of the supply line to the heating element of the glow plugs, is determined during operation of the engine and a relative pulse width at which the glow plugs are to be operated is calculated from the value so obtained.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2006Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Inventors: Markus Kernwein, Olaf Toedter, Andreas Bleil
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Patent number: 7881851Abstract: The invention describes a method for operating glow plugs in a diesel engine that comprises a housing and a heater element projecting beyond that housing which interacts with an engine control unit and a glow plug control unit which, following a preheating phase, controls the electric power supplied to the glow plugs in dependence on an input received from the engine control unit. According to the invention it is provided that the engine control unit determines a value representative of a temperature that is to be reached at the heater element and the engine control unit transmits that value as target value to the glow plug control unit which converts that target value using an algorithm stored in the glow plug control unit and taking into account the characteristic values stored in the glow plug control unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2008Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: BERU AktiengesellschaftInventors: Markus Kernwein, Andreas Beil, Jörg Stöckle, Olaf Toedter, Hans Houben
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Publication number: 20110015848Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a glow plug with running engine, with the engine having a crankshaft and at least one cylinder. An effective voltage is generated from a vehicle electrical system voltage, with the effective voltage being applied to the glow plug. A plurality of measurement values of the combustion chamber pressure prevalent in the cylinder is measured during each working cycle of the cylinder, with the angular position of the crankshaft being determined for each individual measurement value. A characteristic value of the combustion process is determined from the evolution of the combustion chamber pressure measured in relation to the angular position of the crankshaft, and the determined characteristic value is compared with a setpoint value, and the effective voltage is set to a minimum value required for reaching the setpoint value.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2010Publication date: January 20, 2011Inventors: Olaf Toedter, Ulrich Stephan
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Patent number: 7730864Abstract: The invention describes a method for operating glow plugs, that comprise a housing and a heater element projecting beyond that housing, in a diesel engine which interacts with an engine control unit and a glow plug control unit which latter, following a preheating phase, controls the electric power supplied to the glow plugs in response to an input received from the engine control unit. It is provided according to the invention that the engine control unit determines a value representative of a temperature that is to be reached at the heater element and the engine control unit transmits that value as target value to the glow plug control unit which implements that target value using an algorithm stored in the glow plug control unit and with reference to characteristic values stored in the glow plug control unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2007Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Inventors: Olaf Toedter, Markus Kernwein, Andreas Bleil, Jörg Stöckle, Franz Pachner
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Publication number: 20100094523Abstract: Method for controlling a group of glow plugs in a diesel engine, which are connected with a direct current source via individual supply lines and which are to be controlled by a pulse width modulation process at the same temperature, at least in time average. The electric resistance of the glow plugs, less the resistance of the supply line to the heating element of the glow plugs, is determined during operation of the engine and a relative pulse width at which the glow plugs are to be operated is calculated from the value so obtained.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2006Publication date: April 15, 2010Inventors: Markus Kernwein, Olaf Toedter, Andreas Bleil
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Publication number: 20090316328Abstract: A method for controlling a glow plug in a diesel engine, in particular in the preheating phase, is described. According to the invention, it is provided that the time gradient of an electrical variable which varies according to the temperature of the glow plug is measured and compared with a threshold value, and when said time gradient exceeds or drops below the threshold value, the electric supply voltage of the glow plug is changed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2007Publication date: December 24, 2009Inventors: Markus Kernwein, Olaf Toedter
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Publication number: 20090008378Abstract: Herein is described a method for the heating-up of a ceramic glow plug by applying a variable electric voltage to the glow plug. In accordance with the invention it is provided that, starting from a base value, the electric voltage increases in a time-averaged manner superproportional to the elapsed heating-up time. The invention relates also to a glow plug control unit for carrying out of such a method.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2008Publication date: January 8, 2009Inventors: Markus Kernwein, Jorg Stockle, Olaf Toedter, Ganghua Ruan, Marc Rottner
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Publication number: 20090012695Abstract: The invention describes a method for operating glow plugs in a diesel engine that comprises a housing and a heater element projecting beyond that housing which interacts with an engine control unit and a glow plug control unit which, following a preheating phase, controls the electric power supplied to the glow plugs in dependence on an input received from the engine control unit. According to the invention it is provided that the engine control unit determines a value representative of a temperature that is to be reached at the heater element and the engine control unit transmits that value as target value to the glow plug control unit which converts that target value using an algorithm stored in the glow plug control unit and taking into account the characteristic values stored in the glow plug control unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2008Publication date: January 8, 2009Inventors: Markus Kernwein, Andreas Beil, Jorg Stockle, Olaf Toedter, Hans Houben
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Publication number: 20080319631Abstract: A method and device for operation of glow plugs of a Diesel engine in which the type of glow plugs used is determined, by a parameter typical of the glow plugs, for example, the electrical glow plug resistance, being detected and evaluated. The detected values of the parameter typical of the glow plugs are compared with corresponding data for various types of glow plugs stored in the glow controller to determine the type(s) of glow plug(s) in the engine. After identification of the type(s) of glow plug(s), stored sets of parameters, which correspond to the type(s) of glow plug(s) determined, are likewise called upon to control the glow plugs.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2008Publication date: December 25, 2008Applicant: BERU AGInventors: Markus KERNWEIN, Andreas BLEIL, Olaf TOEDTER, Helmut MUELLER, Odd PETERS
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Patent number: 7431004Abstract: A method and device for operation of glow plugs of a Diesel engine in which the type of glow plugs used is determined, by a parameter typical of the glow plugs, for example, the electrical glow plug resistance, being detected and evaluated. The detected values of the parameter typical of the glow plugs are compared with corresponding data for various types of glow plugs stored in the glow controller to determine the type(s) of glow plug(s) in the engine. After identification of the type(s) of glow plug(s), stored sets of parameters, which correspond to the type(s) of glow plug(s) determined, are likewise called upon to control the glow plugs.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2006Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Beru AGInventors: Markus Kernwein, Andreas Bleil, Olaf Toedter, Helmut Mueller, Odd Peters
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Publication number: 20080163840Abstract: The invention describes a method for operating glow plugs, that comprise a housing and a heater element projecting beyond that housing, in a diesel engine which interacts with an engine control unit and a glow plug control unit which latter, following a preheating phase, controls the electric power supplied to the glow plugs in response to an input received from the engine control unit. It is provided according to the invention that the engine control unit determines a value representative of a temperature that is to be reached at the heater element and the engine control unit transmits that value as target value to the glow plug control unit which implements that target value using an algorithm stored in the glow plug control unit and with reference to characteristic values stored in the glow plug control unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2007Publication date: July 10, 2008Inventors: Olaf Toedter, Markus Kernwein, Andreas Bleil, Jorg Stockle, Franz Pachner
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Patent number: 7234430Abstract: A method for heating a glow plug for a diesel engine to its desired temperature by supplying power to the glow plug in a controlled fashion. During a certain time interval after termination of a previous glow process, a mathematical model is used to determine the values for the supply of power to the glow plug, which includes the values of the actual thermal state of the glow plug, the time elapsed since the end of the previous glow process and the parameters of the diesel engine relevant for a glow process.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2004Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: Beru AGInventors: Olaf Toedter, Heinz-Georg Schmitz, Andreas Bleil, Joerg Stoeckle, Hans Houben