Patents by Inventor Ralf Raffauf

Ralf Raffauf 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).

  • Method for estimating a probability distribution of the maximum coefficient of friction at a current and/or future waypoint of a vehicle
    Patent number: 11091165
    Abstract: A method for estimating a probability distribution of the maximum coefficient of friction (?) at a current and/or future waypoint (s, s*) of a vehicle. According to the method, a first probability distribution (WV1) for the maximum coefficient of friction (?) at the waypoint (s) of the vehicle is determined by a Bayesian network from a first data set, which is, or was determined, for one, in particular current, waypoint (s) of the vehicle and which characterizes the maximum coefficient of friction (?) at the waypoint (s) of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignees: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, LUCAS AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Schlegel, Jochen Abhau, Heinz-Joachim Gilsdorf, Julian King, Jochen Köhler, Horst Krimmel, Gerhard Niederbrucker, Lara Ruth Turner, Volker Wagner, Robert Zdych, Vanessa Adler, Sascha Heinrichs-Bartscher, Ralf Raffauf, Holger Simon, Walter Stein
  • METHOD FOR ESTIMATING A PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION OF THE MAXIMUM COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION AT A CURRENT AND/OR FUTURE WAYPOINT OF A VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20190299997
    Abstract: A method for estimating a probability distribution of the maximum coefficient of friction (?) at a current and/or future waypoint (s, s*) of a vehicle. According to the method, a first probability distribution (WV1) for the maximum coefficient of friction (?) at the waypoint (s) of the vehicle is determined by a Bayesian network from a first data set, which is, or was determined, for one, in particular current, waypoint (s) of the vehicle and which characterizes the maximum coefficient of friction (?) at the waypoint (s) of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Matthias SCHLEGEL, Jochen ABHAU, Heinz-Joachim GILSDORF, Julian KING, Jochen KÖHLER, Horst KRIMMEL, Gerhard NIEDERBRUCKER, Lara Ruth TURNER, Volker WAGNER, Robert ZDYCH, Vanessa ADLER, Sascha HEINRICHS-BARTSCHER, Ralf RAFFAUF, Holger SIMON, Walter STEIN
  • METHOD FOR DETERMINING A SAFE SPEED AT A FUTURE WAY POINT
    Publication number: 20190143963
    Abstract: A method for determining a safe speed (v*) at a future waypoint (s*) of a vehicle moving along a route. In this step, at least one item of route data (in particular the curvature of the curve ?) characterizing the course of the route is determined. In addition, a first probability distribution (Pges) of a coefficient of friction (?) is provided at the current waypoint (s) and/or at the future waypoint (s*) of the vehicle. Subsequently a second probability distribution (Pv) of a vehicle speed (v) at the future waypoint (s*) is determined from the at least one item of route data (?) and from the first probability distribution (Pges). The safe speed (v*) is determined by statistical analysis from the second probability distribution (Pv).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicants: ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias SCHLEGEL, Jochen ABHAU, Heinz-Joachim GILSDORF, Julian KING, Jochen KÖHLER, Horst KRIMMEL, Gerhard NIEDERBRUCKER, Lara Ruth TURNER, Volker WAGNER, Robert ZDYCH, Vanessa ADLER, Sascha HEINRICHS-BARTSCHER, Ralf RAFFAUF, Holger SIMON, Walter STEIN
  • Method and apparatus for detecting and correcting trailer induced yaw movements in a towing vehicle
    Patent number: 7272481
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the presence of excessive yaw rate in a vehicle by calculating an instability index that is a function of the vehicle yaw rate and generating an excessive yaw rate signal when the instability index exceeds a yaw rate threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventors: Frank Einig, Kenneth Doll, Arnold H. Spieker, Josef Knechtges, Ralf Raffauf
  • Method and apparatus for detecting and correcting trailer induced yaw movements in a towing vehicle
    Publication number: 20060173584
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the presence of excessive yaw rate in a vehicle by calculating an instability index that is a function of the vehicle yaw rate and generating an excessive yaw rate signal when the instability index exceeds a yaw rate threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Inventors: Frank Einig, Kenneth Doll, Arnold Spieker, Josef Knechtges, Ralf Raffauf