Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Fritz
Thomas A. Fritz 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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Publication number: 20200254325Abstract: Techniques for providing acoustic feedback are disclosed. Several audio clips (21-23) have a synchronized beat. A sensor signal (16) received from a sensor has a sensor signal range divided by first and second thresholds (11, 12) into at least three sensor signal sub-ranges (13-15). An audio signal is output in response to the received sensor signal (16), the output audio signal comprising one or more of the audio clips. If the received sensor signal (16) exceeds the first threshold (11), at least one (21) of the one or more audio clips is discontinued and/or at least one additional audio clip (22) of the audio clips is initiated in synchronization with the one or more audio clips (21). If the received sensor signal (16) falls below the second threshold (12), at least one (21) of the one or more audio clips is discontinued and/or at least one additional audio clip (23) of the audio clips is initiated in synchronization with the one or more audio clips (21).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2018Publication date: August 13, 2020Inventors: Thomas FRITZ, Eric BUSCH, Silvio BORCHARDT, Dirk GUMMEL
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Patent number: 10741885Abstract: A method for autonomously interconnecting at least two battery banks in a drive system of a motor vehicle, the drive system comprising at least one electric motor, at least two battery banks, at least one traction system which can be supplied with power by at least one battery bank, and at least one DC/DC converter which can be connected to at least one battery bank. The battery banks can be interconnected with one another in series and/or in parallel and at least one battery bank can be bridged, wherein, during autonomous operation of the motor vehicle, respective interconnection of the at least two battery banks is automatically carried out within the drive system, depending on a respective operating state of the motor vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventors: Marcus Zacher, Marc Patt, Thomas Fritz
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Patent number: 10668823Abstract: A driver assistance system may be a vehicle control system configured to perform a driver assistance operation, such as implementing cruise control or performing an automated driving control operation. The control system may be configured to perform a driver assistance operation which includes at least one step which conserves energy stored in at least one battery. The control system may conserve energy by controlling a speed or following distance of a vehicle based on road parameter, such as an uphill grade or downhill grade.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2016Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: NIO USA, Inc.Inventors: Robert Herb, Thomas Fritz
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Publication number: 20200161717Abstract: A safety apparatus (20) for a battery (80) has a base (22) for a vehicle (10), sensors (31, 32, 33, 34) and an evaluation apparatus (40). Each sensor (31, 32, 33, 34) is designed to generate a sensor signal (35) on a basis of a deformation of the base (22) and to supply the sensor signal to the evaluation apparatus (40). The evaluation apparatus (40) ascertains from the sensor signals (35) both first information about the location of the deformation of the base (22) and second information about the level of the deformation, and uses the first information and the second information as a basis for determining whether a first state (Z1) is present, in which a driving mode can be maintained, or whether a second state (Z2) is present, in which a driving mode can no longer be maintained.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2019Publication date: May 21, 2020Inventors: Thomas Fritz, Armin Steck, Marcus Zacher, Dominik Lembke, Ralf Keller, Maximilian Mueller, Marc Patt, Markus Graef, Philipp Straub
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Patent number: 10611408Abstract: A vehicle body for an electrically driven vehicle, having a vehicle frame for transmitting mechanical forces during the operation of the vehicle. The vehicle frame has a battery portion for receiving at least two battery modules, and the battery portion has at least one fastening interface for fastening the at least two battery modules in the received position.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2017Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventors: Thomas Fritz, Arik Rathner, Otmar Bitsche
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Publication number: 20190366147Abstract: A training apparatus includes an elastic band; a device for continuously determining an actual configuration of the training apparatus during exercise, e.g. a stretch of the elastic band or a 2D or 3D position of said device; and for generating a control signal for an audio device, the control signal being at least partially based on the actual configuration of the training apparatus; and for outputting the control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Applicant: MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FĂ–RDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN E.V.Inventors: Thomas Fritz, John Dylan Haynes, Carlo Crovato
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Patent number: 10384114Abstract: A training apparatus includes adjustable resistance means; means for continuously determining an actual configuration of the training apparatus during exercise; means for generating a control signal for an audio device, the control signal being at least partially based on the actual configuration of the training apparatus; and means for outputting the control signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2011Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V.Inventors: Thomas Fritz, John Dylan Haynes, Carlo Crovato
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Publication number: 20190106011Abstract: A method for autonomously interconnecting at least two battery banks in a drive system of a motor vehicle, the drive system comprising at least one electric motor, at least two battery banks, at least one traction system which can be supplied with power by at least one battery bank, and at least one DC/DC converter which can be connected to at least one battery bank. The battery banks can be interconnected with one another in series and/or in parallel and at least one battery bank can be bridged, wherein, during autonomous operation of the motor vehicle, respective interconnection of the at least two battery banks is automatically carried out within the drive system, depending on a respective operating state of the motor vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2018Publication date: April 11, 2019Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventors: Marcus Zacher, Marc Patt, Thomas Fritz
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Patent number: 10166883Abstract: An underbody of an electrically driven motor vehicle, with a vehicle supporting structure, which is bounded laterally in a transverse direction of the vehicle by two vehicle sills between which a multiplicity of battery modules is arranged, which battery modules are assigned a battery supporting structure and at least one battery temperature control device, and with supply and removal devices for a temperature control medium. The supply and removal devices for the temperature control medium are arranged in the region of the vehicle sills.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2016Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventors: Felix Brendecke, Armin Steck, Alexander Klausmann, Harald Raiser, Maik-Uwe Zillich, Juergen Hofmann, Thomas Fritz, Matthias Herntier, Nicolas Schneider
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Publication number: 20180154940Abstract: A vehicle body for an electrically driven vehicle, having a vehicle frame for transmitting mechanical forces during the operation of the vehicle. The vehicle frame has a battery portion for receiving at least two battery modules, and the battery portion has at least one fastening interface for fastening the at least two battery modules in the received position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2017Publication date: June 7, 2018Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventors: Thomas Fritz, Arik RATHNER, Otmar BITSCHE
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Publication number: 20180043793Abstract: A driver assistance system may be a vehicle control system configured to perform a driver assistance operation, such as implementing cruise control or performing an automated driving control operation. The control system may be configured to perform a driver assistance operation which includes at least one step which conserves energy stored in at least one battery. The control system may conserve energy by controlling a speed or following distance of a vehicle based on road parameter, such as an uphill grade or downhill grade.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2016Publication date: February 15, 2018Applicant: NextEV USA, Inc.Inventors: Robert Herb, Thomas Fritz
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Patent number: 9884544Abstract: An underbody unit (10) for reinforcing a motor vehicle body of a motor vehicle has a floor body (12) that is connectable to the motor vehicle body for dissipating loads of the motor vehicle body. The floor body (12) has an upper side (32) for supporting battery cell units (18) of a traction battery for driving the motor vehicle purely electrically and at least one cooling channel (26) for cooling the upper side (32). The floor body (12) and the underbody unit (10) form a supporting plate of a battery housing and can: support the battery cells (18) of the traction battery, form an armor plating to protect the battery cells (18) and define a heat exchanger that can actively and/or passively cool the battery cells (18) with the aid of the cooling channel (26).Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2015Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: Dr. Ing. H.c.f. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventors: Dennis Berger, Thomas Fritz
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Patent number: 9748538Abstract: A motor vehicle battery has a plurality of battery modules (12). Each battery module (12) is fastened to housing walls (15) of a battery housing (11). The battery housing (11) has at least two housing modules (17, 18) positioned above one another and formed with housing module walls (19, 20). At least some of the mutually adjoining housing module walls (19, 20) interengage in the manner of toothing to form the housing walls (15, 16).Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2013Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignees: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft, Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Thomas Fritz, Alexander Klausmann, Klaus Wipfler, Claus Gerald Pflueger, Roland Wiest
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Patent number: 9580066Abstract: A system for controlling a mode of operation of a vehicle having a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS), an engine, and a drive motor coupled to the RESS and the engine, the drive motor selectively powered by at least one of the RESS and the engine includes a controller operable to adjust the vehicle to operate in a plurality of operating modes including a first mode in which the drive motor is powered by the RESS, a second mode in which the drive motor is powered more by the engine than the RESS. When the second mode of operation is selected, controller is configured to operate the engine as necessary to maintain the RESS at or above a predetermined state of charge.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Karma Automotive LLCInventors: Henrik Fisker, Thomas Fritz, Paul E. Boskovitch, Kevin Walsh
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Publication number: 20170021740Abstract: An underbody of an electrically driven motor vehicle, with a vehicle supporting structure, which is bounded laterally in a transverse direction of the vehicle by two vehicle sills between which a multiplicity of battery modules is arranged, which battery modules are assigned a battery supporting structure and at least one battery temperature control device, and with supply and removal devices for a temperature control medium. The supply and removal devices for the temperature control medium are arranged in the region of the vehicle sills.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Felix Brendecke, Armin Steck, Alexander Klausmann, Harald Raiser, Maik-Uwe Zillich, Juergen Hofmann, Thomas Fritz, Matthias Herntier, Nicolas Schneider
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Patent number: 9461285Abstract: A motor vehicle battery having at least one battery module (11, 12) with battery cells (13, 14) positioned one behind the other and bounded by first walls (15) at opposite ends of the battery module (11, 12) and by second walls (16) at opposite longitudinal sides of the battery module (11, 12). Bottom ends of the battery cells (13, 14) bearing against a cooling plate (18). The battery cells (13, 14) of the battery module (11, 12) are pressed together between the first walls (15). A dummy cell (22) is positioned between two adjacent battery cells (13, 14) of the battery module (11, 12). A clamping bolt (23) extends through the dummy cell and presses the battery cells (13, 14) of the battery module (11, 12) against the cooling plate (18) in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2013Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventors: Alexander Klausmann, Thomas Fritz, Carsten Mueller
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Publication number: 20160244046Abstract: A system for controlling a mode of operation of a vehicle having a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS), an engine, and a drive motor coupled to the RESS and the engine, the drive motor selectively powered by at least one of the RESS and the engine includes a controller operable to adjust the vehicle to operate in a plurality of operating modes including a first mode in which the drive motor is powered by the RESS, a second mode in which the drive motor is powered more by the engine than the RESS. When the second mode of operation is selected, controller is configured to operate the engine as necessary to maintain the RESS at or above a predetermined state of charge.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2015Publication date: August 25, 2016Inventors: Henrik Fisker, Thomas Fritz, Paul E. Boskovitch, Kevin Walsh
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Patent number: 9425447Abstract: A motor vehicle battery has at least one battery module with a plurality of battery cells (11) that have connection poles and degassing predetermined breaking points (14). The battery module also has a common battery module control device (19) for all of the battery cells (11) of the battery module. The degassing predetermined breaking points (14) of the battery cells (11) are on one side of the battery module and are offset inward in relation to the connection poles of the battery cells to form a recess (15). A guide element (16) is positioned in the recess (15) and extends along all of the battery cells (11) of the respective battery module to define a degassing channel (17) on one side and defining an accommodation space (18) for the battery module control device (19) on the other side.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2013Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignees: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft, Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Thomas Fritz, Alexander Klausmann, Klaus Wipfler, Claus Gerald Pflueger
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Patent number: 9410865Abstract: A system for monitoring the leak-tightness of a tank, which is filled with a liquid with a lower density than water. The system has a liquid drain pipe, with a container that has a bottom, which is integrated horizontally in the liquid drain pipe with a damming element, which divides the container into a partial area on the supply flow side and partial area on the drain side. A first vibronic measuring device with a first vibrating unit protruding into the supply flow side partial area of the bottom determines whether the density of the medium undershoots a specified limit. A second vibronic measuring device with a second vibrating unit, at a position not exceeding the level of the first vibrating unit, which detects whether the vibrating unit are covered with medium, and with an evaluation unit uses the measured values of measuring devices to determine whether there is liquid from the tank in the container.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2011Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER MESSTECHNIK GMBH + CO. KGInventors: Thomas Fritz, Thorsten Springmann, Dirk Misselwitz
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Patent number: 9412984Abstract: A motor vehicle battery has at least one battery module (10) with a plurality of battery cells (11) bounded by battery module walls (12) of the battery module (10). Two opposite battery module walls (12) of the battery module (10) are between walls (14) of a battery housing or walls of a bodywork structure. Deformation elements (15) fasten the battery module walls (12) of the respective battery module (10) indirectly to walls (14) of the battery housing or of the bodywork structure, and the respective wall (14) of the battery housing or of the bodywork structure.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2013Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignees: Dr. Ing h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft, Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Thomas Fritz, Alexander Klausmann, Klaus Wipfler, Claus Gerald Pflueger