Patents Assigned to Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
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Patent number: 7531915Abstract: A system and method for controlling power flow between power sources and a load in a power system are disclosed. Briefly described, one embodiment is a method for transferring power from a plurality of power sources to an AC system through an IPC module. The IPC module receives a first amount of power from a first power source that is external to the IPC module, receives a second amount of power from a second power source that is external to the IPC module, controls at least a first amount of direct current (DC) power through a first primary converter module coupled to a DC bus, receives a second amount of DC power from a second primary converter module coupled to the DC bus, converts the first and the second amounts of DC power into AC power, and transfers the AC power to the AC power system.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2006Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventors: Kon-King M. Wang, Kent M. Harmon
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Publication number: 20090115262Abstract: A method of producing a laminated armature for a fuel injector provides providing a plurality of laminations (10) in plate-shaped strip stock material (12). Each lamination has a base (11) and a plurality of tabs (20, 22) extending from the base. The base and tabs are coplanar. The laminations are cut from the strip material, with the tabs having free ends (25). The tabs are bent so as to be generally transverse with respect to the base. The laminations are then stacked on top of each other and joined together. The free ends of the tabs are cut to define a generally planar impact surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2008Publication date: May 7, 2009Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventor: Dean Leigh Spiers
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Publication number: 20090108222Abstract: A spring-actuator assembly (10) is provided for a fuel pressure regulator. The assembly includes a housing (30) and a washer spring (10) received in the housing. The washer spring has a body (12) with a top surface (13) and a bottom surface (15). The body includes an opening (14) there-through and a plurality of pleats (16, 16?) therein so that that first faces (20) of the top surface are disposed on a plane that is different from a plane of second faces (22) of the top surface. At least certain first faces define contact points (24). The assembly also includes an actuating member (26) disposed at least partially in the opening and engaging the contact points of the certain first faces such that a fluid flow passage (36) are defined between the washer spring and the actuating ball for dampening.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2008Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventors: Dean Leigh Spiers, Harish Domala
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Publication number: 20090107473Abstract: Cold start structure (10) for a fuel injection system includes a fuel rail (12) constructed and arranged to receive a source of fuel. A plurality of fuel injectors (14) is provided with each fuel injector being mounted to the fuel rail to receive fuel. Each fuel injector includes an injector body (24) having an inlet (22) and an outlet (25) and valve structure (26) in the injector body movable between open and closed positions to control flow of fuel from the outlet. Heating structure (16) is associated with each fuel injector and includes a main body (18) mounted to a portion of the fuel rail and a heating element (20) mounted with respect to the main body and extending through the fuel rail, into the inlet of the associated fuel injector, and extending into the injector body of the associated fuel injector.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2008Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventors: William J. Imoehl, Michael J. Hornby
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Publication number: 20090107126Abstract: A reductant delivery unit (16) is provided unit for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) after-treatment for vehicles. The unit includes a solenoid fluid injector (18) associated with an exhaust gas flow path (13). The injector has a fluid inlet (28) and a fluid outlet (30) with the fluid inlet receiving a source of urea solution and the fluid outlet communicating directly with the exhaust flow path so as to control injection of urea solution into the exhaust gas flow path. Supply structure (32) defines the fluid inlet and includes a cup (37) coupled to a body (18) of the injector and a supply tube (29) integral with the cup to define a single member. The supply tube is coupled with the source (27) of urea solution to deliver urea solution to the fluid inlet. The supply tube is heated by a heat source (33) so that an entire volume of the urea solution delivered to the fluid inlet is heated.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2008Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Bugos, Willem Nicolaas van Vuuren
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Patent number: 7524426Abstract: A cyclonic separator (10) separates contaminants from liquid fuel. The separator includes a body (12) having a base portion (14) and sidewall structure (16) extending from the base portion. The base portion and sidewall structure define an internal volume (V). An inlet port (18) in the body communicates with the internal volume, and an outlet port (20) in the body also communicates with the internal volume. The sidewall structure is constructed and arranged to cause fuel, containing a mixture of liquid fuel and contaminants, that enters the inlet port, to move in a generally circular manner in the internal volume so that the contaminants (P) separate from the liquid fuel, with the contaminants settling in the base portion and the liquid fuel (F?) moving through the outlet port.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2007Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventor: Jeffery John Milton
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Patent number: 7523559Abstract: A method of controlling an electronic compass assembly includes calibrating magnetic field sensors to produce a calibration product and determining whether a magnetic interference condition exists based upon the calibration product. In one example, the calibration product includes a calibration ellipse. In another example, the method includes determining a first length of time that corresponds to a duration of a magnetic interference condition or a second length of time that corresponds to an elapsed time after the magnetic interference condition. A portion of the electronic compass is controlled based upon the first length of time or the second length of time.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2005Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventors: Philippe Fillatreau, Francois-Xavier Bernard
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Patent number: 7523746Abstract: A fuel delivery module 14 and fuel tank combination includes a fuel tank 16 for a vehicle. The fuel tank has a top wall 25 and a bottom surface 20. A fuel pump 18 is disposed in the fuel tank. The fuel pump has an axis A disposed generally at an acute angle ? with respect to the bottom surface of the fuel tank. A fuel filter 22 is disposed in the fuel tank generally adjacent to the fuel pump. A flange 23 is mounted to the top wall 25 of the fuel tank.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2007Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventors: Mike Brusoe, Dieter Hagist
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Patent number: 7526382Abstract: The method and system of this invention discriminates between a lateral collision and a static non-collision event by measuring lateral velocity of the vehicle and adjusting a threshold value causing occupant restraint system actuation according to the measured lateral velocity. The threshold value is decreased in response to an increase in lateral velocity and increased or maintained at a higher value when lateral velocity is minimal to prevent actuation caused by a non-crash event such as a door slam.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2006Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey D. Gleacher, Thomas J. Malbouef, Jr.
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Patent number: 7520243Abstract: An example display assembly includes a first and second dial face with a first pointer and a second pointer. An information display is disposed between the second scale and the second axis that generates data to communicate information about the vehicle. The second pointer includes a transparent portion to provide uninterrupted viewing of an information display within the second dial face.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2006Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventor: Kenichi Takato
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Patent number: 7521648Abstract: Preferred embodiments of a system and methods to deliver different magnitudes of laser power density to a work piece while maintaining a constant focusing spot size are described. In particular, the system includes a laser, an optical focusing assembly and an overlay. The overlay receives a laser beam having a perimeter at a first magnitude of power and transmits the laser beam to the optical focusing assembly at about the same perimeter and at a magnitude lower than the first magnitude. In a preferred embodiment, the overlay can include an optically neutral blocking lens or a neutral density filter. A method of laser machining an orifice at a suitable average power density sufficient to machine the orifice with reduced heat affected zone, spatters, soots or recasts is described. A method of providing a focusing spot size of a generally constant effective area by a laser machining system is also described.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2004Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventor: John James Horsting
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Patent number: 7506996Abstract: A vehicle display includes two colored light sources that are operatively connected to a circuit board. Each of the two colored light sources emits a colored light that mixes to form a desired color of display light that illuminates a vehicle graphic. The desired color of display light is within a predetermined color tolerance. The vehicle display achieves a small size without incurring added expenses associated with using more than two light sources.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2005Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventors: Vyacheslav B. Birman, Christian Tanguy, Werner Eckardt, Shirley Yu
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Patent number: 7503417Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided that classifies a seat occupant into one of several different weight classes based on an estimated value of the seat occupant weight. An occupant's measured weight varies when the occupant's seating position changes or when the vehicle travels over adverse road conditions. A plurality of weight sensors are used to measure the weight exerted by a seat occupant against a seat bottom and are used to determine center of gravity for the seat occupant. A seat belt force sensor is also used to assist in classifying the seat occupant. Compensation factors using the seat belt force and center of gravity information are used to generate an estimated weight value. The estimated value of the occupant weight is compared to a series of upper and lower weight thresholds assigned to each of the weight classes to generate an occupant weight sample class. Over a period of time, several estimated weight values are compared to the weight class thresholds.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2006Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventors: Harald Lichtinger, Brian M. Curtis, Robert Graf, Daniel Reich, Scott Morrell, Maria Kremer
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Patent number: 7505294Abstract: A tri-level inverter power module has an architecture employing a high degree of modularity that allows a base power module to be quickly, easily, and cost effectively configured to address a large variety of applications.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2003Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventors: Sayeed Ahmed, Fred Flett, Ajay V. Patwardhan, Douglas K. Maly
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Publication number: 20090061692Abstract: A wire harness assembly and flange combination of a mechanical returnless fuel system includes a wire harness assembly (10) having at least two terminals (14?). Each terminal is joined with at least one wire (12?) via an electrical connection (15?). Diode structure (16) is electrically connected between the at least two terminals. A body (18) of plastic material encapsulates at least the electrical connection. A flange (20) is molded from plastic material and defines an inside region (26) and an outside region (22). The terminals are accessible from the outside region of the flange, with ends of the wires being accessible from the inside region of the flange. The plastic material of the flange encapsulates at least a portion of body, the diode structure, and at least a portion of the terminals.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2008Publication date: March 5, 2009Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventors: Michael T. Brusoe, Matthias Nederegger
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Patent number: 7495403Abstract: A torque current peak compensation value is subtracted from a torque current reference value, where the torque current peak compensation value is based at least in part on a determined peak of vibration. A torque current compensation value is subtracted from the results to produce an adjusted torque current reference value.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2005Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventors: Christophe Soudier, Richard J. Hampo, Vinod Reddy, Venkatapathi R. Nallapa
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Publication number: 20090033478Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring device includes a memory that includes a plurality of selectable communication protocols to govern communication and operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2008Publication date: February 5, 2009Applicants: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS US, INC., CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Jean-Christophe Deniau, Brian J. Farrell, John R. Costello, Tejas B. Desai, Franck Bigot
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Publication number: 20090035985Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a housing supporting a plurality of terminals for a primary circuit and at least two terminals for a sensor circuit. A mating header includes terminals corresponding to the primary circuit and to the sensor circuit. A conductive link is disposed in either the housing or the header to short the sensor terminals disposed therein. Once the mating components of the connector are attached, the sensor circuit is completed through the conductive link and an indication of a proper connection can be verified.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2008Publication date: February 5, 2009Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventors: Tom Jones, John Perry
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Patent number: 7484377Abstract: A system and method for detecting failure of a cooling system in an alternating current machine, such as a motor and/or a generator. For example, in one embodiment energy wasting is initiated and a failure is indicated if a temperature rises by more than a selected amount over a selected time period.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2004Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventor: Venkatapathi Raju Nallapa
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Publication number: 20090025691Abstract: A reservoir-less fuel delivery module (10) for a fuel tank of a vehicle includes a flange (26) constructed and arranged to be mounted to an opening in a fuel tank of a vehicle. The module includes a pump and filter structure (20) having a fuel pump (14) and a fuel filter (24) surrounding at least a portion of the fuel pump for filtering fuel exiting the fuel pump. The module includes a mounting member (30) to which the pump and filter structure is mounted. Clip structure (34) couples the mounting member to the flange so that the pump is decoupled from the flange.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2008Publication date: January 29, 2009Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventors: John P. Wattai, Brandon J. Goll