Patents Assigned to Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7412972
    Abstract: A CNG fuel injector for a fuel system of an internal combustion engine. The fuel system includes a fuel rail and an engine manifold. The fuel injector includes a fuel inlet for fluid communication with the fuel rail, a fuel outlet having an orifice disposed along a longitudinal axis for fluid communication with the engine manifold, and a member proximate the fuel outlet downstream of the orifice for dispersing the CNG in a direction skewed from the longitudinal axis as the CNG flows from the orifice into the engine manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventor: Perry Robert Czimmek
  • Publication number: 20080189068
    Abstract: A method is provided for simulating a vehicle crash on a fuel delivery module of a vehicle. The fuel delivery module (11) has a flange (10) constructed and arranged to be coupled to a fuel tank, a fuel pump (12) for delivering fuel from the tank and through the flange, a reservoir (18) housing the fuel pump, and strut rods (14). Each strut rod has an end coupled to the reservoir or fuel pump and another end coupled to the flange at an interface. The method models a fuel tank associated with the fuel delivery module as a rigid or elastic shell. A solid model of the fuel delivery module is created. The solid model is meshed to create a finite element model. Fluid in the fuel tank is modeled with Lagrangian or arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian finite elements, or smoothed particle hydrodynamics particles. Solid fluid interactions are added to the meshed solid model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Brusoe
  • Patent number: 7407119
    Abstract: A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine including a body, a stator member, an armature, an electromagnetic coil, and a diamagnetic member. The body includes a passage extending along a longitudinal axis between inlet and outlet ends. The armature member is movable with respect to the stator member between a first configuration and a second configuration, and includes a closure member proximate the outlet end and contiguous to a seat in the first configuration, and spaced from the seat in the second configuration. The electromagnetic coil surrounds the passage, is disposed in a housing, and is energizable to provide magnetic flux that moves the armature between the first and second configuration to permit fuel flow through the passage. The diamagnetic member is proximate the electromagnetic coil so that when the electromagnetic coil is energized the magnetic flux flows around the diamagnetic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventor: Perry R. Czimmek
  • Patent number: 7406945
    Abstract: A fuel system includes a fuel rail that communicates fuel at a first pressure through a fuel amplifier to a fuel injector. The fuel pressure amplifier increases the pressure from the first pressure to a second pressure. The second pressure is higher than the first pressure and is communicated through each of the plurality of fuel injectors. The fuel amplifiers provide for the application of fuel pressure without the need to configure each and every fuel system component for the corresponding higher pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventor: Ulrich Augustin
  • Publication number: 20080183376
    Abstract: A vehicle information system which includes an in-vehicle system 105 and a centralized server system 120. The in-vehicle system communicates with the server system using a wireless communication link 110, such as over a cellular telephone system. A position system, such as a set of GPS satellites 140, provides positioning signals that are used by the in-vehicle systems, and optionally by the centralized server system to increase the accuracy of position estimates. In one version of the system, an operator specifies a destination to an in-vehicle system which validates the destination. The in-vehicle system transmits specification of the destination to a server system 125 at the centralized server. The server system computes a route to the destination and transmits the computed route to the in-vehicle system. The in-vehicle system guides the operator along the route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald P. Knockeart, Bob Drury, Melvin A. Rode, Steven Brown, Harry Asher, Paul A. Jozefowicz
  • Publication number: 20080177441
    Abstract: A receiver receives transmission containing information from different vehicle systems and determines an origin of that transmission according to the length of the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS US, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Marlett, Patricia Kachouh, Gerald Ostrander, Tejas B. Desai, Brian Farrell
  • Publication number: 20080173282
    Abstract: By-pass structure (45) is connected between a high pressure portion of a fuel pump (16) and an inlet of a jet nozzle (24) of a jet assembly (18) of a fuel delivery module (10) of a vehicle. The by-pass structure is constructed and arranged such that under certain conditions when the flow of fuel from the low pressure portion of the fuel pump alone is insufficient to operate the jet pump assembly, fuel is selectively permitted to flow through the by-pass structure from the high pressure portion of the fuel pump to the inlet of the jet nozzle ensuring that a sufficient flow of fuel is present at the jet assembly to draw fuel into the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul F. Briggs, Matthias Nederegger
  • Publication number: 20080173082
    Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring sensor includes resilient spring members to support and resist movement during rotation of the wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Hettle, Jean-Christophe Deniau
  • Patent number: 7401531
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a magnetoelastic torque sensor includes plating a magnetoelastic material to a magnetically inert substrate, and its endowment with uniaxial magnetic anisotropy through the creation within the transducer element of stress anisotropy. The plating of magnetostrictive material to the magnetically inert substrate provides a less expensive torque element that exhibits desired levels of accuracy and reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Cripe
  • Patent number: 7398769
    Abstract: A fuel supply unit (40) for vehicles includes a flange assembly (28) and a reservoir assembly (38). The flange assembly includes a flange (36), at least a pair of metal struts (26) extending from the flange, and electrically conductive spring structure (20). The spring structure includes a first and second spring members (24, 26) having coils. Each coil receives at least a portion of an associated strut. A central leg member (30) joins the first and second spring members. The reservoir assembly includes a reservoir (42), a fuel pump (44) in the reservoir, a fuel filter (46) in the reservoir and associated with the fuel pump for filtering fuel. The fuel filter has an electrically conductive portion (48). The struts are coupled with the reservoir with the spring members being disposed between the flange and the reservoir. The central leg member contacts the electrically conductive portion of the fuel filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventor: Parag Athalye
  • Patent number: 7398774
    Abstract: An electronic exhaust gas recirculation valve for an internal combustion engine selectably provides a recirculation path from engine exhaust to engine intake. A main spring biases the valve in a closed position. The main spring acts on a main spring receiving surface rigidly fixed to a pintle that operates the valve. A solenoid armature is biased against a surface rigidly fixed to the pintle by a spring acting between the pintle and the armature. The armature is permitted to move radially with respect to the pintle for alignment compensation. The main spring force does not affect frictional forces between the armature and the pintle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Burnett, Matthew Swinkels, Masanobu Tsurumi
  • Patent number: 7400139
    Abstract: An example angular position sensor assembly includes a sector member that rotates within a ring including a permanent magnet disposed centrally within the ring and a Hall-effect sensor adjacent the permanent magnet on an opposite side of the permanent magnet from the sector member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Spellman, Brian G. Babin, John K. Narney, II
  • Publication number: 20080165555
    Abstract: Cycle error correction is performed in an electronic power system to compensate for a difference between an AC grid side frequency and an AC load side frequency. The electronic power system can comprise an electronic power inverter, such as one usable with an uninterruptible power supply. Cycles of signals indicative of the AC grid power and the AC load power are counted and compared to obtain a cycle error value. If the cycle error value exceeds a first value to indicate that AC load side frequency is too high or too low, then compensation is performed to change the AC load side frequency to be closer to the AC grid side frequency. If the cycle error value falls below a second value to indicate that the AC grid side frequency and AC load side frequency are sufficiently close to one another, then the compensation is deactivated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS US, INC.
    Inventors: Duo Deng, Kenneth J. Farkas, Anil Tuladhar, Kerry E. Grand
  • Publication number: 20080149019
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS US, INC.
    Inventor: Kenichi Takato
  • Publication number: 20080150685
    Abstract: A method for bi-directional communication between a vehicle and a vehicle key includes providing a vehicle key with a connector to communicate with the vehicle, storing user data on the vehicle key, communicating with the vehicle with the vehicle key, and adjusting a plurality of vehicle settings to match the user data stored on the vehicle key responsive to communicating between the vehicle and the vehicle key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS US, INC.
    Inventors: Tejas Bhupendra Desai, Susan Adelle Drescher, Mark D. Wallace
  • Patent number: 7391211
    Abstract: A circuit for a fluxgate magnetometer includes a plurality of digital function blocks that are programmed as functions within a microcontroller. The microcontroller includes and implements the functions of an analog circuit to lower the cost and complexity of a digital fluxgate magnetometer circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Cripe
  • Patent number: 7389952
    Abstract: A fuel injector and various methods relating to the assembly of the fuel injector. The fuel injector includes a power group subassembly and a valve group subassembly having a respectively connected first and second connector portions. The power group subassembly includes an electromagnetic coil, a housing, at least one terminal, and at least one overmold formed over the coil and housing. The valve group subassembly insertable within the overmold includes a tube assembly having an inlet tube and a filter assembly and sealing ring proximate the inlet tube. A pole piece couples the inlet tube to one end of a non-magnetic shell having a valve body coupled to the opposite end. An axially displaceable armature assembly confronts the pole piece and is adjustably biased by a member and an adjusting tube toward engagement with a seat assembly. The seat assembly includes a flow portion and a securement portion having respective first and second axial lengths at least equal to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Dallmeyer
  • Publication number: 20080140288
    Abstract: Sensors are mounted within a seat structure for measuring seat occupant weight. The sensors can be mounted in any one of various sensor configurations. So that common hardware can be used for each different sensor configuration, a virtual matrix is created and output from the sensors is mapped into the virtual matrix. The virtual matrix includes virtual cell locations that do not have a corresponding sensor output; i.e., there are fewer physical cells (sensors) than virtual cell locations in the virtual matrix. A weight output signal from each sensor is mapped into the corresponding position in the virtual matrix and the remaining virtual cell locations have values assigned to them based on data supplied by the surrounding physical cells. Seat occupant weight is determined based on output from the virtual matrix and the occupant is placed into one of the various occupant classifications. Deployment force of a restraint system is controlled based on the classification of the seat occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS US, INC.
    Inventor: Gard Winkler
  • Publication number: 20080136363
    Abstract: A system, method, and article for protecting a power source for a machine from sudden changes in load. In one embodiment, energy is wasted in a winding of a motor in response to a decrease in a load presented to the power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS US, INC.
    Inventors: Richard J. Hampo, Venkatapathi R. Nallapa, Franz Prenner
  • Patent number: 7377040
    Abstract: Various methodologies relating to a polymeric fuel injector are disclosed. One method provides for manufacturing the fuel injector by forming a polymeric housing over a coil assembly and electrical connectors to provide a polymeric passage extending from an inlet to an outlet along a longitudinal axis; inserting components into the polymeric passage from at least one of the inlet and outlet; and securing a polymeric support member of a metering assembly to the housing. Another method provides for manufacturing a fuel injector housing by hermetically enclosing a polymeric housing over a coil assembly and electrical connectors to provide a continuous polymeric passage, the polymeric passage directly facing the longitudinal axis. Yet another method provides for manufacturing a metering assembly by providing a seat; and molding at least a portion of the seat to provide a polymeric support member that surrounds the outer circumference of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Hornby