Patents Assigned to Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8342425
    Abstract: A fuel injector (10) includes an inlet tube (20). A valve body (12) is associated with the inlet tube to define a fuel passage (23). A valve seat (14) is associated with the valve body and defines an outlet opening (18). An armature (42) is movable with respect to the valve body between a first position and a second position. The armature is associated with a closure member (18) that opens and closes the outlet opening. An electromagnetic coil (40) is energizable to provide magnetic flux that moves the armature between the first and second positions to control fuel flow through the outlet opening. A heat exchanger (50) is provided in the inlet tube and a secondary coil (46) is energizable to provide a magnetic field to inductively heat the heat exchanger and thus fuel prior to exiting the outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Imoehl
  • Patent number: 8328158
    Abstract: A module solenoid valve (14) includes a valve body (16) defining an inlet opening (22) and an outlet opening (20). The valve body includes a valve seat (18) at a distal end thereof. A valve member (24) controls flow of fuel through the outlet opening. A movable armature (26) is coupled with the valve member such that movement of the armature moves the valve member between a closed position and an open position. A stator (38) is associated with the armature. An electromagnetic coil (36) is associated with the stator and armature for causing movement of the armature towards the stator. A spring (32) biases the armature and thus the valve member to the closed position. The spring provides a spring force that is greater than a first, normal hydrostatic force applied to the valve seat, but less than a second, overpressure hydrostatic force applied to the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney E. Crispen
  • Publication number: 20120302191
    Abstract: A system and method for receiving signals using a receiver with antenna switching capability is provided. The receiver is configured to poll each antenna of the plurality of antennas and process the signals from each antenna. In addition, the receiver coordinates providing power to each antenna with the polling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS US, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Farrell, Jean-Christophe Deniau, John R. Costello
  • Patent number: 8317112
    Abstract: A valve seat (16?) for a fuel injector (10) includes a main body (27) having a proximal and a distal end with at least one orifice (24) extending through the main body. A seating surface (22) is provided on the main body to receive a closure member (20) of a fuel injector such that when the closure member engages the seating surface, the at least one orifice is closed. A guide surface (36) is provided on the main body to guide movement of the closure member. An annular wall (26) extends in a cantilever manner from the main body at the distal end thereof and defines an outer peripheral portion of the valve seat. The wall is constructed and arranged to deform during welding at the wall so as to isolate effects of the welding from the seating surface and the guide surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Leigh Spiers, William J. Imoehl
  • Patent number: 8317157
    Abstract: A module solenoid valve (14) includes a valve body (16) defining an inlet opening (22) and an outlet opening (20). The valve body includes a seating surface (18) at a distal end thereof. A valve member (24) controls flow of fuel through the outlet opening. A movable armature (26) is coupled with the valve member such that movement of the armature moves the valve member between a closed position and an open position. A stator (38) is associated with the armature. A first spring (32) biases the armature and thus the valve member to the closed position. A cover (28) is coupled to the stator. A second spring 34 is between the cover and the armature to provide a biasing force on the armature. An electromagnetic coil (36) is associated with the stator and armature for causing movement of the armature towards the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Hornby
  • Patent number: 8307550
    Abstract: A fuel injector apparatus and method for use in a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine that includes a body, a valve seat, closure member, and an orifice plate. The valve seat comprises the intersection of two angled surfaces before assembly of the fuel injector. During assembly of the fuel injector, a member presses against the edge of the sealing surface of the valve seat to create an oblique third sealing surface or sealing band that is coined into the valve seat. The sealing band provides an improved seal between the valve closure member and the valve seat which operates to prevent leakages of fuel in the fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Imoehl
  • Publication number: 20120282885
    Abstract: A system and method for airbag deployment sensing with a mobile device is provided. The system senses an effluent indicative of airbag deployment with a chemical sensor and determines if an airbag deployment condition exists based on the sensing of the chemical sensor. The system may then initiate an emergency communication if it is determined that the airbag deployment condition exists.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS US, INC.
    Inventors: Siri Hamed, Bill Johnson, Tara Thweny, Karen Skalny, Syed Nabi, Shafer Seymour
  • Patent number: 8302390
    Abstract: A valve for controlling a wastegate actuator of a turbocharger. The valve includes a bobbin having a coil for generating a magnetic field and a stator having a top portion and an internal channel. The valve also includes a housing having a compressor port, a wastegate actuator port and an atmospheric port. The housing also includes a pair of walls for enabling movement of a permanent magnet between a first position wherein a magnetic attraction is formed between the top portion and the magnet to seal the internal channel to enable substantially equal boost pressure levels in the compressor and the wastegate actuator ports. The magnet is also movable to a second position wherein a magnetic field is generated by the coil for repelling the magnet to unseal the internal channel to enable a portion of the boost pressure level to be vented to atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk Ivens, Stavros Tsokonas
  • Patent number: 8302622
    Abstract: A pressure regulator (10) includes a fuel tube (30) having an inlet end (35), an outlet end (180), and a fuel chamber (40). The outlet end defines a valve seat (70). A valve element (80) engages the valve seat in a closed position to prohibit flow of fuel from the inlet end to the outlet end. The valve element moves to an open position when pressurized fuel builds in the fuel chamber. A valve biasing member (90) biases the valve element towards the valve seat in opposition to the pressurized fuel in the fuel chamber. The fuel tube includes pressure differential creating structure (170) at the outlet end thereof to create a pressure differential around the valve element and cause unbalanced fuel flow at the outlet end to promote the valve element to move towards a certain location at the outlet end when the valve element moves to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventor: Saul Abelardo Pena De Santiago
  • Publication number: 20120268219
    Abstract: An electronic high frequency induction heater driver, for a variable spray fuel injection system, uses a zero-voltage switching oscillator that utilizes a full H-bridge topology with inductors between semiconductor switches wherein the semiconductor switches are synchronized within the bridge for function. The induction heater driver, upon receipt of a turn-on signal, multiplies a supply voltage through a self-oscillating series resonance, wherein one component of the tank resonator circuit comprises an induction heater coil magnetically coupled to an appropriate loss component so that fuel inside a fuel component is heated to a desired temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS US, INC.
    Inventor: Perry Czimmek
  • Publication number: 20120267448
    Abstract: A heat exchanger, internal to an injector for a variable spray fuel injection system, uses nucleate boiling to maximize the heat flux from the heated metal to the fuel, wherein the nucleate boiling occurs along a control surface characterized by features conducive to generating detaching bubbles to transfer heat energy in a vapor flux. The source of heat flux may be an induction heater coil magnetically coupled to an appropriate loss component so that fuel inside a fuel component is heated to a desired temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS US, INC.
    Inventors: Perry Czimmek, Hamid Sayar
  • Publication number: 20120268221
    Abstract: An electronic high frequency induction heater driver, for a variable spray fuel injection system, uses a scalable array of zero-voltage switching oscillators that utilize full and half-bridge topology with inductors between semiconductor switches wherein the semiconductor switches are synchronous within each bridge for function, and each bridge is synchronized for function along the entire array. The induction heater driver, upon receipt of a turn-on signal, multiplies a supply voltage through a self-oscillating series resonance, wherein one component of each tank resonator circuit comprises an induction heater coil magnetically coupled to an appropriate loss component so that fuel inside a fuel component is heated to a desired temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS US, INC.
    Inventors: Perry Czimmek, Mike Hornby
  • Publication number: 20120268220
    Abstract: An electronic high frequency induction heater driver, for a variable spray fuel injection system, uses a scalable array of zero-voltage switching oscillators that utilize full and half-bridge topology wherein the semiconductor switches are synchronous within each bridge for function, and each bridge is synchronized for function along the entire array. The induction heater driver, upon receipt of a turn-on signal, multiplies a supply voltage through a self-oscillating series resonance, wherein one component of each tank resonator circuit comprises an induction heater coil magnetically coupled to an appropriate loss component so that fuel inside a fuel component is heated to a desired temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS US, INC.
    Inventors: Perry Czimmek, Mike Hornby
  • Publication number: 20120267359
    Abstract: An electronic high frequency induction heater driver, for a variable spray fuel injection system, uses a zero-voltage switching oscillator that utilizes a full H-bridge topology wherein the semiconductor switches are synchronized within the bridge for function. The induction heater driver, upon receipt of a turn-on signal, multiplies a supply voltage through a self-oscillating series resonance, wherein one component of the tank resonator circuit comprises an induction heater coil magnetically coupled to an appropriate loss component so that fuel inside a fuel component is heated to a desired temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS US, INC.
    Inventor: Perry Czimmek
  • Publication number: 20120268222
    Abstract: A power-oscillator-starting circuit for an electronic high frequency induction-heater driver. The induction-heater driver, upon receipt of a turn-on signal, generates a high frequency alternating current, wherein the alternating current through an induction-heater coil is magnetically coupled to an appropriate loss component for a variable-spray fuel-injection system. The induction-heater driver uses a power oscillator that is started and restarted as is appropriate based on a threshold current limit referenced to the supply voltage of the induction-heater driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS US, INC.
    Inventor: Perry Czimmek
  • Patent number: 8274298
    Abstract: A calibration structure (10) for calibrating a flex fuel sensor (12) for a vehicle is provided. The flex fuel sensor has a first sensor electrode (14) and a second sensor electrode (16). The calibration structure includes a first electrode (30), a second electrode (36) spaced from and electrically insulated from the first electrode, and at least one capacitor (40), or at least one resistor (42), or at least one combination of a capacitor with a resistor, of a certain value electrically connected with the first and second electrodes. The first electrode (30) is constructed and arranged to contact the first sensor electrode (16) and the second electrode (36) is constructed and arranged to contact the second sensor electrode (14) to provide a known input value to the flex fuel sensor for calibration of the flex fuel sensor without the use of test liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralf Woods, David VanZuilen, Thomas Nodine
  • Patent number: 8275511
    Abstract: A passive entry and start system includes a controller that calculates the cryptology required for each remote identification device during idle transmission time to reduce overall system actuation time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Patricia Kachouh, Brian Marlett, Jose Luis Herrera Martinez, Mauricio Carrera Manjarrez
  • Patent number: 8261686
    Abstract: An illuminated gauge assembly includes a top surface of a light housing that includes a scale and a light guide that extends through the light housing for distributing light onto the surface of the top surface. A single light source is disposed below the light housing and directs through the light guide onto the top surface of the light housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Vyacheslav B. Birman, Yang Yang
  • Patent number: 8261446
    Abstract: A fuel injector apparatus and method is provided for use in a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine that includes a body, a valve seat, closure member, and an orifice plate. The valve seat comprises the intersection of two angled surfaces with a radius before assembly of the fuel injector. During assembly of the fuel injector, a member presses against the radius edge of the sealing surface of the valve seat to create an oblique third sealing surface or sealing band that is coined into the valve seat. The sealing band provides an improved seal between the valve closure member and the valve seat which operates to prevent leakages of fuel in the fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Imoehl, Sidney Barry Judkins
  • Publication number: 20120206305
    Abstract: A method and device provides for the testing and validation of a control module for receiving wireless data and communications utilizes a transmission line coupler mounted proximate the control module generates a signal that couples to an antenna of the control module. The control module produces a signal in response to coupling of the antenna with the signal produced by the transmission line coupler. The resulting signal is utilized to check, verify and validate operation of the control module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS US, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Doyle, Jose Rodrigo Camacho Perez