Patents Assigned to CONTINENTAL
  • Method For Triggering A Plurality Of Actuators Of A Safety System Of A Motor Vehicle From An Energy Source
    Publication number: 20200062201
    Abstract: A method and a control unit for triggering a plurality of actuators of a safety system of a motor vehicle from an energy source are provided. The triggering and a respectively desired trigger time window for the respective actuator are determined based on sensor signals. An on-board electrical system and, in addition, at least one autarky capacitor are provided as the energy source, where the autarky capacitor/s is/are charged from the on-board electrical system. In the event of a destruction of the on-board electrical system, the triggering is adjusted such that at least a part of the actuators provided for triggering are still triggered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Hubert Melzl, Ludwig Ertl, Ernst Futterlieb
  • Valve assembly and fluid injection valve
    Patent number: 10570862
    Abstract: A valve assembly may include: a valve body with a longitudinal axis and a cavity; a valve needle; and a driving device for displacing the valve needle. In some embodiments, the valve needle comprises a disc element. The disc element and the driving device comprise mutually facing and radially extending coupling surfaces, the coupling surfaces having an overlapping area of at least 35% of the cross-sectional area of the cavity. The driving device takes the disc element with it for displacing the valve needle in the opening direction solely by means of hydraulic interaction between the coupling surfaces when the driving device is displaced in the opening direction. The coupling surface of the driving device engages in a form-fit connection with the coupling surface of the disc element for pushing the valve needle towards the closing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Ivano Izzo
  • Method for determining the composition of the fuel used to operate an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 10570831
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine may include: measuring dynamic pressure oscillations in the inlet tract at a defined operating point during normal operation; generating a corresponding pressure oscillation signal; determining a crankshaft phase angle; determining an actual phase position using the pressure oscillation signal by discrete Fourier transformation; determining a chemical composition of the fuel using the determined actual phase position and reference phase positions of the same signal frequency for different fuel compositions; and adjusting operating parameters of the internal combustion engine based on the determined chemical composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Tobias Braun, Gerhard Haft, Rainer List
  • Baffled donut apparatus for use in system and method for forming gypsum board
    Patent number: 10569237
    Abstract: A system and method for introducing a slurry mixture for making gypsum board is disclosed. The system includes, for example, a mixer, a foam injector, and a canister for mixing and moving a slurry mixture of foam and gypsum slurry. Also included in the system is an apparatus having a funnel body constructed and arranged to further mix the slurry mixture. The funnel body includes a number of baffles projecting from its inner wall towards a center and that are spaced around the inner wall. The baffles induce turbulence into the slurry mixture as the slurry mixture moves towards its outlet, thus further mixing the mixture and reducing the flow rate of the slurry mixture before its exits from the outlet for depositing onto paper to form the gypsum board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL BUILDING PRODUCTS OPERATING COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Roger Jones
  • Fluid-injection device for internal combustion engines
    Patent number: 10570864
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to internal combustion engines. Various embodiments of the teaching thereof may include a fluid injection device for internal combustion engines, for example: a valve body with a valve needle; a spring element compressed in a radial direction between the valve body and the valve needle; the spring element supporting the valve needle on the valve body; and the spring element guiding the valve needle to at least substantially prevent tilting of the valve needle relative to the longitudinal axis during operation of the fluid injection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Dejan Jovovic, Anatoliy Lyubar
  • Method using ultra high frequency waves for locating a portable device giving “hands free” access to a vehicle, associated locating device and portable device
    Patent number: 10564254
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for locating a portable device giving “hands free” access to a vehicle, by a location device intended to be installed in the vehicle, the portable device communicating with the location device by ultra high frequency waves, the invention consisting at each transmission of an ultra high frequency signal by the location device: of simultaneously transmitting by the location device at least one ultrasonic signal, intended for the portable device; of measuring a delay between a first time of reception of the ultra high frequency signal and un second time of reception of the ultrasonic signal by the portable device; of determining a distance between the portable device and the location device on the basis of the delay thus measured. Also disclosed is a location device and a corresponding portable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Rachid Benbouhout, Sylvain Godet
  • System for measuring parameters associated with motor vehicle wheels
    Patent number: 10567940
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of locating a plurality of electronic measuring modules mounted in the wheels of a motor vehicle. The method includes the steps of determination (E1) by each electronic measuring module of a set of proximity scores with respect to the other modules, sending (E2) by each module of the set of proximity scores to the electronic control unit, reception (E3) by an electronic control unit of the sets of proximity scores sent, and location (E4) of each module from the sets of proximity scores received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Nicolas Guinart, Jean-Philippe Boisset, Olivier Fudulea, Jean-Charles Huard
  • Filter assembly and fuel injector
    Patent number: 10563631
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to filters in general, and the teachings may be applied to a filter assembly for use in a fuel injector, the fuel injector, and internal combustion engines. A filter assembly may include: a filter element with a frame having an axial end and a tubular filter housing receiving the filter element. The filter housing may have a side wall with a taper supporting the axial end. The taper may have the shape of a conic section with an opening angle ? of less than 180°. The outer circumferential surface of the frame may include a first section in the section of the taper having the shape of a conic section with an opening angle ? of less than 180°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Ivano Izzo, Cedric Louis Adrien Leger-Cartier, Gianluigi Manzo, Luca Matteucci, Marco Mechi
  • Fuel injection systems
    Patent number: 10557432
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a method for operating an internal combustion engine with a fuel injection system including a piezo actuator comprising: stopping the discharge phase of the actuator during an injection cycle; measuring a voltage profile at the actuator; comparing a feedback signal at the actuator with a setpoint value; varying the discharge time of the actuator in successive injection cycles until the feedback signal corresponds to the setpoint value; defining a servo valve closing time as a defined offset with respect to the optimized discharge time; and using the defined servo valve closing time to set an injection quantity of fuel for future injection cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Vincent Dian, Matthias Scheid
  • SAFETY CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USE IN VEHILCES
    Publication number: 20200039529
    Abstract: A vehicle safety control system includes: a passive safety device, configured to afford passive safety protection to the vehicle; a fault detection device, configured to detect whether any fault has occurred in the passive safety device and which upon detection of a fault in the passive safety device instructs that fault information informing of such fault in the passive safety device be transmitted to a control device. The vehicle safety system also includes a control device, configured to respond to the fault information that is received, determine a corresponding active safety protection solution and issue a control instruction of such active safety protection solution to an active safety device; and an active safety protection device, configured to respond to control instructions and execute the active safety protection solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Yiqun Wang
  • Sensor for measuring the pressure prevailing in a motor vehicle cylinder head
    Patent number: 10551269
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor for measuring the pressure prevailing in a motor vehicle cylinder head, the sensor including a tubular body and an element sensitive to variations in the pressure, mounted in the tubular body. The sensitive element includes a tether including a fixing portion for fixing the tether to the tubular body, a tubular portion and a membrane fixed to the tubular portion at a connecting zone. The sensor is notable in that the connecting zone and the fixing zone are separated by a non-zero distance along the longitudinal axis and in that the tether includes, between the connecting zone and the fixing portion, a portion for absorbing a mechanical deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Matthieu Joly, Cyrille Patri
  • Method for controlling depressurisation in a motor vehicle fuel tank
    Patent number: 10549629
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling depressurization in a fuel tank of a motor vehicle, including: the initial controlled opening of the isolation valve in order to lower the pressure inside the tank; determination of a blockage condition in the roll over valve on the basis of at least one item of information relating to the pressure gradient in the tank following the initial opening of the isolation valve; and, if the roll over valve blockage condition is met, the controlled closing of the isolation valve, followed by its controlled re-opening in order to continue lowering the pressure in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH, AUDI AG
    Inventors: Thierry Collet, Oliver Grunwald, Aurélien Groussard
  • Fuel injection assembly
    Patent number: 10550813
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates in general to injectors and, more specifically, to a fuel injection assembly that may be used in an internal combustion engine. In some embodiments, a fuel injection assembly may include: a fuel injector with a fuel inlet port and a fuel outlet end; and an injector cup with a recess receiving the fuel inlet port of the fuel injector through an opening of the recess. The injector cup comprises a collar extending circumferentially around the opening. The injector cup comprises a tab extending longitudinally beyond the opening in a direction towards the fuel outlet end. The tab projects axially beyond the collar in a longitudinal direction towards the fuel outlet end. The fuel injector comprises a pocket receiving the tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Gisella Di Domizio, Matteo Soriani
  • ASSEMBLY FOR A COMBUSTION ENGINE
    Publication number: 20200032754
    Abstract: An assembly (1) for a combustion engine is disclosed. It comprises a coupling element (5) with a penetrating opening (17), a retaining element (13), and a bolt (3). The bolt (3) extends through the penetrating opening (17) which is shaped by a circumferential surface (18) extending between a first axial end (7) and a second axial end (9) of the penetrating opening (17) through the coupling dement (5). A coupling between the retaining element (13) and the bolt (3) is established in a region subsequent to the first axial end (7) in direction from the second axial end (9) to the first axial end (7) and the retaining element (13) and the coupling element (5) interact mechanically to restrict an axial displacability of the retaining element (13) relative to the coupling element (5). The bolt (3) is locked with respect to axial displacement relative to the coupling element (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Giandomenico SERRA, Andrea PUCCINI, Stefano BARTOLINI
  • MODULAR LADAR SENSOR
    Publication number: 20200025895
    Abstract: A lightweight, inexpensive LADAR sensor incorporating 3-D focal plane arrays is adapted specifically for modular manufacture and rapid field configurability and provisioning. The sensor generates, at high speed, 3-D image maps and object data at short to medium ranges. The techniques and structures described may be used to extend the range of long range systems as well, though the focus is on compact, short to medium range ladar sensors suitable for use in multi-sensor television production systems and 3-D graphics capture and moviemaking. 3-D focal plane arrays are used in a variety of physical configurations to provide useful new capabilities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL ADVANCED LIDAR SOLUTIONS US, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Gilliland, Laurent Heughebaert, Joseph Spagnolia, Brad Short, Roger Stettner
  • Fuel injector and fuel injector assembly
    Patent number: 10539105
    Abstract: A fuel injector may include a fuel injector body having a central longitudinal axis, a plate element for coupling the fuel injector to a fuel injector cup, a snap ring and a spring element is specified. The snap ring is operable to block a movement of the fuel injector body relative to the plate element in a first direction of the central longitudinal axis. The spring element is operable to bias the plate element in a second direction of the central longitudinal axis opposing the first direction of the central longitudinal axis to prevent a movement of the plate element relative to the fuel injector body during coupling to the fuel injector cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Giandomenico Serra, Alessio Cerrai, Mose Gado
  • Method of managing an electronic circuit including a thermal protection device and corresponding electronic circuit
    Patent number: 10535991
    Abstract: A method for managing an electronic circuit (2) including a thermal protection device (12) interrupting the operation of the electronic circuit when a measured temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold, includes counting the electronic circuit operation interruptions and interrupting the operation of the electronic circuit when the number of counted interruptions reaches a predetermined value and when no reset has taken place. The corresponding circuit includes: a counter (16); linking elements between the counter and the thermal protection device such that the counter can indicate the number of operation interruptions caused by the thermal protection device; and elements for resetting the counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Angelo Pasqualetto, Jean-Marie Quintin
  • Methods and apparatuses for unlocking a motor vehicle having an engine start and/or vehicle entry system
    Patent number: 10532720
    Abstract: Various embodiments may include systems for unlocking a motor vehicle. For example, an apparatus may include: a motor vehicle key for unlocking a motor vehicle having a remote engine start and/or vehicle entry system. The motor vehicle key comprises a Bluetooth antenna and a motor vehicle communication antenna. A controller of the motor vehicle key is configured to: use the Bluetooth antenna to set up a Bluetooth link to a mobile radio terminal using an activation key stored in a memory of the motor vehicle key; and instruct a motor vehicle controller installed in the motor vehicle to prompt an operation of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Herbert Froitzheim, Robert Obermaier
  • Method to assist with the starting of a motor vehicle combustion engine
    Patent number: 10519919
    Abstract: A method for assistance in starting a heat engine of a motor vehicle including an auxiliary network supplied by a low-voltage auxiliary battery and by a voltage-controlled DC current source. This method is launched in the first place when the electronic control system of the vehicle is woken up as a result of a specific action performed by a user, which may be followed by an action of starting the heat engine. This method also consists in controlling the current source so as to cause it to operate at its maximum power during a time interval adapted to reach a maximum positive polarization of the auxiliary battery, and then, at the end of this time interval, in the absence of an effective starting command, controlling the current source so as to cancel the current flowing in the auxiliary battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Damien Verdier, Paul Boucharel, Jerome Lachaize
  • Method and a control device for operating a tank venting system of an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 10508619
    Abstract: Various embodiments may include a method and a control device for operating a tank venting system of an internal combustion engine. For example, a method for operating an engine may include: activating a scavenge air pump disposed in a regeneration line with a fuel vapor retention filter; upon reaching a constant speed of an impeller of the scavenge air pump conveying the scavenge air, detecting a pressure upstream of the scavenge air pump and a pressure downstream of the scavenge air pump; calculating a differential pressure across the scavenge air pump; determining the degree of loading of the fuel vapor retention filter based at least in part on the differential pressure; and adjusting a fuel injection time based on the degree of loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Erwin Achleitner, Gerhard Haft, Roland Haufler, Manfred Weigl