Patents Assigned to Daimler AG
  • Fuel cell system and method of operating a fuel cell system
    Patent number: 8227122
    Abstract: In a fuel cell system a specific connection and a valve arrangement make it possible for a compressor to supply precompressed air to a fuel cell stack via a waste gas line, said air then leaving the fuel cell stack via a line which is otherwise an air feed line. In this way, a humidifier may be bypassed. This is sensible in particular during a start phase at low ambient temperatures, during which the fuel cell system is intended to warm up without moisture in the fuel cell stack having a negative effect, for instance by freezing. The compressor may be operated both in the start phase or stop phase and during conventional operation by the same mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Hans-Joerg Heidrich
  • Reinforcement Arrangement for A Door Pillar of a Passenger Car and Method for Producing Such a Reinforcement Arrangement
    Publication number: 20120181815
    Abstract: A reinforcement arrangement inside a cavity of a door pillar of a passenger car includes at least one reinforcement profile element, which is supported in a lower area by a support device of the reinforcement arrangement. The reinforcement profile element is reinforced in the area of the support device by an inner profile element arranged inside the cavity of the reinforcement profile element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Sascha Gentsch, Engelbert Gramer, Johann Seefried
  • Method for Cold Starting a Fuel Cell System and Fuel Cell System of a Motor Vehicle
    Publication number: 20120183814
    Abstract: The operational availability of a motor vehicle with a fuel cell is increased by providing that a defined quantity of the output power of the fuel cell system is consumed by a power consumption component in the heating-up phase and/or in the warm-up phase and that the consumed quantity of the output power is converted into power loss by impressing a suitable current into at least one winding of an electric motor which is to be energized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Clemens Boegershausen, Matthias Lederbogen, Bernhard Vogel
  • Method of Producing a Composite Component
    Publication number: 20120181731
    Abstract: A method of producing a composite component, in which a hollow section is expanded, at least in regions, by internal high pressure. In a first step a region of the hollow section is expanded until it comes to lie against an edge region of a cavity of a combined hydroforming and injection mold. In a second step the cavity is filled with an injection molding compound. In a third step the hollow section, at least in regions, is expanded further, which increases the internal high pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Kai-Uwe Dudziak, Juergen Falke, Eckhard Reese
  • Method and apparatus to offload offgoing clutch torque with asynchronous oncoming clutch torque, engine and motor torque for a hybrid powertrain system
    Patent number: 8221285
    Abstract: A powertrain includes an electromechanical transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an internal combustion engine and an electric machine adapted to selectively transmit mechanical power to an output member. A method for controlling the powertrain includes commanding a shift from a first operating range state to a second operating range state, identifying an off-going clutch, controlling torque output from said electric machine to offload reactive torque transmitted through said off-going clutch, selectively applying an oncoming clutch to offload reactive torque transmitted through said off-going clutch, and reducing a clutch torque capacity of said off-going clutch when said reactive torque transmitted through said off-going clutch is substantially zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, Jy-Jen F. Sah
  • Bipolar separators with improved fluid distribution
    Patent number: 8221930
    Abstract: A fuel cell separator having a first plate, the first plate including an active surface comprising a reactant flow field and a header fluidly connected thereto, an opposing non-active surface, and a header channel fluidly connected to the header, wherein the header further includes a recess directly fluidly connected to one end of the header channel, wherein the recess comprises a top perimeter and a side wall. In one embodiment, the header channel is formed on the active surface of the plate. In another embodiment, the header channel is formed on the non-active surface of the plate and the side wall of the header further comprises at least one fluid port fluidly connected to the end of the header channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignees: Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Simon Farrington
  • Method for altitude-compensated transmission shift scheduling
    Patent number: 8224539
    Abstract: A powertrain system includes an engine coupled to a transmission operative in one of a plurality of operating range states to transfer power between the engine and an output member. A method for controlling the powertrain system includes monitoring an operator torque request, monitoring barometric pressure and engine input speed to the transmission, determining an achievable range of input power transferable from the engine to the transmission based upon the barometric pressure and the engine input speed, and determining a preferred operating range state for the transmission and a preferred engine operating point at the preferred operating range state based upon the operator torque request and the achievable range of input power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Anthony H. Heap
  • Creation and depletion of short term power capability in a hybrid electric vehicle
    Patent number: 8224514
    Abstract: Short term power limits of an electrical energy storage device are progressively tightened toward long term power limits in accordance with net energy flow or magnitude or duration metrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Marc B. Center, William R. Cawthorne
  • Maneuvering aid and method for aiding drivers of vehicles or vehicle combinations comprising articulated vehicle elements
    Patent number: 8223204
    Abstract: When maneuvering a vehicle, due to the seated position of the driver, the problem arises that a large portion of the space to the rear of the vehicle to be observed is hidden by the vehicle body itself. Therefore, the vehicle driver is presented with a display of a camera image of the space to the rear of the vehicle with a perspective overlay of the driving path and/or the towing path of the vehicle (1). Said driver support system is configured such that it is also suitable for guiding a vehicle or vehicle combination (1) in which the trailer comprises a plurality of vehicle elements (2, 3) that are bendable relative to one another. In order to detect the steering angle (7) of at least one steerable axis (6) of the vehicle (1), and in order to determine the bending angle (5) between at least two vehicle elements (2, 3) bendable relative to one another, sensors are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Stefan Hahn
  • Battery with a Stack of Bipolar Individual Battery Cells
    Publication number: 20120177977
    Abstract: A battery includes a stack of bipolar individual battery cells, each of which includes an electrode stack and two sheet metal covers bounding the individual battery cell at least in the stacking direction. The electrode stack is connected to at least one of the sheet metal covers by at least one weld. In the region of the at least one weld, the sheet metal cover welded to the electrode stack and/or the sheet metal cover of the adjacent individual battery cell in contact with the sheet metal cover is/are of a set-back design. As a result, the sheet metal covers of adjacent individual battery cells do not have any contact in the region of the at least one weld.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Dirk Schroeter, Jens Meintschel, Martin Ertle, Rainer Kaufmann, Claudia Brasse, Claus-Rupert Hohenthanner, Joerg Kaiser
  • STEEL PISTON FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    Publication number: 20120174899
    Abstract: A steel piston with a piston upper part (12) with combustion chamber recess (11) and ring wall (5), and with a piston lower part (13) with piston body or piston skirt and with connecting rod bearing (8) for internal combustion engines with cylinder crankcases made of lightweight metal alloys, with at least the piston lower part consisting of a steel alloy which has a coefficient of thermal expansion in the range from 13 to 20×10?6 1/K.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: DAIMLER AG
    Inventor: Tilmann Haug
  • Method for operating an internal combustion engine for a hybrid powertrain system
    Patent number: 8219303
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain system includes an internal combustion engine operatively connected to a second torque machine to transmit torque to an output member. A method for operating the hybrid powertrain system includes monitoring an operator torque request, determining an output torque command based upon the operator torque request, commanding a transition between an engine-off state and an engine-on state, monitoring an engine crank angle, spinning the engine unfueled, estimating cylinder pressure based upon the engine crank angle during the spinning of the engine, predicting a cylinder pulse torque based upon the cylinder pressure, determining a cancellation torque for the second torque machine based upon the predicted cylinder pulse torque, and controlling motor torque output from the second torque machine based upon the cancellation torque and the output torque command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: R. Travis Schwenke, Todd D. Brandel
  • Device for treating reaction gases in fuel cells
    Patent number: 8216728
    Abstract: The invention relates to devices for operating fuel cells. According to the invention, the two functions “cooling” and “humidification” are combined in a functional unit (10) to adjust the temperature of the air (1) supplied as the reaction medium and to humidify it. Membranes (5) are used that consist of a temperature-resistant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Konrad, Heiner Kunckel
  • Method for Operation of a Fuel Cell System in a Vehicle
    Publication number: 20120171585
    Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell system in a vehicle that is switchable to a temporary stop mode and restarted from the stop mode. When, in certain driving situations, it is required to switch to the stop mode, it is then checked whether the operating conditions of the fuel cell system allow a switch to the stop mode. If the switch is allowed it takes place. When a restart of the fuel cell system is required on the basis of the vehicle the settings of the stop mode are cancelled again. The switch to the stop mode involves, with further existing electric contacting of the fuel cell, the air mass flow conveyed by the air conveying device being switched off or reduced to a predefined value and the pressure of the combustion gas supplied being reduced to a predefined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Helmut Mueller, Sven Schmalzriedt, Klaus Weigele
  • Internal combustion engine having two exhaust gas turbochargers connected in series
    Patent number: 8209982
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine having two exhaust gas turbochargers which are connected in series and a bypass line which bypasses the exhaust gas turbine close to the engine and extends to a collecting space of the turbine remote from the engine, and a blow-off valve is integrated into the turbine housing of the remote exhaust gas turbine for controlling a communication path between the collecting space and the turbine wheel, and includes a control sleeve supported axially movably between a closed position in which the communication path is blocked and a fully open position in which a flow path by-passing the turbine wheel of the turbine remote from the engine is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Siegfried Sumser, Michael Stiller, Peter Fiedersbacher
  • Wheel or wheel cover
    Patent number: D663247
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Hans-Peter Bildhaeuser
  • Wheel or wheel cover
    Patent number: D663249
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Fan Zhang
  • Radiator grill for a vehicle
    Patent number: D663656
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Klaus Frenzel, Hans-Dieter Futschik, Robert Lesnik, Volker Leutz, Gorden Wagener
  • Rear bumper for a vehicle
    Patent number: D663657
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Klaus Frenzel, Hans-Dieter Futschik, Robert Lesnik, Volker Leutz, Gorden Wagener
  • Vehicle, toy, and/or other replicas
    Patent number: D664070
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Hans-Dieter Futschik, Steffen Koehl, Frank Pfisterer, Gorden Wagener, Fan Zhang