Patents Assigned to Daimler-Benz
  • Patent number: 6808139
    Abstract: A guidance method for guidance systems is disclosed. The method includes forming a target track point with a target tracker. The method corrects the track point with a manual correction signal. A speed of rotation of the line of sight is determined with the target tracker. A track control system dynamic model is provided for forming an estimated value for the rotation speed of the line of sight. The estimated value for the rotation speed of the line of sight is formed from the determined speed of rotation of a line of sight corrected with a correction value generated with the dynamic model of the track control circuit based on the manual correction signal. The estimated value of the speed of rotation of the line of sight is then used for guidance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aerospace AG
    Inventor: Richard Sturm
  • Patent number: 6734904
    Abstract: An imaging system with brightness control includes an image capture subsystem and an image control block and is adapted for use in conjunction with an image processing application. The image capture subsystem receives an image and converts this image into digital image data. The digital signal is then stored in a video buffer for access by the image control block. The image control block provides brightness control of an image sensor in the image control subsystem to optimize the brightness of the desired area of interest in the image relative to the background. In one application, the imaging system is used in conjunction with a lane tracking system image processing application to detect roadway lane markings from a moving vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignees: Iteris, Inc., Daimler-Benz AG
    Inventors: Cathy L. Boon, Steffi Mehring
  • Patent number: 6531011
    Abstract: A brake unit having a brake disc of ceramic and a hub of a different material, which radially overlap one another with their mutually facing rims and are mechanically joined by a wreath-type rim of mounting bolts that axially penetrate the overlapping rims. The mounting bolts are uniformly included in the transmission of torque. Entrainment bores or slots provided in the brake disc are plastically lined with a metal or plastic sleeve, or the disc material is formed specifically to certain areas in this region as a plastically deformable C/C structure. A method is disclosed for manufacturing a partially ceramized molded article, in particular a brake disc having a C/C structure in the area of the entrainment bores or slots. A completely non-metallic brake unit and a method for its manufacture are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Daimler Benz AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Gross, Tillman Haug, Kolja Rebstock, Christian Schwarz
  • Patent number: 6447631
    Abstract: A process for joining components and assembly units of rail-borne vehicles by bonding is described, in which the use of an adhesive, which produces fatigue strength but cures more slowly, is combined with the use of an adhesive that ensures sufficient strength for handling in a short time, wherein complicated design of the bonded joints as well as the need for a large amount of devices are to be avoided, manufacturing tolerances are to be equalized, and defined minimum bonded gap widths are to be maintained. Furthermore, the wetting by the adhesive shall be limited to selected joining surfaces, without having to remove and dispose of the edge limitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: ABB Daimler-Benz Transportation
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schähl, Peter Weichelt
  • Patent number: 6446600
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement and engine management device for a combustion engine, the engine management device including the sensor arrangement for detecting variables indicative of engine load, a mechanism for determining engine load on the basis of measured values supplied by the sensor, as well as a throttle-valve position control loop. At least two of the sensors of the sensor arrangement, which may include a mass air-flow sensor, an intake-air temperature sensor, an induction-pipe pressure sensor, and a throttle-valve position sensor, are microintegrated in a modular unit. The engine management device is made such that a sensor device with the at least two sensors, the mechanism for determining, engine load and/or the throttle-valve position controller used in the throttle-valve position control loop are microintegrated in a modular unit. The engine management device can be used, for example, for controlling a spark ignition engine in a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Matthias Scherer, Hans Hubert Hemberger, Winfried Stiltz, Gunther Alberter
  • Publication number: 20020092300
    Abstract: An engine brake for a supercharged internal combustion engine for driving a motor vehicle is operated such that the working gas compressed during engine braking, prior to the end of the expansion cycle, is drawn at least partially from the working chambers of the engine through at least one throttle valve, with an exhaust turbocharger of the engine having an exhaust turbine with variable turbine geometry. The engine braking power is regulated based upon the travel of the throttle valve and/or an intake cross section of the exhaust turbine as a function of the operating parameters of the internal combustion engine and the vehicle driving speed. Upon issuance of a signal indicating a braking performance requirement from the driver, the required braking power is applied at least preferably through the engine brake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Applicant: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Erwin Schmidt, Siegfried Sumser
  • Patent number: 6373005
    Abstract: A device for detection of trapping in a power-operated closing element with a switching element, which is arranged along a first closing edge within an elastic hollow section. The hollow section includes a central area extending longitudinally, in which an active area of the switching element is arranged, and at least one side area extending longitudinally, in which a non-active edge area of the switching element is arranged. The side area has a higher deformability on the side of the hollow section facing the first closing edge than on the central area. The device has a force transmitter extending longitudinally, which transmits a trapping force from the side facing away from the first closing edge to the side area of the hollow section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignees: I.E.E. International Electronics & Engineering, S.A.R.L., Daimler-Benz AG
    Inventors: Peter Griesbach, Hans Gamerdinger, Volker Petri, Reinhold Mickeler, Michel Witte, Roland Lorig, Stefan Schmitt
  • Patent number: 6360674
    Abstract: On a railway vehicle with a car body and a truck with an undercarriage, the car body is supported on the truck by means of connecting devices. To achieve increased operating safety even in the event of a malfunction or failure of the connecting devices, the actuator is fastened rigidly on one end to the truck, and is connected to the car body by means of the mechanical series system consisting of a ball-and-socket joint and a sliding connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: ABB Daimler-Benz Transporation (Technology) GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Sch{overscore (u)}ller, Thomas Benker, Ulrich Hachmann
  • Patent number: 6351505
    Abstract: A method for determining a frequency of a signal includes transforming the analog signal to the complex frequency range through a digital filtering, preferably a FFT, so that result vectors with amplitude and phase components are generated in the frequency range. As a result, a continuous sequence of transformation intervals (FFT intervals) develops within a measuring interval that can be predetermined. Subsequently, pairs of result vectors, which belong to the same predetermined frequency, are selected from predetermined transformation intervals (FFT intervals). Associated phase differences are then formed from which a weighted phase difference is determined. The weighted phase difference is used to correct the signal frequency determined from the amplitude spectrum. This method permits very accurate frequency measuring, especially for pulsed HF signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aerospace AG
    Inventors: Franz Herrmann, Manfred Schuster
  • Publication number: 20020014007
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an air-gap-insulated exhaust pipe having a branch stub, as well as an exhaust pipe produced according to such a method and a tool for forming such an exhaust pipe. Two tubes are inserted into one another to form a double tube. The double tube is placed in a first internal high-pressure shaping tool, and exposed to internal high pressure fluid such that it expands to match the contours of the engraving of the first shaping tool, and a double-walled branch stub is blown out of the double tube. The partially formed double tube is then placed in a second internal high-pressure shaping tool, with the double tube being surrounded, between the two ends including the branch stub, circumferentially and throughout by a corresponding design of the engraving, by an expansion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Applicant: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Pierre Bonny, Thomas Huelsberg
  • Patent number: 6343417
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing an air-gap-insulated exhaust elbow of a motor vehicle exhaust system achieves in a simple manner a manufacturing of space-saving air-gap-insulating exhaust elbows which is reliable with respect to the process and can be precisely reproduced. The exhaust elbow is joined together from several air-gap-insulated exhaust pipes as well as the pertaining entry flanges and the exit flange, which, by way of an internal high-pressure metal forming process, are shaped in an air-gap-insulating manner from one double pipe respectively. The ends of the air-gap-insulated exhaust pipes which are to be connected with one another are first trimmed while opening the respective air insulating gap and are then fitted into one another. In such case, the ends are shaped such that the fitted connections of the outer pipes and of the inner pipes of the exhaust pipes to be connected are made with play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Pierre Bonny, Thomas Huelsberg
  • Publication number: 20020011002
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an air-gap-insulated exhaust pipe having a branch stub, as well as an exhaust pipe produced according to such a method and a tool for forming such an exhaust pipe. Two tubes are inserted into one another to form a double tube. The double tube is placed in a first internal high-pressure shaping tool, and exposed to internal high pressure fluid such that it expands to match the contours of the engraving of the first shaping tool, and a double-walled branch stub is blown out of the double tube. The partially formed double tube is then placed in a second internal high-pressure shaping tool, with the double tube being surrounded, between the two ends including the branch stub, circumferentially and throughout by a corresponding design of the engraving, by an expansion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Applicant: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Pierre Bonny, Thomas Huelsberg
  • Publication number: 20020011366
    Abstract: A method for determining an initiation threshold value for an automatic braking process, in which an automatic braking process is used and a brake pressure is produced which is greater than the brake pressure which corresponds to the operation of the brake pedal by the driver. Short distances between vehicles increase the risk of accidents. If a driver operates the brakes when there is a short distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle, in the vast majority of cases, the driver of the following vehicle is often required to perform an emergency braking due to the short distance between the vehicles. To improve the safety of vehicles, an emergency braking is performed, as quickly as possible, when the distance between vehicles is short. This emergency braking, within what is physically possible, ensures rapid deceleration of the vehicle and thus helps to avoid rear-impact accidents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Applicant: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alexander Fuchs, Carsten Lauer, Manfred Steiner, Lorenz Maack, Eberhard Pfeifle, Bernd Knoff, Wolfgang Kiesewetter
  • Patent number: 6315353
    Abstract: A body segment for a motor vehicle in the area of a side panel has the following characteristics: An open, particularly C-shaped profile part of a constant cross-section which was produced by roll profiling and which extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body; and an interior side member mounted on the profile part in the direction of the interior side of the vehicle body. An interior A-column part and an interior B-column part are mounted on the profile part. Furthermore, the vehicle body segment has a side panel covering which is mounted partially over the profile part in the direction of the exterior side of the vehicle body and which has an exterior A-column part, an exterior B-column part and an exterior C-column part. In this case, the profile part is made of a high-strength steel, and its profile has pronounced displacements toward the exterior side of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin Brodt, Reinhard Determann, Karl Wollensak
  • Patent number: 6313795
    Abstract: A direction-finding method for determining an incident angle of a high-frequency electromagnetic signal in a system including at least two receiving antennas spaced apart by a known distance. the antenna output signals of the at least two receiving antennas are converted, together (in accordance with a multiplexing procedure) or individually, into the frequency domain through a Fourier transformation, followed by a conversion into an IF range and an A/D conversion. In this range, the phase difference between the output signals is determined and the signal frequency of the incident wave is determined through a phase-sequence analysis. The incident angle of the incident wave is determined from the phase difference and the signal frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aerospace AG
    Inventors: Franz Herrmann, Manfred Schuster
  • Patent number: 6295000
    Abstract: A method for assessing actuations of the accelerator by a vehicle driver to detect the nervousness of the driver, the cumulative path covered by the accelerator, in terms of amount, being evaluated within a predefined time window when the change in velocity is less than a predetermined threshold value and/or the change in position of the accelerator is less than a predetermined threshold value within this time window. Furthermore, alternatively and/or additionally, the number of reversals of the algebraic sign of the time derivation of the accelerator position can be taken into account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Daimler Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus-Peter Kuhn, Jochen Strenkert
  • Patent number: 6279938
    Abstract: A vehicle frame which enables a lowering of the saddle coupling with improved stability for this, and recesses at the upper side of the lengthwise girders of the vehicle frame extending across the entire width of the frame are proposed. The saddle coupling is fastenably secured to the lengthwise girders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignees: Jost Werke AG, Daimler Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Koetter, Rainer Spitz, José Manuel Algüera Gallego, Siegfried Emmann, Wolfgang Seidl, Wolf-Rüdiger Barz
  • Patent number: 6278911
    Abstract: A method for recognizing a spontaneous demand by a driver of a motor vehicle for a dynamic response, the extent of the actuation of an operating device being compared to a threshold value, and the demand for a dynamic response being recognized when the extent of actuation lies above a specific threshold value, and, when comparing the extent of actuation to the threshold value, allowance being made for the manner in which the vehicle driver normally actuates the operating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Helmut Gimmler, Andreas Heindinger, Klaus-Peter Kuhn
  • Patent number: 6273002
    Abstract: A rail vehicle equipped with a support actuator of variable vertical length mounted between a vehicle body and a running gear located underneath. In order to maintain an operational supporting device and adequate ride comfort after a failure or overload of the support actuator, an emergency spring coaxial with the support actuator is provided, which only becomes effective when the stroke of the support actuator falls short of a preset value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: ABB Daimler-Benz Transportation (Technology) GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Hachmann, Uwe Sch{overscore (u)}ller, Thomas Benker
  • Patent number: 6273003
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tilt control for the superstructure of a rail vehicle, that includes a transversal acceleration sensor and a tilt control device controlled therefrom for tilting the superstructure along its longitudinal axis in relation to the running gear or the bogie supporting the superstructure. A low-pass filter is connected in the signal path between the transversal acceleration sensor and the tilt control device. In order to at least amply compensate the operation time of the low-pass filter, a steady state member is connected in the signal path between the transversal acceleration sensor and the low-pass filter, whose output signal is selected at least in the middle segment of a predetermined measuring value of the transversal acceleration values to be detected in such a way that the transversal acceleration in the superstructure remains almost constant in said segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: ABB Daimler-Benz Transportation GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Benker, Bernd Metzner