Patents Assigned to Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
  • Publication number: 20080089051
    Abstract: An example light guide assembly for illuminating a display of an instrument cluster includes a light receiving portion, a light propagating portion and a reflective surface between the light receiving portion and the light propagating portion. The light receiving portion extends along a first axis, and the light propagating portion extends along a second axis which is transverse to the first axis. The reflective surface includes a stepped surface transverse to the reflective surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Taochuan Bruce Wang, Vyacheslav B. Birman, Werner Eckardt
  • Publication number: 20080090532
    Abstract: A radio front end utilizes at least one band pass filter to pass only the appropriate frequency band. Once the desired frequency band has been isolated it is converted to a digital format in an analog to digital converter and a digital signal processing device interprets the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: SIEMENS VDO AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Stephen K. Gilbert
  • Publication number: 20080079321
    Abstract: A housing (16) is provided for a permanent magnet electric motor. The housing includes a plastic frame (18) defining bearing support features at one end thereof. Permanent magnet structure (28) is associated with the frame so as to be exposed in an interior of the housing. Ferrous lamination material (32), defining flux structure, is wound around an exterior of the magnet structure and portions of the plastic frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Yakov Fleytman
  • Patent number: 7347383
    Abstract: A fuel injector for use with an internal combustion engine. The fuel injector comprises a valve group subassembly and a coil group subassembly. The valve group subassembly includes a tube assembly having a longitudinal axis that extends between a first end and a second end; a seat that is secured at the second end of the tube assembly and that defines an opening; an armature assembly that is disposed within the tube assembly; a member that biases the armature assembly toward the seat; an adjusting tube that is disposed in the tube assembly and that engages the member for adjusting a biasing force of the member; a filter that is at least within the tube assembly; and a first attachment portion. The coil group subassembly includes a solenoid coil that is operable to displace the armature assembly with respect to the seat; and a second attachment portion that is fixedly connected to the first attachment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Dallmeyer, Robert McFarland, Michael J. Hornby, James Robert Parish, Dennis Bulgatz, Ross Wood, Bryan Hall
  • Patent number: 7344090
    Abstract: A fuel injector is described. The fuel injector includes an inlet, outlet, seat, closure member, and a metering orifice disc. The metering orifice disc is disposed between the seat and the outlet. The metering orifice disc includes an outer wall having a surface that defines first and second outer chords generally about the longitudinal axis A-A. The first outer chord intersects the second chord and has a length different than the length of the second outer chord. The metering orifice disc includes an inner wall having a surface that defines first and second inner chords. The first and second inner chords extend generally transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A. The first inner chord intersects the second inner chord. The first inner chord has a length different than the length of the second inner chord. Methods of atomization and targeting are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Hamid Sayar
  • Publication number: 20080053546
    Abstract: A valve seal structure 20 seals an opening in a reservoir 10? of a fuel delivery module. The reservoir is constructed and arranged to be mounted with respect to a bottom of a fuel tank of a vehicle. The reservoir has wall structure 15 coupled with a bottom 14 to define an interior space 17. The bottom 14 has the opening 12 therein. The valve seal structure includes reservoir surface feature structure 22 disposed about a periphery of the opening 12 in the reservoir 10? and extending upwardly from the bottom 14 of the reservoir. A valve 24 is associated with the opening 12 and includes valve surface feature structure 28 extending towards the reservoir surface feature structure 22. A seal disk 26 is disposed between the reservoir surface feature structure 22 and the valve surface feature structure 28.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Paul F. Briggs, Matthias Nederegger
  • Patent number: 7336004
    Abstract: A boost converter and a buck-boost converter supply power to a load from a series connection between a first and a second power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Jih-Sheng Lai
  • Publication number: 20080042436
    Abstract: A flange structure (10) is provided for a fuel supply unit of a vehicle. The flange structure includes at least one electrically conductive fuel port (16?) having a periphery and first and second ends (22, 23). The first end (22) includes first barb structure (28). A plastic flange (20?) is overmolded on at least a portion of the periphery of the fuel port between the first and second ends. A portion of the flange overmolded on the portion of the periphery of the fuel port defines fitting structure (25) having second barb structure (27). A hose (30) is coupled with the first end of the fuel port and with the fitting structure with the first and second barb structures engaging the hose thereby by preventing fuel or fuel vapor from passing between the periphery of the fuel port and the overmolded flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Parag Athalye, Matthias Nederegger, Stephane Seps, John P. Wattai
  • Publication number: 20080042437
    Abstract: A flange structure 10? for a fuel supply unit of a vehicle includes at least one non-electrically conductive plastic fuel port (16?) having first and second ends. A non-electrically conductive plastic flange (20?) is integral with the fuel port between the first and second ends. The flange is constructed and arranged to be coupled with a fuel tank of a vehicle. Electrically conductive grounding structure (32) is associated with the fuel port and has an elongated portion (36) extending within the fuel port so as to be exposed to fuel, and an end (40) connected with the elongated portion. An electrically conductive hose (30) is coupled with the first end of the fuel port and is in contact with the end of the grounding structure thereby defining a discharge path such that static electricity generated when fuel flows through the fuel port can be dissipated through the discharge path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Parag Athalye, John P. Wattai, Matthias Nederegger, Stephane Seps
  • Publication number: 20080042439
    Abstract: Fuel port structure (10) of a fuel pump (20) includes a fuel port (12) having a periphery (14), an internal portion defining a fuel passage (16), and a free end (18). An electrically conductive grounding structure (22) has a first portion (24) disposed at least partially within the fuel passage and a second portion (26) extending from the free end. A fuel delivery tube (28) is coupled to the periphery of the fuel port at the free end thereof. The fuel delivery tube has an electrically conductive portion (30) in contact with the second portion of the grounding structure to provide a discharge path for static electricity created when fuel flows through the fuel passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Parag Athalye, John Patrick Wattai, Matthias Nederegger, Stephane Seps
  • Publication number: 20080042435
    Abstract: A flange structure (10?) for a fuel supply unit of a vehicle includes an electrically conductive fuel port (16?) having a periphery and first and second ends (22, 23). The first end includes first barb structure (28). A plastic flange (20?) is overmolded on the periphery of the fuel port between the first and second ends. A portion of the overmolded flange defines fitting structure (25) having second barb structure (27). A hose (30) is provided having first and second inner diameter portions. The first barb structure (28) engages surfaces of the first inner diameter portion (32), and the second barb structure (27) engages surfaces of the second inner diameter portion, thereby by preventing fuel or fuel vapor from passing between the periphery of the fuel port and the overmolded flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Parag Athalye, Matthias Nederegger, Stephane Seps, John Wattai
  • Patent number: 7324900
    Abstract: A distributed sensing system and method improves sensing of events that may require restraint deployment in a vehicle by distinguishing between deployment events and non-deployment events using data from more than one sensor. A transmission check process continuously monitors an incoming signal from a sensor and counts the number of data samples that exceed a selected value using a counter. If the counter value exceeds a selected threshold, the system indicates that the transmission check is fulfilled and allows deployment of the restraint. A correlation acceleration difference (CAD) algorithm calculates a CAD term corresponding to a degree of intrusion of a foreign object into a vehicle at a given time. Acceleration data from sensors disposed at supporting sides of the vehicle are checked if they respond to an event, and the absolute values of the acceleration data are subtracted from each other to obtain an absolute difference from which the CAD term is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas Knueppel, Tobias Tyroller, Gerd Winkler
  • Publication number: 20080018488
    Abstract: A gauge assembly includes a dial face with a plurality of markings for conveying information regarding a vehicle operating parameter, such as vehicle speed, or engine RPM. A plurality of light emitting diodes (LED) are selectively illuminated to track the position of the pointer about the dial face to provide an additional indication of a measurement communicated to an operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald Struck, Christopher J. Volpe
  • Publication number: 20080017705
    Abstract: An immobilizer system begins authentication of an identification device in response to an external triggering event. The external triggering event occurs prior to engagement with a reader module within the vehicle. Authorization commences prior to engagement to the reader module and continues after engagement with the reader module to reduce perceived authentication wait time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: John Costello, James Brecht, Tejas Desai
  • Patent number: 7320255
    Abstract: The magnetometer assembly according to this invention includes a first coil assembly and a second coil assembly for detecting separate magnetic fields along an axial portion of a torque transducer. The first and second coil assemblies are driven by independently adjustable circuits. Each of the circuits are independently adjustable to adjust the gain that is distributed to each of the first and second coils. This provides for an adjustment and precise alignment of a magnetic field generated by the first coil and the second coil assembly such that external magnetic fields can be cancelled providing increased accuracy and reduced hysteresis effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: David W. Cripe
  • Publication number: 20080012240
    Abstract: A flange structure (10?) for a fuel supply unit of a vehicle includes at least one electrically conductive fuel port (16?) having first and second ends (22, 24) and features (25, 26) defining a channel (28) about a periphery thereof. An elastomer seal (30) is disposed in the channel. A plastic flange (20?) is overmolded on at least a portion of the fuel port between the first and second ends and on at least a portion of the elastomer seal, with the elastomer seal defining a barrier preventing fuel or fuel vapor from passing between the periphery of the fuel port and the overmolded flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Parag Athalye
  • Publication number: 20080012554
    Abstract: The present invention includes a rotary sensing system that includes a shaft, a magnet encircling the shaft, a pair of plates, each of which is positioned near distal ends of the magnet, and at least one sensing device. The magnet generates a magnetic field, the angle of which changes as the shaft rotates. The pair of plates directs the magnetic field generated by the magnet towards the at least one sensing device. The at least one sensing device is sensitive to the changes in the angle of the magnetic field, which are indicative of an angular position of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Brian G. Babin, Gregg Christensen, Charles Spellman
  • Publication number: 20080011277
    Abstract: A flange structure (10?) for a fuel supply unit of a vehicle includes at least one electrically conductive fuel port (16?) having first and second ends (22, 24). A plastic flange (20?) is overmolded on at least a portion of the fuel port between the first and second ends. The flange is constructed and arranged to be coupled with a fuel tank of a vehicle. A welded connection (26) is provided between the fuel port and the plastic flange defining a barrier to prevent fuel or fuel vapor from passing between the periphery of the fuel port and the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Parag Athalye, John P. Wattai, Stephane Seps, Matthias Nederegger, Darren Matthew Berger
  • Publication number: 20080011692
    Abstract: A cyclonic separator (10) separates contaminants from liquid fuel. The separator includes a body (12) having a base portion (14) and sidewall structure (16) extending from the base portion. The base portion and sidewall structure define an internal volume (V). An inlet port (18) in the body communicates with the internal volume, and an outlet port (20) in the body also communicates with the internal volume. The sidewall structure is constructed and arranged to cause fuel, containing a mixture of liquid fuel and contaminants, that enters the inlet port, to move in a generally circular manner in the internal volume so that the contaminants (P) separate from the liquid fuel, with the contaminants settling in the base portion and the liquid fuel (F?) moving through the outlet port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffery John Milton
  • Publication number: 20080001499
    Abstract: A gear drive assembly (33) includes a housing (24), an external base (28) movable with respect to the housing, and an external gear member (12) associated with the external base. The assembly includes an internal gear member (14) surrounded by the external gear member and in meshing relation therewith. The assembly also includes a plurality of conductive polymer actuators (26) defining actuator sets. Each actuator set is coupled at one portion thereof to the housing with another portion thereof being coupled to the external base. Each actuator is constructed and arranged to deflect when voltage is applied thereto such that when voltage is selectively applied to the actuator sets, deflection of the actuators causes the external base to move causing the external gear member to move in an orbiting manner with respect to the internal gear member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Yakov Fleytman