Patents Assigned to Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
  • Patent number: 6960895
    Abstract: A brush type DC motor 10 having an armature 15 and positive and negative power leads is provided. The motor includes an RFI choke 12 as a transformer in series with at least one of the positive and negative power leads to amplify current such that rotation of the armature 15 can be detected based on monitoring a voltage relating to the amplified current. Conditioning circuitry 14 is constructed and arranged to condition the voltage for detecting rotation of the armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Makaran
  • Patent number: 6959093
    Abstract: A noise attenuation system (10) for an air induction system (12) includes an air inlet duct (16) having an open end (18) to draw in air and a loudspeaker (22) mounted within the inlet duct (16) and facing the open end (18) of the inlet duct (16). The air horn (24) is connected to the loudspeaker (22) to tune the sound output and increase the sound power from the loudspeaker (22) to optimize cancellation of noise generated by the air induction system (16) at lower frequencies. An open end (18) of the air horn (24) is positioned within a plane defined by the open end (18) of the air inlet duct (16). A microphone (26) is positioned near the air inlet duct (16) and is in communication with a controller (28). The controller (28) generates an input to the loudspeaker (22). The input to the loudspeaker (22) is out of phase with the noise detected by the microphones (26) to cancel a portion of noise emitted from the open end (18) of the air inlet (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Donald McWilliam
  • Patent number: 6957643
    Abstract: A carrier for mounting to an internal combustion engine having an intake manifold port, a fuel injector and a cylinder head port extending from a cylinder head. The carrier includes a central portion having an internal passageway for providing fuel to the fuel injector. An attachment portion extends from the central portion which is affixed between the cylinder head and the intake manifold ports. The carrier further includes a sleeve extending from the central portion for receiving the fuel injector, which is sealed by the sleeve and an O-ring. The fuel injector, port seals, injector O-ring, wiring harness, connector and fuel rail are integrated into a single carrier to provide sealing, electrical connectivity, and fuel delivery functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Ki-Ho Lee, James Kenneth Vanderveen
  • Patent number: 6953027
    Abstract: A fuel vapor pressure management apparatus for a fuel system performs leak detection on a headspace of the fuel system, performs excess negative pressure relief of the headspace, and performs excess positive pressure relief of the headspace. The fuel vapor pressure management apparatus includes a diaphragm that is deformable between a nearly undeformed configuration that is associated with performing leak detection, a first deformed configuration that is associated with performing excess negative pressure relief, and a second deformed configuration that is associated with performing excess positive pressure relief. A first fluid flow through the diaphragm occurs when the diaphragm is in the first deformed configuration. A second fluid flow through the diaphragm occurs when the diaphragm is in the second deformed configuration, and the second fluid flow is opposite to the first fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Andre Veinotte
  • Patent number: 6953352
    Abstract: An electrical connection arrangement for a fuel injector includes an electrical interface that is supported by the fuel injector body portion. The electrical interface preferably includes at least one deformable connector member. During assembly, the deformable connector member is manipulated to piece through an insulation layer on a conductor and make an electrical connection with a conductive portion of the conductor. In one example, the connector members are crimped into position to provide an electrical coupling and a physical connection between the interface and the associated conductor. The preferred conductor is a flex cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Erik K. Karell
  • Publication number: 20050217627
    Abstract: An intake manifold assembly (100 includes an inner shell (12) that is inserted into an outer shell (14), and a cover (25) that seals the open end (38) of the outer shell (14). The inner shell (12) includes dividers (16) that form air passages (18). A laser device (40) is traversed along the outer surface of the outer shell (14) along a predetermined path (44) that corresponds with the position of the inner shell (12) such that a desired laser weld joint (45) is formed The intake manifold assembly (10) of this invention includes features and methods of assembly that improve the laser weld joints utilized to assemble the plastic intake manifold assembly (10). Both design details and clamping detail are described, every known configuration of U type manifolds can be made by this technique. The technique provides high value and low cost. High reliability is a well known feature of laser welding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Daly, Bobbye Baylis, Bruce Harvey, Dennis Houle, Gowda Venugopala, James Vanderveen, Stephen Bloomer, Ki-Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 6951126
    Abstract: A leak test system and method for a motor vehicle fuel system. A pump forces air under pressure into vapor containment space. The pump operates in accordance with steps established by a processor. The pump creates superatmospheric pressure in the space during an initial charging phase step, and after completion of that step, the pump performs a measurement phase step that forces pulses of air into the space in a succession of pulse bursts. Each burst contains a succession of individual pulses, preferably in equal numbers, and each successive burst is delayed from an immediately prior burst by a time interval substantially longer than the time intervals between individual pulses in each burst, preferably by constant time intervals. The processor processes data corresponding to a measurement of pressure in the space after the occurrence of at least one of such bursts and as a result indicates leakage from the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Perry, Raymond Rasokas
  • Patent number: 6948481
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method of establishing a threshold for a leak detection test that is performed on a headspace of a fuel system. A fuel vapor pressure management apparatus includes a housing, a pressure operable device, and a sensor. The housing defines an interior chamber. The pressure operable device separates the interior chamber into first and second portions, and includes a poppet that moves along an axis and a seal that is adapted to cooperatively engage the poppet. A first arrangement of the pressure operable device occurs during the leak detection test when the seal is in a first deformed configuration. A sensor detects the first arrangement of the pressure operable device during the leak detection test. And a processor is coupled to the sensor and reduces sensitivity of the fuel vapor pressure management apparatus during the leak detection test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Perry, Andre Veinotte
  • Patent number: 6948483
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation system including an intake passage, an exhaust passage joining the intake passage at a junction and in fluid communication with the intake passage, and a closing member having a first position and a second position. When in the first position, the closing member blocks fluid communication between the intake passage and the exhaust passage. When in the second position, the closing member permits fluid communication between the intake passage and the exhaust passage and creates a pressure differential across the junction so that the fluid is either drawn or forced into the intake passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Andre Veinotte
  • Patent number: 6945908
    Abstract: An automatic transmission that includes a housing, gear transmission unit, transmission throttle valve, and an electromagnetic actuator for the transmission throttle valve. The transmission housing has a support portion formed on an outside surface of the housing, and a coupling portion is provided proximate the support portion. The gear transmission unit is disposed in the housing and has at least one hydraulic actuator controllable to provide a plurality of output speeds from the gear transmission unit. The transmission throttle valve is operable to regulate the hydraulic pressure provided to the hydraulic actuators. The transmission throttle valve includes a transmission throttle valve shaft proximate the coupling portion. The electromagnetic actuator is coupled to the support portion of the housing. The electromagnetic actuator is coupled to the transmission throttle valve shaft to regulate the hydraulic pressure of the transmission throttle valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Juergen Luft, Andre Veinotte, Gary Michael Everingham
  • Patent number: 6941933
    Abstract: A fuel system for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine. The fuel system includes a fuel tank, an intake manifold, a fuel vapor collection canister, a purge valve, and a fuel vapor pressure management apparatus. The purge is in fluid communication with the intake manifold and is in fluid communication with the fuel vapor collection canister. The fuel vapor pressure management apparatus includes a housing, a pressure operable device, and a switch. The housing is coupled to the fuel vapor collection canister and defines an interior chamber. The pressure operable device separates the interior chamber into a first portion that is in fluid communication with the fuel vapor collection canister, and a second portion that is in fluid communication with a vent port. The pressure operable device includes a poppet that is movable along an axis, and a seal that is adapted to cooperatively engage the poppet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Andre Veinotte, Paul Perry
  • Patent number: 6941934
    Abstract: A purge valve includes an aperture, a member, and an actuator. The aperture defines a portion of a vapor flow path that extends between a first port that communicates vapor with a fuel vapor collection canister and a second port that communicates vapor with an intake manifold. The member is displaced with respect to the aperture between a first configuration wherein the member occludes the aperture and a second configuration that permits vapor flow along the vapor flow path. The actuator displaces the member between the first and second configurations and includes an armature and a stator. The stator includes a winding that extends along an axis. And the armature, which is coupled to the member, surrounds the winding and includes a permanent magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Andrew Weldon, Corey Tatsu, Dale Zdravkovic, Russell Modien, Giles R. Amirault
  • Patent number: 6938456
    Abstract: A vacuum generating device and method include a member that defines a passage, a first valve, a second valve, a fluid communication conduit, a transducer, and a processor. The passage extends between a first end and a second end, and includes a constriction that defines an orifice. The first valve connects the first end of the member and an ambient environment, and is electrically positionable in first and second configurations. The first configuration permits generally unrestricted fluid flow between the orifice and the ambient environment, and the second configuration substantially prevents fluid flow between the orifice and the ambient environment. The second valve has a first port and a second port. The first port is adapted for fluid communication with a pressure source at a first pressure level. The second valve is electronically adjustable. The fluid communication conduit connects the second end of the member and the second port of the second valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Tetreault, John Derikx
  • Patent number: 6938728
    Abstract: An air induction assembly includes a tuning tube that is integrally formed with an air duct having a distal tube end extending into a resonance chamber. The air duct includes a shoulder portion that transitions into a base end of the tuning tube. The shoulder portion has a greater diameter than the tuning tube and defines an external duct surface. The resonance chamber includes an opening for receiving the tuning tube. A flange surrounds the opening and defines an external resonance chamber surface. The external resonance chamber surface abuts against the external duct surface to define an attachment interface. The assembly is welded at the attachment interface to securely attach the resonance chamber to the air duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Chae, Bryan P. Bestvater, Brian DeBacker, Arden G. Stass, Jason Pettipiece
  • Patent number: 6938727
    Abstract: A fan shroud includes a fan shroud portion having a surface including an aperture. A cooling fan is supported proximate to the aperture for permitting air flow through the fan shroud from the environment to the engine compartment. An air intake portion is supported on the fan shroud portion. The air intake portion and the fan shroud portion together define at least a portion of an air passageway having an inlet for receiving ambient air and an outlet for connection to an engine throttle. The fan shroud portion and air intake portion may respectively include first and second circumferential portions that define the air passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Zhouxuan Xia
  • Patent number: 6940983
    Abstract: An active noise attenuation system for an air induction assembly is operably connected to an engine that generates a low frequency noise having a noise profile defining a peak noise. The system has an air inlet duct housing with an inlet and an outlet connected to the engine. A resonator is supported by the housing and is positioned between a speaker assembly and the engine to attenuate the peak noise resulting in an attenuated low frequency engine noise. A microphone senses the attenuated low frequency engine noise and generates an attenuated low frequency engine noise signal. A controller receives and phase shifts the signal and sends the signal to the speaker to generate a sound field to cancel or reduce the attenuated low frequency engine noise signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Philip Edward Arthur Stuart
  • Patent number: 6935320
    Abstract: An exhaust gas flow management assembly for an exhaust gas recirculation system including an intake conduit, an exhaust conduit in fluid communication with the intake conduit, and a closing member. The intake conduit includes an inner surface defining a fluid passageway and a recirculation opening in the inner surface. The closing member is movably mounted in the fluid passageway and has a first position where the closing member blocks fluid communication between the intake conduit and the exhaust conduit, and a second position where the closing member extends into the fluid passageway of the intake conduit at an angle relative to a plane including the recirculation opening and opens fluid communication between the intake conduit and the exhaust conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Andre Veinotte
  • Publication number: 20050184268
    Abstract: A butterfly valve blade (16) is attached to a shaft (18) by a laser weld between an inner surface (24) of the butterfly valve blade (16) and the shaft (18). The shaft (18) includes a plastic portion (22) composed of a laser absorbent material. The butterfly valve blade (16) is formed of a laser transparent plastic material. A laser is directed through the butterfly valve blade (16) onto the plastic portion (22) of the shaft (18). Energy form the laser heats the laser absorbent material of the shaft (18) that melts in the presence of the laser. The butterfly valve blade (16) is heated by the heated shaft (18) to melt and form the desired weld that secures the butterfly valve blade (16) to the shaft (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Karthikeyan Narayanaswamy, Bruce Harvey
  • Patent number: 6931919
    Abstract: A diagnostic appartus and method for a fuel system that supplies fuel to an internal combustion engine. The fuel system includes a fuel tank that has a headspace and a filler occluded by a removable cap, a charcoal canister in fluid communication with the headspace, and an integrated pressure management apparatus. The integrated pressure management apparatus has a pressure operable device and a switch that signals displacement of the pressure operable device in response to negative pressure at a first pressure level in the charcoal canister. The diagnostic apparatus comprises a pressure source, a first fitting adapted to be occluded by the removable cap, a second fitting adapted to sealingly engage the filler, an orifice in fluid communication with the pressure source, with the first fitting, and with the second fitting, and a first valve controlling the fluid communication with the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Weldon
  • Patent number: 6933687
    Abstract: A dual motor configuration 10 is provided for driving two fans for moving air to cool an engine. The dual motor configuration includes a primary brushless motor 18 constructed and arranged to be electronically controlled to drive a first fan 16 over a range of speeds. A secondary brush motor 24 is constructed and arranged to be electronically controlled to drive a second fan 22 over a range of speeds. The secondary brush motor includes an electronic switching device 26 associated therewith for receiving a pulse width modulated signal for controlling speed of the secondary brush motor. Thus, different combinations of speeds of the first and second motors can be selectively chosen to meet cooling requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: John Makaran, Erich Maier