Patents by Inventor Bernd Engels

Bernd Engels has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11952937
    Abstract: A two-stroke engine possesses a cylinder, in the cylinder bore of which a combustion chamber is formed. The combustion chamber is bounded by a reciprocating piston, which drives a crankshaft rotatably mounted in a crankcase. A crankcase interior is fluidically connected to the combustion chamber across at least one transfer channel in at least one position of the piston. The at least one transfer channel emerges with a discharge opening in the crankcase interior and with at least one transfer window on the cylinder bore. It is proposed that all transfer channels have an average length as measured from the discharge opening to the transfer window, the average length being at least 1.5 in relation to the stroke, and that the volume of the crankcase interior including all transfer channels is at most 3.1 in relation to the piston displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Grether, Robert Koehli, Richard Wirt, Bernd Engel
  • Publication number: 20230399973
    Abstract: A two-stroke engine possesses a cylinder, in the cylinder bore of which a combustion chamber is formed. The combustion chamber is bounded by a reciprocating piston, which drives a crankshaft rotatably mounted in a crankcase. A crankcase interior is fluidically connected to the combustion chamber across at least one transfer channel in at least one position of the piston. The at least one transfer channel emerges with a discharge opening in the crankcase interior and with at least one transfer window on the cylinder bore. It is proposed that all transfer channels have an average length as measured from the discharge opening to the transfer window, the average length being at least 1.5 in relation to the stroke, and that the volume of the crankcase interior including all transfer channels is at most 3.1 in relation to the piston displacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Grether, Robert Koehli, Richard Wirt, Bernd Engel
  • Publication number: 20230146019
    Abstract: An auxiliary drive device for a wheelchair has at least one freely pivotable electrically driven drive wheel and a coupling mechanism for coupling the auxiliary drive device to the wheelchair. The coupling mechanism includes a movable locking element which is movably supported in the coupling mechanism. The movable locking element can be in a locking position in which it causes locking in a positive-locking manner so that the auxiliary drive device is coupled to the wheelchair and, by operation of a handle, the locking element can be moved in a release position in which uncoupling of the auxiliary drive device from the wheelchair is possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2023
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Joachim Menig, Bernd Engels
  • Patent number: 11441518
    Abstract: A carburetor has a carburetor body wherein an intake channel is formed. A throttle flap is pivotably mounted by a throttle shaft in the carburetor body for controlling the free flow cross-section of the intake channel. The intake channel has a first longitudinal center axis in the region of the throttle shaft. The throttle flap has first and second end positions, wherein the throttle flap opens a larger flow cross-section of the intake channel in the second end position than in the first end position. A partition wall section, on which the throttle flap lies in the second end position, is arranged upstream of the throttle shaft. A choke flap is upstream of the partition wall section and is pivotable between first and second end positions. In their second end positions, the throttle flap and the choke flap overlap in the direction of the first longitudinal center axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Grether, Bernd Engel
  • Publication number: 20220025836
    Abstract: A fuel supply device has a base body, in which an intake channel section is formed. At least one adjustable throttle element for controlling the free flow cross section of the intake channel section is provided. At least one fuel opening opens into the intake channel section. A partition wall section is arranged in the intake channel section upstream of the throttle element. The partition wall section and the throttle element divide, in a completely open position of the throttle element, the intake channel section upstream of the throttle element into a mixture channel, into which the fuel opening feeds fuel, and an air channel. In order to improve the cooling of the fuel supply device, the partition wall section has at least one element for increasing the surface area within the mixture channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Grether, Bernd Engel
  • Publication number: 20220025837
    Abstract: A carburetor has a carburetor body wherein an intake channel is formed. A throttle flap is pivotably mounted by a throttle shaft in the carburetor body for controlling the free flow cross-section of the intake channel. The intake channel has a first longitudinal center axis in the region of the throttle shaft. The throttle flap has first and second end positions, wherein the throttle flap opens a larger flow cross-section of the intake channel in the second end position than in the first end position. A partition wall section, on which the throttle flap lies in the second end position, is arranged upstream of the throttle shaft. A choke flap is upstream of the partition wall section and is pivotable between first and second end positions. In their second end positions, the throttle flap and the choke flap overlap in the direction of the first longitudinal center axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Grether, Bernd Engel
  • Patent number: 9731431
    Abstract: A motor chain saw has a first driven sprocket wheel driving a saw chain lubricated via a supply pump driven by first and second drive wheel, wherein the second drive wheel is connected to the first sprocket wheel. A drive element with coupling section is connected to the first sprocket wheel and the second drive wheel is formed on the drive element. A second sprocket wheel can be used in place of the first sprocket wheel. The first and second sprocket wheels have different geometries. The coupling section has first and second followers correlated with follower surfaces of the first and second sprocket wheels. The coupling section contacts with first followers the follower surfaces of the first sprocket wheel or with second followers the follower surfaces of the second sprocket wheel when used in place of the first sprocket wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bernd Engel
  • Patent number: 9065345
    Abstract: A transformerless inverter that serves to feed electricity from a DC current source into an AC power grid, has an inverter bridge and a DC/DC converter connected upstream of the inverter bridge. The DC/DC converter converts an input DC voltage that is present between two input lines of the inverter into a DC link voltage present between two input lines of the inverter bridge. The inverter bridge converts the DC link voltage present at the input lines thereof into an output AC voltage. The DC/DC converter includes at least one resonant circuit that has a resonance inductance and a resonance capacitance and is connected on its input side via at least two clocked switches to one of the two input lines of the inverter or an intermediate potential line carrying a potential in between. The input lines of the inverter and the input lines of the inverter bridge are galvanically isolated from one another by a capacitive method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Klaus Rigbers, Regine Mallwitz, Bernd Engel, Peter Zacharias
  • Patent number: 8899194
    Abstract: A two-stroke engine (1) includes a combustion chamber (3) which is defined by a piston (5, 44) which is mounted in the cylinder (2) to reciprocate. The piston (5, 44) has a first control surface (62) which controls an outlet (9) out of the combustion chamber (3) and two second control surfaces (63) for the transfer windows (11, 13) of at least one transfer channel (10, 12). At least two transfer windows (11, 13) are arranged on opposite sides of the cylinder bore (60). At least a first recess is provided on the piston skirt (36) which extends in the peripheral area between the two second control surfaces (63) and which is separated from the transfer window (11, 13) via a section of the piston skirt (36) in every position of the piston (5, 44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bernd Engel
  • Patent number: 8851262
    Abstract: A coupling device actuated by centrifugal force has a holder and at least one flyweight supported on the holder so as to be moveable in a radial direction relative to an axis of rotation about which the coupling device is rotatable. The flyweight is movable between an inner radial position and an outer radial position. At least one spring acting on the flyweight is provided that forces the flyweight into the inner radial position. At least one securing element secures at least one component of the coupling device in an axial direction of the axis of rotation. The securing element is monolithically formed on the flyweight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bernd Engel, Lukas Zürcher
  • Patent number: 8837098
    Abstract: A protection system configured to couple between a generator that has a number of partial strings and an inverter includes a control device, and a series-connection switching device configured to selectively connect the partial strings together in series. The system also includes a parallel-connection switching device configured to selectively connect the partial strings together in parallel, wherein the series-connection switching device is actuated by the control device such that it interrupts the series connection of the partial strings in case of a hazard, and the parallel-connection switching device is actuated by the control device such that it connects the partial strings together in parallel in case of a hazard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Matthias Victor, Gerd Bettenwort, Frank Greizer, Adrian Haering, Joachim Laschinski, Bernd Engel
  • Patent number: 8807654
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a backrest and a seat part, at least one of which has a structural element with a cavity. At least one part of the cavity receives an insert in the region of a filling. The insert is connected to the structural element in a positively locking fashion at least with regard to one type of movement. The insert is bonded to the filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Stefan Funk, Martin Zynda, Stefan Josten, Bernd Engels, Andreas Hansen
  • Patent number: 8757717
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat part and a partitioned back rest. The back rest has a first segment and a second segment. The segments are each equipped with an inclination adjuster. The adjusters include means for limiting the inclination of one segment relative to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Stefan Funk, Franz Albers, James Abraham, Bernd Engels
  • Patent number: 8702170
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat part and a backrest which is provided at the seat part so as to be rotatable, wherein the seat part and the backrest can be transferred into an easy entry position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: James Abraham, Bernd Engels, Johann Schreier, Peter Szegeny
  • Patent number: 8641070
    Abstract: A drive assistance device for a wheelchair includes a drive motor, a running wheel and a sensor device which is adapted to determine a driving force manually induced into the running wheel; and a control unit which is adapted to control the drive motor for driving the running wheel depending on the driving force manually induced by the user into the running wheel. The control unit of the drive assistance device includes a user force analysis operational mode which is adapted to determine data concerning physical efficiency and capacity of the user. These include a maximum force of the user as well as the maximum speed which can be reached with purely manual drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ulrich Alber GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Birmanns, Ralf Ledda, Bernd Engels, Paul-Gerhard Bitzer
  • Publication number: 20130312267
    Abstract: A motor chain saw has a first driven sprocket wheel driving a saw chain lubricated via a supply pump driven by first and second drive wheel, wherein the second drive wheel is connected to the first sprocket wheel. A drive element with coupling section is connected to the first sprocket wheel and the second drive wheel is formed on the drive element. A second sprocket wheel can be used in place of the first sprocket wheel. The first and second sprocket wheels have different geometries. The coupling section has first and second followers correlated with follower surfaces of the first and second sprocket wheels. The coupling section contacts with first followers the follower surfaces of the first sprocket wheel or with second followers the follower surfaces of the second sprocket wheel when used in place of the first sprocket wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bernd Engel
  • Patent number: 8528981
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a backrest and a seat part, at least one of which has a structural element forming a cavity. A filling is disposed in the cavity and configured to influence the stability and/or the deformation behavior of the backrest and/or the seat part. The filling comprises a foam support and a foam material that at least partially surrounds the foam support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Stefan Funk, Martin Zynda, Stefan Josten, Bernd Engels, Andreas Hansen
  • Patent number: 8439324
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adjusting device, in particular for the seat of a motor vehicle, comprising at least one first rail (lower rail (1)) and one second rail (upper rail 2)) which is embodied in a displaceable manner in relation to the first rail, in addition to a spindle (4) which is connected to the first rail and a drive housing (14) which can be penetrated by the spindle and which is arranged on the second rail, said drive housing being provided in order to receive at least one gear element which co-operates with the spindle. According to the invention, the drive housing is secured in a directly positive manner to the associated rail but also in a manner whereby the height can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst-Jürgen Hake, Bernd Engels, Martin Zynda
  • Patent number: 8434826
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a backrest and a seat part, at least one of which has a structural element with a cavity. The cavity is formed by a base plate and at least two profiles secured to the base plate. A corner region of the two profiles has provided in it a filling configured to influence the stability and/or the deformation behavior of the backrest and/or the seat part. The filling has a foam support and a foam material at least partially surrounding the foam support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Martin Zynda, Stefan Josten, Stefan Funk, Bernd Engels, Andreas Hansen
  • Patent number: RE44901
    Abstract: A method of converting a direct voltage generated by a decentralized power supply system into three-phase alternating voltage by means of a plurality of single-phase inverters (WR1-WR3), said alternating voltage being provided for supplying an electric mains, is intended to avoid inadmissible load unbalances using single-phase inverters. This is achieved in that, upon failure of one inverter (WR1-WR3), an asymmetrical power supply distribution is reduced by limiting the output of the other inverters. The method makes it possible to simplify three-phase voltage monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Holger Becker, Guenther Cramer, Sven Bremicker, Thorsten Dingel, Bernd Engel, Wilfried Groote, Frank Greizer, Ralf Joachim Laschinski, Matthias Victor, Torben Westphal