Patents by Inventor Bernhard Hoess

Bernhard Hoess 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: 12322984
    Abstract: A wireless power transfer (WPT) device includes a polyphase coil network comprising a plurality of phases for transfer of high-frequency AC power, each one of the plurality of phases comprising a phase coil, wherein the polyphase coil network is configured to operate in a polyphase configuration to enable transfer of polyphase high-frequency AC power with a mating WPT device operating in a polyphase mode; and operate in a single phase interoperability configuration to enable transfer of single phase high-frequency AC power with a mating WPT device operating in a single phase mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2025
    Assignees: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, UT-BATTELLE, LLC
    Inventors: Vincent Molina, Bernhard Hoess, Mostak Mohammad, Omer Onar, Stephan Peuckmann, Michael Saegmueller, Stefan Weindl, Juntao Zhu
  • Publication number: 20240399899
    Abstract: A wireless power transfer (WPT) device includes an in-wheel electric motor having a rotor and a stator having at least one phase coil, a resonant network, and at least one switch configured to selectively connect the resonant network to the phase coil and disconnect the resonant network from the at least one phase coil. A processing device is configured to determine that the at least one phase coil is adjacent to at least one transmitter coil of a WPT transmitter that transmits high-frequency AC power, and operate the at least one switch to close a connection between the resonant network and the phase coil. The phase coil is configured as a receiver coil to receive the high-frequency AC power from the at least one transmitter coil when the at least one switch is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2023
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: Vincent MOLINA, Bernhard HOESS, Mostak MOHAMMAD, Veda Prakash GALIGEKERE, Vandana RALLABANDI
  • Patent number: 12103413
    Abstract: A motor vehicle has an electrical contact-making unit, which is fixed to the vehicle, for making electrical contact with an external charging cable. The contact-making unit includes electrical contacts and a movable cover which can be moved between a protective position, in which the cover covers the electrical contacts and thereby protects them against soiling and/or water, and a charging position, in which the electrical contacts are accessible from the area surrounding the vehicle. The cover here is cuboidal and in the protective position it at least partially surrounds the electrical contacts. In the charging position, the cover is located next to the electrical contacts, wherein the cover can be moved between the charging position and the protective position in a manner operated by external force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alexander Ewald, Bernhard Hoess, Manfred Holzmann
  • Patent number: 12043128
    Abstract: An apparatus for conductive charging has a vehicle part fixed on a vehicle and a fixed robot part movable relative to the vehicle part the parts being fittable together for charging. Respective sets of vehicle and robot contacts are provided in housing the robot and vehicle parts. The robot contacts in the robot part are recessed in the housing of the robot part and the vehicle contacts are nonmovably mounted in the housing of the vehicle part. A robot base carries the robot contacts of the robot part. A contact tab extends from the robot base. A vehicle base carries the contacts of the vehicle part and is formed by a plurality of base sections surrounding a cylindrical sleeve. A contact spring extends from between two of the base sections of the vehicle base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignees: HIRSCHMANN AUTOMOTIVE GMBH, BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
    Inventors: Marco Weiss, Werner Jaeger, Bernhard Hoess, Manfred Holzmann, Alexander Ewald
  • Patent number: 11554682
    Abstract: A charging apparatus for charging a battery of an electrically operable vehicle includes a plug element, a base element, and adjusting facility. The plug element is connectable to a corresponding, vehicle-side plug element of the motor vehicle and via which electrical energy is transferrable to the motor vehicle so as to charge the battery. The base element is connected to a current source and provides electrical energy from the current source for the plug element. Via the adjusting facility the plug element is movable relative to the base element in order to connect the plug element to the vehicle-side plug element, and via which an electrical connection is provided between the base element and the plug element. The adjusting facility has an overload protection via which the base element is electrically separated from the plug element in the event of a predetermined mechanical maximal load being exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alexander Ewald, Bernhard Hoess
  • Patent number: 11359593
    Abstract: A hybrid drive device includes an internal combustion engine, an electric machine and an impulse start module which comprises two clutches and a flywheel mass. A method for operating the hybrid device includes opening the first clutch of the impulse-start module and establishing a start-up requirement for the internal-combustion engine. The method also includes closing the first clutch with the second clutch in an open or closed position for a start of the internal-combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernhard Hoess, Thomas Jung, Sebastian Kobler
  • Patent number: 11345246
    Abstract: Charging robots can automatically move and connect a plug to a vehicle-side socket connector such that a battery of the vehicle can be conductively charged. A motor vehicle is provided with an electric contacting unit with electric contacts which are protected against soiling and spray water. The electric contacting unit is rigidly connected to the motor vehicle for electrically contacting an external charging cable. The contacting unit includes at least electric contacts and a movable cover that can be moved between a protective position, in which the cover covers the electric contacts and protects same against soiling and/or water, and a charging position, in which the electric contacts can be accessed from the vehicle surroundings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alexander Ewald, Stefan Goldammer, Bernhard Hoess
  • Publication number: 20220118865
    Abstract: A motor vehicle has an electrical contact-making unit, which is fixed to the vehicle, for making electrical contact with an external charging cable. The contact-making unit includes electrical contacts and a movable cover which can be moved between a protective position, in which the cover covers the electrical contacts and thereby protects them against soiling and/or water, and a charging position, in which the electrical contacts are accessible from the area surrounding the vehicle. The cover here is cuboidal and in the protective position it at least partially surrounds the electrical contacts. In the charging position, the cover is located next to the electrical contacts, wherein the cover can be moved between the charging position and the protective position in a manner operated by external force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Alexander EWALD, Bernhard HOESS, Manfred HOLZMANN
  • Patent number: 11220254
    Abstract: A hybrid drive transmission unit for a vehicle with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor for the drive part, includes a power-split transmission with sub-transmissions and a torsion-damping unit with a gyrating mass interconnected between the internal combustion engine and the power-split transmission. A clutch is interconnected between the internal combustion engine and the torsion-damping unit, by which the internal combustion engine can be activated, switching from the electromotive operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernhard Hoess, Thomas Jung, Sebastian Kobler
  • Publication number: 20210387539
    Abstract: A device (1) for conductive charging, having a vehicle unit (2) that is fixedly mounted on a vehicle, and a stationary, but moveably mounted robot unit (3), wherein: the vehicle unit (2) can be operatively connected to the robot unit (3) in order to carry out the charging process; the two units (2, 3) each have a housing (4, 10) in which associated contact elements (5, 11) are disposed; in the robot unit (3), the contact elements (5) are recessed in the housing (4) of the robot unit (3); the contact elements (11) in the housing (10) of the vehicle unit (2) are fixed in place; and the vehicle unit (2) has a centering cone (24) and the robot unit (3) has a mating cone (25), or vice versa, as centering means which can be mutually operatively connected, characterised in that the tapering angles of the centering cone (24) and of the mating cone (25) are different.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Marco WEISS, Werner JAEGER, Bernhard HOESS, Manfred HOLZMANN, Alexander EWALD
  • Publication number: 20210331596
    Abstract: A device (1) for conductive charging, having a vehicle unit (2) that is fixedly mounted on a vehicle, and a stationary, but moveably mounted robot unit (3), wherein: the vehicle unit (2) can be operatively connected to the robot unit (3) in order to carry out the charging process; the two units (2, 3) each have a housing (4, 10) in which associated contact elements (5, 11) are disposed; in the robot unit (3), the contact elements (5) are recessed in the housing (4) of the robot unit (3); and the contact elements (11) in the housing (10) of the vehicle unit (2) are fixed in place, characterised in that provided on the vehicle unit (2) is a contact engagement guard (12) which can be moved relative to the housing (10) of the vehicle unit (2) and by means of which the contact elements (11) of the vehicle unit (2) are protected or exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Marco WEISS, Werner JAEGER, Bernhard HOESS, Manfred HOLZMANN, Alexander EWALD
  • Publication number: 20210323423
    Abstract: A device (1) for conductive charging, having a vehicle unit (2) that is fixedly mounted on a vehicle, and a stationary, but moveably mounted robot unit (3), wherein: the vehicle unit (2) can be operatively connected to the robot unit (3) in order to carry out the charging process; the two units (2, 3) each have a housing (4, 10) in which associated contact elements (5, 11) are disposed; in the robot unit (3), the contact elements (5) are recessed in the housing (4) of the robot unit (3); and the contact elements (11) in the housing (10) of the vehicle unit (2) are fixed in place, characterised in that the at least one contact element (5) of the robot unit (3) has a base (7), from which a cylindrical portion (8) and a contact tab (6) project, and the at least one contact element (11) of the vehicle unit (2) has a base (18), from which at least one contact spring (20) and a contact tab (19) project.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Marco WEISS, Werner JAEGER, Bernhard HOESS, Manfred HOLZMANN, Alexander EWALD
  • Publication number: 20210276440
    Abstract: A charging apparatus for charging a battery of an electrically operable vehicle includes a plug element, a base element, and adjusting facility. The plug element is connectable to a corresponding, vehicle-side plug element of the motor vehicle and via which electrical energy is transferrable to the motor vehicle so as to charge the battery. The base element is connected to a current source and provides electrical energy from the current source for the plug element. Via the adjusting facility the plug element is movable relative to the base element in order to connect the plug element to the vehicle-side plug element, and via which an electrical connection is provided between the base element and the plug element. The adjusting facility has an overload protection via which the base element is electrically separated from the plug element in the event of a predetermined mechanical maximal load being exceeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Alexander EWALD, Bernhard HOESS
  • Publication number: 20210101493
    Abstract: Charging robots can automatically move and connect a plug to a vehicle-side socket connector such that a battery of the vehicle can be conductively charged. A motor vehicle is provided with an electric contacting unit with electric contacts which are protected against soiling and spray water. The electric contacting unit is rigidly connected to the motor vehicle for electrically contacting an external charging cable. The contacting unit includes at least electric contacts and a movable cover that can be moved between a protective position, in which the cover covers the electric contacts and protects same against soiling and/or water, and a charging position, in which the electric contacts can be accessed from the vehicle surroundings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Alexander EWALD, Stefan GOLDAMMER, Bernhard HOESS
  • Patent number: 10889177
    Abstract: A drive apparatus for a hybrid vehicle has an internal combustion engine, which has a crankshaft for outputting a drive power, and a torsional vibration reduction device, which is designed to reduce torsional vibrations and to transfer drive power from the crankshaft in the direction of a drivable wheel of the motor vehicle. A clutch device has a clutch input side, a clutch output side, a form-fit clutch and a frictional clutch. The torque transfer from the clutch input side to the clutch output side and thus from the crankshaft to the drivable wheel can be selectively produced, wherein the torque transition from the clutch input side to the clutch output side is enabled as soon as at least one of the two clutches is closed. The torsional vibration reduction device is arranged after the clutch device, relative to the torque transmission from the crankshaft in the direction of the drivable wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernhard Hoess, Thomas Jung, Sebastian Kobler
  • Publication number: 20210001737
    Abstract: A plug-in system for a wired charging process for charging an electrical energy store of an at least partially electrically operated device includes a charging socket positioned on the electrically operated device. The plug-in system has a charging device with a charging plug which can be extended towards the charging socket using a translational movement. The charging socket has a cover for protecting contact parts of the charging socket from environmental influences. The charging plug is designed to produce, as a result of the translational movement, one or more reclosable contact part openings in the cover, through which openings contact parts of the charging plug can be guided during the translational movement in order to form pairs of galvanically conductive connections to the corresponding contact parts of the charging socket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Bernhard HOESS, Robert HUBER
  • Patent number: 10882512
    Abstract: A drive system for a hybrid vehicle and a method of operation of the drive system are provided. The drive system includes an internal combustion engine having a shaft, a vehicle transmission having a transmission input shaft and an output shaft, a transmission clutch between the transmission input and output shafts, an inertia-mass drive unit arranged between the internal combustion engine shaft and the transmission input shaft, a first clutch between the internal combustion engine shaft and inertia-mass drive unit and a second clutch between the inertia-mass drive unit and the transmission input shaft; and an electrical machine torque-transmittingly connected to the transmission input shaft. The inertia-mass drive unit may include rotational oscillation reduction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Sebastian Kobler, Thomas Jung, Bernhard Hoess
  • Publication number: 20200208600
    Abstract: A hybrid drive device includes an internal combustion engine, an electric machine and an impulse start module which comprises two clutches and a flywheel mass. A method for operating the hybrid device includes opening the first clutch of the impulse-start module and establishing a start-up requirement for the internal-combustion engine. The method also includes closing the first clutch with the second clutch in an open or closed position for a start of the internal-combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Bernhard HOESS, Thomas JUNG, Sebastian KOBLER
  • Publication number: 20200148194
    Abstract: A hybrid drive transmission unit for a vehicle with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor for the drive part, includes a power-split transmission with sub-transmissions and a torsion-damping unit with a gyrating mass interconnected between the internal combustion engine and the power-split transmission. A clutch is interconnected between the internal combustion engine and the torsion-damping unit, by which the internal combustion engine can be activated, switching from the electromotive operating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Bernhard HOESS, Thomas JUNG, Sebastian KOBLER
  • Publication number: 20200023725
    Abstract: A drive apparatus for a hybrid vehicle has an internal combustion engine, which has a crankshaft for outputting a drive power, and a torsional vibration reduction device, which is designed to reduce torsional vibrations and to transfer drive power from the crankshaft in the direction of a drivable wheel of the motor vehicle. A clutch device has a clutch input side, a clutch output side, a form-fit clutch and a frictional clutch. The torque transfer from the clutch input side to the clutch output side and thus from the crankshaft to the drivable wheel can be selectively produced, wherein the torque transition from the clutch input side to the clutch output side is enabled as soon as at least one of the two clutches is closed. The torsional vibration reduction device is arranged after the clutch device, relative to the torque transmission from the crankshaft in the direction of the drivable wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Bernhard HOESS, Thomas JUNG, Sebastian KOBLER