Patents by Inventor Björn Fröhlich

Björn Fröhlich 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: 11542894
    Abstract: A method for testing the function of a fuel tank system of an internal combustion engine, the fuel tank system, whereby a gas transport device is operated and a shutoff valve is actuated by means of PWM, whereby the shutoff valve is opened and closed multiple times according to a PWM signal for implementing a defined opening state, a pressure oscillation of the purge gas, which results due to the corresponding opening and closing movements of the shutoff valve, being ascertained and evaluated with the aid of the pressure sensor according to a frequency diagnosis, and a distinction being made between an operability and a malfunction, based on the result of the evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rene Fink, Stephan Wassmann, Jacky Oelscher, Harm Pralle, Bjoern Froehlich, Silke Weddig, Georg Dieterle, Aleksandar Tesic
  • Publication number: 20220290638
    Abstract: A method for testing the function of a fuel tank system of an internal combustion engine, the fuel tank system, whereby a gas transport device is operated and a shutoff valve is actuated by means of PWM, whereby the shutoff valve is opened and closed multiple times according to a PWM signal for implementing a defined opening state, a pressure oscillation of the purge gas, which results due to the corresponding opening and closing movements of the shutoff valve, being ascertained and evaluated with the aid of the pressure sensor according to a frequency diagnosis, and a distinction being made between an operability and a malfunction, based on the result of the evaluation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Applicant: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rene FINK, Stephan WASSMANN, Jacky OELSCHER, Harm PRALLE, Bjoern FROEHLICH, Silke WEDDIG, Georg DIETERLE, Aleksandar TESIC
  • Patent number: 11261829
    Abstract: A method for controlling a control valve, the control valve controlling a volume flow of a fluid along a line, the method including at least the following steps: (a) performing a closing operation of the control valve; (b) measuring a pressure profile upstream of the control valve; and (c) determining a density of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Michael Brand, Silke Weddig, Björn Fröhlich, Jens Wodausch, Christian Arenz
  • Patent number: 11208962
    Abstract: A method for venting the tank of a vehicle, a device for venting the tank of a vehicle, as well as a vehicle are provided. In this context, the vehicle in which the method is employed has an internal combustion engine that can be operated with a fuel, an air supply system, an exhaust gas system comprising at least an exhaust gas turbocharger, a fuel tank that is designed to supply the internal combustion engine with fuel, and a fuel vapor sorption system. It is provided that, in the method or by means of the device, a drive flow in the air supply system is regulated as a function of an altitude reserve of the exhaust gas turbocharger and as a function of an engine load point, so that the flushing air volume flow of the tank venting system that ensues is determined and can be supplied as a function of an altitude rotational speed of the exhaust gas turbocharger and as a function of the engine load point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Jens Wodausch, Björn Fröhlich
  • Patent number: 11187196
    Abstract: A tank venting device for a fuel tank that supplies an internal combustion engine with a fuel includes a fuel vapor sorption system that is configured for reversibly storing fuel vapor in, and removing it from, the fuel tank, wherein the tank venting device includes at least one purge device, which is operable independently of the internal combustion engine, for applying a motive flow to the fuel vapor sorption system in the direction opposite from the fuel tank, so that the fuel vapor sorption system can be purged via a purge line, wherein the purge device includes at least one control device for controlling the motive flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Jens Wodausch, Björn Fröhlich
  • Patent number: 11131284
    Abstract: The invention relates to a restarting method for automatically starting an internal combustion engine (2) of a motor vehicle (3) by means of a brake pedal actuation, comprising the following steps: detecting a brake pressure (p) by means of a brake pressure sensor (14); emitting a corresponding brake pressure signal sequence to a control device (13); determining a brake pressure profile (ppr) from the brake pressure signal sequence; determining a reference pressure value (pR) from the brake pressure profile; detecting a brake release status, wherein, with the release of a brake pedal, a brake pressure decrease (?p) is detected based on the determined reference pressure value (pR), with said decrease exceeding a pressure decrease limit value (?pG); emitting a starting signal (SWS) to a starter (15) for starting the internal combustion engine (2), if the brake release status has been detected. The invention also relates to a restarting assembly for a motor vehicle (1) for carrying out a method of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLCHAFT
    Inventors: Björn Fröhlich, Jan-Lars Dalchow
  • Patent number: 10913348
    Abstract: A method for venting a fuel tank system of an internal combustion engine is provided, wherein the fuel tank system includes at least a fuel tank, a fuel vapor filter that is fluidically connected to an opening to the environment, a vent line that leads from the fuel tank to the fuel vapor filter, a purge gas line that leads from the fuel vapor filter to a fresh gas tract of the internal combustion engine, a purge gas conveying device that is integrated into the purge gas line, and an exhaust tract with a lambda sensor integrated therein. Control of the purge gas conveying device is carried out based on the measuring signal of the lambda sensor in order to regulate a volume flow of the purge gas in the purge gas line. The method may advantageously be carried out in an internal combustion engine that additionally includes a lambda controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Jens Wodausch, Björn Fröhlich, Silke Weddig
  • Patent number: 10851723
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine, which includes at least a combustion engine, a fresh gas line and a fuel tank system. The fuel tank system includes a fuel tank, a fuel vapor filter, a purge gas line that connects the fuel vapor filter to the fresh gas line, and a sensor that is suited for determining a degree of hydrocarbon saturation of purge gas contained in the purge gas line. The fuel tank system also has a tank ventilation valve that is integrated in the purge gas line and/or a purge-gas feed device. In response to a control device, a tank ventilation process is initiated, as needed, for which the purge-gas feed device is operated, and/or the tank ventilation valve is opened; for the tank ventilation process, a hydrocarbon content of the purge gas being ascertained using the sensor. A quantity of fuel to be introduced into at least a combustion chamber of the combustion engine is then adjusted as a function of the ascertained hydrocarbon content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Jens Wodausch, Björn Fröhlich
  • Patent number: 10787977
    Abstract: A method is provided to determine the hydrocarbon content in the purge gas of a fuel tank system of a combustion machine, whereby the fuel tank system comprises at least a fuel tank, a fuel vapor filter that is fluidically connected to an atmospheric port, a vent line leading from the fuel tank to the fuel vapor filter, a purge gas line leading from the fuel vapor filter to the fresh gas line of the combustion machine, a fuel tank vent valve that is integrated into the purge gas line, a pressure sensor that is integrated into the purge gas line and that can be configured as an absolute pressure sensor or as a differential pressure sensor, and a compressor that is integrated into the purge gas line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Jens Wodausch, Björn Fröhlich, Silke Weddig
  • Patent number: 10738722
    Abstract: A method for operating a drive system of a motor vehicle having a combustion engine, a fuel tank, and an evaporative emission control system, includes the following steps: opening a canister-purge valve of the evaporative emission control system; using a first sensor of the motor vehicle designed as a pressure sensor to ascertain an evaporative emission control system pressure prevailing in the evaporative emission control system between a filter device of the evaporative emission control system and the canister-purge valve; using a measurement device of the motor vehicle to ascertain an ambient pressure of the motor vehicle; using a computational device of the motor vehicle to compute a flow volume of a fluid streaming through the canister-purge valve on the basis of the ascertained evaporative emission control system pressure and the ascertained ambient pressure; and using an engine control device of the drive system of the motor vehicle to operate the drive system taking into account the computed fluid flo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Jens Wodausch, Björn Fröhlich, Silke Weddig, Michael Brand
  • Publication number: 20200232400
    Abstract: The invention relates to an internal combustion engine having an intake system and a fuel tank. In the intake system, there is a compressor and, downstream from the compressor, there is a throttle valve. The intake system comprises an air supply line that connects the compressor to an inlet of the internal combustion engine. The fuel tank has a venting line that connects the fuel tank to an activated carbon canister containing an activated carbon filter. It is provided for a conveying line to branch off from the air supply line and to connect the air supply line downstream from the compressor and upstream from the throttle valve to an intake line downstream from an air filter and upstream from the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Jens WODAUSCH, Björn FRÖHLICH
  • Publication number: 20200173413
    Abstract: The invention relates to a restarting method for automatically starting an internal combustion engine (2) of a motor vehicle (3) by means of a brake pedal actuation, comprising the following steps: detecting a brake pressure (p) by means of a brake pressure sensor (14); emitting a corresponding brake pressure signal sequence to a control device (13); determining a brake pressure profile (ppr) from the brake pressure signal sequence; determining a reference pressure value (pR) from the brake pressure profile; detecting a brake release status, wherein, with the release of a brake pedal, a brake pressure decrease (?p) is detected based on the determined reference pressure value (pR), with said decrease exceeding a pressure decrease limit value (?pG); emitting a starting signal (SWS) to a starter (15) for starting the internal combustion engine (2), if the brake release status has been detected. The invention also relates to a restarting assembly for a motor vehicle (1) for carrying out a method of this type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Björn FRÖHLICH, Jan-Lars DALCHOW
  • Publication number: 20200173398
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for tank ventilation of a fuel tank of a vehicle. A first and a second purge air line are to be respectively connected to a fuel vapor collecting device that is arranged downstream from a fuel tank, the first line being connected to an intake manifold and the second line being connected to an air supply system of a supercharging unit. A purging device is additionally provided in the second purge air line. Operating a control device that is designed to at least partially regulate the at least one first purge air flow and/or the second purge air flow ultimately results in venting of the fuel vapor collecting device, with a quantity distribution of an overall purge air stream to the first and second purge air line being controlled by means of the control device and an active control system of a purging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Philipp Hackmann, Jens Wodausch, Björn Fröhlich
  • Publication number: 20200063672
    Abstract: A method for venting the tank of a vehicle, a device for venting the tank of a vehicle, as well as a vehicle are provided. In this context, the vehicle in which the method is employed has an internal combustion engine that can be operated with a fuel, an air supply system, an exhaust gas system comprising at least an exhaust gas turbocharger, a fuel tank that is designed to supply the internal combustion engine with fuel, and a fuel vapor sorption system. It is provided that, in the method or by means of the device, a drive flow in the air supply system is regulated as a function of an altitude reserve of the exhaust gas turbocharger and as a function of an engine load point, so that the flushing air volume flow of the tank venting system that ensues is determined and can be supplied as a function of an altitude rotational speed of the exhaust gas turbocharger and as a function of the engine load point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Jens WODAUSCH, Björn FRÖHLICH
  • Publication number: 20200056567
    Abstract: A tank venting device for a fuel tank that supplies an internal combustion engine with a fuel includes a fuel vapor sorption system that is configured for reversibly storing fuel vapor in, and removing it from, the fuel tank, wherein the tank venting device includes at least one purge device, which is operable independently of the internal combustion engine, for applying a motive flow to the fuel vapor sorption system in the direction opposite from the fuel tank, so that the fuel vapor sorption system can be purged via a purge line, wherein the purge device includes at least one control device for controlling the motive flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Applicant: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Jens WODAUSCH, Björn FRÖHLICH
  • Publication number: 20190360408
    Abstract: A method for operating a drive system of a motor vehicle having a combustion engine, a fuel tank, and an evaporative emission control system, includes the following steps: opening a canister-purge valve of the evaporative emission control system; using a first sensor of the motor vehicle designed as a pressure sensor to ascertain an evaporative emission control system pressure prevailing in the evaporative emission control system between a filter device of the evaporative emission control system and the canister-purge valve; using a measurement device of the motor vehicle to ascertain an ambient pressure of the motor vehicle; using a computational device of the motor vehicle to compute a flow volume of a fluid streaming through the canister-purge valve on the basis of the ascertained evaporative emission control system pressure and the ascertained ambient pressure; and using an engine control device of the drive system of the motor vehicle to operate the drive system taking into account the computed fluid flo
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Jens Wodausch, Björn Fröhlich, Silke Weddig, Michael Brand
  • Publication number: 20190293008
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine, which includes at least a combustion engine, a fresh gas line and a fuel tank system. The fuel tank system includes a fuel tank, a fuel vapor filter, a purge gas line that connects the fuel vapor filter to the fresh gas line, and a sensor that is suited for determining a degree of hydrocarbon saturation of purge gas contained in the purge gas line. The fuel tank system also has a tank ventilation valve that is integrated in the purge gas line and/or a purge-gas feed device. In response to a control device, a tank ventilation process is initiated, as needed, for which the purge-gas feed device is operated, and/or the tank ventilation valve is opened; for the tank ventilation process, a hydrocarbon content of the purge gas being ascertained using the sensor. A quantity of fuel to be introduced into at least a combustion chamber of the combustion engine is then adjusted as a function of the ascertained hydrocarbon content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Applicant: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Jens WODAUSCH, Björn FRÖHLICH
  • Publication number: 20190263258
    Abstract: A method for venting a fuel tank system of an internal combustion engine is provided, wherein the fuel tank system includes at least a fuel tank, a fuel vapor filter that is fluidically connected to an opening to the environment, a vent line that leads from the fuel tank to the fuel vapor filter, a purge gas line that leads from the fuel vapor filter to a fresh gas tract of the internal combustion engine, a purge gas conveying device that is integrated into the purge gas line, and an exhaust tract with a lambda sensor integrated therein. Control of the purge gas conveying device is carried out based on the measuring signal of the lambda sensor in order to regulate a volume flow of the purge gas in the purge gas line. The method may advantageously be carried out in an internal combustion engine that additionally includes a lambda controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Applicant: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jens WODAUSCH, Björn FRÖHLICH, Silke WEDDIG
  • Publication number: 20190178179
    Abstract: A method is provided to determine the hydrocarbon content in the purge gas of a fuel tank system of a combustion machine, whereby the fuel tank system comprises at least a fuel tank, a fuel vapor filter that is fluidically connected to an atmospheric port, a vent line leading from the fuel tank to the fuel vapor filter, a purge gas line leading from the fuel vapor filter to the fresh gas line of the combustion machine, a fuel tank vent valve that is integrated into the purge gas line, a pressure sensor that is integrated into the purge gas line and that can be configured as an absolute pressure sensor or as a differential pressure sensor, and a compressor that is integrated into the purge gas line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Jens WODAUSCH, Björn Fröhlich, Silke Weddig
  • Patent number: 10147002
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus determine a road condition using a vehicle camera. At least one image is acquired using the camera. A first image area that includes an image of the road surface is determined in the at least one image. A classifier assigns the first image area to at least one class (among pre-established classes) that represents a specific road condition of the road surface. Information regarding this specific road condition is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignees: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH, Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Bernd Hartmann, Dieter Kroekel, Stefan Fritz, Joachim Denzler, Bjoern Froehlich, Michael Kemmler, Stefan Schubert, Eric Bach