Patents by Inventor Christian Dönitz

Christian Dönitz 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: 9689305
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal-combustion engine includes increasing a torque demand, controlling a throttle valve, opening an air injection valve and continuously measuring first and second gas pressures with an electronic control unit. The method also includes closing the throttle valve, measuring a first gas mass flow, retarding an ignition angle, and closing the air injection valve. In the method the throttle valve is opened with the control unit when the first gas pressure p1 equals the second gas pressure p2. The method also includes continuously controlling the fuel system with the electronic control unit to have a stoichiometric fuel/air ratio of the internal combustion engine being constantly combusting in the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Doenitz, Christoph Voser, Norbert Zsiga, Christopher Onder, Lino Guzzella
  • Publication number: 20150247446
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a spark ignition internal combustion engine with an ignition angle adjustment by a control unit and with an exhaust gas turbocharger with a turbine and a compressor and, wherein a throttle valve is provided in an intake air manifold between the compressor and the internal combustion engine. A compressed air device is provided for introducing compressed air into the intake air manifold, including at least one pressure tank and an air injection valve that can be opened by the control unit and is connected to provide gas to the pressure tank for introducing compressed air into the intake air manifold between the throttle valve and the internal combustion engine. A first gas pressure is measured in the intake air manifold between the compressor and the throttle butterfly and a second gas pressure is measured between the throttle valve and the internal combustion engine. The throttle valve can be controlled or regulated by the control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Inventors: Christian DOENITZ, Christoph VOSER, Norbert ZSIGA, Christopher ONDER, Lino GUZZELLA
  • Patent number: 8997488
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a turbocharged reciprocating piston engine, and to a method for operating said engine. The combustion chamber includes at least one inlet valve (10), one outlet valve (13) and at least one additional charging valve (11), for the additional feed of compressed air to bridge the turbo lag, that are each operatively connected to the crankshaft via a camshaft and the operative connection of the charging valves to the crankshaft can be deactivated, with the result that the at least one charging valve (11) remains closed. An approximately stoichiometric combustion mixture is achieved by a turbocharger (4) and a throttle valve (8). By displacement of the opening instant of the charging valves (11), air can be pumped from the cylindrical combustion chambers into the compressed air tank (14). An additional compressor (24) can likewise deliver air into the compressed air tank (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: ETH Zürich
    Inventors: Lino Guzzella, Christian Dönitz, Christopher H. Onder, Christoph Voser
  • Patent number: 8657044
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an pneumatic hybrid internal combustion engine with at least one combustion chamber composed of a cylinder in which a piston is arranged mechanically interconnected to a crank shaft via a piston rod. An inlet valve and an exhaust valve are both mechanically interconnected via a valve gear to the crank shaft. The engine further includes at least one charge valve which is actuated by a charge valve actuator in a fully variable manner such that the engine can be operated in a four stroke hybrid mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: ETH Zurich
    Inventors: Christian Dönitz, Christopher Onder, Julian Vasile, Lino Guzzella, Pascal Higelin, Yann Chamaillard, Alain Charlet
  • Publication number: 20120186249
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a turbo-charged reciprocating piston engine having a combustion chamber, and to a method for operating said engine. The combustion chamber has at least one inlet valve (10), one outlet valve (13) and at least one additional charging valve (11), for the additional feed of compressed air to bridge the turbo lag. All the valves (10, 11, 13) are operatively connected to the crankshaft via a camshaft and the operative connection of the charging valves to the crankshaft can be deactivated, with the result that the at least one charging valve (11) remains closed. The correct metering of the air for a stoichiometric or approximately stoichiometric combustion mixture is additionally achieved by a turbocharger (4) and a throttle valve (8). By displacement of the opening instant of the charging valves (11), air can be pumped from the cylindrical combustion chambers into the compressed air tank (14), instead of removing said air from the latter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: ETH ZÜRICH
    Inventors: Lino Guzzella, Christian Dönitz, Christopher H. Onder, Christoph Voser
  • Publication number: 20110023820
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an pneumatic hybrid internal combustion engine with at least one combustion chamber composed of a cylinder in which a piston is arranged mechanically interconnected to a crank shaft via a piston rod. An inlet valve and an exhaust valve are both mechanically interconnected via a valve gear to the crank shaft. The engine further includes at least one charge valve which is actuated by a charge valve actuator in a fully variable manner such that the engine can be operated in a four stroke hybrid mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Christian Dönitz, Christopher Onder, Julian Vasile, Lino Guzzella, Pascal Higelin, Yann Chamaillard, Alain Charlet