Patents by Inventor Christian Rebinger

Christian Rebinger 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: 11104204
    Abstract: A method for operating a cooling circuit. It is provided that a) the actuation signal ST of the coolant compressor is provided so as to increase over time from a minimum value (STmin) in order to generate a start-up phase of the coolant compressor, b) a control signal maximum value (STmax) and a control signal threshold (STSW) are provided, where STSW<STmax, c) the actuation signal (ST) is limited to the control signal maximum value (STmax) if the actuation signal (ST) reaches the control signal threshold (STSW) and the measured high and/or low-pressure value (PHD, PND) satisfies a condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Dirk Schroeder, Christian Rebinger, Helmut Rottenkolber, Jan Wack
  • Publication number: 20210148616
    Abstract: A refrigeration system for a vehicle including a refrigerant circuit having a double-flow heat exchanger, it being possible to operate the heat exchanger as a refrigerant condenser/gas cooler for an AC mode or as an air heat pump evaporator for a heat pump mode. The first flow of the heat exchanger has a first refrigerant connection and the second flow of the heat exchanger has a second refrigerant connection. For double flow through the heat exchanger in AC mode the first refrigerant connection is a refrigerant inlet and the second refrigerant connection is a refrigerant outlet. For single flow through the heat exchanger in heat pump mode the second refrigerant connection is a refrigerant inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Dirk SCHROEDER, Christian REBINGER, Helmut ROTTENKOLBER
  • Patent number: 10914504
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for icing prevention regulation for a heat pump evaporator (3) in air conditioning systems of vehicles, composed of a subsection (1) of a refrigerant circuit which can be operated both as a heat pump and also as an air conditioning system. The device comprises the heat pump evaporator (3), an electrical or mechanical refrigerant compressor (4), a cooler fan (9) which is attached to the heat pump evaporator (3) and which draws ambient air (11) upstream from and through the heat pump evaporator (3) at an adjustable flow speed, and which thus permits a permanent flow of ambient air (11) over the heat pump evaporator surface, a first temperature sensor (6) in or on the refrigerant line (5, 5a) upstream from the heat pump evaporator (3) with respect to the heat pump operating direction, and a control and regulating unit (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignees: Audi AG, Halla Visteon Climate Control Corporation
    Inventors: Engelbert Schmitz, Peter Heyl, Marc Graaf, Christian Rebinger, Dirk Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20200269654
    Abstract: A method for operating a coolant circuit of a vehicle cooling system in an AC mode and in a heating mode, implemented by a heat pump function, having an evaporator branch including an evaporator and a first expansion element, a coolant compressor, an AC and heat pump branch, having an outer condenser or gas cooler, as a heat pump evaporator having a second expansion element. The AC and heat pump branch is connected to the coolant compressor via a first blocking element and to the evaporator branch via the second expansion element, a heating branch having an inner heating condenser or heating gas cooler and a second blocking element, connected downstream thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Dirk SCHROEDER, Christian REBINGER
  • Publication number: 20200130468
    Abstract: A method for operating a cooling circuit. It is provided that a) the actuation signal ST of the coolant compressor is provided so as to increase over time from a minimum value (STmin) in order to generate a start-up phase of the coolant compressor, b) a control signal maximum value (STmax) and a control signal threshold (STSW) are provided, where STSW<STmax, c) the actuation signal (ST) is limited to the control signal maximum value (STmax) if the actuation signal (ST) reaches the control signal threshold (STSW) and the measured high and/or low-pressure value (PHD, PND) satisfies a condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventors: Dirk SCHROEDER, Christian REBINGER, Helmut ROTTENKOLBER, Jan WACK
  • Publication number: 20200023709
    Abstract: A cooling system of a vehicle, including a coolant circuit, which can be operated as a cooling circuit for an AC operation and as a heat pump circuit for a heating operation, an evaporator, a coolant compressor, a heat exchanger in the form of a coolant condenser or gas cooler for the coolant circuit or in the form of a heat pump evaporator for the heat pump circuit, a first expansion element which is paired with the evaporator, a second expansion element, the heat pump evaporator function of which is paired with the heat exchanger, and an inner heat exchanger with a high-pressure section and a low-pressure section. The low-pressure section is fluidically connected to the downstream coolant compressor. The high-pressure section of the inner heat exchanger is arranged in a coolant circuit section which connects the second expansion element to the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Dirk SCHROEDER, Christian REBINGER, Thomas ANZENBERGER
  • Patent number: 9823023
    Abstract: A heat exchanger unit that enables a quick interchanging of function, form and size of the different heat exchanger modules. The interchanging may be possible in regard to the sequence of the individual heat exchanger modules. The heat exchanger unit in includes inserts configured such that appropriately configured cassettes can be inserted, and an inner shape of the cassettes is configured so that different heat exchanger modules can be accommodated therein. The cassettes are thus designed specific to the heat exchanger, while the outer shape of all cassettes conforms to the shape of the uniformly configured inserts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: HANON SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Juergen Hoppen, Raymond Ambs, Christian Rebinger, Dirk Schroeder
  • Patent number: 9738138
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioner with a refrigerant circuit has as components at least one evaporator, a refrigerant compressor, a refrigerant condenser, an expansion valve associated with the evaporator and at least one heat exchanger with an associated expansion valve for coupling with a coolant circuit of a heat source, wherein the components are connected by a refrigerant line. A refrigerant container is provided which is connected on the high-pressure side of the refrigerant compressor with the refrigerant line and has a refrigerant-receiving chamber with a controllable volume, and a control unit is provided with which the volume of the chamber of the refrigerant container is controlled as a function of operating parameters of the refrigerant circuit. Alternatively, the refrigerant container is connected on the high-pressure side of the refrigerant compressor with the refrigerant line by way of a branch line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Christian Rebinger, Dirk Schroeder, Klaus Strasser, Ruben Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 9242527
    Abstract: The invention relates to a refrigerant circuit and a process for operation of the refrigerant circuit of an HVAC system of a vehicle, particularly an electric or hybrid vehicle. The refrigerant circuit includes a primary circuit with a compressor, a heat exchanger for heat transmission between the refrigerant and the environment, a collector, a first expansion member, a heat exchanger for supply of heat from the fresh air to be conditioned of the vehicle interior to the refrigerant and a heat exchanger arranged switched in parallel to the heat exchanger. Further, the refrigerant circuit is provided with a secondary train that extends starting from a tapping point positioned between the compressor and the heat exchanger up to a connection point and is provided with a heat exchanger for heat transmission from the refrigerant to the fresh air to be conditioned for the vehicle interior, and a subsequent control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Hanon Systems
    Inventors: Marc Graaf, Florian Wieschollek, Christian Rebinger, Dirk Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20150266358
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioner with a refrigerant circuit has as components at least one evaporator, a refrigerant compressor, a refrigerant condenser, an expansion valve associated with the evaporator and at least one heat exchanger with an associated expansion valve for coupling with a coolant circuit of a heat source, wherein the components are connected by a refrigerant line. A refrigerant container is provided which is connected on the high-pressure side of the refrigerant compressor with the refrigerant line and has a refrigerant-receiving chamber with a controllable volume, and a control unit is provided with which the volume of the chamber of the refrigerant container is controlled as a function of operating parameters of the refrigerant circuit. Alternatively, the refrigerant container is connected on the high-pressure side of the refrigerant compressor with the refrigerant line by way of a branch line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventors: Christian Rebinger, Dirk Schroeder, Klaus Strasser, Ruben Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20150107278
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for icing prevention regulation for a heat pump evaporator (3) in air conditioning systems of vehicles, composed of a subsection (1) of a refrigerant circuit which can be operated both as a heat pump and also as an air conditioning system. The device comprises the heat pump evaporator (3), an electrical or mechanical refrigerant compressor (4), a cooler fan (9) which is attached to the heat pump evaporator (3) and which draws ambient air (11) upstream from and through the heat pump evaporator (3) at an adjustable flow speed, and which thus permits a permanent flow of ambient air (11) over the heat pump evaporator surface, a first temperature sensor (6) in or on the refrigerant line (5, 5a) upstream from the heat pump evaporator (3) with respect to the heat pump operating direction, and a control and regulating unit (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Engelbert Schmitz, Peter Heyl, Marc Graaf, Christian Rebinger, Dirk Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20140138049
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle with an air conditioner for heating inlet air flowing into a vehicle interior, the air conditioner including: a heater heat exchanger thermally coupled through a coolant cycle with a drive unit or similar; and a supplemental heat exchanger which is connected to a refrigerant cycle of the air conditioner and which transfers heat to the inlet air in heating mode, wherein the supplemental heat exchanger is configured with at least two rows including a first heat exchanger row and a second heat exchanger row in a refrigerant flow direction, wherein the first heat exchanger row and the second heat exchanger row are arranged in a refrigerant flow direction so that super cooling of a condensed refrigerant is provided in the second heat exchanger row and at least heat extraction of the refrigerant is provided in the first heat exchanger row.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES INC
    Inventors: Dirk Schroeder, Hans Hammer, Christian Rebinger, Peter Heyl
  • Publication number: 20140075966
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an air conditioner (1) for treating the air of a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. The air conditioner (1) exhibits a refrigerant circuit (2) configured for a combined cooling unit and heat-pump mode and for a post-heating mode. In the heat-pump mode with a first and a second heat source, two heat sources differing from each other can be used. A temperature of the first heat source, a temperature of the second heat source, and a regulation characteristic number and a maximum pressure are taken into account in the refrigerant circuit (2) for operating the air conditioner (1) in a heat-pump mode. The invention additionally relates to a method for switching between the two heat-pump modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: Engelbert Schmitz, Peter Heyl, Christian Rebinger, Dirk Schroeder, Hans Hammer, Martin Rene Hoetzel
  • Publication number: 20130031922
    Abstract: The invention includes a refrigerant circuit for a cooling operation and a heat pump operation. The refrigerant circuit has a high pressure area and a low pressure area, including at least one heat source/heat sink, a compressor, an expansion device, at least one thermal interior space module, and an internal heat exchanger. The internal heat exchanger has a high pressure side part and a low pressure side part, wherein the high pressure side part is disposed between the expansion device and the heat source/heat sink. The invention also includes at least one metering device through which the high pressure side part of the internal heat exchanger is operable during the heat pump operation at a medium pressure level intermediate a pressure level in the high pressure area and a pressure level in the low pressure area of the refrigerant circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Peter Heyl, Christian Rebinger, Dirk Schroeder, Hans Hammer, Martin Hoetzel
  • Publication number: 20120325433
    Abstract: A heat exchanger unit that enables a quick interchanging of function, form and size of the different heat exchanger modules. The interchanging may be possible in regard to the sequence of the individual heat exchanger modules. The heat exchanger unit in includes inserts configured such that appropriately configured cassettes can be inserted, and an inner shape of the cassettes is configured so that different heat exchanger modules can be accommodated therein. The cassettes are thus designed specific to the heat exchanger, while the outer shape of all cassettes conforms to the shape of the uniformly configured inserts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Juergen Hoppen, Raymond Ambs, Christian Rebinger, Dirk Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20120085114
    Abstract: The invention relates to a refrigerant circuit and a process for operation of the refrigerant circuit of an HVAC system of a vehicle, particularly an electric or hybrid vehicle. The refrigerant circuit includes a primary circuit with a compressor, a heat exchanger for heat transmission between the refrigerant and the environment, a collector, a first expansion member, a heat exchanger for supply of heat from the fresh air to be conditioned of the vehicle interior to the refrigerant and a heat exchanger arranged switched in parallel to the heat exchanger. Further, the refrigerant circuit is provided with a secondary train that extends starting from a tapping point positioned between the compressor and the heat exchanger up to a connection point and is provided with a heat exchanger for heat transmission from the refrigerant to the fresh air to be conditioned for the vehicle interior, and a subsequent control valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicants: Audi AG, VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Marc Graaf, Florian Wieschollek, Christian Rebinger, Dirk Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20120085512
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a cooling system and a method for operating the cooling system for cooling a battery of a vehicle using a coolant circuit. The cooling circuit includes a pump device, a heat exchanger for transferring heat between a coolant and the battery, a heat exchanger for transferring heat between the coolant and the surroundings, and a heat exchanger for transferring heat between the coolant and a refrigerant circulating in a refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant circuit is designed with a heat exchanger and an associated expansion element. The refrigerant circuit includes two additional expansion elements. The first expansion element is arranged upstream of the heat exchanger and the second expansion element is arranged downstream of the heat exchanger, with regard to the direction of the refrigerant flow. The heat exchangers designed as evaporators on the refrigerant side can be operated with different pressure and temperature levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicants: Audi AG, VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Marc Graaf, Florian Wieschollek, Christian Rebinger, Dirk Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20060218956
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to obviate the need for rubber hoses or other flexible rubber compensation elements, which prevent the transmission of vibrations to the vehicle body. To achieve this, the pipelines of an air conditioning system including their pipe couplings (42-45) are configured entirely of metal with an external diameter, in relation to the compressor, of less than 11 mm on the discharge side and less than 13 mm on the suction side. A damping curvature (35, 36) is also configured in the pipelines (6?, 12?) that connect the compressor to a heat exchanger, in addition to at least one curvature (37-40) required by the installation geometry of the conduit system. The system is also equipped with a pipeline, designed to restrict the flow of operating fluid, said pipeline being configured as a particularly thin pipe with an internal diameter of capillary-tube type proportions, designed to restrict the flow and an external diameter ranging between 2 and 4 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Inventors: Hans Hammer, Dirk Schroeder, Christian Rebinger, Frank Obrist, Frank Wolf, Martin Graz
  • Patent number: 6938685
    Abstract: A heat exchanger (1) consists of a plurality of disks (4) which are assembled to form a heat exchanger block or disk stack (16) and which are formed in each case from sheets (22) joined together in pairs and enclose between them at least one cavity designed as a duct. The cavity is delimited by the insides of the sheets (22). In the duct, an internal fluid flows in the longitudinal direction of the disks (4) and, on the outside of the disks, an external fluid flows transversely to the direction of flow of the internal fluid. Each sheet (22) has elevations (26, 33?) out of the disk plane, which are formed by material deformation and are directed both into the inside of the disk and toward the outside of the disk, the elevations (33?) directed toward the outside of the disk being configured as elongate stamped-out portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Behr GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Gottfried Duerr, Peter Geskes, Michael Kohl, Andreas Lelster, Kurt Molt, Emil Neumann, Franz Ott, Christian Rebinger, Wolfgang Seewald
  • Publication number: 20020195239
    Abstract: A heat exchanger (1) consists of a plurality of disks (4) which are assembled to form a heat exchanger block or disk stack (16) and which are formed in each case from sheets (22) joined together in pairs and enclose between them at least one cavity designed as a duct. The cavity is delimited by the insides of the sheets (22). In the duct, an internal fluid flows in the longitudinal direction of the disks (4) and, on the outside of the disks, an external fluid flows transversely to the direction of flow of the internal fluid. Each sheet (22) has elevations (26, 33′) out of the disk plane, which are formed by material deformation and are directed both into the inside of the disk and toward the outside of the disk, the elevations (33′) directed toward the outside of the disk being configured as elongate stamped-out portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Applicant: BEHR GmbH & CO.
    Inventors: Gottfried Duerr, Peter Geskes, Michael Kohl, Andreas Lelster, Kurt Molt, Emil Neumann, Franz Ott, Christian Rebinger, Wolfgang Seewald