Patents by Inventor Christian Zentner
Christian Zentner 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).
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Patent number: 8794467Abstract: A tank flap module is provided for installation in a motor vehicle having a basin, which in the region of an elastically deformable floor section has a passage opening for receiving a fuel filler neck. The floor section adjoining the passage opening on a side facing the fuel filler neck has a surface structure provided for reducing the adhesive and/or sliding friction properties.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2010Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Christian Zentner
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Patent number: 8556326Abstract: A tank flap module is provided for installation in a motor vehicle, having a recess body insertable into an opening of the vehicle body, which has a passage opening for receiving a fuel filler neck in the area of a base section, and which has a flange-like fastening edge protruding radially outward facing away from the base section. A flexibly deformable and peripheral axial sealing tab is provided extending along the fastening edge, which extends axially outward in relation to the passage opening and comes into contact on an interior of a tank flap, which is located in the closed position and is mounted so it is pivotable on the recess body.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Christian Zentner
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Patent number: 8360501Abstract: A tank flap module is provided for installation in a motor vehicle with a trough body having a bottom section which in final assembly position on the motor vehicle is located on the inside and provided with a through-opening for a fuel filler neck and a mounting section for the swivel-mounting of a swivel arm of a tank flap arranged laterally thereto. The swivel arm is swivel-mounted on the trough body between two end positions. On the inside of the mounting section at least one noise-dampening end stop element is arranged which interacts with the swivel arm or a counter stop element arranged thereon.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2010Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Christian Zentner
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Publication number: 20120161462Abstract: A tank flap module is provided for installation in a motor vehicle, having a recess body insertable into an opening of the vehicle body, which has a passage opening for receiving a fuel filler neck in the area of a base section, and which has a flange-like fastening edge protruding radially outward facing away from the base section. A flexibly deformable and peripheral axial sealing tab is provided extending along the fastening edge, which extends axially outward in relation to the passage opening and comes into contact on an interior of a tank flap, which is located in the closed position and is mounted so it is pivotable on the recess body.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2010Publication date: June 28, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Christian Zentner
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Publication number: 20120111451Abstract: A tank flap module is provided for installation in a motor vehicle having a basin, which in the region of an elastically deformable floor section has a passage opening for receiving a fuel filler neck. The floor section adjoining the passage opening on a side facing the fuel filler neck has a surface structure provided for reducing the adhesive and/or sliding friction properties.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2010Publication date: May 10, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Christian ZENTNER
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Patent number: 7914063Abstract: A fuel tank cover module for installation in a motor vehicle is described. The fuel tank cover module comprises a trough body and a hinge arm, which is fastened to the trough body and configured to receive a fuel tank cover and which is mounted pivotably about a pivot pin on the trough body and on its end remote from the pivot pin has a locking portion. The fuel tank cover module further comprises a locking element, which for locking and unlocking the fuel tank cover can be changed over by means of a control unit between a locking position, in which the locking element engages into the locking portion, and a release position, in which the locking element does not engage into the locking portion. The control unit is disposed on the outside of the trough body in the region of the pivot pin. Furthermore, the locking element engages around the trough body.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2007Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Lars Lederer, Christian Zentner
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Patent number: 7905535Abstract: A fuel filler door unit for a motor vehicle is provided that includes, but is not limited to a hinged arm embodied for mounting a fuel filler door, which is supported about a pivot axis so as to be pivotable, a locking section moved together with the fuel filler door and a locking element, which can be moved for locking and unlocking the fuel filler door by means of a control unit between a locking position, in which the locking element engages with the locking section, and a release position, in which the locking element does not engage with the locking section. The locking element and/or the locking section comprise a beveled surface, which is arranged in such a manner that the locking element and the locking section glide along one another in response to a closing motion of the fuel filler door during a state, in which the locking element is in the locking position.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2008Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Christian Zentner, Heiko Betzen
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Publication number: 20100301055Abstract: A tank flap module is provided for installation in a motor vehicle with a trough body having a bottom section which in final assembly position on the motor vehicle is located on the inside and provided with a through-opening for a fuel filler neck and a mounting section for the swivel-mounting of a swivel arm of a tank flap arranged laterally thereto. The swivel arm is swivel-mounted on the trough body between two end positions. On the inside of the mounting section at least one noise-dampening end stop element is arranged which interacts with the swivel arm or a counter stop element arranged thereon.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2010Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventor: Christian ZENTNER
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Publication number: 20090266835Abstract: A tank flap module housing is provided for a vehicle, more preferably a passenger car, with a trough body and an opening for the liquid drainage of liquids, such as water or fuel, present in the trough body. Here, a flexible means for covering the opening is provided, which is arranged in such a manner that it opens the opening upon reaching of an adequately high liquid level (h) in the tank flap module housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2009Publication date: October 29, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventor: Christian ZENTNER
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Publication number: 20090026794Abstract: A fuel filler door unit for a motor vehicle is provided that includes, but is not limited to a hinged arm embodied for mounting a fuel filler door, which is supported about a pivot axis so as to be pivotable, a locking section moved together with the fuel filler door and a locking element, which can be moved for locking and unlocking the fuel filler door by means of a control unit between a locking position, in which the locking element engages with the locking section, and a release position, in which the locking element does not engage with the locking section. The locking element and/or the locking section comprise a beveled surface, which is arranged in such a manner that the locking element and the locking section glide along one another in response to a closing motion of the fuel filler door during a state, in which the locking element is in the locking position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2008Publication date: January 29, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Christian ZENTNER, Heiko BETZEN
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Publication number: 20080149640Abstract: A fuel tank cover module for installation in a motor vehicle is described. The fuel tank cover module comprises a trough body and a hinge arm, which is fastened to the trough body and configured to receive a fuel tank cover and which is mounted pivotably about a pivot pin on the trough body and on its end remote from the pivot pin has a locking portion. The fuel tank cover module further comprises a locking element, which for locking and unlocking the fuel tank cover can be changed over by means of a control unit between a locking position, in which the locking element engages into the locking portion, and a release position, in which the locking element does not engage into the locking portion. The control unit is disposed on the outside of the trough body in the region of the pivot pin. Furthermore, the locking element engages around the trough body.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2007Publication date: June 26, 2008Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Lars LEDERER, Christian ZENTNER