Patents by Inventor Christof Behmenburg

Christof Behmenburg 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).

  • Publication number: 20170158016
    Abstract: An air suspension system for a vehicle comprises four corner assemblies, wherein one corner assembly is located at a suspension position corresponding to each of the wheel corners for the vehicle. An air supply unit including a compressor, and an ECU are connected to the corner assemblies. The air supply unit is capable of independently adjusting the corner assemblies from one another. A sensor for measuring jounce/rebound travel for a wheel is associated with each of the corner assemblies and the air suspension system is operable adjust the air pressure at each of the four corner assemblies to provide optimized traction for the vehicle when at least one of the wheels has a predetermined amount of travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Heidi K. Hahn, Harald Schaumburg, Christof Behmenburg, Kent R. Young
  • Patent number: 9512895
    Abstract: An air spring assembly for a motor vehicle, including an air spring, a rolling piston, a tubular rolling air spring bellows arranged concentrically about a central longitudinal axis of the air spring, and an air spring cover. A first partial air spring bellows has a first embedded textile reinforcement and a second partial air spring bellows has a second embedded textile reinforcement The first textile reinforcement has first reinforcing threads, the preferred axis of which extends parallel or nearly parallel to the axis of the central longitudinal axis of the air spring The second textile reinforcement has second reinforcing threads, the first preferred axis of which extends obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the air spring and the second preferred axis of which extends obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the air spring, wherein the first and the second preferred axis are at an angle to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Christof Behmenburg, Jens Uwe Gleu, Andreas Kind, Dirk Kröger, Andreas Nessel, Reiner Waschk
  • Publication number: 20140027962
    Abstract: An air spring assembly for a motor vehicle, including an air spring, a rolling piston, a tubular rolling air spring bellows arranged concentrically about a central longitudinal axis of the air spring, and an air spring cover. A first partial air spring bellows has a first embedded textile reinforcement and a second partial air spring bellows has a second embedded textile reinforcement The first textile reinforcement has first reinforcing threads, the preferred axis of which extends parallel or nearly parallel to the axis of the central longitudinal axis of the air spring The second textile reinforcement has second reinforcing threads, the first preferred axis of which extends obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the air spring and the second preferred axis of which extends obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the air spring, wherein the first and the second preferred axis are at an angle to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL TEVES AG & CO. OHG
    Inventors: Christof Behmenburg, Jens Uwe Gleu, Andreas Kind, Dirk Kröger, Andreas Nessel, Reiner Waschk
  • Patent number: 7886882
    Abstract: Disclosed is a gas spring/damper unit (1) having at least one movably mounted displacement piston (2) and two displacement chambers (3, 4) whose volume increases or diminishes according to the direction of travel of the displacement piston (2) and which are interconnected via overflow ducts (6, 7) in which throttle valves (16, 16?, 16?, 17, 17?, 17?, 17??) are disposed. Several throttle valves (16, 16?, 16?, 17, 17?, 17?, 17??) having different valve characteristics are positioned so as to be effective in one direction of flow. One throttle valve (17) is designed for damping eigenfrequencies ranging from 1 to 1.5 Hz while another throttle valve (17?) is designed for damping eigenfrequencies ranging from 10 to 40 Hz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Aktiengesellschaf
    Inventors: Christof Behmenburg, Heinz Job, Thomas Engelke, Jörg Kock, Hermann Hoinkhaus
  • Patent number: 7802776
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pneumatic spring shock absorber unit having working chambers (2, 3), which are filled with compressed air and which are partially delimited by rolling or folding bellows (7, 8, 9). These working chambers are situated one above the other and are interconnected via throttle valves that can be flowed through. Both working chambers are located inside a common pot-shaped housing (4) and are separated by a piston (6) so that one working chamber (2) is located on the front side of the piston and the other working chamber (3) is located on the rear side of the piston and at least partially surrounds the piston rod (5) so that the piston and the piston rod are sealed and guided inside the housing by rolling bellows (7, 8, 9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Aktiengesellschaft, Inc.
    Inventors: Christof Behmenburg, Heinz Job, Jens-Uwe Gleu, Christian Hilger
  • Publication number: 20080093782
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pneumatic spring shock absorber unit having working chambers (2, 3), which are filled with compressed air and which are partially delimited by rolling or folding bellows (7, 8, 9). These working chambers are situated one above the other and are interconnected via throttle valves that can be flowed through. Both working chambers are located inside a common pot-shaped housing (4) and are separated by a piston (6) so that one working chamber (2) is located on the front side of the piston and the other working chamber (3) is located on the rear side of the piston and at least partially surrounds the piston rod (5) so that the piston and the piston rod are sealed and guided inside the housing by rolling bellows (7, 8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Christof Behmenburg, Heinz Job, Jens-Uwe Gleu, Christian Hilgers
  • Publication number: 20080000739
    Abstract: Disclosed is a gas spring/damper unit (1) having at least one movably mounted displacement piston (2) and two displacement chambers (3, 4) whose volume increases or diminishes according to the direction of travel of the displacement piston (2) and which are interconnected via overflow ducts (6, 7) in which throttle valves (16, 16?, 16?, 17, 17?, 17?, 17??) are disposed. Several throttle valves (16, 16?, 16?, 17, 17?, 17?, 17??) having different valve characteristics are positioned so as to be effective in one direction of flow. One throttle valve (17) is designed for damping eigenfrequencies ranging from 1 to 1.5 Hz while another throttle valve (17?) is designed for damping eigenfrequencies ranging from 10 to 40 Hz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Christof Behmenburg, Heinz Job, Thomas Engelke, Jorg Kock, Hermann Hoinkhaus
  • Patent number: 7213799
    Abstract: A pneumatic suspension and damping arrangement (100) is fixedly mounted on the chassis at the upper region and to the wheel mount at the lower region thereof. The arrangement includes two hermetically closed air springs (101, 102) filled with pressurized gas, whose volumes can be changed and which are connected via an air connection (134) to a pressurized gas source. The air springs are each enclosed by a movable wall formed by a flexible member (116, 124) and each roll off on a roll-off contour and are connected to each other via a throttle element (108) through which the gas can flow in two directions. The air springs are arranged one above the other and the roll-off contour of the first air spring (101) is defined in such a way by the second air spring (102) that the first air spring (101) rolls off on the second air spring (102). A connecting element of the upper cover (104) ) with the roll-off piston (128) of the second air spring (102) runs outside of the two air springs (101, 102).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Continental Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christof Behmenburg, Heinz Job, Michael Märtens, Volker Härtel, Gerald Huber, Armin Kilsch, Thomas Engelke, Burkhard Kott
  • Patent number: 6824145
    Abstract: The invention relates to a level adjusting system for motor vehicles, with a compressed air reservoir (26) and a tire inflation connector (28), in which a spare wheel can be connected. The spare wheel can be inflated from the compressed air reservoir (26) with the aid of the controllable distribution valve (36), the pneumatically controllable distribution valve (18), which bridges the non-return valve (10), the air dryer (6) and the pneumatically controllable valve (20) which also connects the compressed air line (22). The spare wheel may also be inflated with the aid of the compressor (2) and the pneumatically controllable distribution valve (20). During the inflation process the compressed air line (22) is closed with the aid of the controllable distribution valve (24) so that no compressed air escapes into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Continental Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Christof Behmenburg
  • Publication number: 20040201146
    Abstract: An air spring strut is mounted between a chassis of a motor vehicle and a wheel support of a wheel suspension and takes up wheel transverse forces. The air spring strut includes: an air spring including an outer hollow cylinder (8) and an inner hollow cylinder (9). A piston is arranged within the inner hollow cylinder (9) and is connected to the outer hollow cylinder (8). A first rolling-lobe resilient member (10) is arranged between the outer hollow cylinder (8) and the inner hollow cylinder (9) so as to seal off an outer air chamber. A second rolling-lobe resilient member (11) is arranged between the inner hollow cylinder (9) and the piston (2) so as to seal off an inner air chamber (7). The inner hollow cylinder (9) is articulately connected to the wheel support (3). The inner hollow cylinder (9) and the outer hollow cylinder (8) are arranged eccentrically to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: Christof Behmenburg, Holger Oldenettel
  • Patent number: 6685174
    Abstract: The invention relates to a closed level control system for a vehicle. The closed level control system includes a pump which transfers a pressurized medium between a pressurized medium supply vessel (4) and pressurized medium chambers (2a to 2d). The input (8) of the pump (6) is connected to the supply vessel (4) and the output (10) of the pump (6) is connected to the pressurized medium chambers (2a to 2d) when the pressurized medium is to be pumped from the supply vessel (4) into the pressurized medium chambers (2a to 2d). If, in contrast, pressurized air is to be pumped from a pressurized medium chamber (2a to 2d) into the supply vessel (4), then the input (8) of the pump (6) is connected to the pressurized medium chamber and the output (10) of the pump (6) is connected to the supply vessel (4). The above-mentioned connections preferably take place via controllable directional valves (14, 18). The level control system makes it possible that the pump (6) has to always run only in one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Continental Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christof Behmenburg, Helge Westerkamp
  • Publication number: 20030173723
    Abstract: A pneumatic suspension and damping arrangement (100) is especially for vehicles and can be fixedly mounted on the chassis at the upper region and to the wheel mount at the lower region thereof. The pneumatic suspension and damping arrangement includes at least two hermetically closed air springs (101, 102) filled with pressurized gas, whose volumes can be changed and which are connected via an air connection (134) to a pressurized gas source. The air springs are each enclosed by a movable wall formed by a flexible member (116, 124) and each roll off on a roll-off contour and are connected to each other via a throttle element (108) through which the gas can flow in two directions. The air springs are arranged one above the other and the roll-off contour of the first air spring (101) is defined in such a way by the second air spring (102) that the first air spring (101) rolls off on the second air spring (102).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Christof Behmenburg, Heinz Job, Michael Martens, Volker Hartel, Gerald Huber, Armin Kilsch, Thomas Engelke, Burkhard Kott
  • Publication number: 20030047853
    Abstract: The invention relates to a level adjusting system for motor vehicles, with a compressed air reservoir (26) and a tire inflation connector (28), in which a spare wheel can be connected. The spare wheel can be inflated from the compressed air reservoir (26) with the aid of the controllable distribution valve (36), the pneumatically controllable distribution valve (20), which bridges the non-return valve (10), the air dryer (6) and the pneumatically controllable valve (20) which also connects the compressed air line (22). The spare wheel may also be inflated with the aid of the compressor (22) and the pneumatically controllable distribution valve (20). During the inflation process the compressed air line (22) is closed with the aid of the controllable distribution valve (24) so that no compressed air escapes into the atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventor: Christof Behmenburg
  • Publication number: 20020130452
    Abstract: A shock absorber and air spring assembly includes an air spring and a shock absorber. The air spring has a cover, a roll-off piston and a flexible member having a lower end portion attached to the roll-off piston to form a lower rolling lobe and an upper end portion attached to the cover so as to form an upper rolling lobe. The flexible member encloses a volume of air and deflects over a spring path during operation of the assembly. The shock absorber is interposed between the cover and the roll-off piston. At least a region of the upper rolling lobe is in contact engagement with the cover over at least a portion of the spring path so as to cause the upper rolling lobe to define an elastic element facilitating a pivoting of the air spring relative to the shock absorber over the portion of the spring path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Christof Behmenburg, Stefan Narberhaus, Holger Wehaus
  • Patent number: 6332623
    Abstract: Level adjustment device for vehicles with air springs 8a through 8d, by which a vehicle body is furnished with suspension on at least one vehicle axle, which includes the following: a source of compressed air 2, which, for the purpose of filling air springs 8a through 8d, can be connected to air springs 8a through 8d via an air dryer 4, the air dryer 4, for the purpose of filling the air springs, is connected on one side to air springs 8a through 8d through a check valve 6 that is open to air springs 8a through 8d, each air spring 8a through 8d, for the purpose of emptying them, can be connected through the air dryer 4 and through a pneumatically controlled first distribution valve 10 to the atmosphere, wherein the pneumatic control input 38 of this distribution valve 10 is then impinged through a second controllable distribution valve 12 with the pressure in air springs 8a through 8d against a restoring force 50 acting on the pneumatic control input 38, the pneumatic control input 38 of the pneumatically co
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Continental Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christof Behmenburg, Helge Westerkamp
  • Publication number: 20010004443
    Abstract: The invention relates to a closed level control system for a vehicle. The closed level control system includes a pump which transfers a pressurized medium between a pressurized medium supply vessel (4) and pressurized medium chambers (2a to 2d). The input (8) of the pump (6) is connected to the supply vessel (4) and the output (10) of the pump (6) is connected to the pressurized medium chambers (2a to 2d) when the pressurized medium is to be pumped from the supply vessel (4) into the pressurized medium chambers (2a to 2d). If, in contrast, pressurized air is to be pumped from a pressurized medium chamber (2a to 2d) into the supply vessel (4), then the input (8) of the pump (6) is connected to the pressurized medium chamber and the output (10) of the pump (6) is connected to the supply vessel (4). The above-mentioned connections preferably take place via controllable directional valves (14, 18). The level control system makes it possible that the pump (6) has to always run only in one direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Publication date: June 21, 2001
    Inventors: Christof Behmenburg, Helge Westerkamp