Patents by Inventor Christoph Kern

Christoph Kern 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: 20100037698
    Abstract: A pressure-measuring device is situated in a chamber of an internal combustion engine. The pressure-measuring device has a housing, a force-transmitting element that protrudes partly from the housing at a chamber-side opening of the housing, and a pressure sensor that is situated in an interior space of the housing. The pressure sensor stands in effective connection to the force-transmitting element. In addition, a diaphragm is provided that seals the interior space of the housing, in which the pressure sensor is situated, against the chamber-side opening. The diaphragm, which is preferably fashioned as a metal diaphragm, has a force-transmitting segment that is oriented in an axial direction of the force-transmitting element. Moreover, the pressure sensor stands in effective connection with the force-transmitting element via the force-transmitting segment of the diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Christoph Kern, Ewgenij Landes, Reiko Zach, Michael Schuettoff, Michael Kleindl, Christian Doering, Steffen Schott, Pavlo Saltikov
  • Publication number: 20100032423
    Abstract: In combustion chamber signal-based engine control in particular, a reliable and at the same time cost-effective option for detecting a combustion chamber pressure in compression-ignition internal combustion engines is required. A sheathed element glow plug is proposed, which has a glow plug module and a pressure measuring module connected to the glow plug module. The glow plug module has a heating element and a glow plug housing. The pressure measuring module has at least one force measuring element, which is integrated into the pressure measuring module. The at least one force measuring element is designed to generate an electrical signal as a function of a force. In the mounted state of the sheathed element glow plug, the at least one force measuring element is connected to the heating element in such a way that a force is transmittable to the at least one force measuring element via the heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Christoph Kern, Steffen Schott, Pavlo Saltikov
  • Publication number: 20090321408
    Abstract: A glow plug for a combustion chamber of a self-igniting internal combustion engine has a ceramic heating element designed as a sheathed-element glow plug, which is surrounded by a supporting tube. The ceramic heating element is sealed with respect to the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine by a seal in the supporting tube. The seal is designed as a sealing element made of an FeNi alloy having an Invar effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Christoph Kern, Ewgenji Landes, Reiko Zach, Michael Kleindl, Christian Doering, Steffen Schott, Pavlo Saltikov
  • Publication number: 20090314061
    Abstract: A pressure-measuring device is used for placing in a chamber of an internal combustion engine. The pressure-measuring device has a housing, a force-transmitting element in operative connection with a pressure sensor, and a centering element. The pressure sensor is placed, together with contact plates, on a centering section of the centering element, thereby making it possible to position the pressure sensor and the contact plates within the housing of the pressure-measuring device. The assembly of the pressure-measuring device is thereby facilitated, and a preassembly is possibly allowed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Christoph Kern, Reiko Zach, Michael Kleindl, Steffen Schott, Pavlo Saltikov
  • Publication number: 20090265774
    Abstract: A software tool for enabling automated tracking of activity related to the status and usage statistics of a plurality of Web sites on a data packet network is provided. The software tool comprises a network communication capability for establishing network communication between the software tool and the tracked Web sites; a plurality of data-reporting modules for obtaining and reporting data about tracked Web sites; a data input function for excepting data from the reporting modules and from external sources; a data recording function for recording and logging the data received from the reporting modules and from the external sources; and a data management function for organizing and storing the received data and rendering the data accessible for use in software development.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Masroor Malik, Naveen Venkata Akunuri, Christoph Kern, Tim Armandpour, Sam Khavari, Ganesh Narasimhan
  • Patent number: 7581520
    Abstract: A pencil-type glow plug for a self-igniting internal combustion engine is described. The pencil-type glow plug includes a plug body in which a combustion chamber pressure sensor is integrated, and a bar-shaped heating element that protrudes out from the plug body at one end, into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. A force-measuring element of the combustion chamber pressure sensor is accommodated behind the heating element, which moves axially under the influence of force. The force-measuring element is sealed against combustion chamber gases by a steel diaphragm made of a stainless precipitation-hardened maraging steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Kern, Steffen Schott, Markus Ledermann, Pavlo Saltikov
  • Patent number: 7558795
    Abstract: A software tool is provided that accomplishes automated tracking of activity related to the status and usage statistics of a plurality of Web sites on a data packet network. The tool provides to software engineers status and usage for the purpose of creating routines enabling automated navigation and site manipulation by proxy for subscribed users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Yodlec.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Masroor Malik, Naveen Venkata Akunuri, Christoph Kern, Tim Armandpour, Sam Khavari, Ganesh Narasimhan
  • Publication number: 20090165739
    Abstract: A sheathed-element glow plug is used to be situated in a chamber in an internal combustion engine. The sheathed-element glow plug has a housing, a pin-shaped heating element, which extends partially from the housing and a pressure sensor which is situated in an inner chamber of the housing. A prestressing sleeve is provided, in this context, which applies a prestressing to the pressure sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2006
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Christoph Kern, Reinhold Hess, Reiko Zach, Michael Kleindl, Peter Wolfer, Steffen Schott, Claudio Cavalloni, Pavlo Saltikov, Michael Mueller, Andrea Bertola
  • Publication number: 20090026889
    Abstract: The invention relates to a component for installation in force or pressure sensors, in particular in a glow plug. The component comprises a disc-type or punched-disc type measuring element consisting of a piezoelectric material, punched-disc type or disc-type electrodes that lie on either side of the measuring element. The electrodes have contact points for contacting conductors. The component comprises in addition a respective transmission body or several transmission bodies that are located outside the electrodes, on either side of the latter. The measuring element, electrodes and transmission bodies are held together mechanically by an external, electrically insulating film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: KISTLER HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Peter Wolfer, Claudio Cavalloni, Reinhold Hess, Michael Mueller, Andrea Bertola, Christoph Kern, Steffen Schott, Pavlo Saltikov, Michael Kleindl, Reiko Zach
  • Patent number: 7472600
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure sensor (1), comprising a housing (2), a housing element (3) which may be exposed to a pressure chamber (10), mounted on the housing (2) by means of a metallic membrane (5) and a measuring cell (4) which can indirectly measure a pressure acting on the housing element (3) and transmitted to the measuring cell (4) as a force resulting therefrom. According to the invention, said pressure sensor (1) comprises a housing element (3) embodied as a pin and projects out of the housing (2). The advantage of such an arrangement is only a small drilling to a pressure chamber (10) need be provided, in order to carry out a pressure measurement. The pin (3) need only be so long that the front end thereof, in the assembled state, approximately reaches the wall (11) of the pressure chamber (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Kistler Holding AG
    Inventors: Peter Wolfer, Reinhold Hess, Michael Mueller, Claudio Cavalloni, Christoph Kern, Steffen Schott, Pavlo Saltikov, Thomas Ludwig, Juergen Krueger
  • Publication number: 20080302323
    Abstract: A pencil-type glow plug for a self-igniting internal combustion engine is described. The pencil-type glow plug includes a plug body in which a combustion chamber pressure sensor is integrated, and a bar-shaped heating element that protrudes out from the plug body at one end, into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. A force-measuring element of the combustion chamber pressure sensor is accommodated behind the heating element, which moves axially under the influence of force. The force-measuring element is sealed against combustion chamber gases by a steel diaphragm made of a stainless precipitation-hardened maraging steel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Christoph Kern, Steffen Schott, Markus Ledermann, Pavlo Saltikov
  • Publication number: 20080296281
    Abstract: The invention relates to a glow plug (11) comprising a combustion chamber pressure sensor (19) for an internal combustion engine. Said plug essentially consists of a housing (13), a glow element (17) that is located in the housing (13) and a channel (21) for measuring the combustion chamber pressure. An inventive heating element, (26) which is connected to the channel (21), prevents the clogging of the combustion chamber pressure sensor (19) that is located at the end of the channel (26) by coking or combustion residues. The glow plug (11) comprising a combustion chamber pressure sensor (19) is preferably used in the automobile industry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Oliver Glock, Christoph Kern, Steffen Schott, Jan Bahlo, Pavlo Saltikov
  • Patent number: 7431399
    Abstract: A headrest of a motor vehicle seat can be folded down into an inoperative position. The headrest has a headrest body and a headrest bracket which are mechanically connected in such a manner, via a bearing part having a sliding bearing and a pivot bearing that a vertical displacement and a pivoting about a horizontal pivot axis arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle are achievable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Christoph Kern, Oswald Kriessler, Bernd Schmidt, Juergen Schrader, Wolfgang Schramm
  • Publication number: 20080067165
    Abstract: A sheathed-element glow plug for an internal combustion engine, made up substantially of a plug housing and a glow element disposed in the plug housing, having a gas conduit for measuring the combustion chamber pressure. A gas-permeable filter element, provided according to the present invention in the gas conduit, prevents the penetration of carbon residues or combustion residues into the interior of the sheathed-element glow plug, or reduces particle entry to a tolerable level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Christoph Kern, Steffen Schott, Michel Beck
  • Publication number: 20080028841
    Abstract: A device for detecting the combustion-chamber pressure in an internal combustion engine is configured in such a way that the combustion-chamber pressure is able to be detected in a reliable and reproducible manner. To this end, a heating pin exposed to the combustion-chamber pressure is fixed in place in a housing of the glow plug with the aid of a fixation member. A sensor is affixed in the housing of the glow plug via a fixation element set apart from this fixation member. This sensor detects the elastic longitudinal expansion of the housing caused by the combustion-chamber pressure between the end of the fixation member facing the sensor and the fixation point of the fixation element on the housing. This device is preferably utilized in the automotive industry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas Ludwig, Christoph Kern
  • Publication number: 20070277617
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure sensor (1), comprising a housing (2), a housing element (3) which may be exposed to a pressure chamber (10), mounted on the housing (2) by means of a metallic membrane (5) and a measuring cell (4) which can indirectly measure a pressure acting on the housing element (3) and transmitted to the measuring cell (4) as a force resulting therefrom. According to the invention, said pressure sensor (1) comprises a housing element (3) embodied as a pin and projects out of the housing (2). The advantage of such an arrangement is only a small drilling to a pressure chamber (10) need be provided, in order to carry out a pressure measurement. The pin (3) need only be so long that the front end thereof, in the assembled state, approximately reaches the wall (11) of the pressure chamber (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Peter Wolfer, Reinhold Hess, Michael Mueller, Claudio Cavalloni, Christoph Kern, Steffen Schott, Pavlo Saltikov, Thomas Ludwig, Juergen Krueger
  • Publication number: 20070240661
    Abstract: A device for detecting the pressure in a combustion chamber of an engine is designed in such a way that the combustion-chamber pressure can be detected reliably and reproducibly. For this purpose, a glow element in a glow plug, exposed to the combustion-chamber pressure, is fixedly mounted in a housing of the glow plug via a fastening element. A sensor is fixedly mounted in the housing of the glow plug using this fastener located at a distance from the fastening element. This sensor detects the elastic deformation of the glow element caused by the combustion-chamber pressure. This device is preferably used in the automobile industry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Ludwig, Christoph Kern
  • Patent number: 7267404
    Abstract: A device for controlling a fluid volume in shape changing elements of vehicle seats has a sliding valve connectable with a fluid pressure source and with shape changing elements for filling the shape changing elements with fluid and discharging fluid from the shape changing elements, the sliding valve having a housing provided with connecting openings for a corresponding one of the shape changing elements and a control slider movable in the housing relative to the connecting openings, the control slider having at least one control opening cooperating with the connecting openings and at least one connecting passage which opens in the control opening and is loadable with fluid from the fluid pressure source, the control slider being formed as an axial slider which is guided on the housing, the axial slider having an axial displaceably sliding head provided with the at least one control opening and the at least one connecting passage and a slider rod rigidly connected with the slider head for axial displacement
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Alfmeier Praezision AG
    Inventors: Christoph Kern, Thaddaeus Buratowski, Markus Koepfer
  • Publication number: 20070200323
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle occupant protection system for a motor vehicle having a vehicle seat with airbags which are integrated into lateral areas of a seating part and of a backrest, the air pressure of the airbags being adjustable by means of a compressed air regulating device. According to the invention, a coordination system is provided which evaluates the data which is relevant to the safety of the driving operation, and times the actuation of the compressed air regulating device in such a way that at least one airbag of the vehicle seat is inflated before the occurrence of an anticipated accident.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicant: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Frank Bertele, Ralf Bogenrieder, Xavier Christmann, Christoph Kern, Dominic Reutter, Florian Zenker
  • Patent number: 7225778
    Abstract: A sheathed-element glow plug for an internal combustion engine, in which the sheathed-element glow plug is arranged or constructed so that it substantially reduces the glow temperature during the heat-up process. The control filament is considerably shortened and has a resistance between 20 m? and 100 m?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Reissner, Vera Wein, Armin Kussmaul, Steffen Carbon, Christoph Kern