Patents by Inventor Daniel Stahlmann
Daniel Stahlmann 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: 7902838Abstract: A sensor device (10) for making at least one determination regarding a selected characteristic of a fluid includes a support post (32) that is adapted to be exposed to the fluid. A capacitor has electrodes (66, 68) that are supported near one end of the support post (32). A housing (40) for containing electronics (120) is supported near an opposite end of the support post (32). In a disclosed arrangement, a level sensing element such as a conductive polymer rod is at least partially supported by the support post (32). A disclosed assembly procedure includes overmolding portions of the device onto other portions to provide stable and secure connections between the various portions of the assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2004Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Stahlmann, Isabelle McKenzie, Ray Wildeson
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Patent number: 7466147Abstract: A fluid quality sensor includes a first electrode (24) that has a fluid passageway (22) that is adapted to be placed in line with at least one fluid conduit (30). A second electrode (40) is supported within the fluid passageway (22) and electrically isolated from the first electrode (24). The first electrode (24) and the second electrode (40) operate as a capacitor for making fluid quality determinations. A disclosed example includes a temperature sensor (50) thermally coupled with a mounting member (42) that supports the second electrode (40) within the first electrode 24. A disclosed example includes a multiple piece first electrode that allows for at least a portion of the second electrode (40) to be exposed and accessible near one end of at least one piece of the first electrode during a selected portion of an example assembly process.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2006Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventor: Daniel Stahlmann
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Patent number: 7222528Abstract: A fluid sensor arrangement (20) includes a sleeve (32) that is adapted to be placed within a container (24). A plurality of conductors (46, 48) and a channel member (50) within the sleeve cooperate to provide a measurement of conductivity of the fluid within the sleeve (32). The conductivity measurement provides an indication of a level of fluid within the container (24). A disclosed example includes a non-conductive channel member (50) having an opening or a channel (52) for directing selected portions of a conductivity field within the sleeve (32) between the conductors (46, 48) for making the conductivity determinations.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2005Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventors: Daniel Stahlmann, Isabelle McKenzie, Ray Wildeson
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Publication number: 20070056365Abstract: A fluid quality sensor includes a first electrode (24) that has a fluid passageway (22) that is adapted to be placed in line with at least one fluid conduit (30). A second electrode (40) is supported within the fluid passageway (22) and electrically isolated from the first electrode (24). The first electrode (24) and the second electrode (40) operate as a capacitor for making fluid quality determinations. A disclosed example includes a temperature sensor (50) thermally coupled with a mounting member (42) that supports the second electrode (40) within the first electrode 24. A disclosed example includes a multiple piece first electrode that allows for at least a portion of the second electrode (40) to be exposed and accessible near one end of at least one piece of the first electrode during a selected portion of an example assembly process.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2006Publication date: March 15, 2007Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventor: Daniel Stahlmann
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Publication number: 20060196264Abstract: A level sensor device (20) is useful for making fluid level determinations of highly conductive fluids such as urea. A conductive polymer element (30) has a base polymer material and carbon powder in one example. The amount of immersion of the conductive polymer element within the fluid of interest causes a change in an electrical output from the element, which provides an indication of fluid level.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2005Publication date: September 7, 2006Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventor: Daniel Stahlmann
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Publication number: 20060196263Abstract: A fluid sensor arrangement (20) includes a sleeve (32) that is adapted to be placed within a container (24). A plurality of conductors (46, 48) and a channel member (50) within the sleeve cooperate to provide a measurement of conductivity of the fluid within the sleeve (32). The conductivity measurement provides an indication of a level of fluid within the container (24). A disclosed example includes a non-conductive channel member (50) having an opening or a channel (52) for directing selected portions of a conductivity field within the sleeve (32) between the conductors (46, 48) for making the conductivity determinations.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2005Publication date: September 7, 2006Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventors: Daniel Stahlmann, Isabelle McKenzie, Ray Wildeson
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Publication number: 20060103393Abstract: A sensor device (10) for making at least one determination regarding a selected characteristic of a fluid includes a support post (32) that is adapted to be exposed to the fluid. A capacitor has electrodes (66, 68) that are supported near one end of the support post (32). A housing (40) for containing electronics (120) is supported near an opposite end of the support post (32). In a disclosed arrangement, a level sensing element such as a conductive polymer rod is at least partially supported by the support post (32). A disclosed assembly procedure includes overmolding portions of the device onto other portions to provide stable and secure connections between the various portions of the assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2004Publication date: May 18, 2006Inventors: Daniel Stahlmann, Isabelle McKenzie, Ray Wildeson
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Patent number: 7030629Abstract: A fluid quality sensor (20) includes a first electrode (24) that has a fluid passageway (22) that is adapted to be placed in line with at least one fluid conduit (30). A housing (40) is supported on the first electrode (24) in one example by overmolding a portion (48) of the housing onto a portion of the first electrode (24). A second electrode (50) is supported within the fluid passageway (22) and electrically isolated from the first electrode (24). The first electrode (24) and the second electrode (50) operate as a capacitor for making fluid quality determinations.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2004Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventors: Daniel Stahlmann, Isabelle McKenzie, Ray Wildeson
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Publication number: 20050000809Abstract: A fuel sensor assembly includes a housing and back plate forming a cathode, and a chamber containing an anode. Fuel flows into the chamber surrounds the anode and is continuously replenished providing accurate and current measurements of fuel characteristics indicative of fuel content. A first opening and a second opening are offset a distance creating a flow path through the chamber that constantly circulates and replenishes fuel adjacent the sensor. The offset first and second openings create improved fuel content measurements by improving circulation of fuel through the chamber and around the anode.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2004Publication date: January 6, 2005Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventors: Gilles Plichon, Daniel Stahlmann
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Publication number: 20040251919Abstract: A method of determining the concentration of a component of interest within a fluid (22) within a container (24) includes determining a permittivity of the fluid, determining a conductivity of the fluid and determining the concentration of the component of interest based on a direct relationship between the determined permittivity and the determined conductivity. An example sensor for making such a concentration determination includes a capacitor portion (26) and control electronics (30) that operate the capacitor in a first mode for making the permittivity determination and a second mode for making the conductivity determination. An example data set (32) includes at least one three dimensional polynomial that describes a relationship between permittivity, conductivity and temperature for a particular concentration value. A disclosed example is well suited for making urea concentration level determinations.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2004Publication date: December 16, 2004Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventors: Daniel Stahlmann, Isabelle McKenzie, Ray Wildeson, Daniel L. Childs