Patents by Inventor Dierk Hein

Dierk Hein 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: 11752825
    Abstract: An air suspension system for a motor vehicle and a method of operating thereof includes an air suspension device for adjusting a ride-height position of the motor vehicle by the feeding and removal of compressed air into a plurality of air springs. The system also includes a dryer supplied via a compressed-air supply unit which has a compressor driven by an electric motor. A control unit for performing a ride-height control function has instruction for: raising the ride-height position to a first ride-height position; subsequently lowering the ride-height position to a second ride-height position; checking a first condition whether a determined air quantity ratio is less than a first predetermined air quantity limit value; checking a second condition whether a saturation level of the dryer is greater than a saturation limit value, and activating the ride-height control function when either the first or the second condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Dierk Hein, Christian Witala, Volkan Sirke, Holger Oldenettel
  • Patent number: 11732706
    Abstract: A method for operating a compressor for a compressed air system of a motor vehicle, in particular an air suspension system, wherein an operating temperature of the compressor is determined and used as a criterion for the compressor to be operated until a switch-off temperature (T) is reached, wherein a switch-on duration (t) until reaching the switch-off temperature (T) is determined, and the determined switch-on duration (t) is adjusted by a parameter (LP) dependent on the switch-off temperature (T) reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG
    Inventor: Dierk Hein
  • Publication number: 20220176767
    Abstract: An air suspension system for a motor vehicle and a method of operating thereof includes an air suspension device for adjusting a ride-height position of the motor vehicle by the feeding and removal of compressed air into a plurality of air springs. The system also includes a dryer supplied via a compressed-air supply unit which has a compressor driven by an electric motor. A control unit for performing a ride-height control function has instruction for: raising the ride-height position to a first ride-height position; subsequently lowering the ride-height position to a second ride-height position; checking a first condition whether a determined air quantity ratio is less than a first predetermined air quantity limit value; checking a second condition whether a saturation level of the dryer is greater than a saturation limit value, and activating the ride-height control function when either the first or the second condition is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Dierk Hein, Christian Witala, Volkan Sirke, Holger Oldenettel
  • Patent number: 11221088
    Abstract: A method for actuating a solenoid valve, which is loaded with a pneumatic pressure medium, in order to reduce a pressure (psys) which is applied to the solenoid valve, where the solenoid valve assumes a closed switching position in the deenergized state and assumes a completely open switching position when it is energized with a switching current intensity (Is(p)) which is dependent on the applied pressure (psys), where a first rise current final value (I1) is predetermined, which first rise current final value is smaller than the switching current intensity (Is(p)), where the solenoid valve is energized with an actuating current which follows an actuating current profile (SV1, SV2), and where the actuating current profile (SV1, SV2) comprises a first rise phase (TA1), in which the actuating current is increased to the predetermined first rise current final value (I1), and, following said first rise phase, a first holding phase (TH1) in which the actuating current is held constant at the first rise current fi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Dierk Hein, Patrick Wassermann
  • Publication number: 20210178847
    Abstract: A method for operating an electronically controllable air suspension system of a vehicle comprises determining a first pressure value in a first air spring which is assigned to a first axle of the motor vehicle, and determining a second pressure value in a second air spring which is assigned to a second axle of the motor vehicle. A differential pressure value is calculated therefrom. A first nominal value for the air volume flow as a function of the differential pressure value is determined. At least one first air spring valve assigned to the first air spring is actuated so that the first nominal value for the air volume flow is set by the first air spring valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventor: Dierk Hein
  • Publication number: 20210095662
    Abstract: A method for operating a compressor for a compressed air system of a motor vehicle, in particular an air suspension system, wherein an operating temperature of the compressor is determined and used as a criterion for the compressor to be operated until a switch-off temperature (T) is reached, wherein a switch-on duration (t) until reaching the switch-off temperature (T) is determined, and the determined switch-on duration (t) is adjusted by a parameter (LP) dependent on the switch-off temperature (T) reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG
    Inventor: Dierk Hein
  • Publication number: 20200056718
    Abstract: A method for actuating a solenoid valve, which is loaded with a pneumatic pressure medium, in order to reduce a pressure (psys) which is applied to the solenoid valve, where the solenoid valve assumes a closed switching position in the deenergized state and assumes a completely open switching position when it is energized with a switching current intensity (Is(p)) which is dependent on the applied pressure (psys), where a first rise current final value (I1) is predetermined, which first rise current final value is smaller than the switching current intensity (Is(p)), where the solenoid valve is energized with an actuating current which follows an actuating current profile (SV1, SV2), and where the actuating current profile (SV1, SV2) comprises a first rise phase (TA1), in which the actuating current is increased to the predetermined first rise current final value (I1), and, following said first rise phase, a first holding phase (TH1) in which the actuating current is held constant at the first rise current fi
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Applicant: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Dierk Hein, Patrick Wassermann
  • Patent number: 10391830
    Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated air-supply unit, in particular for air-suspension systems for motor vehicles, said unit comprising an air compressor having an electric motor and an air dryer. The air compressor together with the electric motor, air dryer and a number of pneumatic connections form a functional unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Joachim Bohn, Christian Courth, Uwe Folchert, Christoph Voss, Michael Zydek, Dierk Hein, Hinz Axel, Christian Witala
  • Patent number: 9938981
    Abstract: The invention relates to a compressor circuit for a pneumatic control device of a motor vehicle, including: a compressor, and a pressure regulator, the pressure regulator being arranged between an input side of the compressor and the pneumatic control device, wherein the pressure regulator is designed to measure an upstream pressure of air from the pneumatic control device present on its side facing the pneumatic control device and to supply this air at an input pressure to the input side of the compressor, the pressure regulator being designed to control the input pressure on the basis of said measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventor: Dierk Hein
  • Patent number: 9829248
    Abstract: A dryer circuit for a pneumatic regulating device of a vehicle, comprising an air dryer, and a first compressor, wherein the first compressor is designed to compress system air present in the pneumatic regulating device, wherein the air dryer, the first compressor and subsystems, which can be connected to the first compressor, of the pneumatic regulating device are arranged in such a way that, in the operating mode of a closed air supply, air delivered between the components of one of the subsystems by the first compressor is delivered so as to bypass the air dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Uwe Folchert, Dierk Hein, Christian Witala
  • Publication number: 20170036505
    Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated air-supply unit, in particular for air-suspension systems for motor vehicles, said unit comprising an air compressor having an electric motor and an air dryer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Applicant: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Joachim Bohn, Christian Courth, Uwe Folchert, Christoph Voss, Michael Zydek, Dierk Hein, Hinz Axel, Christian Witala
  • Publication number: 20140241859
    Abstract: The invention relates to a compressor circuit for a pneumatic control device of a motor vehicle, including: a compressor, and a pressure regulator, the pressure regulator being arranged between an input side of the compressor and the pneumatic control device, wherein the pressure regulator is designed to measure an upstream pressure of air from the pneumatic control device present on its side facing the pneumatic control device and to supply this air at an input pressure to the input side of the compressor, the pressure regulator being designed to control the input pressure on the basis of said measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventor: Dierk Hein
  • Publication number: 20140059876
    Abstract: A dryer circuit for a pneumatic regulating device of a vehicle, comprising an air dryer, and a first compressor, wherein the first compressor is designed to compress system air present in the pneumatic regulating device, wherein the air dryer, the first compressor and subsystems, which can be connected to the first compressor, of the pneumatic regulating device are arranged in such a way that, in the operating mode of a closed air supply, air delivered between the components of one of the subsystems by the first compressor is delivered so as to bypass the air dryer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Uwe Folchert, Dierk Hein, Christian Witala
  • Patent number: 8532875
    Abstract: Motor vehicle having a closed ride height control system which contains a control unit in which a switch-off limiting value for at least one operating parameter of at least one component of the ride height control system is monitored, wherein in raising processes the activation of the component is prohibited or aborted when the switch-off limiting value is reached, and upward transgression of the switch-off limiting value of the operating parameter is permitted in the case of lowering processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Marek Engelhardt, Dierk Hein
  • Patent number: 8490991
    Abstract: A method for controlling the regeneration cycles for an air dryer in a closed ride height control system for vehicles. Compressed air chambers and a compressed air storage reservoir are charged with compressed air and ventilated via a compressed air line, or are charged via a compressed air intake line connected to the compressor and ventilated via the compressed air line. Compressed air quantity delivered through the dryer by the compressor, and temperature and/or the humidity of the air sucked in from the atmosphere are measured. The dryer is considered saturated under the assumption that air sucked in by the compressor and delivered through the air dryer is at the highest possible ambient temperature and humidity. Regeneration air quantity required for the compressed air quantity for the dryer to attain the desired dew point is determined as a function of the ambient temperature and/or the humidity of the intake air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & CO oHG
    Inventors: Uwe Folchert, Heike Ilias, Christian Witala, Dierk Hein
  • Patent number: 8448951
    Abstract: A closed ride control system for vehicles by which a vehicle body is suspended with respect to at least one vehicle axle and which includes the following components: pressure medium chambers which are connected via branches to a pressure medium line, a compressor, an air dryer which is arranged in a pressure medium line, a pressure medium reservoir which is connected via the compressor to the pressure medium chambers, and a non-return valve arranged in the pressure medium line between an outlet of the air dryer and the directional valve in order to connect the outlet of the air dryer to the pressure medium reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventor: Dierk Hein
  • Publication number: 20120041642
    Abstract: Motor vehicle having a closed ride height control system which contains a control unit in which a switch-off limiting value for at least one operating parameter of at least one component of the ride height control system is monitored, wherein in raising processes the activation of the component is prohibited or aborted when the switch-off limiting value is reached, and upward transgression of the switch-off limiting value of the operating parameter is permitted in the case of lowering processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Marek Engelhardt, Dierk Hein
  • Publication number: 20110316248
    Abstract: A closed ride control system for vehicles by which a vehicle body is suspended with respect to at least one vehicle axle and which includes the following components: pressure medium chambers which are connected via branches to a pressure medium line, a compressor, an air dryer which is arranged in a pressure medium line, a pressure medium reservoir which is connected via the compressor to the pressure medium chambers, and a non-return valve arranged in the pressure medium line between an outlet of the air dryer and the directional valve in order to connect the outlet of the air dryer to the pressure medium reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Continental Teves AG & Co., oHG
    Inventor: Dierk Hein
  • Publication number: 20110278804
    Abstract: A method for controlling the regeneration cycles for an air dryer in a closed ride height control system for vehicles. Compressed air chambers and a compressed air storage reservoir are charged with compressed air and ventilated via a compressed air line, or are charged via a compressed air intake line connected to the compressor and ventilated via the compressed air line. Compressed air quantity delivered through the dryer by the compressor, and temperature and/or the humidity of the air sucked in from the atmosphere are measured. The dryer is considered saturated under the assumption that air sucked in by the compressor and delivered through the air dryer is at the highest possible ambient temperature and humidity. Regeneration air quantity required for the compressed air quantity for the dryer to attain the desired dew point is determined as a function of the ambient temperature and/or the humidity of the intake air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: Continental Teves AG & Co., oHG
    Inventors: Uwe Folchert, Heike Ilias, Christian Witala, Dierk Hein
  • Patent number: 7930935
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for diagnosing the function of a level control system (1) of a motor vehicle, comprising at least one valve (2a, 2b, 14, 26) and a control unit (10). An exchange of pressure medium from one side of the valve to the other side of the valve is possible when the valve is open, and an exchange of pressure medium is prevented when the valve is closed. The valve carries out a change of state, a variable (4, I) influencing the valve output is measured during the change of state, the measured variable influencing the output of the valve is compared with a reference curve, a family of characteristics or a limit value in the control unit (10), and based on the comparison in the control unit (10) it can be established if the valve has carried out the change of state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Aktiengessellschaft
    Inventor: Dierk Hein