Patents by Inventor Dirk Nagel

Dirk Nagel 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: 11713736
    Abstract: A control flap (1) has a flap body (2) and a circumferential seal (3) capable of sealing upon abutting to a sealing surface (7) of an opening (8). The flap body (2) and the seal (3) are made of elastomers. The seal (3) is joined to the flap body (2) by a pressure plate (4) made of a thermoplastic. The control flap may be made by a method that includes: producing the flap body (2) from a thermoplastic by injection molding; producing the pressure plate (4) from a thermoplastic by injection molding; producing the seal (3) from an elastomer by injection molding; introducing the pressure plate (4) into the undercut (10) of the seal (3); inserting the pressure plate (4) with the seal (3) into the recess (16) of the flap body (2) and bonding the pressure plate (4) and flap body (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Umfotec GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Buck, Gerald Wedekind, Bodo Waterstraat, Dirk Nagel, Thomas Kaiser
  • Publication number: 20230104023
    Abstract: The operating device (10,10?) intended to be installed in a vehicle is provided with a housing (12) and an operating element (14,14?) which is movably mounted in and/or on the housing (12) and can be manually transferred from a rest position to a function-triggering position. Furthermore, the operating device (10, 10?) is provided with a switch (22) which is adapted to be actuated by the operating element (14, 14?) when it is manually transferred to the function-triggering position, a holding-force generation unit (26, 26?) for generating a holding force with which the operating element (14, 14?) is held in its rest position, and a control unit (32) for electrically controlling the holding-force generation unit for the purpose of setting the holding force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: BEHR-HELLA THERMOCONTROL GMBH
    Inventors: Dirk NAGEL, Matthias STALLEIN
  • Publication number: 20210310449
    Abstract: A control flap (1) has a flap body (2) and a circumferential seal (3) capable of sealing upon abutting to a sealing surface (7) of an opening (8). The flap body (2) and the seal (3) are made of elastomers. The seal (3) is joined to the flap body (2) by a pressure plate (4) made of a thermoplastic. The control flap may be made by a method that includes: producing the flap body (2) from a thermoplastic by injection molding; producing the pressure plate (4) from a thermoplastic by injection molding; producing the seal (3) from an elastomer by injection molding; introducing the pressure plate (4) into the undercut (10) of the seal (3); inserting the pressure plate (4) with the seal (3) into the recess (16) of the flap body (2) and bonding the pressure plate (4) and flap body (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Ralf Buck, Gerald Wedekind, Bodo Waterstraat, Dirk Nagel, Thomas Kaiser
  • Patent number: 11001147
    Abstract: The operating unit comprises an actuator, which mechanically excites an operating element. The actuator comprises a support strip made of a resilient material. Piezo elements, which are connected to the support strip in a shear-resistant manner, are located on both outer surfaces of the support strip. As a result of the alternate arrangement of the piezo elements, the support strip assumes an undulating form when moving out of its inactivated state. One side of the support strip is mechanically connected to the operating element and the other side is mechanically connected to a counterbalance. The support strip itself is mechanically fixed in the housing. In its inactivated state, the operating element and the counterbalance are at a different distance from one another than in the undulating activated state, wherein they move in opposite directions and thus lead to a compensation of dynamic forces acting on the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: BEHR-HELLA THERMOCONTROL GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Kirsch, Harri Pankratz, Dirk Nagel
  • Patent number: 10794341
    Abstract: A device (1) for lowering flow noises has opposed first and second connection pieces (2, 3), and outer and inner sleeves (4, 5) between the connection pieces. A radial collar (6) is between the sleeves (4, 5) and forms separated volume chambers. Openings (11) in the inner sleeve (5) connect the volume chambers to a line space (13) enclosed by the inner sleeve (5). A sealing ring (15) at the free end (14) of the collar (6) defines a ring cap with a lateral surface (21) that reaches over the collar (6) and seals against the sleeve (4, 5) adjacent the free end (14) of the collar (6) and that has a surface (23, 26) that seals against either an end face (25) of the collar (6) or a side surface (28) of the collar (6) extending parallel to the radial collar (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignees: UMFOTEC GMBH
    Inventors: Ralf Buck, Michael Heuer, Dirk Nagel, Philipp Troeger, Norbert Luebbe
  • Publication number: 20200282796
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for operating an air conditioning system (12) of a vehicle. The air conditioning system has a fan, a plurality of actuating motors for controlling flaps on and/or in air-conducting channels, a heating and/or a cooling unit, and a plurality of sensors (28, 30) for sensing measurement variables required for the operation of the heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning system. The sensors (28, 30) include an interior temperature sensor (26). The device has an operating and control unit (32) for inputting a desired temperature and for outputting air conditioning control signals for the control of components of the air conditioning system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Ralph TRAPP, Dirk NAGEL, Rudiger SCHMIDT, Bernd KUHLHOFF, Eduard PANKRATZ
  • Publication number: 20190391652
    Abstract: The operating unit comprises an actuator, which mechanically excites an operating element. The actuator comprises a support strip made of a resilient material. Piezo elements, which are connected to the support strip in a shear-resistant manner, are located on both outer surfaces of the support strip. As a result of the alternate arrangement of the piezo elements, the support strip assumes an undulating form when moving out of its inactivated state. One side of the support strip is mechanically connected to the operating element and the other side is mechanically connected to a counterbalance. The support strip itself is mechanically fixed in the housing. In its inactivated state, the operating element and the counterbalance are at a different distance from one another than in the undulating activated state, wherein they move in opposite directions and thus lead to a compensation of dynamic forces acting on the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Stefan KIRSCH, Harri PANKRATZ, Dirk NAGEL
  • Patent number: 10302331
    Abstract: A heating device is provided with plates stacked one on top of another. At least one first fluid channel is formed in a fluid-tight manner between a first plate package with a first and a second plate. An electrical heating element is arranged between a first plate of the first plate package and an additional plate. The electrical heating element is accommodated between the two plates in a sealed manner and is electrically insulated, wherein an inlet-side and an outlet side fluid connection of the first fluid channel is arranged on the second plate of the first plate package. The electrical heating element has a connection device for electrical contacting, which is connected to the electrical heating element and protrudes through a window in the second plate of the first plate package, wherein the fluid connections and the window are arranged adjacent to opposing lateral edges of the second plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignees: MAHLE International GmbH, Behr-Hella Thermocontrol GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Kohl, Karl-Gerd Krumbach, Karl Lochmahr, Wolfgang Seewald, Olivier Schunck, Dirk Nagel, Lars Heeper, Matthias Stallein, Michael Steinkamp, Karsten Marquas, Volker Dicke
  • Publication number: 20180223779
    Abstract: A device (1) for lowering flow noises has opposed first and second connection pieces (2, 3), and outer and inner sleeves (4, 5) between the connection pieces. A radial collar (6) is between the sleeves (4, 5) and forms separated volume chambers. Openings (11) in the inner sleeve (5) connect the volume chambers to a line space (13) enclosed by the inner sleeve (5). A sealing ring (15) at the free end (14) of the collar (6) defines a ring cap with a lateral surface (21) that reaches over the collar (6) and seals against the sleeve (4, 5) adjacent the free end (14) of the collar (6) and that has a surface (23, 26) that seals against either an end face (25) of the collar (6) or a side surface (28) of the collar (6) extending parallel to the radial collar (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Ralf Buck, Michael Huer, Dirk Nagel, Philipp Troeger, Norbert Luebbe
  • Patent number: 9848464
    Abstract: The application relates to an induction heating device having a housing and a fluid duct. The fluid duct is arranged in the housing and has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. Inside the housing is an induction element which generates an alternating magnetic field and which is separated from the fluid duct in a sealed manner by at least one wall. The device also includes at least one metallic areal heating element arranged in the fluid duct which can be heated by the alternating magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignees: MAHLE INTERNATIONAL GMBH, BEHR-HELLA THERMOCONTROL GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Kohl, Karl-Gerd Krumbach, Karl Lochmahr, Wolfgang Seewald, Olivier Schunck, Dirk Nagel, Lars Heeper, Matthias Stallein, Michael Steinkamp, Karsten Marquas, Volker Dicke
  • Publication number: 20160157303
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heating device comprising a housing having a fluid channel arranged therein with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, wherein an element generating an alternating magnetic field is provided in the housing, wherein, furthermore, at least one metallic panel heating element is provided, which is heatable by the alternating magnetic field, wherein the at least one panel heating element is arranged in the fluid channel, wherein the element generating the alternating magnetic field is formed by a coil shaped in hollow-cylindrical fashion, which coil is operable by an AC voltage, wherein the coil is separated in fluidtight fashion from the fluid channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Applicant: BEHR-HELLA THERMOCONTROL GMBH
    Inventors: Lars HEEPER, Karsten MARQUAS, Dirk NAGEL, Matthias STALLEIN, Michael STEINKAMP
  • Publication number: 20160150598
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heating device, comprising a housing, which has a fluid channel arranged therein, which has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, wherein an element that generates an alternating magnetic field is provided in the housing, which element is separated from the fluid channel in a sealed manner by at least one wall, wherein furthermore at least one metal planar heating element is provided, which can be heated by the alternating magnetic field, wherein the at least one planar heating element is arranged in the fluid channel, wherein at least one of the planar heating elements is made of a magnetic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Applicant: BEHR-HELLA THERMOCONTROL GMBH
    Inventors: Lars HEEPER, Karsten MARQUAS, Dirk NAGEL, Matthias STALLEIN, Michael STEINKAMP
  • Publication number: 20150183295
    Abstract: The electrical vehicle heater, in particular for vehicles having a hybrid drive or having an electric drive, has a heating module (10), which is provided with a carrier body (14), which has two opposite main outside surfaces (20, 21), wherein the carrier body (14)—when observed in the direction of one of the two main outside surfaces (20, 21)—is divided into two adjacent heating zones (16, 18) and wherein the carrier body (14) is provided with at least one heating element (22) in each heating zone (16, 18). Furthermore, the heating module (10) has a control unit (31) for controlling the heating elements (22) independently of each other and at least one heat sink (42, 48), which is thermally coupled to the carrier body (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: Behr-Hella Thermocontrol GmbH
    Inventors: Ralph Trapp, Dirk Nagel
  • Publication number: 20150131979
    Abstract: A heating device is provided with plates stacked one on top of another. At least one first fluid channel is formed in a fluid-tight manner between a first plate package with a first and a second plate. An electrical heating element is arranged between a first plate of the first plate package and an additional plate. The electrical heating element is accommodated between the two plates in a sealed manner and is electrically insulated, wherein an inlet-side and an outlet side fluid connection of the first fluid channel is arranged on the second plate of the first plate package. The electrical heating element has a connection device for electrical contacting, which is connected to the electrical heating element and protrudes through a window in the second plate of the first plate package, wherein the fluid connections and the window are arranged adjacent to opposing lateral edges of the second plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Michael KOHL, Karl-Gerd KRUMBACH, Karl LOCHMAHR, Wolfgang SEEWALD, Olivier SCHUNCK, Dirk NAGEL, Lars HEEPER, Matthias STALLEIN, Michael STEINKAMP, Karsten MARQUAS, Volker DICKE
  • Patent number: 8785858
    Abstract: A solar sensor for the detection of the direction of incidence and the intensity of solar radiation comprises a housing (12) made of a plastic material that is permeable to at least some of the solar radiation, the housing (12) having a curved side (14) facing the incident solar radiation and the housing (12) optically acting as a lens and having an internal focal plane (26) defined by the lens characteristics thereof. At least two photosensors (16) are embedded in the plastic material of the housing (12), each photosensor (16) having a sensor area (18) sensitive to at least the part of the radiation to which the plastic material is permeable, and the sensor areas (18) of the photosensors (16) being arranged in a substantially common plane (19) located in front of or behind the focal plane (26), seen from side (14) facing the incident solar radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Behr-Hella Thermocontrol GmbH
    Inventors: Otto Knittel, Bernd Stich, Ralph Trapp, Dirk Nagel
  • Publication number: 20140027444
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heating device having a housing and having a fluid duct which is arranged in said housing and which has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, wherein, in the housing, there is provided an element which generates an alternating magnetic field and which is separated from the fluid duct in a sealed manner by at least one wall, wherein furthermore, at least one metallic areal heating element is provided which can be heated by the alternating magnetic field, wherein the at least one areal heating element is arranged in the fluid duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicants: Behr GmbH & Co., KG, Behr-Hella Thermocontrol GmbH, Behr France Rouffach SAS
    Inventors: Michael KOHL, Karl-Gerd KRUMBACH, Karl LOCHMAHR, Wolfgang SEEWALD, Olivier SCHUNCK, Dirk NAGEL, Lars HEEPER, Matthias STALLEIN, Michael STEINKAMP, Karsten MARQUAS, Volker DICKE
  • Publication number: 20110240862
    Abstract: A solar sensor for the detection of the direction of incidence and the intensity of solar radiation comprises a housing (12) made of a plastic material that is permeable to at least some of the solar radiation, the housing (12) having a curved side (14) facing the incident solar radiation and the housing (12) optically acting as a lens and having an internal focal plane (26) defined by the lens characteristics thereof. At least two photosensors (16) are embedded in the plastic material of the housing (12), each photosensor (16) having a sensor area (18) sensitive to at least the part of the radiation to which the plastic material is permeable, and the sensor areas (18) of the photosensors (16) being arranged in a substantially common plane (19) located in front of or behind the focal plane (26), seen from side (14) facing the incident solar radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Behr-Hella Thermocontrol GmbH
    Inventors: Otto Knittel, Bernd Stich, Ralph Trapp, Dirk Nagel