Patents by Inventor Erik Surewaard

Erik Surewaard 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).

  • BATTERY IDENTIFICATION CYCLE
    Publication number: 20100019727
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for detecting the operating state of a vehicle battery. A method according to the invention has the following steps: charging of the battery from a first state of charge (SOC1) to a second state of charge (SOC2), wherein the second state of charge (SOC2) is higher than the first state of charge (SOC1); active discharging of the battery to a third state of charge (SOC3), wherein the third state of charge (SOC3) is lower than the second state of charge (SOC2); and determination of at least one variable, which is characteristic of the operating state of the battery, after the third state of charge (SOC3) has been reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Eckhard Karden, Stephen Robert Pickering, Erik Surewaard, Engbert Spijker, Ralf Hecke
  • Locking mechanism for the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 7410445
    Abstract: A locking mechanism (6) is provided to block the internal combustion engine (1) at prepositioned cranking angle after shutting down. Preferably, the crankshaft of the engine is positioned at a crankshaft angle that is favorable for cranking. Prepositioning of the crankshaft angle results in a lower first compression torque and therefore increases kinetic energy stored in the crankshaft lumped inertia. The required maximum torque of the cranking aid (2a, 2b, 2c) can therefore be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Erik Surewaard, Don A. Kees, Daniel Kok, Engbert Spijker, Mark Eifert
  • Locking mechanism for the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine
    Publication number: 20050113211
    Abstract: A locking mechanism (6) is provided to block the internal combustion engine (1) at prepositioned cranking angle after shutting down. Preferably, the crankshaft of the engine is positioned at a crankshaft angle that is favorable for cranking. Prepositioning of the crankshaft angle results in a lower first compression torque and therefore increases kinetic energy stored in the crankshaft lumped inertia. The required maximum torque of the cranking aid (2a, 2b, 2c) can therefore be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Erik Surewaard, Don Kees, Daniel Kok, Engbert Spijker, Mark Eifert
  • Method and system for controlling shutdown and restart of an internal combustion engine
    Publication number: 20040133333
    Abstract: After shutting down an internal combustion engine, the crankshaft of the engine is positioned at a crankshaft angle that is favorable for cranking. Prepositioning of the crankshaft angle results in a lower first compression torque and therefore increases kinetic energy stored in the crankshaft lumped inertia. The required maximum torque of the cranking aid can therefore be reduced. A locking mechanism may be provided to lock the internal combustion engine at an optimal crank angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Erik Surewaard, Don A. Kees, Daniel Kok, Engbert Spijker, Mark Eifert