Patents by Inventor Frank Denk

Frank Denk 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: 20240079001
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for generating a prediction of an audio signal. One of the methods includes receiving a request to generate an audio signal conditioned on an input; processing the input using an embedding neural network to map the input to one or more embedding tokens; generating a semantic representation of the audio signal; generating, using one or more generative neural networks and conditioned on at least the semantic representation and the embedding tokens, an acoustic representation of the audio signal; and processing at least the acoustic representation using a decoder neural network to generate the prediction of the audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Andrea Agostinelli, Timo Immanuel Denk, Antoine Caillon, Neil Zeghidour, Jesse Engel, Mauro Verzetti, Christian Frank, Zalán Borsos, Matthew Sharifi, Adam Joseph Roberts
  • Patent number: 11915689
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for generating a prediction of an audio signal. One of the methods includes receiving a request to generate an audio signal conditioned on an input; processing the input using an embedding neural network to map the input to one or more embedding tokens; generating a semantic representation of the audio signal; generating, using one or more generative neural networks and conditioned on at least the semantic representation and the embedding tokens, an acoustic representation of the audio signal; and processing at least the acoustic representation using a decoder neural network to generate the prediction of the audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Andrea Agostinelli, Timo Immanuel Denk, Antoine Caillon, Neil Zeghidour, Jesse Engel, Mauro Verzetti, Christian Frank, Zalán Borsos, Matthew Sharifi, Adam Joseph Roberts, Marco Tagliasacchi
  • Patent number: 10989154
    Abstract: Various embodiments may include a method for actuating a fuel injector with a solenoid drive and a nozzle needle. The solenoid drive has a solenoid and a movable armature. The fuel injector has an idle stroke between the armature and the nozzle needle. An example method includes: applying a precharging current to the solenoid drive during a precharging phase to move the movable armature into mechanical contact with the nozzle needle; and applying a voltage pulse to the solenoid drive during a boost phase until the current intensity of the current flowing through the solenoid reaches a predetermined peak value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Denk, Gerd Rösel
  • Patent number: 10989130
    Abstract: Various embodiments may include a method for adapting the opening behavior of a fuel injector having a solenoid drive, the method comprising: applying a voltage pulse having a predetermined electrical voltage to the solenoid drive; acquiring a time profile of the strength of a current flowing through the solenoid drive; comparing the acquired time profile with a reference profile; and adjusting a value of a mechanical parameter of the fuel injector to reduce a deviation between the acquired time profile of the strength of the current and the reference profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Denk, Ulrich Wagner
  • Publication number: 20200340417
    Abstract: Various embodiments may include a method for adapting the opening behavior of a fuel injector having a solenoid drive, the method comprising: applying a voltage pulse having a predetermined electrical voltage to the solenoid drive; acquiring a time profile of the strength of a current flowing through the solenoid drive; comparing the acquired time profile with a reference profile; and adjusting a value of a mechanical parameter of the fuel injector to reduce a deviation between the acquired time profile of the strength of the current and the reference profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Frank DENK, Ulrich WAGNER
  • Patent number: 10746126
    Abstract: A method for actuating a fuel injector having a magnetic coil drive for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The fuel injector has a first terminal and a second terminal, where the first terminal is connectable via a switch element to ground and the second terminal is connected to ground. The method includes the following: actuating the switch element to connect the first terminal to ground, acquiring a time curve of the current strength of a current flowing through the magnetic coil drive, and applying a voltage pulse to the magnetic coil drive to initiate an opening procedure of the fuel injection. A duration of the voltage pulse is established as a function of the acquired time curve of the current strength. Furthermore, an engine controller and a computer program are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Denk
  • Patent number: 10634106
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining an electrical resistance value for a fuel injector having a solenoid drive. The method comprises the following: (a) applying a voltage pulse to the solenoid drive of the fuel injector, (b) sensing a temporal progression of the current intensity of a current (I) flowing through the solenoid drive, (c) calculating a series of linked fluxes (?) as a function of current intensity (I), wherein each linked flux (?) is calculated on the basis of the temporal progression of voltage and current intensity (I) and on the basis of a hypothetical resistance value from a series of hypothetical resistance values, and (d) selecting one of the hypothetical resistance values as a determined resistance value on the basis of an analysis of the calculated series of linked fluxes (?). The invention further relates to a method for determining a temperature of a coil of a fuel injector having a solenoid drive, to a motor controller, and to a computer program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Denk
  • Patent number: 10378475
    Abstract: A method for determining a reference current value for actuating a fuel injector, comprising a solenoid drive, for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: CPT Group GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Denk
  • Patent number: 10330068
    Abstract: A method for determining the movement behavior of a fuel injector having a coil drive includes: (a) applying an electrical excitation to a coil of the coil drive, which prompts an opening movement of a valve needle; (b) recording the temporal progression of a first electrical measurement variable of the coil; (c) determining the time when the opening movement ends based on the recorded temporal progression of the first electrical measurement variable; (d) modifying the electrical excitation of the coil such that the valve needle performs a closing movement; (e) recording the temporal progression of a second electrical measurement variable of the coil; and (f) determining the time when the closing movement ends based on the recorded temporal progression of the second electrical measurement variable. One of the two measurement variables is the voltage present at the coil and the other is the intensity of current flowing through the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Denk, Gerd Roesel
  • Publication number: 20190145334
    Abstract: Various embodiments may include a method for actuating a fuel injector with a solenoid drive and a nozzle needle. The solenoid drive has a solenoid and a movable armature. The fuel injector has an idle stroke between the armature and the nozzle needle. An example method includes: applying a precharging current to the solenoid drive during a precharging phase to move the movable armature into mechanical contact with the nozzle needle; and applying a voltage pulse to the solenoid drive during a boost phase until the current intensity of the current flowing through the solenoid reaches a predetermined peak value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Denk, Gerd Rösel
  • Patent number: 10174701
    Abstract: A method for detecting the commencement of opening of the nozzle needle of an injector of an injection system. In the detection method, the coil of the solenoid injector has a voltage applied to it which is so low that the armature is moved toward the nozzle needle at such a low speed that the abutment causes a stoppage of the armature movement, without the nozzle needle being opened. In this case, the idle travel is overcome, but no injection process is initiated. The abutment of the armature against the nozzle needle is detected, in the current profile, as the commencement of opening of the nozzle needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Denk, Nikolay Belyaev, Christian Hauser, Anatoliy Lyubar, Gerd Roesel, Markus Stutika
  • Patent number: 10024264
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining the point in time of a predetermined open state (e.g., start or stop time of an opening or closing process) of a fuel injector having a coil drive for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The method includes applying a first voltage pulse to the magnetic coil drive of the fuel injector, detecting a first temporal progression of the current intensity of a current flowing through the coil drive, applying a second voltage pulse to the magnetic coil drive of the fuel injector, detecting a second temporal progression of the current intensity of the current flowing through the coil drive, determining a differential progression based on the first and second temporal progressions of the current intensity, and determining a point in time at which the differential progression exhibits an extremum, which corresponds with the point in time of the predetermined open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Frank Denk
  • Publication number: 20180180010
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining an electrical resistance value for a fuel injector having a solenoid drive. The method comprises the following: (a) applying a voltage pulse to the solenoid drive of the fuel injector, (b) sensing a temporal progression of the current intensity of a current (I) flowing through the solenoid drive, (c) calculating a series of linked fluxes (?) as a function of current intensity (I), wherein each linked flux (?) is calculated on the basis of the temporal progression of voltage and current intensity (I) and on the basis of a hypothetical resistance value from a series of hypothetical resistance values, and (d) selecting one of the hypothetical resistance values as a determined resistance value on the basis of an analysis of the calculated series of linked fluxes (?). The invention further relates to a method for determining a temperature of a coil of a fuel injector having a solenoid drive, to a motor controller, and to a computer program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Frank DENK
  • Publication number: 20180156153
    Abstract: A method for determining a reference current value for actuating a fuel injector, comprising a solenoid drive, for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventor: Frank Denk
  • Patent number: 9957909
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to injection valves. The teachings thereof may be embodied in various valves, fuel injectors, and methods for controlling valves. An example method for setting operational parameters of a fuel injector may include: determining a measurement-specific maximum current value; applying a voltage pulse to the coil drive of the fuel injector; detecting a time curve of the current intensity of a current flowing through the coil drive; ending the voltage pulse when the detected current intensity reaches the maximum current value; and storing the time curve of the detected current intensity. The method may include generating a plurality of differential curves each based on two stored time curves of the detected current intensity for successive measurements; determining a peak current for driving the actuator of the fuel injector based at least in part on the plurality of differential curves; and operating the coil at the determined peak current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Frank Denk
  • Patent number: 9945315
    Abstract: A method for determining a reference current curve for a fuel injector having a magnetic coil drive in an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle includes: (a) applying a first voltage pulse to the magnetic coil drive to open the fuel injector, (b) applying a holding voltage to the magnetic coil drive to hold the fuel injector open, (c) switching off the holding voltage, (d) waiting for substantially no current to flow through the magnetic coil drive for a predetermined time period that is sufficiently short that the fuel injector remains open, (e) applying a second voltage pulse to the magnetic coil drive, and (f) recording a time-based curve of the current that flows through the magnetic coil drive during the second voltage pulse, which forms the reference current curve. This reference current curve is used for determining a time of a predetermined opening state of the fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Frank Denk
  • Publication number: 20180080406
    Abstract: A method for actuating a fuel injector having a magnetic coil drive for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The fuel injector has a first terminal and a second terminal, where the first terminal is connectable via a switch element to ground and the second terminal is connected to ground. The method includes the following: actuating the switch element to connect the first terminal to ground, acquiring a time curve of the current strength of a current flowing through the magnetic coil drive, and applying a voltage pulse to the magnetic coil drive to initiate an opening procedure of the fuel injection. A duration of the voltage pulse is established as a function of the acquired time curve of the current strength. Furthermore, an engine controller and a computer program are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Frank Denk
  • Publication number: 20180045133
    Abstract: A method for determining the point in time of a predetermined open state of a fuel injector having a solenoid drive for a combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The method includes detection of a time profile of the current level of a current flowing through the solenoid drive during a boost phase, where the solenoid drive is subjected to a first voltage during a first part of the boost phase and a second voltage during a second part of the boost phase. The second voltage is selected so that the current level of the current flowing through the solenoid drive during the second part of the boost phase essentially remains unchanged, and determination of a point in time at which the detected time profile of the current level has an extreme value, where the determined point in time is the point in time of the predetermined open state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Frank Denk
  • Publication number: 20170145942
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to injection valves. The teachings thereof may be embodied in various valves, fuel injectors, and methods for controlling valves. An example method for setting operational parameters of a fuel injector may include: determining a measurement-specific maximum current value; applying a voltage pulse to the coil drive of the fuel injector; detecting a time curve of the current intensity of a current flowing through the coil drive; ending the voltage pulse when the detected current intensity reaches the maximum current value; and storing the time curve of the detected current intensity. The method may include generating a plurality of differential curves each based on two stored time curves of the detected current intensity for successive measurements; determining a peak current for driving the actuator of the fuel injector based at least in part on the plurality of differential curves; and operating the coil at the determined peak current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Denk
  • Publication number: 20170114746
    Abstract: A method for detecting the commencement of opening of the nozzle needle of an injector of an injection system. In the detection method, the coil of the solenoid injector has a voltage applied to it which is so low that the armature is moved toward the nozzle needle at such a low speed that the abutment causes a stoppage of the armature movement, without the nozzle needle being opened. In this case, the idle travel is overcome, but no injection process is initiated. The abutment of the armature against the nozzle needle is detected, in the current profile, as the commencement of opening of the nozzle needle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Frank DENK, Nikolay BELYAEV, Christian HAUSER, Anatoliy LYUBAR, Gerd ROESEL, Markus STUTIKA