Patents by Inventor Frank Eckstein

Frank Eckstein 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: 11872876
    Abstract: An energy storage device for a motor vehicle includes a plurality of round cells for electrochemically storing energy, and a storage housing in which the plurality of round cells is provided. In the installed position, the round cells run substantially parallel to the vehicle transverse axis. The round cells are arranged within the storage housing in multiple layers in the direction of the vehicle vertical axis, wherein the number of layers varies in the direction of the vehicle longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Azad Darbandi, Frank Eckstein, Juergen Hildinger, Julien Marie
  • Publication number: 20220144062
    Abstract: An energy storage device for a motor vehicle includes a plurality of round cells for electrochemically storing energy, and a storage housing in which the plurality of round cells is provided. In the installed position, the round cells run substantially parallel to the vehicle transverse axis. The round cells are arranged within the storage housing in multiple layers in the direction of the vehicle vertical axis, wherein the number of layers varies in the direction of the vehicle longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Azad DARBANDI, Frank ECKSTEIN, Juergen HILDINGER, Julien MARIE
  • Publication number: 20200243929
    Abstract: A storage device for storing electrical energy includes at least two storage cells. Each storage cell has a cell housing, an accommodating space delimited by the cell housing, and at least one storage element for storing electrical energy. The storage element is accommodated in the accommodating space. At least one thermally conductive heat-conducting element is provided, by which heat can be deliberately transferred from a first of the storage cells to the second storage cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Azad DARBANDI, Frank ECKSTEIN, Juergen HILDINGER, Florian SCHOEWEL
  • Patent number: 10443633
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fastening clip for fastening a component on a carrier component, comprising a latching element for insertion into a fastening opening of the carrier component and having latching means for latching to the fastening opening, further comprising an arresting element which, in the case of the latching element being inserted into the fastening opening of the carrier component, is insertable into an arresting opening of the latching element, wherein mechanical blocking means, which are adjustable between a blocking position, in which full insertion of the arresting element into the arresting opening is prevented, and an unblocking position, in which full insertion of the arresting element into the arresting opening is enabled, are provided, the mechanical blocking means, in the case of the latching element not being inserted into the fastening opening of the carrier component, being situated in their blocking position and, by way of insertion of the latching element into the fastening ope
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Christian Scherer, Frank Eckstein, Isaac Tejero Salinero
  • Patent number: 9592857
    Abstract: A closing plug for an opening in a body structure of an automobile, wherein the closing plug closes the opening against a passage of fluid and/or gas up to a limit pressure which acts on the closing plug, and allows a passage of fluid and/or gas above the limit pressure, characterized in that the closing plug comprises a base body consisting of a first plastic material, which has a holding section with holding means for holding the closing plug in the opening and a plate-shaped head section provided on one end of the holding section with at least one opening and that the closing plug comprises a sealing body of a second plastic material molded onto the base body in a plastic injection molding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Frank Eckstein
  • Publication number: 20170009789
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fastening clip for fastening a component on a carrier component, comprising a latching element for insertion into a fastening opening of the carrier component and having latching means for latching to the fastening opening, further comprising an arresting element which, in the case of the latching element being inserted into the fastening opening of the carrier component, is insertable into an arresting opening of the latching element, wherein mechanical blocking means, which are adjustable between a blocking position, in which full insertion of the arresting element into the arresting opening is prevented, and an unblocking position, in which full insertion of the arresting element into the arresting opening is enabled, are provided, the mechanical blocking means, in the case of the latching element not being inserted into the fastening opening of the carrier component, being situated in their blocking position and, by way of insertion of the latching element into the fastening ope
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Christian Scherer, Frank Eckstein, Isaac Tejero Salinero
  • Publication number: 20160129781
    Abstract: Closing plug for an opening in a body structure of an automobile, wherein the closing plug closes the opening against a passage of fluid and/or gas up to a limit pressure, which acts on the closing plug, and allows a passage of fluid and/or gas above the limit pressure, characterized in that the closing plug has a base body consisting of a first plastic material, which has a holding section with holding means for holding the closing plug in the opening and a plate-shaped head section formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventor: Frank ECKSTEIN
  • Patent number: 9269500
    Abstract: A power supply device for a hybrid or electric motor vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle or a motorcycle, includes a plurality of electrochemical storage cells and/or double-layer capacitors. The electrochemical storage cells and/or double-layer capacitors have a casing surface and, in an axial direction, a base surface and a cover surface which are connected by the casing surface, and each include electrodes. Adjacent to the casing surface of at least one of the storage cells and/or double-layer capacitors, a heat-conducting cooling apparatus is disposed which, although electrically insulated from the at least one storage cell and/or double-layer capacitor, is in thermal contact with a first circumferential section of the casing surface and dissipates the heat energy introduced by the casing surfaces of the at least one storage cell and/or the double-layer capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Bayeriche Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alexander Meijering, Micha Dirmeier, Philipp Petz, Nicolas Flahaut, Frank Eckstein, Bjoern Lath, Hubertus Goesmann
  • Patent number: 9052148
    Abstract: A power supply device for a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle, truck or motorcycle, comprises one or more storage cell modules, each of which includes one or more electrochemical storage cells and/or double layer capacitors that are arranged next to and/or on top of one another. The device includes a cooler block having a holder for the storage cell modules and a heat dissipating structure for dissipating heat emitted by the storage cell modules. The heat dissipating structure is provided on at least one side of the holder. The cooler block includes a clamping device operatively configured to generate a predefined force by which the heat dissipating structure can be pressed against a respective storage cell module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Frank Eckstein, Bjoern Lath, Hubertus Goesmann, Micha Dirmeier, Philipp Petz, Alexander Meijering
  • Patent number: 8870020
    Abstract: A closure device provides an emergency degassing function, pressure equalization and condensate removal for a housing sealed off from the environment. The closure device has a frame, fastenable to a housing opening and having a frame opening, as well as a closure element, for closing the housing opening. The closure element is configured or arranged relative to the frame such that a path is formed in or through the closure element in a first closure position by the gravitational force acting on the closure element. The path enables an exchange of air between the housing interior and the environment as well as a discharge of condensation water. A second closure position, in which the path is sealed closed is producable by water impinging on the closure element from the environment. If a specified overpressure is exceeded, the closure element is detachable from the frame opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Frank Eckstein, Hubertus Goesmann
  • Patent number: 8871372
    Abstract: A device for supplying power to a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle, truck or motorcycle, includes one or more storage cell modules, each of which includes one or more electrochemical storage cells and/or double layer capacitors that are arranged next to and/or on top of one another. The device has a cooler block that includes a holder for the storage cell modules and a structure for dissipating the heat emitted by the storage cell modules. The cooler block has a force absorbing device with at least one—in particular, plate-shaped—force absorbing element, by which in the case of a crash a force acting on the device is absorbed and is deflected around the storage cell modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Frank Eckstein, Bjoern Lath, Hubertus Goesmann, Micha Dirmeier, Philipp Petz
  • Patent number: 8687366
    Abstract: A voltage supply apparatus for a motor vehicle, especially a passenger car, truck or a motorcycle, includes a storage cell arrangement having one or more electrochemical storage cells and/or double layer capacitors that are mounted on top of each other. The storage cell arrangement is releasably connected in a form-fitting way to a heat-conducting cooling device that removes heat from the storage cells and/or double layer capacitors such that at least some of the storage cells and/or double layer capacitors of a respective storage cell group can each be thermally connected with the heat-conducting cooling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Frank Eckstein, Bjoern Lath, Hubertus Goesmann, Micha Dirmeier, Alexander Meijering, Philipp Petz, Nicolas Flahaut
  • Publication number: 20120169195
    Abstract: A closure device provides an emergency degassing function, pressure equalization and condensate removal for a housing sealed off from the environment. The closure device has a frame, fastenable to a housing opening and having a frame opening, as well as a closure element, for closing the housing opening. The closure element is configured or arranged relative to the frame such that a path is formed in or through the closure element in a first closure position by the gravitational force acting on the closure element. The path enables an exchange of air between the housing interior and the environment as well as a discharge of condensation water. A second closure position, in which the path is sealed closed is producable by water impinging on the closure element from the environment. If a specified overpressure is exceeded, the closure element is detachable from the frame opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Frank Eckstein, Hubertus Goesmann
  • Publication number: 20120129018
    Abstract: A power supply device for a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle, truck or motorcycle, comprises one or more storage cell modules, each of which includes one or more electrochemical storage cells and/or double layer capacitors that are arranged next to and/or on top of one another. The device includes a cooler block having a holder for the storage cell modules and a heat dissipating structure for dissipating heat emitted by the storage cell modules. The heat dissipating structure is provided on at least one side of the holder. The cooler block includes a clamping device operatively configured to generate a predefined force by which the heat dissipating structure can be pressed against a respective storage cell module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Frank ECKSTEIN, Bjoern LATH, Hubertus GOESMANN, Micha DIRMEIER, Philipp PETZ, Alexander MEIJERING
  • Publication number: 20120121946
    Abstract: A device for supplying power to a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle, truck or motorcycle, includes one or more storage cell modules, each of which includes one or more electrochemical storage cells and/or double layer capacitors that are arranged next to and/or on top of one another. The device has a cooler block that includes a holder for the storage cell modules and a structure for dissipating the heat emitted by the storage cell modules. The cooler block has a force absorbing device with at least one—in particular, plate-shaped—force absorbing element, by which in the case of a crash a force acting on the device is absorbed and is deflected around the storage cell modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Frank Eckstein, Bjoern Lath, Hubertus Goesmann, Micha Dirmeier, Philipp Petz
  • Patent number: 8177467
    Abstract: A fastening device having a fastening element includes a plug-in region and a contact area at a distance therefrom, and a shaft between the plug-in region and the contact area. The plug-in region is axially pressable through a through opening in a wall area in a plugged position of the fastening element, until the contact surface, or an intermediate part situated in between, presses against the wall area from one side and the shaft is radially centered in the through opening. The fastening element is connected to another component. The fastening element is located in its installed position after the fastening element is in its plugged position through the through opening and is then rotated around an axis of its shaft into an installed position delimited by a stop, in which at least one radial projection of the plug-in region engages behind an edge area of the through opening to fix the fastening element in the installed position and thus prevent axial displacement of the shaft out of the through opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignees: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Angela Zoeller, Frank Eckstein, Albert Sbongk
  • Publication number: 20110267778
    Abstract: A voltage supply apparatus for a motor vehicle, especially a passenger car, truck or a motorcycle, includes a storage cell arrangement having one or more electrochemical storage cells and/or double layer capacitors that are mounted on top of each other. The storage cell arrangement is releasably connected in a form-fitting way to a heat-conducting cooling device that removes heat from the storage cells and/or double layer capacitors such that at least some of the storage cells and/or double layer capacitors of a respective storage cell group can each be thermally connected with the heat-conducting cooling device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Frank ECKSTEIN, Bjoern Lath, Hubertus Goesmann, Micha Dirmeier, Alexander Meijering, Philipp Petz, Nicolas Flahaut
  • Publication number: 20100119921
    Abstract: A power supply device for a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle or a motorcycle, includes a plurality of electrochemical storage cells and/or double-layer capacitors. The electrochemical storage cells and/or double-layer capacitors have a casing surface and, in an axial direction, a base surface and a cover surface which are connected by the casing surface, and each include electrodes. Adjacent to the casing surface of at least one of the storage cells and/or double-layer capacitors, a heat-conducting cooling apparatus is disposed which, although electrically insulated from the at least one storage cell and/or double-layer capacitor, is in thermal contact with a first circumferential section of the casing surface and dissipates the heat energy introduced by the casing surfaces of the at least one storage cell and/or the double-layer capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alexander MEIJERING, Micha Dirmeier, Philipp Petz, Nicolas Flahaut, Frank Eckstein, Bjoern Lath, Hubertus Goesmann
  • Publication number: 20090238659
    Abstract: A fastening device having a fastening element includes a plug-in region and a contact area at a distance therefrom, and a shaft between the plug-in region and the contact area. The plug-in region is axially pressable through a through opening in a wall area in a plugged position of the fastening element, until the contact surface, or an intermediate part situated in between, presses against the wall area from one side and the shaft is radially centered in the through opening. The fastening element is connected to another component. The fastening element is located in its installed position after the fastening element is in its plugged position through the through opening and is then rotated around an axis of its shaft into an installed position delimited by a stop, in which at least one radial projection of the plug-in region engages behind an edge area of the through opening to fix the fastening element in the installed position and thus prevent axial displacement of the shaft out of the through opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicants: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Angela Zoeller, Frank Eckstein, Albert Sbongk
  • Publication number: 20080196770
    Abstract: A valve mounted in a circular aperture in an approximately horizontal automobile body part, comprising a valve body fitted with means that shall be in-stalled in sealing manner in said aperture, further a valve element that in its closed position cooperates in sealing manner with the said valve body and that in its open position allows water draining from top to bottom, characterized in that the valve element is rotationally symmetrical and designed in a manner that it shall float up at a water pressure underneath it and be adjusted thereby into the closed position and in that the valve element comprises a conical segment resting in sealing manner against the edge facing it of the cross-sectionally circular passage of the valve body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: ITW AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Ruckel, Frank Eckstein