Patents by Inventor Franz J. Brinkmann

Franz J. Brinkmann 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: 9726072
    Abstract: An engine system for a motor vehicle is provided. The engine system includes a first exhaust-gas turbine in a first turbocharger driven by exhaust gas from the engine, a second exhaust-gas turbine in a second turbocharger driven by exhaust gas from the engine, a bypass coupled upstream and downstream of the first exhaust-gas turbine, and a pneumatic charge pressure control device including a bypass valve positioned in the bypass and a charge pressure control valve pneumatically coupled to the bypass valve and an intake line downstream of a first compressor included in the first turbocharger, the pneumatic charge pressure control device further including an adaptation unit pneumatically coupled to the bypass valve and an exhaust line upstream of the second exhaust-gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Franz J. Brinkmann, Kai Sebastian Kuhlbach
  • Publication number: 20170211588
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a swirl generating device upstream of a compressor. In one example, a method for actuating the swirl generating device, which is located in a ring-shaped duct, adjust a swirl of charge air flowing through the ring-shaped duct to the compressor in response to engine operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Helmut Matthias Kindl, Vanco Smiljanovski, Joerg Kemmerling, Andreas Kuske, Franz Arnd Sommerhoff, Franz J. Brinkmann, Frank Kraemer, Hanno Friederichs
  • Publication number: 20160369717
    Abstract: Embodiments for controlling boost pressure during transient conditions are disclosed. In one example, a method includes, responsive to deactivation of a first turbine of a first turbocharger, deactivating an exhaust valve of a cylinder to flow exhaust gas from the cylinder to a second turbine of a second turbocharger, and adjusting a speed of the second turbocharger via an electric machine coupled to the second turbocharger in a generator mode; and responsive to activation of the first turbine, activating the exhaust valve to flow exhaust gas from the cylinder to the first turbine and the second turbine, and adjusting the speed of the second turbocharger via the electric machine in an auxiliary drive mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Franz J. Brinkmann, Vanco Smiljanovski, Joerg Kemmerling, Jens Wojahn, Harald Stoffels
  • Publication number: 20160333827
    Abstract: Embodiments of an internal combustion engine are provided. In one example, an engine includes at least one cylinder, an intake system for supplying charge air to the at least one cylinder, an exhaust-gas discharge system for discharging exhaust gas from the at least one cylinder, a first exhaust-gas turbocharger including a first turbine arranged in the exhaust-gas discharge system and a first compressor arranged in the intake system; and an exhaust-gas recirculation (EGR) system. The EGR system includes a line which branches off from the exhaust-gas discharge system and opens into the intake system, a second exhaust-gas turbocharger comprising an EGR turbine arranged in the line on a shaft and an EGR compressor arranged in the line on the shaft upstream of said EGR turbine, and an EGR cooler positioned between the EGR turbine and the EGR compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Vanco Smiljanovski, Joerg Kemmerling, Helmut Matthias Kindl, Andreas Kuske, Franz Arnd Sommerhoff, Franz J. Brinkmann, Werner Willems, Claudia Conee, Michael Forsting, Claudia Katharina Herudek, Tim Franken
  • Publication number: 20160333775
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a spark-ignited charged internal combustion engine coupled to an exhaust gas turbocharger with a compressor mounted on a rotatable shaft, the rotatable shaft coupled to a turbine and to an electric auxiliary drive. The electric auxiliary drive of the exhaust gas turbocharger may be activated to increase rotational speed of the rotatable shaft to drive the compressor to supply boost to the engine. The electric auxiliary drive may be engaged or disengaged from the rotatable shaft, responsive to engine operating conditions, such as engine speed, rotation speed of the rotatable shaft, exhaust volume, and engine boost demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Frank Kraemer, Vanco Smiljanovski, Joerg Kemmerling, Helmut Matthias Kindl, Franz J. Brinkmann
  • Publication number: 20160319730
    Abstract: A method for operation of an engine. The method includes during a first operating condition, permitting intake airflow through an intake air-supply turbine positioned upstream of a cylinder to drive a generator, the generator coupled to an energy storage device, and inhibiting intake airflow through a motor-driven compressor arranged in parallel flow arrangement with the intake air-supply turbine, the motor driven compressor coupled to a motor coupled to the energy storage device. The method further includes during a second operating condition, permitting intake airflow through the motor-driven compressor while the motor-driven compressor receives rotation input from the motor, and inhibiting intake airflow through the intake air-supply turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Joerg Kemmerling, Helmut Matthias Kindl, Vanco Smiljanovski, Frank Kraemer, Franz Arnd Sommerhoff, Andreas Kuske, Franz J. Brinkmann
  • Publication number: 20160312690
    Abstract: A compressor for an internal combustion engine is provided. The compressor includes a compressor shaft having compressor blades attached thereto, positioned in an intake air duct, and rotating about an axis during compressor operation and a magnetic bearing positioned upstream of the compressor blades in the intake air duct, including a ring positioned around the compressor shaft, stator electrics arranged in the ring, and at least two magnets arranged on the compressor shaft configured to exert a magnetic force on the stator electrics to form an air gap between the ring and the compressor shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Vanco Smiljanovski, Helmut Matthias Kindl, Joerg Kemmerling, Frank Kraemer, Franz J. Brinkmann
  • Publication number: 20160312689
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting flow of exhaust gas from downstream of an exhaust turbine outlet to an exhaust gas aftertreatment device inlet via a compact turbine outlet cone with adjustable swirl vanes. Exhaust flow reaching the exhaust gas aftertreatment device is adjusted based on a desired exhaust gas temperature and exhaust gas flow rate at the aftertreatment device. During cold start conditions, the swirl vanes may be closed to concentrate exhaust gas flowing towards a portion of the aftertreatment device while after attainment of aftertreatment device light-off temperature, the position of the swirl vanes may be adjusted to introduce turbulence and homogeneity to exhaust flow reaching the exhaust aftertreatment device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Joerg Kemmerling, Franz Arnd Sommerhoff, Andreas Kuske, Helmut Matthias Kindl, Vanco Smiljanovski, Franz J. Brinkmann
  • Publication number: 20160290218
    Abstract: A supercharged internal combustion engine includes at least two exhaust-gas turbochargers arranged in series, wherein a first exhaust-gas turbocharger serves as a low-pressure stage and a second exhaust-gas turbocharger serves as a high-pressure stage. A second turbine of the second exhaust-gas turbocharger may be present upstream of a first turbine of the first exhaust-gas turbocharger, and a second compressor of the second exhaust-gas turbocharger may be arranged in an intake system downstream of a first compressor of the first exhaust-gas turbocharger and a first bypass line may branch off upstream of the second turbine and join back at a junction point between the first turbine and the second turbine. The supercharged engine also includes an exhaust-gas recirculation arrangement and at least one exhaust-gas aftertreatment system between the first turbine and the second turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Vanco Smiljanovski, Helmut Matthias Kindl, Joerg Kemmerling, Franz Arnd Sommerhoff, Franz J. Brinkmann
  • Publication number: 20160290220
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling boost pressure in an engine system with a parallel turbocharger. One example method includes, responsive to a first condition, deactivating a first compressor of a first turbocharger, activating each first exhaust valve of each cylinder of an engine, and deactivating each second exhaust valve of each cylinder of the engine to flow exhaust gas from the engine to a second turbocharger. The method further includes, responsive to boost pressure exceeding a threshold, maintaining deactivation of the first compressor, reactivating each second exhaust valve to flow exhaust gas from the engine to both the first turbocharger and second turbocharger, and driving an electric assist device via a first turbine of the first turbocharger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Vanco Smiljanovski, Helmut Matthias Kindl, Joerg Kemmerling, Franz J. Brinkmann, Franz Arnd Sommerhoff
  • Publication number: 20160290219
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a pressure-charged combustion engine having at least one cylinder head comprising at least two cylinders. In one example, a system may include each cylinder having at least one outlet port, at least two cylinders configured to form two groups each comprising at least one cylinder, exhaust lines joined together to form an overall exhaust line which provides an exhaust manifold, the exhaust lines connected to an exhaust turbocharger and equipped with rotor blades wherein each rotor blade comprises a first inlet edge facing the flows and a second inlet edge facing the flows connected to one another at a connection point forming an inflection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Vanco Smiljanovski, Helmut Matthias Kindl, Joerg Kemmerling, Franz Arnd Sommerhoff, Franz J. Brinkmann
  • Publication number: 20160215681
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a coolant system. In one example, a method may include flowing coolant to active cylinder during a cold-start.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Franz J. Brinkmann, Vanco Smiljanovski, Joerg Kemmerling, Hans Guenter Quix, Volker Haupts, Helmut Matthias Kindl, Werner Willems
  • Publication number: 20160003130
    Abstract: An engine system for a motor vehicle is provided. The engine system includes a first exhaust-gas turbine in a first turbocharger driven by exhaust gas from the engine, a second exhaust-gas turbine in a second turbocharger driven by exhaust gas from the engine, a bypass coupled upstream and downstream of the first exhaust-gas turbine, and a pneumatic charge pressure control device including a bypass valve positioned in the bypass and a charge pressure control valve pneumatically coupled to the bypass valve and an intake line downstream of a first compressor included in the first turbocharger, the pneumatic charge pressure control device further including an adaptation unit pneumatically coupled to the bypass valve and an exhaust line upstream of the second exhaust-gas turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Franz J. Brinkmann, Kai Sebastian Kuhlbach
  • Publication number: 20150322897
    Abstract: A method for operating a boosted internal combustion engine is provided. The engine includes a first cylinder in a first cylinder group and a second cylinder in a second cylinder group, each of the first and second cylinders having two activatable outlet openings adjoined by an exhaust line, one of the outlet openings of each of the first and second cylinders coupled to a first turbocharger including a first turbine and one of the outlet openings of each of the cylinders coupled to a second turbocharger including a second turbine, the method comprising: if engine load is less than a threshold load value implementing a first operating mode that includes deactivating the second cylinder, deactivating one of the activatable outlet openings in the first cylinder, and activating one of the activatable outlet opening in the first cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Franz Arnd Sommerhoff, Frank Kraemer, Franz J. Brinkmann, Helmut Matthias Kindl, Vanco Smiljanovski, Joerg Kemmerling, Werner Willems, Carsten Weber
  • Patent number: 8621865
    Abstract: Embodiments for cooling a turbine of an engine are provided. In one example embodiment, an internal combustion engine comprises a turbocharger including a turbine having a coolant jacket integrated in a housing of the turbine, and an oil circuit coupled to the coolant jacket of the turbine. By cooling the turbine with the oil circuit, the turbine may be constructed from less-heat resistant materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jan Mehring, Ludwig Stump, Kai Sebastian Kuhlbach, Bernd Steiner, Carsten Weber, Franz J. Brinkmann, Frank Kraemer, Jens Groeger
  • Publication number: 20120067306
    Abstract: Embodiments for cooling a turbine of an engine are provided. In one example embodiment, an internal combustion engine comprises a turbocharger including a turbine having a coolant jacket integrated in a housing of the turbine, and an oil circuit coupled to the coolant jacket of the turbine. By cooling the turbine with the oil circuit, the turbine may be constructed from less-heat resistant materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jan Mehring, Ludwig Stump, Kai Sebastian Kuhlbach, Bernd Steiner, Carsten Weber, Franz J. Brinkmann, Frank Kraemer, Jens Groeger
  • Patent number: 7726274
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder, a block, and a cylinder head having at least one gas exchange channel for conducting gases to and from the cylinder is disclosed. A tube passes through the cylinder head and into a gas exchange channel, which tube is sealed in a gastight manner. In one embodiment, the tube is configured in one piece with the gas exchange channels; the cylinder head is a cast part. With such a tube through the gas exchange channel, the engine can be compactly configured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Franz J. Brinkmann, Achim Mennicken
  • Publication number: 20080156288
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder, a block, and a cylinder head having at least one gas exchange channel for conducting gases to and from the cylinder is disclosed. A tube passes through the cylinder head and into a gas exchange channel, which tube is sealed in a gastight manner. In one embodiment, the tube is configured in one piece with the gas exchange channels; the cylinder head is a cast part. With such a tube through the gas exchange channel, the engine can be compactly configured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Franz J. Brinkmann, Achim Mennicken
  • Patent number: 4222683
    Abstract: An offshore construction arrangement in which a platform is provided with raisable and lowerable support legs which engage a substructure resting on the sea bed. The parts lie on one another in a solid support surface and engage over one another while maintaining a funnel-shaped gap. Spring elements are located between side walls of the substructure and end portions of the legs, and the spring elements are supported on one of the side walls. The spring elements are displaceable in horizontal and vertical directions, and they are constructed as leaf springs arranged in a funnel. The leaf springs protrude beyond the rim of the funnel and are pre-bent inwardly. The leaf springs, furthermore, may be supported by lateral springs, and an auxiliary funnel may be used to receive the spring elements while being exchangeably arranged in the first-mentioned funnel. The spring elements may be in the form of several blocks of elastic material and spaced from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1980
    Assignee: Deutsche Babcock Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Schaloske, Wolfgang Kuffel, Franz J. Brinkmann