Patents by Inventor Gerhard Haft

Gerhard Haft 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: 12442321
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for leakage diagnosis. The method includes influencing the introduction of gas along a crankcase aeration line into a crankcase of an internal combustion engine and acquiring a measurement signal profile by an exhaust-gas sensor arranged in an exhaust-gas tract of an internal combustion engine. The measurement signal profile is characteristic of at least one exhaust-gas property of the exhaust gas. The method includes providing an expected measurement signal profile which is characteristic of the exhaust-gas property of the exhaust gas in the exhaust-gas tract based on the influence on the introduction of gas into the crankcase. Additionally, the method includes comparing the acquired measurement signal profile with the expected measurement signal profile and identifying that the crankcase ventilation line has a leak if, during the comparison, the acquired measurement signal profile deviates from the expected measurement signal profile by a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2025
    Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Haft, Carsten Bruns, Thomas Czarnecki, Karl Gruenbeck
  • Publication number: 20250216295
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the teachings herein include methods for detecting a manipulation of a sensor value of an exhaust gas sensor of an internal combustion engine for a vehicle. An example includes: operating the internal combustion engine in an overrun cutoff mode; determining a first sensor value from an exhaust gas sensor with the throttle valve closed; establishing a suspected manipulation by evaluating the first sensor value as a function of a first threshold value; and verifying the suspected manipulation using the control device by measuring a second sensor value from the exhaust gas sensor in the event of an increase in the emissions of the internal combustion engine and evaluating the second sensor value as a function of a second threshold value if the suspected manipulation has previously been established.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Publication date: July 3, 2025
    Applicant: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Achleitner, Paul Rodatz, Gerhard Haft, Michael Nienhoff, Mattia Perugini
  • Publication number: 20250163864
    Abstract: A device for lambda control of a gasoline engine includes a first three-way catalytic converter, a second three-way catalytic converter, a linear lambda sensor, a binary lambda sensor and an NOx sensor. The first three-way catalytic converter is arranged upstream of the second three-way catalytic converter. The linear lambda sensor is arranged upstream of the first three-way catalytic converter. The binary lambda sensor is arranged downstream of the first three-way catalytic converter or the binary lambda sensor is arranged in the first three-way catalytic converter or in the second three-way catalytic converter and is arranged upstream of the second three-way catalytic converter. The NOx sensor is arranged downstream of the second three-way catalytic converter, and the linear lambda sensor, the binary lambda sensor and the NOx sensor are connected to a control device for lambda control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Inventors: Paul RODATZ, Gerhard HAFT, Florian PICKL
  • Patent number: 12264634
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a method for monitoring the ventilation of a crankcase of an internal combustion engine with combustion chambers and a nitrogen oxide sensor arranged in an exhaust system, the sensor configured to detect an amount of nitrogen oxide in exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine. An example method includes: determining a predefined operating mode of the internal combustion engine defined by substantially no combustion of an air/fuel mixture taking place inside the combustion chambers; determining an amount of nitrogen oxide in the exhaust gas during the predefined operating mode of the internal combustion engine using the exhaust gas sensor; and identifying functional ventilation of the crankcase if the detected nitrogen oxide level exceeds a predefined nitrogen oxide threshold or identifying a malfunction if the detected nitrogen oxide level is below the predefined nitrogen oxide threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Paul Rodatz, Gerhard Haft, Michael Nienhoff, Fabian Fink
  • Publication number: 20250043743
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a method for monitoring the ventilation of a crankcase of an internal combustion engine with combustion chambers and a nitrogen oxide sensor arranged in an exhaust system, the sensor configured to detect an amount of nitrogen oxide in exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine. An example method includes: determining a predefined operating mode of the internal combustion engine defined by substantially no combustion of an air/fuel mixture taking place inside the combustion chambers; determining an amount of nitrogen oxide in the exhaust gas during the predefined operating mode of the internal combustion engine using the exhaust gas sensor; and identifying functional ventilation of the crankcase if the detected nitrogen oxide level exceeds a predefined nitrogen oxide threshold or identifying a malfunction if the detected nitrogen oxide level is below the predefined nitrogen oxide threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Applicant: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Rodatz, Gerhard Haft, Michael Nienhoff, Fabian Fink
  • Patent number: 12188425
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for determining a size of a leak in a fuel tank system. The method includes: starting an internal combustion engine; calculating a stoppage time for a vehicle and/or a temperature difference between the fuel in the fuel tank system and the environment; and checking whether at least one of a plurality of diagnostic conditions is fulfilled. A first diagnostic condition is fulfilled when the stoppage time is longer than a predetermined minimum stoppage time. A second diagnostic condition is fulfilled when the temperature difference is smaller than a predetermined maximum temperature difference. Additionally, when at least one of the plurality of diagnostic conditions is fulfilled, the method includes: evacuating the fuel tank system; recording a time profile of the pressure in the fuel tank system; and determining the size of a leak based on the recorded time profile of the pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Hong Zhang, Gerhard Haft
  • Patent number: 11986811
    Abstract: A device for the aftertreatment of exhaust gases from an exhaust-gas source, having a spatially delimited flow path through which flow may pass proceeding from the exhaust-gas source, having a heating catalytic converter which is arranged in the flow path and which, as viewed in a flow direction, firstly has a catalytically active catalytic converter through which flow may pass and, following this in the flow direction, has an electrically heatable heating disk, wherein at least one outlet of a secondary air supply is arranged in the region of the heating catalytic converter such that a gas flow referred to as secondary air is fed into the flow path in the region of the heating catalytic converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Holger Stock, Philipp Langenfeld, Peter Hirth, Erwin Achleitner, Gerhard Haft, Florian Kleiner, Paul Rodatz
  • Patent number: 11898507
    Abstract: A method for determining the load of a fuel vapor retention filter in a fuel evaporation retention system of an internal combustion engine. The fuel evaporation retention system includes: a fuel supply container for storing fuel, a connection line which couples the fuel supply container to the fuel vapor retention filter, a regeneration line which couples the fuel vapor retention filter to an intake tract of the internal combustion engine and in which an electrically controllable flow control valve is arranged, a ventilation line which couples the fuel vapor retention filter to the atmosphere, an electrically controllable purging air pump arranged in the regeneration line, such that purging air can be directed through the fuel vapor retention filter and supplied to the intake tract in order to regenerate the fuel vapor retention filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Hong Zhang, Gerhard Haft
  • Patent number: 11814997
    Abstract: A method for operating an exhaust-gas purification system which is arranged in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, and an exhaust-gas purification system, are described. In the method, a combination of electrical catalytic converter heating measures with internal combustion engine catalytic converter heating measures is implemented, whereby particularly fast and inexpensive heating of a catalytic converter is achieved. The corresponding exhaust system preferably has, in an exhaust-gas flow direction, firstly a support catalytic converter and then a heated catalytic converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Achleitner, Tino Arlt, Florian Kleiner, Gerhard Haft
  • Publication number: 20230265805
    Abstract: A method for determining the load of a fuel vapor retention filter in a fuel evaporation retention system of an internal combustion engine. The fuel evaporation retention system includes: a fuel supply container for storing fuel, a connection line which couples the fuel supply container to the fuel vapor retention filter, a regeneration line which couples the fuel vapor retention filter to an intake tract of the internal combustion engine and in which an electrically controllable flow control valve is arranged, a ventilation line which couples the fuel vapor retention filter to the atmosphere, an electrically controllable purging air pump arranged in the regeneration line, such that purging air can be directed through the fuel vapor retention filter and supplied to the intake tract in order to regenerate the fuel vapor retention filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Applicant: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Hong Zhang, Gerhard Haft
  • Patent number: 11725602
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the teachings herein include a method for determining the nitrogen oxide content and/or ammonia content in the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine with a catalytic converter arranged in an exhaust tract and an exhaust gas sensor downstream of the catalytic converter. In some embodiments, the method comprises: determining an operating state of the internal combustion engine, the operating state indicating either lean operation or rich operation of the internal combustion engine; generating a signal using the exhaust gas sensor; and determining the nitrogen oxide content and/or ammonia content in the exhaust gas at least partially based on the determined operating state of the internal combustion engine and the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Paul Rodatz, Gerhard Haft, Erwin Achleitner, Florian Kleiner
  • Patent number: 11578636
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a method of ascertaining the oxygen load of a catalytic converter disposed in an exhaust tract of an internal combustion engine with an exhaust gas sensor is disposed downstream of the catalytic converter comprising: generating a signal using the exhaust gas sensor indicating a proportion of nitrogen oxide and/or ammonia in the exhaust gas; and ascertaining the oxygen load of the catalytic converter at least partly on the basis of the signal from the exhaust gas sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Paul Rodatz, Gerhard Haft, Hong Zhang
  • Publication number: 20220316416
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the teachings herein include a method for determining the nitrogen oxide content and/or ammonia content in the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine with a catalytic converter arranged in an exhaust tract and an exhaust gas sensor downstream of the catalytic converter. In some embodiments, the method comprises: determining an operating state of the internal combustion engine, the operating state indicating either lean operation or rich operation of the internal combustion engine; generating a signal using the exhaust gas sensor; and determining the nitrogen oxide content and/or ammonia content in the exhaust gas at least partially based on the determined operating state of the internal combustion engine and the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Applicant: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Rodatz, Gerhard Haft, Erwin Achleitner, Florian Kleiner
  • Publication number: 20220307439
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for determining a size of a leak in a fuel tank system. The method includes: starting an internal combustion engine; calculating a stoppage time for a vehicle and/or a temperature difference between the fuel in the fuel tank system and the environment; and checking whether at least one of a plurality of diagnostic conditions is fulfilled. A first diagnostic condition is fulfilled when the stoppage time is longer than a predetermined minimum stoppage time. A second diagnostic condition is fulfilled when the temperature difference is smaller than a predetermined maximum temperature difference. Additionally, when at least one of the plurality of diagnostic conditions is fulfilled, the method includes: evacuating the fuel tank system; recording a time profile of the pressure in the fuel tank system; and determining the size of a leak based on the recorded time profile of the pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Hong Zhang, Gerhard Haft
  • Patent number: 11415036
    Abstract: Various embodiments include an apparatus for ascertaining a heating temperature of a heating element for an electrically heatable catalytic converter comprising: a catalytic converter housing surrounding the heating element and the catalytic converter; a first temperature sensor arranged in the housing; and a second temperature sensor arranged in the housing downstream of the first temperature sensor with regard to an exhaust gas flow direction within the housing. The first temperature sensor is exposed to radiation from the heating element and the second temperature sensor is shielded from radiation from the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Manfred Weigl, Gerhard Haft
  • Publication number: 20220251989
    Abstract: A method for operating an exhaust-gas purification system which is arranged in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, and an exhaust-gas purification system, are described. In the method, a combination of electrical catalytic converter heating measures with internal combustion engine catalytic converter heating measures is implemented, whereby particularly fast and inexpensive heating of a catalytic converter is achieved. The corresponding exhaust system preferably has, in an exhaust-gas flow direction, firstly a support catalytic converter and then a heated catalytic converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Applicant: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Achleitner, Tino Arlt, Florian Kleiner, Gerhard Haft
  • Patent number: 11377994
    Abstract: A method for exhaust gas aftertreatment in a gasoline engine and an exhaust gas aftertreatment system are provided. In the method, two catalytic converters arranged in the exhaust gas tract of the gasoline engine are operated in different states. A first three-way catalytic converter is operated in a slightly low-oxygen range, and a second three-way catalytic converter is operated in a slightly oxygen-rich range. Secondary air is furthermore blown into the exhaust gas tract between the two three-way catalytic converters. It is thereby possible to reduce the output of emissions of the gasoline engine to a great extent. An exhaust gas aftertreatment system is likewise explained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Haft
  • Publication number: 20220178295
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a method of ascertaining the oxygen load of a catalytic converter disposed in an exhaust tract of an internal combustion engine with an exhaust gas sensor is disposed downstream of the catalytic converter comprising: generating a signal using the exhaust gas sensor indicating a proportion of nitrogen oxide and/or ammonia in the exhaust gas; and ascertaining the oxygen load of the catalytic converter at least partly on the basis of the signal from the exhaust gas sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Rodatz, Gerhard Haft, Hong Zhang
  • Publication number: 20220170396
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for leakage diagnosis. The method includes influencing the introduction of gas along a crankcase aeration line into a crankcase of an internal combustion engine and acquiring a measurement signal profile by an exhaust-gas sensor arranged in an exhaust-gas tract of an internal combustion engine. The measurement signal profile is characteristic of at least one exhaust-gas property of the exhaust gas. The method includes providing an expected measurement signal profile which is characteristic of the exhaust-gas property of the exhaust gas in the exhaust-gas tract based on the influence on the introduction of gas into the crankcase. Additionally, the method includes comparing the acquired measurement signal profile with the expected measurement signal profile and identifying that the crankcase ventilation line has a leak if, during the comparison, the acquired measurement signal profile deviates from the expected measurement signal profile by a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Applicant: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Haft, Carsten Bruns, Thomas Czarnecki, Karl Gruenbeck
  • Publication number: 20220105503
    Abstract: A device for the aftertreatment of exhaust gases from an exhaust-gas source, having a spatially delimited flow path through which flow may pass proceeding from the exhaust-gas source, having a heating catalytic converter which is arranged in the flow path and which, as viewed in a flow direction, firstly has a catalytically active catalytic converter through which flow may pass and, following this in the flow direction, has an electrically heatable heating disk, wherein at least one outlet of a secondary air supply is arranged in the region of the heating catalytic converter such that a gas flow referred to as secondary air is fed into the flow path in the region of the heating catalytic converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: Vitesco Technologies GMBH
    Inventors: Holger Stock, Philipp Langenfeld, Peter Hirth, Erwin Achleitner, Gerhard Haft, Florian Kleiner, Paul Rodatz