Patents by Inventor Gernot Spiegelberg

Gernot Spiegelberg 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: 8803540
    Abstract: A method and a circuit functionally test a semiconductor component. The functional test is performed with galvanic isolation by using a transformer. The test itself is based on determining the frequency-dependent impedance of a series circuit of capacitors and inductors using the semiconductor component itself. The impedance is strongly influenced by the conduction state of the semiconductor component, in other words, by the instantaneous conductivity or blocking capability of the semiconductor component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Simon Hüttinger, Thomas Komma, Kai Kriegel, Jürgen Rackles, Gernot Spiegelberg
  • Patent number: 8378520
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for energy management, by means of which significant fluctuations in the power consumption in the on-board electrical system are reduced, in particular, current consumption peaks arising due to a very high start-up current of electrical actuators and solenoid valves, are more evenly distributed over time. To achieve this, the method for energy management according to the invention operates predictively, i.e. it determines both the energy available in the subsequent time interval and the energy required on the basis of activation requests, and selects consumers to be activated according to their priority and a prevailing tolerance time within which a consumer must be activated following the submission of its activation request. The tolerance time is thereby continuously adapted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Daimlerchrysler AG
    Inventors: Ottmar Gehring, Harro Heilmann, Andreas Schwarzhaupt, Erik Sieglin, Gernot Spiegelberg, Wolfgang Stahl, Armin Sulzmann
  • Publication number: 20110291672
    Abstract: A method and a circuit functionally test a semiconductor component. The functional test is performed with galvanic isolation by using a transformer. The test itself is based on determining the frequency-dependent impedance of a series circuit of capacitors and inductors using the semiconductor component itself. The impedance is strongly influenced by the conduction state of the semiconductor component, in other words, by the instantaneous conductivity or blocking capability of the semiconductor component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Simon Hüttinger, Thomas Komma, Kai Kriegel, Jürgen Rackles, Gernot Spiegelberg
  • Patent number: 7500151
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for logging messages on a data bus and temporarily storing the sent messages in a cyclically overwritable volatile storing means. The temporarily stored messages can be examined in a targeted manner for attributes of interest by using a verification program. A storage of the temporarily stored messages in a non-volatile second storing means can be initiated by means of definable trigger events that, for example, are formed from individual or a number of attributes of the messages. To this end, the occurrence of the defined trigger event is determined by a monitoring unit, and the data content of the volatile storing means are subsequently transferred into the storage locations of the non-volatile storing means. The principal advantage achieved with the above method resides in the possibility of backtracking the bus traffic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Sascha Englert, Ottmar Gehring, Carsten Hämmerling, Harro Heilman, Andreas Schwarzhaupt, Gernot Spiegelberg, Armin Sulzman
  • Patent number: 7490913
    Abstract: An axle arrangement of a trailer or semi-trailer comprises an axle modulator having an axle control unit in which one valve, respectively, is arranged for the service brake and for the air suspension. Such an integrated arrangement simplifies the construction and the mounting of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Bence Csak, Harro Heilmann, Andreas Schwarzhaupt, Gernot Spiegelberg, Armin Sulzmann
  • Publication number: 20090044041
    Abstract: A redundant data bus system has two data buses between which at least two failsafe control devices are connected. The two data buses operate with the same data bus protocol at essentially the same transmission frequency, and safety-related control messages are transmitted in parallel via both data buses and processed in the control devices. Each control device performs a separate control task via assigned control software. Each control device has two microcomputers which operate independently of one another and which have software for both the first and the second control tasks. When one control device fails, the control task can also be performed by the other. One data interface is arranged between the two microcomputers, via which result data calculated from the safety-related control messages can be exchanged and compared with one another. Based on such comparison a decision means determines which microcomputer or control device carries out a control task.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2005
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Michael Armbruster, Sascha Paasche, Reinhard Reichel, Andreas Schwarzhaupt, Gernot Spiegelberg, Armin Sulzmann
  • Patent number: 7483778
    Abstract: An array of control devices having a plurality of control devices (1-3, 20-23) which are interconnected via a first data bus (4), in a means of transportation, control devices (1-3; 20-23) which are of redundant configuration with respect to a control function being provided, and in each case a data bus isolating switch (5) being assigned to the control devices (1-3; 20-23) which are of redundant configuration, the data bus isolating switch(s) connecting or disconnecting the data bus (4) as a function of an evaluation signal. In order to optimize the redundant array, each of these data bus isolating switches (5) is connected to a signal line of at least one further redundant control device (1-3; 20-23), a further redundant control device (2, 3; 21; 23) transmits an evaluation signal to the data bus isolating switch (5) which is assigned to a first redundant control device (1; 20; 22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Michael Armbruster, Harro Heilmann, Ansgar Maisch, Oliver Rooks, Andreas Schwarzhaupt, Gernot Spiegelberg, Armin Sulzmann
  • Publication number: 20090018767
    Abstract: A method for determining the geometry of a route section, using route points representing information about the route section, wherein route section data between at least three adjacent route point s are calculated, for determining a maximum possible speed for a vehicle traveling along the route section, is characterized in that a check is made to ascertain whether two adjacent route points f all below respectively predeterminable distances from one another and in the affirmative route section data through the se route points are calculated as a) straight line if the route points are arranged in a straight strip of predeterminable width, or b) arc of a circle if the route points are arranged in a constantly curved strip of predeterminable width and the tangent to the, in the direction of travel, first one of the route points is essentially located on a direction vector of the vehicle, or c) clothoid if the route points are arranged in a progressively curved strip of predeterminable width, wherein the geometry
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2006
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: DAIMLER AG
    Inventors: Ottmar Gehring, Frederic Holzmann, Sascha Paasche, Andreas Schwarzhaupt, Gernot Spiegelberg, Armin Sulzmann
  • Publication number: 20080316012
    Abstract: The invention relates to a utility vehicle, in particular a truck with or without a trailer, having an on-board electric power system (1) for supplying power to electrical loads of the vehicle, having a plurality of lighting units (2) which are connected to the on-board electric power system (1) and which emit light when they are activated, and having a plurality of switches (3) for activating the lighting units (2). The switches (3) advantageously activate at least some of the lighting units (2) by means of PLC via the on-board electric power system (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG
    Inventors: Sascha Paasche, Andreas Schwarzhaupt, Gernot Spiegelberg, Armin Sulzmann
  • Patent number: 7451020
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control system (1) for a vehicle provided with an electronically controlled drive train (2) which comprises a steering system (6), a braking system (7) and a transmission unit (4). An operating unit (10) generates a motion vector (BV) based on a driver's wish (FW), from which control signals (SS) are generated by a control unit (12) for controlling the drive train (2). In order to simplify maneuvering, more particularly reversing, a trajectory calculator (13) is provided, said trajectory calculator calculating the trajectory of movement for the situation and position of the vehicle (3) on the basis of actual values that are detected by a status and position determining device (14) and on the basis of set values that can be inputted by means of a target input device (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Goetting KG
    Inventors: Hans Heinrich Goetting, Helmut Scherf, Walter Schumacher, Andreas Schwarzhaupt, Gernot Spiegelberg
  • Publication number: 20080197698
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for energy management, whereby large variations in current draw in the loom are reduced, in particular current draw spikes, caused by very high making currents for electric actuators and solenoid valves, which are more evenly distributed over time. The above is achieved, by means of a predictive working of said method for energy management, by determination of both energy available in the subsequent period and the energy requirement, based on switch-on requests and selects users for switching on, according to the priority thereof and an actual tolerance time, within which a user must be switched on at the latest, following the declaration of a switching-on request for the same. The tolerance time is continuously updated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2004
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG
    Inventors: Ottmar Gehring, Harro Heilmann, Andreas Schwarzhaupt, Erik Sieglin, Gernot Spiegelberg, Wolfgang Stahl, Armin Sulzmann
  • Publication number: 20080122598
    Abstract: A device is provided for predictively detecting and avoiding motor vehicle collisions, including a control device, a sensor system for sensing obstacles in the surroundings of the vehicle, and a signal transmitter system for audibly and/or visually signaling a significant risk of collision between the vehicle and an obstacle. In order to increase the field of application of such a device, the vehicle can be a utility vehicle, the sensor system being divided into a front sensor arrangement which is arranged in the region of the front of a vehicle, and a rear sensor arrangement which is arranged in the region of the rear of a vehicle. The front sensor arrangement is connected to the control device via a data bus, while the rear sensor arrangement is connected to the control device via a power line communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG
    Inventors: Jens Hamester, Michael Kokes, Bernd Oeffinger, Sascha Paasche, Andreas Schwarzhaupt, Gernot Spiegelberg, Wolfgang Stahl
  • Publication number: 20080077295
    Abstract: A system and a method for directionally stabilizing a vehicle with the aid of a steering system used for influencing a steering angle of the vehicle steered wheels and a stabilizing system which controls the steering system for increasing the vehicle directional stability is provided. The stabilizing system is characterized in that the stabilizing system controls the steering system according to the lateral force factor of at least one steered wheel for defining the steering angle stabilizing the vehicle, wherein the stabilizing system adjusts the slip angle of the steered wheels in such a way that the lateral force factor does not substantially exceed the maximum range thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: Knorr-Bremse Systeme Fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Frederic Holzmann, Peter Koleszar, Ansgar Maisch, Sascha Paasche, Andreas Schwarzhaupt, Gernot Spiegelberg, Armin Sulzmann, Balazs Trecseni
  • Patent number: 7336805
    Abstract: Many day-to-day driving situations require that an operator of a motor vehicle guide the motor vehicle along a specific course and bring the vehicle to a stop at a specific location, for example in a parking bay or at a loading platform. To assist a vehicle operator in such situations, a method and a suitable device for implementing this method, include detecting the potential target objects in the image data of an image sensor and identifying the potential target objects as potential destinations in a multi-stage exclusionary method, whereupon a trajectory describing an optimized travel path is computed at least in relation to the most proximate destination. By using the multi-stage exclusionary method according to the present invention, it is possible to reliably identify potential destinations in complex image scenarios solely on the basis of their geometric form, even when the destinations have not been encoded by specific symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Ottmar Gehring, Harro Heilmann, Frederic Holzmann, Andreas Schwarzhaupt, Gernot Spiegelberg, Armin Sulzmann
  • Publication number: 20080033623
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the predictive determination of the change in the yaw rate (?) of a vehicle. According to said method, the progress of the build-up of the braking pressures (p1 to p4) of the wheel brakes is monitored, and the change in the yaw rate (?) of the vehicle is determined in a predictive manner from the progress of the pressure build-up before the vehicle rotates around the vertical axis thereof. The inventive method allows the driving stability of a vehicle to be better regulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: DaimlerChrysler
    Inventors: Ottmar Gehring, Harro Heilmann, Sascha Paasche, Andreas Schwarzhaupt, Gernot Spiegelberg, Armin Sulzmann
  • Publication number: 20080021623
    Abstract: A brake control system for a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, includes a service brake for braking the wheels of the vehicle. To increase operating safety, the service brake is equipped with an electronically actuatable brake unit for each wheel for actuating the brake of the respective wheel. Two redundantly connected central control devices are connected via control lines to the brake units so as to actuate the brake units independently of one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Frey, Ottmar Gehring, Harro Heilmann, Andreas Schwarzhaupt, Gernot Spiegelberg, Armin Sulzmann
  • Publication number: 20070260382
    Abstract: A control system having an electronically controllable drive train. A coordination level is assigned to a system control device in which set point values are generated from state variables of the vehicle and from driver's wishes and actuation signals for actuating actuators are generated therefrom. An execution level is subordinate to the coordination level and has actuators for executing the actuation signal. An axle electronic module activates at least one brake actuator assigned to the vehicle axle, and is arranged in the region of the vehicle axle. The axle electronic module is connected to the coordination level in order to transmit set point values, and is designed to determine actuation signals from the set point values in order to control the respective axle actuator. The axle electronic module is connected to a controllable differential lock in order to transmit the actuation signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Applicant: Daimlerchrysler AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Frey, Harro Heilmann, Klaus-Dieter Holloh, Eilert Martens, Christian Quinger, Andreas Schwarzhaupt, Gernot Spiegelberg, Armin Sulzmann
  • Publication number: 20070198190
    Abstract: A utility vehicle has an electronically controlled drive train which has at least one drive unit, one steering system and one braking system. In addition, the motor vehicle has a maneuvering assistance system with a display device, an input device and a control system. The display device displays an actual orientation and an actual position of the vehicle as well as the relatively close surroundings of the vehicle on a monitor. The input device inputs a desired orientation and a desired position for the vehicle. The control system processes a maneuvering algorithm and at the same time actuates the drive train to transfer the vehicle from its actual orientation and actual position into its desired orientation and desired position taking into account the vehicle surroundings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Applicant: DaimierChrysler AG
    Inventors: Wolf-Dietrich Bauer, Peter Ebel, Albert Kirchmann, Christian Mayer, Andreas Schwarzhaupt, Gernot Spiegelberg, Wolfgang Stahl, Armin Sulzmann
  • Publication number: 20070176394
    Abstract: A semitrailer train having a coupling part assigned to the towing vehicle and a coupling part assigned to the semitrailer. A control device for controlling components of the semitrailer is provided in the towing vehicle data lines transmit the control data and power supply lines to the components. The coupling part assigned to the towing vehicle is a fifthwheel pickup plate and the coupling part assigned to the semitrailer is a kingpin which matches said coupling part. An alternating voltage generator arrangement in the vehicle provides a modulated carrier signal and a transformer coil is arranged in the fifthwheel pickup plate of the towing vehicle in order to transmit the carrier signal with the control data modulated onto it to a transformer coil in the region of the kingpin of the semitrailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2004
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Applicant: DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG
    Inventors: Ottmar Gehring, Harro Heilmann, Andreas Schwarzhaupt, Gernot Spiegelberg, Armin Sulzmann
  • Publication number: 20070174684
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for logging messages on a data bus and temporarily storing the sent messages in a cyclically overwritable volatile storing means. The temporarily stored messages can be examined in a targeted manner for attributes of interest by using a verification program. A storage of the temporarily stored messages in a non-volatile second storing means can be initiated by means of definable trigger events that, for example, are formed from individual or a number of attributes of the messages. To this end, the occurrence of the defined trigger event is determined by a monitoring unit, and the data content of the volatile storing means are subsequently transferred into the storage locations of the non-volatile storing means. The principal advantage achieved with the above method resides in the possibility of backtracking the bus traffic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG
    Inventors: Sascha Englert, Ottmar Gehring, Carsten Hammerling, Harro Heilman, Andreas Schwarzhaupt, Gernot Spiegelberg, Armin Sulzmann