Patents by Inventor Hans-Jorg Wiehoff

Hans-Jorg Wiehoff 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: 10989131
    Abstract: Various embodiments includes a method for determining energization data for an actuator of an injection valve of a motor vehicle comprising: receiving input data at a control unit; and determining the energization data based on the received input data into account with the control unit. Determining the energization data includes using a polynomial regression model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Tany Gargiso, Michael Kausche, Hans-Jörg Wiehoff
  • Patent number: 10619583
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for actuating an injection valve, which has a piezo actuator and a nozzle needle, of a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, in which method a control unit, in a manner dependent on a setpoint stroke height of the piezo actuator in successive injection cycles, outputs a control signal for changing the actual stroke height of the piezo actuator, characterized in that the control unit changes the setpoint stroke height of the piezo actuator, for compensation of the temperature dependency of the capacitance of the piezo actuator, in a manner dependent on the temperature of said piezo actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Nicolas Nozeran, Tany Gargiso, Hans-Jörg Wiehoff
  • Publication number: 20190136781
    Abstract: Various embodiments includes a method for determining energization data for an actuator of an injection valve of a motor vehicle comprising: receiving input data at a control unit; and determining the energization data based on the received input data into account with the control unit. Determining the energization data includes using a polynomial regression model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Tany Gargiso, Michael Kausche, Hans-Jörg Wiehoff
  • Publication number: 20180187616
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for actuating an injection valve, which has a piezo actuator and a nozzle needle, of a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, in which method a control unit, in a manner dependent on a setpoint stroke height of the piezo actuator in successive injection cycles, outputs a control signal for changing the actual stroke height of the piezo actuator, characterized in that the control unit changes the setpoint stroke height of the piezo actuator, for compensation of the temperature dependency of the capacitance of the piezo actuator, in a manner dependent on the temperature of said piezo actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Nicolas NOZERAN, Tany GARGISO, Hans-Jörg WIEHOFF
  • Patent number: 9651009
    Abstract: A control method for a fuel injection valve for an internal combustion engine is disclosed, wherein at least one control signal for actuating a drive of the injection valve is generated in recurring injection cycles and as a function of a target stroke height of a closing element of the injection valve, wherein the drive is actuated by the control signal to lift the closing element to the target stroke height and the closing element is lifted to an actual stroke height by means of the drive, wherein at least one measured parameter correlated with the actual stroke height is captured and the actual stroke height is determined as a function of said at least one measured parameter, wherein the control signal is generated in at least one of the subsequent injection cycles as a function of a deviation of the actual stroke height from the target stroke height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Matthias Ruβe, Anselm Schwarte, Hans-Jörg Wiehoff
  • Patent number: 9470171
    Abstract: A method for determining a position of a lock element of an injection valve for an internal combustion engine includes moving the lock element in the direction of a locked position in a closing movement in order to lock the injection valve, subsequently measuring a closure time at which the lock element arrives in the locked position, determining a time difference between the closure time and a preceding starting time of the closing movement, and determining, based on the time difference, a position which the lock element has assumed at the starting time of the closing movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Matthias Ruβe, Robert Hoffman, Steffen Lehner, Hans-Jörg Wiehoff
  • Patent number: 9453473
    Abstract: A method for actuating a piezoelectric actuator and a piezo injector of a fuel injection system having a nozzle needle which can be moved between the closed position and an open position by the piezoelectric actuator are disclosed. Current is applied to the piezoelectric actuator from a source for the duration of a charging time as a function of a required quantity of fuel, in order to move the nozzle needle into its opened position for a time period which is dependent on the required quantity of fuel. The charging time is selected according to the following relationships: tcharge(p)=tnom,charge (p) for TI>tEP,p and tcharge (p, TI)?Ti for TI?tEP,p.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Steffen Lehner, Robert Hoffmann, Hans-Jörg Wiehoff
  • Patent number: 9112431
    Abstract: In a method for calibration, a piezo-actuator (1) is actuated in a motor vehicle by a control circuit and an output stage. The piezo actuator is, in particular, part of the injection valve. The piezo-actuator (1) is subjected to an electric calibration pulse that is in the high-level signal range thereof when the control circuit and the output stage are in operation, the frequency thereof being modified over time. The associated electric impendence curve over the frequency is determined and evaluated during the calibration pulse. The output stage is controlled by the control circuit in such a manner that the calibration pulse is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Reichinger, Walter Schrod, Hans-Jörg Wiehoff
  • Patent number: 8973893
    Abstract: A method for determining the actual start of injection is performed by an actuating device for a piezo fuel injection valve and includes the following steps. First, a test injection is carried out with such a short actuation duration that a start of shut-off takes place at a time so early that the nozzle needle does not reach the open end position. Said time is predefined by the actuation and is therefore precisely known. Next, the closing time of the nozzle needle is then determined by measurement and evaluation of an electrical variable of the piezo direct drive. Once the closing time and the time of the start of shut-off are known, the actual start of injection is calculated back from the closing time via the start of shut-off. This permits an adequately precise determination of the actual injection quantity in almost every operating state of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Steffen Lehner, Manfred Kramel, Hans-Jörg Wiehoff, Nicolas Nozeran, Peter Matthias Ruβe
  • Publication number: 20140346244
    Abstract: A control method for a fuel injection valve for an internal combustion engine is disclosed, wherein at least one control signal for actuating a drive of the injection valve is generated in recurring injection cycles and as a function of a target stroke height of a closing element of the injection valve, wherein the drive is actuated by the control signal to lift the closing element to the target stroke height and the closing element is lifted to an actual stroke height by means of the drive, wherein at least one measured parameter correlated with the actual stroke height is captured and the actual stroke height is determined as a function of said at least one measured parameter, wherein the control signal is generated in at least one of the subsequent injection cycles as a function of a deviation of the actual stroke height from the target stroke height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Peter Matthias Russe, Anselm Schwarte, Hans-Jörg Wiehoff
  • Publication number: 20140263692
    Abstract: A method for monitoring an injection fluid quantity, which is injected through an injection nozzle, includes opening and closing said injection nozzle by a closure element guided in one movement, detecting at least three characteristic points of the movement of the closure element at which the closure element is located at a certain position, and calculating the injection quantity from the at least three detected characteristic points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Hans-Jörg Wiehoff, Nicolas Nozeran, Robert Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20140034747
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for detecting a nozzle chamber pressure in an injector that includes a closure element for opening and closing an injection opening, at least one actuator which directly actuates the closure element, and at least one sensor for measuring a state, which is dependent on the nozzle chamber pressure, of the closure element, wherein at least one measurement variable which is dependent on the state is detected by means of the sensor, and wherein a deviation of the measurement value from a predefined value is determined. An injection system for carrying out such method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Hans-Jörg Wiehoff, Steffen Lehner, Vera Balk
  • Publication number: 20130239929
    Abstract: A method for actuating a piezoelectric actuator and a piezo injector of a fuel injection system having a nozzle needle which can be moved between the closed position and an open position by the piezoelectric actuator are disclosed. Current is applied to the piezoelectric actuator from a source for the duration of a charging time as a function of a required quantity of fuel, in order to move the nozzle needle into its opened position for a time period which is dependent on the required quantity of fuel. The charging time is selected according to the following relationships: tcharge(p)=tnom,charge (p) for TI>tEP,p and tcharge (p, TI)?Ti for TI?tEP,p.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: Steffen Lehner, Robert Hoffmann, Hans-Jörg Wiehoff
  • Publication number: 20130133748
    Abstract: A method for determining the actual start of injection is performed by an actuating device for a piezo fuel injection valve and includes the following steps. First, a test injection is carried out with such a short actuation duration that a start of shut-off takes place at a time so early that the nozzle needle does not reach the open end position. Said time is predefined by the actuation and is therefore precisely known. Next, the closing time of the nozzle needle is then determined by measurement and evaluation of an electrical variable of the piezo direct drive. Once the closing time and the time of the start of shut-off are known, the actual start of injection is calculated back from the closing time via the start of shut-off. This permits an adequately precise determination of the actual injection quantity in almost every operating state of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventors: Steffen Lehner, Manfred Kramel, Hans-Jörg Wiehoff, Nicolas Nozeran, Peter Matthias Russe
  • Patent number: 8365704
    Abstract: In a method or a device for forming an electric control signal for an injection impulse of a position-controlled fuel injector, particularly of a common-rail or pump-nozzle injection system, the course of the electric control signal can be selected freely in regard to the pulse edges (injection rate changes Q), the holding period (?t) and the injection rate (Q). This offers the advantage that the combustion process can be better optimized with respect to low emissions, low consumption and for meeting tightened legal regulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Jörg Beilharz, Uwe Lingener, Andreas Pfeifer, Richard Pirkl, Harald Schmidt, Klaus Wenzlawski, Hans-Jörg Wiehoff
  • Patent number: 8239115
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for offsetting bounce effects in a piezo-actuated injection system of an internal combustion engine using a control valve actuated by a piezoelectric actuator. The inventive method comprises the following steps: detecting an actual bounce behavior of the control valve, and determining and offsetting a deviation between the actual bounce behavior and a desired bounce behavior of the control valve, thereby generating an actuation information for the control valve which influences a speed characteristic of a needle of the control valve. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the inventive method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Ascher, Reiner Lederle, Hans-Jörg Wiehoff
  • Patent number: 8186204
    Abstract: In a method and a device for dynamically determining a segment for an angular spread, fuel is injected into an internal combustion engine and the useful injection range (IRu) and/or the relative position of the segment comprising the angular spread, in which a fuel injection can be carried out especially during a multiple injection, are variable. A corresponding adaptation of the useful injection range (IRu) can advantageously trigger a subsequent injection impulse, as required, for example, for a regeneration module of a diesel particle filter. The adaptation is carried out according to an operating parameter, for example according to the rotational speed gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Ascher, Hans-Jörg Wiehoff
  • Publication number: 20100288238
    Abstract: In a method or a device for forming an electric control signal for an injection impulse of a position-controlled fuel injector, particularly of a common-rail or pump-nozzle injection system, he course of the electric control signal can be selected freely in regard to the pulse edges (injection rate changes Q), the holding period (?t) and the injection rate (Q). This offers the advantage that the combustion process can be better optimized with respect to low emissions, low consumption and for meeting tightened legal regulations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Jörg Beilharz, Uwe Lingener, Andreas Pfeifer, Richard Pirkl, Harald Schmidt, Klaus Wenzlawski, Hans-Jörg Wiehoff
  • Publication number: 20100268440
    Abstract: In a method for calibration, a piezo-actuator (1) is actuated in a motor vehicle by a control circuit and an output stage. The piezo actuator is, in particular, part of the injection valve. The piezo-actuator (1) is subjected to an electric calibration pulse that is in the high-level signal range thereof when the control circuit and the output stage are in operation, the frequency thereof being modified over time. The associated electric impendence curve over the frequency is determined and evaluated during the calibration pulse. The output stage is controlled by the control circuit in such a manner that the calibration pulse is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Christian Reichinger, Walter Schrod, Hans-Jörg Wiehoff
  • Patent number: 7815128
    Abstract: A method for injecting a fluid, in particular a fuel, performs the following steps: A nozzle (1) which can be actuated by a piezo element (5) is provided. A current pulse (12a) is supplied to the piezo element (5). The capacity (16) of the piezo element (5) is recorded at the time when the current pulse (12a) is supplied. An actual characteristic curve of the injection is recorded based on the capacity (16). The current pulse (12a) is regulated in order to optimize the injection based on the actual characteristic curve of the injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Jörg Beilharz, Nicholas Nozeran, Richard Pirkl, Christian Riβler, Harald Schmidt, Hans-Jörg Wiehoff