Patents by Inventor Harald Collonia

Harald Collonia 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: 5984319
    Abstract: The invention relates to a holding device for balancing disk-like inertial bodies, which comprises at least two clamping elements (8) centered on a center axis (A), such elements (8) having a respective radial abutment face (34), wherein the clamping elements (8) are provided on a connecting part (10) having at least one elastically deformable portion, which connecting part produces an equal shift of all clamping elements (8) on deformation. A connecting part (10) with the clamping elements (8) is provided on an elastically deformable wall (6), which is constituted by a thin-walled diaphragm (6) extending in a radial plane in relation to the center axis (A), such diaphragm being arranged coaxially in relation to the connecting part (10) and the clamping elements (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: American Hofmann Corporation
    Inventor: Harald Collonia
  • Patent number: 4742808
    Abstract: A method for detecting the readiness for operation of an oxygen measurement sensor which is located in the exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine and serves, together with a regulating device, to regulate the preparation of the mixture for the internal combustion engine. The voltage present at the oxygen measurement sensor is measured in succession for two different conditions of load and the internal resistance is calculated from the results of the measurement and compared with a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventors: Thomas Blumel, Harald Collonia
  • Patent number: 4638879
    Abstract: In a device for regulating the speed of a vehicle, particularly an automotive vehicle, having an electronic regulator, at least one first storage for the storing of a first speed desired-value signal as well as a control arrangement for the storage are provided. In the regulator, a speed actual-value signal is compared with the speed desired-value signal and a corresponding setting signal is produced which actuates a setting member (13). There is also connected to the regulator an operating device (16) which comprises at least one button (19 or 20) for setting the storage to the speed desired-value signal, one button (17) for disconnecting the regulation as well as a restart button (18) for reactivating the regulation. Within the regulator there is provided a second storage (5) for storing a second speed desired-value signal which forms a so-called stack together with the first storage (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventor: Harald Collonia
  • Patent number: 4619230
    Abstract: A device for disconnecting the feed of fuel to an internal combustion engine with an injection pump during the coasting of an automotive vehicle comprises a solenoid valve for disconnecting and reconnecting the feed of the fuel. The valve is controlled by the decrease in the speed of the internal combustion engine. In order to adapt the disconnect threshold and the reconnect threshold of the feed of the fuel to the characteristic curve of the internal combustion engine at little expense but nevertheless with a large saving in fuel, the solenoid valve is connected to an outlet line of an idle-speed controller which is provided for the same internal combustion engine. The time response of the controller has at least a differential portion in addition to a proportional portion, but possibly proportional, integral and differential portions. The adaptation of the time response portions to the dynamic behavior of the internal combustion engine is the same as for the control for the idling speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventor: Harald Collonia
  • Patent number: 4616613
    Abstract: In a device for electrically controlling the idling of internal combustion engines having a speed-of-rotation regulator 5, a control-limiting device (8 to 19) for the speed-of-rotation regulator is provided. The control-limiting device automatically adjusts the control limit of the speed-of-rotation regulator upon idling as a function of the setting current given off by the speed-of-rotation regulator and sets the maximum setting current at a value lying a predetermined amount above the idle setting current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventor: Harald Collonia
  • Patent number: 4599980
    Abstract: An electric device for eliminating the jerking of vehicles, particularly automotive vehicles with internal combustion engines and with a control member which influences the intake thereof, and particularly idle-speed intake measures are taken in order for the jerk speed of rotation to run through automatically, that is it cannot be continuously set by the driver by any position of the gas pedal. For this purpose there are provided means for detecting the actual speed of rotation, means for comparing the actual speed of rotation with the set jerk speed of rotation as well as limiting means for producing a signal within a predetermined rotary speed range, which signal controls the control member, within which rotary range is the jerk speed of rotation. These means are developed such that the control member causes an intake which increases with the actual speed of rotation, within the critical speed of rotation range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1986
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventor: Harald Collonia
  • Patent number: 4569320
    Abstract: A device for reducing longitudinal dynamic instabilities of vehicles, in particular back and forth movements of cargo (load) and the uncontrolled periodic feeding of gas having, for the purpose of damping, a differentiation device (8) which differentiates an electric signal of the engine speed of rotation, preferably a voltage. The output signal of the differentiation device feeds a limiter-amplifier (9), the output signal of which, in its turn, intervenes in the deflection of a setting device (4) which acts on the fuel-air mixture of the engine. With this device, a deflection of the setting device takes place which counteracts periodic disturbing changes in speed of rotation while, upon an intended change in position of the setting device by the gas pedal, no perceptible additional effect is exerted on the setting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1986
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventor: Harald Collonia
  • Patent number: 4495454
    Abstract: A device for the electric control of the speed of an automotive vehicle having a guide signal transmitter developed as settable memory, having a comparison element fed with the guide signal and a vehicle-speed signal, having a control amplifier which is arranged behind the comparison element and gives off a set signal to a setting drive for the displacement of a throttle valve which controls the air-fuel mixture of an internal combustion engine, having a position indicator coupled with the throttle valve apparatus and having a guide signal transmitter developed as settable memory. A comparator for comparing the set signal with a feedback signal given off by the position indicator is provided, the output value of which sets the guide signal transmitter at such a large guide signal that the position of the throttle valve at an end of the setting process, which has been determined during the setting by a driver, is established by the set signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventor: Harald Collonia
  • Patent number: 4471735
    Abstract: In an idling controller, particularly for automotive vehicles, there are present both a control amplifier with integral time portion (3) and a limiter (6) with proportional time portion. The inputs of the limiter are acted on by the correcting variable from the output of the control amplifier and by a limiter reference variable formed with the actual-speed value. The output of the limiter is fed back to an input of the control amplifier. In order to obtain the desired time action of the idling controller upon sudden drops in speed, at least one time member (12) with differential time portion is provided between the input (1) of the actual-speed value and the output of the limiter (6). The limiter (6) is so dimensioned and coupled with the output of the control amplifier (3) that, upon a drop in speed beyond a predetermined value, the correcting value (y) is controlled by the output variable of the limiter (6) (control limit).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1984
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventor: Harald Collonia
  • Patent number: 4436069
    Abstract: A setting device for the controlled displacement of a stop connected with a setting member, particularly an idling stop of an internal combustion engine.The idling stop of the internal combustion engine should not be actuated by such a setting device when the internal combustion engine is intentionally operated at a speed of rotation above the idling speed. If it were, then the idling stop would be so displaced by a control electronic system during the intentional giving of gas that the internal combustion engine would run too slowly or die out upon the following idling. In order to avoid such displacement of the idling stop when the internal combustion engine is operating at travel speed without expensive interruption of the signal flow paths from and/or to the control electronic system, a clutch (3) is arranged between the stop pin and an electric motor as drive member. The clutch is connected with the stop pin (8) by a self-locking gearing (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1984
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventor: Harald Collonia
  • Patent number: 4419973
    Abstract: A device for the control of the traveling speed of a motor vehicle with a regulating unit actuateable by the vehicle driver, particularly a gas pedal, and means for transmission of the movement of the same to an element, particularly the throttle valve, which influences the fuel-air mixture. An electrical controller is provided, the desired value input of which is applied with the output signal of a first electrical position indicator, the latter being coupled with the regulating unit and the actual value input of which is applied with the output signal of a second electrical position indicator, the latter being coupled with the setting member or positioning actuator of an electrical setting or adjusting device, the actuator standing in connection with the element which influences the air-fuel mixture. Upon actuation of the brake or clutch, a coupling device, between a servomotor of the electrical controller and the actuator, is disconnected for a short time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1983
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventor: Harald Collonia
  • Patent number: 4408581
    Abstract: A system for controlling the vehicle speed of travel as well as for regulating the idling speed of automotive vehicles having an Otto engine, comprising an actuator which adjusts the position of a regulating element for control of the vehicle speed as a function of the position of a desired-value transmitter. A closure element, as well, which determines the through-put passage cross section of a by-pass, the latter connecting a region in front of the regulating element with a region behind the regulating element, the closure element being displaceable by an automatically controlled actuator. The first-mentioned actuator and the automatically controlled actuator constitute a single actuator means common both for controlling the vehicle speed of travel and for regulating the idling speed. The single actuator actuates the closure element for regulating the idling speed, in a first operating range and operates the regulating member for controlling the vehicle speed of travel in a second operating range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1983
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventors: Manfred Pfalzgraf, Eckhart Kern, Harald Collonia
  • Patent number: 4393833
    Abstract: A device for the control of the traveling speed of a motor vehicle with a regulating unit actuatable by the vehicle driver, particularly a gas pedal, and means for transmission of the movement of the same to an element, particularly the throttle valve, which influences the fuel-air mixture. An electrical controller is provided, the desired value input of which is applied with the output signal of a first electrical position indicator, the latter being coupled with the regulating unit and the actual value input of which is applied with the output signal of a second electrical position indicator, the latter being coupled with the setting member or positioning actuator of an electrical setting or adjusting device, the actuator standing in connection with the element which influences the air-fuel mixture. Measures are provided which compensate for abnormal speed conditions of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1983
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventors: Arnold Mann, Harald Collonia
  • Patent number: 4356802
    Abstract: A valve system for regulating the idling speed of Otto engines, particularly automobile engines, by controlling the amount of air on an outlet side with an electromechanical setting member which comprises a valve element which limits the effective outlet cross section, the valve element being moveable by an electric drive member and being in communication on one side with the outlet side, and having a circuit which controls the setting member as a function of the speed of rotation. The valve element is mounted substantially free of friction and means are provided for exerting on the valve element a compensating force which opposes the force caused by the suction vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1982
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventors: Eckhart Kern, Harald Collonia, Herbert-Hans Groh
  • Patent number: 4353339
    Abstract: A device for the control of the traveling speed of a motor vehicle with a control member actuatable by the vehicle driver, particularly a gas pedal, which is coupled with a first position encoder or indicator, with an electric controller for the transmission of the adjustment movement of the control member to an element, which element influences the fuel-air mixture, particularly to a dosing member of a fuel injection pump, by means of an electric motor, the electric motor being in operative connection with the dosing member and acting against the force of a return spring, which electric motor is supplied with a motor current which current is formed in the controller, as well as with a second position encoder which second position encoder is coupled with the dosing member, the second position encoder being arranged in a feedback circuit with inclusion of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1982
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling A.G.
    Inventor: Harald Collonia
  • Patent number: 4352402
    Abstract: An apparatus for regulating the traveling speed of a motor vehicle has a regulating device connected to control the fuel-air mixture supplied to the vehicle engine, with a safety circuit including a switching-off device responsive to a prespecified deceleration of the vehicle to deactuate the regulating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1982
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventor: Harald Collonia
  • Patent number: 4319658
    Abstract: A device for the control of the traveling speed of a motor vehicle with a regulating member actuatable by the vehicle driver, the gas pedal emitting an electrical signal, the gas pedal being connected with the desired value input of an electrical controller, the output signal of which acts on a positioning actuator, the latter being coupled with the element, particularly the throttle valve, which influences the fuel-air mixture, the instantaneous setting position of the positioning actuator being transmitted as an electric signal to the actual value input of the controller. The actual value input or the desired value input of the controller is driven by a circuit which produces a signal for influencing the position of the throttle valve, which signal is dependent on at least one factor to be monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1982
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventors: Harald Collonia, Arnold Mann, Martin Haub
  • Patent number: 4313408
    Abstract: A device for the control of the traveling speed of a motor vehicle with a regulating unit actuateable by the vehicle driver, particularly a gas pedal, and means for transmission of the movement of the same to an element, particularly the throttle valve, which influences the fuel-air mixture. Measures are provided which compensate for abnormal switching conditions of the device. An electrical controller is provided, the desired value input of which is applied with the output signal of a first electrical position indicator, the latter being coupled with the regulating unit and the actual value input of which is applied with the output signal of a second electrical position indicator, the latter being coupled with the setting member or positioning actuator of an electrical setting or adjusting device, the actuator standing in connection with the element which influences the air-fuel mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1982
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventor: Harald Collonia
  • Patent number: 4301883
    Abstract: A device for the control of the traveling speed of a motor vehicle with a regulating member actuatable by the vehicle driver and giving off an electrical signal, the regulating member being connected with the desired-value input of an electrical controller, the output signal of which acts on an adjustment actuator. The latter is coupled with the element which influences the fuel-air mixture, particularly the throttle valve, and the instantaneous position of the adjustment actuator is transmitted as an electric signal to the actual-value input of the controller. A correction circuit is connected with the actual-value input or the desired-value input of the controller. For the correction of the throttle-valve displacement which is dependent on the regulating member, this circuit produces a signal which is a function of one or more operating parameters which are related to the fuel consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1981
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventor: Harald Collonia
  • Patent number: 4278059
    Abstract: A device for the control of the traveling speed of a motor vehicle with a regulating unit which is actuatable by the vehicle driver, particularly with a gas pedal, with electrical means for the transmission of the movement of the same to an element which influences the fuel-air mixture, particularly a throttle valve, with an electrical controller, the element which influences the fuel-air mixture being in operative connection with the output of the electrical controller, and with at least one comparator, one of the inputs of the comparator being applied with a voltage which is proportional to the rotational speed of the motor and its other input being applied with an adjustable constant voltage value for the rotational speed limitation. As a controller a PI controller is connected in parallel with a P-controller of great amplification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1981
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventor: Harald Collonia