Patents by Inventor Harald Stoffels

Harald Stoffels 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).

  • Publication number: 20170226924
    Abstract: Embodiments for an engine coupled to a first turbocharger and a second turbocharger are provided. One example includes responsive to a first condition, deactivating a first turbine of the first turbocharger and meeting a boost demand via operation of the second turbocharger, and responsive to deactivating the first turbine, increasing a pressure at a compressor-side end of a bearing arrangement of a shaft of the first turbocharger. In this way, oil leakage from the bearing arrangement may be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Harald Stoffels, Ludwig Stump, Klemens Grieser, Jens Wojahn, Franz J. Brinkmann
  • Publication number: 20170174218
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle generates a change-operating-mode signal to change operation from a normal mode with an engine engaged and running to a coasting mode with the engine disengaged and/or switched off in response to a freewheeling distance exceeding a threshold. The freewheeling distance may be based on state parameters of the motor vehicle, such as position, speed, acceleration, weight, tire pressure, braking pressure, and air resistance, for example, data related to a second vehicle obtained from forward sensors, for example, and/or ambient parameters such as air temperature, wind speed, and wind direction, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joachim HANSEN, Harald STOFFELS, Bernd SCHUMACHER, Moritz Klaus SPRINGER
  • Publication number: 20170129502
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a hybrid vehicle having an electric operating mode selectively modify a pressure point for an accelerator pedal in response to current vehicle and/or ambient operating conditions to reduce unintentional starting of an internal combustion engine and maintain electric mode operation while the accelerator pedal position is less than the pressure point. The vehicle operating conditions or mode may indicate a parking maneuver, stop-and-go traffic, or an eco mode where electric operation may be desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Harald STOFFELS, Moritz Klaus SPRINGER, Christian HOFMANN, Joachim HANSEN
  • 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: 20160108799
    Abstract: There is provided an arrangement of an internal combustion engine with a sequentially parallel twin turbocharger, in which at least one turbocharger has an electrical energy converter which can be used optionally as a motor for driving a compressor in the lower rotational speed range of the internal combustion engine or as a generator for charging a connected battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Harald Stoffels, Ludwig Stump, Carsten Weber
  • Patent number: 9303570
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling an engine that may be automatically stopped and started are presented. In one example, a compressor is activated from a deactivated state in response to one or more environmental parameters during an engine start. The methods and systems may improve engine response after an engine start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Harald Stoffels, Klemens Grieser
  • Publication number: 20150345410
    Abstract: A turbocharged internal combustion engine is provided with at least a partially variable valve train on an intake side wherein the intake valves are controlled to optimize the actuation of a second inlet valve in relation to a first inlet valve for different load conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Martin Wirth, Klemens Grieser, Marco Marceno, Kay Hohenboeken, Jan Linsel, Harald Stoffels, Ludwig Stump
  • Publication number: 20150136207
    Abstract: A roof panel with an integrated photovoltaic module is discussed. The roof panel has at least a substrate and an outer pane, which are laminarily bonded to each other via a thermoplastic layer, and embedded in the thermoplastic layer, at least one photovoltaic system that contains at least two strip-shaped solar cells that are connected in series via at least one electrically conductive connecting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Giron, Harald Stoffel, Uwe Van Der Meulen, Andreas Nositschka, Pascal Remy, Marc-Oliver Prast, Dirk Neumann
  • Publication number: 20150129013
    Abstract: A roof panel having an integrated photovoltaic module is described. The roof panel has at least a substrate and an outer panel, which are laminarily bonded to each other by means of a thermoplastic layer, wherein a photovoltaic layer system is embedded in the thermoplastic layer and the substrate contains at least one polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Andreas Nositschka, Pascal Remy, Marc-Oliver Prast, Dirk Neumann, Harald Stoffel
  • Patent number: 8739751
    Abstract: A method for operating an engine of a motor vehicle is provided. The method comprises operating at least one turbocharger, operating a start/stop automatic system which automatically switches off the internal combustion engine when a stop condition is met, and automatically starts the internal combustion engine when a starting condition is met, and when the stop condition is met, delaying the automatic switching off of the internal combustion engine by a predefinable delay time (?t). In one example, automatic shut off of the engine may be delayed in order ensure adequate cooling of the turbocharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Harald Stoffels, Ludwig Stump
  • Patent number: 8617027
    Abstract: A method for controlling a propulsion system for a vehicle including a transmission coupling an output shaft of the internal combustion engine to a drive wheel of the vehicle, wherein said transmission includes a lash region, the method comprising of adjusting an operating parameter of the engine so that at least one cylinder of the engine is transitioned between a first combustion mode and a second combustion mode, and varying a timing of said transition responsive to whether the transmission is operating within the lash region of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Harald Stoffels, Klemens Grieser
  • Publication number: 20120234004
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling an engine that may be automatically stopped and started are presented. In one example, a compressor is activated from a deactivated state in response to one or more environmental parameters during an engine start. The methods and systems may improve engine response after an engine start.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Harald Stoffels, Klemens Grieser
  • Publication number: 20120190498
    Abstract: A method for controlling a propulsion system for a vehicle including a transmission coupling an output shaft of the internal combustion engine to a drive wheel of the vehicle, wherein said transmission includes a lash region, the method comprising of adjusting an operating parameter of the engine so that at least one cylinder of the engine is transitioned between a first combustion mode and a second combustion mode, and varying a timing of said transition responsive to whether the transmission is operating within the lash region of the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Harald Stoffels, Klemens Grieser
  • Publication number: 20120123666
    Abstract: A method for operating an engine of a motor vehicle is provided. The method comprises operating at least one turbocharger, operating a start/stop automatic system which automatically switches off the internal combustion engine when a stop condition is met, and automatically starts the internal combustion engine when a starting condition is met, and when the stop condition is met, delaying the automatic switching off of the internal combustion engine by a predefinable delay time (?t). In one example, automatic shut off of the engine may be delayed in order ensure adequate cooling of the turbocharger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Harald Stoffels, Ludwig Stump
  • Patent number: 8147377
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle operation in the transmission lash region. One method includes transitioning a combustion mode of a cylinder, and varying a timing of said transition responsive to whether the transmission is operating within the lash region of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Harald Stoffels, Klemens Grieser
  • Publication number: 20110165993
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle operation in the transmission lash region. One method includes transitioning a combustion mode of a cylinder, and varying a timing of said transition responsive to whether the transmission is operating within the lash region of the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Harald Stoffels, Klemens Grieser
  • Patent number: 7918763
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle operation in the transmission lash region. One method includes transitioning a combustion mode of a cylinder, and varying a timing of said transition responsive to whether the transmission is operating within the lash region of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Harald Stoffels, Klemens Grieser
  • Patent number: 7867133
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine and a supplemental torque apparatus of a vehicle, such as a hybrid vehicle. During a transient gear change where the engine temporarily encounters a low load and low speed operating condition, the system increases loading on the engine via the supplemental torque apparatus so that a cylinder can continue auto-ignition combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Themi Philemon Petridis, Jonathan O'neill, Harald Stoffels
  • Patent number: 7856954
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling shut down of a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine include a mechanical energy storage device to decelerate an engine crankshaft to a stopping position desirable for restarting of the engine. Energy stored during shut down may be used to adjust or reposition the crankshaft to one of a plurality of angular orientations advantageous for restarting, and/or used to rotate the crankshaft during restarting of the engine. A flywheel having a variable mass, such as provided by two or more segments, which may be fixedly or selectively coupled to one or more springs may be used to selectively store and release energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bernd Steiner, Ulrich Kramer, Klemens Greiser, Patrick Phlips, Harald Stoffels, Torsten Sude
  • Patent number: 7814878
    Abstract: A method of operating an engine having an adjustable balance shaft may comprise adjusting operation of the balance shaft during engine operation in response to an engine combustion mode. For example, balance shafts may be disabled during SI mode and enabled during HCCI mode. Various alternative examples may also be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Themi Philemon Petridis, Harald Stoffels, Jonathan O'Neill