Patents by Inventor Heiko Dell

Heiko Dell 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: 8132549
    Abstract: A method for determining a wear value of a transmission element between a crankshaft and a camshaft of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine, in particular a timing chain or toothed belt, is provided. The camshaft is driven by the transmission element via a drive part, for example a camshaft gearwheel. In each case, at least one measurement value for the phase position of the drive part relative to the crankshaft is determined at time intervals during which the crankshaft drives the camshaft, and the wear value is determined from the difference between the measurement values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Heiko Dell, Jens Schafer, Thomas Pfund
  • Patent number: 7954466
    Abstract: In a method for setting the rotary angle position of the camshaft of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine relative to the crankshaft, the crankshaft is connected to the camshaft by means of a triple-shaft gear mechanism. This triple-shaft gear mechanism has a drive shaft which is fixed to the crankshaft, an output shaft which is fixed to the camshaft, and an adjusting shaft which is driven by an electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Minh Nam Nguyen, Heiko Dell, Holger Stork
  • Patent number: 7912624
    Abstract: A synchronization device for an engine is provided that has a first active sensor and a second active sensor. The first active sensor is adapted to determine an angular position of a first shaft and the second active sensor is adapted to determine the angular position of a second shaft. The first active sensor and the second active sensor are adapted to provide information on the state of the angular position of the first shaft and the second shaft or the angular position of the first shaft and the phase position between the first shaft and the second shaft to the control device. In addition, the control device is adapted to provide a control signal for setting a given phase difference between the first and the second shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jens Schafer, Heiko Dell
  • Patent number: 7762226
    Abstract: A method for adjusting a camshaft of an internal combustion engine during a stop phase and during a subsequent new startup phase of the internal combustion engine. Such methods are used, in particular, in so-called start-stop designs for combustion engines. The camshaft controls intake valves and/or exhaust valves of the internal combustion engine and is adjustable by a camshaft adjuster. By a desired startup position of the camshaft adjuster, control time points of the intake valves and/or the exhaust valves are defined in which mechanical work necessary for starting the internal combustion engine is reduced and/or pollutant emissions of the internal combustion engine are reduced. In the method according to the invention it is provided that the camshaft adjuster is set in a desired stop position during the stop phase. During a first section of the startup phase, the camshaft adjuster is set from the desired stop position into the desired startup position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Jens Schafer, Heiko Dell
  • Patent number: 7721693
    Abstract: A method for adjusting the rotational angle position of the camshaft (3) of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine relative to the crankshaft (5) is provided. The crankshaft (5) is drivingly connected to the camshaft (3) via an adjusting drive (1), which is embodied as a triple-shaft gear mechanism, having a crankshaft-fixed drive shaft, a camshaft-fixed output shaft, and an adjustment shaft drivingly connected to an electric motor (4). A stop element is connected to the drive shaft and a counter-stop element is connected to the camshaft (3). The crankshaft rotational angle measuring signal and a position signal for the rotational angle of the adjusting shaft are detected during the starting step of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Minh Nam Nguyen, Heiko Dell, Holger Stork
  • Patent number: 7640903
    Abstract: A device for adjusting the position of the angle of rotation of the camshaft of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine relative to the crankshaft in a motor vehicle is provided, which includes an adjusting gear mechanism in the form of a triple shaft gear mechanism having a drive shaft fixed to the crankshaft, an output shaft fixed to the camshaft and an adjustment shaft which is drivingly connected to an electric motor which can be positioned using an electric control device. The ignition of the internal combustion engine is connected to the motor vehicle battery via an ignition switch. The motor vehicle also includes at least one device which can be adjusted by a user of the vehicle. A monitoring circuit provided with at least one sensor for detecting a change of state of the at least one device. The monitoring circuit is connected to the control device when the latter is switched off, such that the control device is switched on when a change in state is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Holger Stork, Heiko Dell, Minh Nam Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20090276145
    Abstract: A synchronization device for an engine is provided that has a first active sensor and a second active sensor. The first active sensor is adapted to determine an angular position of a first shaft and the second active sensor is adapted to determine the angular position of a second shaft. The first active sensor and the second active sensor are adapted to provide information on the state of the angular position of the first shaft and the second shaft or the angular position of the first shaft and the phase position between the first shaft and the second shaft to the control device. In addition, the control device is adapted to provide a control signal for setting a given phase difference between the first and the second shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Jens Schafer, Heiko Dell
  • Publication number: 20090199807
    Abstract: A method for adjusting a camshaft of an internal combustion engine during a stop phase and during a subsequent new startup phase of the internal combustion engine. Such methods are used, in particular, in so-called start-stop designs for combustion engines. The camshaft controls intake valves and/or exhaust valves of the internal combustion engine and is adjustable by a camshaft adjuster. By a desired startup position of the camshaft adjuster, control time points of the intake valves and/or the exhaust valves are defined in which mechanical work necessary for starting the internal combustion engine is reduced and/or pollutant emissions of the internal combustion engine are reduced. In the method according to the invention it is provided that the camshaft adjuster is set in a desired stop position during the stop phase. During a first section of the startup phase, the camshaft adjuster is set from the desired stop position into the desired startup position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventors: Jens Schafer, Heiko Dell
  • Publication number: 20090183701
    Abstract: In a method for setting the rotary angle position of the camshaft of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine relative to the crankshaft, the crankshaft is connected to the camshaft by means of a triple-shaft gear mechanism. This triple-shaft gear mechanism has a drive shaft which is fixed to the crankshaft, an output shaft which is fixed to the camshaft, and an adjusting shaft which is driven by an electric motor. A crankshaft sensor signal is detected which changes its state when the rotary angle of the crankshaft changes. Furthermore, an adjusting shaft sensor signal is detected which changes its state when the rotary position of the adjusting shaft changes. A phase angle signal is updated, starting from a reference rotary angle value, when the state of the crankshaft sensor signal and/or of the adjusting shaft sensor signal changes, and is adjusted to a provided setpoint phase angle signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventors: Minh Nam Nguyen, Heiko Dell, Holger Stork
  • Publication number: 20090139478
    Abstract: A method for determining a wear value of a transmission element between a crankshaft and a camshaft of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine, in particular a timing chain or toothed belt, is provided. The camshaft is driven by the transmission element via a drive part, for example a camshaft gearwheel. In each case, at least one measurement value for the phase position of the drive part relative to the crankshaft is determined at time intervals during which the crankshaft drives the camshaft, and the wear value is determined from the difference between the measurement values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2006
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventors: Heiko Dell, Jens Schafer, Thomas Pfund
  • Publication number: 20090007865
    Abstract: A method for adjusting the rotational angle position of the camshaft (3) of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine relative to the crankshaft (5) is provided. The crankshaft (5) is drivingly connected to the camshaft (3) via an adjusting drive (1), which is embodied as a triple-shaft gear mechanism, having a crankshaft-fixed drive shaft, a camshaft-fixed output shaft, and an adjustment shaft drivingly connected to an electric motor (4). A stop element is connected to the drive shaft and a counter-stop element is connected to the camshaft (3). The crankshaft rotational angle measuring signal and a position signal for the rotational angle of the adjusting shaft are detected during the starting step of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Minh Nam Nguyen, Heiko Dell, Holger Stork
  • Publication number: 20080245329
    Abstract: A device for adjusting the position of the angle of rotation of the camshaft of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine relative to the crankshaft in a motor vehicle is provided, which includes an adjusting gear mechanism in the form of a triple shaft gear mechanism having a drive shaft fixed to the crankshaft, an output shaft fixed to the camshaft and an adjustment shaft which is drivingly connected to an electric motor which can be positioned using an electric control device. The ignition of the internal combustion engine is connected to the motor vehicle battery via an ignition switch. The motor vehicle also includes at least one device which can be adjusted by a user of the vehicle. A monitoring circuit provided with at least one sensor for detecting a change of state of the at least one device. The monitoring circuit is connected to the control device when the latter is switched off, such that the control device is switched on when a change in state is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventors: Holger Stork, Heiko Dell, Minh Nam Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7416514
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for securely and comfortably operating a drive train of a motor vehicle, especially for operating a drive train with several clutches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Heiko Dell, Klaus Küpper, Alexander Schweizer, Dietmar Lang, Jürgen Benz, Reinhard Berger
  • Publication number: 20070261670
    Abstract: A method for adjusting the rotational angle position of the camshaft (3) of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine relative to the crankshaft (5) is provided. The crankshaft (5) is drivingly connected to the camshaft (3) via an adjusting drive (1), which is embodied as a triple-shaft gear mechanism, having a crankshaft-fixed drive shaft, a camshaft-fixed output shaft, and an adjustment shaft drivingly connected to an electric motor (4). A stop element is connected to the drive shaft and a counter-stop element is connected to the camshaft (3). The crankshaft rotational angle measuring signal and a position signal for the rotational angle of the adjusting shaft are detected during the starting step of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2005
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventors: Min Nguyen, Heiko Dell, Holger Stork
  • Publication number: 20070245989
    Abstract: In a method for setting the rotary-angle position of the camshaft of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine relative to the crankshaft, in which the crankshaft has a drive connection to the camshaft via an adjusting gear which is embodied as a triple shaft gear with a drive shaft which is fixed to the crankshaft, an output shaft which is fixed to the camshaft and an adjusting shaft, a phase angle signal for the rotary-angle position of the camshaft relative to the crankshaft is registered. Travel up to a stop is carried out, during which a stop element which is connected to the drive shaft is moved towards a counterstop element which is connected to the camshaft, while the adoption of a stop position is monitored. When the stop position is detected, a stop phase angle value is determined. The phase angle signal is adjusted to a setpoint phase angle signal which is made available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventors: Minh Nguyen, Holger Stork, Heiko Dell
  • Patent number: 7254991
    Abstract: In a method for adjusting the rotation angle position of the camshaft of a reciprocating-piston engine in relation to the crankshaft in which the crankshaft is in drive connection with the camshaft via an actuating gear, which is designed as a three-shaft gear having a drive shaft in a fixed mounting on the crankshaft, an output shaft in a fixed mounting on the camshaft and an actuating shaft which is in drive connection with an actuating motor, a measured value for the crankshaft rotation angle is determined for at least one crankshaft measurement point in time. For at least two actuating shaft measurement points in time, a measured value for the actuating shaft rotation angle is determined digitally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Holger Stork, Heiko Dell, Minh Nam Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7222593
    Abstract: An adjusting device for the rotational position of the camshaft of a reciprocating piston engine relative to the crankshaft, has an actuator for adjusting the rotational position that is connected into a control circuit. The control circuit has a controller, which is linked to a data memory, in which controller coefficients for a transfer function of the controller are stored. The data memory has at least two memory areas in which various sets of controller coefficients are stored. The control circuit is connectable with the aid of a mode selector, optionally or alternately, in such a way to one of the data memory areas that the controller coefficient set stored in the particular data memory area is used for the control. A device for ascertaining the operating state of the adjusting device and/or of the reciprocating piston engine is connected to the mode selector in such a way that the controller coefficient set used in the particular case for the control is dependent on the operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Holger Stork, Heiko Dell
  • Publication number: 20060155435
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for securely and comfortably operating a drive train of a motor vehicle, especially for operating a drive train with several clutches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Inventors: Heiko Dell, Klaus Kupper, Alexander Schwerzer, Dietmar Lang, Jurgen Benz, Reinhard Berger
  • Publication number: 20060042074
    Abstract: In a method for adjusting the rotation angle position of the camshaft of a reciprocating-piston engine in relation to the crankshaft in which the crankshaft is in drive connection with the camshaft via an actuating gear, which is designed as a three-shaft gear having a drive shaft in a fixed mounting on the crankshaft, an output shaft in a fixed mounting on the camshaft and an actuating shaft which is in drive connection with an actuating motor, a measured value for the crankshaft rotation angle is determined for at least one crankshaft measurement point in time. For at least two actuating shaft measurement points in time, a measured value for the actuating shaft rotation angle is determined digitally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Applicant: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Holger Stork, Heiko Dell, Minh Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20050274338
    Abstract: An adjusting device for the rotational position of the camshaft of a reciprocating piston engine relative to the crankshaft, has an actuator for adjusting the rotational position that is connected into a control circuit. The control circuit has a controller, which is linked to a data memory, in which controller coefficients for a transfer function of the controller are stored. The data memory has at least two memory areas in which various sets of controller coefficients are stored. The control circuit is connectable with the aid of a mode selector, optionally or alternately, in such a way to one of the data memory areas that the controller coefficient set stored in the particular data memory area is used for the control. A device for ascertaining the operating state of the adjusting device and/or of the reciprocating piston engine is connected to the mode selector in such a way that the controller coefficient set used in the particular case for the control is dependent on the operating state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Holger Stork, Heiko Dell