Patents by Inventor Hellmut Freudenberg

Hellmut Freudenberg 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: 9500169
    Abstract: A lever device for a fuel injection valve includes a housing with a housing recess, at least one lever element arranged in the housing recess, a drive element arranged in the housing recess and coupled to the lever element(s) in order to act upon said at least one lever element in a direction of a force-action axis, and an output element arranged in the housing recess and coupled to the lever element(s) such that this output element is moveable in the force-action axis direction by the at least one lever element. Each lever element includes a coupling section designed or arranged such that the lever element is coupled to the housing, or to the output element, in a rotationally-fixed manner with respect to the force-action axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Lehmann, Hellmut Freudenberg, Stefan Kohn, Robert Kuchler, Manuel Hannich, Roland Feigl, Wolfgang Wechler, Matthias Wicke
  • Patent number: 9447760
    Abstract: A drive device for an injection valve may include an actuator configured for exerting a force along a first force action axis, a lever device coupled to the actuator, an output element coupled to the lever device and configured for absorbing a force from the lever device along a second force action axis, wherein the first and second force action axes are arranged offset with respect to one another, and a transmission element arranged between the actuator and the lever device. The transmission element may be coupled to the actuator in a first contact region and to the lever device in a second contact region. The first contact region of the transmission element may be arranged such that it is penetrated by the first force action axis. The second contact region of the transmission element may be arranged such that it is penetrated by the second force action axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Maximilian Kronberger, Hellmut Freudenberg, Jürgen Dick, Wolfgang Wechler
  • Patent number: 9376993
    Abstract: A lever device for a fuel injection valve includes a housing with a housing recess, at least one lever element arranged in the housing recess and having a coupling section coupled to a section of the housing, a drive element arranged in the housing recess and coupled to the at least one lever element to act upon the at least one lever element in the direction of a force-action axis, and an output element arranged in the housing recess and coupled to the at least one lever element such that the output element may be moved in the force-action axis direction by the at least one lever element. The coupling section of the lever element has at least one recess that defines at least two coupling section contact surfaces spaced apart from one another and resting against the housing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Lehmann, Hellmut Freudenberg, Stefan Kohn, Robert Kuchler, Manuel Hannich, Roland Feigl, Wolfgang Wechler, Matthias Wicke
  • Patent number: 9371807
    Abstract: A method and a device for setting an idle stroke of an actuating drive of an injection valve with respect to an actuating element actuated by the actuating drive. The actuating drive is arranged in an injector body and the actuating element is arranged in an actuating-element housing such that it is movable in an axial. An axial stressing force is applied to the injector body and the actuating-element housing such that part of the injector body or actuating-element housing arranged in a force flow path defined the axial stressing force is deformed permanently, until a value of a representative electric variable determined directly or indirectly for the idle stroke of the actuating drive lies in a predefined value range. Further, an injector assembly for an injection valve may include an injector body and/or an actuating-element housing having a contact section elevated in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Maximilian Kronberger, Hellmut Freudenberg, Robert Schäpers, Matthias Wicke, Stefan Mindl, Wolfgang Wechler
  • Publication number: 20150028135
    Abstract: A lever device for a fuel injection valve includes a housing with a housing recess, at least one lever element arranged in the housing recess, a drive element arranged in the housing recess and coupled to the lever element(s) in order to act upon said at least one lever element in a direction of a force-action axis, and an output element arranged in the housing recess and coupled to the lever element(s) such that this output element is moveable in the force-action axis direction by the at least one lever element. Each lever element includes a coupling section designed or arranged such that the lever element is coupled to the housing, or to the output element, in a rotationally-fixed manner with respect to the force-action axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Stefan Lehmann, Hellmut Freudenberg, Stefan Kohn, Robert Kuchler, Manuel Hannich, Roland Feigi, Wolfgang Wechler, Matthias Wicke
  • Publication number: 20150021418
    Abstract: A lever device for a fuel injection valve includes a housing with a housing recess, at least one lever element arranged in the housing recess and having a coupling section coupled to a section of the housing, a drive element arranged in the housing recess and coupled to the at least one lever element to act upon the at least one lever element in the direction of a force-action axis, and an output element arranged in the housing recess and coupled to the at least one lever element such that the output element may be moved in the force-action axis direction by the at least one lever element. The coupling section of the lever element has at least one recess that defines at least two coupling section contact surfaces spaced apart from one another and resting against the housing section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Stefan Lehmann, Hellmut Freudenberg, Stefan Kohn, Robert Kuchler, Manuel Hannich, Roland Feigl, Wolfgang Wechler, Matthias Wicke
  • Publication number: 20130153675
    Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed for setting an idle stroke of an actuating drive of an injection valve with respect to an actuating element actuated by the actuating drive. The actuating drive is arranged in an injector body and the actuating element is arranged in an actuating-element housing such that it is movable in an axial. An axial stressing force is applied to the injector body and the actuating-element housing such that part of the injector body or actuating-element housing arranged in a force flow path defined the axial stressing force is deformed permanently, until a value of a representative electric variable determined directly or indirectly for the idle stroke of the actuating drive lies in a predefined value range. Further, an injector assembly for an injection valve may include an injector body and/or an actuating-element housing having a contact section elevated in the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Maximilian Kronberger, Hellmut Freudenberg, Robert Schäpers, Matthias Wicke, Stefan Mindl, Wolfgang Wechler
  • Publication number: 20130153678
    Abstract: A drive device for an injection valve may include an actuator configured for exerting a force along a first force action axis, a lever device coupled to the actuator, an output element coupled to the lever device and configured for absorbing a force from the lever device along a second force action axis, wherein the first and second force action axes are arranged offset with respect to one another, and a transmission element arranged between the actuator and the lever device. The transmission element may be coupled to the actuator in a first contact region and to the lever device in a second contact region. The first contact region of the transmission element may be arranged such that it is penetrated by the first force action axis. The second contact region of the transmission element may be arranged such that it is penetrated by the second force action axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Maximilian Kronberger, Hellmut Freudenberg, Jürgen Dick, Wolfgang Wechler
  • Patent number: 8368288
    Abstract: In an actuator unit for an injection system of an internal combustion engine, the difference in the longitudinal extension when a change of temperature of the piezoelectric actuator element occurs affecting the actuator unit is equalized compared to the actuator housing due to different thermal expansion coefficient values in that a fastening element is arranged on the actuator housing. The fastening element is made of a different material than the actuator housing and thus affects a force acting counter to the change of length of the actuator housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Dick, Hellmut Freudenberg, Richard Pirkl
  • Patent number: 8198783
    Abstract: In a method for the production of a gradient encapsulation layer 20 on a piezoelectric actuator 1, based on this gradient encapsulation layer 20, the piezoelectric actuator 1 does not 5 require an additional housing-like enveloping structure in order to be protected externally. The gradient encapsulation layer 20 is produced by cold gas spraying of particles having different material properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Heiner Bayer, Hellmut Freudenberg, Axel Ganster, Christoph Hamann, Oliver Henning, Jens Dahl Jensen, Günter Lugert, Randolf Mock, Carsten Schuh
  • Patent number: 7851978
    Abstract: In a method for producing a multilayer encapsulation (1) of a piezo actuator (5) such that the piezo actuator (5) is protected towards the outside without having to use an additional enveloping housing-type structure, in order to produce the multilayer encapsulation (1), an electrically insulating elastic layer (10) is first applied to the surface of the piezo actuator (5), whereupon a metallic layer is applied to the electrically insulating elastic layer (10) so as to planarly cover the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Heiner Bayer, Hellmut Freudenberg, Axel Ganster, Christoph Hamann, Oliver Hennig, Jens Dahl Jensen, Günter Lugert, Randolf Mock, Carsten Schuh, Jörg Zapf
  • Publication number: 20100194244
    Abstract: In an actuator unit for an injection system of an internal combustion engine, the difference in the longitudinal extension when a change of temperature of the piezoelectric actuator element occurs affecting the actuator unit is equalized compared to the actuator housing due to different thermal expansion coefficient values in that a fastening element is arranged on the actuator housing. The fastening element is made of a different material than the actuator housing and thus affects a force acting counter to the change of length of the actuator housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Jürgen Dick, Hellmut Freudenberg, Richard Pirkl
  • Patent number: 7726625
    Abstract: A transfer device for transferring an actuator displacement, has a housing with a first recess having a first and second plunger displaceably mounted. These plungers are actively connected via at least one transfer chamber by a fluid. The active connection causes the second plunger to be displaced when the first plunger is moved and vice versa. The transfer chamber is hydraulically coupled via a sealing gap to a compensating chamber compensating the pressure differences, in a delayed manner. The transfer device also has a chamber device with a compensating chamber, a chamber housing, and a first plunger. The chamber device has a device with a first body with a recess including a second body, and with an elastomer placed in the recess between the first and second body. The elastomer has a first groove extending at least partially along the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignees: Continental Automotive GmbH, Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Arnold, Patrick Delp, Hellmut Freudenberg, Achim Löll, Willibald Schürz, Martin Simmet, Günter Ziegler, Hanspeter Zink
  • Publication number: 20090302713
    Abstract: In a method for producing a multilayer encapsulation (1) of a piezo actuator (5) such that the piezo actuator (5) is protected towards the outside without having to use an additional enveloping housing-type structure, in order to produce the multilayer encapsulation (1), an electrically insulating elastic layer (10) is first applied to the surface of the piezo actuator (5), whereupon a metallic layer is applied to the electrically insulating elastic layer (10) so as to planarly cover the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Heiner Bayer, Hellmut Freudenberg, Axel Ganster, Christoph Hamann, Oliver Hennig, Jens Dahl Jensen, Günter Lugert, Randolf Mock, Carsten Schuh, Jörg Zapf
  • Publication number: 20090278423
    Abstract: In a method for the production of a gradient encapsulation layer 20 on a piezoelectric actuator 1, based on this gradient encapsulation layer 20, the piezoelectric actuator 1 does not 5 require an additional housing-like enveloping structure in order to be protected externally. The gradient encapsulation layer 20 is produced by cold gas spraying of particles having different material properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Heiner Bayer, Hellmut Freudenberg, Axel Ganster, Christoph Hamann, Oliver Hennig, Jens Dahl Jensen, Günter Lugert, Randolf Mock, Carsten Schuh
  • Patent number: 7406952
    Abstract: An injector has a valve pin whose position is adjustable according to the pressure prevailing in a control chamber and which blocks a fluid flow through at least one injection port in a closed position. The injector has a control chamber that is hydraulically coupled to a high-pressure fluid reservoir, a piezo actuator, and a control valve which hydraulically connects and disconnects the control chamber, the piezo actuator acting upon said control valve. A combination of a triggering period for the piezo actuator and electric power that is to be fed to the piezo actuator is varied from a predefined initial combination to a target combination in which a pressure curve is detected that is characteristic of a movement of the control valve out of the closed position thereof without fluid being proportioned through the injection port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Joachim Frank, Hellmut Freudenberg, Manfred Weigl
  • Publication number: 20070250248
    Abstract: An injector has a valve pin whose position is adjustable according to the pressure prevailing in a control chamber and which blocks a fluid flow through at least one injection port in a closed position. The injector has a control chamber that is hydraulically coupled to a high-pressure fluid reservoir, a piezo actuator, and a control valve which hydraulically connects and disconnects the control chamber, the piezo actuator acting upon said control valve. A combination of a triggering period for the piezo actuator and electric power that is to be fed to the piezo actuator is varied from a predefined initial combination to a target combination in which a pressure curve is detected that is characteristic of a movement of the control valve out of the closed position thereof without fluid being proportioned through the injection port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventors: Joachim Frank, Hellmut Freudenberg, Manfred Weigl
  • Patent number: 7040297
    Abstract: The current guided to the piezo actuator and the voltage which is consequently established thereon is used for calculating with the help of a non-linear actuator model, the characteristics of the longitudinal variations (s) and the force (F) exerted by the actuator (F), and variables therefrom or the derived variables (dF/dt) therefrom determine the beginning of the opening (tA) of a servovalve and the duration of injection (D).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellshaft
    Inventors: Dirk Baranowski, Lorand D'Ouvenou, Hellmut Freudenberg, Christian Hoffmann, Wolfgang Lingl, Richard Pirkl
  • Patent number: 6917141
    Abstract: A device with a piezoelectric actuator (1) comprises two faces (2, 3) and two electroconductive contact paths (4, 5), each traversing the actuator (1) starting from at least one face (3). The actuator is clamped between two metallic plates (6, 7), each arranged against a face (2, 3). The piezoelectric actuator further comprises an electroinsulating layer (8) arranged between each face 92, 3) and the corresponding metallic plate (6, 7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hellmut Freudenberg, Wendelin Klügl, Marcus Unruh, Andreas Voigt, Claus Zumstrull
  • Publication number: 20050072854
    Abstract: The current guided to the piezo actuator and the voltage which is consequently established thereon is used for calculating with the help of a non-linear actuator model, the characteristics of the longitudinal variations (s) and the force (F) exerted by the actuator (F), and variables therefrom or the derived variables (dF/dt) therefrom determine the beginning of the opening (tA) of a servovalve and the duration of injection (D).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Publication date: April 7, 2005
    Inventors: Dirk Baranowski, Lorand D'Ouvenou, Hellmut Freudenberg, Christian Hoffmann, Wolfgang Lingl, Richard Pirkl