Patents by Inventor Ing. Bernd Westerhoff

Ing. Bernd Westerhoff 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).

  • Apparatus for controlling and sensing moisture on a movable closure member, more particularly an electrically powered automotive window pane
    Patent number: 7548809
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling and sensing a closure member (20) movable between an open position and a closed position, more particularly an electrically powered window pane (20) of a motor vehicle (10) is provided with a sensor. The sensor comprises a sensor electrode (40) generating an electric field (F) in an opening range of the closure member (20) and a controller (22) connected to the sensor which senses any change in capacitance of the sensor electrode (40) in providing a control signal. For detecting a film of moisture (23) formed by condensation on the closing member (20) by simple and relatively low-cost means, the controller (22) detects a change in capacitance of the sensor electrode (40) caused by the presence of a film of moisture (23) on the closure member (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Metzeler Automotive Profile Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Ing. Bernd Westerhoff