Patents by Inventor Joachim Acht

Joachim Acht 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: 6668657
    Abstract: A pressure sensor for a motor vehicle includes a sensor housing and a base. A pressure bore through the base leads to a pressure space delimited on one side by the base and on the opposite side by a diaphragm connected sealingly to the base. An actuating element is carried on a side of the diaphragm facing away from the pressure space. The actuating element actuates a sensor element in the sensor housing via a non-contact actuation. For protection against leakage due to a break in the diaphragm, a sealing cap surrounds the diaphragm and the actuating element and is sealingly connected to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventors: Norbert Schmidt, Joachim Acht
  • Patent number: 6578415
    Abstract: A limit-level sensor for measuring level of a liquid has a resistance element which has an electric resistance which suddenly varies a transition temperature which lies above the maximum liquid temperature. The resistance element is first of all heated by electric current. Thereupon, the electric resistance of the resistance element is measured. When the resistance element is covered with liquid, the heat generated by the electric current is led away so that the temperature of the resistance element is less than its transition temperature. If the resistance element is not covered by liquid, this heat is scarcely led away, so that the temperature of the resistance element remains above the transition temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesman VDO AG
    Inventors: Ralf Schimmel, Stefan Lipfert, Joachim Acht, Werner Wallrafen
  • Patent number: 6543283
    Abstract: A sensor for determining the level and temperature of a liquid, in particular in a motor vehicle, has an elongate housing (1), in which all the components required for temperature measurement and level measurement are accommodated. This housing (1) consists of two half shells (2, 3) which rest one on the other and of which one half shell (3) has all the components required for level measurement and the wiring and resistance wire (21) necessary for this purpose and the other half shell (2) has all the components required for temperature measurement and the wiring necessary for this purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventors: Joachim Acht, Ralf Schimmel, Manfred Rother, Rudolf Stiller
  • Publication number: 20020066315
    Abstract: A sensor for determining the level and/or temperature of a liquid, in particular in a motor vehicle, has an elongate housing (1), in which all the components required for temperature measurement and level measurement are accommodated. This housing (1) consists of two half shells (2, 3) which rest one on the other and of which one half shell (3) has all the components required for level measurement and the wiring and resistance wire (21) necessary for this purpose and the other half shell (2) has all the components required for temperature measurement and the wiring necessary for this purpose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: Joachim Acht, Ralf Schimmel, Manfred Rother, Rudolf Stiller
  • Publication number: 20020020222
    Abstract: A pressure sensor for a motor vehicle includes a sensor housing and a base. A pressure bore through the base leads to a pressure space delimited on one side by the base and on the opposite side by a diaphragm connected sealingly to the base. An actuating element is carried on a side of the diaphragm facing away from the pressure space. The actuating element actuates a sensor element in the sensor housing via a non-contact actuation. For protection against leakage due to a break in the diaphragm, a sealing cap surrounds the diaphragm and the actuating element and is sealingly connected to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Applicant: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventors: Norbert Schmidt, Joachim Acht
  • Patent number: 6318332
    Abstract: To monitor adequate oil lubrication of an internal combustion engine, air bubbles in the oil flow are detected by means of a sensor arranged in an oil line of a pressure circulation lubrication system and connected to an electronic evaluation system. These air bubbles are an early indicator of inadequate lubrication of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventors: Eckhart Kern, Werner Wallrafen, Joachim Acht, Volker Wehrmeyer
  • Patent number: 6308564
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are proposed for determining and/or monitoring the quantity and quality of a fluid in which a lowering of the boiling temperature is symptomatic of a deterioration in quality. For this, the filling level and the condition of the fluid—in particular a hygroscopic fluid—are determined successively one after the other by a single sensor of a measuring instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventors: Volker Wehrmeyer, Wolfgang Porth, Werner Wallrafen, Joachim Acht
  • Publication number: 20010015100
    Abstract: A limit-level sensor (3) has a resistance element (4) which has an electric resistance which suddenly varies a transition temperature which lies above the maximum liquid temperature. The resistance element (4) is first of all heated by electric current. Thereupon, the electric resistance of the resistance element (4) is measured. When the resistance element (4) is covered with liquid (2), the heat generated by the electric current is led away so that the temperature of the resistance element (4) is less than its transition temperature. If the resistance element (4) is not covered by liquid (2), this heat is scarcely led away, so that the temperature of the resistance element (4) remains above the transition temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Applicant: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventors: Ralf Schimmel, Stefan Lipfert, Joachim Acht, Werner Wallrafen
  • Patent number: 6237411
    Abstract: A limit-level sensor for measuring level of a liquid has a resistance element which has an electric resistance which suddenly varies a transition temperature which lies above the maximum liquid temperature. The resistance element is first heated by electric current. Thereupon, the electric resistance of the resistance element is measured. When the resistance element is covered with liquid, the heat generated by the electric current is led away so that the temperature of the resistance element is less than its transition temperature. If the resistance element is not covered by liquid, this heat is scarcely led away, so that the temperature of the resistance element remains above the transition temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventors: Ralf Schimmel, Stefan Lipfert, Joachim Acht, Werner Wallrafen
  • Patent number: 6151974
    Abstract: For the manufacture of a sensor (1) having a pre-assemblable transmitter insert (3) with a transmitter element (4) with connecting lines (6, 7), the transmitter insert (3) is first of all fastened on a core of an injection molding apparatus and then introduced into an injection mold. After coating with plastic, the core is pulled out of the sensor (1). A depression (10) remains in the sensor (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventors: Joachim Acht, Ralf Schimmel
  • Patent number: 4851772
    Abstract: A magnet assembly for measurement of displacement of a rod is formed as a ring encircling the rod. The rod is displaceable along its axis and perpendicular to a plane of the ring. The rod includes a collar for interaction with a magnetic field produced by the magnet assembly. The assembly includes a magnetic field sensor and a first permanent magnet disposed along an inner surface of the ring, which are diametrically opposed on opposite sides of the rod. Second and third permanent magnets of like polarity are also disposed along the inner surface of the ring, and symmetrically positioned relative to the first magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventors: Joachim Acht, Franz Benda