Patents by Inventor Johannes Orth

Johannes Orth 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: 10794947
    Abstract: A ground loss detection circuit identifies a faulty ground connection in a vehicle electrical system including a pair of redundant ground lines connected between a vehicle battery/chassis ground and an electronic control unit (ECU). In particular, a first ground line is connected between the battery/chassis ground and a first ECU ground connection, while a second ground line is connected between the battery/chassis ground location and a second ECU ground connection. The ECU includes a common ground associated with selected electronic components included in the ECU. A first shunt component is connected between the first ECU ground connection and the common ground, and a second shunt component is connected between the second ECU ground connection and the common ground. The currents through the first and second shunt components are monitored to identify a current imbalance to detect a faulty ground connection in one of the first and second ground lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignees: ZF Active Safety US Inc., ZF Active Safety GmbH, ZF Automotive Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Antonio Romero, Johannes Orth, Erik Hermann, William J. Lindeman
  • Publication number: 20180203054
    Abstract: A ground loss detection circuit identifies a faulty ground connection in a vehicle electrical system including a pair of redundant ground lines connected between a vehicle battery/chassis ground and an electronic control unit (ECU). In particular, a first ground line is connected between the battery/chassis ground and a first ECU ground connection, while a second ground line is connected between the battery/chassis ground location and a second ECU ground connection. The ECU includes a common ground associated with selected electronic components included in the ECU. A first shunt component is connected between the first ECU ground connection and the common ground, and a second shunt component is connected between the second ECU ground connection and the common ground. The currents through the first and second shunt components are monitored to identify a current imbalance to detect a faulty ground connection in one of the first and second ground lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicants: Kelsey-Hayes Company, Lucas Automotive GmbH, TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Antonio Romero, Johannes Orth, Erik Hermann, William J. Lindeman