Patents by Inventor Karl-Heinz Koeppel

Karl-Heinz Koeppel 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: 9751496
    Abstract: A belt tensioner (10) for a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises a tube (12) containing gas in the trigger case and an igniter unit (14) arranged in the tube (12) which igniter unit is inserted in an open end face (16) of the tube (12) and includes a base (18) and a cap (20) fastened to the base (18) for accommodating a propelling charge, wherein the cap (20) is arranged at least pertly inside the tube. The igniter unit (14) is welded to the tube (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Simon Schreiber, Thomas Moedinger, Alex Waidmann, Karl-Heinz Köeppel, Markus Peters
  • Patent number: 9566936
    Abstract: An actuator, especially for a vehicle protection system, comprises at least one wire (14) variable in shape depending on temperature made from a shape memory alloy and an elongate pyrotechnical element (12) connected to the shape-variable wire (14) so that upon ignition of the pyrotechnical element (12) the wire (14) is heated and experiences a change of length. The vehicle protection system is, for example, an airbag system comprising an airbag and a regulating mechanism for the internal airbag pressure, wherein the wire (14) of the actuator (10) is connected to the regulating mechanism so that a change of shape of the wire (14) exerts a force on the regulating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Biller, Silvia Feifel, Karl-Heinz Koeppel, Senra Oezkan
  • Publication number: 20150274123
    Abstract: A belt tensioner (10) for a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises a tube (12) containing gas in the trigger case and an igniter unit (14) arranged in the tube (12) which igniter unit is inserted in an open end face (16) of the tube (12) and includes a base (18) and a cap (20) fastened to the base (18) for accommodating a propelling charge, wherein the cap (20) is arranged at least pertly inside the tube. The igniter unit (14) is welded to the tube (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Simon Schreiber, Thomas Moedinger, Alex Waidmann, Karl-Heinz Köeppel, Markus Peters
  • Publication number: 20150130173
    Abstract: An actuator, especially for a vehicle protection system, comprises at least one wire (14) variable in shape depending on temperature made from a shape memory alloy and an elongate pyrotechnical element (12) connected to the shape-variable wire (14) so that upon ignition of the pyrotechnical element (12) the wire (14) is heated and experiences a change of length. The vehicle protection system is, for example, an airbag system comprising an airbag and a regulating mechanism for the internal airbag pressure, wherein the wire (14) of the actuator (10) is connected to the regulating mechanism so that a change of shape of the wire (14) exerts a force on the regulating mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Joachim Biller, Silvia Feifel, Karl-Heinz Koeppel, Senra Oezkan
  • Publication number: 20050173905
    Abstract: An ignition device for a pyrotechnic system in a motor vehicle includes an igniter and an interface unit (20) for the production of an electrical connection of the ignition device with a release system. The interface unit (20) is held in a housing (10) of the pyrotechnic system in a form-fitting manner without a further mounting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Inventors: Franz Wier, Karl-Heinz Koeppel