Patents by Inventor Klaus Achatz

Klaus Achatz 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: 11667199
    Abstract: An interruption device is provided in a motor vehicle to interrupt a signal line in an emergency operating state. The interruption device includes a fuse and a resistor in the signal line and first and second switches. The fuse is arranged upstream of the resistor in a signal line direction extending from a low-voltage on-board electrical system to a high-voltage on-board electrical system. The first switch is provided in a first electric line connecting the signal line to ground at a connection point downstream of the resistor, and the second switch is provided in a second electric line which connects the signal line to ground at a connection point between the fuse and the resistor. The first and second switches are open during the normal operation of the motor vehicle and are closed in response to the control signal to interrupt the signal line by separating the fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Klaus Achatz
  • Patent number: 11180033
    Abstract: A motor vehicle with an electric motor, in particular a hybrid or electric vehicle, has a high-voltage vehicle electrical system with a high-voltage stored energy source which supplies electrical energy to the electric motor for driving the motor vehicle, and a low-voltage vehicle electrical system for supplying electricity to a number of consumers in the motor vehicle. An electrical signal path is provided between the low-voltage vehicle electrical system and the high-voltage vehicle electrical system and powered by the voltage from the low-voltage vehicle electrical system. A controller in the motor vehicle is configured to cause a predetermined change of the signal on the signal path from a first signal state to a second signal state, wherein the first signal state indicates normal operation of the motor vehicle and the second signal state indicates an emergency state of operation of the motor vehicle which deviates from normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Klaus Achatz
  • Publication number: 20190291582
    Abstract: An interruption device is provided in a motor vehicle to interrupt a signal line in an emergency operating state. The interruption device includes a fuse and a resistor in the signal line and first and second switches. The fuse is arranged upstream of the resistor in a signal line direction extending from a low-voltage on-board electrical system to a high-voltage on-board electrical system. The first switch is provided in a first electric line connecting the signal line to ground at a connection point downstream of the resistor, and the second switch is provided in a second electric line which connects the signal line to ground at a connection point between the fuse and the resistor. The first and second switches are open during the normal operation of the motor vehicle and are closed in response to the control signal to interrupt the signal line by separating the fuse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventor: Klaus ACHATZ
  • Publication number: 20190291581
    Abstract: A motor vehicle with an electric motor, in particular a hybrid or electric vehicle, has a high-voltage vehicle electrical system with a high-voltage stored energy source which supplies electrical energy to the electric motor for driving the motor vehicle, and a low-voltage vehicle electrical system for supplying electricity to a number of consumers in the motor vehicle. An electrical signal path is provided between the low-voltage vehicle electrical system and the high-voltage vehicle electrical system and powered by the voltage from the low-voltage vehicle electrical system. A controller in the motor vehicle is configured to cause a predetermined change of the signal on the signal path from a first signal state to a second signal state, wherein the first signal state indicates normal operation of the motor vehicle and the second signal state indicates an emergency state of operation of the motor vehicle which deviates from normal operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventor: Klaus ACHATZ
  • Patent number: 9470164
    Abstract: A process is provided for the rapid and safe activation of a fuel pump, having a definable fallback level for a delivery volume of the fuel pump. The process recognizes a possible crash situation and, defines the fallback level as a first delivery volume value which is assigned to a closing position of the fuel pump in response to the recognized possible crash situation. A control system includes a crash recognition device and an electronic fuel pump with the definable fallback level, in which case the crash recognition device is connected with respect to communication with the electronic fuel pump, and the crash recognition device is constructed for implementing the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Richard Baur, Marcus Weidner, Simon Schilling, Klaus Achatz
  • Publication number: 20140093400
    Abstract: A process is provided for the rapid and safe activation of a fuel pump, having a definable fallback level for a delivery volume of the fuel pump. The process recognizes a possible crash situation and, defines the fallback level as a first delivery volume value which is assigned to a closing position of the fuel pump in response to the recognized possible crash situation. A control system includes a crash recognition device and an electronic fuel pump with the definable fallback level, in which case the crash recognition device is connected with respect to communication with the electronic fuel pump, and the crash recognition device is constructed for implementing the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Richard BAUR, Marcus WEIDNER, Simon SCHILLING, Klaus ACHATZ
  • Patent number: 8527074
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement, particularly for a passenger protection system of a motor vehicle, comprising a first group of sensors (10, 12) by means of which a first group of state parameters jointly usable by a first decision making unit connected downstream for detecting a first event can be detected, a first digital unit (20) coupled on the input side to at least one sensor (12) of the first sensor group. The arrangement processes the sensor output signals fed thereto and providing the same for forwarding to the first decision making unit as digital values. A second group of sensors (14, 16, 18), by means of which a second group of state parameters jointly useable by a second decision making unit is connected downstream for detecting a second event can be detected with a second digital unit coupled on the input side to at least one sensor (16, 18) of the second sensor group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Mark Willerton, Richard Baur, Stephan Muhr, Klaus Achatz
  • Publication number: 20110066333
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement, particularly for a passenger protection system of a motor vehicle, comprising a first group of sensors (10, 12) by means of which a first group of state parameters jointly usable by a first decision making unit connected downstream for detecting a first event can be detected, a first digital unit (20) coupled on the input side to at least one sensor (12) of the first sensor group. The arrangement processes the sensor output signals fed thereto and providing the same for forwarding to the first decision making unit as digital values. A second group of sensors (14, 16, 18), by means of which a second group of state parameters jointly useable by a second decision making unit is connected downstream for detecting a second event can be detected with a second digital unit coupled on the input side to at least one sensor (16, 18) of the second sensor group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Mark Willerton, Richard Baur, Stephan Muhr, Klaus Achatz
  • Patent number: 7561925
    Abstract: A motor vehicle control device is provided with first and second partial devices. The first partial device houses sensors and/or associated functions of the control unit that are identical for all vehicle models in a series. The second partial device houses the sensors and/or functions of the control unit that are additionally required for an individual vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Richard Baur, Helmut Rauh, Jan Urbahn, Marcus Weidner, Klaus Achatz
  • Patent number: 7513526
    Abstract: A restraint system, in particular for a motor vehicle, includes a restraint device, to be activated in at least two steps; a sensor unit for sensing activation-relevant vehicle and operating data; a control device for processing the activation-relevant vehicle and operating data; as well as an ignition unit for driving the actuators for activating the at least one restraining device. To increase the safety of such a restraining device, at least two independently switched ignition units are provided such that, when one ignition unit fails, the activation of the restraint device in at least one step is guaranteed by the other ignition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Helmut Rauh, Klaus Achatz, Marcus Weidner, Richard Baur
  • Publication number: 20070057494
    Abstract: A restraint system, in particular for a motor vehicle, includes a restraint device, to be activated in at least two steps; a sensor unit for sensing activation-relevant vehicle and operating data; a control device for processing the activation-relevant vehicle and operating data; as well as an ignition unit for driving the actuators for activating the at least one restraining device. To increase the safety of such a restraining device, at least two independently switched ignition units are provided such that, when one ignition unit fails, the activation of the restraint device in at least one step is guaranteed by the other ignition unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Helmut Rauh, Klaus Achatz, Marcus Weidner, Richard Baur
  • Publication number: 20070016338
    Abstract: A motor vehicle control device having a sensor unit containing several sensors and having a pertaining control unit, consists of a first and a second partial device, the first partial device containing the sensors and/or pertaining peripheries of the control unit, which are present for all vehicles of a model series and have the same construction, and the second partial device containing the sensors and/or peripheries of the control unit which are additionally required for the individual vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke
    Inventors: Richard Baur, Helmut Rauh, Jan Urbahn, Marcus Weidner, Klaus Achatz