Patents by Inventor Kurt Probst

Kurt Probst 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: 4993383
    Abstract: The controller unit (3) which is used in combination, for instance, with an electric gas pedal system which consists of a gas pedal (1), a desired-value transmitter (2), an electronic controller unit (3), a controlling element (4), a position reporter (5), a transmission device (6) and a displacement device (7) developed, for instance, as throttle valve, has associated with it, in addition to an additional control unit (8) for increasing the idle speed of rotation, an adjustment device (12) which detects the, in each case, highest end position set instantaneously by the additional control unit and feeds it as effective first desired-value end position into the controller unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventors: Andreas Wokan, Gerald Helmstadter, Kurt Probst
  • Patent number: 4899623
    Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine comprises an electronic controller unit (3) which evaluates signals of a speed transmitter (8) and, upon reaching a predetermined maximum speed, displaces, via a controlling element (4), a displacement device (7) which is provided for the regulating of the engine output. In order to make the intermediate giving of gas possible even upon reaching the maximum speed and thus upon the downward regulation of the engine output, there is provided a neutral position recognition switch (10) which in the neutral position of the transmission (9) feeds a signal to the controller unit (3), which signal is so processed in a recognition circuit of said controller unit that the speed limitation is placed out of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventors: Andreas Wokan, Kurt Probst, Klaus Bluhm, Manfred Pfalzgraf
  • Patent number: 4888537
    Abstract: The method for monitoring the end positions of a controlling element having a servomotor (1) comprises the recognition of the end position, for instance by interruption of the flow of current to the servomotor by limit switches (4, 5), and the subsequent action of a control pulse of opposite direction on the servomotor in order to brake the servomotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventors: Hans-Gunter Appel, Heinz-Friedrich Ohm, Klaus Bluhm, Kurt Probst
  • Patent number: 4850320
    Abstract: The safety monitoring of an electrical gas-pedal system having a desired-value transmitter (2), a controller unit (3), a controlling element (4) and safety contacts (8 and 9 respectively) associated with the desired-value transmitter and the controlling element includes the possibility of checking the safety contact (9) of the controlling element even if, as a result of an increased idling-speed-of-rotation control position or a mechanical limitation, the control position of the controlling element lies above the switch point of the safety contact. For this purpose, when the engine speed of rotation exceeds a given threshold value (ns) which results from the increased idling speed of rotation plus a safety margin, in the absence of a corresponding signal from the desired-value transmitter push operation is recognized by the controller unit (3), and the controlling element (3) is moved back to such an extent that the safety contact (9) must have switched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventors: Andreas Wokan, Gerald Helmstadter, Kurt Probst
  • Patent number: 4841931
    Abstract: In the method for adjusting a controlling element, a marking point which can be recognized by the controller unit which controls the controlling element and is at a given distance from the adjustment point is selected in the vicinity of the desired adjustment point, said distance corresponding to a given number of control pulses which are necessary in order to adjust the controlling element with close tolerances to the desired adjustment point. When a switch is used as the marking point, the distance should be so great that after movement beyond this marking point the switch passes into a precisely defined switch condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventors: Heinz-Friedrich Ohm, Klaus Bluhm, Hans-Gunter Appel, Kurt Probst
  • Patent number: 4823751
    Abstract: In an apparatus operable with an injection pump of a diesel motor whereby the injection pump has an output setting element and a shut-off element, the output setting element is controllable by a digital control device. Also, the shut-off element is pulsatingly controllable by the digital control device such that a predetermined rotational speed of the diesel motor is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventors: Manfred Pfalzgraf, Bernward Stoll, Kurt Probst, Heinz-Friedrich Ohm, Andreas Wokan
  • Patent number: 4785222
    Abstract: A system for the actuation of a setting element with a digital actuation device, particularly for a motor vehicle, wherein the digital actuation device is connected with a monitoring circuit which, upon failure of the digital actuation device, switches a by-pass of the digital actuation device. Preferably the digital actuation device comprises a microcomputer, from an output of which uniform signals are supplied during the course of the program, which signals are evaluated by the monitoring circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventors: Manfred Pfalzgraf, Kurt Probst, Andreas Wokan
  • Patent number: 4785224
    Abstract: An apparatus for actuation of a setting element has a desired value transmitter and an actual value transmitter for the deflection of the setting element from a rest position. The apparatus includes an electronic controller, particularly for a motor vehicle, wherein the deflection of the setting element is proportional to an electric current fed to the element by the controller. An operating mode of the controller is provided by which a signal emanating from the desired value transmitter is converted into a current proportional to a desired value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventors: Manfred Pfalzgraf, Andreas Wokan, Kurt Probst, Bernward Stoll
  • Patent number: 4506642
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric gas pedal for automotive vehicles having a desired-value transmitter 1 from which a desired-value signal can be fed to an electronic controller unit 3. The controller unit 3 controls by means of electric signals a setting member 4 which controls the motor power via a displacement device. In order to make optimum adjustment of this electric gas pedal possible in a simple and economical manner, the actual setting range possible for the displacement device is determined and stored as effective desired setting range of the controller unit 3 in the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1985
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventors: Manfred Pfalzgraf, Kurt Probst
  • Patent number: 4488527
    Abstract: A device for controlling the speed of travel of an automotive vehicle, having a desired-value transmitter 2 which is adjustable by a gas pedal 1 and the output signal of which can act on a setting member 5 of an element which controls the fuel/air mixture. The device has a setting-member transmitter 29, which produces a signal corresponding to the position of the setting member 5, as well as an alarm circuit 6, 7 via which an alarm signal can be fed to an alarm device when, the desired-value transmitter 2 not being actuated, the setting member 5 is in a gas position. The alarm circuit 6, 7 is developed in such a manner that an error in the alarm circuit 6, 7 can also be indicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1984
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventors: Manfred Pfalzgraf, Kurt Probst
  • Patent number: 4461254
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for controlling the position of an element of an automobile internal combustion engine which controls the fuel-air mixture, comprising a desired-value transmitter 2 for producing an electric desired-value signal which can be fed to a electronic control unit 14. A setting member 19 for displacing a throttle valve 20 into a position corresponding to the position of the desired-value transmitter 2 can be controlled by the electronic control unit 14. In order to make smooth starting possible, a controller unit 15, by which the control of the setting member 19 is regulated upon the starting, is arranged between the desired-value transmitter 2 and the electronic control unit 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1984
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventors: Manfred Pfalzgraf, Kurt Probst