Patents by Inventor Manfred Pfalzgraf

Manfred Pfalzgraf 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).

  • Publication number: 20110117464
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cells system (10) which comprises at least one heat-generating component (12 to 32) and at least one component (12, 14, 16) that uses process air. The invention is characterized in that ambient air (34) can be supplied to the heat-generating component, said air being heatable by the heat-generating component (12 to 32), and the air heated in said manner being supplied to the component (12, 14, 16) that uses process air. The invention also relates to a method for influencing the thermal balance of the fuel cell system according to the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: ENERDAY GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Boltze, Michael Rozumek, Stefan Käding, Manfred Pfalzgraf, Andreas Engl, Beate Bleeker, Michael Süssl, Markus Bedenbecker
  • Publication number: 20100212991
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell system (10) which comprises a reformer (12) having an oxidation zone (48) to which stored fuel can be supplied by means of a fuel supply device (50) for reaction with an oxidant; and an afterburner (36) having an oxidation zone (60) to which stored fuel can be supplied by means of a fuel supply device (62) for reaction with an oxidant. The invention is characterized in that the fuel supply device (50) of the reformer (12) and the fuel supply device (62) of the afterburner (36) are adapted to supply fuel in such a manner that the fuel supplied by the fuel supply device (50) of the reformer differs from the fuel supplied by the fuel supply device (62) of the afterburner (36) with respect to the type of fuel and/or its state of aggregation and/or the temperature at which it is supplied. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising said fuel cell system and to a method for operating said fuel cell system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: ENERDAY GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Boltze, Michael Rozumek, Stefan Käding, Manfred Pfalzgraf, Andreas Engl, Beate Bleeker, Michael Süssl, Markus Bedenbecker
  • Publication number: 20100212977
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reformer (12) for a fuel cell system (10). Said reformer comprises an oxidation zone (48) to which stored fuel can be supplied by means of a primary fuel supply device (50; 62) for reaction with an oxidant; and a mixing zone (54), arranged downstream of the oxidation zone (48), to which stored fuel can be supplied by means of a secondary fuel supply device (56; 64) for mixing with substances originating from the oxidation zone (48). The invention is characterized in that the primary fuel supply device (50; 62) and the secondary fuel supply device (56; 64) are adapted to supply fuel in such a manner that the fuel supplied by the primary fuel supply device (50; 62) differs from the fuel supplied by the secondary fuel supply device (56; 64) with respect to the type of fuel and/or its state of aggregation and/or the pressure and/or the temperature at which it is supplied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: ENERDAY GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Boltze, Michael Rozumek, Stefan Käding, Manfred Pfalzgraf, Andreas Engl, Beate Bleeker, Michael Süssl, Markus Bedenbecker
  • Publication number: 20090297898
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reformer system for generating a hydrogen-rich reformate comprising a reformer to which fuel and an oxidising agent can be supplied. According to the invention it is contemplated that the fuel supplied to the reformer is at least partly coolable by a fluid having other functions in addition to the function of cooling the fuel in the reformer system or a parent system into which the reformer system is integrated. The invention further relates to a method for generating a hydrogen-rich reformate as well as a fuel cell system comprising a reformer system according to the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: ENERDAY GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Boltze, Michael Rozumek, Stefan Kading, Manfred Pfalzgraf, Andreas Engl, Beate Bleeker, Michael Sussl, Markus Bedenbecker, Stefan Kah, Andreas Lindermeir, Norbert Gunther, Johannes Eichstadt, Marco Muhlner
  • Publication number: 20090246571
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for determining the lambda value (?actual) of reformate provided for supply to a fuel cell stack, in which the no-load voltage across at least one fuel cell element is detected and evaluated for determining the lambda value (?actual). In accordance with the invention it is provided for that the at least one fuel cell element is a terminal fuel cell element of the fuel cell stack exclusively provided for sensing, and the voltage provided for at least one consumer can be picked off across the remaining fuel cell elements of the fuel cell stack. The invention relates furthermore to a process for lambda control of a reformer, a device for determining the lambda value, as well as to a system comprising a reformer for reacting at least fuel and air into reformate, and a fuel cell stack which is connected with the reformer for receiving reformate therefrom, the reformer being lambda-controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: ENERDAY GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Käding, Matthias Boltze, Michael Rozumek, Manfred Pfalzgraf, Andreas Engl, Beate Bleeker, Michael Süssl, Markus Bedenbecker
  • Publication number: 20090155653
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell system comprising a reformer and an afterburner each for reacting at least fuel and an oxidant; and a fuel feeder for supplying the reformer and the afterburner with fuel. It is provided for to particular advantage that at least one flow control valve for controlling the fuel supply is included upstream of at least the reformer or the afterburner. The invention relates furthermore to a motor vehicle having one such fuel cell system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: ENERDAY, GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Käding, Michael Rozumek, Matthias Boltze, Markus Bedenbecker, Michael Süßl, Beate Bleeker, Andreas Engl, Manfred Pfalzgraf
  • Patent number: 6805402
    Abstract: A motor vehicle roof with a roof opening in the fixed roof skin and with two successive adjustable covers for closing and partially clearing the roof opening. At least one of the covers is displaceable in the lengthwise direction of the motor vehicle into an open position and is swingable out of its closed position into a ventilator position by selectively lowering a front around the respective rear edge. The rear cover may be pushed out of its tilted ventilator position to under the closed front cover into an open position by being moved forward in its tilted position over most of its path of motion and then being lowered at its rear edge on the last section of the path of motion to essentially move completely under the front cover. Alternatively, the front cover can be moved rearward in its ventilator position to a point substantially overlying the rear cover in its ventilator position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Pfalzgraf
  • Publication number: 20040080189
    Abstract: An openable motor vehicle roof with a first (10) and a second transparent cover (12) which, in the closed position, each close a roof opening and are displaceable in order to clear the roof opening at least in part. Underneath the first cover, there is a first covering (15) and underneath the second cover there is a second covering (21), the coverings being movable to mask or at least partially clear the view out of the vehicle interior (28) through the respective cover or roof opening. For the displacement of the first cover (10) and at least partial displacement of the first covering (15), there is a common first drive (30, 32), and for displacement of the second cover (12) and for at least partial adjustment of the second covering (21), there is a common second drive (34, 36, 38, 40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Schatzler, Manfred Pfalzgraf
  • Patent number: 6682291
    Abstract: A transport device for loading and unloading a trunk space of a motor vehicle is provided which includes at least one transport belt movably located on the bottom of the trunk space and at least two rollers for guiding the movable transport belt, wherein the at least one transport belt is located on the bottom of the trunk space and on a top surface of a vehicle part positioned adjacent to the bottom of the trunk space and capable of being pivoted into a horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Schätzler, Manfred Pfalzgraf
  • Patent number: 6652022
    Abstract: A motor vehicle roof (1) with a front cover (2) a rear edge that is pivotally supported on a slide element (6) which can be moved along a guide (7), and with a rear cover (3) which borders the front cover (2) and which has a rear edge which is pivotally mounted. A high degree of flexibility in the opening possibilities with simultaneously stable guidance of the covers (2, 3) is achieved by the rear cover (3) having guides (11) for guiding the rear slide element (8) of the front cover (2) when the front cover is slid rearward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Pfalzgraf, Walter Schätzler
  • Patent number: 6565149
    Abstract: A motor vehicle roof having a fixed roof structure with two successive roof openings, a fixed roof section being disposed between the roof openings, displaceable covers which cover the roof openings and are selectively movable to at least partially clear the roof openings, the respective covers being selectively movable longitudinally and being selectively pivotable into a ventilation position about a transverse axis of at least one of a front edge and a rear edge of the cover, and being selectively movable longitudinally so as to be positioned underneath the fixed roof section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Pfalzgraf, Francois De Gaillard, Bernd Schleicher, Walter Schätzler
  • Patent number: 6485091
    Abstract: An openable motor vehicle roof with at least two successive, separately openable roof systems, of which the front roof system has at least one cover (4) which can be raised at its rear edge (4D) over the fixed motor vehicle roof (1). The rear roof system is formed by a louvered roof which has a plurality of louver-shaped cover parts of which a rearmost cover part (9) is located over the rear area of a cargo space (28) of the motor vehicle, and which can be opened from back to front, beginning with the rearmost cover part (9). Preferably, the rear edge (9D) of the rear cover part (9) directly adjoins the rear hatch, the rear door, or the rear window (10) of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Malamiri Jadolah Karami, Manfred Pfalzgraf, Walter Schätzler, Joachim Birkner
  • Publication number: 20020167202
    Abstract: A sunshade positioned under a motor vehicle roof and wound on a winding shaft in which the sunshade can be drawn by means of a draw bar guided on guides and can be positioned in different drawn positions. The draw bar is provided with a protective device that, in the event of a crash, mitigates the impact of a passenger against the draw bar. Additionally, an airbag is disclosed which is attached to the rear edge of the movable cover located in the roof opening of the motor vehicle roof so that in the event of a crash the impact of a passenger against the rear edge of the cover is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Applicant: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Pfalzgraf
  • Publication number: 20020163227
    Abstract: A motor vehicle roof (1) with a front cover (2) a rear edge that is pivotally supported on a slide element (6) which can be moved along a guide (7), and with a rear cover (3) which borders the front cover (2) and which has a rear edge which is pivotally mounted. A high degree of flexibility in the opening possibilities with simultaneously stable guidance of the covers (2, 3) is achieved by the rear cover (3) having guides (11) for guiding the rear slide element (8) of the front cover (2) when the front cover is slid rearward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Applicant: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Pfalzgraf, Walter Schatzler
  • Publication number: 20020145310
    Abstract: An openable motor vehicle roof with a first (10) and a second transparent cover (12) which, in the closed position, each close a roof opening and are displaceable in order to clear the roof opening at least in part. Underneath the first cover, there is a first covering (15) and underneath the second cover there is a second covering (21), the coverings being movable to mask or at least partially clear the view out of the vehicle interior (28) through the respective cover or roof opening. For the displacement of the first cover (10) and at least partial displacement of the first covering (15), there is a common first drive (30, 32), and for displacement of the second cover (12) and for at least partial adjustment of the second covering (21), there is a common second drive (34, 36, 38, 40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Applicant: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Schatzler, Manfred Pfalzgraf
  • Patent number: 6457770
    Abstract: A motor vehicle roof with a fixed roof structure having a roof opening, two successive adjustable covers for closing and at least partially clearing the roof opening. At least one of the covers is selectively movable longitudinally out of its closed position into an open position and both of the covers are selectively pivotable out of their closed positions into a ventilation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Pfalzgraf, Francois De Gaillard, Bernd Schleicher, Walter Schätzler
  • Patent number: 6439654
    Abstract: A motor vehicle roof including a front roof opening and a rear roof opening, a movable front cover for covering the front roof opening, the movable front cover being movably guided on a frame member and substantially transparent with a nonviewing area and a viewing area to allow viewing of objects through the front cover, a stationary rear cover for covering the rear roof opening, the stationary rear roof cover being supported on the frame and substantially transparent with a nonviewing area and a viewing area to allow viewing of objects through the stationary rear cover, and solar cells provided proximate to at least one of the nonviewing area of the movable front cover and the nonviewing area of the stationary rear cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Webasto Karosseriesysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Teschner, Walter Schåtzler, Hans Jardin, Manfred Pfalzgraf
  • Patent number: 6412858
    Abstract: A motor vehicle roof with a transparent roof section and at least one ventilator which borders the roof section for clearance of a ventilator opening, a front and/or rear transverse body member of the vehicle roof which borders the transparent roof section containing the at least one ventilator. The transparent roof section is a cover which is attached to the transverse roof members and is preferably a glass cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Pfalzgraf, Walter Schatzler
  • Publication number: 20020076312
    Abstract: A transport device for loading and unloading a trunk space of a motor vehicle is provided which includes at least one transport belt movably located on the bottom of the trunk space and at least two rollers for guiding the movable transport belt, wherein the at least one transport belt is located on the bottom of the trunk space and on a top surface of a vehicle part positioned adjacent to the bottom of the trunk space and capable of being pivoted into a horizontal position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Walter Schatzler, Manfred Pfalzgraf
  • Publication number: 20020053816
    Abstract: A motor vehicle roof including a front roof opening and a rear roof opening, a movable front cover for covering the front roof opening, the movable front cover being movably guided on a frame member and substantially transparent with a nonviewing area and a viewing area to allow viewing of objects through the front cover, a stationary rear cover for covering the rear roof opening, the stationary rear roof cover being supported on the frame and substantially transparent with a nonviewing area and a viewing area to allow viewing of objects through the stationary rear cover, and solar cells provided proximate to at least one of the nonviewing area of the movable front cover and the nonviewing area of the stationary rear cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventors: HELMUT TESCHNER, WALTER SCHATZLER, HANS JARDIN, MANFRED PFALZGRAF