Patents by Inventor Markus Ruf

Markus Ruf 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: 12469867
    Abstract: A method is described for regulating the platinum oxide fraction in a catalyst layer of a fuel cell of a fuel cell stack for a motor vehicle, involving the steps: model-based determination of a present fraction of platinum oxide in dependence on a present operating state; determination of the electrical potential and/or a change in potential in dependence on the present fraction of platinum oxide; adapting the fraction of platinum oxide in dependence on an anticipated and/or demanded operating state of the fuel cell and/or of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2025
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Markus Ruf, Hannah Staub
  • Publication number: 20250327482
    Abstract: A rolling bearing, in particular an open-center large rolling bearing, comprising two concentric bearing rings which are rotatable relative to one another and between which there is provided at least one bearing row comprising rolling elements, wherein at least one of the rolling elements is provided with at least one sensor for detecting at least one operating parameter, a power-generating means, in particular a generator, for supplying electrical power to the sensor, and an electronic component for transmitting the sensor data to an external evaluation and/or storage unit, for supplying the sensor with electrical power, and an electronic component for transmitting the sensor data to an external evaluation and/or memory unit, wherein the power-generating means and the electronic component for transmitting sensor data are provided at opposite axial ends of the rolling element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2025
    Publication date: October 23, 2025
    Inventors: Christopher Martin NOLL, Lois JACOBS, Timo SCHMITZ, Julian BERNHARD, Robert ZELL, Markus RUF, Matthias SEDLMAIER, Lennart SCHIERHOLZ
  • Publication number: 20250314271
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rolling bearing, preferably a centreless large roller bearing, comprising two concentric bearing rings which can rotate relative to one another, at least one row of rolling elements which support the bearing rings against one another and roll on raceways of the bearing rings, and a cage with separators between the rolling elements for separating and guiding the rolling elements, the separators being positioned eccentrically offset relative to one of the raceways with respect to a bearing clearance central axis along which the rolling elements are arranged in such a way that their axes of rotation are distributed relative to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2025
    Publication date: October 9, 2025
    Applicant: Liebherr-Components Biberach GmbH
    Inventors: Markus RUF, Thomas ALTMAYER, Andreas PALMER
  • Patent number: 12355119
    Abstract: A fuel cell device with a fuel tank which has a fuel supply line which is branched into fuel portion supply lines, having a plurality of fuel cell stacks which stacks each have, on the anode inlet side, a fuel connection which is respectively fluidically connected to one of the fuel portion supply lines. Exclusively one of the fuel cell stacks is connected on the anode outlet side to a fuel recirculation line. The flow guidance of the fuel recirculation line is selected in such a way that the fuel can be returned exclusively into the fuel cell stack connected to the fuel recirculation line. Furthermore, a method for operating the fuel cell device is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Markus Ruf, Hannah Staub
  • Patent number: 12203505
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rolling bearing, in particular a center-free large rolling bearing, comprising two concentric races, of which one race has a groove open toward the other race and the other race has a lug ring, which engages in said groove, the lug ring being supported on the groove by means of at least two thrust bearings and at least one radial bearing, said axial bearings being designed as roller bearings, all the radial bearings being designed as ball bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: Liebherr-Components Biberach GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Palmer, Robert Zell, Markus Ruf, Michael Fuchs
  • Patent number: 12043127
    Abstract: A supply device for supplying electricity to at least one consumer includes: a primary power supply in which there is a first fuel cell device having a first performance; a voltage transformer which connects the primary power supply to a secondary power supply having a battery; and a measuring device for detecting an insulation resistance of the primary power supply and/or of the secondary power supply. A second fuel cell device having a second performance is connected in series with the first fuel cell device in the primary power supply, wherein a bridge circuit comprising a switch is connected in parallel with each of the fuel cell devices and wherein the switches of the bridge circuits can be switched in accordance with the detected insulation resistance. A fuel cell vehicle and a method for limiting voltage in a supply device are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Markus Ruf, Kai Müller
  • Publication number: 20240243316
    Abstract: A method is described for regulating the platinum oxide fraction in a catalyst layer of a fuel cell of a fuel cell stack for a motor vehicle, involving the steps: model-based determination of a present fraction of platinum oxide in dependence on a present operating state; determination of the electrical potential and/or a change in potential in dependence on the present fraction of platinum oxide; adapting the fraction of platinum oxide in dependence on an anticipated and/or demanded operating state of the fuel cell and/or of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Inventors: Markus RUF, Hannah STAUB
  • Patent number: 12013242
    Abstract: A method for reading data from sensors is disclosed comprising: determining a sequence of measured data over time by means of a sensor, wherein the sequence of measured data over time is generated by step-by-step changes in the measured data at input times, which are determined by an input frequency fa and have a time interval of a period 1/fa of the input frequency; reading output data from the sensor at read times, which are determined by a read frequency fs and have a time interval of a period 1/fs of the read frequency, where the read frequency fs is smaller than the input frequency fa; determining, by means of a low-pass filter of the sensor, the ratio N between the input frequency fa and the read frequency fs from the sequence over time of the numbers of input times lying between two adjacent read times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN LITEF GMBH
    Inventor: Markus Ruf
  • Patent number: 12005809
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for the thermal conditioning of an electrochemical accumulator of a vehicle, wherein data are received and/or ascertained, and the data comprise a planned or expected parking duration, ambient data of the vehicle, thermal properties of the electrochemical accumulator, the received and/or ascertained data are evaluated, and based on the evaluated data steps are taken for the thermal conditioning of the electrochemical accumulator by the control unit prior to a parking of the vehicle, during a parking of the vehicle, or after a parking of the vehicle, wherein the steps for the thermal conditioning of the electrochemical accumulator remove or add thermal energy directly or indirectly to or from the electrochemical accumulator by a battery cooling circuit and/or a main cooling circuit of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Martin Mühleisen, Markus Ruf
  • Patent number: 11951892
    Abstract: A motor vehicle is provided with at least one fuel cell and a device for preparing a beverage, which has a steam and/or liquid dispenser for dispensing a liquid into a vessel. A supply line is provided between the at least one fuel cell and the steam and/or liquid dispenser for supplying product water generated in the at least one fuel cell to the steam and/or liquid dispenser. A method for preparing a beverage is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Markus Baranyai, Markus Ruf
  • Patent number: 11890916
    Abstract: A device for raising a temperature in at least one portion of a vehicle from a low temperature value to a temperature value increased above this, has at least one electronic component producing waste heat. The at least one electronic component is formed as a processor. Furthermore, a controller is provided, being designed to command the processor to provide a computing capacity in a heating mode, and to supply the waste heat generated upon performing at least one computation of the processor to the at least one portion of the vehicle. The disclosure furthermore relates to a method for raising a temperature of at least one portion of a vehicle from a low temperature value to a temperature value increased above this.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Markus Ruf, Kai Müller
  • Publication number: 20230339365
    Abstract: A method for operating a fuel cell vehicle includes predictive determining of the anticipated running resistances on an upcoming stretch of road, detecting of parameters determining the performance capacity of a fuel cell device and a battery, determining of a velocity Vsoll which can be maintained uniformly over the upcoming stretch of road with the anticipated running resistances, and limiting of the power provided by the fuel cell vehicle to the value required in order to achieve the velocity Vsoll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Markus RUF, Hannah STAUB
  • Patent number: 11749036
    Abstract: At least one vehicle and at least one key element, each associated with a corresponding vehicle, are configured to exchange data with one another via a system that determines the vehicle position and the position of the key element. The system places the vehicle in a driving operating mode when the vehicle position and the key element position are essentially the same, in particular when the key element is located inside the vehicle. At least one vehicle function that can be activated when the vehicle is stationary is automatically switched on depending on a current key element position. This may occur when a key element position is changing relative to the vehicle position, but the vehicle and the associated key element are remote from one another, such as separated by at least ten meters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Markus Ruf, Hannah Staub
  • Publication number: 20230238551
    Abstract: A fuel cell device with a fuel tank which has a fuel supply line which is branched into fuel portion supply lines, having a plurality of fuel cell stacks which stacks each have, on the anode inlet side, a fuel connection which is respectively fluidically connected to one of the fuel portion supply lines. Exclusively one of the fuel cell stacks is connected on the anode outlet side to a fuel recirculation line. The flow guidance of the fuel recirculation line is selected in such a way that the fuel can be returned exclusively into the fuel cell stack connected to the fuel recirculation line. Furthermore, a method for operating the fuel cell device is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Markus RUF, Hannah STAUB
  • Publication number: 20230231167
    Abstract: An apparatus for splitting the power of fuel cell systems in a vehicle comprises: a first fuel cell system and at least one further fuel cell system, which are configured to convert hydrogen and oxygen into water in order to generate electrical energy therefrom, and a controller unit, which is configured to actuate the first fuel cell system and the further fuel cell system with an electrical signal. The apparatus is configured to actuate the first fuel cell system and the further fuel cell system with the electrical signal in time offset fashion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Markus RUF, Martin ARENDT, Hannah STAUB, Patrick ARNOLD
  • Patent number: 11705564
    Abstract: A fuel cell device has a mounting plate on which a fuel cell unit having a predefined number of fuel cells is arranged, the mounting plate and the fuel cell unit comprising media connections for guiding media, in particular for guiding a coolant and for guiding reactants, and electrical contact points for electrically connecting the fuel cell unit to the mounting plate. Further media connections and further electrical contact points are designed or arranged on the fuel cell unit in such a way that the fuel cell unit can be connected or is connected to a second fuel cell unit with a mechanical fluid connection for further guidance of the media and electrical connection for power uptake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Markus Baranyai, Markus Ruf
  • Publication number: 20220406108
    Abstract: At least one vehicle and at least one key element, each associated with a corresponding vehicle, are configured to exchange data with one another via a system that determines the vehicle position and the position of the key element. The system places the vehicle in a driving operating mode when the vehicle position and the key element position are essentially the same, in particular when the key element is located inside the vehicle. At least one vehicle function that can be activated when the vehicle is stationary is automatically switched on depending on a current key element position. This may occur when a key element position is changing relative to the vehicle position, but the vehicle and the associated key element are remote from one another, such as separated by at least ten meters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Markus RUF, Hannah STAUB
  • Publication number: 20220388406
    Abstract: A supply device for supplying electricity to at least one consumer includes: a primary power supply in which there is a first fuel cell device having a first performance; a voltage transformer which connects the primary power supply to a secondary power supply having a battery; and a measuring device for detecting an insulation resistance of the primary power supply and/or of the secondary power supply. A second fuel cell device having a second performance is connected in series with the first fuel cell device in the primary power supply, wherein a bridge circuit comprising a switch is connected in parallel with each of the fuel cell devices and wherein the switches of the bridge circuits can be switched in accordance with the detected insulation resistance. A fuel cell vehicle and a method for limiting voltage in a supply device are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Markus RUF, Kai MÜLLER
  • Publication number: 20220308085
    Abstract: An acceleration sensor (100) has a sensor mass (120) which is movably mounted over a substrate (120) by means of spring elements (130), so as to move along a movement axis (x), first trim electrodes (140), which are connected to the sensor mass (120), and sensor electrodes (160), which are connected to the sensor mass (120). The acceleration sensor (100) has, in addition, second trim electrodes (150), which are connected to the substrate (110) and associated with the first trim electrodes (140), and detection electrodes (170), which are connected to the substrate (110) and associated with the sensor electrodes (160). The sensor electrodes (160) and the detection electrodes (170) are suitable for deflecting the sensor mass (120) along the movement axis (x) and for measuring a first electrostatic force that is exerted on the sensor mass (120) by the sensor electrodes (160) and the detection electrodes (170).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Stefan König, Markus Ruf
  • Publication number: 20220266850
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle system. A control device provides a basic mode, and establishes for the motor vehicle system a further operating mode that differs from the basic mode in that the further operating mode, compared to the basic mode, provides a predetermined additional operating function, and which further operating mode is currently blocked. The control device outputs media content containing at least one question about a topical context, wherein the media content is a quiz and/or asks the user for motor vehicle relevant data, and receives an input of information and checks this as to whether it meets a predefined match criterion that prescribes a match with a category of the topical context and/or an intended answer and is thus an answer to the at least one question from the output media content. The control device unblocks the blocked operating mode and thereby enables the additional operating function only if the predefined match criterion is met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Markus RUF, Michael BRECHTER