Patents by Inventor Matthias Pfau

Matthias Pfau 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: 20070209633
    Abstract: A method retains exhaust gas in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine and compresses the exhaust gas during a charge change. A first fuel quantity is injected into the retained exhaust gas by direct fuel injection. A second fuel quantity is subsequently fed to the combustion chamber so that a homogeneous fuel/air mixture is obtained in the combustion chamber. An auto-ignition time of the fuel/air mixture which is formed from the first and second fuel quantities is set as a function of a quantity ratio of the first fuel quantity to the second fuel quantity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG
    Inventors: Goetz Brachert, Ruediger Herweg, Kai Kanning, Matthias Pfau, Jochen Schaeflein, Hans Weimann
  • Patent number: 7263982
    Abstract: In a method of operating a supercharged internal combustion engine in which exhaust gas is retained in the combustion chamber during a charge change, wherein the engine is operated with compression ignition or with spark ignition depending on the operating point and in which a charge pressure can be established for the fresh air supplied to the combustion chamber, and the exhaust gas is compressed during the charge change, and a first fuel quantity is optionally injected into the retained exhaust gas and a second fuel quantity is subsequently supplied to the combustion chamber, such that a homogeneous fuel/air mixture is formed in the combustion chamber, the retained exhaust gas quantity in the combustion chamber is corrected in such a way that the center of the combustion is displaced in the direction toward a set point value when the center of the combustion deviates from the set point value because of a change in the charge pressure of the fresh air or because of a change in the temperature of the fresh ai
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Diamler Chrysler AG
    Inventors: Götz Brachert, Rüdiger Herweg, Kai Kanning, Matthias Pfau, Jochen Schäflein, Hans-Jurgen Weimann
  • Publication number: 20070169742
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for operating an internal combustion engine, wherein fuel is injected in a pre-injection and main injection process. According to the invention, pre-injection occurs in the intermediate compression stroke of the internal combustion engine. Main injection is carried out in an intake synchronous manner. The invention can be used for internal combustion engines, particularly for passenger cars and commercial vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Goetz Brachert, Ruediger Herweg, Kai Kanning, Matthias Pfau, Jochen Schaeflein, Hans-Juergen Weimann
  • Publication number: 20070144480
    Abstract: In a method of operating an internal combustion engine with a switch-over capability between a compression ignition mode of operation and a spark ignition mode of operation in higher load ranges which includes a cam-operated valve drive with a valve control providing, in the compression ignition mode of operation, for an increased valve overlap of the valve opening times, smooth engine operation and optimal exhaust gas emissions are obtained also during rapid load changes upon changing the engine operating mode as the change-over is accompanied by changes of the injection parameters, the throttling parameter and the valve control, which are coordinated with respect to one another as the valve control is switched over by changing the amplitude and phase position of the valve stroke of at least one of the inlet and outlet valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventors: Rudiger Herweg, Matthias Pfau, Jochen Schaflein, Mayk Stelter
  • Publication number: 20070144481
    Abstract: In a method for controlling a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders in a compression ignition operating mode in which a lean fuel/air mixture is burnt, wherein an actual value of at least one characteristic variable which is influenced by the fuel burning process is compared with a pre-definable set point value in order to form a control value, with which the setting of an operating parameter affecting the mixture formation is adjusted in order to approximate the actual value of the characteristic variable, in a first control circuit, a mean value of the characteristic variable is determined and adjusted to an overall set point value using the control value, which is supplied to all the cylinders, and, in a second control circuit, characteristic variables which are measured at each cylinder are matched by means of individually determined control values in order to ensure a stable combustion in the compression operating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventors: Mirko Ciecinski, Rudiger Herweg, Matthias Pfau, Jochen Schaflein
  • Publication number: 20060278185
    Abstract: In a method of operating a 4-stroke internal combustion engine selectively in a compression ignition operation, in which an outlet valve of the internal combustion engine is closed at a comparatively early closing time point with respect to a crank angle (?) and in spark ignition operation, in which the outlet valve is closed at a comparatively late closing time point with respect to the crank angle (?), during the changeover from the spark ignition mode of operation to the compression ignition mode of operation, the closing time point of the outlet valve is transferred from the late closing time point to the early closing time point in steps distributed over multiple 4-stroke cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Inventors: Gotz Brachert, Rudiger Herweg, Kai Kanning, Matthias Pfau, Jochen Schaflein, Hans-Jurgen Weimann
  • Patent number: 7143739
    Abstract: In a method of operating an internal combustion engine in which exhaust gas is retained in the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine and compressed during a charge change together with fresh combustion air, a first fuel quantity is injected into the retained exhaust gas by means of direct fuel injection, a second fuel quantity is subsequently supplied to the combustion chamber together with the fresh combustion air so that a homogeneous fuel/gas/air mixture is formed in the combustion chamber, and an auto-ignition time of the fuel/gas/air mixture is established as a function of a quantity ratio of the first fuel quantity and the second fuel quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Götz Brachert, Rüdiger Herweg, Matthias Pfau, Jochen Schäflein, Hans-Jürgen Weimann
  • Publication number: 20060225694
    Abstract: In a method of operating a supercharged internal combustion engine in which exhaust gas is retained in the combustion chamber during a charge change, wherein the engine is operated with compression ignition or with spark ignition depending on the operating point and in which a charge pressure can be established for the fresh air supplied to the combustion chamber, and the exhaust gas is compressed during the charge change, and a first fuel quantity is optionally injected into the retained exhaust gas and a second fuel quantity is subsequently supplied to the combustion chamber, such that a homogeneous fuel/air mixture is formed in the combustion chamber, the retained exhaust gas quantity in the combustion chamber is corrected in such a way that the center of the combustion is displaced in the direction toward a set point value when the center of the combustion deviates from the set point value because of a change in the charge pressure of the fresh air or because of a change in the temperature of the fresh ai
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Inventors: Gotz Brachert, Rudiger Herweg, Kai Kanning, Matthias Pfau, Jochen Schaflein, Hans-Jurgen Weimann
  • Publication number: 20060225693
    Abstract: In a method for operating an internal combustion engine having a variable compression ratio either in a compression ignition or in a spark ignition operating mode depending on the engine operating point, a higher compression ratio is provided in the compression ignition mode than in the spark ignition mode so as to optimize the operation of the internal combustion engine at low and medium engine loads, and to reduce engine emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Inventors: Gots Brachert, Rudiger Herweg, Matthias Pfau, Jochen Schaflein, Hans-Jurgen Weimann
  • Publication number: 20060219212
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, wherein a combustible fuel mix is formed in a combustion chamber of the engine by fuel and by fresh gas supplied through intake ports and combustion gases discharged through exhaust ports including intake and exhaust valves, respectively, which valves are actuated by a valve operating mechanism and a spark ignition operating mode is provided in part of the load range and an operating mode with compression ignition is provided in another part of the load range and, in the event of a change in the operating mode, the opening duration of the gas exchange valves is altered while the opening times of the exhaust valves are maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Inventors: Gotz Brachert, Rudiger Herweg, Kai Kanning, Matthias Pfau, Jochen Schaflein, Hans-Jurgen Weiman
  • Publication number: 20060219215
    Abstract: In a method of operating an internal combustion engine in which exhaust gas is retained in the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine and compressed during a charge change together with fresh combustion air, a first fuel quantity is injected into the retained exhaust gas by means of direct fuel injection, a second fuel quantity is subsequently supplied to the combustion chamber together with the fresh combustion air so that a homogeneous fuel/gas/air mixture is formed in the combustion chamber, and an auto-ignition time of the fuel/gas/air mixture is established as a function of a quantity ratio of the first fuel quantity and the second fuel quantity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Inventors: Gotz Brachert, Rudiger Herweg, Matthias Pfau, Jochen Schaflein, Hans-Jurgen Weimann
  • Publication number: 20060201489
    Abstract: In a method of operating a reciprocating-piston internal combustion engine with a combustion chamber in which a fuel mix with fresh gas is provided via intake ports and combustion exhaust gases are discharged through exhaust ports which can be opened by intake valves and, respectively, exhaust valves which are actuated by a valve operating mechanism, wherein an operating mode with external ignition, in which the fuel mix is ignited by a spark plug, is provided in part of the load range of the internal combustion engine, and an operating mode with compression ignition, in which the control of the gas exchange valves is altered so as to retain combustion exhaust gases in the combustion chamber for participation in the formation of the fresh mix is provided in another load range of the internal combustion engine, during a change in the operating mode the valve lift of at least one of the gas exchange valves is altered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Gotz Brachert, Rudiger Herweg, Kai Kanning, Matthias Pfau, Jochen Schaflein, Hans-Jurgen Weimann
  • Publication number: 20060201479
    Abstract: In a method for operating an internal combustion engine in which the angular locations where the fuel/air mix combustions takes place can be controlled by an adjustment of the inlet and outlet valve timing, the timing of at least one of the intake and exhaust valve opening phases is shifted depending on the engine speed so as to reduce engine emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Gotz Brachert, Rudiger Herweg, Kai Kanning, Matthias Pfau, Jochen Schaflein, Hans-Jurgen Weimann
  • Publication number: 20060201476
    Abstract: In a method for operating an internal combustion engine in which the fuel is injected into a combustion chamber of a pre-injection and a main injection quantity, the quantity of fuel for the pre-injection, which is selected depending on the combustion location, is injected before the top dead center of the gas exchange, and the fuel for the main injection is injected synchronously with the induction of the air. The method is used in connection with internal combustion engines, in particular for passenger and commercial motor vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Gotz Brachert, Rudiger Herweg, Kai Kanning, Matthias Pfau, Jochen Schaflein, Hans-Jurgen Weimann
  • Publication number: 20060069493
    Abstract: In a method for operating an internal combustion engine, a control operation is provided for the combustion process, wherein an actual value of the crank angle of a 50% mass conversion point of the fuel to be converted during the combustion is determined taking into account a measurement signal of an ion current sensor which is arranged in a combustion chamber, and the crank angle of the 50% mass conversion point is adjusted to a set point value of the position of the 50% mass conversion point by varying at least one manipulated variable of the internal combustion engine which affects the combustion. The crank angle of the 50% mass conversion point is determined in a layered neural network in which the measurement results of the ion current sensor are logically combined with at least one further, continuously measured operating parameter of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Inventors: Patrick Attard, Ruediger Herweg, Matthias Pfau, Benoit Salvant, Joohen Schaeflein