Patents by Inventor Matthias Töns

Matthias Töns 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: 20230286395
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electromotive drive of a motor vehicle. At least one of the motor vehicle wheels can be driven by an electric motor of the electromotive drive and the electromotive drive has at least one energy source for the electric motor. The method includes: identifying a request for applying a deceleration torque to the vehicle wheel, identifying status of the electromotive drive, selecting an operating mode of the electric motor according to the identified status, and controlling the electric motor in the selected operating mode for applying the deceleration torque. In a first operating mode, the electric motor is controlled such that the rotational energy of the vehicle wheel is converted at a first efficiency into electrical energy. In a second operating mode, the electric motor is controlled such that the rotational energy of the vehicle wheel is converted at a second efficiency into electrical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Olivier Frament, Jens Hoffmann, Martin Semsch, Matthias Töns, Martin Spornraft, Dragan Stojkovic, Vincent Vahee
  • Patent number: 11161424
    Abstract: A method and a vehicle electrical system having an inverter, an electrical energy store, an electrical machine and an AC transmission terminal. The inverter has first and second sides and is configured to transmit power between these sides. Two output terminals of the inverter are connected or connectable to the energy store on the first side of the inverter. At least two phase current terminals of the inverter are connected or connectable to the electrical machine on the second side of the inverter. At least one of the charging inputs of the vehicle electrical system is connectable to a respective inner motor phase of the electrical machine by a switching device controlled by a controller. The vehicle electrical system initially charges the electrical energy store with a first voltage, and then charges the electrical energy store with a second voltage, which second voltage is higher than the first voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Inventors: Franz Pfeilschifter, Philip Brockerhoff, Martin Brüll, Matthias Töns, Edmund Schirmer, Paul-Markus Schweizer-Berberich
  • Patent number: 11097626
    Abstract: A vehicle electrical system having an electrical energy store, a direct voltage converter and a direct current transmission connection is described. The direct current transmission connection is connected to the energy store via the direct voltage converter. The vehicle electrical system also has a bypass switch which connects the electrical energy store in a switchable fashion to the direct voltage transmission connection. In addition, a method, a charging system, a charging station and a further vehicle electrical system are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Franz Pfeilschifter, Philip Brockerhoff, Martin Brüll, Paul-Markus Schweizer-Berberich, Matthias Töns, Edmund Schirmer
  • Patent number: 11072253
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a power circuit for power supply in an electrically driven vehicle. The power circuit includes a direct voltage connection, an electrical traction drive, and a DC/AC converter. The converter includes an alternating voltage side connected to the traction drive. A DC/DC converter of the power circuit includes two converter sides. The first converter side is connected to a direct voltage side of the DC/AC converter via a coupling point. The direct voltage connection is likewise connected to the coupling point. The disclosure further relates to a stationary energy supply system designed to be complementary and to connect to the power circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Pfeilschifter, Martin Brüll, Hans-Peter Feustel, Klaus Mühlbauer, Thomas Röhrl, Edmund Schirmer, Martin Spornraft, Matthias Töns
  • Patent number: 10994618
    Abstract: A vehicle electrical system is equipped with an inverter, an electrical energy store, an electrical machine and an AC transmission terminal. The inverter has a first and a second side and is configured to transmit power between these sides. The first side of the inverter is connected to the energy store via input current terminals of the inverter. The second side of the inverter is connected to the electrical machine via phase current terminals of the inverter. The inverter has at least two H-bridges. Each of the H-bridges bypasses the two sides of the inverter. The AC transmission terminal is connected to the second side of the inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Inventors: Matthias Töns, Martin Brüll, Martin Ehrmann, Hans-Peter Feustel, Franz Pfeilschifter
  • Patent number: 10953751
    Abstract: A vehicle-side circuit for supplying power in an electrically driven vehicle is provided. The power circuit includes an external AC voltage terminal; at least one DC/AC converter having an AC voltage side; and an electrical machine having a plurality of windings, each of which has a first tapping. The electrical machine is connected to the AC voltage side of the DC/AC converter. A switching device is connected to the plurality of windings and to a signal shaping filter having a plurality of first capacitors. The signal shaping filter is connected between the DC/AC converter and an external AC terminal. The switching device may interconnect the windings within the electrical machine or may connect the first tappings of the plurality of windings within the signal shaping filter to the plurality of first capacitors to form an at least third-order low-pass filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Pfeilschifter, Martin Brüll, Wilhelm Hackmann, Klaus Mühlbauer, Martin Spornraft, Matthias Töns
  • Patent number: 10787088
    Abstract: The vehicle electrical system described includes an inverter, an electrical energy store, an electrical machine and a DC transmission terminal. The inverter is connected to the energy store via input current terminals. At least two phase current terminals of the inverter are connected to the electrical machine. The inverter has at least two H-bridges. The DC transmission terminal has a positive rail connected to at least one of the phase current terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Brüll, Martin Ehrmann, Hans-Peter Feustel, Franz Pfeilschifter, Matthias Töns
  • Patent number: 10763690
    Abstract: A vehicle-side charging circuit for a vehicle with electric drive. The charging circuit comprises an AC connector, a controlled rectifier which is connected to the AC connector, an electric machine with at least one winding, a current converter which is connected to the electric machine, and an energy-storage-device connector. The at least one winding of the electric machine is coupled in series between the rectifier and the current converter. In an inverter mode the current converter is fed from the energy-storage device, and in a charging mode the current converter is from an external energy source via at least one series-connected winding of the electric machine and charges the electrical energy-storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Pfeilschifter, Klaus Muehlbauer, Martin Spornraft, Matthias Toens
  • Publication number: 20190255960
    Abstract: A vehicle electrical system is equipped with an inverter, an electrical energy store, an electrical machine and an AC transmission terminal. The inverter has a first and a second side and is configured to transmit power between these sides. The first side of the inverter is connected to the energy store via input current terminals of the inverter. The second side of the inverter is connected to the electrical machine via phase current terminals of the inverter. The inverter has at least two H-bridges. Each of the H-bridges bypasses the two sides of the inverter. The AC transmission terminal is connected to the second side of the inverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Matthias Töns, Martin Brüll, Martin Ehrmann, Hans-Peter Feustel, Franz Pfeilschifter
  • Publication number: 20190210475
    Abstract: A vehicle electrical system having an electrical energy store,, a direct voltage converter and a direct current transmission connection is described. The direct current transmission connection is connected to the energy store via the direct voltage converter. The vehicle electrical system also has a bypass switch which connects the electrical energy store in a switchable fashion to the direct voltage transmission connection. In addition, a method, a charging system, a charging station and a further vehicle electrical system are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Pfeilschifter, Philip Brockerhoff, Martin Brüll, Paul-Markus Schweizer-Berberich, Matthias Töns, Edmund Schirmer
  • Publication number: 20190168628
    Abstract: A method and a vehicle electrical system having an inverter, an electrical energy store, an electrical machine and an AC transmission terminal. The inverter has first and second sides and is configured to transmit power between these sides. Two output terminals of the inverter are connected or connectable to the energy store on the first side of the inverter. At least two phase current terminals of the inverter are connected or connectable to the electrical machine on the second side of the inverter. At least one of the charging inputs of the vehicle electrical system is connectable to a respective inner motor phase of the electrical machine by a switching device controlled by a controller. The vehicle electrical system initially charges the electrical energy store with a first voltage, and then charges the electrical energy store with a second voltage, which second voltage is higher than the first voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Franz Pfeilschifter, Philip Brockerhoff, Martin Brüll, Matthias Töns, Edmund Schirmer, Paul-Markus Schweizer-Berberich
  • Publication number: 20190135132
    Abstract: The vehicle electrical system described includes an inverter, an electrical energy store, an electrical machine and a DC transmission terminal. The inverter is connected to the energy store via input current terminals. At least two phase current terminals of the inverter are connected to the electrical machine. The inverter has at least two H-bridges. The DC transmission terminal has a positive rail connected to at least one of the phase current terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Martin Brüll, Martin Ehrmann, Hans-Peter Feustel, Franz Pfeilschifter, Matthias Töns
  • Publication number: 20180215268
    Abstract: A vehicle-side circuit for supplying power in an electrically driven vehicle is provided. The power circuit includes an external AC voltage terminal; at least one DC/AC converter having an AC voltage side; and an electrical machine having a plurality of windings, each of which has a first tapping. The electrical machine is connected to the AC voltage side of the DC/AC converter. A switching device is connected to the plurality of windings and to a signal shaping filter having a plurality of first capacitors. The signal shaping filter is connected between the DC/AC converter and an external AC terminal. The switching device may interconnect the windings within the electrical machine or may connect the first tappings of the plurality of windings within the signal shaping filter to the plurality of first capacitors to form an at least third-order low-pass filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Franz Pfeilschifter, Martin Brüll, Wilhelm Hackmann, Klaus Mühlbauer, Martin Spornraft, Matthias Töns
  • Patent number: 10027263
    Abstract: A method for detecting a fault in an electrical machine, e.g., a synchronous motor, a motor control unit for controlling an electrical machine, and a motor arrangement having such a motor control unit are disclosed. According to the method, rotation angle data are determined, which data are dependent on a rotation angle of a rotor of the electrical machine in the absence of the fault. In addition, additional data are determined and allow conclusions to be drawn on the fault. A fault is detected if the rotation angle data satisfy a first criterion and the additional data satisfy a second criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Toens, Thomas Baumann
  • Publication number: 20180131220
    Abstract: A vehicle-side charging circuit for a vehicle with electric drive. The charging circuit comprises an AC connector, a controlled rectifier which is connected to the AC connector, an electric machine with at least one winding, a current converter which is connected to the electric machine, and an energy-storage-device connector. The at least one winding of the electric machine is coupled in series between the rectifier and the current converter. In an inverter mode the current converter is fed from the energy-storage device, and in a charging mode the current converter is from an external energy source via at least one series-connected winding of the electric machine and charges the electrical energy-storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Franz Pfeilschifter, Klaus Muehlbauer, Martin Spornraft, Matthias Toens
  • Publication number: 20180029486
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a power circuit for power supply in an electrically driven vehicle. The power circuit includes a direct voltage connection, an electrical traction drive, and a DC/AC converter. The converter includes an alternating voltage side connected to the traction drive. A DC/DC converter of the power circuit includes two converter sides. The first converter side is connected to a direct voltage side of the DC/AC converter via a coupling point. The direct voltage connection is likewise connected to the coupling point. The disclosure further relates to a stationary energy supply system designed to be complementary and to connect to the power circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Franz Pfeilschifter, Martin Brüll, Hans-Peter Feustel, Klaus Mühlbauer, Thomas Röhrl, Edmund Schirmer, Martin Spornraft, Matthias Töns
  • Publication number: 20150263654
    Abstract: A method for detecting a fault in an electrical machine, e.g., a synchronous motor, a motor control unit for controlling an electrical machine, and a motor arrangement having such a motor control unit are disclosed. According to the method, rotation angle data are determined, which data are dependent on a rotation angle of a rotor of the electrical machine in the absence of the fault. In addition, additional data are determined and allow conclusions to be drawn on the fault. A fault is detected if the rotation angle data satisfy a first criterion and the additional data satisfy a second criterion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Toens, Thomas Baumann
  • Patent number: 7504986
    Abstract: A blind spot sensor system detects and/or classifies objects in a defined monitoring region of a motor vehicle. The blind spot sensor system contains a first device for emitting a first radar beam, and a second device for emitting a second radar beam. The radial visual range of the first radar beam (beam I) inclines counter to a direction of travel of the motor vehicle and the radial visual range of the second radar beam (beam II) is oriented in an substantially vertical manner in relation to the direction of travel such that the visual range of the radar beams (I and II) at least partially overlap and cover, substantially, the monitoring region. At least the first radar beam (beam I) can be actuated in a CW modulation mode and in a FMCW modulation mode. The blind spot sensor is used in vehicles, for example for assisting in lane changing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Brandt, Matthias Töns