Patents by Inventor Michael Braunheim

Michael Braunheim 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: 10456721
    Abstract: A filter device may include a ring filter element arranged in a filter housing in an upright manner. The ring filter element may have an upper end disc, a lower end disc, a filter material arranged therebetween, and a dirt pot provided on the lower end disc. The dirt pot may be provided on the lower end disc, a protruding pin, and an opening on a base side of the dirt pot. The filter device may include a functional element having a channel configured to receive the protruding pin. A portion of the functional element may be configured to penetrate the opening of the dirt pot such that the ring filter element is sealed at the opening. The portion of the functional element may have at least one water discharge opening. The filter device may be operational when the pin engages into the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Braunheim, Torsten Lika
  • Patent number: 10371108
    Abstract: A fuel filter for a fuel supply system of an internal combustion engine may include a filter housing, which may have an untreated-side inlet, a treated-side outlet, and an untreated-side return line. The fuel filter may also include a filter element arranged in the filter housing, and a closure element, which in an operationally ready state of the fuel filter may close off the return line. The fuel filter may include an untreated space and a treated space, and may separate in the filter housing the untreated space communicating with an inlet and the return line from the treated space communicating with the outlet. The fuel filter may further include a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure build-up in the treated space, wherein the fuel filter may be configured to enable the pressure build-up to reach a predetermined threshold at which the engine may be started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Braunheim
  • Patent number: 10279289
    Abstract: A filter device may include a ring filter element arranged in a filter housing in an upright manner. The ring filter element may have an upper end disc, a lower end disc, a filter material arranged therebetween, and a dirt pot provided on the lower end disc. The dirt pot may have a water separator arranged therein and provided on the lower end disc, a protruding pin, and an opening on a base side of the dirt pot. The filter device may include a functional element having a channel configured to receive the protruding pin. A portion of the functional element may be configured to penetrate the opening of the dirt pot such that the ring filter element is sealed at the opening. The portion of the functional element may have at least one water discharge opening. The filter device may be operational when the pin engages into the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Braunheim, Torsten Lika
  • Publication number: 20190001245
    Abstract: A filter device may include a ring filter element arranged in a filter housing in an upright manner. The ring filter element may have an upper end disc, a lower end disc, a filter material arranged therebetween, and a dirt pot provided on the lower end disc. The dirt pot may be provided on the lower end disc, a protruding pin, and an opening on a base side of the dirt pot. The filter device may include a functional element having a channel configured to receive the protruding pin. A portion of the functional element may be configured to penetrate the opening of the dirt pot such that the ring filter element is sealed at the opening. The portion of the functional element may have at least one water discharge opening. The filter device may be operational when the pin engages into the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Braunheim, Torsten Lika
  • Publication number: 20180345188
    Abstract: A filter device may include a ring filter element arranged in a filter housing in an upright manner. The ring filter element may have an upper end disc, a lower end disc, a filter material arranged therebetween, and a dirt pot provided on the lower end disc. The dirt pot may be provided on the lower end disc, a protruding pin, and an opening on a base side of the dirt pot. The filter device may include a functional element having a channel configured to receive the protruding pin. A portion of the functional element may be configured to penetrate the opening of the dirt pot such that the ring filter element is sealed at the opening. The portion of the functional element may have at least one water discharge opening. The filter device may be operational when the pin engages into the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Braunheim, Torsten Lika
  • Patent number: 9810373
    Abstract: A filter device may include a filter housing and a filter element defining a longitudinal axis disposed in the filter housing. The filter element may be configured to be penetrated by a fluid flow in a radial direction from a raw end to a pure end of the filter element. A water separator may be disposed at the pure end of the filter element and arranged axially spaced from the same. The water separator may have a hydrophobic and annular diaphragm extending in an axial direction of the filter element configured to be penetrated by the fluid flow from a raw end of the water separator in a radially outward to a radially inward direction with respect to the longitudinal axis to separate water from the fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Mahle International GmBH
    Inventor: Michael Braunheim
  • Patent number: 9671309
    Abstract: A drainage apparatus for a filter device may include a housing and a solenoid valve arranged in the housing. A non-return valve may be arranged downstream the solenoid valve. A pressure sensor may be arranged between the solenoid valve and the non-return valve. The pressure sensor may be configured for pressure sensing in a chamber disposed between the solenoid valve and the non-return valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Braunheim
  • Publication number: 20170080366
    Abstract: A filter device may include a ring filter element arranged in a filter housing in an upright manner. The ring filter element may have an upper end disc, a lower end disc, a filter material arranged therebetween, and a dirt pot provided on the lower end disc. The dirt pot may have a water separator arranged therein and provided on the lower end disc, a protruding pin, and an opening on a base side of the dirt pot. The filter device may include a functional element having a channel configured to receive the protruding pin. A portion of the functional element may be configured to penetrate the opening of the dirt pot such that the ring filter element is sealed at the opening. The portion of the functional element may have at least one water discharge opening. The filter device may be operational when the pin engages into the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Braunheim, Torsten Lika
  • Publication number: 20170009716
    Abstract: A fuel filter for a fuel supply system of an internal combustion engine may include a filter housing, which may have an untreated-side inlet, a treated-side outlet, and an untreated-side return line. The fuel filter may also include a filter element arranged in the filter housing, and a closure element, which in an operationally ready state of the fuel filter may close off the return line. The fuel filter may include an untreated space and a treated space, and may separate in the filter housing the untreated space communicating with an inlet and the return line from the treated space communicating with the outlet. The fuel filter may further include a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure build-up in the treated space, wherein the fuel filter may be configured to enable the pressure build-up to reach a predetermined threshold at which the engine may be started.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventor: Michael Braunheim
  • Patent number: 9494114
    Abstract: A water discharge device may include a water collection chamber including a water drainage valve. At least one water sensor may be arranged in a region of the water collection chamber for determining a water level in the water collection chamber and for controlling the water drainage valve. A device may be configured to maintain the water sensor in contact with the water by keeping a water level artificially high in the region of the water collection chamber at the water sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Braunheim, Kerstin Flaggl, Markus Fontano, Werner Schadler
  • Patent number: 9333448
    Abstract: A filter device may include a ring filter element arranged in a filter housing in an upright manner. The ring filter element may have an upper end disc and a lower end disc. A dirt pot may have a water separator arranged therein and be provided on the lower end disc. The dirt pot may also have a protruding pin. A channel may be configured to receive the pin and be provided on at least one of a filter housing pot and a functional element. The filter device may be operational when the pin engages into the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Braunheim, Torsten Lika
  • Patent number: 9320992
    Abstract: A filter appliance may include a ring filter element arranged upright in a filter having an upper end disc and a lower end disc. A component may be arranged on the lower end disc and may include at least one of a water collection pot, a projecting nipple-shaped pin and at least one key profile. A function element may be configured to be inserted in a filter housing pot of the filter appliance, the function element including a channel configured to receive the component. A lock profile may be provided on the function element, wherein the lock profile corresponds to the at least one key profile of the lower disk. The filter appliance is may be operational provided the pin engages the channel and the key profile engages in the lock profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Braunheim
  • Publication number: 20160054193
    Abstract: A drainage apparatus for a filter device may include a housing and a solenoid valve arranged in the housing. A non-return valve may be arranged downstream the solenoid valve. A pressure sensor may be arranged between the solenoid valve and the non-return valve. The pressure sensor may be configured for pressure sensing in a chamber disposed between the solenoid valve and the non-return valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventor: Michael Braunheim
  • Publication number: 20150300565
    Abstract: A filter device may include a filter housing and a filter element defining a longitudinal axis disposed in the filter housing. The filter element may be configured to be penetrated by a fluid flow in a radial direction from a raw end to a pure end of the filter element. A water separator may be disposed at the pure end of the filter element and arranged axially spaced from the same. The water separator may have a hydrophobic and annular diaphragm extending in an axial direction of the filter element configured to be penetrated by the fluid flow from a raw end of the water separator in a radially outward to a radially inward direction with respect to the longitudinal axis to separate water from the fluid flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventor: Michael Braunheim
  • Patent number: 9108125
    Abstract: A filter device includes a filter housing and a filter element disposed in the filter housing. The filter element is configured to be penetrated by a fuel flow in a radial direction from a raw end to a pure end of the filter element. A water separator is disposed at the pure end of the filter element and extends in an axial direction of the filter element. The water separator has a hydrophobic and annular diaphragm through which fuel can flow from a radially outward to a radially inward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Braunheim
  • Patent number: 9044696
    Abstract: A module insert includes at least one water level sensor, at least one valve and at least one flow channel for the water. The module insert has at least one container having sorbent mechanism for collecting contaminants from the separated water. A pressure-resistant housing is configured to protect an interior of the module insert from the pressure of the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Braunheim, Matthias Gänswein, Jörg Hrodek, Sven Siegle, Richard Wlassa
  • Patent number: 8673138
    Abstract: A fuel filter includes a filter element disposed in a filter housing. The filter element is penetrated by fuel flowing in a radial direction from a raw end to a pure end. The fuel filter has a first water separator and a smooth-flow second water separator disposed in series with and connected to the first water separator. Fuel is discharged from the second water separator by a pressure difference generated in the fuel filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Braunheim
  • Patent number: 8636900
    Abstract: A fuel filter having a filter housing including at least one filter element. A water collection chamber configured to collect water separated out of the fuel. An active carbon filter is disposed downstream of the water collection chamber and a water-soluble dividing device is disposed between the water collection chamber and the active carbon filter and is impermeable or insoluble to fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Braunheim, Matthias Gänswein, Sven Siegle, Jörg Hrodek, Richard Wlassa
  • Publication number: 20140007949
    Abstract: A water discharge device may include a water collection chamber including a water drainage valve. At least one water sensor may be arranged in a region of the water collection chamger for determining a water level in the water collection chamber and for controlling the water drainage valve. A device may be configured to maintain the water sensor in contact with the water by keeping a water level artificially high in the region of the water collection chamber at the water sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: MAHLE INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Braunheim, Kerstin Flaggl, Markus Fontano, Werner Schadler
  • Publication number: 20130327699
    Abstract: A fuel filter may include a housing having a first annular filter element and a second annular filter element. The filter elements may be arranged coaxially and offset to each other in the axial direction and may be connected in series and therefore configured to allow flow to pass through each in succession. The annular filter elements may be selectively replaceable. Adapter elements may be connected to each other and to at least one of the annular filter elements by a respective plug-in connection. One of the adapter elements may have a continuation configured to close a no-load opening in the housing when the filter element is inserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Gaenswein, Michael Braunheim, Claude Frédéric Gebler, Hartmut Harr, Marc Igerc, Peter Koppi, Hans Waibel