Patents by Inventor Michael Kunz

Michael Kunz 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: 8770673
    Abstract: In a brake device for a motor vehicle having a first and a second hydraulic brake circuit, the second brake circuit is decoupled from the main brake cylinder in partial braking operations, and is operated with the aid of a pressure accumulator controlled by a control device, which takes an additional deceleration effect due to an active power component, e.g., a generator, into account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Gebhard Wuerth, Volker Mehl, Michael Kunz, Matthias Leiblein, Werner Quirant
  • Publication number: 20140152082
    Abstract: A control device for a brake system of a vehicle includes a valve control device, using which, while taking into account a provided information signal with respect to a currently exerted or to be exerted generator braking torque of a generator, at least one high-pressure switching valve of a brake circuit of the brake system is able to be controlled into an at least partially opened state such that a brake fluid volume is able to be displaced from a main brake cylinder of the brake system into a storage chamber of the brake circuit via the at least one high-pressure switching valve that has been controlled into the at least partially opened state. Furthermore, a method for operating a brake system of a vehicle is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: Stefan Strengert, Michael Kunz
  • Publication number: 20140152083
    Abstract: A controlling device for a brake system, including a generator control device, by which a setpoint generator braking torque may be set regarding an actuating intensity of a manipulation of a brake actuating element; and a valve control device, by which, if the stipulated setpoint generator braking torque is equal to zero, at least one accumulator opening valve of a brake circuit may be forced into a first valve position in such a manner, that displacement of brake fluid from a master brake cylinder into at least one wheel brake caliper of the brake circuit may be effected and displacement of brake fluid from the master brake cylinder into an accumulator of the brake circuit is prevented. If the stipulated setpoint generator braking torque is not equal to zero, the at least one accumulator opening valve may be forced into a second valve position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: Stefan Strengert, Michael Kunz
  • Publication number: 20140142829
    Abstract: A control device is described for a brake system of a vehicle, having a valve control device that is designed to determine, at least taking into account a provided information signal relating to a generator braking moment of a generator that is currently being exerted or is to be exerted, a first target state of a first valve of the brake system that is connected to a master brake cylinder of the brake system and to a fluid storage device of the brake system in such a way that a brake fluid volume can be displaced out of the master brake cylinder into the fluid storage device via the first valve, which is controlled into an at least partly open state, and to output a first control signal, corresponding to the first target state, to the first valve, the first target state being determinable, by the valve control device, for a valve connected via at least one intake line to a brake medium reservoir of the brake system as fluid storage device, as first valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Stefan Strengert, MIchael Kunz, Dirk Drotleff
  • Patent number: 8651586
    Abstract: In a braking device for a motor vehicle having a first group and a second group of brake circuits, each brake circuit being associated with one group of wheels, and at least the first group of brake circuit being implemented as hydraulic brake circuits, at least one group of wheels being connected to at least one operating unit, which may cause a deceleration of the wheels, the task of a comfortable connection of recuperation brake applications to conventional brake applications is achieved in that a control unit controls the brake application of the brake circuit or circuits of the second group and optionally the deceleration effect of the operating unit or assemblies, the first group of brake circuits being activatable directly by the driver using a brake operating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Gebhard Wuerth, Volker Mehl, Michael Kunz, Matthias Leiblein, Werner Quirant
  • Publication number: 20130328386
    Abstract: A method/controller for operating a vehicle regenerative braking system by operating in a first braking mode, in which a generator braking torque of a generator is not zero and is equal to a first regenerative portion predefined for the first mode, and controlling the system out of the first mode into a second braking mode having a second regenerative portion, which is smaller than the first portion, so that brake fluid is pumped out of a storage volume of the system into at least one wheel brake cylinder and/or at least one brake circuit of the system via at least one brake fluid delivery mechanism; by activating the delivery mechanism via a setpoint delivery output variable, which is established/predefined for a setpoint brake pressure having a setpoint pressure rise which increases over time, so that an actual brake pressure having an actual pressure rise increase over time is built up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan STRENGERT, Michael KUNZ, Dirk DROTLEFF
  • Publication number: 20130323346
    Abstract: A method for forming a receptacle may include providing a mold having a forming surface and a recessed area defining part of the forming surface, the mold having sections that may be separated to open the mold and closed together to close the mold. A molten plastic parison may be provided into the mold when the mold is open, the mold may be closed and the parison may be expanded against the forming surface so that a portion of the parison enters the recessed area. The portion of the parison within the recessed area may be formed by moving a secondary forming feature relative to the mold and parison to define a mount feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: TI Automotive Technology Center GmbH
    Inventors: Karsten Hirth, Michael Kunz
  • Publication number: 20130292997
    Abstract: A hydraulic vehicle brake system, preferably a slip-controlled hydraulic vehicle brake system, includes two brake circuits to which wheel brakes of front wheels are attached. The brake system further includes an additional brake circuit, which is not attached to the main brake cylinder, but is provided with a hydraulic pump for power braking. Wheel brakes of vehicle wheels are attached to the additional brake circuit and are configured to be driven by an electric motor. The electric motor is operated as a generator during a braking operation to compensate for the braking moment generated in the additional brake circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2011
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Strengert, Michael Kunz
  • Publication number: 20130297170
    Abstract: A control device for a braking system equipped with an electric drive device and/or generator device includes: a first receiving device with the aid of which a specified value regarding a brake pressure in at least one wheel brake cylinder of at least one brake circuit is receivable, a second receiving device with the aid of which an actual value regarding a pressure in the at least one brake circuit and/or the brake pressure in the at least one wheel brake cylinder is/are receivable, and a control unit with the aid of which a setpoint mode of the electric drive device and/or generator device is specifiable taking the received specified value and the received actual value into account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Kunz, Werner Quirant, Niccolo Haegele, Jens Kolarsky, Stefan Strengert
  • Publication number: 20130292999
    Abstract: A brake system for a vehicle includes: a main brake cylinder with a floating piston able to be shifted at least partially into the main brake cylinder, and a brake medium storage device into which a specified storage volume of a brake medium is able to be transferred without counterpressure, the brake medium storage device being hydraulically connected via an electrically controllable first valve to the main brake cylinder in such a way that, in response to a shifting of the floating piston partially into the main brake cylinder by a shift travel that is below a shift travel limit corresponding to the storage volume, a brake medium volume less than the specified storage volume is transferred without counterpressure from the main brake cylinder into the brake medium storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Stefan Strengert, Michael Kunz
  • Publication number: 20130276442
    Abstract: A hydraulic block of a hydraulic multi-circuit vehicle braking system having braking force regulation includes an installation space for a hydraulic reservoir of the vehicle braking system that is isolated from a braking circuit, for example by closing a connecting line using a pressed-in ball. The installation space is connected to another braking circuit via an additional bore, wherein a larger storage volume is available to the braking circuit as a result. The necessary changes to the hydraulic block are small.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Volkmar Schlotter, Michael Kunz, Oliver Schmautz
  • Patent number: 8517238
    Abstract: A fastener assembly includes an elongate fastener, and a support collar mounted on the elongate fastener. The support collar is shaped such that it has profiles on opposite sides of the elongate fastener that are asymmetric with respect to each other. The asymmetry may be an asymmetry in the number, shape, position, or size of recesses on two opposite sides of the elongate fastener. A plurality of fastener assemblies may be provided as a fastener strip, in which each support collar is joined to one or two adjacent support collars in a strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Gensmann, Michael Kunz, Markus Rompel
  • Patent number: 8511399
    Abstract: A hammer drill, in particular a chipper comprises: a body having at least one support handle; an electric motor mounted within the body; an electric switch, capable of being switched on and off by a trigger button connected to it, to activate or deactivate respectively the electric motor, wherein the trigger button is moveable between two positions, a first position where the electric switch is off and a second position where the electric switch is on; a locking arm moveably mounted on the electric switch which, when the trigger button is located in its second position, is moveable between two positions, a first position where it is disengaged from the trigger button and a second position where it engages with the trigger button and holds the trigger button in its second position. When the locking arm is in its second position it causes the hammer to remain switch on even if the operator removes their fingers from the trigger button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Kunz
  • Publication number: 20130209919
    Abstract: Performance, properties and stability of bifunctional air electrodes may be improved by using modified current collectors, and improving water wettability of air electrode structures. This invention provides information on creating non-corroding, electrically rechargeable, bifunctional air electrodes. In some embodiments, this bifunctional air electrode includes a corrosion-resistant outer layer and an electrically conductive inner layer. In some embodiments, this bifunctional air electrode includes titanium suboxides formed by reducing titanium dioxide. Titanium suboxides may be corrosion-resistant and electrically conductive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Eos Energy Storage, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Amendola, Michael Binder, Phillip J. Black, Stefanie Sharp-Goldman, Lois Johnson, Michael Kunz, Michael Oster, Tesia Chciuk, Regan Johnson
  • Publication number: 20130154343
    Abstract: A method for operating a regenerative braking system includes increasing a generator braking torque and establishing a setpoint variable with regard to a brake fluid volume to be shifted from a brake master cylinder and/or at least one brake circuit to at least one storage volume, taking into account the increased generator braking torque and a predefined hydraulic efficiency characteristic curve; reducing the generator braking torque and transferring the actual brake fluid volume previously transferred to the at least one storage volume at least partially from the at least one storage volume to the at least one brake circuit; ascertaining at least one reaction variable with regard to a hydraulic reaction of the braking system; and reestablishing the hydraulic efficiency characteristic curve of the braking system, at least taking into account the at least one ascertained reaction variable. A control unit for a regenerative braking system is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Michael KUNZ, Stefan STENGERT
  • Publication number: 20130115531
    Abstract: The invention provides for a fully electrically rechargeable metal-air battery systems and methods of achieving such systems. A rechargeable metal air battery cell may comprise a metal electrode an air electrode, and an aqueous electrolyte separating the metal electrode and the air electrode. In some embodiments, the metal electrode may directly contact the electrolyte and no separator or porous membrane need be provided between the air electrode and the electrolyte. Rechargeable metal air battery cells may be electrically connected to one another through a centrode connection between a metal electrode of a first battery cell and an air electrode of a second battery cell. Air tunnels may be provided between individual metal air battery cells. In some embodiments, an electrolyte flow management system may be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: Eos Energy Storage, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Amendola, Lois Johnson, Michael Binder, Michael Kunz, Phillip J. Black, Michael Oster, Stefanie Sharp-Goldman, Tesia Chciuk, Regan Johnson
  • Publication number: 20130062931
    Abstract: A brake system and method for operating same for a vehicle having a master brake cylinder, a brake medium reservoir, a first wheel brake cylinder, into which a first brake medium volume is displaceable from the master cylinder, a second wheel brake cylinder, into which a second brake medium volume is displaceable from the master cylinder, and a pump, which is hydraulically connected to the brake medium reservoir, the first wheel brake cylinder being hydraulically connected to the pump via a first non-return valve and the second wheel brake cylinder being hydraulically connected to the pump via a second non-return valve so that the pump can pump a third brake medium volume from the brake medium reservoir through the first non-return valve into the first wheel brake cylinder and a fourth brake medium volume from the brake medium reservoir through the second non-return valve into the second wheel brake cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Kunz, Stefan Strengert
  • Publication number: 20130057052
    Abstract: A vehicle brake system and method for operating same, having a master brake cylinder, a brake medium reservoir, and a first brake circuit, connected via a reservoir line to the brake reservoir, having at least one first wheel brake cylinder, a first wheel inlet valve associated with the first brake cylinder, a first pump, by which a first brake medium volume is pumpable from the reservoir line through the open first wheel inlet valve into the first brake cylinder, a continuously adjustable first wheel outlet valve, by which a first brake medium displacement from the first cylinder into the brake reservoir is controllable, and a connecting line having a spring-loaded non-return valve, via which a delivery side of the first pump is connected to the brake reservoir, a brake medium displacement from the brake reservoir to the delivery side of the first pump being prevented by the spring-loaded non-return valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Kunz, Stefan Strengert
  • Publication number: 20130049450
    Abstract: A brake system and a method for operating same for a vehicle having a first wheel brake cylinder, into which a first brake medium volume is displaceable from a master brake cylinder, a second wheel brake cylinder, into which a second brake medium volume is displaceable from the master brake cylinder, a first pump associated with the first wheel brake cylinder and a second pump associated with the second wheel brake cylinder, the brake system including a block valve coupled to the brake medium reservoir, the first pump being able to pump a third brake medium volume through the at least partially open block valve and a first non-return valve into the first wheel brake cylinder, and the second pump being able to pump a fourth brake medium volume through an at least partially open block valve and the second non-return valve into the second wheel brake cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Kunz, Stefan Strengert
  • Publication number: 20130054081
    Abstract: A method for avoiding error messages due to maintenance work on a vehicle, which are generated by a monitoring unit if one or multiple operating parameters of a monitored vehicle system are outside of a predefined, admissible value range. According The general driving operation is monitored with the aid of a vehicle's own sensor system with respect to a maintenance state and, if a maintenance state is established, the admissible value range be automatically extended or at least one operating parameter is ignored during monitoring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Gebhard Wuerth, Michael Kunz, Ralf Kinder, Thilo Stephan