Patents by Inventor Reinhard Hofmann

Reinhard Hofmann 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: 10773604
    Abstract: A method for operating an energy storage device with at least one first and at least one second energy storage element in a motor vehicle, wherein the first and the second energy storage elements are connected in series to provide a nominal voltage of the energy storage device, wherein when a charging condition indicated for charging an energy storage device by a motor vehicle-independent energy source as fulfilled, the first and the second energy storage elements are connected in parallel to the motor vehicle-independent energy source, wherein a charging voltage is provided by the motor vehicle-independent energy source for charging the energy storage device, which is lower than the nominal voltage of the energy storage device with a connection in series of the first and of the second energy storage element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Michael Wein, Martin Schüssler, Alois Stauber, Reinhard Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20170305289
    Abstract: A method for operating an energy storage device with at least one first and at least one second energy storage element in a motor vehicle, wherein the first and the second energy storage elements are connected in series to provide a nominal voltage of the energy storage device, wherein when a charging condition indicated for charging an energy storage device by a motor vehicle-independent energy source as fulfilled, the first and the second energy storage elements are connected in parallel to the motor vehicle-independent energy source, wherein a charging voltage is provided by the motor vehicle-independent energy source for charging the energy storage device, which is lower than the nominal voltage of the energy storage device with a connection in series of the first and of the second energy storage element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz MEITINGER, Michael WEIN, Martin SCHÜSSLER, Alois STAUBER, Reinhard HOFMANN
  • Patent number: 8823503
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a high-voltage source for supplying consumers of a high-voltage on-board power supply system with electrical energy, an electrical separating device for separating the high-voltage source from the high-voltage on-board power supply system and a signal emission device for indicating the connection state between the high-voltage source and the onboard high-voltage power supply system. The signal emission device is activated for emission of a signal when the high-voltage source is separated from the onboard high-voltage power supply system, and is deactivated when the high-voltage source is connected to the onboard high-voltage power supply system. A non-activated signal emission device indicates a live state of the high-voltage on-board power supply system, thereby ensuring that a safe state of the onboard high-voltage power supply system is not falsely signaled in the event of a failure of the signal emission device, thereby eliminating risk to service personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Reinhard Hofmann
  • Patent number: 8598847
    Abstract: A method for balancing voltage for a multi-cell battery system, in which the battery system includes at least two parallel groups of cells connected in series and in which the parallel group of cells includes at least one battery cell, includes: charging the battery system by keeping the voltage of all parallel groups of cells less than or equal to a second threshold voltage value, while at least the voltage of one group of parallel cells is less than or equal to a first threshold voltage; and while at least the voltage of one group of parallel cells is less than or equal to a second threshold voltage; and while the charging current is above a predefined minimal current. The method further includes measuring the voltage of each parallel group of cells while electrical loads are shut off and dissipating energy in each of the parallel group of cells of the amount that is represented by the voltage difference between the individual parallel group of cells and the parallel group of cells with the lowest voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignees: Volkswagen AG, Audi AG
    Inventors: Martin Eberhard, Steve Diamond, Marc Tarpenning, Jessica Riley, Alexander Barke, Manfred Ammler, Reinhard Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20130176001
    Abstract: In a method for charging a battery of a motor vehicle, with the battery having a plurality of electrochemical cells, all electrochemical cells are charged with a predefined charge current over a predefined charge time, when the battery is charged for the first time. After the first-time charging, a battery state of each electrochemical cell is determined, with a deviation from a target charge state being stored for each cell. Thereafter, the cells are then balanced. In subsequent charging processes, a charge current and/or charge time for future charging processes is determined for each electrochemical cell in dependence on the stored deviation from the target charge state following the first-time charging. Charge currents and charge times for individual cells are adjusted in this manner to the specific properties thereof such that an optimal charge state of the battery is ensured without the need for separate balancing in subsequent charging processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Reinhard Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20130169426
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a high-voltage source for supplying consumers of a high-voltage on-board power supply system with electrical energy, an electrical separating device for separating the high-voltage source from the high-voltage on-board power supply system and a signal emission device for indicating the connection state between the high-voltage source and the onboard high-voltage power supply system. The signal emission device is activated for emission of a signal when the high-voltage source is separated from the onboard high-voltage power supply system, and is deactivated when the high-voltage source is connected to the onboard high-voltage power supply system. A non-activated signal emission device indicates a live state of the high-voltage on-board power supply system, thereby ensuring that a safe state of the onboard high-voltage power supply system is not falsely signaled in the event of a failure of the signal emission device, thereby eliminating risk to service personnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventor: Reinhard Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20120139491
    Abstract: A method for balancing voltage for a multi-cell battery system, in which the battery system includes at least two parallel groups of cells connected in series and in which the parallel group of cells includes at least one battery cell, includes: charging the battery system by keeping the voltage of all parallel groups of cells less than or equal to a second threshold voltage value, while at least the voltage of one group of parallel cells is less than or equal to a first threshold voltage; and while at least the voltage of one group of parallel cells is less than or equal to a second threshold voltage; and while the charging current is above a predefined minimal current. The method further includes measuring the voltage of each parallel group of cells while electrical loads are shut off and dissipating energy in each of the parallel group of cells of the amount that is represented by the voltage difference between the individual parallel group of cells and the parallel group of cells with the lowest voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Martin Eberhard, Steve Diamond, Marc Tarpenning, Jessica Riley, Alexander Barke, Manfred Ammler, Reinhard Hofmann
  • Patent number: 8028045
    Abstract: A configuration server provides a gateway for joining and exploring different networks to find and/or configure automation devices. The configuration server can be used for presentation and configuration interactions within a common web browser via, for example, a self-contained software application such as a configuration applet. The gateway can be based on open standards and implemented with small devices and/or with heterogeneous automation networks. The configuration server provides exploration of different network types and a list of attached devices to a configuration applet. The gateway enables links to automation devices to inspect their parameters and/or send configuration commands. In one instance, the configuration applet and the automation network devices are based on Java and IEC 61499, respectively. The configuration server can be utilized to discover both legacy and extended devices to help support manufacturing operators to easily maintain their automation systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Reinhard Hofmann, Alois Zoitl, Franz Johann Auinger, Kenwood H. Hall
  • Publication number: 20080082636
    Abstract: A configuration server provides a gateway for joining and exploring different networks to find and/or configure automation devices. The configuration server can be used for presentation and configuration interactions within a common web browser via, for example, a self-contained software application such as a configuration applet. The gateway can be based on open standards and implemented with small devices and/or with heterogeneous automation networks. The configuration server provides exploration of different network types and a list of attached devices to a configuration applet. The gateway enables links to automation devices to inspect their parameters and/or send configuration commands. In one instance, the configuration applet and the automation network devices are based on Java and IEC 61499, respectively. The configuration server can be utilized to discover both legacy and extended devices to help support manufacturing operators to easily maintain their automation systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Reinhard Hofmann, Alois Zoitl, Franz Johann Auinger, Kenwood H. Hall
  • Patent number: 4237832
    Abstract: Partial load control apparatus and method for internal combustion engines with internal combustion in several engine working spaces, in which with a decreasing load the number of working strokes with internal combustion is reduced per time unit; for that purpose an increasing number of the working spaces are changed-over to an after-expansion operation which includes a number of displacement and after-expansion cycles divisible by two, whereby the working gas which has only incompletely expanded in the non-changed-over working spaces during a respective working stroke with internal combustion, is fed to the changed-over working spaces in lieu of a fresh mixture and is further expanded within these changed-over working spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1980
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Fritz Hartig, Reinhard Hofmann