Patents by Inventor Rolf Pfeifer

Rolf Pfeifer 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: 11441480
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine with a motor, having a moving machine part and at least one machine element which retains the moving machine part and is subject to wear, such as, for example, a supporting, sealing, guiding or the like retaining machine element that is subject to wear during operation relative to the moving machine part, which machine element, because of the wear, is service-life-limiting for the operation of the internal combustion engine, wherein—for the operation of the internal combustion engine, a service-life-limiting time interval until the next maintenance of the internal combustion engine is specified, and—the internal combustion engine has a number of service-life-limiting machine elements, wherein for the at least one service-life-limiting machine element a remaining service life is forecast and the service-life-limiting time interval is determined therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: MTU FRIEDRICHSHAFEN GMBH
    Inventors: Rolf Pfeifer, Ion Madan, Vadzim Khakholka, Dietmar Ackermann, Patrick Stoeckle
  • Patent number: 11067024
    Abstract: A method for requirement-based servicing of an injector in a common-rail system in which, during ongoing operation of the engine, a current operating point is stored as a function of the rail pressure and of the fuel injection mass, and the current operating point is multiplied by a damage factor and is stored as a reference injection cycle as a function of the rail pressure as well as of the fuel injection mass. A total reference injection cycle is calculated by forming sums over the reference injection cycles, and a load factor is calculated as a function of the total reference injection cycle and the permissible injection cycles, and the load factor is set as decisive for the servicing recommendation of the injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: MTU FRIEDRICHSHAFEN GMBH
    Inventors: Ion Madan, Michael Mohr, Rolf Pfeifer, Patrick Stöckle
  • Publication number: 20210003071
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine with a motor, having a moving machine part and at least one machine element which retains the moving machine part and is subject to wear, such as, for example, a supporting, sealing, guiding or the like retaining machine element that is subject to wear during operation relative to the moving machine part, which machine element, because of the wear, is service-life-limiting for the operation of the internal combustion engine, wherein—for the operation of the internal combustion engine, a service-life-limiting time interval until the next maintenance of the internal combustion engine is specified, and—the internal combustion engine has a number of service-life-limiting machine elements, wherein for the at least one service-life-limiting machine element a remaining service life is forecast and the service-life-limiting time interval is determined therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Rolf PFEIFER, Ion MADAN, Vadzim KHAKHOLKA, Dietmar ACKERMANN, Patrick STOECKLE
  • Publication number: 20200158043
    Abstract: A method for requirement-based servicing of an injector in a common-rail system in which, during ongoing operation of the engine, a current operating point is stored as a function of the rail pressure and of the fuel injection mass, and the current operating point is multiplied by a damage factor and is stored as a reference injection cycle as a function of the rail pressure as well as of the fuel injection mass. A total reference injection cycle is calculated by forming sums over the reference injection cycles, and a load factor is calculated as a function of the total reference injection cycle and the permissible injection cycles, and the load factor is set as decisive for the servicing recommendation of the injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Ion MADAN, Michael MOHR, Rolf PFEIFER, Patrick STÖCKLE
  • Patent number: 8720528
    Abstract: In a method for casting a piston for an internal combustion engine, after solidification of the surface layer in the region of the piston-pin bores (12), at least one mandrel provided there is withdrawn and the region of at least one piston-pin bore (12) is cooled by coolant supplied through at least one mandrel. A device for casting pistons for internal combustion engines has at least one mandrel which can be withdrawn from the region of a piston-pin bore (12) and through which a coolant for cooling the region of the piston-pin bores (12) can be supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Nurnberg GmbH
    Inventors: Silvio Stephan, Isabella Sobota, Rolf Pfeifer
  • Publication number: 20130092341
    Abstract: In a method for casting a piston for an internal combustion engine, after solidification of the surface layer in the region of the piston-pin bores (12), at least one mandrel provided there is withdrawn and the region of at least one piston-pin bore (12) is cooled by coolant supplied through at least one mandrel. A device for casting pistons for internal combustion engines has at least one mandrel which can be withdrawn from the region of a piston-pin bore (12) and through which a coolant for cooling the region of the piston-pin bores (12) can be supplied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventors: Silvio Stephan, Isabella Sobota, Rolf Pfeifer
  • Publication number: 20100170745
    Abstract: To satisfy the fire protection requirements for a sound-absorbing material, especially in the form of open-cell foam, without impairing the acoustic properties, at least a part of the surface of the sound-absorbing material, which is covered with an acoustically transparent film, is coated with a flame-retarding powder or sprayed with a flame-retarding solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: CELLOFOAM GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Rolf Pfeifer
  • Patent number: 7722802
    Abstract: The invention relates a powder material consisting of coated particles for a powder-based rapid generative prototyping methods, in particular by compressing a 3D binder. Said powder material consists of individual plastic, metal and/or ceramic particles and/or granules. A coating essentially consists of an adhesive agent which can be activated by a liquid binder, light or laser light, and of sinterable or glass-forming fine-grained material. Said invention also relates to a method for compressing 3D binder with the aid of an organic solvent having a water content less than 45% and to sintered bodies, in particular for moulding or precision mechanical engineering, which are fixed to each other by sintering or glass formation from a fine grained material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Rolf Pfeifer, Jialin Shen
  • Patent number: 7611756
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coating particles of a plastic, metal and/or ceramic powder material for producing an adhesive-containing coating material, in particular for producing appropriate particles by compressing a 3D binder. Said coating is applied to fluidized particles in a gaseous phase by means of a coating solution, at least the particles and/or coated particles being exposed to ionized particles. A method for producing bodies or sintered bodies from organic liquid binders by compressing the 3D binder and the use thereof are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Rolf Pfeifer, Jialin Shen
  • Patent number: 7533713
    Abstract: Casting mold for metal casting, in particular precision casting of fine parts of steel, in which at least the main part of the casting mold is made of porous ceramic with a high thermal coefficient of expansion which corresponds to the metal, and produced by generative rapid prototyping process, as well as generative rapid prototyping processes and coated powders particularly suitable therefore, as well as uses of the casting mold for tools and their components, in particular of steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Rolf Pfeifer, Jialin Shen
  • Patent number: 7431987
    Abstract: The invention relates to particles for producing a three-dimensional object by using layer-building methods (powder-based generative rapid prototyping methods), to methods for producing a three-dimensional object therefrom, and to an object that can be produced by using the particles or the methods. The aim of the invention is to improve the precision of production methods of this type by preventing the tendency of the particles used to agglomerate. To this end, a surfactant layer is applied, whereby the nonpolar groups of the surfactants are oriented toward the particle surface thus forming a hydrophobic surface having a low tendency to agglomerate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Rolf Pfeifer, Jialin Shen
  • Patent number: 7402330
    Abstract: The invention relates to a granular material for 3D binder printing, said granular material consisting of particles provided with an externally non-polar surface layer (2). The invention also relates to a method for producing a granular material for 3D binder printing, whereby a surface layer (2) having a non-polar outer side is applied to initial particles (1), and to a method for producing an object consisting of the inventive granular material, according to which a layer of the inventive granular material is applied to a base, and pre-determined regions (3) of said layer are moistened with a binding fluid, said binding fluid being selected from fluids in which a surface layer of the particles of the granular material is soluble. The invention further realties to objects consisting of interconnected particles of the inventive granular material. The invention enables a very precise printing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Rolf Pfeifer, Jialin Shen
  • Patent number: 7285234
    Abstract: Process for layer-wise production of a three dimensional body (generative rapid prototyping), in particular by 3D binder printer, including a multiple succession of the steps of depositing a powder particle layer, activating in defined areas an adhesive present on the powder particles and/or in the powder particle coating, as well as adhering the powder particles to each other and to the layer thereunder, wherein the powder particle layer is electrically discharged by ionized particles and brushed flat by means of an electrically insulated blade prior to activation of the adhesive material, and the invention further concerns a device adapted for application of thin powder particle layers, including at least one ionizing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Rolf Pfeifer, Jialin Shen, Didier von Zeppelin
  • Patent number: 7284589
    Abstract: Sacrificial lost casting cores of green or fired ceramic, which include at least one tension spring as a metallic reinforcing element, wherein at least one end of this reinforcing element lies near one of the surfaces of the casting core or extends therethrough, and wherein the melting point of all metallic reinforcing elements lie above the melting point of the casting metal, as well as processes for production of such casting cores, including the steps of preparing a principal mold, seating therein at least one reinforcing element, filling the principal mold with ceramic slip, drying the slip for formation of a green ceramic and releasing the casting core from the principal mold. The principal mold is preferably lined with a flexible internal mold or liner. The reinforcing element in the form a tension spring can be used following casting for breaking up the ceramic casting core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Rolf Pfeifer, Ralf Lebbing, Jialin Shen
  • Publication number: 20060251826
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coating particles of a plastic, metal and/or ceramic powder material for producing an adhesive-containing coating material, in particular for producing appropriate particles by compressing a 3D binder. Said coating is applied to fluidised particles in a gaseous phase by means of a coating solution, at least the particles and/or coated particles being exposed to ionised particles. A method for producing bodies or sintered bodies from organic liquid binders by compressing the 3D binder and the use thereof are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventors: Rolf Pfeifer, Jialin Shen
  • Publication number: 20060249484
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for joining a hollow profiled section (1) to a component (2) of a vehicle which bears flat against it by means of soldering, with a solder (4) being introduced between the hollow profiled section (1) and the component (2) and then being liquefied by the introduction of energy and, as it solidifies, producing a fixed join between the hollow profiled section (1) and the component (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventors: Rolf Pfeifer, Jialin Shen
  • Publication number: 20060249889
    Abstract: The manufacture and use of sacrificial molds for metal casting, in particular for sacrificial molds of green ceramic. For production of the ceramic cast mold one frequently resorts to slip-casting in which the shaping of the mold is brought about by casting of liquid slip into the original mold. Bubbles or blisters frequently occur in this casting, which in the later mold lead to not tolerable surface and joint faults of the mold. This can only partially be counteracted by employment of so-called boosting and careful pouring. It is thus the task of the invention to provide a process for production of mold cores of slip ceramic for metal casting, in which the problem of bubbles or blisters is at least reduced. The invention is solved by using a porous original mold. This provides the advantage, that enclosed or trapped air bubbles or blisters can escape through the pores of the original mold, while the slip on the basis of its surface tension cannot penetrate into the pores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Applicant: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Holger Bausinger, Ralf Lebbing, Rolf Pfeifer
  • Publication number: 20060251535
    Abstract: The invention relates a powder material consisting of coated particles for a powder-based rapid generative prototyping methods, in particular by compressing a 3D binder. Said powder material consists of individual plastic, metal and/or ceramic particles and/or granules. A coating essentially consists of an adhesive agent which can be activated by a liquid binder, light or laser light, and of sinterable or glass-forming fine-grained material. Said invention also relates to a method for compressing 3D binder with the aid of an organic solvent having a water content less than 45% and to sintered bodies, in particular for moulding or precision mechanical engineering, which are fixed to each other by sintering or glass formation from a fine grained material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventors: Rolf Pfeifer, Jialin Shen
  • Publication number: 20060159896
    Abstract: In the rapid prototyping method of selective laser sintering, temperature gradients occur inside and between individual layers, leading to component deformation which is intolerable at least for high-quality components. The air of the invention is to provide a method for selective laser sintering, whereby the temperature inside the built-up particle cake is as homogeneous as possible. To this end, particles containing at least one material having a maximum softening temperature of approximately 70° C. are used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Inventors: Rolf Pfeifer, Jialin Shen
  • Publication number: 20060103054
    Abstract: The invention relates to particles for producing a three-dimensional object by using layer-building methods (powder-based generative rapid prototyping methods), to methods for producing a three-dimensional object therefrom, and to an object that can be produced by using the particles or the methods. The aim of the invention is to improve the precision of production methods of this type by preventing the tendency of the particles used to agglomerate. To this end, a surfactant layer is applied, whereby the nonpolar groups of the surfactants are oriented toward the particle surface thus forming a hydrophobic surface having a low tendency to agglomerate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Inventors: Rolf Pfeifer, Jialin Shen