Patents by Inventor Stefan Ammler
Stefan Ammler 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).
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Patent number: 10948076Abstract: A method for operating an electrically actuable feed pump in a hydraulic circuit, which draws in fluid from a fluid sump with a normal supplying of fluid. The fluid circulated in the hydraulic circuit can be returned back, and air is sucked in at least partially with an undersupply of fluid. The electric motor is integrated in a control circuit, which is provided with a control unit, which actuates the electric motor based on an actual rotational speed and a setpoint rotational speed with an actuation rotational speed. The evaluation unit compares the actual rotational speed to a reference rotational speed and in particular always with an identical current consumption. The evaluation unit then determines based on the comparison whether a fluid undersupply is present.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2016Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: AUDI AGInventor: Stefan Ammler
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Patent number: 10815866Abstract: A method for ascertaining a control-caused behavior of a valve installed in a vehicle for adjusting a flow of a medium. Operating a pump, which has an electric motor and at least one pump element for conveying the medium, so that the medium is conveyed by the pump in that the pump element is driven by means of the electric motor. Controlling the valve by an electronic computing device of the vehicle. The control of the valve is varied by the electronic computing device. While the medium is conveyed by the pump, and while the control of the valve is varied: sensing at least one parameter characterizing the operation of the pump. Determining the behavior of the valve as a function of the sensed parameter.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2017Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: AUDI AGInventor: Stefan Ammler
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Patent number: 10590876Abstract: A method for operating a transmission device and a transmission with at least one oil chamber, in which is arranged a wheelset of the transmission device. At the same time, in order to determine the temperature in the oil chamber, an overall level is determined for the oil chamber, wherein an initial value is determined from the overall energy level at the start of the operation of the transmission device with the following steps: determination of a standardized shutdown time as a function of an external temperature and of the overall energy level that is present with the shutdown of the transmission device, determination of a corrected shutdown time as a function of the standardized shutdown time and a measured shutdown time, and determination of the initial value as a function of the corrected shutdown time and of the momentary external temperature.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2015Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: AUDI AGInventors: Stefan Ammler, Florian Bauer
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Patent number: 10584792Abstract: A device and method for operating a fluid-guiding device, including an electrically operated fluid pump, which delivers fluid from a fluid sump of the fluid-guiding device and supplies it to at least one fluid consumer. A fluid volume in the fluid sump as well as a current intensity of the electric current taken up by the fluid pump and modeled on the basis of the rotational speed of the fluid pump are ascertained, and a comparison value is determined from the modeled current intensity. A deficient fluid supply of the fluid-guiding device is inferred if the fluid volume is greater than a threshold value and a measured current intensity of the electric current taken up by the fluid pump is less than the comparison value.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2015Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: AUDI AGInventor: Stefan Ammler
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Patent number: 10584628Abstract: A method for operating a fluid circuit of a motor vehicle, used for operating via a main circuit, and with a secondary circuit that is connected through a mechanical thermostatic valve to the main circuit, and an electric fluid conveying device for conveying a fluid. In a test mode, during a test period, the fluid conveying device is adjusted to a test operational speed and the actual amperage of the current required for the fluid conveying device is determined, wherein with an actual temperature of the fluid, which is lower than a switching temperature of the thermostatic value, the actual current amperage is stored as the first amperage value, and with an actual temperature, which is higher than the switching temperature, a second amperage value is stored, so that a proper function of the thermostatic valve is recognized when the second amperage is higher than the first amperage value.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2015Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: AUDI AGInventors: Josef Aggstaller, Dietmar Schuller, Stefan Ammler
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Patent number: 10408348Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission apparatus having a parking lock device. The parking lock device has a hydraulic apparatus with a hydraulic cylinder and a hydraulic piston arranged therein, which can be placed in at least two positions by a lock apparatus and an emergency unlock apparatus. The hydraulic piston is operatively connected to a shifting shaft of the parking lock device, and a pressure can be adjusted in the hydraulic cylinder by a hydraulic valve. The shifting shaft can be shifted within an operating position range by the hydraulic apparatus. In doing so, upon activation of the emergency unlock apparatus, the shifting shaft is shifted into a position that is outside of the operating position range, and an operating state of the emergency unlock apparatus is checked.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2015Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: AUDI AGInventor: Stefan Ammler
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Publication number: 20190093545Abstract: A method for ascertaining a control-caused behavior of a valve installed in a vehicle for adjusting a flow of a medium. Operating a pump, which has an electric motor and at least one pump element for conveying the medium, so that the medium is conveyed by the pump in that the pump element is driven by means of the electric motor. Controlling the valve by an electronic computing device of the vehicle. The control of the valve is varied by the electronic computing device. While the medium is conveyed by the pump, and while the control of the valve is varied: sensing at least one parameter characterizing the operation of the pump. Determining the behavior of the valve as a function of the sensed parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2017Publication date: March 28, 2019Applicant: AUDI AGInventor: Stefan AMMLER
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Publication number: 20180292004Abstract: A method for operating an electrically actuable feed pump in a hydraulic circuit, which draws in fluid from a fluid sump with a normal supplying of fluid. The fluid circulated in the hydraulic circuit can be returned back, and air is sucked in at least partially with an undersupply of fluid. The electric motor is integrated in a control circuit, which is provided with a control unit, which actuates the electric motor based on an actual rotational speed and a setpoint rotational speed with an actuation rotational speed. The evaluation unit compares the actual rotational speed to a reference rotational speed and in particular always with an identical current consumption. The evaluation unit then determines based on the comparison whether a fluid undersupply is present.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2016Publication date: October 11, 2018Applicant: AUDI AGInventor: Stefan AMMLER
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Patent number: 10072754Abstract: A hydraulic system for an automatic gearbox for a motor vehicle, includes a high-pressure circuit which includes a pressure accumulator, at least one clutch and actuators, and a low-pressure circuit for cooling the clutch, the high-pressure circuit and the low-pressure circuit each containing a hydraulic cooling pump and a hydraulic charging pump that can be driven by a shared electric motor; and a controller which, when it is detected that the pressure accumulator needs to be charged, controls the electric motor to run at a charging setpoint speed, and/or, when it is detected that cooling is needed or another need exists, controls the electric motor to run at a cooling setpoint speed or another setpoint speed. The electric motor is paired with a current measuring device for measuring an actual current consumption and a rotational speed sensor for measuring an actual rotational speed.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2014Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: Audi AGInventor: Stefan Ammler
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Patent number: 9903422Abstract: According to a method for operating a clutch transmission, especially a dual clutch transmission, which includes a hydraulic circuit having at least one pump for delivering hydraulic medium and at least one pressure accumulator for accommodating and making available a hydraulic medium under pressure, the pump associated with an electric motor is operated depending on a charge requirement of the pressure accumulator. To determine the charge requirement, the pump is driven by the electric motor, and the current consumed by the electric motor in the process is detected to determine the charge requirement.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2012Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: Audi AGInventors: Dietmar Schuller, Stefan Ammler, Hans-Peter Fleischmann
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Patent number: 9897206Abstract: An actuator for activating a parking lock, in particular for automatic transmissions in motor vehicles, includes a hydraulic piston which is guided in a cylinder and which activates a locking pawl for a parking lock wheel in the transmission by way of an actuating rod. The piston disengages the parking lock against the force of a preload spring which engages the parking lock in the pressureless state. An electromagnetically activated locking device can positively secure the piston in the disengaged position, with the locking device securing the piston relative to a guide sleeve attached to the cylinder with radially extendable locking elements. To improve system protection, the piston can also be secured in a positively locking fashion by the locking device in the position corresponding to the engaged state of the parking lock.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2013Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: AUDI AGInventors: Dietmar Schuller, Stefan Ammler
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Publication number: 20170321800Abstract: A device and method for operating a fluid-guiding device, including an electrically operated fluid pump, which delivers fluid from a fluid sump of the fluid-guiding device and supplies it to at least one fluid consumer. A fluid volume in the fluid sump as well as a current intensity of the electric current taken up by the fluid pump and modeled on the basis of the rotational speed of the fluid pump are ascertained, and a comparison value is determined from the modeled current intensity. A deficient fluid supply of the fluid-guiding device is inferred if the fluid volume is greater than a threshold value and a measured current intensity of the electric current taken up by the fluid pump is less than the comparison value.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2015Publication date: November 9, 2017Applicant: AUDI AGInventor: Stefan AMMLER
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Publication number: 20170314678Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission apparatus having a parking lock device. The parking lock device has a hydraulic apparatus with a hydraulic cylinder and a hydraulic piston arranged therein, which can be placed in at least two positions by a lock apparatus and an emergency unlock apparatus. The hydraulic piston is operatively connected to a shifting shaft of the parking lock device, and a pressure can be adjusted in the hydraulic cylinder by a hydraulic valve. The shifting shaft can be shifted within an operating position range by the hydraulic apparatus. In doing so, upon activation of the emergency unlock apparatus, the shifting shaft is shifted into a position that is outside of the operating position range, and an operating state of the emergency unlock apparatus is checked.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2015Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: AUDI AGInventor: Stefan AMMLER
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Patent number: 9777827Abstract: A method for operating a hydraulic system of an automatic transmission, in particular a dual clutch transmission of a vehicle, includes analyzing by a provisioning module of a control device of the automatic transmission whether an intention of a driver to initiate operation of the vehicle exists, wherein the automatic transmission includes a high-pressure circuit which includes a pressure accumulator, at least one clutch, actuators and a charge pump, and when the intention to initiate operation of the vehicle and a requirement to charge the pressure accumulator exist, activating a partial charging operation in which the charge pump is controlled with a charging rotational speed for increasing an actual accumulator pressure of the accumulator to a predetermined switch-off pressure value at which the automatic transmission is ready for operation for a defined period of time.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: AUDI AGInventor: Stefan Ammler
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Publication number: 20170226921Abstract: A method for operating a fluid circuit of a motor vehicle, used for operating via a main circuit, and with a secondary circuit that is connected through a mechanical thermostatic valve to the main circuit, and an electric fluid conveying device for conveying a fluid. In a test mode, during a test period, the fluid conveying device is adjusted to a test operational speed and the actual amperage of the current required for the fluid conveying device is determined, wherein with an actual temperature of the fluid, which is lower than a switching temperature of the thermostatic value, the actual current amperage is stored as the first amperage value, and with an actual temperature, which is higher than the switching temperature, a second amperage value is stored, so that a proper function of the thermostatic valve is recognized when the second amperage is higher than the first amperage value.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2015Publication date: August 10, 2017Applicant: AUDI AGInventors: Josef AGGSTALLER, Dietmar SCHULLER, Stefan AMMLER
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Publication number: 20170218869Abstract: A method for operating a transmission device and a transmission with at least one oil chamber, in which is arranged a wheelset of the transmission device. At the same time, in order to determine the temperature in the oil chamber, an overall level is determined for the oil chamber, wherein an initial value is determined from the overall energy level at the start of the operation of the transmission device with the following steps: determination of a standardized shutdown time as a function of an external temperature and of the overall energy level that is present with the shutdown of the transmission device, determination of a corrected shutdown time as a function of the standardized shutdown time and a measured shutdown time, and determination of the initial value as a function of the corrected shutdown time and of the momentary external temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2015Publication date: August 3, 2017Applicant: AUDI AGInventors: Stefan AMMLER, Florian BAUER
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Patent number: 9574624Abstract: A hydraulic system for an automatic gearbox for a motor vehicle, includes a high-pressure circuit which includes a pressure accumulator, at least one clutch and actuators, and a low-pressure circuit for cooling the clutch, the high-pressure circuit and the low-pressure circuit each containing a hydraulic cooling pump and a hydraulic charging pump that can be driven by a shared electric motor; and a controller which, when it is detected that the pressure accumulator needs to be charged, controls the electric motor to run at a charging setpoint speed, and/or, when it is detected that cooling is needed or another need exists, controls the electric motor to run at a cooling setpoint speed or another setpoint speed. When the pressure accumulator does not need to be charged and there is no need for cooling and no other need, the controller reduces the setpoint speed to zero for a specified period. At the end of the period the controller controls the electric motor to run at least at the test speed.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: AUDI AGInventor: Stefan Ammler
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Publication number: 20160116061Abstract: A hydraulic system for an automatic gearbox for a motor vehicle, includes a high-pressure circuit which includes a pressure accumulator, at least one clutch and actuators, and a low-pressure circuit for cooling the clutch, the high-pressure circuit and the low-pressure circuit each containing a hydraulic cooling pump and a hydraulic charging pump that can be driven by a shared electric motor; and a controller which, when it is detected that the pressure accumulator needs to be charged, controls the electric motor to run at a charging setpoint speed, and/or, when it is detected that cooling is needed or another need exists, controls the electric motor to run at a cooling setpoint speed or another setpoint speed. The electric motor is paired with a current measuring device for measuring an actual current consumption and a rotational speed sensor for measuring an actual rotational speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2014Publication date: April 28, 2016Applicant: AUDI AGInventor: STEFAN AMMLER
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Publication number: 20160108977Abstract: A hydraulic system for an automatic gearbox for a motor vehicle, includes a high-pressure circuit which includes a pressure accumulator, at least one clutch and actuators, and a low-pressure circuit for cooling the clutch, the high-pressure circuit and the low-pressure circuit each containing a hydraulic cooling pump and a hydraulic charging pump that can be driven by a shared electric motor; and a controller which, when it is detected that the pressure accumulator needs to be charged, controls the electric motor to run at a charging setpoint speed, and/or, when it is detected that cooling is needed or another need exists, controls the electric motor to run at a cooling setpoint speed or another setpoint speed. When the pressure accumulator does not need to be charged and there is no need for cooling and no other need, the controller reduces the setpoint speed to zero for a specified period. At the end of the period the controller controls the electric motor to run at least at the test speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2014Publication date: April 21, 2016Applicant: AUDI AGInventor: STEFAN AMMLER
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Publication number: 20150247571Abstract: A method for operating a hydraulic system of an automatic transmission, in particular a dual clutch transmission of a vehicle, includes analyzing by a provisioning module of a control device of the automatic transmission whether an intention of a driver to initiate operation of the vehicle exists, wherein the automatic transmission includes a high-pressure circuit which includes a pressure accumulator, at least one clutch, actuators and a charge pump, and when the intention to initiate operation of the vehicle and a requirement to charge the pressure accumulator exist, activating a partial charging operation in which the charge pump is controlled with a charging rotational speed for increasing an actual accumulator pressure of the accumulator to a predetermined switch-off pressure value at which the automatic transmission is ready for operation for a defined period of time.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2015Publication date: September 3, 2015Applicant: AUDI AGInventor: STEFAN AMMLER