Patents by Inventor Stephan Heinrich

Stephan Heinrich 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: 7911201
    Abstract: The invention relates to an active sensor element for recording the speed of an exhaust gas turbocharger, comprising a suppressor circuit which has at least one diode. In order to specify a device for temperature measurement at the turbocharger and in particular at the turbocharger in the region of the active sensor, the current-voltage characteristics of the diode are evaluated for determining the temperature in the sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Ante, Markus Gilch, Stephan Heinrich, Sergiu Muresan
  • Publication number: 20100209256
    Abstract: An element which generates a magnetic field for securing a compressor wheel to a turboshaft of an exhaust-gas turbocharger, includes a base body that receives an annular-shaped magnet that rotates with the turboshaft. In order to provide an element which generates a magnetic field for securing a compressor wheel to a turboshaft of an exhaust-gas turbocharger, where the magnet is securely fixed and no change in the distribution of mass in the magnetic field occurs even when the magnet breaks, the magnet is connected in a force-fitting manner to the base body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Ante, Stephan Heinrich, Andreas Ott
  • Publication number: 20100199749
    Abstract: An arrangement and method for determining a characteristic variable of a fluid having a movably suspended measuring element, a restraining element, an advancing element and a control device. The control device is designed to actuate the restraining element and/or the advancing element in order to move the measuring element between the first measuring point and the second measuring point, to determine a time period which the measuring element requires in order to be moved between the first measuring point and the second measuring point, and to determine a characteristic variable of the fluid on the basis of the determined time period, a predetermined force and a known geometry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: Continental Automotive Gmbh
    Inventors: Stephan Heinrich, Willibald Reitmeier, Denny Schädlich
  • Publication number: 20100186482
    Abstract: A sensor for the measurement of the hydrocarbon content in a flow of gas in a purge line. The sensor can measure the hydrocarbon content in the flow of gas in the purge line from a hydrocarbon storage device to an internal combustion engine. The sensor has at least one heating element and at least one thermal detector, with the heating element heating the flow of gas while the thermal detector determines the temperature of the flow of gas, which temperature is evaluated as a measurement of the hydrocarbon content in the flow of gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2007
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Rudolf Bierl, Philippe Grass, Stephan Heinrich, Manfred Weigl, Andreas Wildgen
  • Publication number: 20100178132
    Abstract: A magnetized nut for fastening a compressor wheel of an exhaust turbocharger to a turbo shaft. The nut has a base body made of a non-magnetic material forming a hollow space for accommodating a magnetic material, and a method for the production of the magnetized nut. In order to provide a magnetized nut that is produced in a simple and cost-effective manner and ensures as equal a distribution of mass as possible with regard to the rotational axis of the nut, the magnetic material is introduced into the hollow space using injection molding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Ante, Stephan Heinrich, Markus Herrmann, Andreas Ott, Denny Schädlich
  • Publication number: 20100175375
    Abstract: A waste gate actuator for an exhaust gas turbocharger, including an actuator housing and an actuator cover, an element for actuating the waste gate valve and electronic components for controlling the element to actuate the waste gate valve being arranged in the waste gate actuator. Provided is a simple and inexpensive revolution counting system on the turbocharger which allows the number of revolutions of the rotating parts (turbine wheel, compressor wheel, turboshaft to be detected without substantial constructional alterations to the design of existing turbochargers. A sensor for detecting the variations in a magnetic field that are produced by the rotation of the rotating parts is arranged in or on the actuator housing or in or on the actuator cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Gilch, Stephan Heinrich
  • Publication number: 20100059022
    Abstract: A device and a method for operating an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder and a tank ventilation system with a line designed to provide pneumatic communication between the tank ventilation system and the at least one cylinder. The line has at least one sensor for determining a hydrocarbon content of a gas flow. A determination, as a function of a measurement signal from the sensor, of a hydrocarbon content of a gas flow flowing from the tank ventilation system to the at least one cylinder is performed. At least one characteristic variable for a fuel quantity to be metered is determined as a function of the determined hydrocarbon content. A metering of fuel into the cylinder is determined as a function of the at least one determined characteristic variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Bierl, Stephan Heinrich, Wolfgang Mai, Paul Rodatz, Manfred Weigl, Andreas Wildgen
  • Publication number: 20100026284
    Abstract: An element for generating a magnetic field, having an annular frame for receiving an annular magnet which rotates with a turboshaft. The magnet is mounted in the frame such that the frame stabilizes and guides the magnet mechanically. In order to specify an element for generating a magnetic field which reliably fixes and guides the magnet, the magnet is connected to the frame by at least one spot weld.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Ante, Markus Gilch, Stephan Heinrich, Andreas Ott
  • Publication number: 20090320579
    Abstract: A method and a device for measuring a normal force affecting a disk brake that is used particularly in motor vehicles. In order to further develop a device for measuring an effective normal force so as to significantly decrease the additional mounting space required in the area of a disk brake and reduce sensitivity to thermal influences, a shearing movement of a part of the disk brake relative to a reference is detected by a sensor such that a test signal-processing logic circuit can draw conclusions about an actually effective normal force based on a sensor test signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes Ante, Stephan Heinrich, Andreas Ott, Willibald Reitmeier
  • Publication number: 20090304043
    Abstract: The invention relates to a temperature sensor comprising a sense element and being in contact with a housing configured as a contact wire of the temperature sensor. A contact wire arranged inside the housing, is configured concentrically and is held under spring tension with an angular spring. For testing purposes, a testing resistor, being connected parallel to the sensor element is proposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Glehr, Stephan Heinrich
  • Publication number: 20090290988
    Abstract: An element which generates a magnetic field for fastening a compressor wheel to a turboshaft of an exhaust-gas turbocharger, has a basic body and a thread. In order to specify an element which generates a magnetic field for fastening a compressor wheel to a turboshaft, which element generates as high a magnetic field strength as possible and nevertheless can absorb without damage the forces and the tightening torques which occur during fastening of the compressor wheel to the turboshaft, the entire basic body includes a magnetic material and a sleeve is arranged in the basic body, which sleeve includes a non-magnetic material and has the thread which can be screwed to a mating thread of the turboshaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: Johannes Ante, Stephan Heinrich, Andreas Ott, Denny Schädlich
  • Publication number: 20090243886
    Abstract: Presented is an apparatus that includes a vehicle component that includes an outer wall that includes an internal face and at least one electro-acoustic transducer disposed on the internal face of the outer wall of the vehicle component. The at least one electro-acoustic transducer includes a pot-type housing and a piezo-electric ceramic body disposed inside the pot-type housing. The pot-type housing includes a base area affixed to the internal face of the outer wall of the vehicle component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Peter-Christian Eccardt, Stephan Heinrich, Heinz Herbrik, Karsten Hofmann, Armin Hollstein, Denny Schädlich, Rudolf Thurn, Alexander von Jena
  • Publication number: 20090129436
    Abstract: A device for measuring a temperature of an exhaust gas flow in an exhaust branch of an exhaust gas section of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. A sub-region of the exhaust branch is configured as a parabolic mirror having a focal point positioned outside of the exhaust branch. The device includes a side channel member attached to the exhaust branch and having an open end adjacent to the exhaust branch and a closed end; and a radiation sensitive sensor disposed in the side channel member and at the focal point. The open end is in fluid communication with an interior of the exhaust branch through a cutout of the exhaust branch so that the sensor is coupled to radiation of the exhaust gas flow for measuring a temperature of the exhaust gas flow. A related method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive AG
    Inventors: Manfred Glehr, Stephan Heinrich
  • Publication number: 20090121706
    Abstract: The invention relates to an active sensor element for recording the speed of an exhaust gas turbocharger, comprising a suppressor circuit which has at least one diode. In order to specify a device for temperature measurement at the turbocharger and in particular at the turbocharger in the region of the active sensor, the current-voltage characteristics of the diode are evaluated for determining the temperature in the sensor element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Ante, Markus Gilch, Stephan Heinrich, Sergiu Muresan
  • Publication number: 20080284559
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for controlling at least one air conducting element (15) in a motor vehicle. Said device comprises a first gas sensor (51) and a second gas sensor (52) which generate signals in accordance with the harmful gas concentration in the ambient air. An output signal that is used for triggering the air conducting element is generated with the aid of a signal evaluation unit. The aim of the invention is to create a method and a device which are used for controlling an air conducting element, accurately detect and distinguish the different development of harmful gas concentrations in the atmosphere and trigger the air conducting elements accordingly, and are embodied in an inexpensive, reliable, and durable manner. Said aim is achieved by configuring an electronic decision unit (4) that determines which of the two sensor signals is fed to a single signal evaluation unit during the current interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive AG
    Inventors: Peter Biber, Stephan Heinrich, Andreas Ott, Michael Schlogl
  • Patent number: 7364020
    Abstract: A force sensor for an electromechanical brake has a closed ring having a C-shaped profile that is open inwardly. Force is introduced along the inner circumference of the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johannes Ante, Stephan Heinrich, Andreas Ott
  • Patent number: 6998597
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement (1) for a photodiode (2) has a microprocessor (3) with an output (4) which emits a pulse-width-modulated voltage signal via a low-pass filter (5) to the cathode of the photodiode (2). The voltage which is applied to the cathode of the photodiode (2) is detected by an input (12) of the microprocessor (3) and is regulated at a nominal value by adjusting the voltage signal at the output (4) of the microprocessor (3). The circuit arrangement (1) has a particular wide dynamic measurement range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Manfred Glehr, Stephan Heinrich
  • Publication number: 20060001546
    Abstract: Sensor for determining measured variables which are suitable for controlling an air-conditioning system and other apparatuses which influence the climate of an area, including a motor vehicle, has a single sensor housing and a printed circuit board which is equipped with sensor elements for determining the measured variables and with electronic components for processing electrical signals produced by the sensor elements, as a function of the measured variables. In the sensor, at least one light-sensitive sensor element and one gas-sensitive sensor element are arranged in the single sensor housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Peter Biber, Markus Gilch, Stephan Heinrich, Andreas Ott
  • Publication number: 20050230602
    Abstract: A radiation-measurement circuit for a photodiode has a microprocessor providing a pulse-width-modulated voltage signal via a low-pass filter to the cathode of the photodiode. The voltage which is applied to the cathode of the photodiode is detected via an input of the microprocessor and is regulated at a nominal value by adjusting the modulated voltage signal of the microprocessor. The circuit has a particularly wide dynamic measurement range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventors: Manfred Glehr, Stephan Heinrich
  • Publication number: 20050140205
    Abstract: The invention relates to a force sensor for an electromechanical brake. The force sensor comprises a closed ring having a C-shaped profile that is open inward. Force is introduced along the inner circumference of the ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventors: Johannes Ante, Stephan Heinrich, Andreas Ott