Patents by Inventor Stephan Kraus
Stephan Kraus 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: 11549453Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine, which comprises a combustion unit, a generator coupled with the combustion unit, a fresh gas tract, an exhaust tract, an exhaust gas recirculation line, which branches off of the exhaust tract and opens into the fresh gas tract, and at least one electrical heating device, which is integrated into the exhaust tract or into the exhaust gas recirculation line, characterized in that, during an overrun mode of the combustion unit, the heating device is operated with energy provided by the generator, and exhaust gas heated with the aid of the heating device is partially or completely guided via the exhaust gas recirculation line.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2022Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: Volkswagen AktiengesellschaftInventors: Ingo Blei, Johannes Bunkus, Stephan Kraus
-
Publication number: 20220298991Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine, which comprises a combustion unit, a generator coupled with the combustion unit, a fresh gas tract, an exhaust tract, an exhaust gas recirculation line, which branches off of the exhaust tract and opens into the fresh gas tract, and at least one electrical heating device, which is integrated into the exhaust tract or into the exhaust gas recirculation line, characterized in that, during an overrun mode of the combustion unit, the heating device is operated with energy provided by the generator, and exhaust gas heated with the aid of the heating device is partially or completely guided via the exhaust gas recirculation line.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2022Publication date: September 22, 2022Applicant: Volkswagen AktiengesellschaftInventors: Ingo BLEI, Johannes BUNKUS, Stephan KRAUS
-
Patent number: 10837570Abstract: A valve for closing a fluid line, comprising: an inlet element with an inlet line; an outlet element with an outlet line; a closing element which, in a first state, allows a fluid passage between the inlet line and the outlet line and which, in a second state, closes the fluid passage, wherein the closing element, in the first state, is fixedly connected to the inlet element or the outlet element and, in the second state, is detached from the inlet element or the outlet element; an actuator which, when actuated, is configured to move the closing element from the first state towards the second state; and a pretension element which is pretensioned and is configured to move the closing element into the second state after actuation of the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2017Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: ARIANEGROUP GMBHInventors: Stephan Kraus, Thomas Maier, Markus Wolf, Georg Schulte
-
Patent number: 10215300Abstract: A bending frame extends the travel of an actuator for a mechanically actuated component. The bending frame includes a plurality of bendable longitudinal struts, which are arranged about a longitudinal axis on which the travel of the actuator runs. The longitudinal struts each extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis, and an application of force enacted by the actuator long the actuation path on the longitudinal struts causes same to bend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Respective cross struts extend out toward the longitudinal axis from each of the longitudinal struts, wherein a first end of a respective cross strut is articulated to a respective longitudinal strut and a second end of the respective cross strut opposite to the first end is provided in order to transmit force to the component in the direction of the longitudinal axis for the purpose of actuation thereof.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2015Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: Airbus DS GmbHInventors: David Reith, Stephan Kraus, Thomas Maier
-
Patent number: 9989039Abstract: A valve arrangement for an aerospace component includes an inlet, an outlet, and an actuator that can be actuated by a heating element. In a non-actuated state of the actuator, the valve is open to allow flow between the inlet and the outlet. The actuator is a single-use effect shape memory actuator that is compressed in the martensitic state along a longitudinal axis of the actuator and integrated into the valve arrangement. Through the activation of the heating element upon reaching a predetermined transformation temperature, the actuator undergoes a change in length, whereby it is gradually pressed against a seal seat that is embodied at the inlet or the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2015Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Airbus DS GmbHInventors: Stephan Kraus, Thomas Maier, Markus Wolf, Georg Schulte
-
Publication number: 20180087686Abstract: A valve for closing a fluid line, comprising: an inlet element with an inlet line; an outlet element with an outlet line; a closing element which, in a first state, allows a fluid passage between the inlet line and the outlet line and which, in a second state, closes the fluid passage, wherein the closing element, in the first state, is fixedly connected to the inlet element or the outlet element and, in the second state, is detached from the inlet element or the outlet element; an actuator which, when actuated, is configured to move the closing element from the first state towards the second state; and a pretension element which is pretensioned and is configured to move the closing element into the second state after actuation of the actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Inventors: Stephan KRAUS, Thomas MAIER, Markus WOLF, Georg SCHULTE
-
Patent number: 9810340Abstract: A device for opening or closing a seal seat of a valve arranged in a pipe for liquid or gaseous media includes a one-time only activation of the valve using a shape memory actuator. The shape memory actuator changes its external shape abruptly when a transformation temperature is reached that is dependent upon its alloy composition. The transformation temperature can be generated by a controllable electrical heating device of the device.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2014Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Astrium GmbHInventors: Stephan Kraus, Thomas Maier, Markus Wolf
-
Patent number: 9746092Abstract: A valve assembly includes an inlet and an outlet, which open into a working chamber of the valve assembly, and an actuator. In a non-actuated state of the actuator, a flow passage between the inlet and the outlet is blocked. The actuator is optionally a shape-memory actuator that can be actuated one time or comprises a shape-memory actuator, which suddenly changes its external shape upon reaching a conversion temperature, which is dependent on the alloy composition thereof, and which can be generated by a controllable electrical heating device of the valve assembly. The actuator irreversibly destroys a pipe element separating the inlet from the outlet in the working chamber upon actuation, whereby the inlet and the outlet are connected to one another with respect to flow via the working chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2015Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Airbus DS GmbHInventors: Markus Wolf, Thomas Maier, Stephan Kraus
-
Patent number: 9366352Abstract: A valve assembly for switching and/or regulating a medium flow of an aerospace engine includes a drive, a valve and a flexible separator element. The drive includes one or more electrically actuatable actuators, which change their length in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the valve assembly when a control voltage is applied to the actuators. The valve includes a valve piston, which can be moved back and forth along the longitudinal axis by the drive and which has a valve member. The flexible separator element delimits a working space of the valve from the drive, as a result of which the medium, which flows through the valve or is present in the working space, is hermetically separated from the drive.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2014Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: Astrium GmbHInventors: Stephan Kraus, Thomas Maier
-
Publication number: 20150369373Abstract: A bending frame extends the travel of an actuator for a mechanically actuated component. The bending frame includes a plurality of bendable longitudinal struts, which are arranged about a longitudinal axis on which the travel of the actuator runs. The longitudinal struts each extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis, and an application of force enacted by the actuator long the actuation path on the longitudinal struts causes same to bend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Respective cross struts extend out toward the longitudinal axis from each of the longitudinal struts, wherein a first end of a respective cross strut is articulated to a respective longitudinal strut and a second end of the respective cross strut opposite to the first end is provided in order to transmit force to the component in the direction of the longitudinal axis for the purpose of actuation thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2015Publication date: December 24, 2015Inventors: David REITH, Stephan KRAUS, Thomas MAIER
-
Publication number: 20150260300Abstract: A valve assembly includes an inlet and an outlet, which open into a working chamber of the valve assembly, and an actuator. In a non-actuated state of the actuator, a flow passage between the inlet and the outlet is blocked. The actuator is optionally a shape-memory actuator that can be actuated one time or comprises a shape-memory actuator, which suddenly changes its external shape upon reaching a conversion temperature, which is dependent on the alloy composition thereof, and which can be generated by a controllable electrical heating device of the valve assembly. The actuator irreversibly destroys a pipe element separating the inlet from the outlet in the working chamber upon actuation, whereby the inlet and the outlet are connected to one another with respect to flow via the working chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2015Publication date: September 17, 2015Inventors: Markus WOLF, Thomas MAIER, Stephan KRAUS
-
Publication number: 20150252794Abstract: A valve arrangement for an aerospace component includes an inlet, an outlet, and an actuator that can be actuated by a heating element. In a non-actuated state of the actuator, the valve is open to allow flow between the inlet and the outlet. The actuator is a single-use effect shape memory actuator that is compressed in the martensitic state along a longitudinal axis of the actuator and integrated into the valve arrangement. Through the activation of the heating element upon reaching a predetermined transformation temperature, the actuator undergoes a change in length, whereby it is gradually pressed against a seal seat that is embodied at the inlet or the outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2015Publication date: September 10, 2015Inventors: Stephan KRAUS, Thomas MAIER, Markus WOLF, Georg SCHULTE
-
Publication number: 20150028234Abstract: A device for opening or closing a seal seat of a valve arranged in a pipe for liquid or gaseous media includes a one-time only activation of the valve using a shape memory actuator. The shape memory actuator changes its external shape abruptly when a transformation temperature is reached that is dependent upon its alloy composition. The transformation temperature can be generated by a controllable electrical heating device of the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2014Publication date: January 29, 2015Inventors: Stephan KRAUS, Thomas MAIER, Markus WOLF
-
Publication number: 20150028238Abstract: A valve assembly for switching and/or regulating a medium flow of an aerospace engine includes a drive, a valve and a flexible separator element. The drive includes one or more electrically actuatable actuators, which change their length in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the valve assembly when a control voltage is applied to the actuators. The valve includes a valve piston, which can be moved back and forth along the longitudinal axis by the drive and which has a valve member. The flexible separator element delimits a working space of the valve from the drive, as a result of which the medium, which flows through the valve or is present in the working space, is hermetically separated from the drive.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2014Publication date: January 29, 2015Inventors: Stephan KRAUS, Thomas MAIER
-
Patent number: 7896430Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle roof with a roof opening (12) and with a roof section (10) having a roof tip (16) pointing to the front of the vehicle (14) and a roof end (18) pointing to the rear of the vehicle (12). The roof section (10) can be moved along guide tracks (23), which run on both sides of the roof opening, out of a closed position, which closes the roof opening (2), into an open position, which at least partially opens up the roof opening. In order to optimize the vehicle roof to the effect that, in the partially open position and/or during the opening movement while under way, only very low travelling noises, if any at all, are produced and the highest requirements with regard to the sealing in the closed position are met, the opening movement from the closed position of the roof section begins with a movement of the roof end (18) into a lowered position below the roof opening (2).Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2007Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Webasto AGInventors: Peter Reihl, Thomas Dintner, Adam Wagner, Reinhard Filsinger, Stephan Kraus
-
Publication number: 20090079226Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle roof with a roof opening (12) and with a roof section (10) having a roof tip (16) pointing to the front of the vehicle (14) and a roof end (18) pointing to the rear of the vehicle (12). The roof section (10) can be moved along guide tracks (23), which run on both sides of the roof opening, out of a closed position, which closes the roof opening (2), into an open position, which at least partially opens up the roof opening. In order to optimize the vehicle roof to the effect that, in the partially open position and/or during the opening movement while under way, only very low travelling noises, if any at all, are produced and the highest requirements with regard to the sealing in the closed position are met, the opening movement from the closed position of the roof section begins with a movement of the roof end (18) into a lowered position below the roof opening (2).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2007Publication date: March 26, 2009Inventors: Peter Reihl, Thomas Dintner, Adam Wagner, Reinhard Filsinger, Stephan Kraus
-
Patent number: 7394713Abstract: A memory device is provided, the memory device having a memory cell, a programming unit for programming the memory cell, and a switching unit for optionally connecting or isolating a terminal of the memory cell to or from a potential which serves for altering an electrical property of the memory cell and for thereby effecting an altered programming state of the memory cell.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2006Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Matthias Knopf, Stephan Kraus, Gunther Lehmann
-
Publication number: 20060268616Abstract: A memory device is provided, the memory device having a memory cell, a programming unit for programming the memory cell, and a switching unit for optionally connecting or isolating a terminal of the memory cell to or from a potential which serves for altering an electrical property of the memory cell and for thereby effecting an altered programming state of the memory cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2006Publication date: November 30, 2006Inventors: Matthias Knopf, Stephan Kraus, Gunther Lehmann