Patents by Inventor Stephan STRAHL
Stephan STRAHL 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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Publication number: 20230261222Abstract: The invention relates to a method for checking at least two sensors within an anode path (4) of a fuel cell system (1), having the steps of shutting down the fuel cell system (1); closing the shut-off valve (32) and the purge valve (41); opening an internal valve (34); detecting the pressure values by means of at least two sensors (50, 51, 52, 53, 54) within the anode path; checking whether the pressure values of the at least two sensors (50, 51, 52, 53, 54) differ.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2021Publication date: August 17, 2023Inventors: Sriganesh Sriram, Stephan Strahl
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Publication number: 20230216070Abstract: The invention relates to a method for fueling fuel cell systems (Sys A, Sys B) which are operated in an assembly (10) of a plurality of fuel cell systems (Sys A, Sys B), and to a fuel cell system assembly (10). According to the invention, a method is provided by means of which a load (100) operated by the assembly (10) can continue to be operated while a fueling process is carried out by a fueling device 20 assigned to the fuel cells (FC 1, FC 2) of the fuel cell system (Sys A, Sys B).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2021Publication date: July 6, 2023Inventors: Bilge Manga, Christian Krause, Stephan Olbrich, Stephan Strahl
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Patent number: 11267355Abstract: A charging method (10) for an electrically operated motor vehicle (30) designed for autonomous driving is provided, in which, in a first exercise, the motor vehicle (30) is charged in a charging procedure (22) within a time window at a charging station (4). According to the invention, the motor vehicle (30) is commanded in an approach command delivery (19) to approach (6) the charging station (4) or in a departure command delivery (24) to depart (7) from the charging station (4). Moreover, a motor vehicle (30) is claimed.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2019Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Arnulf Sponheimer, Stephan Strahl
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Patent number: 11171343Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes multiple stacked individual cells each having an anode and a cathode, a common fuel inlet duct, a common fuel outlet duct, a common oxidizing agent inlet duct, a common oxidizing agent outlet duct, and at least one microwave source configured to selectively generate microwave radiation into the common fuel outlet duct and/or into the common oxidizing agent outlet duct to manage water contained therein to melt ice and/or expedite evaporation.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2019Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Arnulf Sponheimer, Stephan Strahl, Julio Orozco Santos Coy, Rolf Lorenz Loeffler
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Patent number: 10957923Abstract: A hydrogen fuel cell vehicle system and method inhibit formation of black ice on road surfaces at low temperatures as a result of exhaust water by treating the exhaust water prior to discharge with a deicing or antifreeze substance to lower the freezing point of the water. A metering device may meter a deicing or antifreeze substance, such as sodium chloride, calcium chloride, urea, or the like to be dissolved in the exhaust water that is produced during the production of energy. The vehicle may include a bypass valve that selectively bypasses the water treatment system when ambient conditions are not conducive to ice formation. The bypass valve is operated to direct exhaust flow to a condenser and water treatment system when ambient conditions are favorable to ice formation, with the deicing or antifreeze substance metered based on current or predicted ambient or road surface conditions.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2019Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Guenter Hans Grosch, Thomas Werner Steinkopf, Stephan Strahl, Rainer Lach, Rolf Lorenz Loeffler
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Patent number: 10906541Abstract: A method for braking a vehicle to a stop on a sloping section of a roadway wherein a slope inclination of the roadway section, a vehicle speed, an acceleration, and a vehicle brake operation status of the vehicle are continuously ascertained. The slope inclination of the roadway section and the vehicle brake operation status are compared with predetermined threshold values. The method includes activating a braking torque, continuously determined based on the slope inclination, the driving speed, and the acceleration when the instantaneous slope inclination of the roadway section reaches or exceeds the predetermined threshold value for a sloping section and the vehicle brake operation status lies within a predetermined range or value. The braking torque being independent of the vehicle brake operation status.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2017Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Erik Alpman, Kai Skolik, George Neugebauer, Stephan Strahl
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Patent number: 10899366Abstract: A method to assist with control of a vehicle in road traffic is provided. Parameters including a distance, direction and speed of other road users are detected. The parameters are used to determine a strategy for the driver to start an intended control action. A time window is determined that enables the driver to start the intended control action and is displayed in a graphical representation to scale to the driver through a driver-vehicle interface.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2018Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Philipp Carlhoff, Meghashree Kowshika Ramachandra, Georg Neugebauer, Stephan Strahl
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Publication number: 20200091537Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes multiple stacked individual cells each having an anode and a cathode, a common fuel inlet duct, a common fuel outlet duct, a common oxidizing agent inlet duct, a common oxidizing agent outlet duct, and at least one microwave source configured to selectively generate microwave radiation into the common fuel outlet duct and/or into the common oxidizing agent outlet duct to manage water contained therein to melt ice and/or expedite evaporation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2019Publication date: March 19, 2020Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Arnulf Sponheimer, Stephan Strahl, Julio Orozco Santos Coy, Rolf Lorenz Loeffler
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Publication number: 20190315242Abstract: A charging method (10) for an electrically operated motor vehicle (30) designed for autonomous driving is provided, in which, in a first exercise, the motor vehicle (30) is charged in a charging procedure (22) within a time window at a charging station (4). According to the invention, the motor vehicle (30) is commanded in an approach command delivery (19) to approach (6) the charging station (4) or in a departure command delivery (24) to depart (7) from the charging station (4). Moreover, a motor vehicle (30) is claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2019Publication date: October 17, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Arnulf Sponheimer, Stephan Strahl
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Publication number: 20190305342Abstract: A hydrogen fuel cell vehicle system and method inhibit formation of black ice on road surfaces at low temperatures as a result of exhaust water by treating the exhaust water prior to discharge with a deicing or antifreeze substance to lower the freezing point of the water. A metering device may meter a deicing or antifreeze substance, such as sodium chloride, calcium chloride, urea, or the like to be dissolved in the exhaust water that is produced during the production of energy. The vehicle may include a bypass valve that selectively bypasses the water treatment system when ambient conditions are not conducive to ice formation. The bypass valve is operated to direct exhaust flow to a condenser and water treatment system when ambient conditions are favorable to ice formation, with the deicing or antifreeze substance metered based on current or predicted ambient or road surface conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Guenter Hans GROSCH, Thomas Werner STEINKOPF, Stephan STRAHL, Rainer LACH, Rolf Lorenz LOEFFLER
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Patent number: 10401851Abstract: A method of operating a self-driving (autonomous) motor vehicle to transport a passenger who requires supervision. An authorization of a sender to operate the vehicle is checked and, if authorized, the sender provides instructions to a vehicle control unit to designate a destination and one or more authorization criterion that must be met by a recipient in order to unlock the vehicle and take custody of the passenger at the destination. The vehicle travels to the destination autonomously, during which travel the status of the passenger is monitored and transmitted wirelessly to a device in the possession of the sender. At the destination, unlocking of the vehicle is permitted upon confirmation of the authorization criterion by the recipient.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2018Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Philipp Carlhoff, Georg Neugebauer, Stephan Strahl
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Patent number: 10315656Abstract: A method of controlling the operating mode of a motor vehicle includes transitioning between driving and coasting modes and vice-versa automatically in response to a driver trigger. The method controls an engine of the motor vehicle to bring a driveline driven by the engine via an electronically controlled clutch into a lash state before engaging or disengaging the electronically controlled clutch thereby preventing driveline disturbances from being produced by the transition.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2017Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Andreas Ortseifen, Urs Christen, Stephan Strahl, Nicholas Dashwood Crisp
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Publication number: 20180334174Abstract: A method to assist with control of a vehicle in road traffic is provided. Parameters including a distance, direction and speed of other road users are detected. The parameters are used to determine a strategy for the driver to start an intended control action. A time window is determined that enables the driver to start the intended control action and is displayed in a graphical representation to scale to the driver through a driver-vehicle interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2018Publication date: November 22, 2018Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Philipp CARLHOFF, Meghashree Kowshika RAMACHANDRA, Georg Neugebauer, Stephan STRAHL
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Publication number: 20180196421Abstract: A method of operating a self-driving (autonomous) motor vehicle to transport a passenger who requires supervision. An authorization of a sender to operate the vehicle is checked and, if authorized, the sender provides instructions to a vehicle control unit to designate a destination and one or more authorization criterion that must be met by a recipient in order to unlock the vehicle and take custody of the passenger at the destination. The vehicle travels to the destination autonomously, during which travel the status of the passenger is monitored and transmitted wirelessly to a device in the possession of the sender. At the destination, unlocking of the vehicle is permitted upon confirmation of the authorization criterion by the recipient.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2018Publication date: July 12, 2018Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANYInventors: Philipp CARLHOFF, Georg NEUGEBAUER, Stephan STRAHL
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Publication number: 20180134292Abstract: A method for braking a vehicle to a stop on a sloping section of a roadway wherein a slope inclination of the roadway section, a vehicle speed, an acceleration, and a vehicle brake operation status of the vehicle are continuously ascertained. The slope inclination of the roadway section and the vehicle brake operation status are compared with predetermined threshold values. The method includes activating a braking torque, continuously determined based on the slope inclination, the driving speed, and the acceleration when the instantaneous slope inclination of the roadway section reaches or exceeds the predetermined threshold value for a sloping section and the vehicle brake operation status lies within a predetermined range or value. The braking torque being independent of the vehicle brake operation status.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2017Publication date: May 17, 2018Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Erik Alpman, Kai Skolik, George Neugebauer, Stephan Strahl
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Publication number: 20170317365Abstract: A method comprising feeding a fuel and an oxidant to individual cells in a fuel cell stack, each having two electrode layers and an electrolyte layer arranged between the electrode layers. The method further includes compressing the cell stack with a clamping device, and detecting a compression pressure upon the cell stack with at least one pressure sensor. The method also includes determining a moisture content of the two electrolyte layers based on the detected compression pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Stephan STRAHL, Arnulf SPONHEIMER, Uwe GUSSEN
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Publication number: 20170288254Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell stack having a cell stack of mutually adjacently arranged individual cells and a tension device for compressing the cell stack. Each individual cell has two electrode layers and an electrolyte layer arranged between the electrode layers. The tension device contains at least one tension element, which extends from one end of the cell stack to the other end of the cell stack. The fuel cell stack furthermore contains at least one piezo actuator for pressing an end plate against one end of the cell stack. The invention furthermore relates to a corresponding method for operating a fuel cell stack.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2017Publication date: October 5, 2017Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Stephan STRAHL, Uwe GUSSEN, Arnulf SPONHEIMER
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Publication number: 20170282920Abstract: A method of controlling the operating mode of a motor vehicle includes transitioning between driving and coasting modes and vice-versa automatically in response to a driver trigger. The method controls an engine of the motor vehicle to bring a driveline driven by the engine via an electronically controlled clutch into a lash state before engaging or disengaging the electronically controlled clutch thereby preventing driveline disturbances from being produced by the transition.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2017Publication date: October 5, 2017Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Andreas ORTSEIFEN, Urs CHRISTEN, Stephan STRAHL, Nicholas Dashwood CRISP