Patents by Inventor Thomas Brandmeier

Thomas Brandmeier 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).

  • Publication number: 20230034560
    Abstract: A collision detection device on a motor vehicle for tracking a remote target vehicle for the detection of an imminent collision by fusing radar sensor data from a first environment sensor designed as a radar sensor with sensor data from a second environment sensor. First wheel acquisition data based on the radar sensor data from the first environment sensor and second wheel acquisition data based on sensor data from the second environment sensor are merged and a parameter of the target vehicle is established.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Kamann, Robert Naumann, Dagmar Steinhauser, Thomas Brandmeier, Andreas Forster, Holger Faisst, Frank Gruson
  • Publication number: 20210046940
    Abstract: A method for identifying the contour of a vehicle based on measurement data from an environment sensor system is disclosed. The measurement data includes a set of spatial points of an object detected by the environment sensor system. The method includes: producing an envelope in the form of a polygonal chain around the object based on the set of spatial points; reducing the set of spatial points; removing spatial points from the polygonal chain that are irrelevant to identifying the contour of the vehicle and determining spatial points of the polygonal chain that are relevant to identifying the contour of the vehicle; classifying one or more edges as belonging to a front and a side of the vehicle on the basis of the reduced set of spatial points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Feser, Kilian Schneider, Thomas Brandmeier, Alexander Kamann, Robert Lugner, Daniel Weichselberger, Robert Naumann
  • Publication number: 20170328649
    Abstract: A rotary heat exchanger device is disclosed. In an embodiment the rotary heat exchanger includes a rotary heat exchanger having a rotary heat exchanger axis of rotation, a drive motor having a stator and a rotor including a rotor axis of rotation and a housing into which the rotary heat exchanger is installed and in which the latter rotates, wherein the rotor axis of rotation and the heat exchanger axis of rotation extend coaxially and the rotor is rigidly connected to the rotary heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas Brandmeier
  • Patent number: 9187051
    Abstract: A method and a device for detecting an imminent rollover of a vehicle. The method comprises taking a series of images of the surroundings of the vehicle, in particular of the road ahead, with a camera; determining and tracking point features in the series of images; eliminating point features which are located on objects that move relative to the stationary surroundings of the vehicle; and computing at least one parameter of the rotational movement of the camera (roll, pitch and/or yaw rate) taking into account the remaining point features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignees: Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbH, Continentail Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Feser, Jochen Schmidt, Gregory Baratoff, Andreas Raith, Rudolf Ertlmeier, Thomas Brandmeier
  • Publication number: 20140330485
    Abstract: A method and a device for detecting an imminent rollover of a vehicle. The method comprises taking a series of images of the surroundings of the vehicle, in particular of the road ahead, with a camera; determining and tracking point features in the series of images; eliminating point features which are located on objects that move relative to the stationary surroundings of the vehicle; and computing at least one parameter of the rotational movement of the camera (roll, pitch and/or yaw rate) taking into account the remaining point features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Feser, Jochen Schmidt, Gregory Baratoff, Andreas Raith, Rudolf Ertlmeier, Thomas Brandmeier
  • Patent number: 8532883
    Abstract: A device for the detection of the characteristics of an impact into a motor vehicle includes at least one signal generating unit for generating a defined acoustic impulse sequence depending on the speed of the impact, particularly a structure-borne acoustic impulse sequence due to a deformation of a chassis component of the motor vehicle. The acoustic impulse sequence is generated by way of a mechanical activation of the signal generating device caused by the deformation. A sensor system is disposed to detect the defined acoustic impulse sequence. An analysis unit analyzes the signals supplied by the sensor system such that information can be supplied on the characteristics of the impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignees: Continental Automotive GmbH, Audi Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Brandmeier, Michael Feser, Susanne Jacob, Jens Paggel, Sigrid Saulich, Paul Spannaus
  • Publication number: 20110071733
    Abstract: A device for the detection of the characteristics of an impact into a motor vehicle includes at least one signal generating unit for generating a defined acoustic impulse sequence depending on the speed of the impact, particularly a structure-borne acoustic impulse sequence due to a deformation of a chassis component of the motor vehicle. The acoustic impulse sequence is generated by way of a mechanical activation of the signal generating device caused by the deformation. A sensor system is disposed to detect the defined acoustic impulse sequence. An analysis unit analyses the signals supplied by the sensor system such that information can be supplied on the characteristics of the impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicants: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH, AUDI AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thomas Brandmeier, Michael Feser, Susanne Jacob, Jens Paggel, Sigrid Saulich, Paul Spannaus
  • Patent number: 7774116
    Abstract: A device for controlling a passenger protection system of a motor vehicle includes at least one structure-borne noise sensor, used to receive body vibrations, and an evaluation device, used to evaluate the structure-borne noise signal. The evaluation provides information about an impact object and/or the characteristics of the impact. The evaluation device is configured to analyze the structure-borne noise signal in relation to the frequencies contained therein, wherein the frequency spectrum contained in a signal section is distributed into a plurality of frequency ranges. The current signal energy is determined for each frequency range, and the signal energy of the frequency range is a standardized. The device also comprises a passenger protection system, which can be actuated according to the information relating to the impact object and/or the characteristics of the impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive AG
    Inventors: Thomas Brandmeier, Michael Feser, Michael Köppl
  • Publication number: 20100042296
    Abstract: A method and device for triggering a personal protection device for a vehicle, in particular, an occupant protection device in a vehicle. An acceleration sensor provides a first impact parameter Formula, compared with a triggering threshold value. A chassis noise sensor provides a second impact parameter Formula. The triggering threshold value is altered depending on the second impact parameter Formula.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Brandmeier, Michael Feser, Christian Lauerer
  • Publication number: 20090276125
    Abstract: A device for controlling a passenger protection system of a motor vehicle includes at least one structure-borne noise sensor, used to receive body vibrations, and an evaluation device, used to evaluate the structure-borne noise signal. The evaluation provides information about an impact object and/or the characteristics of the impact. The evaluation device is configured to analyze the structure-borne noise signal in relation to the frequencies contained therein, wherein the frequency spectrum contained in a signal section is distributed into a plurality of frequency ranges. The current signal energy is determined for each frequency range, and the signal energy of the frequency range is a standardized. The device also comprises a passenger protection system, which can be actuated according to the information relating to the impact object and/or the characteristics of the impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: SIEMENS VDO AUTOMOTIVE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thomas Brandmeier, Michael Feser, Michael Köppl
  • Publication number: 20090025998
    Abstract: A system determines an absolute tilt angle in relation to the horizontal, especially for use in a motor vehicle. The system includes at least one sensor element having a main axis of sensitivity and disposed such that its main axis of sensitivity lies in the plane of the tilt angle to be detected. The at least one sensor element produces a sensor signal depending on the tilt angle in relation to the horizontal. The sensor signal is a measured acceleration of the system. The system also includes a device for detecting an acceleration component of the measured acceleration and a processing unit to which the measured acceleration and the acceleration component are supplied in order to determine an acceleration component-corrected acceleration from which the absolute tilt angle of the system in relation to the horizontal can be determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Brandmeier, Michael Feser, Christian Lauerer, Jens Paggel
  • Publication number: 20080072670
    Abstract: An electrical device, especially a sensor for a motor vehicle, is adapted to be fastened on a mounting surface. The device includes a housing and a support plate. The support plate is rigidly linked with the housing through at least one connecting element. The support plate carries at least one electronic component that reacts to structure-borne noise and that is mounted in the immediate vicinity of the connecting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas Brandmeier, Markus Christoph, Christian Plankl, Christian Wieand
  • Patent number: 6553819
    Abstract: A device for determining a start of injection in a direct-injection internal combustion engine has a magnetoelastic pressure sensor disposed in an injection line leading to an injection valve which detects pressure changes in the injection line owing to an injection process of the injection valve by utilizing the magnetoelastic effect. The device also has an evaluation device that determines a dead time between an initiation of the injection process and the start of injection with the aid of the measurement signal of this magnetoelastic pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ralf Schernewski, Achim Przymusinski, Thomas Brandmeier
  • Patent number: 6059379
    Abstract: The brake system of a motor vehicle has a wheel-brake actuator for each wheel brake. The wheel-brake actuator, which is controlled by the brake pedal via electric lines, presses the brake linings against the brake disk. A force sensor senses the circumferential force produced by the brake torque. The output signal of the sensor is taken into account as the current value by the control of the wheel-brake actuator when setting the contact force between the brake linings and the brake disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ulrich Deml, Thomas Brandmeier
  • Patent number: 5975250
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method detect the current thickness and thus the wear of a brake lining of a motor-vehicle brake system, which has a wheel-brake actuator at each wheel that actuates the wheel brake and is individually electrically controlled. The wheel-brake actuator contains a hydraulic piston which is moved by an electric motor and is provided with a sensor that detects the brake pressure or brake force as well as with a further sensor that detects the travel of the hydraulic piston. The thickness of the brake lining is determined from signals of the two sensors. To that end, a measurement is made of the travel performed by the hydraulic piston until a predetermined brake pressure is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Brandmeier, Hans Rauner, Dirk Zittlau
  • Patent number: 5969270
    Abstract: A capacitive force sensor is introduced between an actuator and motor vehicle brake shoe and is composed of a closed, metallic hollow cylinder that accepts a plate capacitor. One or more end faces of the hollow cylinder act as force-absorbing membranes and transmit elastic deformations onto the plate capacitor, a measured signal being generated as a result. The force sensor can be utilized in a range of measurement of up to, for example, 2.5 tons, a temperature range from -40 through 350.degree. C. and also exhibits extremely high measuring precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Guenter Doemes, Markus Gilch, Thomas Brandmeier
  • Patent number: 5961190
    Abstract: A brake system for a motor vehicle with four wheels has four electrically controlled wheel brake devices. Each of the wheel brake devices has a control part and an actuator, with which the various wheel brakes are activated independently of one another in response to actuations of the brake pedal by the driver. The brake system has two separate electrical control units, each for a respective two of the four wheel brake devices. Both of the separate control units receive control signals separately from a brake force simulator, and they each have their own energy supply circuit. An additional central control unit controls additional functions of the system (ABS, traction control, etc.) at each of the four wheel brake devices which serve safety or comfort purposes of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Brandmeier, Dirk Zittlau