Patents by Inventor Thomas Burkhardt
Thomas Burkhardt 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: 20160178394Abstract: A method for linearizing sensor signals in a magnetic strip length measuring system moves a sensor head between two magnetic poles of a measurement body. In particular, linearization takes place dynamically during operation of the magnetic strip length measuring system, and linearization deviations are compensated by extrapolation as the sensor head moves between the two poles of the measurement body from pole to pole or from pole pair to pole pair.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2013Publication date: June 23, 2016Applicant: Balluff GmbH.Inventors: Thomas BURKHARDT, Achim ZERN, Timm EVERSMEYER
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Publication number: 20160041004Abstract: The invention proposes a method for operating a sensor system comprising at least one sensor unit which provides signals, in which the signals comprise primary measurement value signals which are measurement values of the sensor unit or are generated from measurement values of the sensor unit and in which the signals comprise coefficient signals which characterize the measurement value capture.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2015Publication date: February 11, 2016Inventors: Thomas Burkhardt, Ralph Bauer
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Patent number: 9233430Abstract: The invention relates to a mounted optical component and also a method for the production of mounted optical components. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of mounted optical components.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2010Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignees: FRAUHNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V., FRIEDRICH-SCHILLER-UNIVERSITAET JENAInventors: Erik Beckert, Christoph Damm, Thomas Burkhardt, Marcel Hornaff
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Publication number: 20150114326Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a crankcase and a crankcase ventilation system having a switchable shut-off valve, and sensors that detect different operating parameters of the engine, including a load variable of the engine. An estimated load parameter is determined based on the different detected operating parameters using a dynamic model, and a corrective value of a characteristic value is determined as a function of a deviation between the estimated load variable and the detected load variable. To implement a diagnosis, diagnosis switching cycle(s) are controlled, in which the shut-off valve is set to a closed switched position for a first time and set to an open switched position for a second time. A diagnosis value representative of a shut-off valve being in a correct or incorrect state is determined based on a change to the corrective value in response to the one or the plurality of diagnosis switching cycles.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventors: Thomas Burkhardt, Sebastian Viehoever, Andreas Hofmann, Harsha Mahaveera, Jan-Richard Lenk
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Patent number: 9016062Abstract: A method is disclosed for checking a valve on an exhaust gas turbocharger of an internal combustion engine, wherein an exhaust gas flow exits the internal combustion engine, a first portion of said flow flowing through a turbine of the exhaust gas turbocharger into an exhaust gas system and a second portion flowing through the valve into the exhaust gas system, wherein said method includes the steps of varying a fuel-to-air ratio in a fresh gas supplied to the internal combustion engine, determining a residual oxygen content in the exhaust gas system, and determining that the valve is defective if a variation of the residual oxygen content occurs in a manner different than a predetermined manner of the variation of the fuel-to-air ratio in the fresh gas. A device for checking the valve can be integrated into an integrated engine control unit of the internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2012Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Gerhard Eser, Thomas Burkhardt
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Patent number: 8981766Abstract: The invention relates to a position/displacement measuring system comprising at least one encoded scale body having at least one encoding track extending in a measuring direction and a sensor device having at least one sensor head sensitive to the encoding, wherein the at least one sensor head comprises at least a first sensor unit and a second sensor unit which provide respective sensor signals and are spaced apart from one another in the measuring direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: BALLUFF GmbHInventor: Thomas Burkhardt
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Publication number: 20140222491Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining a distribution of each of a plurality of inner packs to a plurality of stores. Mismatch cost data and product demand data are received for the plurality of stores. A first inner pack quantity for distribution is determined based on the product demand data. A supply difference amount is determined, where the supply difference amount is a difference between the first inner pack quantity and the number of first inner packs available for distribution. A determination is made that adjusting the first inner pack quantity for the particular store based on the supply difference amount would have less effect on mismatch costs than other stores, and the first inner pack quantity is adjusted for the particular store based on the supply difference.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2014Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: SAS Institute Inc.Inventors: Teresa DePaola McMains, Thomas Burkhardt, Robert William Pratt
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Patent number: 8788315Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining a plurality of pack configurations to make available for distribution to a plurality of stores, wherein a pack configuration contains a particular number of units of each of a plurality of variations of a product. An allowable pack size constraint, a maximum pack configuration constraint, mismatch cost data, and product demand data for the plurality of stores are received. A first pack and a second pack for the store are determined, wherein the first pack contains a particular number of each of the variations of the product, wherein the first pack meets the allowable pack size constraint and minimizes mismatch costs for the store. Stores are clustered based on similarity of their demand data until the total pack configuration amount across all clusters meets the maximum pack configuration constraint.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2011Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: SAS Institute Inc.Inventors: Teresa DePaola McMains, Thomas Burkhardt, Robert William Pratt
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Patent number: 8688497Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining a distribution of each of a plurality of inner packs to a plurality of stores. Mismatch cost data and product demand data are received for the plurality of stores. A first inner pack quantity for distribution is determined based on the product demand data. A supply difference amount is determined, where the supply difference amount is a difference between the first inner pack quantity and the number of first inner packs available for distribution. A determination is made that adjusting the first inner pack quantity for the particular store based on the supply difference amount would have less effect on mismatch costs than other stores, and the first inner pack quantity is adjusted for the particular store based on the supply difference.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: SAS Institute Inc.Inventors: Teresa DePaola McMains, Thomas Burkhardt, Robert William Pratt
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Patent number: 8645421Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods generate forecasts or estimates with respect to one or more attributes contained in an attribute-based hierarchy. Physical hierarchical data and attribute input data are received so that an attribute-based hierarchy can be created. A mapping table is created that indicates relationships between the attribute-based hierarchy and the physical hierarchy, wherein the attribute-based hierarchy is accessed during model forecasting analysis or model estimation analysis.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2008Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: SAS Institute Inc.Inventors: Necati Burak Meric, Yung-Hsin Chien, Thomas Burkhardt
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Publication number: 20130327040Abstract: A method is disclosed for checking a valve on an exhaust gas turbocharger of an internal combustion engine, wherein an exhaust gas flow exits the internal combustion engine, a first portion of said flow flowing through a turbine of the exhaust gas turbocharger into an exhaust gas system and a second portion flowing through the valve into the exhaust gas system, wherein said method includes the steps of varying a fuel-to-air ratio in a fresh gas supplied to the internal combustion engine, determining a residual oxygen content in the exhaust gas system, and determining that the valve is defective if a variation of the residual oxygen content occurs in a manner different than a predetermined manner of the variation of the fuel-to-air ratio in the fresh gas. A device for checking the valve can be integrated into an integrated engine control unit of the internal combustion engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2012Publication date: December 12, 2013Inventors: Gerhard Eser, Thomas Burkhardt
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Patent number: 8547088Abstract: Encoded scale bodies for position/displacement measuring systems and position/displacement measurement systems including scale bodies are disclosed. An encoded scale body includes a support band and at least one encoding layer made of encoding material. The encoding layer is arranged on the support band. The encoded scale body further includes a cover band which covers the encoding material towards an outside space. The cover band is formed by the support band. The support band/cover band is elastically flexible. The support band, which is the mechanical holder for the encoding material, may serve to mechanically stabilize the encoded scale body. The cover band covers the encoding material and may protect the encoding layer from external effects such as, in particular, mechanical forces. The flexible support band/cover band may permit the encoded scale body to be used as band material, and for example, a roll material.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2009Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Balluff GmbHInventors: Christoph Bauch, Thomas Burkhardt, Roland Holder, Torsten Beutler, Karl Blessing, Bernhard Hahn
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Patent number: 8489307Abstract: In a method and device for operating an internal combustion engine with an intake tract, a switching device for modifying an effective intake pipe length and/or an effective intake tract volume is arranged. By a dynamic intake tract model an estimated intake pipe pressure is determined. The dynamic model is adapted dependent on a trimming value. If a switching position modification is controlled, an estimated old position intake pipe pressure on the one hand is determined with the previous switching position and preventing of the adaptive trimming value adjustment and on the other hand an estimated new position intake pipe pressure is determined with the modified switching position and prevention of the adaptive trimming value adjustment and dependent on a correlation check of the estimated old position pressure and the estimated new position pressure with respect to the measured pressure an actual switching position of the switching device is identified.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2007Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Thomas Burkhardt, Bernhard Niebler
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Patent number: 8463490Abstract: An internal combustion engine has an intake tract having a compressor. A verification is performed as to whether at least one predefined activation condition is met. A boost pressure (PUT) downstream of the compressor is sensed or determined. An adaptation characteristic curve or adaptation characteristic map (KF_AD) is adapted as a function of a rotational speed (N) of the internal combustion engine and the boost pressure (PUT) if the at least one actuation condition is met. A gradient is determined that is representative of a gradient of the adaptation characteristic curve or adaptation map (KF_AD). From the determined gradient, conclusions are drawn with respect to a fault in the intake tract of the internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2009Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Thomas Burkhardt, Jürgen Dingl
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Patent number: 8412437Abstract: Actual values of a load variable are detected by a sensor during active model trimming under different valve pressure conditions, and a model of estimated values is created. Trimming values of a model parameter are determined depending on detected and modeled values such that when the model parameter is trimmed, the modeled values approximate the detected values. A function is determined depending on the different pressure conditions and approximated to the trimming values. At different pressure conditions first lambda control values are detected. A first controller value fitted function is determined depending on the pressure conditions and approximated. When the model trimming mode is not active, second lambda control values are detected at different pressure conditions. A second controller value fitted function is determined depending on the pressure conditions and is approximated. An error of the intake system is detected depending on the fitted functions.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2008Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Thomas Burkhardt, Jürgen Dingl, Andreas Hofmann
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Publication number: 20130057259Abstract: The invention relates to a position/displacement measuring system comprising at least one encoded scale body having at least one encoding track extending in a measuring direction and a sensor device having at least one sensor head sensitive to the encoding, wherein the at least one sensor head comprises at least a first sensor unit and a second sensor unit which provide respective sensor signals and are spaced apart from one another in the measuring direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2012Publication date: March 7, 2013Applicant: BALLUFF GmbHInventor: Thomas Burkhardt
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Patent number: 8370047Abstract: The precision of an intake manifold model for a supercharged internal combustion engine can be improved, wherein a first pressure value in the inlet tract (3) downstream of a throttle valve (6) and upstream of a compressor (7) and second pressure value (3) downstream of the compressor (7) are calculated by means of the intake manifold model. Furthermore, a first reference pressure and a second reference pressure are recorded by two pressure sensors (13, 14). It is determined whether the internal combustion engine (1) is operating in charging mode or not. The intake manifold model is then corrected on a difference between the first pressure value and the first reference value and a difference between the second pressure value and the second reference value depending on whether the operating mode is the charging mode or not.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2008Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Thomas Burkhardt, Roland Schwarz
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Patent number: 8353198Abstract: An internal combustion engine has an intake system (1) and an exhaust gas system (4). An exhaust turbocharger of the internal combustion engine has a compressor (42) arranged in the intake system (1) and a turbine (48) arranged in the exhaust gas system (4) of the internal combustion engine for driving the compressor (42). In order to diagnose the intake system (1), a charge pressure (PHS_AIC_DOWN) of the compressor (42) is determined in a predetermined operating state of the internal combustion engine. A leakage of the intake system (1) downstream of the compressor (42) is recognized if the determined charge pressure (PHS_AIC_DOWN) is lower than the predetermined base charge pressure (PUT_BAS) in the predetermined operating state.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2008Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Thomas Burkhardt, Jürgen Dingl
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Patent number: 8274274Abstract: A position/displacement measuring system is provided comprising at least one magnetically encoded scale body with at least one encoding track and a sensor device with at least one sensor sensitive to the encoding, the at least one encoding track comprising main fields of at least a first type and a second type which are arranged in a periodically alternating manner in at least a first direction, the subfields of the first type and second type being north pole fields and south pole fields, wherein the main fields of the first type and the main fields of the second type are each subdivided into subfields of at least two different types; wherein a length and/or an encoding strength of the subfields within a main field varies in at least the first direction; and wherein, in the main fields of the first type, the total length in the first direction and/or the total surface of field portions of the first type is greater than the total length and/or the total surface of field portions which are not of the first typeType: GrantFiled: March 15, 2010Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Balluff GmbHInventors: Thomas Burkhardt, Achim Zern
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Patent number: 8224556Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, at a first operating point using no exhaust gas recirculation, a first measured value of a load variable is detected. As a function of a further operating variable, a first model value of the load variable is determined using a suction pipe model. At least one parameter of the suction pipe model is adapted such that the first model value approaches or corresponds to the first measured value. A first value of the parameter adjustment is stored. At a second operating point, using exhaust gas recirculation a second value corresponding to the first value of the parameter adjustment, is determined and stored. The first and second values of the parameter adjustment are compared and a parameter value of an exhaust gas recirculation model is adapted such that the first and the second values of the parameter adjustment approach each other or correspond to each other.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2009Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Thomas Burkhardt, Jürgen Dingl, Andreas Pflüger