Patents by Inventor Thomas Pawlak

Thomas Pawlak 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: 10221826
    Abstract: A method for operating an ignition system for an internal combustion engine, including a first voltage generator and a bypass, is described. The bypass may include, for example, a boost converter for maintaining a spark generated with the aid of the first voltage generator. A speed of an internal combustion engine used with the ignition system is ascertained and the operating mode of the bypass is modified in response to the speed change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Tim Skowronek, Thomas Pawlak, Wolfgang Sinz
  • Patent number: 10156221
    Abstract: A method for checking electrodes of a spark gap of an ignition system for a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine with an externally provided ignition includes generating a spark at the spark gap in an operating state without ignition of an ignitable mixture in the combustion chamber; ascertaining a parameter or characteristic function representing the spark current, the spark voltage, and/or the spark duration; comparing the parameter or the characteristic function to a reference; adapting an energy for a voltage buildup for a further spark generation for the mixture ignition and/or for maintaining an ignition spark for the mixture ignition, in particular for a future ignition process, as a function of a difference between the parameter or the characteristic function and the reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Tim Skowronek, Thomas Pawlak, Wolfgang Sinz
  • Patent number: 10036362
    Abstract: An ignition system and a method for controlling an ignition system for a spark-ignited internal combustion engine are described, having a primary voltage generator for generating an ignition spark and a boost converter for maintaining an ignition spark. The method includes sending a signal from an engine control unit to the ignition system, in order to determine a predetermined ignition timing for triggering an ignition spark, sending an additional signal from the engine control unit to the ignition system, in order to determine a predetermined additional ignition timing for triggering an additional ignition spark, and sending a control signal for influencing the operating mode of the boost converter from the engine control unit to the ignition system between the signal and the additional signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Tim Skowronek, Thomas Pawlak, Joerg Eichhorn, Wolfgang Sinz
  • Patent number: 10018173
    Abstract: An ignition system and a method for suppressing an ignition spark discharge at a spark gap at an unsuitable time are provided. The method includes a recognition of a spark breakaway and/or a failed ignition and, in response thereto, by producing a conductive path via an ignition spark at the spark gap at a suitable time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Tim Skowronek, Thomas Pawlak, Wolfgang Sinz
  • Patent number: 9874194
    Abstract: A method is described for operating an ignition system for an internal combustion engine, including a primary voltage generator and a bypass, in particular, a boost converter for maintaining a spark generated with the aid of the primary voltage generator, the method includes an ascertainment of a modified energy requirement for an ignition spark, which is to be maintained with the aid of the bypass and a modification of the working mode of the bypass in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Tim Skowronek, Thomas Pawlak, Wolfgang Sinz
  • Patent number: 9850875
    Abstract: An ignition system and a method for operating an ignition system for an internal combustion engine are provided, including a primary voltage generator and a boost converter for generating an ignition spark. An ascertainment of a voltage requirement for the ignition spark is followed by a modification of a switch-on time of the boost converter relative to a switch-off time of the primary voltage generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Tim Skowronek, Thomas Pawlak, Wolfgang Sinz
  • Patent number: 9784230
    Abstract: An ignition system includes: a step-up transformer having a primary side and a secondary side; an electric energy source which is able to be connected to the primary side; a spark gap, which is designed to carry a current transferred to the secondary side by the step-up transformer. The step-up transformer has a bypass for transferring electric energy from the electric energy source to the secondary side. The bypass is designed to support a decaying electrical signal in the secondary coil of the high-voltage generator as of a predefined time, or as of a predefined intensity of the current being reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Pawlak, Tim Skowronek
  • Publication number: 20170284358
    Abstract: A method for checking electrodes of a spark gap of an ignition system for a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine with an externally provided ignition includes generating a spark at the spark gap in an operating state without ignition of an ignitable mixture in the combustion chamber; ascertaining a parameter or characteristic function representing the spark current, the spark voltage, and/or the spark duration; comparing the parameter or the characteristic function to a reference; adapting an energy for a voltage buildup for a further spark generation for the mixture ignition and/or for maintaining an ignition spark for the mixture ignition, in particular for a future ignition process, as a function of a difference between the parameter or the characteristic function and the reference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Tim Skowronek, Thomas Pawlak, Wolfgang Sinz
  • Publication number: 20170211537
    Abstract: An ignition system and a method for controlling an ignition system for a spark-ignited internal combustion engine are described, having a primary voltage generator for generating an ignition spark and a boost converter for maintaining an ignition spark. The method includes sending a signal from an engine control unit to the ignition system, in order to determine a predetermined ignition timing for triggering an ignition spark, sending an additional signal from the engine control unit to the ignition system, in order to determine a predetermined additional ignition timing for triggering an additional ignition spark, and sending a control signal for influencing the operating mode of the boost converter from the engine control unit to the ignition system between the signal and the additional signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Tim Skowronek, Thomas Pawlak, Joerg Eichhorn, Wolfgang Sinz
  • Publication number: 20170138329
    Abstract: An ignition system and a method for suppressing an ignition spark discharge at a spark gap at an unsuitable time are provided. The method includes a recognition of a spark breakaway and/or a failed ignition and, in response thereto, by producing a conductive path via an ignition spark at the spark gap at a suitable time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Tim Skowronek, Thomas Pawlak, Wolfgang Sinz
  • Patent number: 9651016
    Abstract: An ignition system includes: a step-up transformer having a primary side and a secondary side; an electrical energy source configured to be selectably connected to the primary side; a spark gap which is configured to guide a current transferred by the step-up transformer to the secondary side. The step-up transformer has a bypass for transferring electrical energy from the electrical energy source to the secondary side. The ignition system is configured to couple electrical energy in series or in parallel to the secondary side of the high voltage generator for the purpose of maintaining an ignition spark as an electrical voltage in the form of a controlled pulse sequence, e.g., within the kilo-hertz range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Pawlak, Tim Skowronek
  • Patent number: 9581673
    Abstract: A phantom for co-registering a magnetic resonance image and a nuclear medical image is disclosed. The phantom includes a longitudinal member having a first end cap and a second end cap and a chamber contained within the longitudinal member. The chamber contains a fluid for producing a first image using a first imaging modality. The phantom further includes a first rod disposed within the chamber of the longitudinal member. The first rod contains a radioactive substance for producing a second image using a second imaging modality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignees: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jun Bao, David Faul, Ralph Ladebeck, John Thomas Pawlak, Elmar Rummert, Charles C. Watson
  • Patent number: 9557395
    Abstract: A phantom for co-registering a magnetic resonance image and a nuclear medical image is disclosed. The phantom includes a longitudinal member having a first end cap and a second end cap and a chamber contained within the longitudinal member. The chamber contains a fluid for producing a first image using a first imaging modality. The phantom further includes a first rod disposed within the chamber of the longitudinal member. The first rod contains a radioactive substance for producing a second image using a second imaging modality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignees: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jun Bao, David Faul, Ralph Ladebeck, John Thomas Pawlak, Elmar Rummert, Charles C. Watson
  • Publication number: 20160370445
    Abstract: A phantom for co-registering a magnetic resonance image and a nuclear medical image is disclosed. The phantom includes a longitudinal member having a first end cap and a second end cap and a chamber contained within the longitudinal member. The chamber contains a fluid for producing a first image using a first imaging modality. The phantom further includes a first rod disposed within the chamber of the longitudinal member. The first rod contains a radioactive substance for producing a second image using a second imaging modality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Jun Bao, David Faul, Ralph Ladebeck, John Thomas Pawlak, Elmar Rummert, Charles C. Watson
  • Publication number: 20160370443
    Abstract: A phantom for co-registering a magnetic resonance image and a nuclear medical image is disclosed. The phantom includes a longitudinal member having a first end cap and a second end cap and a chamber contained within the longitudinal member. The chamber contains a fluid for producing a first image using a first imaging modality. The phantom further includes a first rod disposed within the chamber of the longitudinal member. The first rod contains a radioactive substance for producing a second image using a second imaging modality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Jun Bao, David Faul, Ralph Ladebeck, John Thomas Pawlak, Elmar Rummert, Charles C. Watson
  • Publication number: 20160356259
    Abstract: A method for operating an ignition system for an internal combustion engine, including a first voltage generator and a bypass, is described. The bypass may include, for example, a boost converter for maintaining a spark generated with the aid of the first voltage generator. A speed of an internal combustion engine used with the ignition system is ascertained and the operating mode of the bypass is modified in response to the speed change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Tim Skowronek, Thomas Pawlak, Wolfgang Sinz
  • Publication number: 20160348633
    Abstract: An ignition system and a method for operating an ignition system for an internal combustion engine are provided, including a primary voltage generator and a boost converter for generating an ignition spark. An ascertainment of a voltage requirement for the ignition spark is followed by a modification of a switch-on time of the boost converter relative to a switch-off time of the primary voltage generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Tim Skowronek, Thomas Pawlak, Wolfgang Sinz
  • Publication number: 20160312757
    Abstract: A method for operating an ignition system for an internal combustion engine is described, including a boost converter, characterized by a detection of a spark breakaway and, in response thereto, a modification of the operating mode of the boost converter. An ignition system for an internal combustion engine is also described, including a boost converter, which includes an arrangement for carrying out the aforementioned method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Tim Skowronek, Thomas Pawlak, Wolfgang Sinz
  • Publication number: 20160298591
    Abstract: A method is described for operating an ignition system for an internal combustion engine, including a primary voltage generator and a bypass, in particular, a boost converter for maintaining a spark generated with the aid of the primary voltage generator, the method includes an ascertainment of a modified energy requirement for an ignition spark, which is to be maintained with the aid of the bypass and a modification of the working mode of the bypass in response thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Tim Skowronek, Thomas Pawlak, Wolfgang Sinz
  • Patent number: 9459333
    Abstract: A phantom for co-registering a magnetic resonance image and a nuclear medical image is disclosed. The phantom includes a longitudinal member having a first end cap and a second end cap and a chamber contained within the longitudinal member. The chamber contains a fluid for producing a first image using a first imaging modality. The phantom further includes a first rod disposed within the chamber of the longitudinal member. The first rod contains a radioactive substance for producing a second image using a second imaging modality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignees: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jun Bao, David Faul, Ralf Ladebeck, John Thomas Pawlak, Elmar Rummert, Charles C. Watson