Patents by Inventor Thomas Rauner

Thomas Rauner 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: 20120265386
    Abstract: A method for operating a hybrid vehicle having a first driven axle (10) that can be driven exclusively electrically by at least one first electric machine (14) assigned to the first axle (10), and having a second driven axle (12) that can be driven by at least one second electric machine (16) assigned to the second axle (12) and/or by an internal combustion engine (15) assigned to the second axle (12). During each current driving cycle of the hybrid vehicle a kilometer reading/mileage reading, or a variable representing the kilometer reading/mileage reading, of the hybrid vehicle is determined, and an operating strategy is determined for a subsequent new driving cycle of the hybrid vehicle on the basis of the kilometer reading/mileage reading, or the variable representing the kilometer reading/mileage reading, of the previous driving cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: DR. ING. H.C.F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thomas Rauner, Sebastian Neu
  • Publication number: 20120166029
    Abstract: A drive device for a hybrid vehicle, which has a first driven axle and a second driven axle, including: a first motor/generator unit, which is connected to the first driven axle; an internal combustion engine unit, which is connected in a rotationally fixed fashion to a differential/transmission unit which is connected to the rear axle; a second motor/generator unit, which is connected in a rotationally fixed fashion to the differential/transmission unit, parallel to the internal combustion engine unit; a clutch unit, which is designed to disconnect and connect a force flux between the differential/transmission unit and the second driven axle; and a control unit, which actuates the clutch unit, the internal combustion engine unit, the first motor/generator unit and the second motor/generator unit as a function of predefined operating states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Rauner
  • Publication number: 20120095631
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a hybrid vehicle (1) having an internal combustion engine (2) and an electric machine (4) that can be used individually or jointly to drive at least one axle (9, 10) of the hybrid vehicle (1) by connecting a clutch (15), and having a regeneratable filter device that takes up fuel vapors from a fuel tank of the internal combustion engine (2). To improve the comfort in a purely electric driving mode and/or to improve the reproducible operation of a hybrid vehicle during a special exhaust gas test, in a purely electric driving mode in which the hybrid vehicle (1) is driven only by the electric machine (4), the internal combustion engine (2) is switched on with the clutch (15) open to regenerate the filter device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: DR. ING. H.C.F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Thomas Rauner
  • Publication number: 20120089283
    Abstract: An operating method for a hybrid vehicle having an electric motor and an internal combustion engine, in which driving, in particular a start of a journey, occurs in a purely electric-motor mode if a velocity (vF) drops below a predefined limiting value, a temperature (TB) of a vehicle battery drops below a predefined limiting value, a driver's request torque (MF)/activation of an accelerator pedal drops below a predefined limiting value, and a state of charge (SOC) of the vehicle battery exceeds a predefined limiting value, to allow for starting situations in residential areas or underground parking garage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Rauner, Heiko Mayer, Philipp Söll
  • Patent number: 8079349
    Abstract: A motor vehicle has an internal combustion engine (1) and a drive train (2) with an electric machine that can be operated as a generator. A supercharger (5) supplies air through a mass flow line (6) to an inlet side of the internal combustion engine (1). The air mass flow line (6) has no throttle valve. The supercharger (5) also selectively can function as a secondary air pump to blow secondary air through a branch (7) of the mass flow line (6) and to an outlet side (21a, 21b) of the internal combustion engine (1) upstream of a catalytic converter. A control unit causes the electric machine to operate as a generator when the supercharger (5) is functioning as a secondary air pump to compensate for excess torque caused by a charge pressure generated by the secondary air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Rauner, Sammy Weis, Karl Dums
  • Publication number: 20110304156
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle has an internal combustion engine, at least one electric drive motor and a starter. The internal combustion engine optionally can be started by the starter or the electric drive motor. However, the internal combustion engine is started by the starter when the vehicle is already being driven by the electric drive motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: DR. ING. H.C.F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Werner Schiek, Thomas Rauner, Immo Stache, Markus Goehring, Leo Spiegel
  • Publication number: 20110270479
    Abstract: A motor vehicle has two drive units that can be operated jointly or individually to generate drive torque. The motor vehicle also has a device for predefining a driver's request. The device for predefining the driver's request is embodied so that a force level (K) with an increased restoring force is present within an adjustment range of the device. A control unit processes the driver's request and generates a control signal for actuating the drive units. The control unit operates so that, starting from a driving mode in which only one drive unit for generating a positive drive torque is active, switching over occurs from one drive unit to the other or the other drive unit also is activated when the force level is exceeded. At least one feature that characterizes the force level (K) can be varied based peripheral conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: DR. ING. H.C.F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thomas Rauner, Philipp Soell
  • Publication number: 20110186019
    Abstract: A motor vehicle has an internal combustion engine, a fuel tank and a tank ventilation device. The fuel tank is connected via a first and second tank ventilation lines to an intake tract of the internal combustion engine. A hydrocarbon store has first and second chambers separated by a diaphragm. The first chamber is connected in communicating fashion to the first tank ventilation line and the second chamber is connected in communicating fashion to the second tank ventilation line. Valves are arranged in the first tank ventilation line upstream and downstream of the first chamber. A valve is arranged in the second tank ventilation line between the second chamber and the intake tract.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: DR. ING. H.C.F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thomas Rauner, Stefan Fischer
  • Publication number: 20110084644
    Abstract: A method is provided for supplying electrical power to a load, with a specific quantity of electrical power of different electrical power production types being drawn from an electrical power supply system by the load. The electrical power that is output by the electrical power supply system is identified in terms of its electrical power production type and the quantity of electrical power drawn by the load is detected separately in accordance with the electrical power production types. This provides the option of illustrating to the electrical power customer the origin of the electrical power which is drawn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: DR. ING. H.C.F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Thomas Rauner
  • Publication number: 20110029176
    Abstract: A method is provided to prevent an undesirable flooding or breaching of an activated charcoal filter during the operation of a hybrid vehicle or of a motor vehicle with automatic start/stop. The method includes monitoring during the operation of the vehicle at least one factor that has an effect on the fuel evaporation and using the monitored factor to prevent an undesirable flooding or breaching of the activated charcoal filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: DR. ING. H.C.F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thomas Rauner, Josef Oesterle, Andreas Menke
  • Patent number: 7866424
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle with an internal-combustion engine and an electric motor has a tank ventilation system that includes a fuel tank and a suction pipe leading from a filtering device, which can be regenerated, to the intake path of the internal-combustion engine. A control device is configured to actuate different valve devices for flushing the filtering device, so that ambient air can be fed to the internal-combustion engine through the filtering device and the suction pipe. In addition, the control device is configured such that, during purely electric operation of the hybrid vehicle, it connects the internal-combustion engine as a function of the loading condition of the filtering device or of the flushing gas concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Nils Sauvlet, Thomas Rauner
  • Publication number: 20100146938
    Abstract: To improve the purification action of a catalytic converter that is being heated but has not yet reached a desired operating temperature, the internal combustion engine is driven by an electric machine to convey a flow of heating medium through a catalytic converter for heating purposes before the internal combustion engine is started.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: DR. ING. H.C.F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Daniel Baum, Thomas Rauner
  • Publication number: 20100025129
    Abstract: A motor vehicle has an internal combustion engine (1) and a drive train (2) with an electric machine that can be operated as a generator. A supercharger (5) supplies air through a mass flow line (6) to an inlet side of the internal combustion engine (1). The air mass flow line (6) has no throttle valve. The supercharger (5) also selectively can function as a secondary air pump to blow secondary air through a branch (7) of the mass flow line (6) and to an outlet side (21a, 21b) of the internal combustion engine (1) upstream of a catalytic converter. A control unit causes the electric machine to operate as a generator when the supercharger (5) is functioning as a secondary air pump to compensate for excess torque caused by a charge pressure generated by the secondary air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: DR. ING. H.C.F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thomas Rauner, Sammy Weis, Karl Dums
  • Publication number: 20090031983
    Abstract: An air filter for an air intake system of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine has a housing with a first housing part and a second housing part. A filter element is arranged between the housing parts. An untreated air side of the air filter is formed in the first housing part and a clean air side of the air filter is formed in the second housing part. The first housing part has a housing opening for conducting untreated air into the housing and the second housing part has a housing opening for discharging clean air out of the housing. Further, the housing has a third housing opening for conducting untreated air into the housing, with the housing holding a switchable flap arrangement for opening and closing the third housing opening. The flap arrangement can be activated as a function of operating states of the internal combustion engine. This allows variable, in particular large air masses to be passed through an air filter on account of the further housing opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Thomas Rauner, Bjorn Muller, Rico Fischer, Erwin Rutschmann
  • Publication number: 20090025671
    Abstract: An air intake system of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine has a first collecting chamber and a second collecting chamber. An inflow line supplies intake air to the first collecting chamber. First regions of a plurality of ram pipes are connected to the first collecting chamber and guided through the second collecting chamber and opening out into second regions of the ram pipes. The second regions are arranged outside of and connected to the second collecting chamber. The first regions of the ram pipes are arranged within the second collecting chamber and have adjustable sections. When the adjustable sections of the intake pipes are in one position, intake air is sucked in directly through the first and second regions of the ram pipes. When they are in a second position, intake air is sucked into the second collecting chamber and from the latter into the second regions of the ram pipes. An overflow chamber device connects the first collecting chamber and the second collecting chamber to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AG
    Inventors: Thomas Rauner, Bjorn Muller, Rico Fischer, Erwin Rutschmann
  • Publication number: 20080179121
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle with an internal-combustion engine and an electric motor has a tank ventilation system that includes a fuel tank and a suction pipe leading from a filtering device, which can be regenerated, to the intake path of the internal-combustion engine. A control device is configured to actuate different valve devices for flushing the filtering device, so that ambient air can be fed to the internal-combustion engine through the filtering device and the suction pipe. In addition, the control device is configured such that, during purely electric operation of the hybrid vehicle, it connects the internal-combustion engine as a function of the loading condition of the filtering device or of the flushing gas concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h. c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Nils Sauvlet, Thomas Rauner
  • Publication number: 20080149061
    Abstract: A method checks the adjustment of the length or volume of an intake manifold in an internal combustion engine which, when there is a functionally capable adjustment of the length of the intake manifold, is operated with a first, comparatively large intake manifold length when there is a first, comparatively low rotational speed, and is operated with a second, comparatively small intake manifold length when there is a second, comparatively high rotational speed. In the method, a measure is formed for an actual value of the power or of the torque of the internal combustion engine from operating parameters which are sensed for controlling the internal combustion engine during its operation. The measure is compared with a predetermined setpoint value, and the check is carried out in dependence on the result of the comparison. In addition, a control unit is configured to carry out the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thomas Rauner, Bjorn Muller
  • Patent number: 7280911
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the control of an engine having at least two control units, which is constructed of at least two cylinder rows or of two partial engines is provided. A control unit is assigned to each cylinder row or each partial engine, which control unit, on the basis of detected operating parameters, controls the function of the respective cylinder bank assigned to it or of the partial engine assigned to it. The control units mutually exchanging their control variables, and the detected operating parameters and the control variables emitted by the control units being monitored jointly to determine their credibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengessellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Rauner, Stephan Pelters
  • Publication number: 20060100772
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the control of an engine having at least two control units, which is constructed of at least two cylinder rows or of two partial engines is provided. A control unit is assigned to each cylinder row or each partial engine, which control unit, on the basis of detected operating parameters, controls the function of the respective cylinder bank assigned to it or of the partial engine assigned to it. The control units mutually exchanging their control variables, and the detected operating parameters and the control variables emitted by the control units being monitored jointly to determine their credibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Publication date: May 11, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Rauner, Stephan Pelters
  • Publication number: 20040226537
    Abstract: A method of triggering the exhaust flaps in an exhaust system is used whereby a vacuum storage device is connected via a nonreturn valve to an intake system. The vacuum storage device is connected to an exhaust system via a triggerable solenoid valve (13) in parallel with the intake system. The triggerable solenoid valve is triggerable by an engine control unit. The triggering variable is determined in the engine control unit by at least one engine characteristics map, which includes the rotational speed, engine load and engaged gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Wolfgang Held, Thomas Rauner