Patents by Inventor Thomas Rohrl

Thomas Rohrl 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: 20090005913
    Abstract: A PWM signal on which a dither signal is superimposed is used for adjusting a central position when controlling a solenoid valve. To improve this type of control process in which the amplitude of the dither signal depends on the current of the solenoid valve and thus on the PWM signal, the PWM signal and the dither signal are generated in a computer unit independently of the power regulation process. Forming the signals separately has the advantage of generating a constant amplitude for the dither signal each time a triggering signal is generated for the solenoid valve such that the armature of the solenoid valve can oscillate specifically about the central position and thereof at constant small vibrations. This allows frictional forces to be reliably reduced and the solenoid valve to be switched more rapidly while the load on the main computer is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Jose Cruz Kissler Fernandez, Thomas Rohrl
  • Publication number: 20080156511
    Abstract: A control unit for a vehicle component such as a transmission ideally has a reduced production cost. The aim is achieved by transferring parts from a rigid circuit board to a flexible circuit board. The flexible circuit board is guided through a housing that accommodates the rigid circuit board and a portion of the flexible circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: SIEMENS VDO AUTOMOTIVE AG
    Inventors: Gerald Hauer, Josef Loibl, Thomas Rohrl, Mike Vogel
  • Publication number: 20060224338
    Abstract: An electrical coupling state is monitored between an inductive load and a circuit configuration. The latter has a first and a second coupling point for coupling to the inductive load. A first voltage value is determined between the first and second coupling points. The first voltage value is tested for the occurrence of a characteristic voltage pulse, which can be triggered by reduction of a magnetic flux in the inductive load by way of a steep-edged change in the amount of current flow through the inductive load. An error is identified in the coupling state if the characteristic voltage pulse does not occur within a predefinable time period. The absence of an error in the coupling state is also identified if the voltage pulse does occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Inventors: Albrecht Foll, Jose Kissler, Thomas Rohrl
  • Patent number: 6087987
    Abstract: The system allows locating an enabling component of a motor vehicle. The enabling component, provided with a chip, is for example a smart card or an electronic key. The enabling component is addressed with a search signal from a transmitter fixed to the vehicle. The enabling component responds with an indicating signal. The indicating signal may be an audible signal emitted by the enabling component itself and/or the location information can be indicated by an indicator device fixed to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anton Bachhuber, Thomas Rohrl