Patents by Inventor Thorsten Rohwer
Thorsten Rohwer 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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Patent number: 8973363Abstract: The invention relates to an electric motor, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing (9), a shaft (8) having an axle (30), a stator and a rotor, at least one channel (11) for conducting a coolant for cooling the electric motor (5), wherein the geometry of the alignment of at least one section (12) of the at least one channel (11) is designed such that the coolant flows in the direction of the axle (30) of the shaft (8) through the at least one channel (11), having a deviation of less than 40°.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2010Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Thorsten Rohwer, Denis Kern, Andreas Herzberger
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Publication number: 20140069099Abstract: The invention relates to an electric motor, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing (9), a shaft (8) having an axle (30), a stator and a rotor, at least one channel (11) for conducting a coolant for cooling the electric motor (5), wherein the geometry of the alignment of at least one section (12) of the at least one channel (11) is designed such that the coolant flows in the direction of the axle (30) of the shaft (8) through the at least one channel (11), having a deviation of less than 40°.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2010Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Thorsten Rohwer, Denis Kern, Andreas Herzberger
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Patent number: 8455150Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of adjacently stacked fuel cell modules each of which includes a plurality of adjacently aligned fuel cells that are connected in electrical series. The current flow between adjacent fuel cells is achieved across diffusion media of said adjacent fuel cells. First and second reactant channels are formed in the reactant carrier plates for separately delivering two different reactants along each reactant carrier plate.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2010Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Thorsten Rohwer
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Patent number: 8161994Abstract: A product comprising a phase transfer valve, and wherein said phase transfer valve comprises an actuating valve housing having a housing interior; a liquid hydrogen inlet, a gaseous hydrogen inlet and a hydrogen outlet provided in said valve housing; an actuating valve slidably mounted in said housing interior; and wherein said actuating valve is moveable between a first position for sealing said gaseous hydrogen inlet from said hydrogen outlet and a second position for sealing said liquid hydrogen inlet from said hydrogen outlet.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2008Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Thorsten Rohwer, Dieter Kaimann
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Publication number: 20120091833Abstract: The invention relates to an electric machine (5), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing (9), at least one shaft (8), a stator (6), a rotor (7), a cooling circuit for cooling the electric machine (5) using a liquid, in particular oil, wherein the liquid can be conveyed from at least one at least partially radially aligned channel (11) into at least one rotating part (12) of the electric machine (5) due to a rotational movement of the at least one channel (11), at least one outlet opening (13) for draining the liquid from the at least one channel (11), wherein the electric machine (5) is provided with at least one agent (14) for reducing the conveyed amount per unit time of liquid that can be conveyed from the at least one channel (11) due to the rotational movement of the at least one channel (11).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2010Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventors: Douglas-Brent Hackett, Thorsten Rohwer, Denis Kern, Paul Esse, Christian Buehnert, Andreas Herzberger, Jens Koerkemeyer
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Publication number: 20100285385Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of adjacently stacked fuel cell modules each of which includes a plurality of adjacently aligned fuel cells that are connected in electrical series. The current flow between adjacent fuel cells is achieved across diffusion media of said adjacent fuel cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2010Publication date: November 11, 2010Inventor: Thorsten Rohwer
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Patent number: 7803475Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of adjacently stacked fuel cell modules each of which includes a plurality of adjacently aligned fuel cells that are connected in electrical series. The current flow between adjacent fuel cells is achieved across diffusion media of said adjacent fuel cells.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2005Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Inventor: Thorsten Rohwer
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Patent number: 7743785Abstract: A compressed gas storage system with an incorporated pressure relief device is disclosed. The compressed gas storage system comprises a tank for storing a compressed gas, a battery in the direct surroundings of the tank, and a relief valve in communication with the tank. The relief valve is configured to be responsive to electrical current generated by the battery. The battery is configured to define an electrically active state when it reaches a temperature above a maximum safe operating temperature of the compressed gas storage system. The electrically active state of the battery is characterized by the generation of sufficient electrical current to open the relief valve which permits gas to escape from the tank. In another embodiment, a thermocouple in combination with a conducting metal may be substituted for the battery.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2006Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Thorsten Rohwer, Christian Koenig
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Patent number: 7731051Abstract: A tank for storing a compressed gas, such as hydrogen, that includes a connection assembly to increase seal integrity. The tank includes an inner gas tight liner and an outer support layer that provides the structural integrity. The connection assembly includes a boss positioned within an opening of the support layer. The inner liner includes a neck portion extending through an internal bore of the boss having an outer collar or flange at an outside surface of the boss. A tank valve is bolted to the boss at an outer perimeter of the collar where a portion of the tank valve extends through the neck portion of the liner and into the tank.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2005Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Thorsten Rohwer, Ingo Hermann
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Publication number: 20100068561Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a product including a pressurized gas storage vessel shell including an interior surface and an exterior surface, a liner layer over the interior surface of the pressurized gas storage vessel, and a permeation protection layer over the liner layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2008Publication date: March 18, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Thorsten Rohwer, Holger Eitel, Thorsten Michler, Angela Frohlich
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Publication number: 20090229692Abstract: A product comprising a phase transfer valve, and wherein said phase transfer valve comprises an actuating valve housing having a housing interior; a liquid hydrogen inlet, a gaseous hydrogen inlet and a hydrogen outlet provided in said valve housing; an actuating valve slidably mounted in said housing interior; and wherein said actuating valve is moveable between a first position for sealing said gaseous hydrogen inlet from said hydrogen outlet and a second position for sealing said liquid hydrogen inlet from said hydrogen outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2008Publication date: September 17, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Thorsten Rohwer, Dieter Kaimann
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Patent number: 7553569Abstract: A fuel cell system utilizes at least one flow restricting device to vary the stoichiometric quantity of cathode reactant flowing to two discrete cathode sides of the fuel cell system. The varying of the stoichiometric quantity of cathode reactant can be between two predetermined values. The varying of the stoichiometric quantity can be during a steady state power demand placed on the system and/or during transients in a power demand placed on the system. The airmover that supplies the cathode reactant stream can be operated in a substantially continuous manner during a continuous power demand placed on the fuel cell system.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2005Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Inventors: Robert Schaefer, Rainer Pechtold, Thorsten Rohwer
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Patent number: 7525072Abstract: A heated O-ring that has particular application for providing sealing in the connector region of a compressed hydrogen storage tank in a fuel cell system. In one embodiment, an electrical heating wire is wound through the O-ring so that resistive heating is provide by applying an electrical potential to the wire so that the temperature of the O-ring does not decrease below a predetermined temperature. In another embodiment, electrical heating elements are provided adjacent to and in contact with the O-ring, where an electrical potential applied to the heating elements causes the heating elements to maintain the temperature of the O-ring.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2005Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Rainer Pechtold, Thorsten Rohwer
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Patent number: 7494023Abstract: A magnetic multi-layer insulation system for a cryogenic storage tank. The system includes multiple layers of insulation comprising a carrier support structure disposed between a first major surface of a magnetic material defining a north pole facing away from the carrier support structure, and a second and opposite major surface of a magnetic material defining a south pole facing away from the carrier support structure. A reflective surface, or metal foil, is disposed adjacent the magnetic poles to deflect radiation. The layers are repelled from one another without the use of spacers. In various embodiments, the magnetic material is a permanent magnet selected from the group consisting of Samarium-Cobalt, Alnico, Neodymium-Iron-Boron, an alloy of the Lanthanide group of elements, and mixtures and alloys thereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2005Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Thorsten Rohwer
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Publication number: 20070267062Abstract: A compressed gas storage system with an incorporated pressure relief device is disclosed. The compressed gas storage system comprises a tank for storing a compressed gas, a battery in the direct surroundings of the tank, and a relief valve in communication with the tank. The relief valve is configured to be responsive to electrical current generated by the battery. The battery is configured to define an electrically active state when it reaches a temperature above a maximum safe operating temperature of the compressed gas storage system The electrically active state of the battery is characterized by the generation of sufficient electrical current to open the relief valve which permits gas to escape from the tank. In another embodiment, a thermocouple in combination with a conducting metal may be substituted for the battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2006Publication date: November 22, 2007Inventors: Thorsten Rohwer, Christian Koenig
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Patent number: 7220513Abstract: A fuel cell with a gas diffusion media having a hydrophobic layer adjacent a flow field plate and a hydrophilic layer adjacent the membrane electrode assembly of the fuel cell. The two layers enable balanced humidification of reactant gas along with a basis for managing capillary water addition into the gas diffusion media. The combination of balanced moisture flux (via the hydrophobic layer) and the retention of water (via the hydrophilic layer) for humidifying reactant gas sustains hydration of the proton exchange membrane while preserving the catalyst at full activity.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2004Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Thorsten Rohwer, Thorsten Kels
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Publication number: 20070015013Abstract: A heated O-ring that has particular application for providing sealing in the connector region of a compressed hydrogen storage tank in a fuel cell system. In one embodiment, an electrical heating wire is wound through the O-ring so that resistive heating is provide by applying an electrical potential to the wire so that the temperature of the O-ring does not decrease below a predetermined temperature. In another embodiment, electrical heating elements are provided adjacent to and in contact with the O-ring, where an electrical potential applied to the heating elements causes the heating elements to maintain the temperature of the O-ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2005Publication date: January 18, 2007Inventors: Rainer Pechtold, Thorsten Rohwer
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Publication number: 20070012551Abstract: A tank for storing a compressed gas, such as hydrogen, that includes a connection assembly to increase seal integrity. The tank includes an inner gas tight liner and an outer support layer that provides the structural integrity. The connection assembly includes a boss positioned within an opening of the support layer. The inner liner includes a neck portion extending through an internal bore of the boss having an outer collar or flange at an outside surface of the boss. A tank valve is bolted to the boss at an outer perimeter of the collar where a portion of the tank valve extends through the neck portion of the liner and into the tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2005Publication date: January 18, 2007Inventors: Thorsten Rohwer, Ingo Hermann
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Publication number: 20060234093Abstract: A fuel cell system utilizes at least one flow restricting device to vary the stoichiometric quantity of cathode reactant flowing to two discrete cathode sides of the fuel cell system. The varying of the stoichiometric quantity of cathode reactant can be between two predetermined values. The varying of the stoichiometric quantity can be during a steady state power demand placed on the system and/or during transients in a power demand placed on the system. The airmover that supplies the cathode reactant stream can be operated in a substantially continuous manner during a continuous power demand placed on the fuel cell system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2005Publication date: October 19, 2006Inventors: Robert Schaefer, Rainer Pechtold, Thorsten Rohwer
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Publication number: 20060234103Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of adjacently stacked fuel cell modules each of which includes a plurality of adjacently aligned fuel cells that are connected in electrical series. The current flow between adjacent fuel cells is achieved across diffusion media of said adjacent fuel cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2005Publication date: October 19, 2006Inventor: Thorsten Rohwer