Patents by Inventor Volker Scheuch

Volker Scheuch 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: 8596180
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided having an active bonnet and a pyrotechnic actuator configured to lift the active bonnet a plurality of times without having to perform maintenance on the pyrotechnic actuator. The pyrotechnic actuator includes a cylinder having an inlet opening, a first chamber and a second chamber that are separated by a central region; a piston that is configured to be displaced through the central region of the cylinder between a first position in the first chamber and a second position in the second chamber; and a carrier having first and second gas generators each being coupled to the inlet opening. The first gas generator is configured to be ignited to lift the active bonnet a first time, and the second gas generator is configured to be ignited independently of the first gas generator to lift the active bonnet a second time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joachim Schaefer, Volker Scheuch, Werner Schmidt, Martin Zilg
  • Patent number: 8549975
    Abstract: A pyrotechnic actuator for an active bonnet is provided that includes, but is not limited to a cylinder, a piston which can be displaced in the cylinder under the influence of a propellant gas and a first gas generator for producing the propellant gas. The actuator includes, but is not limited to at least one further gas generator, which can be ignited independently of the first gas generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joachim Schäfer, Volker Scheuch, Werner Schmidt, Martin Zilg
  • Publication number: 20120204562
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided having an active bonnet and a pyrotechnic actuator configured to lift the active bonnet a plurality of times without having to perform maintenance on the pyrotechnic actuator. The pyrotechnic actuator includes a cylinder having an inlet opening, a first chamber and a second chamber that are separated by a central region; a piston that is configured to be displaced through the central region of the cylinder between a first position in the first chamber and a second position in the second chamber; and a carrier having first and second gas generators each being coupled to the inlet opening. The first gas generator is configured to be ignited to lift the active bonnet a first time, and the second gas generator is configured to be ignited independently of the first gas generator to lift the active bonnet a second time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Joachim SCHÄFER, Volker SCHEUCH, Werner SCHMIDT, Martin ZILG
  • Patent number: 8196507
    Abstract: A pneumatic actuator is provided for an active bonnet. The pneumatic actuator includes, but is not limited to a cylinder and a piston transferable from a rest position to an extended position and lockable in its rest position. The piston, in its rest position, is held pre-stressed by a spring element in the direction of the extended state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joachim Schäfer, Volker Scheuch, Werner Schmidt, Martin Zilg
  • Patent number: 8162093
    Abstract: A body for a motor vehicle comprises a frame, a bonnet connected on a first side to the frame by a hinge and on a second side by a bonnet lock, and at least one actuating element which can be extended in the event of an accident in order to raise the bonnet. The actuating element comprises a movable part acting on the first side of the bonnet. A catch of the bonnet lock is coupled to the movable part in order to release the bonnet lock (when said actuating element is extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Volker Scheuch, Werner Schmidt, Joachim Schäfer, Martin Zilg
  • Patent number: 7712569
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lifting device for raising the hood (20) of a motor vehicle during a collision with a pedestrian. The device comprises a retaining member (10) for connecting the hood (20) to the vehicle bodywork (14) and a pyrotechnic explosive unit (16) for detaching the retaining member (10). To guarantee a reliable operation, the device is equipped with lifting means (18) for raising the hood (20) into a collision position, the means being actuated by the energy of the explosive unit (16) released during the detachment of the retaining member (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Europe GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Volker Scheuch, Werner Schmidt, Martin Zilg, Andree Hündling, Frank Goseberg
  • Publication number: 20090217809
    Abstract: A pyrotechnic actuator for an active bonnet is provided that includes, but is not limited to a cylinder, a piston which can be displaced in the cylinder under the influence of a propellant gas and a first gas generator for producing the propellant gas. The actuator includes, but is not limited to at least one further gas generator, which can be ignited independently of the first gas generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Joachim Schäfer, Volker Scheuch, Werner Schmidt, Martin Zilg
  • Publication number: 20090152899
    Abstract: A body for a motor vehicle comprises a frame, a bonnet connected on a first side to the frame by a hinge and on a second side by a bonnet lock, and at least one actuating element which can be extended in the event of an accident in order to raise the bonnet. The actuating element comprises a movable part acting on the first side of the bonnet. A catch of the bonnet lock is coupled to the movable part in order to release the bonnet lock (when said actuating element is extended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Volker Scheuch, Werner Schmidt, Joachim Schäfer, Martin Zilg
  • Publication number: 20090095151
    Abstract: A pneumatic actuator is provided for an active bonnet. The pneumatic actuator includes, but is not limited to a cylinder and a piston transferable from a rest position to an extended position and lockable in its rest position. The piston, in its rest position, is held pre-stressed by a spring element in the direction of the extended state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Joachim Schafer, Volker Scheuch, Werner Schmidt, Martin Zilg
  • Publication number: 20070267892
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lifting device for raising the hood (20) of a motor vehicle during a collision with a pedestrian. The device comprises a retaining member (10) for connecting the hood (20) to the vehicle bodywork (14) and a pyrotechnic explosive unit (16) for detaching the retaining member (10). To guarantee a reliable operation, the device is equipped with lifting means (18) for raising the hood (20) into a collision position, the means being actuated by the energy of the explosive unit (16) released during the detachment of the retaining member (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Inventors: Volker Scheuch, Werner Schmidt, Martin Zilg, Andree Hundling, Frank Goseberg