Patents by Inventor Walter Schrod
Walter Schrod 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: 20240025259Abstract: A vehicle charging circuit is equipped with a rectifier device, at least one intermediate circuit capacitor and at least one precharge/discharge circuit. The rectifier device is connected to the intermediate circuit capacitor via the precharge/discharge circuit. The precharge/discharge circuit has at least one first changeover switch that is configured, in a first position, to connect a first pole of the intermediate circuit capacitor to a first potential of the rectifier device. In a second position, the changeover switch connects the first pole of the intermediate circuit capacitor to the second pole of the intermediate circuit capacitor via a discharge resistor. The changeover switch is configured to adopt the second switching position in the actuation-free state.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2021Publication date: January 25, 2024Inventors: Waldemar Heimann, Martin GÖTZENBERGER, Walter SCHROD, Thomas FRANZ
-
Patent number: 11554680Abstract: An intermediate circuit is equipped with a first terminal connection, which includes a neutral conductor connection, and with a first and a second intermediate circuit capacitor and a diode circuit. The intermediate circuit has configuration switches which in a first state connect the intermediate circuit capacitors to one another in series and in a second state connect the intermediate circuit capacitors to one another in parallel. The configuration switches are each designed as changeover switches, which bypass the diode circuit in the first state, wherein the neutral conductor connection is connected to the diode circuit. A vehicle-based charging circuit, which includes the intermediate circuit and a rectifier circuit, is also described.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2020Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Inventors: Veit Wagenseil, Werner Lex, Walter Schrod
-
Publication number: 20220348093Abstract: An intermediate circuit is equipped with a first terminal connection, which includes a neutral conductor connection, and with a first and a second intermediate circuit capacitor and a diode circuit. The intermediate circuit has configuration switches which in a first state connect the intermediate circuit capacitors to one another in series and in a second state connect the intermediate circuit capacitors to one another in parallel. The configuration switches are each designed as changeover switches, which bypass the diode circuit in the first state, wherein the neutral conductor connection is connected to the diode circuit. A vehicle-based charging circuit, which includes the intermediate circuit and a rectifier circuit, is also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2020Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventors: Veit Wagenseil, Werner Lex, Walter Schrod
-
Patent number: 10693305Abstract: A capacitive load charging/discharging device, including a first capacitor, a down-up converter including a first and a second switching element connected across the first capacitor, wherein a connecting point of the switching elements is connected to a first output terminal of the converter through a main coil. The device further includes an output circuit with a capacitive load arranged between first and second output circuit terminals, which are connected to output terminals of the converter. A discharge circuit is formed with the output circuit, the main coil and the second switching element, including an additional capacitor which is connected to a charging circuit for charging to a specified voltage, wherein the polarity of the voltage corresponds to that of the load voltage in the charged state of the capacitive load.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2017Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbHInventors: Andreas Baier, Philipp Schiller, Walter Schrod
-
Patent number: 10636956Abstract: The disclosure relates to a circuit arrangement that includes a first DC-DC converter that is connected on the output side to a capacitor. A first terminal of the capacitor is a supply voltage terminal and a second terminal of the capacitor is a reference potential terminal. The circuit arrangement also includes a second DC-DC converter, which is connected on the input side with the capacitor and on the output side to a first terminal of a piezo actuator. The second terminal of the piezo actuator is connected to the first terminal of the capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2017Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbHInventors: Martin Götzenberger, Walter Schrod
-
Patent number: 10167802Abstract: The present disclosure relates to internal combustion engines. The teachings thereof may be embodied in methods for determining a state of an injection valve of an internal combustion engine. Some methods may include actuating the piezo actuator in a pulse-width-modulated manner; recording the T on and/or T off switching times of the pulse-width-modulated piezo output stage of the piezo actuator; and evaluating the recorded switching times to derive the state of the injection valve.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2015Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Andreas Baier, Tany Gargiso, Walter Schrod, Hans-Joerg Wiehoff
-
Patent number: 10134974Abstract: A method for identifying an overcurrent when charging a piezo actuator, by periodically connecting and disconnecting the piezo actuator to and from an energy source via a charging coil. A connection is followed by a disconnection when the charging current has reached a prescribed maximum current value and a minimum switched-on time has elapsed, and a connection is effected again when either a prescribed minimum current value has been reached or a maximum switched-off time has elapsed. An overcurrent is identified when a disconnection is effected when the minimum switched-on time has elapsed and the charging current has previously reached or exceeded a prescribed maximum current value. An overcurrent is also identified when, after a disconnection on account of the prescribed maximum current value having been reached, a connection is effected again when the maximum switched-off time has elapsed without the minimum current value having been reached.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2016Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Walter Schrod, Thomas Franz, Christoph Haggemiller
-
Patent number: 9985531Abstract: A switching controller for the generation of a plurality of DC voltages includes an auxiliary secondary circuit in addition to a primary circuit and at least two main secondary circuits. Only the auxiliary secondary circuit is controlled by a control circuit. The auxiliary secondary circuit operates in a virtually powerless manner, wherein the time constant of a parallel circuit has a third output capacitor and an auxiliary load resistor is smaller than the average time constants of at least the first and second main secondary circuits, which are defined by the output capacitors thereof and the average rating values of the load resistors to be connected.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2016Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Christoph Haggenmiller, Thomas Franz, Walter Schrod
-
Publication number: 20170338680Abstract: A capacitive load charging/discharging device, including a first capacitor, a down-up converter including a first and a second switching element connected across the first capacitor, wherein a connecting point of the switching elements is connected to a first output terminal of the converter through a main coil. The device further includes an output circuit with a capacitive load arranged between first and second output circuit terminals, which are connected to output terminals of the converter. A discharge circuit is formed with the output circuit, the main coil and the second switching element, including an additional capacitor which is connected to a charging circuit for charging to a specified voltage, wherein the polarity of the voltage corresponds to that of the load voltage in the charged state of the capacitive load.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2017Publication date: November 23, 2017Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Andreas Baier, Philipp Schiller, Walter Schrod
-
Publication number: 20170288119Abstract: The disclosure relates to a circuit arrangement that includes a first DC-DC converter that is connected on the output side to a capacitor. A first terminal of the capacitor is a supply voltage terminal and a second terminal of the capacitor is a reference potential terminal. The circuit arrangement also includes a second DC-DC converter, which is connected on the input side with the capacitor and on the output side to a first terminal of a piezo actuator. The second terminal of the piezo actuator is connected to the first terminal of the capacitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2017Publication date: October 5, 2017Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Martin Götzenberger, Walter Schrod
-
Patent number: 9761783Abstract: A capacitive actuator is connected to an output of an apparatus which is formed with a capacitor connected between an input and a reference potential, with a full bridge with four power switching elements connected in parallel with the capacitor. To charge the capacitive actuator, a control circuit first turns on the first and third power switching elements. Current then flows from the first capacitor via a coil connected between the bridge paths and energy is stored in the coil. When a maximum current value is reached, the first and third power switching elements are switched off and magnetic energy stored in the coil decays due to current flow via the diodes of the second and fourth power switching elements. This charges the capacitive actuator. The capacitive actuator is charged to a predefined voltage by possible repeated switching of the first and third power switching elements.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2013Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Dirk Etzler, Walter Schrod
-
Patent number: 9680082Abstract: A device for charging and discharging a capacitive actuator connectable to an output connection has a first capacitor disposed between an input connection and a reference potential. The device has a series connection composed of a first and a second power switching element which is connected in parallel with the first capacitor. The device additionally has a first coil with a first connection connected to the center tap of the series connection, wherein the second connection of the first coil is connected to the reference potential via a third power switching element and to the output connection via a fourth power switching element. Wherein the power switching elements have diodes connected in parallel therewith such that they are reverse-biased from the input connection or the output connection to the reference potential. Wherein a connection of the fourth power switching element is connected to the input connection via a diode.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Walter Schrod, Albert Anzinger
-
Publication number: 20170152804Abstract: The present disclosure relates to internal combustion engines. The teachings thereof may be embodied in methods for determining a state of an injection valve of an internal combustion engine. Some methods may include actuating the piezo actuator in a pulse-width-modulated manner; recording the T on and/or T off switching times of the pulse-width-modulated piezo output stage of the piezo actuator; and evaluating the recorded switching times to derive the state of the injection valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2015Publication date: June 1, 2017Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Andreas Baier, Tany Gargiso, Walter Schrod, Hans-Joerg Wiehoff
-
Publication number: 20170063113Abstract: A method for identifying an overcurrent when charging a piezo actuator, by periodically connecting and disconnecting the piezo actuator to and from an energy source via a charging coil. A connection is followed by a disconnection when the charging current has reached a prescribed maximum current value and a minimum switched-on time has elapsed, and a connection is effected again when either a prescribed minimum current value has been reached or a maximum switched-off time has elapsed. An overcurrent is identified when a disconnection is effected when the minimum switched-on time has elapsed and the charging current has previously reached or exceeded a prescribed maximum current value. An overcurrent is also identified when, after a disconnection on account of the prescribed maximum current value having been reached, a connection is effected again when the maximum switched-off time has elapsed without the minimum current value having been reached.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: WALTER SCHROD, THOMAS FRANZ, CHRISTOPH HAGGEMILLER
-
Publication number: 20170033695Abstract: A switching controller for the generation of a plurality of DC voltages includes an auxiliary secondary circuit in addition to a primary circuit and at least two main secondary circuits. Only the auxiliary secondary circuit is controlled by a control circuit. The auxiliary secondary circuit operates in a virtually powerless manner, wherein the time constant of a parallel circuit has a third output capacitor and an auxiliary load resistor is smaller than the average time constants of at least the first and second main secondary circuits, which are defined by the output capacitors thereof and the average rating values of the load resistors to be connected.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2016Publication date: February 2, 2017Inventors: CHRISTOPH HAGGENMILLER, THOMAS FRANZ, WALTER SCHROD
-
Patent number: 9112431Abstract: In a method for calibration, a piezo-actuator (1) is actuated in a motor vehicle by a control circuit and an output stage. The piezo actuator is, in particular, part of the injection valve. The piezo-actuator (1) is subjected to an electric calibration pulse that is in the high-level signal range thereof when the control circuit and the output stage are in operation, the frequency thereof being modified over time. The associated electric impendence curve over the frequency is determined and evaluated during the calibration pulse. The output stage is controlled by the control circuit in such a manner that the calibration pulse is generated.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2008Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Christian Reichinger, Walter Schrod, Hans-Jörg Wiehoff
-
Publication number: 20150061461Abstract: A device for charging and discharging a capacitive actuator connectable to an output connection has a first capacitor disposed between an input connection and a reference potential. The device has a series connection composed of a first and a second power switching element which is connected in parallel with the first capacitor. The device additionally has a first coil with a first connection connected to the center tap of the series connection, wherein the second connection of the first coil is connected to the reference potential via a third power switching element and to the output connection via a fourth power switching element. Wherein the power switching elements have diodes connected in parallel therewith such that they are reverse-biased from the input connection or the output connection to the reference potential. Wherein a connection of the fourth power switching element is connected to the input connection via a diode.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: WALTER SCHROD, ALBERT ANZINGER
-
Publication number: 20150048718Abstract: A capacitive actuator is connected to an output of an apparatus which is formed with a capacitor connected between an input and a reference potential, with a full bridge with four power switching elements connected in parallel with the capacitor. To charge the capacitive actuator, a control circuit first turns on the first and third power switching elements. Current then flows from the first capacitor via a coil connected between the bridge paths and energy is stored in the coil. When a maximum current value is reached, the first and third power switching elements are switched off and magnetic energy stored in the coil decays due to current flow via the diodes of the second and fourth power switching elements. This charges the capacitive actuator. The capacitive actuator is charged to a predefined voltage by possible repeated switching of the first and third power switching elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2013Publication date: February 19, 2015Applicant: Continental Automotive GMBHInventors: Dirk Etzler, Walter Schrod
-
Patent number: 8461794Abstract: In a method and apparatus for controlling of a servo-drive, in particular of a solid state actuator in which the servo-drive is controlled during each control process by means of a two-point regulator (R2P), the two-point regulator (R2P) has a power signal (I) as control signal for actuation of the servo-drive. An upper switch point (PO) of the two-point controller (R2P) is allocated to one maximum power value (ÎOn) and a lower switch point (PU) of the two-point controller (R2P) is allocated to one minimum power value (ÎUm). The upper switch point (PO) and the lower switch point (PU) are established during the controlling process so that they are separated in pairs by at least a minimum default spacing (Dmin).Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2009Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Walter Schrod, Christian Tump
-
Publication number: 20110181228Abstract: In a method and apparatus for controlling of a servo-drive, in particular of a solid state actuator in which the servo-drive is controlled during each control process by means of a two-point regulator (R2P), the two-point regulator (R2P) has a power signal (I) as control signal for actuation of the servo-drive. An upper switch point (PO) of the two-point controller (R2P) is allocated to one maximum power value (ÎOn) and a lower switch point (PU) of the two-point controller (R2P) is allocated to one minimum power value (ÎUm). The upper switch point (PO) and the lower switch point (PU) are established during the controlling process so that they are separated in pairs by at least a minimum default spacing (Dmin).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2009Publication date: July 28, 2011Inventors: Walter Schrod, Christian Tump