Patents by Inventor Wolfgang Ruehle

Wolfgang Ruehle 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: 6889913
    Abstract: A fuel injector for a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine is described. The fuel injector has a fuel inlet connection piece for supplying fuel, a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive actuator, which is sealed off from the fuel by a seal, and a valve closing body actuatable by the actuator via a valve needle. The valve closing body working together with a valve seat surface to form a seal seat. The seal includes an inlet-side gasket, which is arranged between the fuel inlet connection piece and the actuator, and an actuator jacket that is elastically deformable in a longitudinal direction and is connected to the inlet-side gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ruehle, Hubert Stier
  • Patent number: 6840459
    Abstract: A fuel injector, in particular a fuel injector for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines, has a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive actuator, a valve closing element that can be actuated by the actuator and that works together with a valve seat face to form a seal seat, and a temperature compensation device. The temperature compensation device has a housing that is elastically deformable along a direction of actuation of the actuator, and has at least one throttle that connects an interior space of the housing with a fuel inlet of the fuel injector. The cross-section of this throttle is dimensioned such that an entry and exit of fuel into the housing of the temperature compensation device is enabled when there is a temperature-caused change in length of components of the fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ruehle, Hubert Stier, Matthias Boee, Guenther Hohl, Norbert Keim
  • Patent number: 6814314
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve, in particular an injection valve for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines, is made of a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive actuator and a valve closing body that can be set in motion by the actuator via a valve needle and that interacts with a valve seat surface to produce a seat. To compensate for the temperature expansion, at least one damping element made of a solid is present and exhibits an almost static behavior at a high deformation rate and is elastically or plastically deformable at a low deformation rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ruehle, Hubert Stier, Matthias Boee, Guenther Hohl, Norbert Keim
  • Patent number: 6766964
    Abstract: A fuel injector, in particular for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines, has a valve closing body which can be operated by an actuator by a valve needle and which cooperates with a valve seat face to form a sealing seat. Swiveling toggle elements are situated between the actuator and the valve needle, so that the actuator acts on first lever arms of the swiveling toggle elements, and second lever arms are mechanically linked to the valve needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ruehle, Hubert Stier, Matthias Boee, Guenther Hohl, Norbert Keim
  • Patent number: 6749126
    Abstract: A fuel injector, particularly an injection valve for fuel-injection systems of internal combustion engines, has a first piezoelectric or magnetostrictive actuator and a valve-closure member that can be actuated by the first actuator via a valve needle. The valve closure member interacts with a valve seat surface to form a sealing seat. A second piezoelectric or magnetostrictive actuator acts on the valve needle in opposition to the first actuator. In this context, the actuators are interconnected by a supporting element which is permanently mounted in the fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Ruehle
  • Patent number: 6712289
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve, especially an injection valve for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines, includes a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive actuator and a valve-closure member, which can be actuated by an actuator via a valve needle and interacts with a valve-seat surface to form a sealing seat. An intermediate piece is connected via a first flexible seal to a support plate; the support plate is connected via a second flexible seal to a driver at the valve needle; and the driver is connected via a third flexible seal to the intermediate piece, thereby creating a sealed hydraulic translation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ruehle, Hubert Stier, Matthias Boee, Guenther Hohl, Norbert Keim
  • Patent number: 6685113
    Abstract: An actuator (1), in particular for operation of fuel injectors in fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines, has in this embodiment a plurality of layers (2) of a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive material arranged in a stack. The actuator (1) is prestressed by a tie rod (6) arranged in a central recess (5) by way of opposing threads (7 and 8). Securing the device and the transfer of force are accomplished by a cover plate (3) and a bottom plate (4). The prestress can also be created by a sheathing (9) surrounding the actuator (1), which transfers an axial force component onto the layers (2) via the cover plate (3) and the bottom plate (4) by flanging of projecting ends (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ruehle, Hubert Stier, Matthias Boee, Guenther Hohl, Norbert Keim
  • Patent number: 6685105
    Abstract: A fuel injector, in particular an injector for fuel injection systems in internal combustion engines, has a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive actuator, a valve closing body which can be operated by the actuator by way of a valve needle and which cooperates with a valve seat face to form a sealing seat, and having a hydraulic lifting device including two lifting cylinders that can move in opposite directions. The lifting device is a subassembly hermetically sealed off from a valve interior and has a housing having at least one section which is flexible in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ruehle, Hubert Stier, Matthias Boee, Guenther Hohl, Norbert Keim
  • Patent number: 6681999
    Abstract: A fuel injector, in particular a fuel injector for fuel systems of internal combustion engines, has a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive actuator, a valve needle operated by the actuator by way of a hydraulic temperature compensation device, and a valve closing body operated by the valve needle and cooperating with a valve seat face to form a scaling seat. The temperature compensation device includes a needle driving sleeve which surrounds a valve needle shoulder of the valve needle and, together with a needle driving shoulder, surrounds the valve needle in sections. In addition, the needle driving sleeve together with the valve needle encloses a temperature compensation space, and the temperature compensation space is connected to a fuel inlet of the fuel injector through a directional valve for filling the temperature compensation space with fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ruehle, Hubert Stier, Matthias Boee, Guenther Hohl, Norbert Keim
  • Patent number: 6679222
    Abstract: A method of metering fuel with a fuel injector, in particular a fuel injector for fuel injection systems in internal combustion engines is described, having a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive actuator and a valve closing body which is operable by the actuator with a valve lift, cooperating with a valve seat face provided on a valve seat body to form a sealing seat. The valve lift may be adjusted variably as a function of a variable control signal triggering an actuator to produce a variable fuel flow at the sealing seat. To produce afitted curve, the fuel flow of the fuel jet sprayed by the fuel injector is measured as a function of the control signal to produce a fitted curve, and a predetermined fuel flow is set with the control signal by using the fitted curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Reischl, Wolfgang Ruehle, Hubert Stier, Matthias Boee, Norbert Keim, Guenther Hohl
  • Patent number: 6637677
    Abstract: A fuel injector, particularly an injector of an internal combustion engine, has a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive actuator which is arranged in an actuator chamber which is sealed against the fuel, the fuel injector having a valve-closure member which can be actuated by the actuator via a valve needle, and which cooperates with a valve-seat face to form a sealing seat. In this context, the seal for forming the permeation-resistant sealing contains at least two elastomer sealing devices arranged in tandem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ruehle, Hubert Stier, Matthias Boee, Guenther Hohl, Norbert Keim
  • Patent number: 6626373
    Abstract: A fuel injector, especially an injector valve for fuel injection equipment in internal combustion engines, includes a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive actuator and a valve closing body, operable by an actuator with the aid of a valve needle, which cooperates with a valve seat surface to form a sealing seat, and a valve housing. The actuator is prestressed by a compression spring and, together with this, is surrounded by an actuator housing which is supported by fluid at both its ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ruehle, Hubert Stier, Matthias Boee, Guenther Hohl, Norbert Keim
  • Patent number: 6612539
    Abstract: A fuel injector, particularly an injector for a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, includes a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive actuator and a valve closure member which is actuable by the actuator with the aid of a valve needle and which is cooperable with a valve-seat surface to form a sealing seat. An electromagnetic damping device is provided for damping the movement of the valve needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ruehle, Juergen Ulm
  • Patent number: 6598804
    Abstract: A fuel injector for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines has an actuator and a valve needle actuatable by the actuator, which valve needle is in turn coupled to, and actuates, a valve closing body. The valve closing body and a valve seat surface of a valve seat body form a sealing seat. At least one injection opening is formed in the valve seat body, and an elastic vibration element penetrates the injection opening. The elastic vibration element is attached on the inlet side of the injection opening and leaves a portion of cross-section of the injection opening free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ruehle, Joachim Stilling, Martin Andorfer
  • Publication number: 20030029930
    Abstract: A fuel injector for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines has an actuator and a valve needle actuatable by the actuator, which valve needle is in turn coupled to, and actuates, a valve closing body. The valve closing body and a valve seat surface of a valve seat body form a sealing seat. At least one injection opening is formed in the valve seat body, and an elastic vibration element penetrates the injection opening. The elastic vibration element is attached on the inlet side of the injection opening and leaves a portion of cross-section of the injection opening free.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ruehle, Joachim Stilling, Martin Andorfer
  • Patent number: 6517014
    Abstract: A fuel injector, particularly an injector for fuel-injection systems of internal combustion engines, has a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive actuator and a valve-closure member which is operable by the actuator with the aid of a valve needle and which cooperates with a valve-seat surface to form a sealing seat. The actuator, at a first end face, abuts against a supporting member that has at least one cut-out through which at least one segment of an actuating sleeve projects. The actuating sleeve, at a first end, acts upon the valve needle, and at a second end, embraces the actuator at a second end face of the actuator facing away from the first end face of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ruehle, Hubert Stier, Matthias Boee, Guenther Hohl, Norbert Keim
  • Publication number: 20030015601
    Abstract: A fuel injector for a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine is described. The fuel injector has a fuel inlet connection piece for supplying fuel, a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive actuator, which is sealed off from the fuel by a seal, and a valve closing body actuatable by the actuator via a valve needle. The valve closing body working together with a valve seat surface to form a seal seat. The seal includes an inlet-side gasket, which is arranged between the fuel inlet connection piece and the actuator, and an actuator jacket that is elastically deformable in a longitudinal direction and is connected to the inlet-side gasket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ruehle, Hubert Stier
  • Patent number: 6474565
    Abstract: A fuel injector (1), particularly an injection valve for fuel-injection systems of internal combustion engines, has a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive actuator (16) that is arranged in a valve housing (2) and is sealed off from a fuel by an actuator housing (15), and a valve-closure member (7) which is operable by the actuator (16) with the aid of a valve needle (6) and which cooperates with a valve-seat surface (5) to form a sealing seat. The valve housing (2) and the actuator housing (15) have cut-outs (38, 39) adjoining one another, and the valve housing (2) is joined to the actuator housing (15) in an edge area of the cut-outs (38, 39). In this manner, a feed-through opening (41) is formed which is sealed off from the fuel. The feed-through opening (41) is filled with a filler element (43) by which at least one electrical supply line (37) of the actuator (16) is fixed in position in the feed-through opening (41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ruehle, Hubert Stier, Matthias Boee, Guenther Hohl, Norbert Keim
  • Patent number: 6435430
    Abstract: A fuel injector for a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine is described. The fuel injector, has a fuel inlet connection piece for supplying fuel, a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive actuator, which is sealed off from the fuel by a seal, and a valve closing body actuatable by the actuator via a valve valve closing body working together with a valve seat surface to form a seal seat. The seal includes an inlet-side gasket, which is arranged between the fuel inlet connection piece and the actuator, and an actuator jacket that is elastically deformable in a longitudinal direction and is connected to the inlet-side gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ruehle, Hubert Stier
  • Patent number: 6425376
    Abstract: A fuel injector, especially an injector for fuel-injection systems of internal combustion engines, includes a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive actuator arranged in an actuator space of a valve housing of the fuel injector, the actuator space being sealed from a fuel by a seal. A valve-closure member, which can be actuated by the actuator and interacts with a valve seat to form a sealed seat, assumes the actual valve operation. The seal has a sealing member and a sealing element. The sealing element is joined to the sealing member by a first circumferential welded seam, is elastically deformable and band-shaped, and is joined to the valve housing by a second circumferential welded seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ruehle, Hubert Stier, Matthias Boee, Guenther Hohl, Norbert Keim