IP Library Granted Patent US 8,196,507
Granted Patent B2
US 8,196,507 · App. 12/280,785 · Granted Jun 12, 2012

Actuator for active motor vehicle bonnet

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,196,507
App. No.
12/280,785
Granted
Jun 12, 2012
Kind
B2
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.

Claims (27)

1. A pneumatic actuator for an active bonnet, comprising:

a cylinder;

a piston at least partially within the cylinder, the piston transferable from a rest position to an extended position and lockable in the rest position, wherein the piston comprises a bonnet hinge; and

a spring element configured to hold the piston in the rest position in a pre-stressed state in a direction of the extended position.

2. The pneumatic actuator according to claim 1 , wherein the spring element is on the piston and attaches to an adjacent end of the bonnet hinge.

3. The pneumatic actuator according to claim 1 , wherein the spring element is a rubbery-elastic body.

4. The pneumatic actuator according to claim 1 , wherein the piston goes through the spring element.

5. The pneumatic actuator according to claim 1 , wherein the spring element is jammed between the cylinder and the bonnet hinge which is fixed to the piston.

6. The pneumatic actuator according to claim 1 , wherein the bonnet hinge is fixed to the piston by means of at least one screw.

7. The pneumatic actuator according to claim 6 , wherein the cylinder comprises:

a gas inlet conduit for a gas propellant, the gas inlet conduit extending in a movement direction of the piston; and

a locking projection of the piston held in the gas inlet conduit by a cross bar.

8. The pneumatic actuator according to claim 7 , wherein the locking projection entirely fills a cross section of the gas inlet conduit.

9. The pneumatic actuator according to claim 7 , wherein the cross bar comprises a front side exposed to the gas propellant and is slidable through pressure of the gas propellant on the front side through the gas inlet conduit.

10. The pneumatic actuator according to claim 9 , wherein the cross bar is tapered towards a front side.

11. The pneumatic actuator according to claim 9 , wherein the cross bar intersects with a hole of the locking projection and comprises at least one ridge in contact with an inner surface of the hole.

12. The pneumatic actuator according to claim 11 , wherein the hole comprises has a round cross-section and the cross bar has a polygonal cross-section.

13. The pneumatic actuator according to claim 11 , wherein the cross bar on an end facing away from a front end comprises a shoulder that covers the hole.

14. The pneumatic actuator according to claim 1 , wherein a release of the piston and a movement into the extended position utilizes a common energy source.

15. A pneumatic actuator for an active bonnet, comprising:

a cylinder;

a piston at least partially within the cylinder, the piston transferable from a rest position to an extended position and lockable in the rest position; and

a spring element configured to hold the piston in the rest position in a pre-stressed state in a direction of the extended position, wherein the spring element is a rubbery-elastic body.

16. A pneumatic actuator for an active bonnet, comprising:

a cylinder;

a piston at least partially within the cylinder, the piston transferable from a rest position to an extended position and lockable in the rest position; and

a spring element configured to hold the piston in the rest position in a pre-stressed state in a direction of the extended position, wherein the piston goes through the spring element.

Assignments (13)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034384/0758 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2011
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 025781/0245 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025324/0515 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2010
From: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025315/0046 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025245/0909 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 28, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023162/0237 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 27, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023156/0313 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 21, 2009
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023126/0914 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 21, 2009
From: CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR BANK PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES; CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR HEDGE PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023155/0769 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 16, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR BANK PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES; CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR HEDGE PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES
Reel/Frame 022554/0538 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 4, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 022201/0448 →
CORRECTION TO THE ASSIGNMENT RECORDATION COVER SHEET TO CORRECT THE TYPOGRAPHICAL ERROR IN THE ASSIGNEE NAME RECORDED AT REEL: 022005 AND FRAME 0260 Recorded Jan 8, 2009
From: SCHAEFER, JOACHIM; SCHEUCH, VOLKER; SCHMIDT, WERNER; ZILG, MARTIN
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 022077/0006 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 18, 2008
From: SCHAEFER, JOACHIM; SCHEUCH, VOLKER; SCHMIDT, WERNER; ZILG, MARTIN
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Reel/Frame 022005/0260 →