E139 – Adaptive High-Precision
DAP Pump Technology
Double-acting piston pump with parallel valves and adaptive area switching — universal hydraulic pump architecture. 3 independent inventions · 6 granted patents · EP · JP · IN · KR · US · CN
| Applicant | IPGATE AG, Churerstrasse 160B, 8808 Pfäffikon (CH) |
| Inventors | Heinz Leiber, Dr. Thomas Leiber, Valentin Unterfrauner |
| Priority / Filing Date | September 16, 2013 (DE 10 2013 110 188.7) October 30, 2013 (DE 10 2013 111 974.3) |
| PCT Application | PCT/EP2014/069723 |
| Technology | Adaptive high-precision pump technology (double-acting piston with area switching and parallel valves) |
| Innovations | 3 independent inventions |
Universal Adaptive Pump Architecture
for Electrohydraulic Systems
Patent family E139 describes an electrically driven pressure control and volume delivery unit based on a double-acting piston (DAP) with two differently sized effective areas and parallel high-flow switching valves — enabling high-precision, variably controllable pressure supply for a wide range of hydraulic consumers.
The E139 patent family describes an electrically driven pressure control and volume delivery unit based on the principle of a double-acting piston (DAP) with two differently sized effective areas. By combining parallel high-flow switching valves with adaptive area switching, the unit achieves high-precision, variably controllable pressure supply. The large effective area enables rapid pre-filling at low pressures, while the small effective area enables high-precision pressure metering at high pressures with reduced motor torque.
The E139 patent family comprises 6 granted patents in the jurisdictions EP (validated in DE, GB, and FR), JP, IN, KR, US, and CN. With its broad, application-independent protection formulation, E139 forms the universal pump basis of IP portfolio B1 and extends protection beyond vehicle brakes to electrohydraulic clutches, steering systems, active chassis systems, and industrial actuators.
Development History
The state of the art for hydraulic pressure supply was dominated by piston or gear pumps, typically driven by combustion engines and delivering a fixed volume flow. Electrically driven double-stroke piston pumps enabled variable delivery rates, but relatively high leakage prevented precise pressure control through motor position control alone.
The E139 invention solves this limitation with a novel double-acting piston architecture featuring two differently sized effective areas and parallel high-flow switching valves. This design enables adaptive, high-precision pressure supply without being limited to a specific brake actuation device. The universal formulation as a general-purpose pump extends the scope of protection to applications far beyond vehicle brakes: brake-by-wire systems, clutch actuators, electrohydraulic steering systems, and industrial hydraulics.
The parallel valve configuration — in contrast to the series valve arrangement in E138WO-TA1 — provides substantially higher volume flow rates, making E139 particularly suitable for applications requiring large delivery volumes in the pre-filling phase combined with high-precision metering at operating pressure.
Three Independent Inventions
Each invention is independently claimed across EP, JP, IN, KR, US, and CN. US A23 provides an additional independent scope of protection for forward-stroke area switching.
Categories, Descriptions & Keywords
All three independent invention concepts, with cross-jurisdictional claim references. The EP claim structure serves as reference; US and CN include additional system-level dependent claims.
| Invention | Cat. | Description | Keyword |
|---|---|---|---|
| E139 A1 EP · JP · KR · CN · IN · US |
Device | DAP pump with double-acting piston and parallel switching valves with large flow cross-section. CN/IN specify area ratio 1.5:1–2.5:1. US A1 combines both concepts with OR logic. US A24 and CN A32/A37 extend protection to system level (braking system). Universal protection not limited to vehicle applications. | Parallel valve DAP pump |
| E139 A16/A14/A21 EP A16 · JP A16 · KR A16 · US A14 · IN A14 · CN A21 |
Method | Method for pressure supply with variable delivery capacity and/or precise pressure metering using the DAP. Bidirectional volume control with adaptive area switching enables situational adjustment of effective piston area for optimal efficiency across operating pressure range. Essentially identical in all six jurisdictions. | Adaptive DAP pressure supply |
| E139 A23 US only |
Device | DAP delivery system with variable effective area switching in the forward stroke. Independent US claim without area ratio restriction. Provides an alternative independent scope of protection for the parallel valve configuration beyond the main A1 claim. US-specific protection direction. | DAP forward stroke area switching |
Jurisdictions & Status
All members of the E139 patent family as of February 2026. All six rights are granted. EP validates in DE, GB, and FR.
| File No. | Country | Status | Type | Application No. | Filed | Grant No. | Granted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E139WOEP | EP · DE · GB · FR | Granted | Patent | 14771263.2 | Sep. 16, 2014 | EP3046815B1 | Oct. 27, 2021 |
| E139WOJP | JP | Granted | Patent | 2016-543378 | Sep. 16, 2014 | JP6463765B2 | Jan. 11, 2019 |
| E139WOIN | IN | Granted | Patent | 201617009163 | Sep. 16, 2014 | IN512135B | Feb. 19, 2024 |
| E139WOKR | KR | Granted | Patent | 10-2016-7009833 | Sep. 16, 2014 | KR102317791B1 | Oct. 20, 2021 |
| E139WOUS | US | Granted | Patent | 15/022,134 | Sep. 16, 2014 | US10,421,447 B2 | Sep. 24, 2019 |
| E139WOCN | CN | Granted | Patent | 201480051081.6 | Sep. 16, 2014 | CN105636841B | Mar. 17, 2020 |
