Patents by Inventor Bernd Constantin

Bernd Constantin 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: 8152680
    Abstract: A differential assembly is described, in the form of a crown differential for use in a driveline of a motor vehicle. The differential assembly comprises a one-piece differential carrier which is rotatably drivable around an axis of rotation and, in a casing portion, comprises no more than two identical openings for mounting sideshaft gears rotatably held in the differential carrier on the axis of rotation, as well as differential gears, which rotate jointly with the differential carrier around the axis of rotation and engage the teeth of the sideshaft gears. With reference to a longitudinal central plane, the openings are arranged so as to be mirror-symmetrical and comprise an axial length corresponding at least to the diameter of the differential gears, and a greatest circumferential extension which, in a radial view, corresponds at least to the diameter of the sideshaft gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International, GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Krude, Ralf Leuschen, Bernd Constantin
  • Publication number: 20090239698
    Abstract: The invention relates a differential assembly in the form of a crown differential for being used in the driveline of a motor vehicle. The differential assembly (2) comprises a one-piece differential carrier (3) which is rotatably drivable around an axis of rotation A and, in a casing portion (7), comprises no more than two identical openings (8, 9) for mounting sideshaft gears (11, 12) rotatably held in the differential carrier (3) on the axis of rotation A, as well as differential gears (13) which rotate jointly with the differential carrier (3) around the axis of rotation A and engage the teeth of the sideshaft gears (11, 12). With reference to a longitudinal central plane, the openings (8, 9) are arranged so as to be mirror-symmetrical and comprise an axial length L1 corresponding at least to the diameter of the differential gears, and a greatest circumferential extension L2 which, in a radial view, corresponds at least to the diameter of the sideshaft gears (11, 12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2006
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Werner Krude, Ralf Leuschen, Bernd Constantin
  • Patent number: 7107871
    Abstract: A crown gear assembly including a crown gear which is rotatably supported around a first axis (A1) and which forms teeth (13) which are provided with flanks (14, 15) whose mantle lines extend substantially radially relative to the axis (A1), as well as a pinion (21) which is rotatably supported around a second axis (A2) extending perpendicularly relative to the first axis (A1), and which forms teeth (23) which are provided with flanks whose mantle lines extend substantially parallel relative to the axis (A2), wherein, on the radial outside of the teeth (13) of the crown gear, the pinion (21) is provided with a collar (25) which is adapted to contact a circumferential face of the crown gear (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: GKN Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Colin Zaers, Bernd Constantin
  • Publication number: 20040069083
    Abstract: A crown gear assembly including a crown gear which is rotatably supported around a first axis (A1) and which forms teeth (13) which are provided with flanks (14, 15) whose mantle lines extend substantially radially relative to the axis (A1), as well as a pinion (21) which is rotatably supported around a second axis (A2) extending perpendicularly relative to the first axis (A1), and which forms teeth (23) which are provided with flanks whose mantle lines extend substantially parallel relative to the axis (A2), wherein, on the radial outside of the teeth (13) of the crown gear, the pinion (21) is provided with a collar (25) which is adapted to contact a circumferential face of the crown gear (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Colin Zaers, Bernd Constantin
  • Patent number: 5884739
    Abstract: A coupling assembly has a friction coupling with friction plates alternately connected to respective ones of first and second coaxial parts which are rotatable relative to one another. A hydraulic actuating device for actuating the friction coupling has an annular chamber formed in one of the first and second parts. The annular chamber is defined by an axially movable piston which acts on the friction plates and containing a conveyor member for effecting fluid shear. The conveying member is connected to the other of the first and second parts. The annular chamber receives a highly viscous fluid, such that a pressure build up is generated to increase torque transmission between the first and second parts. The annular chamber is connected to a compensating chamber with a variable volume force for the highly viscous fluid. The compensating chamber is formed by an axially open annular groove and an axially movable annular element sealing said annular groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: GKN Viscodrive Gmbh
    Inventor: Bernd Constantin