Patents by Inventor Christian Popp

Christian Popp 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: 20110183028
    Abstract: A labeler for labeling plastic containers in the blow mold in a rotary blow molder, with a blow wheel having arranged thereon a plurality of blow molds with a lowerable blow mold bottom, and at least one label dispenser used for providing tubular labels. The blow mold bottom is implemented such that a label can be introduced via the blow mold bottom into the blow mold before the blowing process takes place, which facilitates a spatial separation of the label supply from the feeder star wheel of the blow wheel and allows a substantially simultaneous insertion of the label and of the preform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Christian Popp, Werner Britten, Wolfgang Hausladen
  • Publication number: 20110180975
    Abstract: A labeler for labeling plastic containers in the blow mold as well as to a labeling method for use of the labeler, where due to the fact that the rotating insertion device of the labeler comprises articulated anus having each rotatably supported thereon a gripper, it is possible to remove labels from stationary magazines at a comparatively low relative speed. The articulated arms are able to follow the path of the blow molds during insertion of the labels with high speed. The grippers are rotatably supported which allows an exact radial orientation of the gripper with respect to the axis of rotation of the blow wheel that continues to rotate during insertion of the labels, to thus allow a particularly accurate and reliable labeling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hausladen, Christian Popp, Johannes Weiss
  • Publication number: 20110180974
    Abstract: A labeler for in-mold labeling of plastic bottles as well as to a labeling method for use of the labeler, including that a transfer star wheel and a transfer device of the labeler move the preforms and the labels in a transfer region towards one another in such a way that a respective label is only affixed to a circumferential subarea of a perform. In this manner, the label can be inserted in the blow mold in a particularly fast and reliable manner and excessive stretching of the label during blow molding can be avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hausladen, Christian Popp, Werner Britten
  • Patent number: 7983824
    Abstract: A method for operation of a drivetrain including a drive motor and an automatic transmission having at least five shift elements, of which, at least two elements are disengaged in each forward and reverse gear and the other shift elements are engaged. Two successive shifts are accomplished by two overlapped single gear shifts such that: a) during the first shift, a first shift element is engaged or disengaged while a second shift element is disengaged or engaged; b) during the first shift, second and third shift elements are prepared for either engagement or disengagement; and c) during the first and the second shifts at least one fourth shift element is kept engaged or nearly engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Christian Popp
  • Patent number: 7958983
    Abstract: A hydraulic system in motor vehicles with at least one hydraulically actuated clutch, which entails minimized control complexity for supplying the clutch with hydraulic oil and which takes up less structural space. These characteristics are achieved essentially in that the pressure control of the hydraulically actuated clutch is effected directly and exclusively by an electrically driven and electronically controlled oil pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Schiele, Christian Popp, Thilo Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7957869
    Abstract: A method of operating an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, in particular a variable-speed transmission. The automatic transmission includes at least five shift elements, at least three of which are engaged in a forward and a reverse gear to transfer torque or force. When disengaging gears for shifting the automatic transmission from a forward or reverse gear to a neutral position, at least one of the at least three shift elements that are engaged in the respective forward or reverse gear is completely disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Christian Popp, Klaus Steinhauser, Peter Schiele, Bernd Allgaier, Thilo Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7892144
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle drivetrain with at least an automatic transmission and a drive motor. The automatic transmission includes at least five shifting elements to transmit torque and/or power. In each forward and reverse gear a maximum of two shifting elements are disengaged while the remaining shifting elements are engaged. Two consecutive gearshifts are carried out through selection of the five shifting elements. During a first gearshift, implemented as a multiple gearshift, a subsequent second gearshift, implemented as either a single or multiple gearshift, is prepared. During the first gearshift, a first shifting element is disengaged, a second shifting element is engaged, a third shifting element is prepared for disengagement in a subsequent second gearshift and a fourth shifting element is prepared for engagement. Further, during the first gearshift and the subsequent second gearshift, a fifth shifting element is retained in at least a substantially engaged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Christian Popp
  • Publication number: 20110027105
    Abstract: A transmission oil pump for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle. The speed of the oil pump can be shifted by a transmission (2), that is arranged between the drive motor of the motor vehicle and the transmission oil pump, to a fast-running mode or a slow-running mode so that the oil pump can be operated at two different speed levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Josef HAUPT, Christian POPP, Thilo SCHMIDT, Georg GIERER
  • Patent number: 7871354
    Abstract: A procedure for increasing the readiness of crossover gearshifts in an automatic transmission which, with the switching command or immediately thereafter, a motor fueling is provided through which a snatch operation of the disengaging switching element and/or an increase of the rotational speed gradient (turbine revolution speed) is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Christian Popp, Peter Schiele
  • Patent number: 7867137
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle drivetrain with at least an automatic transmission and a drive motor. The automatic transmission includes at least five shift elements to transmit torque and/or power. In each of the forward and reverse gears, at least three shift elements are engaged and the remaining shift elements are disengaged. Two consecutive gearshifts are carried out through selection of the five shift elements. During a first gearshift, implemented as a multiple gearshift, a subsequent second gearshift, implemented as either a single or multiple gearshift, is prepared. During the first gearshift, a first shift element is disengaged, a second shift element is engaged, a third shift element is prepared for disengagement in a subsequent second gearshift and a fourth shift element is prepared for engagement. Further, during the first gearshift and the subsequent second gearshift, a fifth shift element is retained in at least a substantially engaged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Christian Popp
  • Patent number: 7811199
    Abstract: A method for operating a multi-speed automatic transmission of a motor vehicle. The automatic transmission has multiple shift elements for transmitting torque and/or power. When in forward and reverse gears, a first number of shift elements are engaged, and a second number of shift elements are disengaged. To improve the shift speed of successive upshifts and/or successive downshifts which are implemented in an overlapped manner, during a first upshift and/or downshift, at least one shift element, necessary for a successive second upshift and/or downshift, is prepared during the first upshift and/or downshift such that when the first upshift and/or downshift reaches a synchronous point, immediate implementation of the successive second upshift and/or downshift is possible. Depending on a gear change to be implemented, the first upshift and/or downshift from a current gear to a desired gear is preferably implemented as a multiple shift rather than a single shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Christian Popp, Klaus Steinhauser, Gerald Klein
  • Publication number: 20100216597
    Abstract: An automatic vehicle transmission comprises a first oil supply unit (10) with at least one mechanically driven first pump (11) and a second oil supply unit (20) with at least one electrically driven second pump (21), and a valve device (14) and a clutch system (1). The second oil supply unit (20) supplies the clutch system (1), during a first operating condition, and the first oil supply unit (10) supplies the clutch system (1), during a second operating condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Rainer GRUNDLER, Thilo SCHMIDT, Christian POPP, Heinrich ZELLER
  • Publication number: 20100204893
    Abstract: A process of monitoring a drive direction of an automatic or automated vehicle transmission at near-zero vehicle speed via an engaged gear. A desired direction of drive of the transmission is determined from an engaged gear at the time the vehicle begins motion. An actual direction of drive is determined from the transmission and, if different from the desired direction of drive, an error signal is produced. The process includes determining the actual drive either from a sensed rotational direction of a transmission input shaft and a sensed rotational direction of a transmission output shaft or a sensed valve setting, a sensed pressure in an transmission electro-hydraulic control system or on a transmission shifting element or from a sensed direction of rotation of a transmission gearset element or from axial movement or force of a transmission constructional element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Georg GIERER, Christian POPP, Thilo SCHMIDT, Klaus STEINHAUSER
  • Patent number: 7717822
    Abstract: A method for operation of a drivetrain, comprising an automatic transmission and a drive motor, for improving the shift speed of successive upshifts or downshifts such that during a first shift at least one shift element required for a successive shift is prepared such that when a synchronization point is reached, the successive shift is immediately carried out. Two successive shifts can be carried out as overlapping single shifts by actuating three shift elements such that: a) during the first shift a first shift element is either disengaged or engaged while the second shift element is either engaged or disengaged; b) during the successive shift a second shift element is prepared for disengagement or engagement while the third shift element is prepared for engagement or disengagement, the actuation of the second shift element, when transiting from the first to the successive shift, takes place by a desired selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Christian Popp
  • Patent number: 7717821
    Abstract: A method for operation of a drivetrain including a drive motor and an automatic transmission having at least five shift elements, of which, at least three shift elements are engaged in each forward and reverse gear and the other shift elements are disengaged. Two successive shifts are accomplished by two overlapped single gear shifts such that a) during the first shift, a first shift element is engaged or disengaged while a second shift element is disengaged or engaged; b) during the first shift, second and third shift elements are prepared for either engagement or disengagement, and c) during the first and the second shifts at least one fourth shift element is kept engaged or nearly engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Christian Popp
  • Publication number: 20100081543
    Abstract: A pressure (p—3) setting system (200) with a pressure control valve (1), comprising a valve gate (10) arranged to be displace in a valve bore (12). The valve bore has at least one pressure chamber (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), in which the valve gate may be axially exposed to a pressure. A first pressure chamber (21) is connected to at least one acceleration-dependent compensation member (203) for full or partial compensation of any pressure (p—3) setting disturbances caused by mass forces (F_a1, F_a2) resulting from the acceleration (a) of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Thilo SCHMIDT, Christian POPP
  • Patent number: 7674203
    Abstract: Method of operating a drivetrain, comprising at least an automatic transmission and a drive motor, for improving a speed of successive upshifts or successive downshifts in an overlap manner so that, during a first upshift or downshift, at least one shift element, required for a subsequent second upshift or downshift, is prepared during the first upshift or downshift and, when a synchronization point is reached, the subsequent second upshift or downshift can be carried out immediately. Two successive respective upshifts or downshifts can be carried out as an overlapping single shift by actuating first, second and third shift elements. Implementing the first and the second upshifts or downshifts so that actuation of the second shift element, from the first upshift or downshift to the subsequent second upshift or downshift, occurs via a minimum selection of a first alternative or by a maximum selection of a second alternative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Christian Popp
  • Patent number: 7670257
    Abstract: A method of operating a motor vehicle drive train having a hybrid drive including an internal combustion engine, an electric motor and an automatic transmission. A clutch is located between the internal combustion engine and the electric motor, and a clutch or a torque converter is located between the electric motor and the automatic transmission such that, when the drive train is powered exclusively by the electric motor, the internal combustion engine can be started by engagement of the clutch located between the internal combustion engine and the electric motor. The clutch, arranged between the internal combustion engine and the electric motor, is engaged during the process of downshifting when the internal combustion engine is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Christian Popp, Bernd Allgaier
  • Publication number: 20100042302
    Abstract: A method for emergency actuation of an automated dual-clutch transmission of a vehicle with electrohydraulic control via a transmission control device. The method includes disengaging one clutch of the dual-clutch transmission, in order to realize emergency operation of the transmission and applying pressure on the other clutch after an error signal is transmitted indicating a malfunction of the transmission and/or the transmission control device. In order to keep the complexity of the hardware of the hydraulic system low, both clutches are disengaged, when an error signal occurs, and adjusted to a safe initial state, and an actuating pressure is only re-applied to one of the two clutches after the initial state is reached. In addition to the already existing elements of the hydraulic system, only one device or software is required which detects and selects the clutch that is more advantageous for continued driving operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Anton Fritzer, Markus Herrmann, Thilo Schmidt, Christian Popp, Georg Gierer
  • Patent number: 7664580
    Abstract: A method for operating power train side components of a motor vehicle. Using a control device of a motor, at least one motor parameter is issued and delivered via a databus to at least one control device of one other power drive side component working independently of the motor control device in order to operate all or each one of the power drive side components dependent. in a first inventive aspect, a behavior of the respective other power drive side components that adjusts itself according to the motor torque actually made available by the motor is evaluated. In second inventive aspect, the motor torque issued by the motor control device is compared with a torque stored according to motor operation parameters in the control device working independently of the motor control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Christian Popp, Georg Gierer, Thilo Schmidt, Klaus Steinhauser, Peter Schiele, Bernd Allgaier, Christian Schwemer, Ruben Cüppers