Patents by Inventor Detlef Gradert

Detlef Gradert 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: 8100232
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuation device for a brake (40, 41, 42, 43, 50), for applying an output force (FA) to means (40, 41, 42, 43, 50) which generate braking force, depending on an input parameter (FE), comprising a lever (1) and a force generator (7) which brings a force (FFeder) to bear on the lever (1) at an effective angle (?), relative to the longitudinal axis of the lever (1). Furthermore, an alternative actuating device for a brake is given, which permits a significant reduction of the power and energy requirements relative to direct-acting actuating devices. The above is achieved by means of a low-friction actuation characteristic as a result of the construction features of the actuating device and/or the selection of materials used. A preferred field of application is in electrically-driven braking systems on commercial vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Henning Förster, Thomas Groetzinger, Detlef Gradert, Peter Beier
  • Publication number: 20050029858
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuation device for a brake (40, 41, 42, 43, 50), for applying an output force (FA) to means (40, 41, 42, 43, 50) which generate braking force, depending on an input parameter (FE), comprising a lever (1) and a force generator (7) which brings a force (FFeder) to bear on the lever (1) at an effective angle (?), relative to the longitudinal axis of the lever (1). Furthermore, an alternative actuating device for a brake is given, which permits a significant reduction of the power and energy requirements relative to direct-acting actuating devices. The above is achieved by means of a low-friction actuation characteristic as a result of the construction features of the actuating device and/or the selection of materials used. A preferred field of application is in electrically-driven braking systems on commercial vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Henning Forster, Thomas Groetzinger, Detlef Gradert, Peter Beier
  • Patent number: 6662908
    Abstract: A force application device for a vehicle's braking system in the form of a variable gear system, in which, in response to a braking command by the driver, an adjusting device adjusts a proportioning device, which proportions the force fed from the force generator in such a way that it corresponds to the braking command. The force generator is disposed in a fixed position, thus decreasing the overall size of the force application device. In the force application device, energy recovery of the elastic energy of deformation contained in the disk brake during force application conditions is achieved by feeding the energy back, during release of the brake, into a force generator, which is constructed as a spring brake actuator and which makes the energy available for brake actuation. Thus the principle of an energy see-saw is implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Wabco GmbH & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Detlef Gradert, Hartmut Binder
  • Publication number: 20030034212
    Abstract: A force application device for a vehicle's braking system in the form of a variable gear system, in which, in response to a braking command by the driver, an adjusting device adjusts a proportioning device, which proportions the force fed from the force generator in such a way that it corresponds to the braking command. The force generator is disposed in a fixed position, thus decreasing the overall size of the force application device. In the force application device, energy recovery of the elastic energy of deformation contained in the disk brake during force application conditions is achieved by feeding the energy back, during release of the brake, into a force generator, which is constructed as a spring brake actuator and which makes the energy available for brake actuation. Thus the principle of an energy see-saw is implemented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Detlef Gradert, Hartmut Binder
  • Patent number: 5119895
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating a signal, dependent on the weight of an object, is provided for an air-suspended vehicle. Control processes of the air-suspended vehicle with automatic levelling control unit correct road conditions, such as, for example, curve inclinations, influencing the suspended weight. According to conventional apparatuses, the suspended weight is determined by the measurement of the pressure in the air suspension. This requires additional measurement and signal transfer means. The invention apparatus is to generate a signal corresponding to the suspended weight under use of the distance values stored in the automatic levelling control unit. The automatic levelling control unit (8) is structured such that it generates during automatic control an additional signal, dependent on the temporary change of the distance value. The additional signal serves as the signal dependent on the suspended weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: WABCO Westinghouse Fahrzeugbremsen GmbH
    Inventor: Detlef Gradert
  • Patent number: 5048867
    Abstract: An automatic level control device for vehicles is furnished with an electrically triggered shut-off valve (44). The shut-off valve (44) can be loaded with a pressure in closure direction corresponding to an air-suspension pressure. The force to be exerted by the electrical actuation device (23) for opening of the shut-off valve (44) is independent of the closure pressure loading the shut-off valve (44). The device components of the electrical actuation device (23) of the shut-off valve (44) can be furnished of small volume size and the passage cross-section of the shut-opff valve (44) can be formed of relatively large size. The device serves for automatic level control devices for vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: WABCO Westinghouse Fahrzeugbremsen GmbH
    Inventor: Detlef Gradert