Patents by Inventor Eric Muller

Eric Muller 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: 20120272769
    Abstract: A hydraulic arrangement by which a plurality of shift rails of a transmission are actuated, including one double acting cylinder per shift rail by which the respective shift rail can be moved back and forth. A first hydraulic valve is connected upstream of the plurality of shift rails and has a first output and a second output, by which a first shift pressure and a second shift pressure for actuating the shift rails can be provided. A second hydraulic valve is connected between the first hydraulic valve and two of the shift rails, and by which it is selectively possible for the first output of the first hydraulic valve to be associated with one of the double acting cylinders of the two shift rails, and the second output of the first hydraulic valve to be associated with the other double acting cylinder of the two shift rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Eric MÜLLER, Reinhard STEHR, Roshan WILLEKE, Ronald GLAS, Martin STAUDINGER, Marco GRETHEL
  • Patent number: 8196401
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for controlling a belt-driven conical-pulley transmission. A pump draws a working medium from a working medium tank or through a cooler return valve from a cooler return line. The cooler return valve is a minimum pressure valve that holds closed a connection between the cooler return line and a pump inlet line through the cooler return valve, as long as the pressure in the cooler return line remains below a specified minimum pressure. The cooler return valve also opens the connection between the cooler return line and the pump inlet line through the cooler return valve as soon as the specified minimum pressure in the cooler return line is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jochen Pfister, Eric Müller, Roshan Willeke
  • Patent number: 8141355
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for an automatic transmission operatively connected to an internal combustion engine that is operable in a start-stop mode. The hydraulic system includes a hydraulic energy source to supply the hydraulic system with hydraulic energy, the hydraulic energy source including at least one electrically driven hydraulic pump to supply the hydraulic system with hydraulic energy during a stopping phase of the internal combustion engine. To achieve a reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, provision is included to enable the electrically driven hydraulic pump to be switched on in addition to a mechanically driven hydraulic pump, as needed during an operating phase of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Reinhard Stehr, Eric Müller, Jochen Pfister, Roshan Willeke
  • Patent number: 8133141
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic system for actuating a continuously variable belt-driven conical-pulley transmission having two conical pulleys encircled by an endless torque-transmitting means, each of which comprises two conical disks, one of which is axially movable depending on the pressure in an associated pressing chamber, and having a torque sensor which includes a torque sensing chamber that is connected to a hydraulic energy source and is linked with the pressing chambers. The invention is distinguished by the fact that the pressing chambers are connected via a first hydraulic resistance element to the torque sensing chamber, and via a second hydraulic resistance element to an additional pressure chamber, in which a lower pressure prevails than in the pressing chambers and/or the torque sensing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Eugen Kremer, Eric Müller, Jochen Pfister, Reinhard Stehr, Ronald Glas
  • Patent number: 8051650
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for actuating a clutch and/or a variable speed drive unit of a belt-driven conical-pulley transmission of a vehicle, such as a commercial vehicle, and having a variable transmission ratio and a torque sensor. The hydraulic system includes at least one hydraulic energy source. A selector and check valve is provided for supplying additional components besides the torque sensor and is connected between the hydraulic energy source, the additional components, and the torque sensor in such a way that the torque sensor includes priority in being supplied with hydraulic medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Christoph Vetter, Eric Müller, Reinhard Stehr, Hanjo Nissen, Volker Edelmann
  • Patent number: 8051652
    Abstract: A hydraulic system including a multi-flow hydraulic pressure supply unit, especially a dual-flow hydraulic pressure supply unit, such as a pump, by which a volumetric flow of pressurized fluid is supplied to a hydraulic-fluid-operated device. A valve arrangement is provided either for switching between the individual pump flows or for interconnecting the individual pump flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Eric Müller, Reinhard Stehr, Manfred Homm, Michael Reuschel, Norbert Indlekofer, Andreas Englisch, Martin Vornehm, Christian Lauinger
  • Patent number: 8052555
    Abstract: A conical pulley assembly with integrated torque sensor. A torque-dependent force is transmitted through a transmitting component to a sensing piston whose position determines the pressure in a sensing chamber. The transmitting member is connected to the movable disk, and is formed in such a way that it transmits the torque-dependent force to the sensing piston in a manner that is dependent on the position of an axially movable disk of the conical pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Betelligungs KG
    Inventors: Eric Müller, Reinhard Stehr, Ronald Glas
  • Publication number: 20110263362
    Abstract: A hydraulic arrangement for controlling a transmission connected downstream of an internal combustion engine having a start-stop device. A hydraulic energy source provides hydraulic energy, an energy accumulator is connected downstream of the hydraulic energy source for storing and dispensing hydraulic energy provided by the hydraulic energy source, and a hydraulic controller is associated with the hydraulic energy source and the energy accumulator for controlling the transmission. The energy accumulator is associated with the hydraulic controller by a branch line to a pilot control circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marco Grethel, Eric Müller
  • Patent number: 7975474
    Abstract: A hydraulic system including a pump for feeding hydraulic fluid from an inlet side to an outlet side. A pressure accumulator is disposed at the outlet side, and between the pump and the pressure accumulator a hydraulic control valve is disposed, which has at least two valve positions. The outlet side of the pump is connected to the pressure accumulator in a second valve position, and is separated from the pressure accumulator in a first valve position. The outlet side of the pump is connected to the inlet side through the control valve in the first valve position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Martin Staudinger, Laurent Ineichen, Marco Grethel, Eric Müller
  • Patent number: 7914269
    Abstract: A positive-displacement pump having an eccentrically positioned internal ring gear and pinion within a pump housing. Pressurized operating fluid is provided by the pump to actuate an actuation piston of a clutch unit, such as a double clutch unit. The clutch unit is drivingly coupled with the pump for movement between engaged and disengaged positions. At least one throughbore is provided in the pump housing within which throughbore the clutch actuation piston is guided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Marco Grethel, Oswald Friedmann, Christoph Vetter, Eric Müller
  • Patent number: 7910533
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid laundry detergent composition in particulate form, comprising: (a) anionic detersive surfactant; (b) a calcium-augmented technology; (c) from 0% to less than 5%, by weight of the composition, of zeolite builder; (d) from 0% to less than 5%, by weight of the composition, of phosphate builder and (e) optionally, from 0% to less than 5%, by weight of the composition, of silicate salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Nigel Patrick Somerville Roberts, John Peter Eric Muller, Lourdes Marina Ramirez Hernadez, Neil Joseph Lant, Doris Appleby, Malcolm McClaren Dodd, Arif Alan Khoudary, Brenda Frances Bennie, Victor Stuart Reid, Simon John Greener
  • Patent number: 7910534
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid laundry detergent composition in particulate form comprising a plurality of particulate components, the composition comprises: (i) an alkyl benzene sulphonate; (ii) a hydratable material; (iii) from 0% to less than 5%, by weight of the composition, of zeolite builder; (iv) from 0% to less than 5%, by weight of the composition, of phosphate builder; and (v) optionally, from 0% to less than 5%, by weight of the composition, of silicate salt; wherein at least 30%, by weight of the composition, of the particulate components present in the composition comprise at least 15%, by weight of the particulate component, of the hydratable material, and wherein any particulate component comprising at least 5%, by weight of the particulate component, of alkyl benzene sulphonate also comprises at least 15%, by weight of the particulate component, of the hydratable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John Peter Eric Muller, Lourdes Marina Ramirez Hernandez
  • Patent number: 7823602
    Abstract: A hydraulic system having at least one hydraulic valve for actuating a component, wherein a control pressure acting on the hydraulic valve can be activated through a supply pressure of a pilot circuit having at least one actuator. At least one pressure reduction apparatus is connected in series with the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Eric Müller, Reinhard Stehr
  • Patent number: 7735618
    Abstract: A clutch control device for controlling the operation of a hydraulically operated clutch with a flow control valve. The control device includes a volume flow regulating valve that enables both volume flow regulated filling and volume flow regulated emptying of a hydraulic clutch positioning element, to provide rapid and precise operation of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Manfred Homm, Eric Müller, Martin Staudinger, Felix Dreher
  • Patent number: 7700539
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid free-flowing particulate laundry detergent composition comprising a detersive surfactant, carbonate and a cellulosic polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John Peter Eric Muller, Alan Thomas Brooker, Doris Appleby
  • Publication number: 20090280952
    Abstract: A method for operating a continuously variable conical pulley transmission having two conical pulley sets that are operatively coupled by a endless torque-transmitting means, so that the transmission ratio between the conical pulley sets is continuously variable. A hydraulic medium is supplied to the continuously variable conical pulley transmission in a stop phase of a start/stop operation by means of a pump unit that includes a pump that is driven by an electric motor. The electric motor is controlled as a function of the temperature of the hydraulic medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Marco GRETHEL, Eric MÜLLER
  • Patent number: 7605116
    Abstract: A solid laundry detergent composition comprising: (a) from 0.1 wt % to 10 wt % of an alkoxylated anionic detersive surfactant; (b) from 1 wt % to 25 wt % of an non-alkoxylated anionic detersive surfactant; (c) from 0 wt % to 4 wt % zeolite builder; (d) from 0 wt % to 4 wt % phosphate builder; and (e) from 0 wt % to 10 wt % silicate salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Alan Thomas Brooker, Kevin Lee Kott, Nicola Ethel Davidson, Lindsey Heathcote, John Peter Eric Muller, Mark Allen Smerznak, Nigel Patrick Sommerville-Roberts, Kenji Shindo, Emmanuel Pantelis Fakoukakis, Jason Christopher King
  • Publication number: 20090229262
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic system for actuating a belt-driven conical-pulley transmission with a variably adjustable transmission ratio, of a vehicle, having at least one hydraulic energy source and having a moment sensor that is supplied with working medium by a pump flow of the hydraulic energy source. The invention is distinguished in that a disconnecting valve device is connected between the hydraulic energy source and the moment sensor, which makes it possible to connect or disconnect an additional pump flow of the hydraulic energy source, depending on need.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: LukLamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Jochen Pfister, Reinhard Stehr, Roshan Willeke, Eric Muller
  • Publication number: 20090194176
    Abstract: A hydraulic supply system for a hydraulically-operated automatic transmission includes a primary pump that is driven by an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. An electrically-driven auxiliary pump is provided to supply the system with hydraulic pressure when the primary pump is off or to supplement the primary pump when the primary pump does not deliver sufficient pressure. A discharge line from the auxiliary pump is connected to a control line of the hydraulic supply system and to the hydraulic system supply line under system pressure. Check valves are provided in the respective lines from the auxiliary pump. An additional check valve is provided in a line that extends from the control line to a torque sensing chamber of the automatic transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Betelligungs KG
    Inventors: Eric Müller, Marco Grethel, Hanjo Nissen, Franz Benz
  • Publication number: 20090197717
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic system for actuating a continuously variable belt-driven conical-pulley transmission having two conical pulleys encircled by an endless torque-transmitting means, each of which comprises two conical disks, one of which is axially movable depending on the pressure in an associated pressing chamber, and having a torque sensor which includes a torque sensing chamber that is connected to a hydraulic energy source and is linked with the pressing chambers. The invention is distinguished by the fact that the pressing chambers are connected via a first hydraulic resistance element to the torque sensing chamber, and via a second hydraulic resistance element to an additional pressure chamber, in which a lower pressure prevails than in the pressing chambers and/or the torque sensing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Eugen Kremer, Eric Muller, Jochen Pfister, Reinhard Stehr, Ronald Glas