Patents by Inventor Frank Himsel

Frank Himsel 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: 11933199
    Abstract: A switchable finger follower for a valve train of an internal combustion engine includes an outer and an inner lever, which at a first longitudinal end run pivotably relative to one another via respective bores on a common shaft. At this longitudinal end, the finger follower has a gas-exchange valve contact face on an underside. The outer lever has a pivot bearing on the underside at a further longitudinal end, and at least the inner lever has a cam running face on an upper side. The inner and outer levers are connectable to one another via at least one coupling slide, which spans a separation area between the levers. The outer and inner levers are braced relative to one another via a cam return spring, and the shaft is connected to the bore of the outer lever by an interference fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Biermann, Rainer Schwinn, Adrian Bilan, Brian Koop, Jinhwan Jeon, Frank Himsel
  • Publication number: 20230279788
    Abstract: A switchable finger follower for a valve train of an internal combustion engine includes an outer and an inner lever, which at a first longitudinal end run pivotably relative to one another via respective bores on a common shaft. At this longitudinal end, the finger follower has a gas-exchange valve contact face on an underside. The outer lever has a pivot bearing on the underside at a further longitudinal end, and at least the inner lever has a cam running face on an upper side. The inner and outer levers are connectable to one another via at least one coupling slide, which spans a separation area between the levers. The outer and inner levers are braced relative to one another via a cam return spring, and the shaft is connected to the bore of the outer lever by an interference fit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Biermann, Rainer Schwinn, Adrian Bilan, Brian Koop, Jinhwan Jeon, Frank Himsel
  • Publication number: 20230243280
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a switching element comprising an external part and an internal part, which is axially displaceable in a bore of the external part. At least one radially displaceable locking element is disposed within at least one receptacle of the internal part and includes a flattened portion on a radially outwardly directed end. At least one recess of the external part can be acted upon by a control pressure and the at least one locking element can thereby be radially displaced from the locking position into a release position. At least in a respective locking position, a chamber delimited by the at least one locking element is spatially separated from the at least one recess of the external part by a respective locking section. At least one bypass is designed, which indirectly fluidly connects the at least one recess of the external part and a respective chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Oliver Schnell, Michael Neumann, Peter Sailer, Frank Himsel, Johannes Roith
  • Patent number: 11215088
    Abstract: A preassembled module for a variable-lift valve drive of an internal combustion engine is provided for installation into a cylinder head. The module has a base plate with an electric linear actuator which lies on an upper side of the base plate. A guide plate, which lies on the upper side, has an outer side wall arranged to guide a slide piece. The guide piece extends below the base plate two downwardly pointing actuating fingers. Each respective actuating finger has a contact surface for moving a transverse coupling slide of a switchable rocker arm. The slide piece has a bracket which protrudes over the guide plate with a contact landing arm which runs transversely relative to the electric linear actuator. An actuator-side end of the contact landing arm is in contact with an actuating pin of the electric linear actuator to move the slide piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Biermann, Benedikt Noe, Martin Steigerwald, Michael Pribek, Frank Himsel
  • Patent number: 11193396
    Abstract: A pre-assembled module for a variable-stroke valve drive of an internal combustion engine is provided. The module includes a base plate having at least one projecting guide plate, an e-linear actuator positioned on the projecting guide plate, and a longitudinally guided push rod with two adjusting fingers extending along a wall of the guide plate. Each respective adjusting finger has a contact surface for displacement of a transverse coupling slide of a switchable cam follower. A rocker arm, having first and second arms, is suspended on an underside of the base plate; the first arm in contact with an adjusting pin of the linear actuator; and, the second arm in contact with the push rod for displacement thereof in a first direction. A spring means for displacement of the push rod in a second direction is arranged between the push rod and the guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Biermann, Benedikt Noe, Martin Steigerwald, Michael Pribek, Frank Himsel
  • Publication number: 20210324767
    Abstract: A preassembled module for a variable-lift valve drive of an internal combustion engine is provided for installation into a cylinder head. The module has a base plate with an electric linear actuator which lies on an upper side of the base plate. A guide plate, which lies on the upper side, has an outer side wall arranged to guide a slide piece. The guide piece extends below the base plate two downwardly pointing actuating fingers. Each respective actuating finger has a contact surface for moving a transverse coupling slide of a switchable rocker arm. The slide piece has a bracket which protrudes over the guide plate with a contact landing arm which runs transversely relative to the electric linear actuator. An actuator-side end of the contact landing arm is in contact with an actuating pin of the electric linear actuator to move the slide piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Biermann, Benedikt Noe, Martin Steigerwald, Michael Pribek, Frank Himsel
  • Patent number: 10781757
    Abstract: A variable valve drive of an internal combustion engine is provided that includes at least one gas exchange valve, the valve stroke of said gas exchange valve predefined by cams of a camshaft, and by at least one switchable rocker arm. The switchable rocker arm, having a first lever and a second lever, selectively transmits cam lift to the gas exchange valve. The second lever is selectively coupled to the first lever by a coupling. The coupling is activatable by an elongated activation arm on which one leaf spring is disposed for the coupling of the switchable rocker arm. The elongated activation arm is longitudinally displaceable from a locking position to an unlocking position by a linear actuator. A damper mass is disposed or configured to be capable of oscillating on the elongated activation arm and/or on the leaf spring of the elongated activation arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Adrian Bilan, Frank Himsel
  • Patent number: 10774695
    Abstract: A pipe for supplying pressure medium to valve train elements, including: an outer wall; a partition located inward of the outer wall and twisted in a spiral along the outer wall; a first gallery formed by the partition and the outer wall; a second gallery formed by the partition and the outer wall and separate from the first gallery; and a plurality of overflow openings. Each overflow opening opens to the first gallery or to the second gallery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Pribek, Frank Himsel, Jihnwan Jeon
  • Publication number: 20200032718
    Abstract: A variable valve drive of an internal combustion engine is provided that includes at least one gas exchange valve, the valve stroke of said gas exchange valve predefined by cams of a camshaft, and by at least one switchable rocker arm. The switchable rocker arm, having a first lever and a second lever, selectively transmits cam lift to the gas exchange valve. The second lever is selectively coupled to the first lever by a coupling. The coupling is activatable by an elongated activation arm on which one leaf spring is disposed for the coupling of the switchable rocker arm. The elongated activation arm is longitudinally displaceable from a locking position to an unlocking position by a linear actuator. A damper mass is disposed or configured to be capable of oscillating on the elongated activation arm and/or on the leaf spring of the elongated activation arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Adrian Bilan, Frank Himsel
  • Publication number: 20200011212
    Abstract: A pre-assembled module for a variable-stroke valve drive of an internal combustion engine is provided. The module includes a base plate having at least one projecting guide plate, an e-linear actuator positioned on the projecting guide plate, and a longitudinally guided push rod with two adjusting fingers extending along a wall of the guide plate. Each respective adjusting finger has a contact surface for displacement of a transverse coupling slide of a switchable cam follower. A rocker arm, having first and second arms, is suspended on an underside of the base plate; the first arm in contact with an adjusting pin of the linear actuator; and, the second arm in contact with the push rod for displacement thereof in a first direction. A spring means for displacement of the push rod in a second direction is arranged between the push rod and the guide plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Biermann, Benedikt Noe, Martin Steigerwald, Michael Pribek, Frank Himsel
  • Patent number: 10260380
    Abstract: The invention relates to a locking device for a switchable valve drive component, including a first locking body and a second locking body which can be brought into engagement with one another or out of engagement in order to couple to one another or to uncouple two component parts arranged movably with respect to one another, wherein at least one of the two locking bodies has at least one curved surface. In order to increase the wear resistance of the locking device, provision is made for at least one of the two locking bodies to have a plurality of curved surfaces of which the respective curvature is described by radii of identical length having constructional center points spaced apart from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Volker Schmidt, Frank Himsel, Rainer Schwinn, Michael Kugler
  • Publication number: 20180298791
    Abstract: A pipe for supplying pressure medium to valve train elements, including: an outer wall; a partition located inward of the outer wall and twisted in a spiral along the outer wall; a first gallery formed by the partition and the outer wall; a second gallery formed by the partition and the outer wall and separate from the first gallery; and a plurality of overflow openings. Each overflow opening opens to the first gallery or to the second gallery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Pribek, Frank Himsel, Jihnwan Jeon
  • Publication number: 20180185920
    Abstract: A lever arranged for actuation by a cam for the purpose of actuating gas exchange valves of an internal combustion engine is provided. The lever has a contact pad which is configured at one end of the lever on the underside thereof for at least one gas exchange valve, and a contact face for a supporting element, arranged at an opposite end of the lever on the underside. At least one cam thrust face is arranged on an upper side in a region between the contact pad and the contact face. The lever can be loaded is can be manufactured in one piece as either a 2C-MIM (2-Component Metal Injection Molding) component, combined 2C-MIM component and CIM (Ceramic Injection Molding) component, or as a 2C-sintered part having two metal components or having one metal component and one ceramic component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Holger Pätzold, Frank Himsel, Hans Mönius
  • Publication number: 20170234172
    Abstract: The invention relates to a locking device for a switchable valve drive component, including a first locking body and a second locking body which can be brought into engagement with one another or out of engagement in order to couple to one another or to uncouple two component parts arranged movably with respect to one another, wherein at least one of the two locking bodies has at least one curved surface. In order to increase the wear resistance of the locking device, provision is made for at least one of the two locking bodies to have a plurality of curved surfaces of which the respective curvature is described by radii of identical length having constructional center points spaced apart from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Volker Schmidt, Frank Himsel, Rainer Schwinn, Michael Kugler
  • Patent number: 8776750
    Abstract: An assembly for a valve train of an internal combustion engine, which has a hydraulic support element and a cam follower resting on one end via a bearing surface located on the bottom side thereof on a complimentary end side of a pressure piston of the support element. The piston extends across the outer shell in a bore of a crucible-shaped housing of the support element. The housing has an opening for hydraulic fluid, which is conductible via a channel between the housing and piston through a passage in the pressure piston to a storage chamber. In a section of a direct contact region between the bearing surface of the cam follower and end side of the piston, an anti-turn mechanism for the piston in relation to the cam follower is implemented. The piston is installed in a defined manner and is torsionally oriented in relation to the cam follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Christgen, Frank Himsel, Junichi Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 8689754
    Abstract: An assembly for a valve drive of an internal combustion engine, which has a hydraulic support element and a cam follower connected by way of a clamp. The follower rests on one end via a cap on a spherical head of a pressure piston of the support element. The piston extends in a bore of a housing of the support element. The clamp flanks the cap with holding strips along the sides. The inner sides run in a guide zone on the outer shell of the piston. The housing has an opening for hydraulic fluid that can be conducted between the housing and the piston through at least one passage in the piston to a storage chamber. The guide zone on the piston is also designed as an anti-rotation mechanism therefore. The piston is installed in a defined manner and is torsionally oriented in relation to the cam follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Christgen, Peter Sailer, Frank Himsel
  • Patent number: 8635979
    Abstract: A drag lever for actuating a gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine. The drag lever includes an oblong lever body formed of sheet metal material, wherein the lever body has a bottom and side walls integrally formed at an angle of about 90° onto the bottom on both sides. A first end section of the lever body includes a joint socket formed into the bottom between the side walls. The joint socket serves to pivotally moveably support the drag lever on a joint head mounted stationary in the internal combustion engine. A middle section of the lever body is provided with a cam gripping surface, and a second end section of the lever body has a contact surface extending on the bottom. The contact surface serves for actuating the gas exchange valve. The lever body is dimensioned so as to have essentially the same width in a cross section through the joint socket and in a cross section through the middle section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Himsel, Jochen Ott, Dirk Richter, Junichi Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20120167850
    Abstract: An assembly for a valve train of an internal combustion engine, which has a hydraulic support element and a cam follower resting on one end via a bearing surface located on the bottom side thereof on a complimentary end side of a pressure piston of the support element. The piston extends across the outer shell in a bore of a crucible-shaped housing of the support element. The housing has an opening for hydraulic fluid, which is conductable via a channel between the housing and piston through a passage in the pressure piston to a storage chamber. In a section of a direct contact region between the bearing surface of the cam follower and end side of the piston, an anti-turn mechanism for the piston in relation to the cam follower is implemented. The piston is installed in a defined manner and is torsionally oriented in relation to the cam follower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Christgen, Frank Himsel, Junichi Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20120167847
    Abstract: An assembly for a valve drive of an internal combustion engine, which has a hydraulic support element and a cam follower connected by way of a clamp. The follower rests on one end via a cap on a spherical head of a pressure piston of the support element. The piston extends in a bore of a housing of the support element. The clamp flanks the cap with holding strips along the sides. The inner sides run in a guide zone on the outer shell of the piston. The housing has an opening for hydraulic fluid that can be conducted between the housing and the piston through at least one passage in the piston to a storage chamber. The guide zone on the piston is also designed as an anti-rotation mechanism therefore. The piston is installed in a defined manner and is torsionally oriented in relation to the cam follower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Christgen, Peter Sailer, Frank Himsel
  • Publication number: 20120024248
    Abstract: A drag lever for actuating a gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine. The drag lever includes an oblong lever body formed of sheet metal material, wherein the lever body has a bottom and side walls integrally formed at an angle of about 90° onto the bottom on both sides. A first end section of the lever body includes a joint socket formed into the bottom between the side walls. The joint socket serves to pivotally moveably support the drag lever on a joint head mounted stationary in the internal combustion engine. A middle section of the lever body is provided with a cam gripping surface, and a second end section of the lever body has a contact surface extending on the bottom. The contact surface serves for actuating the gas exchange valve. The lever body is dimensioned so as to have essentially the same width in a cross section through the joint socket and in a cross section through the middle section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Frank HIMSEL, Jochen OTT, Dirk RICHTER, Junichi ICHIKAWA