Patents by Inventor Gerald Langer

Gerald Langer 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: 10012259
    Abstract: A drive shaft for motor vehicles comprises shaft portions arranged one after the other in s longitudinal direction of the drive shaft. One shaft portion is a tubular shaft portion having a large cross section and another shaft portion having a cross section that is smaller than the tubular shaft portion having a large cross section. A transition region having a region wall is provided between the tubular shaft portion and the shaft portion having the smaller cross section. If the drive shaft is compressed in the event of a crash, the shaft portion having the smaller cross section is pushed into the tubular shaft portion having the large cross section by an insertion length, thus deforming or breaking the region wall of the transition region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignees: Felss Rotaform GmbH, IFA - Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Eckhard Morlock, Andreas Haerter, Gerald Langer
  • Publication number: 20160273575
    Abstract: A drive shaft for motor vehicles comprises shaft portions arranged one after the other in s longitudinal direction of the drive shaft. One shaft portion is a tubular shaft portion having a large cross section and another shaft portion having a cross section that is smaller than the tubular shaft portion having a large cross section. A transition region having a region wall is provided between the tubular shaft portion and the shaft portion having the smaller cross section. If the drive shaft is compressed in the event of a crash, the shaft portion having the smaller cross section is pushed into the tubular shaft portion having the large cross section by an insertion length, thus deforming or breaking the region wall of the transition region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Eckhard Morlock, Andreas Haerter, Gerald Langer
  • Patent number: 8870489
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1, 1?) for the rotationally fixed connection of a drive-effective pin (3) of a gearbox to an articulated body (2) of a drive coupling of a drive shaft. In order to allow cost-effective and compact production and in order to simplify assembly and disassembly, the invention provides for the pin (3) and the articulated body (2) of the drive coupling to have respective mutually corresponding external axial toothings (11) and internal axial toothings (8) which are able to mesh with one another, and for an axial securing of the articulated body (2) and the pin (3) to be made possible by an axially displaceable bushing (12) arranged on the pin (3), which bushing (12) can be attached to a connecting portion (4) of the articulated body (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: IFA-Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Gerald Langer, John Sherlock
  • Publication number: 20120243930
    Abstract: A connection arrangement of a shaft/hub connection has a radially elastically deformable securing element that is divided in the longitudinal direction, which engages with shape fit into grooves of a shaft and a hub. The shaft has a wide groove that projects beyond the hub only in certain parts. The securing element is configured as a securing ring or bushing and is widened, at least in certain sections, in the axial direction, beyond the hub projecting into the groove of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: IFA-TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan PASTOORS, Gerald LANGER
  • Patent number: 8262490
    Abstract: A system for connecting a shaft (5) to a joint (1), which system includes a shaft journal (10) that is connected to the shaft (5), and a sleeve (4) that is connected to a hub of the joint (1), the sleeve (4) having a shaft-side first opening section (7), a joint-side second opening section (8), and a first radial stop section (14), and the shaft journal (10) having a shaft-side first shaft-journal section (11), a joint-side second shaft-journal section (12), and a second radial stop section (15) for delimiting the insertion path of the shaft journal (10) in the sleeve (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Shaft-Form-Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Gerald Langer, Claus Disser, Volker Szentmihalyi
  • Patent number: 8206228
    Abstract: A multi-part longitudinal drive shaft of a motor vehicle consists of two shaft sections that are each formed by a shaft tube connected with each other by a homokinetic displacement joint. The outer diameter of the shaft tube in the second shaft section is smaller than the inner diameter of the shaft tube of the first section. The outer joint ring of the homokinetic displacement joint is firmly connected with the shaft tube of the first shaft section and a ball hub of the joint is connected with the second shaft section. When a specific axial position is exceeded, the homokinetic displacement joint can be broken down. The individual parts of the two shaft sections can be displaced into one another, after break-down of the homokinetic displacement joint, so that the second shaft section is displaced in the direction of the first shaft section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: IFA-Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Gerald Langer, Sebastian Frost
  • Patent number: 8167729
    Abstract: A sealing assembly includes a sealing element and its placement in homokinetic joints. This sealing element seals the outer joint part relative to a pipe or a hollow shaft. The sealing element is connected with the outer joint part which is connected with a sealing rolled bellows on the opposite side. In this case, the sealing element is configured as a closure lid provided with a pressed projection, and a set back piece on its outer circumference. This lid includes a cylindrical or turned over shape, and is disposed on the outer joint part of the homokinetic joint by way of the pressed projection and by secondary weld seams of a friction weld or magnetic arc weld that connects the outer joint part with a pipe. This connection is with a shape fit or a force fit whereby the closure lid in the set back partial piece is configured with a circumferential groove as well as with planned breakage points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: IFA-Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Frost, Gerald Langer
  • Patent number: 8157658
    Abstract: A drive joint, particularly a fixed joint in the form of a counter-track joint, for establishing a connection between two components in the drive train of a motor vehicle. The joint is provided with joint parts such as an inner hub, an outer hub and a ball cage containing torque-transmitting balls as additional joint parts. The outer hub of the drive joint can be destroyed in the case of an accident. The invention also relates to a drive shaft comprising such a drive joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Shaft-Form-Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Gerald Langer, Claus Disser, Volker Szentmihalyi
  • Publication number: 20120058832
    Abstract: A system for connecting a shaft (5) to a joint (1), which system includes a shaft journal (10) that is connected to the shaft (5), and a sleeve (4) that is connected to a hub of the joint (1), the sleeve (4) having a shaft-side first opening section (7), a joint-side second opening section (8), and a first radial stop section (14), and the shaft journal (10) having a shaft-side first shaft-journal section (11), a joint-side second shaft-journal section (12), and a second radial stop section (15) for delimiting the insertion path of the shaft journal (10) in the sleeve (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: Shaft-Form-Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Gerald Langer, Claus Disser, Volker Szentmihalyi
  • Publication number: 20110300952
    Abstract: A drive joint, particularly a fixed joint in the form of a counter-track joint, for establishing a connection between two components in the drive train of a motor vehicle. The joint is provided with joint parts such as an inner hub, an outer hub and a ball cage containing torque-transmitting balls as additional joint parts. The outer hub of the drive joint can be destroyed in the case of an accident. The invention also relates to a drive shaft comprising such a drive joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Shaft-Form-Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Gerald LANGER, Claus DISSER, Volker SZENTMIHALYI
  • Patent number: 7967686
    Abstract: A longitudinal drive shaft for motor vehicles, for transferring a torque, consists of two or more shaft sections which are connected with one another by way of an intermediate shaft or a journal. The intermediate shaft or the journal is the carrier of a center bearing and is connected to the shaft section by a homokinetic displacement joint rigidly disposed in a pipe. The parts of the center bearing and shaft sections that are displaced in a crash are configured to be smaller than the inside diameter of the pipe. The inside diameter of the outer joint ring is greater than the outside diameters of the roller bearing of the center bearing and of the pipe. The homokinetic displacement joint is sealed off with a sealing cap and a sealing bellows in the direction of the shaft section, and has a closure lid assigned to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: IFA-Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Frost, Christian Korotwa, Gerald Langer
  • Publication number: 20110009200
    Abstract: A longitudinal drive shaft for motor vehicles, for transferring a torque, consists of two or more shaft sections which are connected with one another by way of an intermediate shaft or a journal. The intermediate shaft or the journal is the carrier of a center bearing and is connected to the shaft section by a homokinetic displacement joint rigidly disposed in a pipe. The parts of the center bearing and shaft sections that are displaced in a crash are configured to be smaller than the inside diameter of the pipe. The inside diameter of the outer joint ring is greater than the outside diameters of the roller bearing of the center bearing and of the pipe. The homokinetic displacement joint is sealed off with a sealing cap and a sealing bellows in the direction of the shaft section, and has a closure lid assigned to it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: IFA Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Frost, Christian Korotwa, Gerald Langer
  • Publication number: 20100130292
    Abstract: A multi-part longitudinal drive shaft of a motor vehicle consists of two shaft sections that are each formed by a shaft tube connected with each other by a homokinetic displacement joint. The outer diameter of the shaft tube in the second shaft section is smaller than the inner diameter of the shaft tube of the first section. The outer joint ring of the homokinetic displacement joint is firmly connected with the shaft tube of the first shaft section and a ball hub of the joint is connected with the second shaft section. When a specific axial position is exceeded, the homokinetic displacement joint can be broken down. The individual parts of the two shaft sections can be displaced into one another, after break-down of the homokinetic displacement joint, so that the second shaft section is displaced in the direction of the first shaft section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Gerald Langer, Sebastian Frost
  • Publication number: 20100119301
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1, 1?) for the rotationally fixed connection of a drive-effective pin (3) of a gearbox to an articulated body (2) of a drive coupling of a drive shaft. In order to allow cost-effective and compact production and in order to simplify assembly and disassembly, the invention provides for the pin (3) and the articulated body (2) of the drive coupling to have respective mutually corresponding external axial toothings (11) and internal axial toothings (8) which are able to mesh with one another, and for an axial securing of the articulated body (2) and the pin (3) to be made possible by an axially displaceable bushing (12) arranged on the pin (3), which bushing (12) can be attached to a connecting portion (4) of the articulated body (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Gerald Langer, John Sherlock
  • Publication number: 20090236806
    Abstract: There is disclosed a sealing assembly including a sealing element and its placement in homokinetic joints. This sealing element is for sealing the outer joint part relative to a pipe or a hollow shaft. The sealing element is connected with the outer joint part which is connected with a sealing rolled bellows on the opposite side. In this case, the sealing element is configured as a closure lid provided with a pressed projection, and a set back piece on its outer circumference. This lid includes a cylindrical or turned over shape, and is disposed on the outer joint part of the homokinetic joint by way of the pressed projection and by means of secondary weld seams of a friction weld or magnetic arc weld that connects the outer joint part with a pipe. This connection is with a shape fit or a force fit whereby the closure lid in the set back partial piece is configured with a circumferential groove 16 as well as with planned breakage points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Sebastian Frost, Gerald Langer
  • Publication number: 20090148229
    Abstract: A sealing and securing element for a homokinetic joint between hollow longitudinal shafts is disposed in an interior of the longitudinal shaft in a region of a connection point of the longitudinal shaft to the homokinetic joint. The sealing and securing element includes a molded part and a closure lid. The molded part has an inner structure configured in a first stepped shape with two accommodation openings, a guide bevel in a direction of the homokinetic joint and a circumferential projection. The closure lid has an outer structure configured in a second stepped shape with two projections. The inner structure of the molded part is adapted to the outer structure of said closure lid and has a same coverage as the outer structure. The closure lid is pressed into an interior of the molded part and rests against the circumferential projection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Gerald Langer, Sebastian Frost
  • Publication number: 20080318693
    Abstract: A longitudinal shaft for use in motor vehicles consists of a tubular part having joints on both ends, corresponding to a differential side and a transmission side. There is a differential shaft and a transmission shaft accommodated on the two ends. The two joints are disposed in accommodation regions provided on the two ends of the tubular part by way of their outer hubs in a torque-proof manner. The joints are configured as a displacement joint or as a fixed joint, which can be disposed in the tubular part of the longitudinal shaft in the combination of two displacement joints, one displacement joint and one fixed joint, or two fixed joints with displacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Gerald Langer, John Sherlock
  • Publication number: 20080153607
    Abstract: A longitudinal drive shaft for motor vehicles, for transferring a torque, consists of two or more shaft sections which are connected with one another by way of an intermediate shaft or a journal. The intermediate shaft or the journal is the carrier of a center bearing and is connected to the shaft section by a homokinetic displacement joint rigidly disposed in a pipe. The parts of the center bearing and shaft sections that are displaced in a crash are configured to be smaller than the inside diameter of the pipe. The inside diameter of the outer joint ring is greater than the outside diameters of the roller bearing of the center bearing and of the pipe. The homokinetic displacement joint is sealed off with a sealing cap and a sealing bellows in the direction of the shaft section, and has a closure lid assigned to it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Sebastian Frost, Christian Korotwa, Gerald Langer
  • Publication number: 20070026954
    Abstract: The invention concerns a driveshaft (1) with a drive joint (9) for an vehicle, in which the drive joint (9) features a joint inner portion and joint outer portion (12), which are axially placed into one another and contain rolling elements associated with lead-in tracks (16, 17) between them. In order to make sure that the driveshaft (1) does not break and fall apart in case of impermissibly high torque moments, the joint outer portion (12) is constructed in such a manner that it breaks as a predetermined breaking point of the driveshaft (1) when a predefined torque moment barrier is exceeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Inventors: Gerald Langer, Armin Ihle, Walter Pischel, Stephan Lutzenberger, Manfred Hirschvogel