Patents by Inventor Marco Grethel

Marco Grethel 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: 20240100928
    Abstract: A hydraulic arrangement for an electrically operable, multigear axle drive train of a motor vehicle comprising a hydraulic circuit in which a hydraulic fluid is guided, a hydraulic pump arranged to apply pressure to the hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic circuit, a first hydraulic path arranged to connect a first clutch device to the hydraulic circuit, and a second hydraulic path arranged to connect a second clutch device to the hydraulic circuit. The first and second clutch devices are each arranged to actuate a gear selection device of the electrically operable axle drive train.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marco Grethel, Carsten Mayer
  • Publication number: 20240052895
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for actuating a decoupling unit in a powertrain which comprises at least one driven axle. The aim of the disclosure is to simplify the actuation of the decoupling unit. This is achieved in that the decoupling unit is passively actuated in an actuation direction using an actuation force, which is provided in a hydraulic system, via a first hydraulic functional surface, and the decoupling unit is passively actuated in a restoring direction using a restoring force via a second hydraulic functional surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Marco Grethel
  • Patent number: 11884158
    Abstract: A drive unit and a drive arrangement having the drive unit are provided. The drive unit includes a first electric machine and a second electric machine and an output shaft. A rotor of the second electric machine is connected to the output shaft for conjoint rotation and the drive unit has a separating clutch by which a rotor of the first electric machine is connected to the output shaft for torque transmission. The drive unit furthermore has a first flow system for implementing a flow of a first liquid for at least partial cooling of at least one electric machine and a second flow system for implementing a flow of a second liquid, the first flow system and the second flow system being arranged such that heat from the first liquid in the first flow system is transferred to the second liquid in the second flow system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Trinkenschuh, Steffen Lehmann, Carsten Mayer, Marco Grethel
  • Publication number: 20230022059
    Abstract: An electrified drive train for a motor vehicle, having a heat generator, includes at least one electrical drive machine, and a heat dissipation circuit which has at least one first heat exchanger and one second heat exchanger for dissipating heat from a cooling circuit which is routed through the heat generator. During operation, a fluid used in the heat dissipation circuit flows through the first heat exchanger and, parallel thereto, through the second heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marco Grethel, Götz Rathke
  • Publication number: 20230012900
    Abstract: An electrified drive train for a motor vehicle has a heat generator, which includes at least one electric drive machine; and a cooling circuit, which is led through the electric drive machine and has a heat exchanger for removing heat from the cooling circuit. With respect to the direction of flow of the fluid used in the cooling circuit, the heat exchanger is arranged in the cooling circuit downstream of the heat generator to be cooled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marco Grethel, Götz Rathke
  • Publication number: 20230003213
    Abstract: A pump unit includes an electric motor and a pump with a duct. The pump is rotationally driven by the electric motor to provide a setpoint volumetric flow to the duct. A rotational speed controller is configured to, during operation of the pump, determine a setpoint rotational speed based on a fixed-point iteration of an initial rotational speed. The setpoint rotational speed is associated with a setpoint volumetric flow. The rotational speed controller is further configured to operate the pump at the setpoint rotational speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Yunfan Wei, Marco Grethel, Carsten Mayer
  • Publication number: 20220373042
    Abstract: A method for controlling a friction clutch actuated by an actuation system using an actuation pressure ambiguously applied along an actuation path includes providing the friction clutch and the actuation system, detecting a time curve of an actuation processes of the friction clutch, and comparing the time curve with the actuation pressure to ascertain an unambiguous friction clutch actuation path. The method may also include using the time curve to determine whether the friction clutch is in an opening state or a closing state and whether the actuation pressure is applied to an opened friction clutch actuation path or a closed friction clutch actuation path, and starting from a set actuation pressure, carrying out a directional control of the friction clutch by specifying the actuation pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Carsten Mayer, Marco Grethel, Yunfan Wei
  • Patent number: 11378139
    Abstract: A clutch unit for a powertrain of a motor vehicle is disclosed, comprising a torque input component acting as a drive element, a torque output component acting as an output element, being connectable so as to transmit a torque to the torque input component via a clutch that can be shifted using friction elements, and with a torsional vibration damper having two masses damped relative to one another to reduce rotational irregularities, which is arranged between the torque input component and the torque output component, at least one of the two masses of the torsional vibration damper being simultaneously designed as a support for a friction partner. The disclosure further relates to a hybrid module comprising a first drive machine, the output shaft of which can be connected to an output shaft of a second drive machine or a transmission input shaft via such a clutch unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marco Grethel, Loyal George MacMillian, Markus Baehr, Carsten Mayer
  • Patent number: 11359720
    Abstract: A hydraulic system (1) for electro-hydraulically pressing and/or moving a first (8) and a second (9) set of disks of a CVT transmission (10) is provided. The hydraulic system (1) includes two electrically driven hydraulic pumps (4, 5). In order to reduce energy consumption during operation of the hydraulic system, the hydraulic pumps (4, 5) are in the form of self-inhibiting hydraulic pumps (4, 5) which, when a hydraulic pressure is applied and the associated electric drive is switched off, substantially maintain the applied hydraulic pressure as a result of a static friction and a residual moment of the associated electric drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Reinhard Stehr, Sebastian Köpfler, Matthias Finsterbusch, Marco Grethel
  • Publication number: 20220065273
    Abstract: A method is for testing a hydraulic system (1), having a pump (2) which, in a first direction of rotation (3), conveys fluid to a first consumer (4) for a volume flow function and, in a second direction of rotation (5), conveys fluid to at least one second consumer (6) for an actuation function. The method includes testing hydraulic readiness of the hydraulic system (1); drawing fluid into the hydraulic system (1); ventilating the hydraulic system (1). A hydraulic system (1) carries out such a method, having a pump (2) which can be driven in a first direction of rotation (3) for a volume flow function and can be driven in a second direction of rotation (5) for an actuation function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Marco Grethel, Dominik Götz, Daniel Müller, Johannes Oser
  • Patent number: 11248663
    Abstract: A clutch unit for a powertrain of a motor vehicle is disclosed, comprising a torque input component acting as a drive element and a torque output component acting as an output element, which can be connected to transmit a torque to the torque input component through a clutch which can be switched through friction elements, the clutch having two partial clutches by which the torque input component and the torque output component can be connected so as to transmit a torque, in which one of the two partial clutches is configured as a positive-fit clutch and the other of the two partial clutches is configured as a friction clutch. In addition, the disclosure relates to a hybrid module with a first drive machine the output shaft of which can be connected through such a clutch unit to an output shaft of a second drive machine or a transmission input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marco Grethel, Loyal George MacMillian, Carsten Mayer, Markus Baehr
  • Patent number: 10982760
    Abstract: An actuator arrangement for a motor vehicle transmission includes a pump device, a shifting interface, and a switching logic device. The pump device has a pump for fluidic actuation of a clutch, and an electric motor for driving the pump. The shifting interface is connected to the pump device for actuating the motor vehicle transmission. The shifting interface has at least one of a shift lever, a shifting pawl mechanism, or a shifting shaft. The switching logic device is arranged between the shifting interface and the pump device. The pump device is arranged to actuate the shifting interface sequentially with respect to the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Yunfan Wei, Marco Grethel
  • Publication number: 20210080201
    Abstract: A coolant delivery module for delivering and distributing a coolant includes a housing, a pump, a distribution valve, an electric motor, and an electronic control unit. The housing is equipped with an intake line connection and a plurality of consumer connections. The pump is arranged in the housing and includes a pump inlet connected to the intake line connection, and a pump outlet. The distribution valve is arranged in the housing, connected to the pump outlet, and arranged to selectively connect the pump outlet to the consumer connections. The electric motor is arranged in the housing for driving the pump in a delivery state. The electronic control unit is arranged in the housing, arranged to exert a controlling action on the electric motor, and operatively connected to the distribution valve to control the distribution valve during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Carsten Mayer, Marco Grethel
  • Publication number: 20210054883
    Abstract: A clutch unit for a powertrain of a motor vehicle is disclosed comprising a torque input component acting as a drive element, a torque output component acting as an output element, being connectable so as to transmit a torque to the torque input component via a clutch that can be shifted using friction elements, and with a torsional vibration damper having two masses damped relative to one another to reduce rotational irregularities, which is arranged between the torque input component and the torque output component, at least one of the two masses of the torsional vibration damper being simultaneously designed as a support for a friction partner. The disclosure further relates to a hybrid module comprising a first drive machine, the output shaft of which can be connected to an output shaft of a second drive machine or a transmission input shaft via such a clutch unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marco Grethel, Loyal George MacMillian, Markus Baehr, Carsten Mayer
  • Publication number: 20210003178
    Abstract: A clutch unit for a powertrain of a motor vehicle is disclosed, comprising a torque input component acting as a drive element and a torque output component acting as an output element, which can be connected to transmit a torque to the torque input component through a clutch which can be switched through friction elements, the clutch having two partial clutches by which the torque input component and the torque output component can be connected so as to transmit a torque, in which one of the two partial clutches is configured as a positive-fit clutch and the other of the two partial clutches is configured as a friction clutch. In addition, the disclosure relates to a hybrid module with a first drive machine the output shaft of which can be connected through such a clutch unit to an output shaft of a second drive machine or a transmission input shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marco Grethel, Loyal George MacMillian, Carsten Mayer, Markus Baehr
  • Patent number: 10753410
    Abstract: A fluid arrangement for controlling a transmission of a motor vehicle in a hydraulic circuit is disclosed. The fluid arrangement includes a dual clutch including a first sub-clutch and a second sub-clutch, wherein the first sub-clutch is configured to be actuated via a first reversing pump actuator and the second sub-clutch is configured to be actuated via a second reversing pump actuator. The first and second reversing pump actuators each have a first delivery direction and a second delivery direction for delivering a working fluid in the hydraulic circuit. A first gear ratio mechanism with a variable gear ratio for actuating the dual clutch is configured to be actuated via the first delivery direction of the first and second reversing pump actuators a and a second gear ratio mechanism with a variable gear ratio for actuating a consumer arrangement is configured to be actuated via the second delivery direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Marco Grethel, Lászlo Mán, Dominik Herkommer
  • Patent number: 10738880
    Abstract: A control unit arrangement for controlling a fluid arrangement includes at least one transmission actuator element, at least one valve and at least one pump, for clutch and transmission activation. The control unit arrangement also includes a plurality of control units. At least one control unit of the plurality of control units is configured to actuate the at least one transmission actuator element and at least one control unit of the plurality of control units is configured to actuate the at least one pump. One of the control units from the plurality of control units is configured to actuate the at least one valve, or at least two of the control units from the plurality of control units are connected via an OR logic for a common actuation of the at least one valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO.KG
    Inventors: Dominik Herkommer, Andre Schauer, Markus Baehr, Marco Grethel, Jürgen Eich
  • Patent number: 10738752
    Abstract: A drive train for a motor vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a starting device, and a vibration isolation device. The internal combustion engine has a main order of vibration and an excitation frequency predetermined by a predetermined operating principle and a predetermined number of cylinders. The starting device is for starting the internal combustion engine and has an electric machine with a torque characteristic over a speed (n). The vibration isolation device is designed for the main order of vibration of the internal combustion engine. The vibration isolation device has a resonance characteristic below an idling speed (nL) of the internal combustion engine in a resonance range occurring in a first speed range (?n2). The resonance range is shifted into a second, lower speed range (?n1) when the electric machine is coupled. The electric machine is arranged to supply a torque effective beyond the second, lower speed range (?n1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Marco Grethel, Markus Baehr, Hyung Wook Choi
  • Publication number: 20200182314
    Abstract: A method for adjusting an operating point of a hydraulic actuator arrangement, in which a volumetric flow source is connected to a hydraulic cylinder via a pressure line which is filled with a hydraulic fluid, wherein a volume of the hydraulic fluid is regulated via the volumetric flow source and the operating point corresponds to a position of the actuator arrangement for a predefined parameter of a device which is to be actuated by the actuator arrangement, wherein the volume of the hydraulic fluid which is required to adjust the operating point is derived from a rotational position of a volumetric flow source motor and/or the volumetric flow source. In a method which facilitates a reliable start of the volume determination, a volume determination is started by means of a rotary angle regulation at a predefined pressure, wherein the predefined pressure is lower than a system pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Yunfan WEI, Marco GRETHEL, Markus BAEHR, Andre SCHAUER
  • Publication number: 20200124173
    Abstract: A hydraulic system (1) for electro-hydraulically pressing and/or moving a first (8) and a second (9) set of disks of a CVT transmission (10) is provided. The hydraulic system (1) includes two electrically driven hydraulic pumps (4, 5). In order to reduce energy consumption during operation of the hydraulic system, the hydraulic pumps (4, 5) are in the form of self-inhibiting hydraulic pumps (4, 5) which, when a hydraulic pressure is applied and the associated electric drive is switched off, substantially maintain the applied hydraulic pressure as a result of a static friction and a residual moment of the associated electric drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Reinhard Stehr, Sebastian Köpfler, Matthias Finsterbusch, Marco Grethel