Patents by Inventor Rainer Grundler

Rainer Grundler 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: 10655727
    Abstract: A greaser for a transmission includes a shaft (1) having an axial bore (3) and a plurality of axially spaced radial bores (6a, 6b, 6c). Each of at least one tube (8a, 8b) is inserted into a respective one of the axially spaced radial bores (6a, 6b) and extends radially inwardly into the axial bore (3) beyond a circumferential surface (4) of the axial bore (3) that is adjacent the respective one of the axially spaced radial bores (6a, 6b). Each of the at least one tube (8a, 8b) includes a slot (11a, 11b) at a tube end (10a, 10b) facing a central axis (2) of the shaft (1). The slot (11a, 11b) of each of the at least one tube (8a, 8b) extends along a central axis (9a, 9b) of the respective tube (8a, 8b) into an interior space of the axial bore (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Rainer Grundler, Markus Herrmann, Thilo Schmidt, Dietmar Gehring, Dirk Winkler
  • Patent number: 10113635
    Abstract: A drag torque reduction device for an automatic transmission includes a hydraulic controller with a radiator. In one embodiment, the drag torque reduction device also includes a parallel connection of a pressure relief valve, a constant aperture and a temperature-dependent, switchable aperture positioned upstream of the radiator. In another embodiment, the drag torque reduction device includes an overflow cooling oil diversion with a temperature-dependent, switchable aperture and a pressure relief valve that is positioned upstream of the radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Markus Herrmann, Thilo Schmidt, Gerhard Martin, Ahmed Mouhcine, Rainer Grundler, Dirk Winkler, Valentine Vincent
  • Publication number: 20180266539
    Abstract: A greaser for a transmission includes a shaft (1) having an axial bore (3) and a plurality of axially spaced radial bores (6a, 6b, 6c). Each of at least one tube (8a, 8b) is inserted into a respective one of the axially spaced radial bores (6a, 6b) and extends radially inwardly into the axial bore (3) beyond a circumferential surface (4) of the axial bore (3) that is adjacent the respective one of the axially spaced radial bores (6a, 6b). Each of the at least one tube (8a, 8b) includes a slot (11a, 11b) at a tube end (10a, 10b) facing a central axis (2) of the shaft (1). The slot (11a, 11b) of each of the at least one tube (8a, 8b) extends along a central axis (9a, 9b) of the respective tube (8a, 8b) into an interior space of the axial bore (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Rainer Grundler, Markus Herrmann, Thilo Schmidt, Dietmar Gehring, Dirk Winkler
  • Publication number: 20170261101
    Abstract: A drag torque reduction device for an automatic transmission includes a hydraulic controller with a parallel connection of a pressure relief valve, a constant aperture and a temperature-dependent, switchable aperture that is positioned upstream of a radiator relative to a flow of fluid to the radiator. The parallel connection is disposed between a first control edge of a converter switching valve and a first line. The first line leads to both to the radiator and through a check valve to the converter ring. The first control edge of the converter switching valve is open and lubricating oil flows through the parallel connection when the converter switching valve is in a first switching position. The first control edge of the converter switching valve is closed and lubricating oil does not flow through the parallel connection when the converter switching valve is in a second switching position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Markus Herrmann, Thilo Schmidt, Gerhard Martin, Ahmed Mouhcine, Rainer Grundler, Dirk Winkler, Valentine Vincent
  • Publication number: 20170261091
    Abstract: A drag torque reduction device for an automatic transmission includes a hydraulic controller with a diversion for excess cooling oil into an oil sump that is positioned upstream of a radiator relative to a flow of fluid to the radiator. The diversion includes a temperature-dependent, switchable aperture and a switching valve. The temperature-dependent, switchable aperture is configured to close above a temperature threshold. The switching valve is configured to close above a threshold pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Markus Herrmann, Thilo Schmidt, Gerhard Martin, Ahmed Mouhcine, Rainer Grundler, Dirk Winkler, Valentine Vincent
  • Publication number: 20170002922
    Abstract: A drag torque reduction device for an automatic transmission includes a hydraulic controller with a radiator. In one embodiment, the drag torque reduction device also includes a parallel connection of a pressure relief valve, a constant aperture and a temperature-dependent, switchable aperture positioned upstream of the radiator. In another embodiment, the drag torque reduction device includes an overflow cooling oil diversion with a temperature-dependent, switchable aperture and a pressure relief valve that is positioned upstream of the radiator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Markus Herrmann, Thilo Schmidt, Gerhard Martin, Ahmed Mouhcine, Rainer Grundler, Dirk Winkler, Valentine Vincent
  • Patent number: 8439805
    Abstract: An automatic vehicle transmission comprises a first oil supply unit (10) with at least one mechanically driven first pump (11) and a second oil supply unit (20) with at least one electrically driven second pump (21), and a valve device (14) and a clutch system (1). The second oil supply unit (20) supplies the clutch system (1), during a first operating condition, and the first oil supply unit (10) supplies the clutch system (1), during a second operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Rainer Grundler, Thilo Schmidt, Christian Popp, Heinrich Zeller
  • Publication number: 20100216597
    Abstract: An automatic vehicle transmission comprises a first oil supply unit (10) with at least one mechanically driven first pump (11) and a second oil supply unit (20) with at least one electrically driven second pump (21), and a valve device (14) and a clutch system (1). The second oil supply unit (20) supplies the clutch system (1), during a first operating condition, and the first oil supply unit (10) supplies the clutch system (1), during a second operating condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Rainer GRUNDLER, Thilo SCHMIDT, Christian POPP, Heinrich ZELLER
  • Patent number: 7266472
    Abstract: A method for determining an oil condition, namely, an oil condition corresponding to the oil age or oil damage, with the following steps: a) measuring a temperature of the oil or of the part through which the oil flows, coordinating each temperature measured with one temperature range defined by an upper limit and/or a lower limit; b) as soon as the measured temperature exceeds or falls below a limit of a temperature range, measuring the period of time during which the measured temperature dwells in this range; c) in addition, integrating an oil flow running during this time over the time period measured in step b); d) from the time period measured in step b) and the integral of the oil flow determined in step c), determining an oil age or oil damage characteristic for the current temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Dieter Neumann, Christian Schwemer, Rainer Grundler, Jens Wagner
  • Publication number: 20060155502
    Abstract: A method for determining an oil condition, namely, an oil condition corresponding to the oil age or oil damage, with the following steps: a) measuring a temperature of the oil or of the part through which the oil flows, coordinating each temperature measured with one temperature range defined by an upper limit and/or a lower limit; b) as soon as the measured temperature exceeds or falls below a limit of a temperature range, measuring the period of time during which the measured temperature dwells in this range; c) in addition, integrating an oil flow running during this time over the time period measured in step b); d) from the time period measured in step b) and the integral of the oil flow determined in step c), determining an oil age or oil damage characteristic for the current temperature range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Inventors: Dieter Neumann, Christian Schwemer, Rainer Grundler, Jens Wagner