Patents by Inventor Rolf Slatter

Rolf Slatter 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: 7297087
    Abstract: A micro gear system, operating according to the principle of a strain wave gear system, a Wolfrom gear system, or a similar planetary gear system comprises at least one sun wheel (14) and at least two planet wheels (16) meshing with the sun wheel (14). The sun wheel (14) is rotatably fixed to drive shaft (20) placed along a longitudinal axis (18) of the gear system. The planet wheels (16) indirectly or directly mesh with a toothing which is rotatably fixed to a drive shaft (28) placed centrally along the longitudinal axis of the gear system. The drive shafts (20,28) are embodied as hollow shafts (30,32) having continuous bore holes (34,36) such that information or fluid media can be directed through the gear system. A sealing system (42) comprising a labyrinth seal (44) which includes a plurality of annular grooves (46) is disposed between the hollow shafts (30,32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Micromotion GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Degen, Rolf Slatter
  • Patent number: 7128469
    Abstract: A lightweight bearing and wave gear drive are provided. An outer or inner bearing ring of the bearing has fixing holes to enable the ring to be attached to another member. The parts of the bearing on which raceway surfaces are formed are made of an iron-based material, while the main bearing ring member is formed of a lightweight material that is lighter than the iron-based material. Surface portions that constitute fixing bolt seats are plated to increase the strength of such portions. The wave gear drive includes a rigid internal gear, a flexible external gear located inside the internal gear, and a wave generator located inside the external gear. The internal and external gears are coupled by the lightweight bearing in a way that allows the gears to rotate relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignees: Harmonic Drive Systems Inc., Harmonic Drive Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Masaru Kobayashi, Rolf Slatter
  • Patent number: 6968755
    Abstract: A lightweight bearing and wave gear drive are provided. An outer or inner bearing ring of the bearing has fixing holes to enable the ring to be attached to another member. The parts of the bearing on which raceway surfaces are formed are made of an iron-based material, while the main bearing ring member is formed of a lightweight material that is lighter than the iron-based material. Surface portions that constitute fixing bolt seats are plated to increase the strength of such portions. The wave gear drive includes a rigid internal gear, a flexible external gear located inside the internal gear, and a wave generator located inside the external gear. The internal and external gears are coupled by the lightweight bearing in a way that allows the gears to rotate relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Harmonic Drive Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Masaru Kobayashi, Rolf Slatter
  • Publication number: 20050014594
    Abstract: Disclosed is a flat gear system (10), particularly a micro gear system, operating particularly according to the principle of a voltage ripple gear system, a Wolfrom gear system, or a similar planetary gear system. The gear system comprises at least one sun wheel (14) and at least two planet wheels (16) meshing with the sun wheel (14). The sun wheel (14) is rotatably fixed to a drive shaft (20) placed along a longitudinal axis (18) of the gear system. The planet wheels (16) indirectly or directly mesh with a toothing which is rotatably fixed to a drive shaft (28) placed centrally along the longitudinal axis of the gear system. The drive shafts (20,28) are embodied as hollow shafts (30,32) having continuous bore holes (34,36) such that information or fluid media can be directed through the gear system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Inventors: Reinhard Degen, Rolf Slatter
  • Publication number: 20040184691
    Abstract: A lightweight bearing and wave gear drive are provided. An outer or inner bearing ring of the bearing has fixing holes to enable the ring to be attached to another member. The parts of the bearing on which raceway surfaces are formed are made of an iron-based material, while the main bearing ring member is formed of a lightweight material that is lighter than the iron-based material. Surface portions that constitute fixing bolt seats are plated to increase the strength of such portions. The wave gear drive includes a rigid internal gear, a flexible external gear located inside the internal gear, and a wave generator located inside the external gear. The internal and external gears are coupled by the lightweight bearing in a way that allows the gears to rotate relative to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicants: Harmonic Drive Systems Inc., Harmonic Drive Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Masaru Kobayashi, Rolf Slatter
  • Patent number: 5370011
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns an actuator for converting rotary movement into linear movement. The actuator comprises a prime mover turning a reduction gear assembly which, in turn, drives a mechanical transmission including a linearly moving control element. To achieve precise movement of the control element to a desired position, and to ensure the desired position is retained as exactly as possible, a reduction gear assembly which is self-locking with respect to the maximum back-driving torque exerted on the reduction gear assembly by the mechanical transmission, is combined with a low friction, non-self-locking mechanical transmission. Preferably, the reduction gear assembly is implemented in the form of a strain wave reduction gear set and the mechanical transmission element is implemented in the form of a cooperating ballscrew and ballnut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Harmonic Drive Antriebstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Siegmar Gilges, Michael Georgi, Arnold Ries, Rolf Slatter, Karl Hammes