Patents by Inventor Theodor Gassmann

Theodor Gassmann 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: 11780315
    Abstract: A transmission assembly for a hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine and an electric machine, wherein a first drive torque of the internal combustion engine and a second drive torque of the electric machine are transferable to a drive shaft of the hybrid vehicle via the transmission assembly, wherein the transmission assembly comprises: a first transmission input shaft, via which the first drive torque 1 of the internal combustion engine is introduced into the transmission assembly; a second transmission input shaft, via which the second drive torque of the electric machine is introduced into the transmission assembly; the drive shaft; and at least a first planetary transmission including a first ring gear, a first planetary carrier and a first sun gear; wherein the first transmission input shaft is connected via the first planetary transmission to the second transmission input shaft and to the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Ltd.
    Inventor: Theodor Gassmann
  • Patent number: 11701960
    Abstract: An actuator assembly for actuating two switching units in the driveline of a motor vehicle comprises a housing; an actuator drive; a switching rod arranged in the housing and axially movable by the actuator drive in three positions; a first switching element and a second switching element axially movably arranged on the switching rod; a spring element which biases the first switching element against a first shaft stop and the second switching element against a second shaft stop; a first housing stop against which the first switching element can be axially supported; and a second housing stop against which the second switching element can be axially supported. A transmission assembly can include such an actuator assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Theodor Gassmann, Maximilian Werkhausen, Jan Haupt
  • Publication number: 20220379711
    Abstract: An actuator assembly for actuating two switching units in the driveline of a motor vehicle comprises a housing; an actuator drive; a switching rod arranged in the housing and axially movable by the actuator drive in three positions; a first switching element and a second switching element axially movably arranged on the switching rod; a spring element which biases the first switching element against a first shaft stop and the second switching element against a second shaft stop; a first housing stop against which the first switching element can be axially supported; and a second housing stop against which the second switching element can be axially supported. A transmission assembly can include such an actuator assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Theodor Gassmann, Maximilian Werkhausen, Jan Haupt
  • Patent number: 11480248
    Abstract: A hydraulic actuator can be provided for actuating a functional part by a movement of a force transmission element, with a working piston which can be acted upon by a hydraulic pressure of a pressure supply and is movable thereover between a first extreme position and a second extreme position in a piston/cylinder unit, wherein two chambers separated from one another by the working piston are present and a first chamber is formed as a first working chamber with a pressure inlet and a hydraulic pressure applied to the first pressure inlet urges the working piston in the direction of the first extreme position in order to enlarge the first working chamber. At least one retaining means is provided which is capable of automatically locking the working piston in one of the extreme positions when this extreme position is reached, even without any hydraulic pressure being applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Ltd.
    Inventor: Theodor Gassmann
  • Patent number: 11454288
    Abstract: An actuator assembly comprises a rotatably drivable drive gear; a locking ring which is rotatably mounted in a stationary housing and is drivingly connected to the drive gear, wherein the locking ring is rotatable from a first rotational position into a second rotational position against a rotation stop; wherein at least one friction face pairing is provided in the power path between the drive gear and the locking ring, via which a torque can be transmitted to the locking ring by frictional forces; a first ramp ring drivable by the drive gear and a second ramp ring, which are axially supported against each other and are configured to convert rotary movement into axial movement; wherein the first ramp ring, after the locking ring has reached the rotary stop, can be further rotatably driven by the drive gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Jan Haupt, Thomas Weckerling, Theodor Gassmann
  • Patent number: 11433869
    Abstract: A drive torque of an electric motor for driving a driveline included in a driveline assembly of a motor vehicle can be controlled as a function of the vehicle speed in such a way that, when the vehicle speed is below a predetermined threshold value, the electric motor is controlled in a high torque mode and, when the vehicle speed is above the threshold value, the electric motor is controlled in a low torque mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Peter Obergünner, Harwin Niessen, Michael Höck, Theodor Gassmann
  • Publication number: 20220082137
    Abstract: An actuator assembly comprises a rotatably drivable drive gear; a locking ring which is rotatably mounted in a stationary housing and is drivingly connected to the drive gear, wherein the locking ring is rotatable from a first rotational position into a second rotational position against a rotation stop; wherein at least one friction face pairing is provided in the power path between the drive gear and the locking ring, via which a torque can be transmitted to the locking ring by frictional forces; a first ramp ring drivable by the drive gear and a second ramp ring, which are axially supported against each other and are configured to convert rotary movement into axial movement; wherein the first ramp ring, after the locking ring has reached the rotary stop, can be further rotatably driven by the drive gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Jan Haupt, Thomas Weckerling, Theodor Gassmann
  • Patent number: 11193561
    Abstract: A drive assembly for a motor vehicle includes a housing having a transmission housing chamber, a reservoir, and a clutch housing chamber. At least one of the transmission housing chamber or the clutch housing chamber are fluidically connected to the reservoir. A transmission is disposed in the transmission housing chamber. A clutch is disposed in the clutch housing chamber. The clutch is drivingly connected to the transmission. An actuator has an actuating element engaged with the clutch. The clutch is moveable by the actuating element between a disengaged position and an engaged position. A valve is operatively connected to the actuating element of the actuator to allow lubricant flow from the reservoir to at least one of the transmission housing chamber and the clutch housing chamber when the clutch is in the engaged position and to prevent lubricant flow from the reservoir when the clutch is in the disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Jan Haupt, Theodor Gassmann, Maximilian Werkhausen
  • Patent number: 11015708
    Abstract: In the case of an axle drive unit with a power-shiftable two-speed transmission unit, in order to enable particularly simple and advantageous control of a gear change and to manage with a small number of components and a less complex control logic and control sensor system, the coordination of mechanically-passively implemented shifting thresholds of a friction clutch and a blocking device of a freewheel is provided, which makes it possible to control the friction clutch and the blocking device with the same control variable at always the same level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Ltd.
    Inventors: Theodor Gassmann, Dirk Güth, Jan Haupt
  • Publication number: 20210146767
    Abstract: A transmission assembly for a hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine and an electric machine, wherein a first drive torque of the internal combustion engine and a second drive torque of the electric machine are transferable to a drive shaft of the hybrid vehicle via the transmission assembly, wherein the transmission assembly comprises: a first transmission input shaft, via which the first drive torque 1 of the internal combustion engine is introduced into the transmission assembly; a second transmission input shaft, via which the second drive torque of the electric machine is introduced into the transmission assembly; the drive shaft; and at least a first planetary transmission including a first ring gear, a first planetary carrier and a first sun gear; wherein the first transmission input shaft is connected via the first planetary transmission to the second transmission input shaft and to the drive shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventor: Theodor Gassmann
  • Patent number: 10962096
    Abstract: A differential transmission for transmitting a torque to an axle of a motor vehicle, has at least one driveshaft and at least one output shaft, which are connectable in torque-transmitting manner via a clutch within a housing of the differential transmission, wherein the clutch is actuatable via an actuating device, wherein the actuating device is mounted on the housing, wherein the at least one output shaft is mounted in a rotatable manner via a bearing, wherein the bearing is mounted on the actuating device; wherein a stop is arranged on the at least one output shaft such that an actuating force that is provided for actuating the clutch and acts at least in an axial direction is supported on the stop at least via the actuating device and the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Ltd.
    Inventor: Theodor Gassmann
  • Publication number: 20210009129
    Abstract: A drive torque of an electric motor for driving a driveline included in a driveline assembly of a motor vehicle can be controlled as a function of the vehicle speed in such a way that, when the vehicle speed is below a predetermined threshold value, the electric motor is controlled in a high torque mode and, when the vehicle speed is above the threshold value, the electric motor is controlled in a low torque mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Peter Obergünner, Harwin Niessen, Michael Höck, Theodor Gassmann
  • Publication number: 20210010586
    Abstract: A hydraulic actuator can be provided for actuating a functional part by a movement of a force transmission element, with a working piston which can be acted upon by a hydraulic pressure of a pressure supply and is movable thereover between a first extreme position and a second extreme position in a piston/cylinder unit, wherein two chambers separated from one another by the working piston are present and a first chamber is formed as a first working chamber with a pressure inlet and a hydraulic pressure applied to the first pressure inlet urges the working piston in the direction of the first extreme position in order to enlarge the first working chamber. At least one retaining means is provided which is capable of automatically locking the working piston in one of the extreme positions when this extreme position is reached, even without any hydraulic pressure being applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventor: Theodor Gassmann
  • Publication number: 20210010568
    Abstract: A drive assembly for a motor vehicle includes a housing having a transmission housing chamber, a reservoir, and a clutch housing chamber. At least one of the transmission housing chamber or the clutch housing chamber are fluidically connected to the reservoir. A transmission is disposed in the transmission housing chamber. A clutch is disposed in the clutch housing chamber. The clutch is drivingly connected to the transmission. An actuator has an actuating element engaged with the clutch. The clutch is moveable by the actuating element between a disengaged position and an engaged position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Jan Haupt, Theodor Gassmann, Maximilian Werkhausen
  • Publication number: 20200256465
    Abstract: In the case of an axle drive unit with a power-shiftable two-speed transmission unit, in order to enable particularly simple and advantageous control of a gear change and to manage with a small number of components and a less complex control logic and control sensor system, the coordination of mechanically-passively implemented shifting thresholds of a friction clutch and a blocking device of a freewheel is provided, which makes it possible to control the friction clutch and the blocking device with the same control variable at always the same level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Theodor Gassmann, Dirk Güth, Jan Haupt
  • Patent number: 10688858
    Abstract: A transmission arrangement for a hybrid vehicle has an internal combustion engine and an electric machine. A first drive torque of the internal combustion engine and a second drive torque of the electric machine are transmissible to at least one drive shaft of the hybrid vehicle by the transmission arrangement. The transmission arrangement comprises a first planetary transmission with first components including a first sun gear, first ring gear and first planet carrier. A third drive torque is transmissible to a second planet carrier of a second planetary transmission by the first planet carrier. The second planetary transmission has second components including a second planet carrier, second sun gear and third sun gear. The second sun gear meshes with a first toothing of a second planet gear. The third sun gear meshes with a second toothing of the second planet gear. A drive shaft of the hybrid vehicle is driveable by the third sun gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Ltd.
    Inventors: Theodor Gassmann, Jan Haupt, Moritz Abbenhaus, Sven Herber, Wolfgang Hildebrandt
  • Patent number: 10508737
    Abstract: A multi-step transmission for a motor vehicle comprises an input shaft, an output shaft, a first transmission stage and a second transmission stage, a clutch which can be transferred into three clutch positions to drivingly connect the input shaft and the output shaft with each other or disconnect them from each other; and an actuating assembly with a setting element that is movable in three setting positions and is connected to a movable clutch part of the clutch, wherein the actuating assembly comprises first and second electromagnetically operable actuators which can be operated independently from one another and which jointly act on the setting element such that the setting element can be transferred by the first and the second actuator into the three setting positions. An electric drive can have such a multi-step transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Ltd.
    Inventor: Theodor Gassmann
  • Publication number: 20190226565
    Abstract: A differential transmission for transmitting a torque to an axle of a motor vehicle, has at least one driveshaft and at least one output shaft, which are connectable in torque-transmitting manner via a clutch within a housing of the differential transmission, wherein the clutch is actuatable via an actuating device, wherein the actuating device is mounted on the housing, wherein the at least one output shaft is mounted in a rotatable manner via a bearing, wherein the bearing is mounted on the actuating device; wherein a stop is arranged on the at least one output shaft such that an actuating force that is provided for actuating the clutch and acts at least in an axial direction is supported on the stop at least via the actuating device and the bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventor: Theodor Gassmann
  • Publication number: 20190225070
    Abstract: A transmission arrangement for a hybrid vehicle has an internal combustion engine and an electric machine. A first drive torque of the internal combustion engine and a second drive torque of the electric machine are transmissible to at least one drive shaft of the hybrid vehicle by the transmission arrangement. The transmission arrangement comprises a first planetary transmission with first components including a first sun gear, first ring gear and first planet carrier. A third drive torque is transmissible to a second planet carrier of a second planetary transmission by the first planet carrier. The second planetary transmission has second components including a second planet carrier, second sun gear and third sun gear. The second sun gear meshes with a first toothing of a second planet gear. The third sun gear meshes with a second toothing of the second planet gear. A drive shaft of the hybrid vehicle is driveable by the third sun gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Applicant: GKN Automotive Ltd.
    Inventors: Theodor GASSMANN, Jan HAUPT, Moritz ABBENHAUS, Sven HERBER, Wolfgang HILDEBRANDT
  • Patent number: 10320277
    Abstract: An electric drive assembly for a motor vehicle comprises a high-speed electric machine with a nominal rotational speed of at least 20,000 revolutions per minute and with a high-speed rotor that can be used as a flywheel mass for storing kinetic energy; a superimposed transmission having a drive element, a regulating element and a driven element, wherein the drive element is drivable by an electric machine around a drive axis, wherein the regulating element is rotatable around a regulating axis and wherein the driven element is drivingly connected to the regulating element and the drive element; an electromagnetic regulating device having a stator and a rotor that is connected to the regulating element in a rotationally fixed way, wherein by means of magnetic forces acting in the circumferential direction between the stator and the rotor, a regulating moment can be transmitted to the rotor, wherein the magnetic forces are variably adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Ltd.
    Inventor: Theodor Gassmann