Patents by Inventor Thomas Heck

Thomas Heck 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: 20070172620
    Abstract: Adhesive tape having a backing material applied to at least one side of which is an adhesive, in particular a pressure-sensitive adhesive, the backing material being composed of at least one film, characterized in that the film has at least one score extending in the machine direction of the adhesive tape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: TESA AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: ILSE RODEWALD, PETRA YUN, THOMAS HECK
  • Publication number: 20070137235
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for cooling a component in a vehicle with a device for providing cool air, with at least one air supply device for feeding the cool air into a passenger compartment of the vehicle, and with a first air-guiding element which branches off from the air supply device before it reaches the passenger compartment, conducts part of the cool air away from the air supply device and guides it to the component to be cooled. According to the invention, an air suction device conducts air away from the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Heck, Winfried Moll, Horst Pieper
  • Publication number: 20070084228
    Abstract: A windshield washing system for a windshield of an automobile is connected to a vessel which collects condensed water from an air conditioning system. A pump feeds the condensed water to washing nozzles arranged in front of the windshield. Collecting the condensed water largely avoids laborious manual topping up of the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas Heck
  • Publication number: 20070084597
    Abstract: A control device of an air conditioning device of a motor vehicle has a fan, a control unit for activating the fan, and a suction connection of the fan arranged in the vicinity of electronic components generating heat. The electronic components are arranged upstream, relative to the flow of air toward the fan, of the suction connection of the fan. When the fan is switched on, the air surrounding the electronic components is extracted and therefore the heat generated by the electronic components is dissipated. An electric motor of the fan is activated by the control unit as a function of the heat generation of the electronic components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas Heck
  • Publication number: 20070062040
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing a wheel cover and a vehicle wheel including such a wheel cover. The method for producing the vehicle wheel cover comprises the steps of: (a) providing a tooling fixture including at least a first tooling member and a second tooling member; (b) providing a wheel cover having at least a preformed outer end; (c) positioning the wheel cover onto the tooling fixture wherein the wheel cover is supported on the first tooling member and spaced apart from the second tooling member; (d) actuating the tooling fixture whereby the second tooling member is operative to engage and reshape the outer end of the wheel cover to produce a desired outer end shape; and (e) removing the wheel cover from the tooling fixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventors: Alan Coleman, Joseph Wolf, Patrick McCorry, Thomas Heck
  • Publication number: 20070037921
    Abstract: In order, in the case of a moulding composition for the production of sanitary-ware components, comprising a methyl-methacrylate-based syrup and from 50 to 85%, expressed in terms of the moulding composition, of an inorganic filler, to obtain an improvement in the scratch-proofness and the abrasion resistance of the shaped components which are obtained therefrom, it is proposed that the composition furthermore comprise elastomer particles or elastomer particle aggregates having a particle size<100 ?m in an amount in the range of 5% by weight to <20% by weight, expressed in terms of the mass of the syrup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Publication date: February 15, 2007
    Inventors: Andreas Hajek, Thomas Heck, Stefan Harke, Thomas Wilhelm
  • Publication number: 20070013205
    Abstract: At least one element of a vehicle cockpit is provided with a superhydrophobic surface, so that this element can be cleaned easily. On the one hand, contamination by liquids is fully avoided and, on the other hand, dirt due to dust and other particles can easily be removed with water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Heck
  • Publication number: 20070014952
    Abstract: In order to produce a casting mass, in particular, for the production of kitchen sinks, molded sanitary articles and kitchen worktops which reduces the scrap rate linked to flaw characteristics during the production it is suggested that a casting mass be used which comprises a syrup based on an acrylate monomer as well as an inorganic filler material which constitutes a proportion of 45 to 85% by weight of-the casting mass, characterized in that the proportion of the filler material comprises a first and a second filler fraction, wherein the first filler fraction consists of filler particles with an unbroken grain shape and the second filler fraction of filler particles with a higher specific density than that of the first filler fraction, and that the weight proportion of the first filler fraction is greater than the weight proportion of the second filler fraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Inventors: Anja Delong, Andreas Hajek, Thomas Heck
  • Publication number: 20070013181
    Abstract: An instrument cluster in a motor vehicle includes a housing in which display elements are arranged and face a driver. To ensure good visibility of the display elements to the driver, the housing of the instrument cluster is designed to be adjustable in its height and in its alignment toward the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas Heck
  • Publication number: 20060258282
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ventilation device for a motor vehicle with an air guide, in the interior of which air is conveyed into the rear region of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, and with an air outlet element through which the air flows out into the rear region of the passenger compartment. According to the invention, the air outlet element can be adjusted in its height relative to the floor of the passenger compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Heck
  • Publication number: 20060197371
    Abstract: An improved fabricated wheel disc and a fabricated vehicle wheel including such a fabricated wheel disc and a fabricated wheel rim secured thereto by suitable methods. The fabricated wheel disc defines an axis and includes a wheel mounting surface portion, a plurality of spokes, an outer rim connecting flange, a plurality of lug bolt receiving holes and an outboard face. The wheel mounting surface includes at least one rib formed therein between at least one pair of the lug bolt receiving holes. The rib has a straight outer surface which extends at an angle with respect to the fabricated wheel disc axis throughout an entire length thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Publication date: September 7, 2006
    Inventors: Alan Coleman, Michael Miller, Thomas Heck
  • Publication number: 20050080184
    Abstract: In order to provide curable molding compositions and shaped plastics articles prepared therefrom having an improved easy-clean property compared with the prior art, it is proposed that the curable molding composition for the production of shaped plastics articles contains a liquid monomeric methacrylate component and an amount of a particulate inorganic material ranging from 45 to 85 wt %, based on the molding composition, and that it further contains a hydrophobic monomeric component comprising at least one organosiloxane that is functionalized with an unsaturated group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Inventors: Andreas Hajek, Thomas Heck
  • Patent number: 6370777
    Abstract: A method for producing a full face vehicle wheel wherein at least the inboard tire bead seat is precisely oriented and located relative to all axis of the associated vehicle wheel includes the steps of: (a) providing a vehicle wheel assembly having a wheel rim and a wheel disc joined together and defining a horizontal wheel axis, the wheel rim including an inboard tire bead seat retaining flange, an inboard tire bead seat, a well and an outboard tire bead seat, the wheel disc including a wheel mounting portion and an outer annular portion which defines an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the vehicle wheel; (b) supporting the vehicle wheel assembly on a vehicle wheel fixturing and press apparatus including a wheel fixturing member and a wheel press member; and (c) selectively moving at least one of the wheel fixturing member and the wheel press member toward one another so as to engage and squeeze the inboard tire bead seat radially so as to expand the inboard tire bead seat in the radial direction
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Heck
  • Patent number: 6354413
    Abstract: The invention relates to hydrodynamic torque converter comprising a pump wheel which is arranged inside of a housing, a turbine wheel, a stator, a torque converter lock-up clutch and a torsional vibration damper. The turbine wheel has a turbine hub which is axially and rigidly mounted on a drive hub of the torque converter in an axial direction to the drive hub by means of at least one axial bearing. The turbine hub is mounted in a radial direction by means of a radial bearing. A connection with circumferential backlash is provided between the turbine hub and the drive hub by means of a disengaging gear. The invention also provides a rotationally fixed connection by means of an engaging gear located between the input component of the torsional vibration damper and the turbine hub, whereby the engaging gear and the disengaging gear are arranged on an essentially same axial position and radially within one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Heller, Thomas Heck, Steven Olsen, Rudolf Hönemann
  • Patent number: 6325191
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrodynamic torque converter including a turbine wheel arranged inside of a housing, a torque converter lockup clutch, an axially mounted piston, a torsional vibration damper and a hub. The turbine wheel and the piston are rotationally fixed to the input component of the damper. The input component is connected to the hub by means of a connection provided with a circumferential backlash. The output component of the damper is connected to the hub without circumferential backlash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: LuK Getriebe-Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Marc Meisner, Stephan Maienschein, Uwe Wagner, Frank Uhlmann, Wendy Boman, Thomas Heck
  • Patent number: 6298965
    Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in dampers which can be utilized in the power trains of motor vehicles to absorb torsional vibrations of the rotary output shaft of the engine and/or torsional vibrations of the rotary input element of a change-speed transmission normally receiving torque by way of a torque converter. One of the dampers is installed externally of the housing of the torque converter and, if used, another damper can be installed in the power flow between the piston of a lockup clutch in the housing of the torque converter and a turbine of the torque converter. The external damper can include an energy storing component and a friction generating component which latter is or can be sealed from the energy storing component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: LuK Getriebe-Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Thorsten Krause, Thomas Heck, Stephan Maienschein, Marc Meisner
  • Publication number: 20010015308
    Abstract: The invention relates to hydrodynamic torque converter comprising a pump wheel which is arranged inside of a housing, a turbine wheel, a stator, a torque converter lockup clutch and a torsional vibration damper. The turbine wheel has a turbine hub which is axially and rigidly mounted on a drive hub of the torque converter in an axial direction to the drive hub by means of at least one axial bearing. The turbine hub is mounted in a radial direction by means of a radial bearing. A connection with circumferential backlash is provided between the turbine hub and the drive hub by means of a disengaging gear. The invention also provides a rotationally fixed connection by means of an engaging gear located between the input component of the torsional vibration damper and the turbine hub, whereby the engaging gear and the disengaging gear are arranged on an essentially same axial position and radially within one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Applicant: LuK Getriebe-Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Heller, Thomas Heck, Steven Olsen, Rudolf Honemann
  • Patent number: 6273226
    Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for assembly of a hydrokinetic torque converter which comprises a hydraulic pump, a turbine, a stator, a driven hub, and a housing that is driven by the output element of an engine of a motor vehicle, and which functions to transmit torque to the hydraulic pump is disclosed. In such a torque converter the housing is coaxial with the pump and the turbine, and further defines an interior chamber, which encloses the turbine as well as a bypass or lockup clutch cooperating with a torsion damper having an input member and an output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventors: Rudolf Hönemann, Thomas Heck, Steven Olsen
  • Patent number: 6223872
    Abstract: The hydrodynamic torque converter (1) comprises a pump wheel (4) in a casing (2,3), a turbine wheel (5) and a turbine distributor (6). There is also a bypass coupling (70) including an axially moving piston, a torsional oscillations absorber (40) with input and output parts rotating relative to each other in opposition to force accumulators. Its turbine wheel comprises a hub (13) housed axially on the torque converter output hub (15). A connection with the rotational clearance, the splines (32,34), is provided between the two hubs. A fixed connection, by splines (34,41a) is between the input part of the absorber and the turbine wheel hub. The two sets of splines are in the same axial position radially one in the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: LuK Getriebe-Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Heller, Thomas Heck, Steven Olsen, Rudolf Hönemann
  • Patent number: 6217476
    Abstract: A torque-transmitting device is connected to a prime mover unit and a speed-changing transmission and includes a hydrodynamic torque-converter or fluid coupling with a pump wheel, a turbine wheel and in some cases a stator wheel. The torque-transmitting device has a disconnecting clutch to uncouple it from the prime mover unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: LuK Getriebe-Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Bruno Müller, Uwe Wagner, Thomas Heck