Patents by Inventor Thomas Kurz
Thomas Kurz 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).
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Publication number: 20200276980Abstract: A method is described for calibrating a characteristic diagram of a working machine. The characteristic diagram includes a brake pedal characteristic of a brake system and at least one clutch characteristic of a drive input clutch which, in the calibrated condition, have a nominal relationship to one another. The method having the steps of: determining a wheel-side drive output torque; determining an actual brake pedal characteristic with reference to the drive output torque; determining an actual relationship that differs from the nominal relationship by comparing the actual brake pedal characteristic with a nominal brake pedal characteristic; and calibrating the brake pedal characteristic or the clutch characteristic in such manner that the actual relationship corresponds to the nominal relationship. In addition a working machine with a control unit for carrying out the method is described.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2018Publication date: September 3, 2020Inventors: Hans HÖFLER, Udo BREHMER, Thomas KURZ
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Patent number: 10640838Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a hardened, steel component with regions of different hardness and/or ductility; a blank is stamped out and either heated in some regions to a temperature ?Ac3, and then transferred to a forming die, is formed, and is cooled at a speed that is greater than the critical hardening speed and thus hardened or is cold formed into the finished shape and the formed blank is heated in some regions to a temperature >Ac3 and then transferred to a hardening die and is hardened at a speed greater than the critical hardening speed; the steel material is adjusted in a transformation-delaying fashion so that a quench hardening through transformation of austenite into martensite takes place at a forming temperature that lies in the range from 450° C. to 700° C.; after the heating and before the forming, an active cooling takes place at >15 K/s.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2011Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: voestalpine Stahl GmbHInventors: Harald Schwinghammer, Andreas Sommer, Siegfried Kolnberger, Martin Rosner, Thomas Kurz
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Patent number: 10612108Abstract: A method for heating a blank or a preformed steel sheet component for hot forming and/or quench hardening purposes. In at least some regions, the heating is carried out to a temperature above AC3; the heating of the blank is embodied as a rapid heating and to this end, the blank is heated in a first zone at an average heating rate of >25 K/s up to about 600° C. and above this temperature, is heated at an average heating rate of >10 K/s up to a maximum of the AC3 temperature and then is transferred to a second zone in which the blank that has been preheated in the first zone is heated in at least some regions to temperatures greater than AC3, in particular >850° C., with the heating rate in the second zone being >10 K/s. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2015Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: voestalpine Stahl GmbHInventors: Michael Haslmayr, Siegfried Kolnberger, Thomas Kurz, Leopold Stegfellner, Andreas Sommer
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Patent number: 10287537Abstract: In a clarification method for a beverage liquid, in particular for producing beer, the beverage liquid, after it passes through a fermentation stage, is subjected to a clarification which serves for removing active haze components from the beverage liquid, and fed to a maturation vessel in which the beverage liquid is stored for a maturation time. In a further method step, the beverage liquid is charged with at least one pectin-containing clarification agent for increasing a filtration performance. In this case it is provided that the pectin-containing clarification agent is introduced into the beverage liquid on the path from the fermentation stage to the maturation vessel and the pectin present therein, before the feed to the maturation vessel, is at least for the most part removed again from the beverage liquid.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2013Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITÄT BERLINInventors: Frank-Jürgen Methner, Thomas Kunz, Hans-Ulrich Endreß, Thomas Kurz
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Publication number: 20190010587Abstract: A steel sheet for hot pressing includes in a chemical composition, in percent by mass, C of 0.1% to 0.4%, Si of greater than 0% to 2.0%, Mn of 0.5% to 3.0%, P of greater than 0% to 0.015%, S of greater than 0% to 0.01%, F3 of 0.0003% to 0.01%, N of greater than 0% to 0.05%, Al in a content of 2×[N]% to 0.3% at a Si content of greater than 0.5% to 2.0%; or Al in a content of (0.20+2×[N]-0.40×[Si]N)% to 0.3% at a Si content of 0% to 0.5%, where [N] and [Si] are contents of N and Si, respectively, in mass percent, with the remainder being iron and inevitable impurities, where contents of Ti, Zr, Hf, and Ta, of the inevitable impurities, are each controlled to 0.005% or lower. The steel sheet includes nitride-based inclusions with an equivalent circle diameter of 1 ?m or more in a number density of 0.10 per square millimeter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2015Publication date: January 10, 2019Inventors: Toshio Murakami, Junya Naitou, Keisuke Okita, Shushi Ikeda, Shinji Sato, Andreas Pichler, Thomas Kurz
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Patent number: 10077053Abstract: A rotational speed-regulated internal combustion engine in a working machine, for example a wheel loader, shortly before the engaging a bridging clutch of a hydrodynamic torque converter, is switched over in such manner that the internal combustion engine operates under torque regulation when the bridging clutch of the hydrodynamic torque converter is engaged.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2017Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Hans Höfler, Thomas Kurz, Andreas Schwarz
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Patent number: 10012188Abstract: A drive device for generating a drive movement includes a consumer, a fuel tank, which is connected to the consumer through a fuel line, and a pneumatically operable emergency shut-off valve in the fuel line. The emergency shut-off valve shuts off the fuel line in a closed position and allows fuel to pass through in an open position. The device provides a greater level of safety, in that the emergency shut-off valve remains in its closed position, or even automatically shifts to the closed position, in the event of defective operation.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2013Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Thomas Kurz
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Patent number: 9982319Abstract: A method for press-hardening steel in which a steel sheet composed of a hardenable steel alloy can either be preformed in a cold state, then transferred to a tool that has the contour of the preformed component and in it, after a preceding heating step that produces a complete austenitization, is cooled in this tool at a speed greater than the critical hardening speed so that a quench hardening of the preformed component is achieved, or a sheet blank composed of a steel with a composition that permits a press hardening is heated to a temperature above the austenitization temperature and is then hot-formed and at the same time, cooled at a speed that is greater than the critical hardening speed so that hardening is produced; and the hardening is produced in that the austenitic structure is converted into an essentially martensitic structure, possibly with a residual quantity of austenite.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2013Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: voestalpine Stahl GmbHInventors: Thomas Kurz, Andreas Pichler
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Publication number: 20170218473Abstract: A method for heating a blank or a preformed steel sheet component for hot forming and/or quench hardening purposes. In at least some regions, the heating is carried out to a temperature above AC3; the heating of the Hank is embodied as a rapid heating and to this end, the blank is heated in a first zone at an average heating rate of >25 K/s up to about 600° C. and above this temperature, is heated at an average heating rate of >10 K/s up to a maximum of the AC3 temperature and then is transferred to a second zone in which the blank that has been preheated in the first zone is heated in at least some regions to temperatures greater than AC3, in particular >850° C., with the heating rate in the second zone being >10 K/s. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2015Publication date: August 3, 2017Inventors: Michael Haslmayr, Siegfried Kolnberger, Thomas Kurz, Leopold Stegfellner, Andreas Sommer
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Publication number: 20170210387Abstract: A rotational speed-regulated internal combustion engine in a working machine, for example a wheel loader, shortly before the engaging a bridging clutch of a hydrodynamic torque converter, is switched over in such manner that the internal combustion engine operates under torque regulation when the bridging clutch of the hydrodynamic torque converter is engaged.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2017Publication date: July 27, 2017Inventors: Hans HÖFLER, Thomas KURZ, Andreas SCHWARZ
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Patent number: 9605335Abstract: Disclosed is a hot-dip galvanized steel sheet for stamping, which has excellent cold workability, has such satisfactory surface quality as to be free from unplating and other defects even in the absence of dedicated facilities, and ensures a strength of 1370 MPa or more after quenching even when cooled at a low rate. Also disclosed is a method effective for the produce of the hot-dip galvanized steel sheet for stamping. The hot-dip galvanized steel sheet for stamping comprises a base steel sheet and a hot-dip galvanized layer on a surface of the base steel sheet, in which the base steel sheet has a predetermined chemical composition and has a microstructure comprising equiaxed ferrite having an average aspect ratio of 4.0 or less and cementite and/or pearlite having an average major axis of grains of 20 ?m or less.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2013Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignees: Kobe Steel, Ltd., VOESTALPINE STAHL GmbHInventors: Michiharu Nakaya, Tatsuya Asai, Andreas Pichler, Thomas Kurz
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Publication number: 20150307824Abstract: In a clarification method for a beverage liquid, in particular for producing beer, the beverage liquid, after it passes through a fermentation stage, is subjected to a clarification which serves for removing active haze components from the beverage liquid, and fed to a maturation vessel in which the beverage liquid is stored for a maturation time. In a further method step, the beverage liquid is charged with at least one pectin-containing clarification agent for increasing a filtration performance. In this case it is provided that the pectin-containing clarification agent is introduced into the beverage liquid on the path from the fermentation stage to the maturation vessel and the pectin present therein, before the feed to the maturation vessel, is at least for the most part removed again from the beverage liquid.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2013Publication date: October 29, 2015Applicant: TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITÄT BERLINInventors: Frank-Jürgen METHNER, Thomas KUNZ, Hans-Ulrich ENDREß, Thomas KURZ
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Patent number: 9090951Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a hardened component made of a hardenable steel, wherein the steel strip is exposed to a temperature increase in an oven, and is thus exposed to an oxidizing treatment such that a surface oxide layer is created, and subsequently a coating using a metal or a metal alloy is carried out. The strip is heated and at least partially austenitized for producing an at least partially hardened component, and subsequently cooled and thereby hardened. The invention also relates to a steel strip produced according to said method.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2008Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: VOESTALPINE STAHL GMBHInventors: Werner Brandstätter, Siegfried Kolnberger, Thomas Kurz, Martin Peruzzi, Johann Strutzenberger, Thomas Manzenreiter
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Publication number: 20150183051Abstract: A method for producing a component with a sandwich structure, in which at least one essentially flat top layer is produced from a ferrous material, a structure is introduced into an essentially flat intermediate layer composed of a ferrous material, contact regions of the intermediate layer are at least partially galvanized, the at least one top layer and the intermediate layer are superposed to form a composite so that the contact regions rest against the top layer, and the composite is then press hardened. The invention produces an easily recyclable component with a sandwich structure, which has good rigidity and strength properties.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2013Publication date: July 2, 2015Inventors: Andreas Sommer, Siegfried Kolnberger, Thomas Kurz, Karl Michael Radlmayr, Martin Rosner
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Patent number: 9060547Abstract: The invention relates to a device for smoking cessation, consisting of a cylindrical sleeve (2), the inside diameter dI of which is dimensioned such that the sleeve can be placed positively and completely on a cigarette (1) so that the cigarette (1) projects beyond both free ends (22) of the sleeve (2), and the sleeve jacket (3) has a thickness SQ of at least 1 mm. The invention further relates to a use of such a device as a cigarette holder.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2011Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Inventors: Matthäus Kurz, Thomas Kurz
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Publication number: 20150159605Abstract: A drive device for generating a drive movement includes a consumer, a fuel tank, which is connected to the consumer through a fuel line, and a pneumatically operable emergency shut-off valve in the fuel line. The emergency shut-off valve shuts off the fuel line in a closed position and allows fuel to pass through in an open position. The device provides a greater level of safety, in that the emergency shut-off valve remains in its closed position, or even automatically shifts to the closed position, in the event of defective operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2013Publication date: June 11, 2015Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventor: Thomas Kurz
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Publication number: 20150152517Abstract: A method for press-hardening steel in which a steel sheet composed of a hardenable steel alloy is heated to a temperature above the austenitization temperature and is then hot-formed in a tool and at the same time, cooled at such a rate that hardening is produced; and the hardening is produced in that the austenitic structure is converted into an essentially martensitic structure, and a press hardening number is determined; the press hardening number (PHZ) is determined based on the equation PHZ (press-hardening number)=cooling rate in the tool (PHW)/theoretical press-hardening cooling rate (PHK) where the cooling rate in the tool is predetermined or measured for a desired sheet thickness and the theoretical press-hardening cooling rate (PHK) for steel material whose boron content dissolved in the starting material is >5 ppm, is determined as follows: PHK[K/s]=1750/(28.5*C %+3.5*Si %+2.3*Mn?2*Al %+4*Cr %+3*Ni %+25*Mo %?20*Nb?6.3)?2.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2013Publication date: June 4, 2015Inventors: Thomas Kurz, Andreas Pichler
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Publication number: 20150044502Abstract: Disclosed is a hot-dip galvanized steel sheet for stamping, which has excellent cold workability, has such satisfactory surface quality as to be free from unplating and other defects even in the absence of dedicated facilities, and ensures a strength of 1370 MPa or more after quenching even when cooled at a low rate. Also disclosed is a method effective for the produce of the hot-dip galvanized steel sheet for stamping. The hot-dip galvanized steel sheet for stamping comprises a base steel sheet and a hot-dip galvanized layer on a surface of the base steel sheet, in which the base steel sheet has a predetermined chemical composition and has a microstructure comprising equiaxed ferrite having an average aspect ratio of 4.0 or less and cementite and/or pearlite having an average major axis of grains of 20 ?m or less.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2013Publication date: February 12, 2015Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KOBE SEIKO SHO (Kobe Steel, Ltd.), VOESTALPINE STAHL GMBHInventors: Michiharu Nakaya, Tatsuya Asai, Andreas Pichler, Thomas Kurz
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Patent number: 8726754Abstract: During reversal of drive of a vehicle, particularly a work machine with a hydrodynamic torque converter and a bypass clutch, the bypass clutch is first disengaged, during the reversal process. Next, a previously engaged first driving direction clutch, driving the vehicle in the first driving direction, is disengaged and a second driving direction clutch, for driving the vehicle in the second driving direction, is engaged so that a speed of the vehicle, in the first driving direction, is reduced and a speed of the vehicle, in the second driving direction, is subsequently accelerated, whereby the drive motor is operated at a higher rotational speed during the reversal process.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2009Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Hans Hofler, Thomas Kurz
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Publication number: 20140027026Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a hardened, steel component with regions of different hardness and/or ductility; a blank is stamped out and either heated in some regions to a temperature ?Ac3, and then transferred to a forming die, is formed, and is cooled at a speed that is greater than the critical hardening speed and thus hardened or is cold formed into the finished shape and the formed blank is heated in some regions to a temperature >Ac3 and then transferred to a hardening die and is hardened at a speed greater than the critical hardening speed; the steel material is adjusted in a transformation-delaying fashion so that a quench hardening through transformation of austenite into martensite takes place at a forming temperature that lies in the range from 450° C. to 700° C.; after the heating and before the forming, an active cooling takes place at >15 K/s.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2011Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: voestalpine Stahl GmbHInventors: Harald Schwinghammer, Andreas Sommer, Siegfried Kolnberger, Martin Rosner, Thomas Kurz