Patents by Inventor Thomas Pfund
Thomas Pfund 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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Patent number: 10498182Abstract: A dynamoelectric permanently excited machine having the possibility of mechanical field weakening. The machine includes a stator (1), a rotor (2) spaced apart from the stator (1) by an air gap (8), permanent magnets (4) arranged on the rotor (2) for generating an excitation field in the air gap (8), and a centrifugal-force-controlled field-weakening mechanism for weakening the excitation field in the air gap (8) in accordance with rotational speed. In order to increase the operational safety of systems that are driven by such a machine, the machine also includes a signal input for a fault signal and an actuator for controlling the field-weakening mechanism independently of rotational speed.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2015Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Thomas Schencke, Thomas Pfund
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Publication number: 20170163108Abstract: A dynamoelectric permanently excited machine having the possibility of mechanical field weakening. The machine includes a stator (1), a rotor (2) spaced apart from the stator (1) by an air gap (8), permanent magnets (4) arranged on the rotor (2) for generating an excitation field in the air gap (8), and a centrifugal-force-controlled field-weakening mechanism for weakening the excitation field in the air gap (8) in accordance with rotational speed. In order to increase the operational safety of systems that are driven by such a machine, the machine also includes a signal input for a fault signal and an actuator for controlling the field-weakening mechanism independently of rotational speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2015Publication date: June 8, 2017Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Thomas Schencke, Thomas Pfund
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Patent number: 8132549Abstract: A method for determining a wear value of a transmission element between a crankshaft and a camshaft of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine, in particular a timing chain or toothed belt, is provided. The camshaft is driven by the transmission element via a drive part, for example a camshaft gearwheel. In each case, at least one measurement value for the phase position of the drive part relative to the crankshaft is determined at time intervals during which the crankshaft drives the camshaft, and the wear value is determined from the difference between the measurement values.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2006Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Heiko Dell, Jens Schafer, Thomas Pfund
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Patent number: 7658261Abstract: In a method for operating a drive train for a motor vehicle, a torque is produced by means of an internal combustion engine as a function of an available torque set value signal and transmitted to drive wheels by means of a clutch. With the help of an electric motor, a closing force is applied, with which the clutch is held in a closed position against a restoring force. The electric motor is energized in such a way that a high current is used in the case of a high torque and a lower current is used in the case of a lower torque. The thermal load of the electric motor is determined and a load signal corresponding to the thermal load is produced. The load signal is compared with a load limit signal assigned to a permissible load range. If the load signal deviates from the load-limit signal, the torque of the internal combustion engine is limited.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2006Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventor: Thomas Pfund
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Patent number: 7603893Abstract: The input rotational speed of a belt-driven conical-pulley transmission is determined by measuring a wheel rotational speed and the transmission ratio and by calculating the input rotational speed therefrom. In order to ascertain the slipping of a CVT transmission, the rate of change in the transmission ratio is drawn upon, or an acoustic parameter of the transmission is used. In the fluid control system, a valve is used whose opening cross-section is controlled according to the one differential pressure. In order to oil the conical discs, injection holes of an injection tube are used that passes through a slot provided in a slide rail resting against a strand of a flexible torque transmitting member of a conical disc flexible drive.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2003Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: Franz Bitzer, Martin Vornehm, Christian Lauinger, Michael Reuschel, Christian Späth, Christoph Angele, Thomas Pfund, André Linnenbrügger
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Publication number: 20090139478Abstract: A method for determining a wear value of a transmission element between a crankshaft and a camshaft of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine, in particular a timing chain or toothed belt, is provided. The camshaft is driven by the transmission element via a drive part, for example a camshaft gearwheel. In each case, at least one measurement value for the phase position of the drive part relative to the crankshaft is determined at time intervals during which the crankshaft drives the camshaft, and the wear value is determined from the difference between the measurement values.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2006Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KGInventors: Heiko Dell, Jens Schafer, Thomas Pfund
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Patent number: 7486490Abstract: An actuator for a clutch or gear mechanism in a motor vehicle comprises an electric motor and an incremental encoder. The encoder comprises a position measurement signal output at which a position measurement signal can be output which has a number of different signal states, each of which is assigned to a relative position between a primary part and a secondary part of the electric motor. For the commutation of the electric motor, the position measurement signal output is connected to a position measurement signal input of a control device for a motor winding of the electric motor. The control device comprises a device for checking the plausibility of the position measurement signal and is designed in such a manner that on the occurrence of an implausible signal state the power supply to the electric motor is disconnected and/or the power of the electric motor is limited.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2006Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: Thomas Pfund, Wai-Wal Buchet, Sven-Jostein Kro, Martin Zimmermann, Juergen Gerhart, Martin Fuss
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Patent number: 7237785Abstract: A vehicle roll stabilizer for the chassis of a motor vehicle is provided, with its actuator (3, 38) being energized with independent energy, as necessary, for counteracting a roll. The actuator (3, 38) is provided with at least one additional energy accumulator (33a, 57), with its stored energy additionally counteracting the roll.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2005Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignees: Schaeffler KG, Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: Manfred Kraus, Jürgen Osterlänger, Harald Hochmuth, Thomas Dirnberger, Wolfgang Reik, Thomas Pfund
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Publication number: 20070139834Abstract: An actuator for a clutch or gear mechanism in a motor vehicle comprises an electric motor and an incremental encoder. The encoder comprises a position measurement signal output at which a position measurement signal can be output which has a number of different signal states, each of which is assigned to a relative position between a primary part and a secondary part of the electric motor. For the commutation of the electric motor, the position measurement signal output is connected to a position measurement signal input of a control device for a motor winding of the electric motor. The control device comprises a device for checking the plausibility of the position measurement signal and is designed in such a manner that on the occurrence of an implausible signal state the power supply to the electric motor is disconnected and/or the power of the electric motor is limited.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2006Publication date: June 21, 2007Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: Thomas Pfund, Wai-Wal Buchet, Sven-Jostein Kro, Martin Zimmermann, Juergen Gerhart, Martin Fuss
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Publication number: 20070080004Abstract: In a method for operating a drive train for a motor vehicle, a torque is produced by means of an internal combustion engine as a function of an available torque set value signal and transmitted to drive wheels by means of a clutch. With the help of an electric motor, a closing force is applied, with which the clutch is held in a closed position against a restoring force. The electric motor is energized in such a way that a high current is used in the case of a high torque and a lower current is used in the case of a lower torque. The thermal load of the electric motor is determined and a load signal corresponding to the thermal load is produced. The load signal is compared with a load limit signal assigned to a permissible load range. If the load signal deviates from the load-limit signal, the torque of the internal combustion engine is limited.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2006Publication date: April 12, 2007Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventor: Thomas Pfund
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Patent number: 7156406Abstract: The invention relates to a roll stabilizer for the chassis of a motor vehicle, comprising an actuator (3), which is mounted between anti-roll bar halves (1, 2) and which rotates these about a rotation axis in opposite directions as necessary. The curved path carriers (4, 5) of the actuator that are assigned to the roll stabilizer halves (1, 2) are each provided with a curved path (17, 18) inside of which a coupling element (13) is guided that can be displaced along these curved paths (17, 18) via an actuating drive (7, 10). The U-shaped or V-shaped curved path (18) of one curved path carrier (5) has two curved path branches (19, 20) that are arranged in a mirror symmetric manner in relation to a longitudinal central plane containing the rotation axis of the actuator (3).Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2005Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Assignees: INA- Schaeffler KG, LUK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: Manfred Kraus, Jurgen Osterlanger, Harald Hochmuth, Thomas Dirnberger, Wolfgang Reik, Thomas Pfund
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Patent number: 7047118Abstract: A method and apparatus for regulating the transmission ratio of a continuously variable transmission. A set point value for adjusting the transmission ratio can be changed as a function of the operating parameters of a power train that includes the transmission. The set point value is composed of an initial control value and a regulating value. The initial control value depends on at least two operating parameters of the transmission. The set point value is updated to take into account changes that occur during operation of the transmission.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2003Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: Michael Reuschel, Thomas Pfund, Thomas Endler
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Publication number: 20050277500Abstract: The initial rotational speed of a conical disc flexible drive transmission is determined by measuring a wheel rotational speed and the gear ratio and by calculating the initial rotational speed therefrom. In order to ascertain the slipping of a CVT transmission, the rate of change in the ratio is drawn upon or an acoustic parameter of the transmission is used. In the fluid control system, a valve is used whose opening cross-section is controlled according to the one differential pressure. In order to oil the conical discs, injection holes of a injection tube are used that passes through a slot provided in a slide rail resting against a side of a flexible drive means of a conical disc flexible drive means.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2003Publication date: December 15, 2005Inventors: Franz Bitzer, Martin Vornehm, Christian Lauinger, Michael Reuschel, Christian Spath, Christoph Angele, Thomas Pfund, Andre Linnenbrugger
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Publication number: 20050211518Abstract: A vehicle roll stabilizer for the chassis of a motor vehicle is provided, with its actuator (3, 38) being energized with independent energy, as necessary, for counteracting a roll. The actuator (3, 38) is provided with at least one additional energy accumulator (33a, 57), with its stored energy additionally counteracting the roll.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2005Publication date: September 29, 2005Applicants: INA-Schaeffler KG, Luk Lamellen Und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: Manfred Kraus, Jurgen Osterlanger, Harald Hochmuth, Thomas Dirnberger, Wolfgang Reik, Thomas Pfund
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Publication number: 20050204835Abstract: The invention relates to a roll stabilizer for the chassis of a motor vehicle, comprising an actuator (3), which is mounted between anti-roll bar halves (1, 2) and which rotates these about a rotation axis in opposite directions as necessary. The curved path carriers (4, 5) of the actuator that are assigned to the roll stabilizer halves (1, 2) are each provided with a curved path (17, 18) inside of which a coupling element (13) is guided that can be displaced along these curved paths (17, 18) via an actuating drive (7, 10). The U-shaped or V-shaped curved path (18) of one curved path carrier (5) has two curved path branches (19, 20) that are arranged in a mirror symmetric manner in relation to a longitudinal central plane containing the rotation axis of the actuator (3).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2005Publication date: September 22, 2005Applicants: INA-Schaeffler KG, LUK Lamellen Und KupplungsbauInventors: Manfred Kraus, Jurgen Osterlanger, Harald Hochmuth, Thomas Dirnberger, Wolfgang Reik, Thomas Pfund
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Publication number: 20040054458Abstract: A method and apparatus for regulating the transmission ratio of a continuously variable transmission. A set point value for adjusting the transmission ratio can be changed as a function of the operating parameters of a power train that includes the transmission. The set point value is composed of an initial control value and a regulating value. The initial control value depends on at least two operating parameters of the transmission. The set point value is updated to take into account changes that occur during operation of the transmission.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2003Publication date: March 18, 2004Inventors: Michael Reuschel, Thomas Pfund, Thomas Endler
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Patent number: 6622075Abstract: A method and apparatus for regulating the transmission ratio of a continuously variable transmission. A set point value for adjusting the transmission ratio can be changed as a function of the operating parameters of a power train that includes the transmission. The set point value is composed of an initial control value and a regulating value. The initial control value depends on at least two operating parameters of the transmission. The set point value is updated to take into account changes that occur during operation of the transmission.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2000Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: Michael Reuschel, Thomas Pfund, Thomas Endler
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Patent number: 6205874Abstract: The positions of a gear selecting lever in a combined automatically and manually shiftable transmission which is installed in the power train of a motor vehicle are monitored by a first sensor which transmits signals to a control circuit serving to initiate the operation of an actuator for the gear selecting lever. Certain positions of the lever are monitored and reported to the control circuit by one or more additional sensors which influence the operation of the actuator in the event of failure of the first sensor. One of the additional sensors can monitor a first range of positions of the lever including the position when the transmission is shifted into reverse gear, and another additional sensor can monitor a second range of positions of the lever including the position when the transmission is in neutral gear.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 1999Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: LuK Getriebe-Systeme GmbHInventors: Klaus Küpper, Thomas Pfund, Martin Zimmermann
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Patent number: 5674155Abstract: A method of operating a torque transmitting system with a hydrodynamic power transmission and with a friction clutch, which constitutes a lock-up clutch and bridges the power transmission, involves controlling the lock-up clutch and the hydrodynamic power transmission so that clutch slip is present. The input torque furnished by a prime mover is divided into a torque which is to be transmitted by the power transmission and a torque which is to be transmitted by the lock-up clutch. The lock-up clutch includes an annular piston which is disposed between the cover and the turbine wheel of the power transmission. The radially outer portion of the piston constitutes a clutch disc and its radially inner portion is mounted on a complementary sealing hub. The power transmission is "soft" and exhibits a flat progress of the primary characteristic curve as well as a wide secondary characteristic curve, i.e., a wide torque conversion range.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 1994Date of Patent: October 7, 1997Assignee: LuK Gebriebe-Systeme GmbHInventors: Dieter Otto, Thomas Pfund, Klaus Herzog, Anton Rink
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Patent number: 5385222Abstract: A lock-up clutch for a flow converter having pump and turbine blades which are hydraulically coupled, in which a ring piston is located between the converter cover and the turbine blades. The ring-piston and converter cover have mating conically shaped friction surfaces, thereby leaving a wedge-shaped space between the converter cover the turbine blades and the friction surface of the ring piston. An annular damper unit located in the wedge-shaped space has a plurality of damper elements which are coupled to the turbine vanes by fingers extending from the turbine vanes.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1993Date of Patent: January 31, 1995Assignee: Luk Getriebe-Systeme GmbHInventors: Dieter Otto, Thomas Pfund