Patents by Inventor Thorsten Stepper

Thorsten Stepper 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: 9279464
    Abstract: A method for correcting an actuator characteristic of a clutch actuator for a friction clutch of a vehicle transmission after the commissioning of the vehicle. The actuator characteristic relates a first desired variable, such as a desired clutch pressure, to a second desired variable, such as an desired actuator current. The method includes approaching a quasi-steady-state operating point of the friction clutch. In addition, a deviation is detected between the first desired variable and an actual variable of the friction clutch. Also, a correction function is set up for the actuator characteristic according to the deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: GETRAG GETRIEBE- UND ZAHNRADFABRIK HERMANN HAGENMEYER GMBH & CIE KG
    Inventors: Ralf Trutschel, Thorsten Stepper, Andreas Pawlenka
  • Patent number: 9120481
    Abstract: Method for controlling a hybrid drivetrain which has a drive engine and a dual-clutch gearbox which, to establish two power transmission paths, has a first and a second friction clutch and a first and a second component gearbox. An electric machine is connected to the second power transmission path downstream of the second friction clutch in the power flow direction. Purely electric driving operation can be realized by means of the second component gearbox assigned to the second friction clutch. In the event of a gear change in the second component gearbox during purely electric driving operation, a fill-in torque is provided. The fill-in torque is provided from inertial energy of the previously cranked, non-fired drive engine, wherein the drivetrain also has an electric starter motor, and wherein the starter motor is used to crank the drive engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: GETRAG Getriebe-und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmeyer GmbH & Cie KG
    Inventors: Uli Christian Blessing, Thomas Hoffmeister, Ingo Matusche, Thorsten Stepper, Philipp Knopfle
  • Publication number: 20140073480
    Abstract: Method for controlling a hybrid drivetrain which has a drive engine and a dual-clutch gearbox which, to establish two power transmission paths, has a first and a second friction clutch and a first and a second component gearbox. An electric machine is connected to the second power transmission path downstream of the second friction clutch in the power flow direction. Purely electric driving operation can be realized by means of the second component gearbox assigned to the second friction clutch. In the event of a gear change in the second component gearbox during purely electric driving operation, a fill-in torque is provided. The fill-in torque is provided from inertial energy of the previously cranked, non-fired drive engine, wherein the drivetrain also has an electric starter motor, and wherein the starter motor is used to crank the drive engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: GETRAG Getriebe-und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmeyer GmbH & Cie KG
    Inventors: Uli Christian Blessing, Thomas Hoffmeister, Ingo Matusche, Thorsten Stepper, Philipp Knopfle
  • Patent number: 8504260
    Abstract: A method for activating a clutch of a vehicle drive train. A controller of an electronic control unit generates an electrical desired-value signal corresponding to a desired pressure with which the clutch is to be acted upon. The control unit receives from a sensor an electrical actual-value signal which is to correspond to an actual pressure with which the clutch is acted upon. The sensor measures the pressure at a measurement location which is connected via a transfer link to an action location at which the clutch is acted upon with a clutch pressure. The actual-value signal passes through a transfer element having a delay property before it is delivered to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: GETRAG Getriebe-und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmeyer GmbH & Cie KG
    Inventors: Thorsten Stepper, Joerg Meissner, Ralf Trutschel
  • Publication number: 20110246038
    Abstract: A method for correcting an actuator characteristic of a clutch actuator for a friction clutch of a vehicle transmission after the commissioning thereof. The actuator characteristic relates a first desired variable, such as a desired clutch pressure, to a second desired variable, such as an desired actuator current. The method comprises the steps: approaching a quasi-steady-state operating point of the friction clutch; detecting a deviation between the first desired variable and an actual variable of the friction clutch; and setting up a correction function for the actuator characteristic according to the deviation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: GETRAG Getriebe- und Zahnradfabrik Hagenmeyer GmbH & Cie KG
    Inventors: Ralf Trutschel, Thorsten Stepper, Andreas Pawlenka
  • Publication number: 20090209392
    Abstract: A method for activating a clutch of a vehicle drive train. A controller of an electronic control unit generates an electrical desired-value signal corresponding to a desired pressure with which the clutch is to be acted upon. The control unit receives from a sensor an electrical actual-value signal which is to correspond to an actual pressure with which the clutch is acted upon. The sensor measures the pressure at a measurement location which is connected via a transfer link to an action location at which the clutch is acted upon with a clutch pressure. The actual-value signal passes through a transfer element having a delay property before it is delivered to the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: Thorsten Stepper, Joerg Meissner, Ralf Trutschel