Patents by Inventor Torsten Hauk

Torsten Hauk 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: 11953100
    Abstract: A valve apparatus, in particular for a cooling system of a vehicle, includes a housing having at least two fluid connectors, a valve device which can be adjusted at least between a first valve position and a second valve position, and a drive for adjusting the valve device between the first valve position and the second valve position. The valve apparatus includes a fail-safe adjustment device in order to transfer the valve device from the first valve position into the second valve position in the event of an incident in which the power supply, in particular that of the vehicle, is interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Peter Quade, Torsten Hauk
  • Publication number: 20220397202
    Abstract: A valve apparatus, in particular a ball valve apparatus, is provided. The apparatus includes a housing device having at least one fluid port, a closure body, wherein the closure body includes an axis of rotation about which the closure body can be rotated in a direction of rotation in order to release and close the fluid port, wherein the fluid port includes a seal for sealing abutment against the closure body. The seal includes a first and a second sealing lip, wherein the sealing lips are configured such that, during operation, only one seal sealingly abuts against the closure body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventor: Torsten HAUK
  • Patent number: 11525519
    Abstract: Coolant valve for a vehicle includes a housing having a plurality of coolant ports, a valve element arranged in an adjustable manner in the housing in order to connect or disconnect coolant ports, and at least one seal arrangement. The seal arrangement bears in a sealing manner against the housing on one side and in a sealing manner against the valve element on the other side, the seal arrangement having a carrier element made of a first material and a sealing element made of a second material, the second material being softer than the first material. The sealing element has a first sealing lip bearing against the valve element and the carrier element having a supporting portion. The first sealing lip protrudes beyond the supporting portion with a free end, and the first sealing lip is pressed against the supporting portion when coolant flows through the coolant valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Rainer Gramss, Torsten Hauk
  • Publication number: 20220107026
    Abstract: A valve apparatus, in particular for a cooling system of a vehicle, includes a housing having at least two fluid connectors, a valve device which can be adjusted at least between a first valve position and a second valve position, and a drive for adjusting the valve device between the first valve position and the second valve position. The valve apparatus includes a fail-safe adjustment device in order to transfer the valve device from the first valve position into the second valve position in the event of an incident in which the power supply, in particular that of the vehicle, is interrupted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Peter QUADE, Torsten HAUK
  • Publication number: 20210222778
    Abstract: Coolant valve for a vehicle includes a housing having a plurality of coolant ports, a valve element arranged in an adjustable manner in the housing in order to connect or disconnect coolant ports, and at least one seal arrangement. The seal arrangement bears in a sealing manner against the housing on one side and in a sealing manner against the valve element on the other side, the seal arrangement having a carrier element made of a first material and a sealing element made of a second material, the second material being softer than the first material. The sealing element has a first sealing lip bearing against the valve element and the carrier element having a supporting portion. The first sealing lip protrudes beyond the supporting portion with a free end, and the first sealing lip is pressed against the supporting portion when coolant flows through the coolant valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Rainer GRAMSS, Torsten HAUK
  • Patent number: 11028936
    Abstract: A thermostatic valve for an internal combustion engine, including a housing with a plurality of coolant connections for connection to a coolant circuit of the internal combustion engine, a valve element which is mounted movably in the housing such that a movement of the valve element, at least two coolant connections of the housing are either connectable to one another or separable from one another, an expansion element which is arranged in order, during the operation of the internal combustion engine, to enter into thermal contact with coolant circulating in the coolant circuit, wherein, in the event of a heat-induced expansion, the expansion element moves the valve element in the housing in order to connect the at least two coolant connections, wherein a controllable heating device is provided such that the expansion element can be heated in order to move the valve element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Torsten Hauk, Carsten Heldberg
  • Publication number: 20200191280
    Abstract: Aa valve arrangement for a cooling system of a vehicle includes a housing having at least two cooling-liquid ports, and a valve element, which can be adjusted between an open position in which it opens up a connection between the cooling-liquid ports and a closed position in which it separates the connection between the cooling-liquid ports. A drive is provided for adjusting the valve element between the open position and the closed position, wherein the drive includes an electric motor, which motor drives an actuation element which actuates the valve element, wherein the actuation element moves along a circular path section in the course of an adjustment of the valve element between the open position and the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Peter QUADE, Torsten HAUK, Carsten HELDBERG, Florian CLAUSING, Rainer Gramss
  • Patent number: 10683940
    Abstract: A valve arrangement for a cooling system of a vehicle includes a housing having at least two cooling-liquid ports, and a valve element, which can be adjusted between an open position in which it opens up a connection between the cooling-liquid ports and a closed position in which it separates the connection between the cooling-liquid ports. A drive is provided for adjusting the valve element between the open position and the closed position, wherein the drive includes an electric motor, which motor drives an actuation element which actuates the valve element, wherein the actuation element moves along a circular path section in the course of an adjustment of the valve element between the open position and the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Peter Quade, Torsten Hauk, Carsten Heldberg, Florian Clausing, Rainer Gramss
  • Publication number: 20190309872
    Abstract: A thermostatic valve for an internal combustion engine, including a housing with a plurality of coolant connections for connection to a coolant circuit of the internal combustion engine, a valve element which is mounted movably in the housing such that a movement of the valve element, at least two coolant connections of the housing are either connectable to one another or separable from one another, an expansion element which is arranged in order, during the operation of the internal combustion engine, to enter into thermal contact with coolant circulating in the coolant circuit, wherein, in the event of a heat-induced expansion, the expansion element moves the valve element in the housing in order to connect the at least two coolant connections, wherein a controllable heating device is provided such that the expansion element can be heated in order to move the valve element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Torsten HAUK, Carsten HELDBERG
  • Patent number: 10436100
    Abstract: A thermostat valve for a coolant circuit includes a housing with a plurality of coolant connectors, and at least one hollow valve element mounted in the housing for rotation about a rotational axis. At least one opening in the circumferential face, the opening selectively connectable to one or more of the coolant connectors by way of rotation. A drive rotates the valve element and includes at least one actuator which can be switched between a first switching state for rotation in a first rotational direction and a second switching state for rotation in a second rotational direction. A two-point control device actuates the actuator in such a way that, if a setpoint value is exceeded and if the setpoint value is undershot, the actuator is switched from one switching state to the other. A damping mechanism damps the rotational movement of the at least one valve element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Torsten Hauk
  • Publication number: 20190083913
    Abstract: A filter arrangement for a liquid-conducting system, preferably a cooling circuit of an engine, includes a filter housing with an inlet and an outlet for liquid flowing along a flow path through the filter housing. A filter is arranged in the filter housing in the flow path of the liquid for filtering out dirt particles from the liquid. A collecting chamber is arranged upstream of the filter and into which dirt particles which are filtered out by the filter drop because of gravity when liquid no longer flows through the filter housing, wherein the collecting chamber forms a dead space, and therefore dirt particles located in the collecting chamber are not entrained by liquid flowing through the filter housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Torsten Hauk, Rainer Gramss
  • Patent number: 9841115
    Abstract: A thermostat valve includes a housing with several cooling fluid connections, at least two hollow valve elements mounted rotatably next to one another in the housing on a common rotational shaft, each having at least one opening selectively couplable to one or more of the cooling fluid connections by way of rotation of the valve elements, and a rotational drive for a first of the valve elements can be driven rotationally in the housing, a second of the valve elements can be selectively coupled to or decoupled from the first valve element, the second valve element driven rotationally, when it is coupled to the first valve element, and a coupling element mounted axially movably on the rotational shaft, and a coupling drive by way of which the coupling element can be moved axially on the rotational shaft between a coupling position and a decoupling position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Rainer Gramss, Torsten Hauk
  • Publication number: 20160195001
    Abstract: A thermostat valve for a coolant circuit includes a housing with a plurality of coolant connectors, and at least one hollow valve element mounted in the housing for rotation about a rotational axis. At least one opening in the circumferential face, the opening selectively connectable to one or more of the coolant connectors by way of rotation. A drive rotates the valve element and includes at least one actuator which can be switched between a first switching state for rotation in a first rotational direction and a second switching state for rotation in a second rotational direction. A two-point control device actuates the actuator in such a way that, if a setpoint value is exceeded and if the setpoint value is undershot, the actuator is switched from one switching state to the other. A damping mechanism damps the rotational movement of the at least one valve element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Torsten Hauk
  • Publication number: 20160178081
    Abstract: A thermostat valve includes a housing with several cooling fluid connections, at least two hollow valve elements mounted rotatably next to one another in the housing on a common rotational shaft, each having at least one opening selectively couplable to one or more of the cooling fluid connections by way of rotation of the valve elements, and a rotational drive for a first of the valve elements can be driven rotationally in the housing, a second of the valve elements can be selectively coupled to or decoupled from the first valve element, the second valve element driven rotationally, when it is coupled to the first valve element, and a coupling element mounted axially movably on the rotational shaft, and a coupling drive by way of which the coupling element can be moved axially on the rotational shaft between a coupling position and a decoupling position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Rainer Gramss, Torsten Hauk
  • Patent number: 8899548
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve device for a combustion engine, in particular of an automobile, comprising a housing with at least two fluid connections and a hollow valve element rotatable between at least two rotational positions via a valve shaft supported rotatably in the housing, which valve element comprises at least two openings, which, depending on the rotational position of the valve element, can be connected with the fluid connections of the housing, further comprising an electromotive drive with a drive shaft for rotating the valve element, the drive shaft and the valve shaft being connected via a coupling with one another. According to the invention, the coupling connects the drive shaft and the valve shaft torque-proof with one another up to a predetermined threshold torque and releases the torque-proof connection between the drive shaft and the valve shaft above the predetermined threshold torque, so that rotation of the valve shaft relative to the drive shaft is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Torsten Hauk
  • Publication number: 20120085952
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve device for a combustion engine, in particular of an automobile, comprising a housing with at least two fluid connections and a hollow valve element rotatable between at least two rotational positions via a valve shaft supported rotatably in the housing, which valve element comprises at least two openings, which, depending on the rotational position of the valve element, can be connected with the fluid connections of the housing, further comprising an electromotive drive with a drive shaft for rotating the valve element, the drive shaft and the valve shaft being connected via a coupling with one another. According to the invention, the coupling connects the drive shaft and the valve shaft torque-proof with one another up to a predetermined threshold torque and releases the torque-proof connection between the drive shaft and the valve shaft above the predetermined threshold torque, so that rotation of the valve shaft relative to the drive shaft is possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Torsten Hauk
  • Patent number: 8070126
    Abstract: A valve operating device defined by the following features: a slider supported in axially displaceable manner in a housing and linked by an actuation segment to the valve, a first biasing spring configured in the housing and pre-stressing the slider against a first stop, an expansible element configured in the housing and being displaceably supported in approximately coaxial manner relative to the slider between a second and a third stop, a second biasing spring acting on the expansible element and pre-stressing the element against the second stop, the configuration allowing cooperation between the expansible element's drive pin and the slider, a heater associated to the expansible element, a heat dissipating element associated with the expansible element and cooling the expansible element when latter rests against the third stop, the force exerted by the first biasing spring being larger than that of the second biasing spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Torsten Hauk, Rolf Habermann, Carsten Heldberg
  • Publication number: 20090302254
    Abstract: A valve operating means defined by the following features: a slider supported in axially displaceable manner in a housing and linked by an actuation segment to the valve, a first biasing spring configured in the housing and pre-stressing the slider against a first stop, an expansible element configured in the housing and being displaceably supported in approximately coaxial manner relative to the slider between a second and a third stop, a second biasing spring acting on the expansible element and prestressing said element against the second stop, said configuration allowing cooperation between the expansible element's drive pin and the slider, a heater associated to the expansible element, a heat dissipating element associated with the expansible element and cooling the expansible element when latter rests against the third stop, the force exerted by the first biasing spring being larger than that of the second biasing spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: ITW AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Torsten Hauk, Rolf Habermann, Carsten Heldberg