Patents by Inventor Ulf Lang
Ulf Lang 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: 20230296170Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling gearshifts in a transmission of a motor vehicle. Devising a shifting strategy of the gearshift takes into account the operation of a sustained-action braking device (10). To organize gearshifts in an optimum way having regard to the operation of the sustained-action braking device (10), at the beginning of the operation of the sustained-action braking device (10) it is examined with what starting criterion the operation of the sustained-action braking device (10) was initiated. Depending on the starting criterion identified, a current workload of the sustained-action braking device (10) is compared against an associated threshold value. Alternately, a gearshift is carried out directly to a lowest possible gear of the motor vehicle transmission (4). If the comparison of the current workload of the sustained-action braking device (10) exceeds the threshold value, then the shifting strategy is adapted.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2021Publication date: September 21, 2023Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventor: Ulf Lang
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Patent number: 11718301Abstract: A method of operating a motor vehicle. A request for coupling a power take-off is detected. It is checked (12) whether relevant boundary conditions for coupling the power take-off are fulfilled. If the boundary conditions are fulfilled, a system pressure for actuating the power take-off clutch is built up (16). It is checked (18) whether sufficient system pressure to actuate the power take-off clutch has been built up. When sufficient system pressure has sufficiently been built up, a confirmation signal is produced (20). In reaction to the confirmation signal, a driving transmission control unit is modified (34) in order to actuate the at least one shifting element of the driving transmission with a higher actuation pressure than with an unmodified driving transmission control unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2021Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventor: Ulf Lang
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Patent number: 11635138Abstract: A monitoring device and a method for operating an idling automatic transmission of a motor vehicle having a torque converter which includes at least one pump wheel and a turbine wheel that are designed to transmit torque hydrodynamically from one to the other. The method includes at least the following steps of: determining a rotational speed of the turbine wheel; determining a load on the motor of the motor vehicle; and recognizing whether there is a blockage in the drive-train of the motor vehicle or whether the torque converter is running dry, as a function of the turbine rotational speed and the motor load detected.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2021Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventor: Ulf Lang
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Patent number: 11590843Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle drivetrain having a transmission connected between a drive aggregate and a drive output, a Power Take-Off (PTO) that can be coupled to the drive aggregate on drive aggregate side to take up drive torque from the drive aggregate. In order to determine the torque taken up by the PTO, the transmission is first shifted to interrupt torque to the transmission output. Thereafter, a defined torque is delivered by the drive aggregate, at least with the PTO coupled to the drive aggregate, and, during this at defined time-points, rotational speeds of a shaft driven by the drive aggregate are determined and from this an angular acceleration of the shaft is determined. A first torque of the shaft is determined from the shaft angular acceleration while the PTO is coupled. Based on the first torque, the torque taken up by the PTO is determined.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2020Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventor: Ulf Lang
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Publication number: 20220185286Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle. A request for coupling a power take-off is detected. It is checked (12) whether relevant boundary conditions for coupling the power take-off are fulfilled. If the boundary conditions are fulfilled, a system pressure for actuating the power take-off clutch is built up (16). It is checked (18) whether sufficient system pressure to actuate the power take-off clutch has been built up. When sufficient system pressure has been built up, a confirmation signal is produced (20). In reaction to the confirmation signal, a driving transmission control unit is modified (34) in order to actuate the at least one shifting element of the driving transmission with a higher actuation pressure than with an unmodified driving transmission control unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2021Publication date: June 16, 2022Inventor: Ulf LANG
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Publication number: 20220186829Abstract: A method for operating an idling automatic transmission of a motor vehicle having a torque converter, wherein the torque converter comprises at least one pump wheel and a turbine wheel which are designed to transmit a torque hydrodynamically from one to the other. The method comprises at least the following steps: determinating (12) a rotation speed of the turbine wheel; determinating (14) a load on the motor of the motor vehicle; and recognizing (16) whether there is a blockage in the drive-train of the motor vehicle or whether the torque converter is running dry, as a function of the turbine rotation speed and the motor load detected. The invention also relates to a monitoring device (10).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2021Publication date: June 16, 2022Inventor: Ulf LANG
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Patent number: 11339862Abstract: A method for operating a drive-train of a motor vehicle. The drive-train having a transmission connected between a drive aggregate and a drive output. A hydrodynamic starting element is connected between the drive aggregate and transmission. The starting element includes a converter and converter lock-up clutch. A Power Take-Off (PTO) can be coupled to the drive aggregate on the drive aggregate side to take up drive torque delivered by the drive aggregate. In order to determine the torque taken up by the PTO, the lock-up clutch is operated in a rotational-speed-regulated manner at least when the PTO is coupled to the drive aggregate in order to set a defined target slip at the lock-up clutch. As a function of the actuation pressure of the lock-up clutch required for setting the target slip when the PTO is coupled, the torque taken up by the PTO is determined.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2020Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ulf Lang, Markus Eisele, Ralf Baus, Friedrich Reiter
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Publication number: 20210114456Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle drivetrain having a transmission connected between a drive aggregate and a drive output, a Power Take-Off (PTO) that can be coupled to the drive aggregate on drive aggregate side to take up drive torque from the drive aggregate. In order to determine the torque taken up by the PTO, the transmission is first shifted to interrupt torque to the transmission output. Thereafter, a defined torque is delivered by the drive aggregate, at least with the PTO coupled to the drive aggregate, and, during this at defined time-points, rotational speeds of a shaft driven by the drive aggregate are determined and from this an angular acceleration of the shaft is determined. A first torque of the shaft is determined from the shaft angular acceleration while the PTO is coupled. Based on the first torque, the torque taken up by the PTO is determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2020Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventor: Ulf Lang
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Publication number: 20210116008Abstract: A method for operating a drive-train of a motor vehicle. The drive-train having a transmission connected between a drive aggregate and a drive output. A hydrodynamic starting element is connected between the drive aggregate and transmission. The starting element includes a converter and converter lock-up clutch. A Power Take-Off (PTO) can be coupled to the drive aggregate on the drive aggregate side to take up drive torque delivered by the drive aggregate. In order to determine the torque taken up by the PTO, the lock-up clutch is operated in a rotational-speed-regulated manner at least when the PTO is coupled to the drive aggregate in order to set a defined target slip at the lock-up clutch. As a function of the actuation pressure of the lock-up clutch required for setting the target slip when the PTO is coupled, the torque taken up by the PTO is determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2020Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: Ulf LANG, Markus EISELE, Ralf BAUS, Friedrich REITER
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Publication number: 20160334007Abstract: A planetary bolt (103) having a flange (109) and at least one through-bore with two open ends. The flange (109) contains the open ends and the flange (109) can be bolted to a planetary carrier (101).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2014Publication date: November 17, 2016Inventor: Ulf LANG
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Patent number: 8960370Abstract: A drain valve for draining liquid out of a container which comprises an essentially cylindrical opening that passes through a thickened area of the container wall, with an internally threaded section formed at an outer end thereof, followed by an interior space with a larger diameter into which a duct opens, and opposite the interior space an inner section with a smaller diameter opens into the container. A step is provided between the interior space and the inner section and serves as the seat for an associated end face of the valve element. A step between the interior space and the bore, on the one hand, and the inner end face of the valve element, on the other hand, are designed to co-operate as a valve seat which progressively opens and closes as the valve element is displaced.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2012Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Olaf Langwald, Frank Schuhmacher, Ulf Lang
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Publication number: 20120241452Abstract: A drain valve for draining liquid out of a container which comprises an essentially cylindrical opening that passes through a thickened area of the container wall, with an internally threaded section formed at an outer end thereof, followed by an interior space with a larger diameter into which a duct opens, and opposite the interior space an inner section with a smaller diameter opens into the container. A step is provided between the interior space and the inner section and serves as the seat for an associated end face of the valve element. A step between the interior space and the bore, on the one hand, and the inner end face of the valve element, on the other hand, are designed to co-operate as a valve seat which progressively opens and closes as the valve element is displaced.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2012Publication date: September 27, 2012Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Olaf LANGWALD, Frank SCHUHMACHER, Ulf LANG
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Patent number: 5873633Abstract: An armrest lock is provided for a motor vehicle armrest that is pivotally connected in a motor vehicle through a linkage to permit pivotal movement of the armrest between a raised position and a lowered position. The armrest lock includes a cam pin extending from the linkage. A lock plate is pivotally mounted on the vehicle and includes a cam slot formed therein with first and second slot portions for receiving the cam pin. A spring pivotally biases the lock plate with respect to the vehicle. The lock plate is sufficiently weighted to effect pivotal movement against the spring bias as a result of its own inertia in a sudden deceleration to allow the cam pin to enter the first slot portion to engage the armrest lock to prevent further pivotal movement of the armrest.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1997Date of Patent: February 23, 1999Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Ulf Lang, Anders Ekman
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Patent number: 5202913Abstract: A communications unit with a telephone receiver is intended for fitting in a standardized recess for radio equipment in vehicles. The telephone receiver in a first user position lies protected in the recess. By use of an automatic or manually initiated ejection, the telephone receiver is caused to take up a second user position in which the receiver has another orientation and a more advanced position relative to the recess. In this second position the telephone receiver can be picked up from a telephone receiver holder for manual handling. The invention permits a safer handling of the telephone while driving, and without obstructing the accessibility to other vehicle controls in the vicinity of the recess when the telephone receiver is in its first user position.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 1991Date of Patent: April 13, 1993Assignee: Saab Automobile AktiebolagInventors: Ulf Lang, John-Gustaf Gudmundson