Patents by Inventor Volker Pichmann

Volker Pichmann 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: 7593799
    Abstract: A torque transfer device in a motor vehicle, used for variable transfer of torque from a first shaft associated with a first wheel pair to a second shaft associated with a second wheel pair. A coupling unit facilitates variable torque-transferring coupling of the first and second shaft. The coupling unit has a first coupling element rotationally connected to the first shaft and a second coupling element connected to the second shaft. The elements cooperate with each other or are capable of cooperating with each other in order to transfer torque. A controllable adjusting device adjusts a strength of the interaction between the coupling elements by adjusting a relative position and/or a mechanical contact pressure. A control device controls the adjustment. The control device includes a data processing unit for calculating a first control signal on the basis of a plurality of input signals according to predefined rules and for controlling the adjusting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Volker Pichmann
  • Publication number: 20060225938
    Abstract: A torque transfer device in a motor vehicle, used for variable transfer of torque from a first shaft associated with a first wheel pair to a second shaft associated with a second wheel pair. A coupling unit facilitates variable torque-transfering coupling of the first and second shaft. The coupling unit has a first coupling element rotationally connected to the first shaft and a second coupling element connected to the second shaft. The elements cooperate with each other or are capble of cooperating with each other in order to transfer torque. A controllable adjusting device adjusts a strength of the interaction between the coupling elements by adjusting a relative position and/or a mechanical contact pressure. A control device controls the adjustment. The control device includes a data processing unit for calculating a first control signal on the basis of a plurality of input signals according to predefined rules and for controlling the adjusting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Inventor: Volker Pichmann
  • Patent number: 5518091
    Abstract: A slide valve for controlling a torque converter bridging clutch for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle includes a slide housing and a movable control slide by which hydraulic fluid connections and ports may be connected to each other in different ways. The slide includes a first control flange for alternatively or jointly controlling closing and opening lines leading to the converter bridging clutch. To ensure optimal regulation of the converter bridging clutch, the slide has a second control flange for selectively connecting the opening line to a drain port so that the hydraulic fluid can flow continually through the converter bridging clutch to remove heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Georg Kruse, Gerhard Preine, Ulrich Remmlinger, Volker Pichmann