Patents Represented by Attorney Alfred J. Mangels
  • Patent number: 8172062
    Abstract: A device for actuating a friction clutch with automatic adjustment. An actuating movement for engaging and disengaging the clutch is transmitted to a pressing component. The adjusting device includes a sensing component that is biased in the direction of an adjusting movement and compensates for sensing play that occurs as a result of wear when the clutch is engaged, and that compensates for play that occurs when the clutch is disengaged after compensation of the sensing play in the movement transmission between the actuating component and the transmission component. When the clutch is engaged and wear is present, the sensing component moves out of contact against a spring component which, when the clutch is engaged and wear is present, comes into contact against a stop before the fully engaged state of the clutch is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Götz Rathke, Klaus Dussel
  • Patent number: 8162116
    Abstract: A twin clutch assembly for a drive train including a twin clutch transmission, and a drive unit coupled to the twin clutch transmission through a wet running twin multi disk clutch. A drive side output hub is non-rotatably connected with a transmission input shaft that is rotatably disposed within a hollow transmission input shaft that includes a free end facing the drive unit and is non-rotatably connected to a transmission side output hub. A clutch cover is axially disposed between the twin clutch and the drive unit, and a drive element is axially supported and is non-rotatably connected to the drive unit. The transmission side output hub is axially supported toward the transmission by an axial support device at the free end of the hollow transmission input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Oliver Nöhl, Ivo Agner
  • Patent number: 8162120
    Abstract: A friction clutch for a drive train, the clutch including a pressure plate rotatably fixed and axially displaceable relative to a housing. A disc spring is provided between the housing and the pressure plate to axially act on the pressure plate. An adjusting device is effective between the housing and the disc spring to compensate for friction lining wear of a clutch plate that interacts with the pressure plate when the clutch is operated in the drive train. The disc spring is pivotable relative to an annular support carried by the housing. An axial force is applied to the disc spring in the direction of the support by springs that include a leaf-spring, a sensor spring, and an additional spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Yannick Simon, Christoph Raber
  • Patent number: 8157541
    Abstract: A mounting arrangement for a pedal force servomechanism assembly of a motor vehicle structure. The pedal force servomechanism assembly is provided with integrated screw connection points and can be fastened by screws to any vehicle structure in a particular vehicle application. It also provides that a static axial pressing of the components located within the unit, a hydraulic unit and a motor unit, is ensured. A holding plate is positioned between the opposed surfaces of those assembled units, and is provided both with through-holes for attaching the hydraulic unit to the motor unit, as well as with through-holes for attaching the assembly to the vehicle structure of the particular vehicle application. The holding plate is of resilient design in the axial direction in the clamping region between the hydraulic unit and the motor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Marco Grethel
  • Patent number: 8147363
    Abstract: A conical disk assembly including a shaft carrying an axially movable disk and having a fixed disk rigidly connected to the shaft. A support ring having first ramp surfaces facing the axially movable disk is carried on the shaft, and a rotatable sensing piston having second ramp surfaces that face the first ramp surfaces is axially movable along the shaft. Rolling elements are positioned between the ramp surfaces, and when the ramp surfaces are rotated relative to each other, the rolling elements move the sensing piston axially along the shaft. A guide ring is rigidly operatively connected to the axially movable disk and includes guide surfaces associated with the ramp surfaces for radially supporting the rolling elements. The guide ring and the support ring are connected with each other in a non-rotatable and axially movable manner to facilitate assembly of the conical disk assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bernhard Walter
  • Patent number: 8141355
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for an automatic transmission operatively connected to an internal combustion engine that is operable in a start-stop mode. The hydraulic system includes a hydraulic energy source to supply the hydraulic system with hydraulic energy, the hydraulic energy source including at least one electrically driven hydraulic pump to supply the hydraulic system with hydraulic energy during a stopping phase of the internal combustion engine. To achieve a reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, provision is included to enable the electrically driven hydraulic pump to be switched on in addition to a mechanically driven hydraulic pump, as needed during an operating phase of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Reinhard Stehr, Eric Müller, Jochen Pfister, Roshan Willeke
  • Patent number: 8133141
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic system for actuating a continuously variable belt-driven conical-pulley transmission having two conical pulleys encircled by an endless torque-transmitting means, each of which comprises two conical disks, one of which is axially movable depending on the pressure in an associated pressing chamber, and having a torque sensor which includes a torque sensing chamber that is connected to a hydraulic energy source and is linked with the pressing chambers. The invention is distinguished by the fact that the pressing chambers are connected via a first hydraulic resistance element to the torque sensing chamber, and via a second hydraulic resistance element to an additional pressure chamber, in which a lower pressure prevails than in the pressing chambers and/or the torque sensing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Eugen Kremer, Eric Müller, Jochen Pfister, Reinhard Stehr, Ronald Glas
  • Patent number: 8133144
    Abstract: A planetary transmission having a continuously variable transmission ratio. The transmission includes two sun wheels having sun wheel circumferential surfaces, and that are axially spaced and rotatable independently of each other around the same axis of rotation. A ring wheel is situated on the same axis as the sun wheels and has an internal circumferential surface. Planet wheels are provided having planet wheel circumferential surfaces that are in frictional contact with the internal circumferential surface of the ring wheel and the sun wheel circumferential surfaces. A web element is also provided, and the planet wheels are each rotatable about an associated planet wheel axle, which is guided in the web element so that it is movable in the radial direction relative to the transmission longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Triller, Andreas Englisch, Peter Tenberge, Rico Resch
  • Patent number: 8123646
    Abstract: A first embodiment of a vehicle transmission with continuously variable transmission ratio contains a CVT variator with two variator shafts, an input shaft that can optionally be brought into rotational engagement with one or the other of the variator shafts, and an output shaft that can optionally be brought into rotational engagement with one or the other of the variator shafts, such that two forward driving ranges with opposite torque transmission directions of the CVT variator are present, whose transmission ratio ranges are constantly contiguous with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Andreas Triller
  • Patent number: 8109847
    Abstract: An automatic transmission in the form of a belt-driven conical-pulley transmission having conical disk sets on the power input and power output sides, and an endless torque-transmitting member interconnecting the input side and the output side disk sets for transmitting torque therebetween. At least one stop at at least one of the end positions of at least one axially displaceable disk is provided with a cushioned retarding component for minimizing disk impact loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Reuschel
  • Patent number: 8105192
    Abstract: A motor vehicle transmission having a continuously variable transmission ratio. The transmission includes an input-side torque converter that is optionally connectable on the output side through a first transmission stage with a predetermined gear ratio, or through a second, continuously variable transmission stage, to the output shaft of the transmission so that it transmits torque. The transmission ratio of the continuously variable transmission stage is adjustable in such a way that the rotational speed of the transmission output shaft remains constant when the transmission of torque is shifted from the first transmission stage to the second transmission stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Emmanuel Simon
  • Patent number: 8100790
    Abstract: A sensing device integrated into a conical disk pair includes a sensing piston that is axially movable relative to the input shaft over a radially stepped guide surface that is formed on a shaft on which the sensing device is carried, and a corresponding opposing stepped surface formed on the sensing piston. The steps define a damping chamber between the guide surface and the opposing surface, whose volume changes when the sensing piston moves axially relative to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Götz, Eugen Kremer
  • Patent number: 8083783
    Abstract: A surgical fixation pin for use in fractures of bones in arms or other body parts to achieve support of the bone while the fracture heals. The pin is formed of a spring material and includes at opposite ends an angled, rounded front section and a double bent, extracortical section equipped with a fixation eye for receiving a fixation screw for securing the pin to a bone at a fracture site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Swemac Innovation AB
    Inventors: Michael Ullman, Carl Ekholm
  • Patent number: 8071921
    Abstract: A method of and an arrangement for transmitting electric current to a furnace that is heated, either completely or partially, by electric current conducted in the furnace wall. The current is conducted through electrically conductive devices connected to the furnace wall. At least one of the devices in proximity to the furnace wall includes a section that has a smaller cross-sectional area than the remainder of the device. The current flow through the smaller cross-section develops heat in the region of the smaller section of a magnitude that corresponds substantially to the heat magnitude that would have been conducted from the furnace wall to the electrically conductive device in the absence of the smaller cross-sectional area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Sandvik Intellectual Property AB
    Inventor: Thomas Lewin
  • Patent number: 8062140
    Abstract: A power transmission section particularly adapted for use in a downhole drilling system. A drive shaft is pivotally connected to input and output end connection members with pivot balls therebetween to allow pivoting of the shaft ends relative to the input and output end connection members. A plurality of ball segments having one spherically-curved surface are provided at each end of the drive shaft to engage with the input and output connection members and to transmit torque between the shaft ends and the input and output end connection members, regardless of the angular variation between the drive shaft longitudinal axis and the longitudinal axes of the input and output end connection members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventors: Kevin W. Wall, Jeremy S. Nicely
  • Patent number: 8057336
    Abstract: A guide device for an endless torque-transmitting member. The guide device includes at least two corresponding guide tongues between which the endless torque-transmitting member is at least partially guided. The guide tongues are held at a predetermined distance from each other by a connection region. The distance between the guide tongues is maintained substantially constant when there is a temperature change by the use in the guide device of materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion. A mold for producing a guide device is disclosed and includes two corresponding mold halves, where at least one connecting component formed from a material having a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than that of the guide tongues is held in one mold half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Hans-Walter Wodtke, Thomas Krauss
  • Patent number: 8057343
    Abstract: A plate-link chain for a motor vehicle drive system. The chain includes a number of link plates hingedly connected with each other by rocker members that extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the plate-link chain and are positioned in openings of the link plates. Curved contact surfaces are located on each of the rocker members and link plates, along which contact surfaces the rocker members and link plates are in contact with each other to transmit power. The rocker members are shaped asymmetrically in the height direction and are provided in contacting pairs. The link plate openings include at least one inwardly-curved region that is located above a contact point line extending through contact points of contacting rocker members of adjacent rocker member pairs that roll against each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Anton Simonov, Michael Pichura, Olga Ispolatova, Marcus Junig, Martin Vornehm
  • Patent number: 8057221
    Abstract: A method and a burner for combustion in a heating furnace of a fuel with an oxidant in the form of oxygen gas, wherein fuel and oxidant are supplied to a burner head. Fuel and oxidant, respectively, are injected via the burner head through at least two pairs of nozzles, wherein one nozzle pair is defined by a separate fuel nozzle and a separate oxidant nozzle. The nozzles of the nozzle pairs are uniformly distributed over the furnace-interior-facing surface of the burner and within the circumference of the burner head. An oxidant nozzle is provided on each side of a fuel nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: AGA AB
    Inventors: Lennart Rangmark, Tomas Ekman
  • Patent number: 8057222
    Abstract: A direct flame impingement burner including a metal block with a fuel inlet and an oxidant inlet and at least two outlet nozzles having a set of identical nozzle outlet openings. The oxidant inlet is connected with an oxidant chamber within the block that is connected with at least one oxidant outlet opening in the set of nozzle outlet openings by passageways of identical length and cross-sectional area. The fuel inlet is connected with a fuel chamber within the block that is connected with at least one fuel outlet opening in the set of nozzle outlet openings by passageways of identical length and cross-sectional area. The fuel gas pressure is equal over all corresponding fuel outlet openings in the set of openings in each nozzle, and the oxidant gas pressure is equal over all corresponding oxidant outlet openings in the set of openings in each nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: AGA AB
    Inventors: Lennart Rangmark, Tomas Ekman
  • Patent number: 8057342
    Abstract: A plate-link chain for a motor vehicle drive system. The chain includes a plurality of link plates hingedly connected with each other by rocker members that extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the plate-link chain and are positioned in openings of the link plates. The rocker members and link plates each have curved contact surfaces. The rocker members also have curved rolling surfaces along which the rocker members roll against each other. The rocker members are shaped asymmetrically in the height direction, and the contact surfaces are provided on upper and lower contact surface regions. The rocker members also have at least two regions with different curvatures in the regions of their rolling surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Marcus Junig, Anton Simonov, Olga Ispolatova, Michael Pichura