Patents Assigned to Fichtel & Sachs
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Patent number: 6206153Abstract: An adjustable installation includes a body and a member carried by the body for adjustment among a plurality of positions by movements substantially in tandem of two spaced-apart locations on the member. A controllable locking gas spring is coupled between the body and the member at one of the locations, and an emergency locking gas spring is coupled between the body and the member at the other of the locations. The emergency locking gas spring normally acts like a non-locking gas spring and is thus in a follower relationship to the controllable locking gas spring but is locked automatically in either of two ways, depending on its design. In some designs, the emergency locking gas spring locks when a force greater than a predetermined force is imposed on it. In other designs, the emergency locking gas spring is locked in response to a signal generated by an acceleration detector upon detection of an acceleration of the installation greater than a predetermined acceleration.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1999Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs Industries, Inc.Inventor: Mark A. Popjoy
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Patent number: 6200222Abstract: A two part flywheel having a torsional vibration damper with a plurality of inertial masses, for installation in the drive train of a motor vehicle. The two part flywheel comprises a first inertial mass system and a second inertial mass system. The first inertial mass system comprises a plurality of planet gears. The second inertial mass system comprises a sun gear. The planet gears solely engage with the sun gear. The first inertial mass system also comprises a first planar annular wall disposed substantially perpendicular to the common axis of rotation. The second inertial mass system also comprises a second planar annular wall disposed substantially perpendicular to the common axis of rotation. At least a portion of each planet gear of said plurality of planet gears is disposed between said first annular wall and said second annular wall.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 1999Date of Patent: March 13, 2001Assignee: Fichtel & SachsInventor: Jörg Sudau
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Patent number: 6145638Abstract: An adjustable installation includes a body and a member carried by the body for adjustment among a plurality of positions by movements substantially in tandem of two spaced-apart locations on the member. A controllable locking gas spring is coupled between the body and the member at one of the locations, and an emergency locking gas spring is coupled between the body and the member at the other of the locations. The emergency locking gas spring normally acts like a non-locking gas spring and is thus in a follower relationship to the controllable locking gas spring but is locked automatically in either of two ways, depending on its design. In some designs, the emergency locking gas spring locks when a force greater than a predetermined force is imposed on it. In other designs, the emergency locking gas spring is locked in response to a signal generated by an acceleration detector upon detection of an acceleration of the installation greater than a predetermined acceleration.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1999Date of Patent: November 14, 2000Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs Industries, Inc.Inventor: Mark A. Popjoy
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Patent number: 6116399Abstract: An operation device for a friction clutch arranged in the drive train of a motor vehicle. The operation device includes a positioning servo arrangement with a pneumatic power cylinder arrangement. The pneumatic power cylinder arrangement acts on a clutch release sleeve arrangement. The positioning servo arrangement can be operated with a control valve that is connected to a pneumatic source depending on a command variable representing a desired position and an actual variable representing the axial position of the clutch release sleeve arrangement. The pneumatic power cylinder arrangement is arranged inside of the bell-shaped housing and the control valve is arranged outside of the bell-shaped housing or the bell-shaped housing is arranged at least partially inside of the bell-shaped housing, but is accessible from the outside and/or can be removed when the bell-shaped housing is attached to the combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1997Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AGInventors: Hans-Jurgen Drexl, Wolfgang Grosspietsch, Manfred Wehner, Herbert Voit, Joachim Lindner, Thomas Otto, Jorg Willert
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Patent number: 6092637Abstract: A seal element, in particular an elastomer gasket for use in hydraulic annular cylinders, such as in clutches, with a radially outer and a radially inner seal lip, characterized by the fact that the seal lips are axially offset in relation to one another.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1997Date of Patent: July 25, 2000Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AGInventors: Thomas Otto, Boleslaw Tulaczko, Angelika Ebert, Herbert Voit
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Patent number: 6092632Abstract: A gas spring has a single bypass across the piston that is controlled by a valve member of an elastomeric material, which restricts flow through the bypass when the gas spring is compressed (piston rod moving into the cylinder) and produces a pressure differential across the piston that varies inversely with temperature. The increasing force opposing compression of the gas spring due to the pressure differential across the bypass as the temperature of the gas spring, and thus the output force, decreases maintains the handle load more even over a range of temperatures. The elastomeric valve member has very little effect on the normal operation of the gas spring in the extension (rod moving out) mode.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1997Date of Patent: July 25, 2000Assignee: Fichtel and Sachs Industries, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Popjoy, Robert Kopf
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Patent number: 6070863Abstract: A piston-cylinder unit includes a cylinder in which a piston rod is located so that the piston rod can move axially. A first connection mechanism is connected to the cylinder, and a second connection mechanism is connected to the piston rod. A positioning cylinder, with a pressure medium connection, is effectively connected to one of the first and second connection mechanisms. The distance between the first and second connection mechanisms can be set by the addition or discharge of pressure medium to or from the positioning cylinder. The positioning cylinder is located in series with the cylinder, and the piston rod forms a guide path or track for the positioning cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1999Date of Patent: June 6, 2000Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AGInventor: Robert Pradel
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Patent number: 6055882Abstract: A twist-grip shifter for bicycles having a twist grip, which twist grip includes an outer grip part and an inner twist part. The twist grip has an area with a small diameter, a transitional area, and an area with a large diameter, and the twist grip can be positively and detachably connected to a twist grip shifter in the axial direction. The twist grip can have an elastic rubber grip part and a non-elastic rotary part, and can have a surface structure with root-like, sharp ribs on the external surface of the grip part. The surface structure on the grip part has the advantage that the fins or peaks extend axially along the surface lines, and fit into the bends underneath the joints of the index finger, to essentially guarantee the optimum transmission of torque from the hand of the rider to the twist grip.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 1997Date of Patent: May 2, 2000Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AGInventors: Markus Arbeiter, Nico Lemmens
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Patent number: 6047797Abstract: An adjustable installation includes a body and a member carried by the body for adjustment among a plurality of positions by movements substantially in tandem of two spaced-apart locations on the member. A controllable locking gas spring is coupled between the body and the member at one of the locations, and an emergency locking gas spring is coupled between the body and the member at the other of the locations. The emergency locking gas spring normally acts like a non-locking gas spring and is thus in a follower relationship to the controllable locking gas spring but is locked automatically in either of two ways, depending on its design. In some designs, the emergency locking gas spring locks when a force greater than a predetermined force is imposed on it. In other designs, the emergency locking gas spring is locked in response to a signal generated by an acceleration detector upon detection of an acceleration of the installation greater than a predetermined acceleration.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1997Date of Patent: April 11, 2000Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs Industries, Inc.Inventor: Mark A. Popjoy
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Patent number: 6044939Abstract: The cylinder is filled with damping medium. The vibration damper also includes a damping valve which is active as a function of pressure. The damping force of the damping valve can be modified by means of an actuator against a spring force on a shutoff valve body. An admission valve with its own damping action is connected hydraulically in series with the damping valve, so that the action of the admission valve is superimposed on the action of the adjustable damping valve.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 1997Date of Patent: April 4, 2000Assignee: Fichtel & SachsInventor: Andreas Forster
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Patent number: 6035979Abstract: A damping valve for a vibration damper including a cylinder filled with damping medium. A piston rod with a piston is realized in the cylinder so that the piston rod can move axially and the piston can divide the cylinder into two working chambers. The damping valve is located inside a housing and is realized so that it can be adjusted by a solenoid in connection with an armature, which armature is guided in an insulator. A receptacle functions as part of the housing, which receptacle, by an insulator, separates the hydraulic part of the damping valve from the electrical part. A tube socket together with the housing holds the adjustable damping valve. As the insulator, at least one gasket or seal is used, which provides hydraulic and magnetic insulation between a cover of the housing and the receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 1997Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AGInventor: Andreas Forster
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Patent number: 6026338Abstract: A system to control a chassis vibration damping device with a variable damping characteristic in a vehicle with the use of a single acceleration sensor and a subsequent processing of the signal by means of filters and of an additional signal of a primary detector, whereby the processing corresponds to a breakdown of the acceleration signal into its individual components which relate to the longitudinal, transverse and vertical axes of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 1996Date of Patent: February 15, 2000Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AGInventors: Udo Borschert, Thomas Kutsche
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Patent number: 6024201Abstract: A disengaging mechanism for a friction clutch which is arranged in a motor vehicle between an internal combustion engine and a transmission flanged to the internal combustion engine by a casing. The disengaging mechanism includes a guide pipe which is fastenable in the casing. A release bearing element is guided radially at the outer circumference of the guide pipe so as to be axially movable. The disengaging mechanism also includes a clutch lever which is to be articulated at the casing for transmitting clutch actuating forces. At least the guide pipe and the clutch lever are held together to form a constructional unit prior to installation in the motor vehicle. In the operation-ready state, the movement limiting components influence the movability of the disengaging mechanism. Assembly is facilitated by constructing the disengaging mechanism as a constructional unit, which can also contain the release bearing element.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1997Date of Patent: February 15, 2000Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AGInventors: Ulrich Husse, Kurt Lindner, Karl Muller, Reiner Voss
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Patent number: 6019683Abstract: A two part flywheel having a torsional vibration damper with a plurality of inertial masses, for installation in the drive train of a motor vehicle. The torsional vibration damper has three inertial mass systems. A first and a second inertial mass system are oriented so that they can rotate jointly and also relative to one another around a common first axis of rotation. The first inertial mass system and the second inertial mass system are connected rotationally elastically to one another by means of a spring system. A third inertial mass system which is movable relative to the first and the second inertial mass systems is rotationally connected by a transmission system to the first and/or second inertial mass systems. One of the inertial mass systems, in particular the first inertial mass system, is designed to be connected to the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 1997Date of Patent: February 1, 2000Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AGInventor: Jorg Sudau
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Patent number: 6000508Abstract: A damping valve, in particular for a vibration damper, including a cylinder filled with damping medium in which a piston rod with a piston is housed. The piston rod can move axially and the piston divides the cylinder into two working chambers. The damping valve can be adjusted by means of a magnet coil in connection with an armature and has an emergency operating setting. A stop is provided for the valve position for the emergency operating setting. The position of the stop relative to the armature can be used to define a passage cross section for the emergency operating setting.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 1997Date of Patent: December 14, 1999Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AGInventor: Andreas Forster
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Patent number: 5988331Abstract: Disclosed is a vibration damper with an adjustable damping force and a method of producing the same. The adjustable vibration damper has a container tube to which is connected a shut-off valve arrangement. A damping medium is fed to the shut-off valve arrangement via a high-pressure partial length, an intermediate tube, if required, which is arranged inside the container tube, wherein the container tube and/or the intermediate tube with a cylinder in which a piston slides axially at a piston rod form the high-pressure partial length, and the container tube and/or the cylinder tube has a tube connection piece as a transition of the high-pressure partial length to the shut-off valve arrangement. The tube connection piece in at least one of the tubes forming the transition is constructed as a separate structural component part having a flange which contacts the inner region of the tube and projects through an opening in the tube.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1997Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AGInventor: Stefan Schiffler
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Patent number: 5988340Abstract: This invention relates to a seal between two components which two components can move relative to one another. The seal can be used in particular for hydraulic, pneumatic or hydropneumatic systems, whereby at least one elastic seal element interacts with a running surface. Preferably, this seal is used between a piston-shaped part and a cylinder-shaped part. In any case, the running surface, which running surface is mobile relative to the gasket, is provided with depressions. The depressions in the running surface, which running surface interacts with the gasket, form a cross-hatched pattern.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1997Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AGInventor: Thomas Riess
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Patent number: 5988607Abstract: A self-pumping hydropneumatic strut with an internal level control, especially for automobiles, has a power cylinder. The power cylinder is under the pressure of at least one gas pad acting as a spring. The gas pad is placed in a high-pressure chamber, which high-pressure chamber is filled with damping agents. The power cylinder is divided into two working chambers by a working piston. The working piston is carried by a hollow piston rod and is equipped with valves. A piston pump is driven by the spring motion and transports oil from a low-pressure chamber into the working chamber. The working chamber is connected to the high-pressure chamber. The piston pump includes a pump chamber formed by the hollow piston rod and a pump rod that is connected to the power cylinder. The damping agent in the pump chamber can be pressure-impacted by a driving element.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1997Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AGInventor: Hubert Beck
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Patent number: 5988343Abstract: A torsional vibration damper, for installation in the clutch disc of a motor vehicle friction clutch, the damping spring system of which torsional vibration damper comprises at least three spring stages which are sized for different torque ranges of the torque to be transmitted between an input component and an output component. The spring stages are graduated so that they are active in corresponding ranges of the relative angle of rotation between the input component and the output component. The torsional vibration damper comprises a pre-damper which is sized for operation at idle, a low-speed damper which is sized for travel at slow speeds, and a load damper which is sized for load operation. The spring stage of the low-speed damper has an initial torque which is lower than the final torque of the pre-damper, and the load damper also has an initial torque which is lower than the final torque of the low-speed damper.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1997Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AGInventors: Jurgen Kleifges, Erwin Wack
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Patent number: 5976048Abstract: A torsional vibration damper is provided with a transmission element on the driving side, at least one planet carrier which is provided with at least one bearing for receiving a planet gear engaging with at least one ring gear, and a transmission element on the driven side. One of the transmission elements has a controller for elastic elements of a damping arrangement. At least one lubricant feed is associated with the planet gear. The lubricant feed extends, at least along part of its extent, within the range of extension of the planet gear and opens out in the region of the bearing. Lubricant can flow through this lubricant feed due to the pumping action of the planet gear as it rotates relative to other elements of the planetary gear unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1997Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AGInventors: Jorg Sudau, Erwin Wack