Patents Assigned to LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
  • Patent number: 6851532
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter with a built-in bypass clutch is provided with an arrangement which regulates the cooling of the clutch at a rate dependent upon the slip between the coaxial driving and driven parts of the clutch, and hence upon the quantity of generated friction heat. The cooling unit for the driving and/or driven part of the clutch can employ, for example, one or more pumps; a supply of a substance which changes its aggregate state from liquid to gaseous or from solid to flowable in response to heating, and vice versa in response to cooling; one or more porous washers in the path for the flow of hydraulic fluid between the customary plenum chambers provided in the housing of the torque converter to move a piston of the driven part of the clutch into and from frictional engagement with the housing; and/or a system of recesses, grooves, channels and/or other passages serving to convey fluid between the chambers at a rate which is higher or highest when the clutch operates with maximum slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Gunnar Back, Hubert Friedmann, Paul Granderath, Jean-Francois Heller, Stephan Maienschein, Marc Meisner, Bruno Müller, Wolfgang Reik
  • Patent number: 6729198
    Abstract: There is provided a method of controlling the operation of a multispeed gearbox which is associated with a start-up clutch, at least one power shift clutch, shift clutches for shifting into various speeds of the gearbox and with a control unit for controlling the actuation of at least one of the clutches. The method comprises the step of controlling the coefficient of friction of the at least one clutch during operation of the gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Brandt
  • Publication number: 20030141164
    Abstract: A friction lining for use in the clutch plate of a friction clutch or a multiple wrap brake band for use in an automatic transmission is obtained by adhesively securing one side of a friction generating second layer to one side of a metallic first layer. The necessary incisions in the form of cuts, slots or slits are made from the exposed side of the second layer in a direction toward the exposed side of the first layer by resorting to one or more high-energy streams, such as laser beams, electron beams or liquid jets. Each incision can be made in one or more stages by a single stream or by a series of successively applied streams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen Und Kupplungsbau GMBH
    Inventors: Heiner Willerscheid, Karl Wurm
  • Publication number: 20030130092
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for diagnosing a malfunction in a clutch actuator of a motor vehicle, the actual position of the clutch actuator is measured by a position sensor. Simultaneously, an estimated position of the clutch actuator is calculated by an emulation unit that emulates the function of the clutch actuator. Malfunctions of the clutch-actuator are diagnosed by comparing the actual, measured position to the estimated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Jurgen Eich, Klaus Kupper, Alexander Schweizer, Ralf Enderlin, Thomas Jager, Martin Vornehm
  • Publication number: 20030100376
    Abstract: Apparatus for damping vibrations between the output element of the engine and the power train in a motor vehicle has flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other. One flywheel is mounted on the output element of the engine and the other flywheel is connectable to the power train by a friction clutch. Vibration dampers are installed between the flywheels, and such dampers are confined in a housing which is provided on the one flywheel and contains a supply of viscous fluid medium for the parts of the dampers. The housing is the input element of the dampers and the output member of the dampers is a flange which extends into the housing and is axially movably coupled to the other flywheel. The flywheels rotate with respect to one another and the dampers contain resilient elements which selectively oppose rotation of the flywheels during various stages of rotation. The resilient elements are also arranged not to oppose rotation of the flywheels during an initial stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Applicant: LUK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Oswald Friedmann, Johann Jackel
  • Publication number: 20030094328
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle having a power train wherein the engine can drive an automatic transmission by way of an automatic clutch. The gear ratio of the transmission is selectable by a first drive and a second drive is employed to shift the transmission into the selected gear. The two drives are mounted on the transmission case by way of a common base plate. Novel kinematic transmission lines connect the drives to the ratio selecting and gear shifting components of the transmission. One of the transmission lines employs a transmission stage, a carrier for translation of rotary movement into axial movement, and an element for transfer of axial movement to the transmission. The translation of movement of the drive in a selection process takes place by way of two transmission stages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Applicant: LUK LAMELLEN UND KUPPLUNGSBAU GMBH
    Inventors: Norbert Esly, Volker Kretz-Busch, Detlef Noack, Martin Meunier
  • Publication number: 20030014970
    Abstract: A master cylinder for the clutch or brake of a motor vehicle has a housing for a reciprocable piston one end of which receives the spherical head of a reciprocable piston rod. The head is held in a desired position relative to the piston by a one-piece or composite coupling device having a first section exerting a pull or bearing upon the head of the piston rod and a second section which is confined in or surrounds the end of the piston and urges the first section in a direction to hold the piston rod against axial movements relative to the piston. The coupling device and/or the piston are or can be made of a plastic material, and the connection between such parts is or can be established by snap action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Welter, Peter Schaaf, Peter Giese, Ludwig Winkelmann, Gerhard Meyer
  • Patent number: 6460398
    Abstract: In a mechanism where movement is transferred from one component to another by frictional contact and where the intensity of the frictional contact can be changed by altering the contact pressure, a method for determining the amount of slippage between the component parts uses a measurement of a value that corresponds to the power loss due to friction, also known as power dissipation, which occurs during the transfer of movement between the component parts. In this measurement, the level of power dissipation is determined in dependence on the contact pressure force, and an increase in the amount of the dissipated power that occurs when the contact pressure force decreases is interpreted as slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Stopp, Anton Fritzer, Franz Bitzer
  • Patent number: 6450314
    Abstract: Apparatus for damping torsional vibrations in the power train of a motor vehicle has two coaxial flywheels one of which is driven by the engine and the other of which can transmit torque to the input shaft of a transmission by way of a friction clutch. The flywheels are rotatable relative to each other against the resistance of a damper. Certain features of the apparatus reside in the dimensioning and distribution of its parts in the radial and axial directions of the flywheels to reduce the dimensions of the apparatus. The torque transmitting connection between at least one pair of neighboring rotary parts of the apparatus employs a slip clutch which yields when the applied torque exceeds a certain value. An intermittently or continuously active hysteresis device is utilized to operate in parallel with the energy storing springs of the damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Jäckel, Daniel Niess
  • Patent number: 6446522
    Abstract: An automated multi-ratio transmission has a gear-engaging mechanism with a first actuator to move a selector member in a first direction to select a gear ratio, and a second actuator to move the selector member in a second direction to engage the selected gear ratio. The vehicle may be started from stand-still in either a forward or reverse start-up gear ratio, both of which are engaged from an end position of the range of movement of the selector member. In the start-up phase of the vehicle, an automated control means drives the first actuator to the appropriate selector position for either the forward or reverse start-up gear and then drives the second actuator to engage the desired start-up gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Robin John Warren, Richard Brian Moseley, James Anthony Lethbridge
  • Patent number: 6446436
    Abstract: A master cylinder for use in the power train of a motor vehicle to actuate the brakes or the friction clutch is designed to avoid the generation of screeching noise and/or the transmission of stray movements to the piston rod in response to shifting of the piston relative to the housing and relative to the sealing element(s) between the piston and the housing. This can be accomplished by causing the piston to turn relative to the housing and the sealing element(s) during axial movement in the housing and/or by installing one or more dampers between the piston and the housing and/or between the piston and the piston rod. The dampers can constitute separately produced parts and/or specially configured and/or finished surfaces provided on the piston and contacting the housing and/or the sealing element(s). The invention also relates to improvements in the configuration and/or the material(s) of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Ludwig Winkelmann, Rainer Venz, Ulrich Helfmeier, Dieter Adler, Uwe Stratil, Thomas Bertelshofer, Karl-Ludwig Grell, Harald Peschke, Roland Welter
  • Patent number: 6443864
    Abstract: A torque transmitting mechanism between coaxial first and second rotary parts, at least one of which should be free to move axially relative to the other part, employs two frames at least one of which is resilient. Both frames surround one of the parts (e.g., a shaft for one adjustable pulley of a continuously variable transmission), one of the frames has spaced-apart sections affixed to the first part, and the other frame has spaced-apart sections affixed to the second part (e.g., to one flange of the adjustable pulley). Rivets and/or other suitable fasteners couple the two frames to each other at locations each of which is spaced apart from a section of one of the frames and from a section of the other frame. Each frame can have a polygonal outline with corners which are alternatingly coupled to the other frame and to the respective rotary part. The braces between the corners of each polygonal frame can be profiled to oppose certain types of deformation but to permit other types of deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventor: Oswald Friedmann
  • Publication number: 20020116924
    Abstract: A master cylinder for use in the power train of a motor vehicle to actuate the brakes or the friction clutch is designed to avoid the generation of screeching noise and/or the transmission of stray movements to the piston rod in response to shifting of the piston relative to the housing and relative to the sealing element(s) between the piston and the housing. This can be accomplished by causing the piston to turn relative to the housing and the sealing element(s) during axial movement in the housing and/or by installing one or more dampers between the piston and the housing and/or between the piston and the piston rod. The dampers can constitute separately produced parts and/or specially configured and/or finished surfaces provided on the piston and contacting the housing and/or the sealing element(s). The invention also relates to improvements in the configuration and/or the material(s) of the piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Ludwig Winkelmann, Rainer Venz, Ulrich Helfmeier, Dieter Adler, Uwe Stratil, Thomas Bertelshofer, Karl-Ludwig Grell, Harald Peschke, Roland Welter
  • Patent number: 6440039
    Abstract: A torque-transmitting system for vehicles has a main drive clutch operable by means of a clutch-actuator, a transmission, a shift mechanism for setting the transmission ratio, a selector lever allowing the driver to select between a neutral mode or a drive mode of the transmission, and electronic control means for controlling the clutch actuator and the shift. mechanism. The electronic control means will cause the clutch-actuator to disengage the clutch when the engine is started and to re-engage the clutch if the transmission has been left in neutral mode for a preprogrammed time period while the vehicle is standing still, so as to turn the input shaft of the transmission and thereby warm up the transmission oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventor: Robin John Warren
  • Patent number: 6435994
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission or an analogous torque transmitting system has two rotary members in the form of wheels, gears or pulleys (such as adjustable pulleys) which are rotatable about parallel axes. An endless flexible element in the form of a link chain, pintle chain or belt has arcuate portions trained over the rotary members and elongated reaches or stretches extending between the arcuate portions. At least one of the stretches is at least partially confined in but movable lengthwise relative to an elongated rail or another suitable guide which at least reduces lateral stray movements of the respective stretch. This reduces noise as well as the wear upon the endless flexible element and the rotary members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Oswald Friedmann, Hartmut Faust
  • Publication number: 20020111732
    Abstract: A method of operating a motor vehicle that is equipped with sensors to detect the rpm-rates of the driven wheels includes the steps of:
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Jager, Klaus Henneberger, Martin Vornehm, Jens Schnabele, Michael Salecker, Holger Stork
  • Patent number: 6428445
    Abstract: A transmission has an rpm-converter controlled by a hydraulic system. The hydraulic system has a supply circuit from a fluid-conveyor device to the rpm-converter, a return circuit to carry the spent fluid back from the rpm-converter, and a run-off circuit to return the run-off portion of fluid from a flow-regulating device that regulates the volume flow in the supply circuit. The return circuit and the run-off circuit are merged in a circuit junction that continues into a flow-back circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Oswald Friedmann, Ivo Agner
  • Patent number: 6425747
    Abstract: A gearing, particularly for use in a gear pump which can be utilized in the power train of a motor vehicle, has a housing, a rotary internal gear in the housing, and a spur gear driven by a prime mover, mating with the internal gear and defining with the latter a crescent-shaped chamber for forcible conveying of a fluid, such as lubricant, from an inlet communicating with one end portion to an outlet communicating with the other end portion of the chamber. In order to avoid turbulent flow of fluid in the chamber, the latter is substantially filled by a composite insert. Such insert can comprise several crescent-shaped fillers with at least one seal between them, or two one-piece or composite fillers which are disposed end-to-end as seen in the circumferential direction of the internal gear and are separated from each other by an abutment which is secured to or of one piece with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus-Dieter Buchmüller, Marco Grethel
  • Patent number: 6416433
    Abstract: A chain-belt transmission with a continuously variable transmission ratio has input and output shafts, each carrying a pair of conical disks, with a chain belt running in a loop around the disk pairs and transmitting torque from the input to the output shaft. The friction surfaces of the conical disks and the end surfaces of the force-transfer elements of the chain belt have contour shapes that provide greater resistance to wear and thereby increase the operating life of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventor: André Linnenbrügger
  • Patent number: 6412392
    Abstract: A hydraulic valve having a kinked characteristic curve is provided for a hydraulic consumer of a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Ebinger Günter, Homm Manfred