Patents Assigned to Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG
  • Patent number: 5421591
    Abstract: The invention concerns a sealing arrangement for use in steered axles of vehicles employed in agriculture and/or the building trade. The sealing arrangement (24) consists of separate seals (46, 47) which are assembled into a sealing set (48) by way of a sleeve (42). The sleeve (42) is firmly situated in relation to the component (25) to be sealed such as the drive shaft (26) of a steered axle (1). Steering movements departing from the straight ahead drive position produce a displacement of the sealing arrangement (24) from the outer space (21) in a direction toward the inner space (20) of the axle tube (3) of the axle (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Josef R. Katzensteiner
  • Patent number: 5419412
    Abstract: In a motor vehicle having a transmission (1) which can be optionally operated fully automatically or semi-automatically, and in which a gear-range selector (18) and a gear-shift control (21) are provided. The gear-range selector makes it possible to pre-select a travel speed in which the transmission is gradually shifted up or down by actuating the gear-shift control (21). The gear-shift control (21) is designed as a foot switch (22, 24) located in the foot area of a driver's cab of the motor vehicle, so that both of the driver's hands can stay on the steering wheel while these gear-shift operations are being carried out thereby permitting the driver to concentrate fully on the traffic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Manfred Schwab, Klaus Schweiger
  • Patent number: 5417626
    Abstract: In an electronic-hydraulic control mechanism of an automatically shifting motorcar transmission, control valves (88, 70, 65, 67, 91 and 94) are coordinated with actuation devices (81 to 87) of hydraulically engageable and disengageable friction clutches or brakes (A to E1). The pressure level in one main pressure system of the control mechanism is regulated by a main pressure valve (29) while a control unit (72) designed as microprocessor controls the actuation devices via electrically actuated solenoid valves (41, 42 and 43) and pressure-control valves (38, 39 and 40) in accordance with operation parameters of the motorcar transmission and of a drive engine, the same as of a shift and/or travel program control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Georg Gierer
  • Patent number: 5417124
    Abstract: A gear change for an industrial vehicle, provided with an integrated control unit housed in a seat of the gear box and comprising a plurality of actuators for controlling the selection and coupling of the gears, a plurality of electrovalves for the actuation of the actuators and a sensor of the angular speed of an input shaft of the gear change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignees: Iveco Fiat S.p.A., Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Martin Huff, Gian M. Pigozzi, Armando Gregori
  • Patent number: 5405248
    Abstract: A flow regulating valve for rotation piston pumps to regulate a useful flow, especially for auxiliary power steering in motor vehicles, contains in a valve core (2) an axially-movable, spring-loaded flow regulating piston (3). On one front surface (4) of the flow regulating piston (3), there is a control edge (14) by means of which a flowoff cross section in a flowoff duct (15) can be altered. To reduce the flow noises, control edge (14) has a rounded portion (17) at the transition to the generated surface (16) of the flow regulating piston (3). In addition, control edge (14) reveals a negative bezel (18). A positive bezel (21) is arranged between this negative bezel (18) and the rounded portion (17) that adjoins generated surface (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ekkehard Alschweig, Ulrich Aldinger, Reiner Eisenmann
  • Patent number: 5390347
    Abstract: In a range change transmission for vehicles which is designed as planetary transmission (2), a sun gear (3) is driven by a drive shaft (4) of an added basic transmission while a planet carrier (8) of the planetary transmission (2) is rigidly connected with an output shaft (9) of the range change transmission. To engage a low ratio group of the range change transmission, a ring gear (6) is connected with a transmission casing (1) by means of a sliding sleeve (25). In a direct through drive, the sliding sleeve (25) connects the ring gear (6) with a planet carrier (8). The construction costs should be reduced by using a single-piece synchronizer ring (22), the single-piece synchronizer ring which is effective for both shift directions cooperating by both its friction faces (23) with bevel faces (18 and 19) on the transmission casing (1) and on the planet carrier (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Buri, Josef Bader
  • Patent number: 5383824
    Abstract: In a process for controlling the torque of an internal combustion engine, an automatic gear system driven by the internal combustion engine includes a gear control device (1) and the internal combustion engine has a control device which, based on speed, load and, where appropriate, temperature signals, controls an ignition angle of an ignition system and/or an injection pulse width of a fuel injection system. The gear control device (1), for its part, controls on the basis of speed and load requirement signals the gear changes of the automatic gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Runge, Hans-Dieter Hengstler
  • Patent number: 5383378
    Abstract: Proposed are free-wheel clutches (12) for a driven axle of an all-wheel-drive vehicle in which the degree to which the steered wheels (17, 18) are connected to the drive (4) depends on the steering angle. A snap-in catch in the clutches (12), as well as a passive locking device (59, 60), are switched over automatically by the output shafts (13, 14), the output shafts being connected to the steered wheels (17, 18) by double crossed joints (15, 16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Paul, Eberhard Wilks, Bernd Mamerow
  • Patent number: 5352100
    Abstract: In a pump drive for a motor vehicle automatic gearbox, a hollow shaft (6) secured in rotation to a primary part (3) of a torque converter (1) projects into the inside of a pump housing (7) and bears an impeller (10) of the pump. The hollow shaft (6) is borne in a bore (12) in the pump housing (7) via a rolling bearing, whereby, in order to seal the pump housing, there is a radial sealing ring (18) on one side of the rolling bearing and a sealing ring (14) on the other. The latter ring (14) is designed to enclose a uniform sealing gap (25) with the hollow shaft (6) and it is guided freely both radially and axially in the bore (12) so that the sealing gap (25) may automatically set itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Gert Bauknecht, Rainer Pfalz, Manfred Bucksch
  • Patent number: 5343779
    Abstract: An arrangement and process for operating a continuously variable drive unit of a motor vehicle having an apparatus for control of the operation of the clutches (25, 26) in the mechanical transmission branch (19). Sensors (7, 9, 45) transmit the speed of the mechanical transmission branch (19), the hydrostatic transmission branch (17) and the transmission output shaft (10) to an electronic control device (3). The clutches (25, 26) are disconnected in the case of inadmissible speed ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Heinrich Nikolaus, Robert Paton
  • Patent number: 5338010
    Abstract: The invention concerns a hydropneumatic vehicle suspension, especially for vehicles in which high axle-load differences occur. To adapt the hydropneumatic suspension to high axle-load differences, the hydropneumatic actuators (7, 8) are designed as double-acting hydraulic cylinders of which the head spaces (5, 6) are connected with a first reservoir (12) and the cylinder spaces (22, 23), on the piston-rod side, are connected with a reservoir (24). The pressure in the second reservoir (24) is controlled by a control valve (18) as a function of the pressure in the first reservoir (12). The solution according to the invention is specially suited for use in agricultural vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Josef Haupt
  • Patent number: 5335762
    Abstract: In a clutch having a synchronizing device, post-synchronization is attained when the abutment of the locking teeth with the shift teeth changes by designing part of the locking teeth on the synchronizing ring wider than the remaining ones and engaging oblique surfaces of the shift teeth on a sleeve later than those of the narrower locking teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Reimund Raue
  • Patent number: 5336120
    Abstract: The invention concerns a control system for operating a ship's motive installation (1, 2). Via a gearing (4) having adjustable clutches (67, 69) for forward and astern movement, an engine (3) drives a propeller shaft (7). Control and sensor devices (53, 54) are provided. With them the engine speed and the degree of slip of the clutches can be altered. With a control lever (13, 14) of a control post (9) a propeller shaft speed can be adjusted. A control electronics (21) defines the momentary operational condition by freely selecting from three possible operation conditions. The respective operation condition is defined depending on operational parameters to be observed of the engine (3) and/or the gearing (4). The control system is particularly adequate for use within a ship's multi-engine motive installations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Maurer, Manfred Braig, Raimund Auer, Christoph Goebel, Josef Schwarz, Thomas Voss
  • Patent number: 5306215
    Abstract: A drive device specially used in mobile excavators, wheeled loaders and similar work machines contains a power-shiftable transmission (4) designed as planetary transmission and driven by a hydraulic motor (3). The transmission (4) preferably has two speed levels which are alternatively engageable and disengageable via hydraulically shiftable friction clutches (12, 13). Both friction clutches (12, 13) are designed as spring-accumulator clutches and are controllable by oil pressure generated by an oil pump (21) and both friction clutches (12, 13) are controlled via a gear-shift valve (23). One of the two friction clutches (13) is designed as brake and has a static, leakage-oil-free oil supply. When the oil pressure generated by the oil pump (21) falls below a specific value, the gear-shift valve (23) is engaged into its 2nd-gear position in which only the brake is actuatable with oil pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Egon Mann, Helmut Eymuller
  • Patent number: 5301564
    Abstract: The gear-change transmission has a closely stepped input group (7) before a main group for fine tuning the speed within a working range. Between the input group (7) and the main group (8) is situated a pressurized-oil cooled drag-torque reducing multi-disc starting clutch (26) so that the gears in both groups can also be easily engaged when using synchronizer positive clutches (18, 20). A reversing shaft (13) for reverse gear is fully integrated in the input group (7) and its gear clutches (F/G) can be introduced with a gear selector (83, 112) the same as for the remaining splitter gears of the input group (7). A change-over clutch (36) for an intermediate transmission (9) is optionally placed directly before the starting clutch (26) operatively and structurally on the primary shaft (32) of the starting clutch (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Franz Muller, Jurgen Pohlenz, Hubert Lehle, Erwin Baur, Herbert Simon
  • Patent number: 5283738
    Abstract: A process for controlling a clutch incorporated between the driving engine (M) and the gearbox (G) of a motor vehicle, in which the clutch is a bridging clutch (WK) of a hydrodynamic unit or a separating clutch (K) in a driving train. The process uses devices to measure the engine speed (n-M) and the gearbox output speed (n-ab) and a slip regulating switch mechanism (1). The slip regulating switch mechanism (1) determines the pressure for an actuator (3) of the clutch. The control deviations are derived from a comparison (4) of predetermined slip reference values (w) and the actual slip values (s) obtained from the equipment speeds, and converted to pressures in accordance with a predetermined control algorithm in the regulator (6). The clutch output speed (n-K, n-WK) required for a determination of the slip is obtained from the gear ratio (G-x) and the gear output speed (n-ab).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Manfred Schwab, Wolfgang Runge, Wolf-Dieter Gruhle
  • Patent number: 5277670
    Abstract: In a load change-over gear with infinitely variable transmission, which includes a linkage gear (1) driven by a main drive shaft (5), a control gear (2) associated with the linkage gear (1), as well as a switching or change-over gear (4) series-connected after the linkage gear (1), linkage shafts (10 and 11) can be alternately coupled to the switching gear (4). To create a variable switching logic and to save structural components of the switching gear (4), a superposition gear (3) is series-connected after the linkage gear (1) whose input shaft (14) can be coupled alternately to linkage shafts (10 and 11). Superposition gear (3), in which the main drive shaft rpm can be superposed on the rpm of the input shaft (14), in turn includes a linkage shaft (21) that can be coupled directly to a main output shaft (24) or to the switching gear (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen, AG.
    Inventor: Peter Tenberge
  • Patent number: 5273499
    Abstract: In a clutch (6) for locking a differential gear for a vehicle, a movable half (60) of the clutch (6) is pushed indirectly via a sliding sleeve (70) and intermediate members (77) in an engaging direction. Then the sliding sleeve (70), with a locking surface (74), retains the intermediate members (77) firmly in a locking position between a bearing surface (64) of the movable half (60) and an axially stationary retaining surface (4). Flanks (52, 62) of clutch teeth (51, 61) of an axially stationary half (50) and of the movable half (60) form in the axle direction a deflection angle (55). The bearing surface (64) and the retaining surface (4) form a wedge angle (65). The locking surface (74) of the sliding sleeve (70) is inclined in an axial direction forming a small releasing angle (75). To open the clutch (6), the sliding sleeve (70) is pulled away. A torque produces through the deflection angle (55) an axial deflection force which then disengages the clutch (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Reinhard Friedl, Harald Wendl, Max Schuster
  • Patent number: 5251443
    Abstract: In a pressure-control device for affecting the closing behavior of powershift clutches (K.sub.1 -K.sub.X) in a powershift transmission, a regulating valve (1) cooperates with a damping device (2) as pressure-control valve. Chokes (4, 40, 400) for a more or less smooth connection are arranged in combination with pressure lines (P.sub.S, P.sub.R) over the pressure cycle when the clutch concerned (K.sub.1 -K.sub.X) is engaged. The travel of the damper piston (21) in a direction toward the regulating valve (1) is shortened by a pressurizing piston device (3) cooperating with the piston (21) of the damping device (2). Thus the time for the slipping phase in the engaged clutch concerned is shortened and, together with a higher initial pressure after the clutch is filled, the friction is limited.The limitation of the friction can also be obtained by adding a second choke in parallel in the control pressure line (Pr) by which the choked cross section is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Friedrich Ehrlinger, Wilhelm Hardtle, Peter Hartig
  • Patent number: 5251878
    Abstract: To improve the smoothness in running in a lifting equipment drive having an engine, one brake and one multi-stage planetary transmission, the input planetary gear set is helical cut and the second planetary gear set is straight cut. In addition, the input shaft is divided between the sun gear of the input planetary gear set and the brake by a clutch with a longitudinal balance, and the input shaft portion on the side of the sun gear is supported over a fixed ball bearing in the planet carrier of the second planetary gear set. By disconnecting the planetary transmission from the brake and the drive stimulations to vibrations are avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Egon Mann, Erwin Meisinger