Patents by Inventor Alexander PFAU

Alexander PFAU 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: 9227629
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle hybrid drive-train in which, depending on the operating situation, the engine and electric machine either operate individually or together. The engine and the electric machine can be coupled or separated by a clutch. The engine can be started by the electric machine or a separate starting device. To co-ordinate transmission shifts and required engine starts, during a transmission shifting process, if the engine needs to be started, then based on whether the shift is an upshift, a downshift, a traction shift or an overdrive shift and also depending on the type of engine start required, it is first determined whether the shift should be completed, at least partially completed or discontinued before carrying out the start and, based on this determination, measures for continuing, at least partially continuing or discontinuing the shift process are initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Tobias Zollner, Anton Fritzer, Patrick Peter, Thomas Lemp, Alexander Pfau, Stefan Gierer
  • Publication number: 20140142796
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle hybrid drive-train in which, depending on the operating situation, the engine and electric machine either operate individually or together. The engine and the electric machine can be coupled or separated by a clutch. The engine can be started by the electric machine or a separate starting device. To co-ordinate transmission shifts and required engine starts, during a transmission shifting process, if the engine needs to be started, then based on whether the shift is an upshift, a downshift, a traction shift or an overdrive shift and also depending on the type of engine start required, it is first determined whether the shift should be completed, at least partially completed or discontinued before carrying out the start and, based on this determination, measures for continuing, at least partially continuing or discontinuing the shift process are initiated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Tobias Zollner, Anton Fritzer, Patrick Peter, Thomas Lemp, Alexander Pfau, Stefan Gierer
  • Patent number: 8465393
    Abstract: A method of accelerating decoupling of the starting clutch (5) that is able to connect the electric machine (2) to the transmission input in a hybrid drive-train of a motor vehicle, when a decoupling command is issued, at the same time as the regulation of the starting clutch begins for the purpose of decoupling the starting clutch (5) or a specified time after the regulation of the starting clutch begins. The electric machine is regulated in such manner that a torque is built up such that the transition to sliding friction, and thus decoupling and the onset of slip, are sped up while maintaining the nominal driving torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Lemp, Alexander Pfau
  • Publication number: 20120129650
    Abstract: A method of accelerating decoupling of the starting clutch (5) that is able to connect the electric machine (2) to the transmission input in a hybrid drive-train of a motor vehicle, when a decoupling command is issued, at the same time as the regulation of the starting clutch begins for the purpose of decoupling the starting clutch (5) or a specified time after the regulation of the starting clutch begins. The electric machine is regulated in such manner that a torque is built up such that the transition to sliding friction, and thus decoupling and the onset of slip, are sped up while maintaining the nominal driving torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Thomas LEMP, Alexander PFAU