Patents by Inventor Alexander Renfer

Alexander Renfer 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: 7854162
    Abstract: In a method for referencing the position of an actuating element of a functional unit, in particular of a clutch in the drivetrain of a vehicle, the attainment of a reference position of the actuating element is assessed for plausibility in that it is checked whether a variable which can be applied to the actuating element varies in a predetermined way in a predetermined spacing of the position of the actuating element from the reference position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Matthias Panzer, Markus Baehr, Juergen Eich, Alexander Renfer, Joachim Hirt, Thomas Weber
  • Publication number: 20090064774
    Abstract: In a method for referencing the position of an actuating element of a functional unit, in particular of a clutch in the drivetrain of a vehicle, the attainment of a reference position of the actuating element is assessed for plausibility in that it is checked whether a variable which can be applied to the actuating element varies in a predetermined way in a predetermined spacing of the position of the actuating element from the reference position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Matthias Panzer, Markus Baehr, Juergen Eich, Alexander Renfer, Joachim Hirt, Thomas Weber
  • Publication number: 20040025612
    Abstract: A transmission including a drive shaft that can be connected with a drive motor. The transmission has at least two input shafts that are part of respective separate, parallel transmission paths that each include a plurality of gear trains defining respective transmission ratios. At least one clutch is provided to enable a transmission step to be shifted with reduced tractive force interruption during a shift between different gears.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Gerd Ahnert, Burkhard Pollak, Alexander Renfer, Matthias Schneider, Bard Vestgard
  • Patent number: 6662919
    Abstract: The engageable and disengageable friction clutch between the prime mover and the gearbox in the power train of a motor vehicle can be adjusted by an electric motor against the opposition of at least one resilient element by applying rest current from a source to an electric motor which opposes the bias of the resilient element in response to detection, by a sensor, that the bias of such resilient element upon a displaceable clutch actuating member exceeds the force then being exerted by the clutch. The application of rest current to the motor normally takes place when the vehicle is started and/or subsequent to shifting of the gearbox into a different gear. The thus actuated motor can prevent a worm wheel gearing or an analogous motor-operated component from partially disengaging the clutch when the disengagement is undesirable or harmful.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Mario Jung, Alexander Renfer
  • Patent number: 6647333
    Abstract: A method of regulating the position of a clutch actuator in a vehicle employs the concept of adapting the servo-loop parameters of a position controller of the clutch to different operating conditions of the vehicle, as well as the concept of applying and continuously adapting a bias current of the actuator motor in order to avoid or minimize the incidence of a hunting or after-regulation behavior of the control loop and to thereby minimize the energy consumption of the actuator motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Thomas Jäger, Reinhard Berger, Martin Zimmermann, Georg Schneider, Mario Jung, Jürgen Gerhart, Alexander Renfer
  • Publication number: 20030136627
    Abstract: The engageable and disengageable friction clutch between the prime mover and the gearbox in the power train of a motor vehicle can be adjusted by an electric motor against the opposition of at least one resilient element by applying rest current from a source to an electric motor which opposes the bias of the resilient element in response to detection, by a sensor, that the bias of such resilient element upon a displaceable clutch actuating member exceeds the force then being exerted by the clutch. The application of rest current to the motor normally takes place when the vehicle is started and/or subsequent to shifting of the gearbox into a different gear. The thus actuated motor can prevent a worm wheel gearing or an analogous motor-operated component from partially disengaging the clutch when the disengagement is undesirable or harmful.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Mario Jung, Alexander Renfer
  • Publication number: 20020128763
    Abstract: A method of regulating the position of a clutch actuator in a vehicle employs the concept of adapting the servo-loop parameters of a position controller of the clutch to different operating conditions of the vehicle, as well as the concept of applying and continuously adapting a bias current of the actuator motor in order to avoid or minimize the incidence of a hunting or after-regulation behavior of the control loop and to thereby minimize the energy consumption of the actuator motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Thomas Jager, Reinhard Berger, Martin Zimmermann, Georg Schneider, Mario Jung, Jurgen Gerhart, Alexander Renfer