Patents by Inventor Andreas Ratte

Andreas Ratte 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: 9840139
    Abstract: A constructional unit for a hybrid powertrain of a motor vehicle includes: an electric machine with a stator and a rotor, wherein the rotor is configured to transmit a torque to the powertrain; a clutch arrangement with at least one clutch actuation unit, wherein the clutch arrangement is configured to decouple an internal combustion engine from the powertrain, the internal combustion engine being provided parallel to the electric machine for transmitting a torque; and a vibration absorber apparatus configured to reduce vibrations in the powertrain. The clutch actuation unit is arranged axially substantially radially within the vibration absorber apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Sven Ludsteck, Reinhard Deppert, Jürgen Buhlheller, Florian Schöneich, Mathias Kopp, Andreas Ratte, Alexander Bartha
  • Patent number: 9834082
    Abstract: A hybrid drive module (110) which is constructed to transmit a torque from an input side (120) to an output side (130) includes a torsional vibration damper (180) which is coupled to the input side (120) and which works at least partially on the principle of power splitting, a disconnect clutch (280) which is coupled to the torsional vibration damper (180) and to the output side (130) and which is constructed to interrupt a torque flow from the input side (120) to the output side (130), and an electric drive component (320) which is coupled to the output side (130) and which is arranged so as to introduce a torque component provided by the electric drive component (320) into the torque flow downstream of the disconnect clutch (280).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Dögel, Michael Kühner, Andreas Ratte
  • Patent number: 9479027
    Abstract: A drive unit for a motor vehicle includes an electric machine which has a stator, a rotor and clutch for producing a rotary driving connection of the rotor to a drive element. The clutch has a release member which is axially displaceable by an actuating device arranged at least partially in a receiving space surrounded by the stator. The actuating device has an electric actuator drive motor and an actuator drive shaft directed transverse to the axis of rotation of the drive unit. The actuator drive shaft is operatively connected to a release arrangement which includes a rotatable input element which is fixed axially relative to the release member and an output element which is axially displaceable relative to the input element and which is operatively connected to the release member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Ratte, Gerald Viernekes, Alexander Markow
  • Publication number: 20150369299
    Abstract: A constructional unit for a hybrid powertrain of a motor vehicle includes: an electric machine with a stator and a rotor, wherein the rotor is configured to transmit a torque to the powertrain; a clutch arrangement with at least one clutch actuation unit, wherein the clutch arrangement is configured to decouple an internal combustion engine from the powertrain, the internal combustion engine being provided parallel to the electric machine for transmitting a torque; and a vibration absorber apparatus configured to reduce vibrations in the powertrain. The clutch actuation unit is arranged axially substantially radially within the vibration absorber apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Sven LUDSTECK, Reinhard DEPPERT, Jürgen BUHLHELLER, Florian SCHÖNEICH, Mathias KOPP, Andreas RATTE, Alexander BARTHA
  • Publication number: 20150298533
    Abstract: A hybrid drive module (110) which is constructed to transmit a torque from an input side (120) to an output side (130)includes a torsional vibration damper (180) which is coupled to the input side (120) and which works at least partially on the principle of power splitting, a disconnect clutch (280) which is coupled to the torsional vibration damper (180) and to the output side (130) and which is constructed to interrupt a torque flow from the input side (120) to the output side (130), and an electric drive component (320) which is coupled to the output side (130) and which is arranged so as to introduce a torque component provided by the electric drive component (320) into the torque flow downstream of the disconnect clutch (280).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas DÖGEL, Michael KÜHNER, Andreas RATTE
  • Patent number: 8757305
    Abstract: A hybrid drive arrangement for a vehicle with an internal combustion engine for driving, under engine power, and at least one electric machine (1), for electric driving, and with a double-clutch transmission. The electric machine (1) can be separated from the internal combustion engine by at least one separator clutch (3), in the form of a wet-operating, hydraulically actuated disk clutch. The outer disk carrier (4) of the separator clutch (3) and the outer disk carriers (5, 5A) of the two double clutches, of the double-clutch transmission, are connected and mounted on the transmission housing (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignees: ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Roske, Wolfgang Grosspietsch, Andreas Ratte, Alexander Bartha, Timo Wehlen, Steffen Matschas, Dieter Kraxner, Martin Fuchtner, Henrik Schrage
  • Publication number: 20140077641
    Abstract: A drive unit for a motor vehicle includes an electric machine which has a stator, a rotor and clutch for producing a rotary driving connection of the rotor to a drive element. The clutch has a release member which is axially displaceable by means of an actuating device arranged at least partially in a receiving space surrounded by the stator. The actuating device has an electric actuator drive motor and an actuator drive shaft directed transverse to the axis of rotation of the drive unit. The actuator drive shaft is operatively connected to a release arrangement which includes a rotatable input element which is fixed axially relative to the release member and an output element which is axially displaceable relative to the input element and which is operatively connected to the release member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: Andreas Ratte, Gerald Viernekes, Alexander Markow
  • Patent number: 8556010
    Abstract: A drive unit includes an internal combustion engine with a driven shaft, a transmission with an input shaft, and an electric machine arranged between the internal combustion engine and the transmission and comprising a stator and a rotor which can be coupled at least indirectly to the driven shaft of the internal combustion engine and to the transmission input shaft in order to transmit torque. The drive unit includes a clutch arranged in the torque transmission path between the internal combustion engine and the transmission. To facilitate the decoupling of rotational irregularities occurring in the drivetrain of the hybrid vehicle the drive unit has a first torsional damper and a second torsional damper, and at least the rotor of the electric machine is arranged within a torque transmission path formed between the torsional dampers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Angelika Ebert, Wolfgang Grosspietsch, Robert Reiser, Heinz Bertels, Andreas Ratte, Alexander Markow
  • Patent number: 8534435
    Abstract: An actuating device for applying actuating forces in a friction clutch device for engaging and disengaging a friction clutch assembly of the friction clutch device. The torque transmission device comprises the actuating device for transmission of torque between a drive unit and a transmission which also includes the friction clutch device. A method for installing a torque transmission device of this type. Various aspects relate to setting of a pre-load on a bearing of the actuating device, setting an over-dead-point configuration for a compensation spring associated with at least one rotary member of the actuating device, setting a rotation movement range for the rotary member and/or an axial movement range for an actuating element which can be displaced axially by rotation movement imparted to the rotary member, and producing either a normally engaged or disengaged characteristic in a normally-engaged or normally-disengaged friction clutch assembly with the compensation spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Fenn, Andreas Ratte, Klaus Reuter, Ralf Steinfeldt, Matthias Reisch, Juergen Wafzig
  • Publication number: 20110240384
    Abstract: A hybrid drive arrangement for a vehicle with an internal combustion engine for driving, under engine power, and at least one electric machine (1), for electric driving, and with a double-clutch transmission. The electric machine (1) can be separated from the internal combustion engine by at least one separator clutch (3), in the form of a wet-operating, hydraulically actuated disk clutch. The outer disk carrier (4) of the separator clutch (3) and the outer disk carriers (5, 5A) of the two double clutches, of the double-clutch transmission, are connected and mounted on the transmission housing (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicants: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, DR. ING.H.C.F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Michael ROSKE, Wolfgang Großpietsch, Andreas RATTE, Alexander BARTHA, Timo WEHLEN, Steffen MATSCHAS, Dieter KRAXNER, Martin Füchtner, Henrik SCHRAGE
  • Publication number: 20110088958
    Abstract: A drive unit includes an internal combustion engine with a driven shaft, a transmission with an input shaft, and an electric machine arranged between the internal combustion engine and the transmission and comprising a stator and a rotor which can be coupled at least indirectly to the driven shaft of the internal combustion engine and to the transmission input shaft in order to transmit torque. The drive unit includes a clutch arranged in the torque transmission path between the internal combustion engine and the transmission. To facilitate the decoupling of rotational irregularities occurring in the drivetrain of the hybrid vehicle the drive unit has a first torsional damper and a second torsional damper, and at least the rotor of the electric machine is arranged within a torque transmission path formed between the torsional dampers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Angelika EBERT, Wolfgang GROSSPIETSCH, Robert REISER, Heinz BERTELS, Andreas RATTE, Alexander MARKOW
  • Publication number: 20110005886
    Abstract: An actuating device for applying actuating forces in a friction clutch device for engaging and disengaging a friction clutch assembly of the friction clutch device. The torque transmission device comprises the actuating device for transmission of torque between a drive unit and a transmission which also includes the friction clutch device. A method for installing a torque transmission device of this type. Various aspects relate to setting of a pre-load on a bearing of the actuating device, setting an over-dead-point configuration for a compensation spring associated with at least one rotary member of the actuating device, setting a rotation movement range for the rotary member and/or an axial movement range for an actuating element which can be displaced axially by rotation movement imparted to the rotary member, and producing either a normally engaged or disengaged characteristic in a normally-engaged or normally-disengaged friction clutch assembly with the compensation spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Peter Fenn, Andreas Ratte, Klaus Reuter, Ralf Steinfeldt, Matthias Reisch, Juergen Wafzig
  • Patent number: 6427548
    Abstract: An automatic transmission, especially for a motor vehicle, having a plurality of torque transmission paths which can be selectively activated for torque transmission. The torque transmission paths have different transmission characteristics and, based on their transmission characteristics, can be ordered in a sequence of torque transmission paths has a clutch arrangement by which at least one of the torque transmission paths can be activated. It is provided that the clutch arrangement has a clutch unit which is associated with a group of torque transmission paths and by which a torque transmission path of a group of torque transmission paths can be selectively activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Lutz Leimbach, Reiner Voss, Thomas Wirth, Andreas Ratte
  • Patent number: 6321612
    Abstract: An actuating device for automatic operation of a gear change in a transmission that produces a change in predetermined translation ratios of the gear change transmission in any desired sequence comprises first and second drives that are in active connection with a selector shaft. The first drive is connected to the selector shaft via a guide mechanism which comprises at least one constraint guide that corresponds to a shifting path. The second drive is in active connection with the selector shaft for providing an operating force in the axial direction and an operating force in the circumferential direction of the selector shaft. The resulting movement depends on the operating position of the guide mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Lutz Leimbach, Thomas Wirth, Andreas Ratte, Alexander Horst
  • Patent number: 6167773
    Abstract: Adjusting device for the automatic operation of a gear-change device with a shifting shaft associated with linear drives to introduce a rotational and a translatory movement. To convert an introduced translatory movement into a rotational movement, the linear drive provided to introduce rotational movement is actively connected to the shifting shaft by an articulated connection having two support elements that are urged toward each other by a prestress force and an articulated element actively connected in a force locking position between the two support elements by the prestress force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Jens Dorfschmid, Andreas Ratte
  • Patent number: 6112613
    Abstract: An actuating device for the automatic actuation of a transmission includes at least two actuating units whose driven parts can be driven in a translatory movement by which a transmission shaft of the transmission can be driven in rotary and translatory movement for gear selection and accelerator selection. The driven parts which can be driven in translatory movement cooperate with a lever element which is connected with the transmission shaft and which is mounted in an articulated manner by means of at least one joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Lutz Leimbach, Thomas Wirth, Thomas Goppner, Andreas Ratte
  • Patent number: 5984072
    Abstract: An adjusting device for operating a friction clutch is brought into active connection with the friction clutch via an output device driven by a drive. The output device includes a compensation device that compensates for a wear-induced position change of the pressure spring of the friction clutch by permitting a length change of the output device. For this purpose, the compensation device includes a fixing device that secures the relative positions of the components of the output device to each other. The fixing device is releasable in a predetermined operating state of the adjusting device by a control element. When released, the fixing device allows the relative movement between the components of the output device required to implement the length change of the output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Mannesman Sachs AG
    Inventors: Lutz Leimbach, Andreas Ratte, Jens Dorfschmid, Ingo Franz, Thomas Wirth