Patents by Inventor Armin Brentel

Armin Brentel 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: 8244440
    Abstract: A method and device for actuating a shifting arrangement with electric actuators of a transmission control of a motor vehicle. The method includes determining a total current of the shifting arrangement available at a point in time, detecting shift requests of shift elements and compared these with the total available current. Shift requests are then tested according to preset priorities and the sequentially performed according to the priority test. The method avoids exceeding a preset allowed current load, when the requested shifts would exceed the total available current. If the total available current would not be exceeded by the requested shifts, the requests are carried out. A device is also provided in the shifting arrangement which has control and detection mechanisms that monitor current and control the current flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Robert Ingenbleek, Markus Ulbricht, Mario Steinborn, Armin Brentel
  • Patent number: 8105204
    Abstract: A method and a device for controlling a fluid-actuated control system of an automatic or automated transmission of a motor vehicle, which has at least one pressure medium source, at least two control elements that are actuated by pressurized fluid and a control device for controlling the fluid-actuated control system. A further control module is used to reduce; the number and power consumption of valves that are actuated simultaneously to control the control elements; and the mechanical loading of the control elements (1, 2). The control module reads signals concerning at least one current control action and, in accordance with predetermined patterns, calculation rules and/or models, generates signals that cause non-switched control elements to be manipulated by pressurized working fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Robert Ingenbleek, Markus Ulbricht, Mario Steinborn, Armin Brentel
  • Patent number: 8036799
    Abstract: A method and device for controlling a fluid-actuated control system, to optimize post-switching times for actuation of control elements in such systems. The system includes at least one pressure medium source, at least one hydraulically controlled control element and a device for controlling the fluid-actuated control system. The optimum post-switching time after hydraulic actuation of the control element, depends on a number of different factors such as a control-element-specific parameter, a specific mounting location of the control element, at least one operating parameter of the fluid-actuated control system and/or of the vehicle. A post-switching time control device controls and/or regulates at least the duration of a post-switching time of the at least one control element and with the above factors determines the post-switching time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Robert Ingenbleek, Markus Ulbricht, Mario Steinborn, Armin Brentel
  • Publication number: 20110146824
    Abstract: A control system for a pneumatically or hydraulically actuated shift cylinder of a transmission or transmission-related auxiliary drive output, namely, for controlling at least one valve associated with the shift cylinder, such that each shift position of the shift cylinder can be produced. The control system includes: a) devices of a first type with which valve requirements corresponding to a plurality of functions demanded from the shift cylinder can be calculated at the same time, or in parallel, for the valve; b) devices of a second type which logically link the valve requirements calculated for the valve individually for each valve so that, from the valve requirements calculated in parallel for the respective valve, the devices of the second type determine an effective control measure for the valve concerned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Armin Brentel, Robert Ingenbleek, Mario Steinborn, Markus Ulbricht
  • Publication number: 20090132136
    Abstract: A method and device for controlling a fluid-actuated control system, to optimize post-switching times for actuation of control elements in such systems. The system includes at least one pressure medium source, at least one hydraulically controlled control element and a device for controlling the fluid-actuated control system. The optimum post-switching time after hydraulic actuation of the control element, depends on a number of different factors such as a control-element-specific parameter, a specific mounting location of the control element, at least one operating parameter of the fluid-actuated control system and/or of the vehicle. A post-switching time control device controls and/or regulates at least the duration of a post-switching time of the at least one control element and with the above factors determines the post-switching time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Robert Ingenbleek, Markus Ulbricht, Mario Steinborn, Armin Brentel
  • Publication number: 20090093935
    Abstract: A method and a device for actuating a shifting arrangement with electric actuators with directly controlled valves of an electrohydraulic, electropneumatic, electromagnetic or electromotor transmission control of a motor vehicle. A current monitoring function, in which a total current of the shifting arrangement available at a point in time is determined, shift requests of shift elements are detected and compared with the total available current, the shift requests are tested according to preset priorities, and sequential shifting of shift elements according to the priority test is performed, is provided in order to avoid exceeding a preset allowed current load with a comparatively high current requirement of the electric consumers directly controlled valves, when the shift requests would cause the total available current to be exceeded, or direct shifting of the shift elements is carried out when the shift requests would not cause the total available current to be exceeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Robert Ingenbleek, Markus Ulbricht, Mario Steinborn, Armin Brentel
  • Publication number: 20090048067
    Abstract: A method and a device for controlling a fluid-actuated control system of an automatic or automated transmission of a motor vehicle, which has at least one pressure medium source, at least two control elements that are actuated by pressurized fluid and a control device for controlling the fluid-actuated control system. A further control module is used to reduce; the number and power consumption of valves that are actuated simultaneously to control the control elements; and the mechanical loading of the control elements (1, 2). The control module reads signals concerning at least one current control action and, in accordance with predetermined patterns, calculation rules and/or models, generates signals that cause non-switched control elements to be manipulated by pressurized working fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Robert Ingenbleek, Markus Ulbricht, Mario Steinborn, Armin Brentel
  • Publication number: 20090004027
    Abstract: A method of actuating a piston having a first side and a second side includes the steps of generating a counter-ventilation pulse having a duration and amplitude defined to achieve a predetermined operating speed of the piston and a predetermined damping of a final position of a piston, applying an actuating pressure to the first side of the piston, and venting a second side of the piston in a defined manner using the counter-ventilation pulse so as to prevent a buildup of a maximum possible ventilation pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2006
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Robert Ingenbleek, Markus Ulbricht, Mario Steinborn, Armin Brentel