Patents by Inventor Bernd Reinhardt

Bernd Reinhardt 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: 8448763
    Abstract: A housing-piston assembly for a coupling device, especially a wet-running, multi-plate clutch or a bridging clutch of a hydrodynamic coupling device, wherein the piston (4) is attached to a housing (2) by means of connecting elements (8) in such a way that it has a certain freedom of movement, and rivets (10, 12) are provided as fastening elements between the piston (4) and the connecting elements (8) and/or between the connecting elements (8) and the housing (2), and wherein at least one support element (20, 36, 70, 86) can be positioned in a riveting position between the piston (4) and the connecting elements (8) and/or between the connecting elements (8) and the housing (2) in such a way that anvil sections (18, 44, 74, 92) of the support element (20, 36, 70, 86) lie behind the set heads (14) of their associated rivets (10, 12). A method of assembling a housing-piston assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Carsten Zuehl, Mike Scordino, Claus Umnus, Juraj Cuperka, Bernd Reinhardt, Ray Hamblin, Oliver Walter, Matthias Münch
  • Patent number: 8042666
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic clutch includes a hydrodynamic circuit formed by at least a pump wheel and a turbine wheel in a clutch housing with a drive-side housing wall extending to the axis of rotation, and a bridging clutch with a piston capable of shifting axially relative to the drive-side housing wall. The turbine wheel is connected to a hub, which is connected for rotation in common to a takeoff, and is axially supported between the hydrodynamic circuit and the clutch housing, and has first and second flow passages which are axially offset from each other. The hub has a drive-side end with an axial bearing area which can be moved into axial contact with an axial bearing, which is either an axial contact surface on the drive-side housing wall or is assigned to the drive-side housing wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Frey, Roland Baumann, Michael Greulich, Georg Mencher, Bernd Reinhardt, Peter Hammer, Patrick Rediger
  • Patent number: 7984800
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic clutch includes a hydrodynamic circuit formed by at least a pump wheel and a turbine wheel in a clutch housing with a drive-side housing wall extending to the axis of rotation, and a bridging clutch with a piston capable of shifting axially relative to the drive-side housing wall. The turbine wheel is connected to a hub, which is connected for rotation in common to a takeoff, and is axially supported between the hydrodynamic circuit and a flow guide element, which is supported between the hub and the drive-side housing wall, and has first and second flow passages which are axially offset from each other. The flow guide element has a drive-side end with an axial bearing area which can be moved into axial contact with an axial bearing, which is either an axial contact surface on the drive-side housing wall or is assigned to the drive-side housing wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Frey, Roland Baumann, Michael Greulich, Georg Mencher, Bernd Reinhardt, Peter Hammer, Patrick Rediger
  • Publication number: 20100193314
    Abstract: A housing-piston assembly for a coupling device, especially a wet-running, multi-plate clutch or a bridging clutch of a hydrodynamic coupling device, wherein the piston (4) is attached to a housing (2) by means of connecting elements (8) in such a way that it has a certain freedom of movement, and rivets (10, 12) are provided as fastening elements between the piston (4) and the connecting elements (8) and/or between the connecting elements (8) and the housing (2), and wherein at least one support element (20, 36, 70, 86) can be positioned in a riveting position between the piston (4) and the connecting elements (8) and/or between the connecting elements (8) and the housing (2) in such a way that anvil sections (18, 44, 74, 92) of the support element (20, 36, 70, 86) lie behind the set heads (14) of their associated rivets (10, 12). A method of assembling a housing-piston assembly is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Carsten ZUEHL, Mike Scordino, Claus Umnus, Juraj Cuperka, Bernd Reinhardt, Ray Hamblin, Oliver Walter, Matthias Münch
  • Patent number: 7699150
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic clutch includes a housing which can be brought into working connection with a drive; a hydrodynamic circuit formed by a pump wheel and a turbine wheel; a torsional vibration damper having a drive side transmission element, a takeoff side transmission element, and at least one energy storage group between the transmission elements; and a bridging clutch including first friction elements connected to the housing and second friction elements connected to the drive side transmission element. A first flow route extends from a first flow passage to the friction elements, and a second flow route extends from the hydrodynamic circuit to a second flow passage. A sealing arrangement cooperates with the drive side transmission element to separate the first flow route from the second flow route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Frey, Michael Heuler, Edgar Reinhart, Bernd Reinhardt, Stefan Mundt, Thomas Baier, Frank Zerner
  • Publication number: 20090311040
    Abstract: A drive plate for connecting the housing of a coupling device, especially a hydrodynamic torque converter, to a drive element such as a flexplate fixed to a drive shaft, wherein the drive plate has a substantially disk-shaped drive plate body formed from sheet metal. A first coupling formation is formed in a radially outer area of the drive plate body, the first coupling formation including a plurality of circumferentially spaced first axial elevations for connecting to a drive element. A second coupling formation is formed in a radially inner area of the drive plate body for connecting to the housing of a coupling element. A test drive formation is formed by a plurality of circumferentially spaced second axial elevations on the drive plate body, each second axial elevation having an essentially flat axially facing end surface and a pair of circumferentially facing lateral surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Carsten Zuehl, Michael Scordino, Juraj Cuperka, Bernd Reinhardt
  • Publication number: 20080257674
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic clutch arrangement includes a clutch housing in which at least one hydrodynamic circuit formed by at least one pump wheel and one turbine wheel is provided. A bridging clutch can be actuated to produce an engaging movement to establish a working connection between a drive and a takeoff and to produce a disengaging movement to release this working connection. The hydrodynamic circuit and at least one pressure space are each connected by a flow route to pressure medium reservoir for actuating the clutch. At least one flow route serving to the fill the clutch housing is provided with a device for reducing the flow volume, which opens during the operating state to unblock the flow route but closes during the non-operating state to delay, at least, the drop in the internal pressure inside the clutch housing and thus in its filling volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Christoph Sasse, Bernd Reinhardt, Gregor Sueck, Oliver So, Monika Rossner
  • Publication number: 20080257675
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic clutch arrangement includes a clutch housing which can rotate about an axis of rotation; a hydrodynamic circuit formed by a pump wheel and a turbine wheel in the clutch housing; and a bridging clutch which can be actuated to establish and release a working connection between a drive and a takeoff. First flow routes connect the hydrodynamic circuit and a pressure space to at least one pressure medium reservoir, wherein said first flow routes serve to fill the clutch housing with pressure medium for actuating the bridging clutch. A second flow route carries pressure medium out of the clutch housing during an operating state, and a flow reducer in the second flow route closes to at least impede flow out of clutch housing in a non-operating state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Christoph Sasse, Bernd Reinhardt, Gregor Sueck, Oliver So, Monika Rossner
  • Publication number: 20080236974
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic clutch includes a hydrodynamic circuit formed by at least a pump wheel and a turbine wheel in a clutch housing with a drive-side housing wall extending to the axis of rotation, and a bridging clutch with a piston capable of shifting axially relative to the drive-side housing wall. The turbine wheel is connected to a hub, which is connected for rotation in common to a takeoff, and is axially supported between the hydrodynamic circuit and the clutch housing, and has first and second flow passages which are axially offset from each other. The hub has a drive-side end with an axial bearing area which can be moved into axial contact with an axial bearing, which is either an axial contact surface on the drive-side housing wall or is assigned to the drive-side housing wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Frey, Roland Baumann, Michael Greulich, Georg Mencher, Bernd Reinhardt, Peter Hammer, Patrick Rediger
  • Publication number: 20080236975
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic clutch includes a hydrodynamic circuit formed by at least a pump wheel and a turbine wheel in a clutch housing with a drive-side housing wall extending to the axis of rotation, and a bridging clutch with a piston capable of shifting axially relative to the drive-side housing wall. The turbine wheel is connected to a hub, which is connected for rotation in common to a takeoff, and is axially supported between the hydrodynamic circuit and a flow guide element, which is supported between the hub and the drive-side housing wall, and has first and second flow passages which are axially offset from each other. The flow guide element has a drive-side end with an axial bearing area which can be moved into axial contact with an axial bearing, which is either an axial contact surface on the drive-side housing wall or is assigned to the drive-side housing wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Frey, Roland Baumann, Michael Greulich, Georg Mencher, Bernd Reinhardt, Peter Hammer, Patrick Rediger
  • Publication number: 20080121483
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter includes a housing with an interior space and a pump wheel; a turbine wheel installed in the interior space and rotatable about an axis with respect to the housing; and a bridging clutch including a first friction surface formation connected essentially nonrotatably to the converter housing, and a second friction surface formation connected essentially nonrotatably to the turbine wheel. A piston element divides the interior space into a first space containing the turbine wheel and a second space facing away from the first space, wherein a pressure increase in the second space brings the first and second friction formations into frictional engagement to connect the housing to the turbine wheel for rotation in common. Fluid flow openings in the piston element connect the second space to the first space in the radial area of the friction surface formations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Christoph Sasse, Bernd Reinhardt
  • Publication number: 20070205067
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic clutch includes a housing which can be brought into working connection with a drive; a hydrodynamic circuit formed by a pump wheel and a turbine wheel; a torsional vibration damper having a drive side transmission element, a takeoff side transmission element, and at least one energy storage group between the transmission elements; and a bridging clutch including first friction elements connected to the housing and second friction elements connected to the drive side transmission element. A first flow route extends from a first flow passage to the friction elements, and a second flow route extends from the hydrodynamic circuit to a second flow passage. A sealing arrangement cooperates with the drive side transmission element to separate the first flow route from the second flow route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Frey, Michael Heuler, Edgar Reinhart, Bernd Reinhardt, Stefan Mundt, Thomas Baier, Frank Zerner
  • Patent number: 6706145
    Abstract: An aqueous adhesive dispersion comprising an adhesive polymer in dispersed form, an anionic or cationic polyelectrolyte, and optionally at least one polyalkylene glycol having a molar mass of 200 to 100,000 g/mol, and other additives; and a process for producing multilayered paper or a material using the aqueous adhesive dispersion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Ahlstrom GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Werres, Bernd Reinhardt, Klaus Rienaecker
  • Publication number: 20030155071
    Abstract: The invention relates to aqueous adhesive dispersions containing A) 0.1-10 wt. % adhesive polymer in the form of a dispersion with respect to the overall weight of the dispersion, B) 0.1-100 parts by weight of constituent A), an anionic or cationic polyelectrolyte and C) 0-50 parts by weight in relation to the 100 parts by weight of constituents A) of at least one polyalkyleneglycol with a molar mass of 200-100,000 g/mol. The invention also relates to the use of said dispersions in the production of multi-layered paper or paper material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Joachim Werres, Bernd Reinhardt, Klaus Rienaecker
  • Publication number: 20030098212
    Abstract: An impeller wheel is connected to a housing cover on the drive side so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it. The housing cover has a cover hub. At least one clutch plate of a lockup clutch is coupled to a plate driver and is arranged between the housing cover and a piston which is displaceable axially between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the clutch plate is coupled with the impeller wheel so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it and in the disengaged position the clutch plate is supported so as to be rotatable relative to the impeller wheel. The piston is supported on the cover hub and is connected to a driver disk so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it, this driver disk being connected to the cover hub so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it. The piston is supported in axial direction at the cover hub in the disengaged position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Applicant: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Christoph Sasse, Martin Bremer, Bernd Reinhardt
  • Publication number: 20010023751
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for reducing sticky contaminants in stock systems containing waste paper and in coated broke, and their reuse in the manufacture of papers. In this process, both polyvinyl alcohols and bentonite are added.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Inventors: Achim Kohler, Peter Hentzschel, Bernd Reinhardt
  • Patent number: 6156387
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the thermomechanical surface treatment of flat webs of material, particularly those made of paper and carton, and to agents for performing said process. According to the process of the invention, adhesion between the flat web of material and the surface of the tool used in thermomechanical surface treatment, e.g., a roll or a press, is reduced or prevented by using an abhesive agent, which contains dicarboxylic dialkyl esters and/or diisoalkyl esters of C.sub.2 -C.sub.12 dicarboxylic acids with C.sub.1 -C.sub.13 n- and/or iso-alkanols as component with abhesive effect. The abhesive agent is preferably employed as an oil-in-water emulsion and is either applied to the surface of the tool used in said thermomechanical treatment or is added to the impregnating fluid or the paper coating mass or the moistening water or the steam in pre-moistening, or is applied to the paper web after the impregnating unit or directly before the smoothing roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignees: Stockhausen GmbH & Co. KG, Kaemmerer GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Werres, Bernd Reinhardt
  • Patent number: 6153054
    Abstract: Raw release paper for coating with a layer of dehesive silicone, in which case a pigment coating containing a binder is formed on the paper, exhibits aluminum hydroxide as the sole pigment or a pigment mixture with aluminum hydroxide as the main component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Kammerer GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Reinhardt
  • Patent number: 6001490
    Abstract: A thin film with improved surface properties in terms of its ability to be lacquered, printed and laminated made of non-beater sized paper contains a pigment coating on the printing or lacquering side and is impregnated with impregnating resins starting from the side opposite the pigment coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Kammerer GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Rienacker, Bernd Reinhardt, Heinrich Hornschemeyer, Reinhard Janssen
  • Patent number: 5807781
    Abstract: A release base paper having silicate-containing primer coats based on potassium or sodium waterglass, due to which the penetration of subsequent coatings comprising aqueous, solvent-containing or solvent-free silicone systems into the texture of the paper is decreased and a reduction in the silicone requirement in order to achieve predetermined release forces is thereby achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Kammerer GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Reinhardt, Volker Viehmeyer, Michael Hottentrager