Patents by Inventor Bernhard Klopfer
Bernhard Klopfer 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).
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Patent number: 7438170Abstract: A clutch release arrangement (1) for a clutch release (pressure plate) (6) used in vehicles is provided. The clutch release arrangement (1) includes a control lever (2), which forms one unit together with a housing (3) and also a clutch release bearing (4). The housing (3) is supported directly on the control lever (2) by contact surfaces (8a, 8b or 18a, 18b) of different lengths, which allow height compensation “s” at assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Schaeffler KGInventors: Markus Maier, Bernhard Klopfer, Ludwig Winkelmann
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Patent number: 7416070Abstract: A clutch operator for a disconnectable clutch useful in a motor vehicle, and having a self-adjusting release bearing supported on a housing and in the form of a rolling-contact bearing designed as an inclined-shoulder bearing. The bearing has an outer bearing ring, a rotating inner bearing ring and rolling bodies guided between the rings. An adjusting ring at the inner bearing ring. A sliding element in a supporting region of the adjusting ring on the inner bearing ring, and being in the form of complementary spherical-cap segments. A noise-reducing and wear-reducing coating, on which a spring element connected to the disconnectable clutch is supported at a radially oriented annular flange of the adjusting ring.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2005Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: Ina Schaeffler KGInventors: Ludwig Winkelmann, Steffen Dittmer, Bernhard Klöpfer
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Publication number: 20060169568Abstract: A clutch release arrangement (1) for a clutch release (pressure plate) (6) used in vehicles is provided. The clutch release arrangement (1) includes a control lever (2), which forms one unit together with a housing (3) and also a clutch release bearing (4). The housing (3) is supported directly on the control lever (2) by contact surfaces (8a, 8b or 18a, 18b) of different lengths, which allow height compensation “s” at assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2005Publication date: August 3, 2006Applicant: INA-Schaeffler KGInventors: Markus Maier, Bernhard Klopfer, Ludwig Winkelmann
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Publication number: 20060081439Abstract: A clutch operator for a disconnectable clutch useful in a motor vehicle, and having a self-adjusting release bearing supported on a housing and in the form of a rolling-contact bearing designed as an inclined-shoulder bearing. The bearing has an outer bearing ring, a rotating inner bearing ring and rolling bodies guided between the rings. An adjusting ring at the inner bearing ring. A sliding element in a supporting region of the adjusting ring on the inner bearing ring, and being in the form of complementary spherical-cap segments. A noise-reducing and wear-reducing coating, on which a spring element connected to the disconnectable clutch is supported at a radially oriented annular flange of the adjusting ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2005Publication date: April 20, 2006Inventors: Ludwig Winkelmann, Steffen Dittmer, Bernhard Klopfer
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Patent number: 6854578Abstract: A clutch release bearing includes a housing, a first bearing ring having a skirt for fixed rotative securement of the first bearing ring to the housing, a revolving second bearing ring connected to the separating clutch via a spring element, and a plurality of rolling elements guided between the first and second bearing rings. Seals are provided on both sides of the rolling elements at a distance thereto and involve a sealing arrangement which is securely fixed to the housing and comprised of at least two components to establish two sealing zones for sealing an annular gap between the first and second bearing rings. The sealing arrangement cooperates with a planar surface of the revolving bearing ring and assumes a desired position, when the revolving bearing ring is installed with the assistance of a press-fit tool.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2003Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KGInventors: Steffen Dittmer, Bernhard Klöpfer, Ludwig Winkelmann
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Patent number: 6843354Abstract: A self-adjusting release bearing in the form of a tapered rolling bearing for a separating clutch disposed between an internal combustion engine and a gearbox of a motor vehicle, includes a non-rotating first bearing ring, a revolving second bearing ring, and a plurality of rolling elements guided between the first and second bearing rings. Supported upon a calotte-shaped section of one of the first and second bearing rings in a contact zone is an adjustment ring having a complementary calotte-shaped section to thereby allow pivoting of the release bearing, whereby a sliding element made of thermoplastic material is disposed in the contact zone.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2003Date of Patent: January 18, 2005Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KGInventors: Steffen Dittmer, Ludwig Winkelmann, Bernhard Klöpfer
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Patent number: 6811013Abstract: A clutch release bearing includes a housing, a first bearing ring having a skirt for fixed rotative securement of the bearing ring to the housing, a revolving second bearing ring connected to the separating clutch via a spring element, and a plurality of rolling elements guided between the first and second bearing rings. Seals are provided on both sides of the rolling elements at a distance thereto, wherein one seal is configured to seal an annular gap between the first and second bearing rings and includes a sealing arrangement which is securely fixed to the first bearing ring and comprised of at least two components to establish two sealing zones, wherein the second bearing ring and the sealing arrangement interact in such a way that a desired installation position of the sealing arrangement is automatically establishes as the second bearing ring is installed.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2003Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KGInventors: Steffen Dittmer, Bernhard Klöpfer, Ludwig Winkelmann
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Publication number: 20040099502Abstract: A self-adjusting release bearing in the form of a tapered rolling bearing for a separating clutch disposed between an internal combustion engine and a gearbox of a motor vehicle, includes a non-rotating first bearing ring, a revolving second bearing ring, and a plurality of rolling elements guided between the first and second bearing rings. Supported upon a calotte-shaped section of one of the first and second bearing rings in a contact zone is an adjustment ring having a complementary calotte-shaped section to thereby allow pivoting of the release bearing, whereby a sliding element made of thermoplastic material is disposed in the contact zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2003Publication date: May 27, 2004Applicant: INA-SCHAEFFLER KGInventors: Steffen Dittmer, Ludwig Winkelmann, Bernhard Klopfer
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Patent number: 6719117Abstract: A release bearing includes a rolling-contact bearing having a non-rotatable outer ring, a rotating inner ring, and plural rolling members located between the outer and inner rings. The inner ring is intended to interact with an adjustment ring which has a ring flange for abutment against a disk spring of a clutch mechanism. Disposed in a support zone between the inner ring and the adjustment ring is a sliding element whereby the support zone is configured in the form of complementary calotte-shaped portions so that the adjustment ring and the inner ring are movable relative to one another for effecting a self-adjustment of the release bearing.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2002Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KGInventors: Bernhard Klöpfer, Steffen Dittmer, Ludwig Winkelmann
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Publication number: 20040026207Abstract: A clutch release bearing includes a housing, a first bearing ring having a skirt for fixed rotative securement of the first bearing ring to the housing, a revolving second bearing ring connected to the separating clutch via a spring element, and a plurality of rolling elements guided between the first and second bearing rings. Seals are provided on both sides of the rolling elements at a distance thereto and involve a sealing arrangement which is securely fixed to the housing and comprised of at least two components to establish two sealing zones for sealing an annular gap between the first and second bearing rings. The sealing arrangement cooperates with a planar surface of the revolving bearing ring and assumes a desired position, when the revolving bearing ring is installed with the assistance of a press-fit tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2003Publication date: February 12, 2004Applicant: INA-SCHAEFFLER KGInventors: Steffen Dittmer, Bernhard Klopfer, Ludwig Winkelmann
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Publication number: 20040020743Abstract: A clutch release bearing includes a housing, a first bearing ring having a skirt for fixed rotative securement of the bearing ring to the housing, a revolving second bearing ring connected to the separating clutch via a spring element, and a plurality of rolling elements guided between the first and second bearing rings. Seals are provided on both sides of the rolling elements at a distance thereto, wherein one seal is configured to seal an annular gap between the first and second bearing rings and includes a sealing arrangement which is securely fixed to the first bearing ring and comprised of at least two components to establish two sealing zones, wherein the second bearing ring and the sealing arrangement interact in such a way that a desired installation position of the sealing arrangement is automatically establishes as the second bearing ring is installed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2003Publication date: February 5, 2004Applicant: INA-SCHAEFFLER KGInventors: Steffen Dittmer, Bernhard Klopfer, Ludwig Winkelmann
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Patent number: 6684997Abstract: A release bearing includes a rolling-contact bearing having a non-rotatable inner ring, a rotating outer ring, and plural rolling members located between the inner and outer rings, An adjustment ring having a ring flange is provided for abutment against a disk spring of a clutch mechanism, and a sliding element made of bearing material is disposed in a support zone defined between complementary calotte-shaped portions of the outer ring and the adjustment ring so that the adjustment ring and the outer ring are movable relative to one another for effecting a self-adjustment of the release bearing.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2002Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KGInventors: Bernhard Klopfer, Steffen Dittmer, Ludwig Winkelmann
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Patent number: 6684996Abstract: A release bearing for a separating clutch installed in a motor vehicle, includes a casing movable in an axial direction and operatively connected to an actuating mechanism, a non-rotatable bearing ring having a ring bottom supported by the casing; and a revolving bearing ring having a annular flange. Guided between the bearing rings is a plurality of rolling elements. An engagement disk made of a low-friction and wear-resistant material is securely fixed to the annular flange, and a spring member is operatively connected to the separating clutch and cooperates with the annular flange of the revolving bearing ring, wherein the spring member bears against the engagement disk.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2001Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KGInventors: Ludwig Winkelmann, Steffen Dittmer, Bernhard Klöpfer, Stefan Kurzbeck
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Publication number: 20020134640Abstract: A release bearing includes a rolling-contact bearing having a non-rotatable inner ring, a rotating outer ring, and plural rolling members located between the inner and outer rings, An adjustment ring having a ring flange is provided for abutment against a disk spring of a clutch mechanism, and a sliding element made of bearing material is disposed in a support zone defined between complementary calotte-shaped portions of the outer ring and the adjustment ring so that the adjustment ring and the outer ring are movable relative to one another for effecting a self-adjustment of the release bearing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2002Publication date: September 26, 2002Applicant: INA-SCHAEFFLER KGInventors: Bernhard Klopfer, Steffen Dittmer, Ludwig Winkelmann
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Publication number: 20020134641Abstract: A release bearing includes a rolling-contact bearing having a non-rotatable outer ring, a rotating inner ring, and plural rolling members located between the outer and inner rings. The inner ring is intended to interact with an adjustment ring which has a ring flange for abutment against a disk spring of a clutch mechanism. Disposed in a support zone between the inner ring and the adjustment ring is a sliding element whereby the support zone is configured in the form of complementary calotte-shaped portions so that the adjustment ring and the inner ring are movable relative to one another for effecting a self-adjustment of the release bearing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2002Publication date: September 26, 2002Applicant: INA-SCHAEFFLER KG, IndustriestrasseInventors: Bernhard Klopfer, Steffen Dittmer, Ludwig Winkelmann
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Publication number: 20020117372Abstract: A release bearing for a separating clutch installed in a motor vehicle, includes a casing movable in an axial direction and operatively connected to an actuating mechanism, a non-rotatable bearing ring having a ring bottom supported by the casing; and a revolving bearing ring having a annular flange. Guided between the bearing rings is a plurality of rolling elements. An engagement disk made of a low-friction and wear-resistant material is securely fixed to the annular flange, and a spring member is operatively connected to the separating clutch and cooperates with the annular flange of the revolving bearing ring, wherein the spring member bears against the engagement disk.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2001Publication date: August 29, 2002Inventors: Ludwig Winkelmann, Steffen Dittmer, Bernhard Klopfer, Stefan Kurzbeck