Patents by Inventor Bruno Mueller
Bruno Mueller 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: 6948603Abstract: A hydraulic torque converter, particularly for use in a motor vehicle between the prime mover and the transmission of the power train, employs a combination of a bypass clutch with one or more torsional vibration dampers which brings about savings in space and/or in the number of parts. In addition, the torque converter can stand long periods of use and is less prone to wear, adverse influences of abruptly developing stresses and/or other undesirable influences than conventional torque converters. Furthermore, the improved torque converter employs or can employ a bypass clutch and/or one or more torsional vibration dampers simpler and less expensive than but superior to those in conventional torque converters.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2004Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: Gunnar Back, Bruno Müller, Hubert Friedmann, Stephan Maienschein
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Patent number: 6893135Abstract: A light guide (1) comprises a housing (3) defining a light-guiding optical cavity having first and second opposed major faces (5, 6), and a light source (11) arranged to direct light into the cavity from one end, to be guided between the major faces. The first major face (5) comprises a window through which light can be emitted from the optical cavity to be used, for example, for illuminating a graphic display. To improve the light distribution across that first major face (5), the second major face (6) comprises a sheet material (23) having a specularly-reflecting surface (24) that faces into the optical cavity and has diffusely-reflecting light-extraction elements (27) applied thereto in a predetermined configuration for causing light to be emitted from the optical cavity through the said window.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2001Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: John C. Wright, Andrew M. Hicks, Bruno Mueller
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Patent number: 6851532Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter with a built-in bypass clutch is provided with an arrangement which regulates the cooling of the clutch at a rate dependent upon the slip between the coaxial driving and driven parts of the clutch, and hence upon the quantity of generated friction heat. The cooling unit for the driving and/or driven part of the clutch can employ, for example, one or more pumps; a supply of a substance which changes its aggregate state from liquid to gaseous or from solid to flowable in response to heating, and vice versa in response to cooling; one or more porous washers in the path for the flow of hydraulic fluid between the customary plenum chambers provided in the housing of the torque converter to move a piston of the driven part of the clutch into and from frictional engagement with the housing; and/or a system of recesses, grooves, channels and/or other passages serving to convey fluid between the chambers at a rate which is higher or highest when the clutch operates with maximum slip.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2001Date of Patent: February 8, 2005Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbHInventors: Gunnar Back, Hubert Friedmann, Paul Granderath, Jean-Francois Heller, Stephan Maienschein, Marc Meisner, Bruno Müller, Wolfgang Reik
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Patent number: 6814194Abstract: A hydraulic torque converter, particularly for use in a motor vehicle between the prime mover and the transmission of the power train, employs a combination of a bypass clutch with one or more torsional vibration dampers which brings about savings in space and/or in the number of parts. In addition, the torque converter can stand long periods of use and is less prone to wear, adverse influences of abruptly developing stresses and/or other undesirable influences than conventional torque converters. Furthermore, the improved torque converter employs or can employ a bypass clutch and/or one or more torsional vibration dampers simpler and less expensive than but superior to those in conventional torque converters.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2003Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: Gunnar Back, Bruno Müller, Hubert Friedmann, Stephan Maienschein
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Publication number: 20040172936Abstract: A method and a device are described for influencing the flow in a torque converter. The peripheral velocity of the fluid on its way to the open end of the transmission input shaft is made to approach the respective peripheral velocity of the converter housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2004Publication date: September 9, 2004Applicant: LUK LAMELLEN UND KUPPLUNGSBAU BETEILIGUNGS KGInventors: Bruno Mueller, Philip George, Christine Buedenbender, Todd Sturgin, Yongfu Liu, Aliihsan Karamavruc, Adam Uhler, Ramakant Rambhatla, Steven Olsen, Mike Clason, Joachim Hoffmann, Scott Schrader
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Patent number: 6742638Abstract: Overheating of various parts of a hydraulic torque converter between the engine and the transmission of the power train in a motor vehicle, wherein the torque converter employs a bypass clutch which generates heat when it is operated with slip, is counteracted by establishing one or more paths for the flow of hydraulic converter fluid from a first plenum chamber at one side of the axially movable piston of the bypass clutch to a second plenum chamber. A first portion of each such path is defined by at least one groove in a friction surface of at least one part of the bypass clutch, and a second portion of each such path is defined by one or more throttling orifices which offers or offer to the fluid flow a resistance several times that of the groove(s).Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: Stephan Maienschein, Bruno Müller, Gunnar Back
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Patent number: 6708804Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter has a rotary housing which carries a pump assembly and can be driven by the output element of a prime mover in the power train of a motor vehicle, a turbine which is rotatable in the housing and has a hub mounted on the input shaft of a change-speed transmission, and a lockup clutch which, when engaged, can transmit torque from the housing directly to the turbine. The axially movable piston of the clutch is rotatable with the housing; this piston defines a first chamber with the housing and a second chamber with the turbine. The first chamber can receive pressurized hydraulic fluid to cause the piston to disengage the clutch so that the turbine can be rotated by the pump assembly by way of the body of fluid in the housing between the pump assembly and the turbine. The second chamber can receive fluid along at least one first path to engage the clutch by moving the piston toward the housing, and along at least one second path when the clutch is at least partially engaged.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2002Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: Thorsten Krause, Bruno Müller
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Publication number: 20030223217Abstract: A light guide (1) comprises a housing (3) defining a light-guiding optical cavity having first and second opposed major faces (5, 6), and a light source (11) arranged to direct light into the cavity from one end, to be guided between the major faces. The first major face (5) comprises a window through which light can be emitted from the optical cavity to be used, for example, for illuminating a graphic display. To improve the light distribution across that first major face (5), the second major face (6) comprises a sheet material (23) having a specularly-reflecting surface (24) that faces into the optical cavity and has diffusely-reflecting light-extraction elements (27) applied thereto in a predetermined configuration for causing light to be emitted from the optical cavity through the said window.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2002Publication date: December 4, 2003Inventors: John C. Wright, Andrew M. Hicks, Bruno Mueller
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Patent number: 6615962Abstract: A hydraulic torque converter, particularly for use in a motor vehicle between the prime mover and the transmission of the power train, employs a combination of a bypass clutch with one or more torsional vibration dampers which brings about savings in space and/or in the number of parts. In addition, the torque converter can stand long periods of use and is less prone to wear, adverse influences of abruptly developing stresses and/or other undesirable influences than conventional torque converters. Furthermore, the improved torque converter employs or can employ a bypass clutch and/or one or more torsional vibration dampers simpler and less expensive than but superior to those in conventional torque converters.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2001Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: Gunnar Back, Bruno Müller, Hubert Friedmann, Stephan Maienschein
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Publication number: 20030134138Abstract: An adhesively mountable image using a reusable adhesive surface is provided. The image carrier is removable from the adhesive carrier, and a subsequent image carrier may be releasably bound to the same adhesive carrier. Kits for this system are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2002Publication date: July 17, 2003Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Karl Werner Kreckel, Wilhelm Kuester, Bruno Mueller, Pierre Congard, Francis V. Loncar
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Publication number: 20030127181Abstract: An adhesively mountable image using a highly tacky reusable adhesive surface is provided. The image carrier is removable from the adhesive carrier, and it subsequent image carrier may be releasably bound to the same adhesive carrier. Kits for this system are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2002Publication date: July 10, 2003Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Karl Werner Kreckel, Wilhelm Kuester, Bruno Mueller
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Publication number: 20030122844Abstract: The present invention provides a method of displaying an image on a display device having first and second sides, said image including an light restricting silhouette pattern having a plurality of first transparent or translucent areas, and at least one design layer having at least one color, said at least one design layer being visible from one side of said display device and substantially less visible from the other side, said image being substantially transparent or translucent as viewed from the other side, comprising the steps:Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2002Publication date: July 3, 2003Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Bruno Mueller, William E. Bird
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Patent number: 6507413Abstract: The present invention provides a method of displaying an image on a display device having first and second sides, said image including a light restricting silhouette pattern having a plurality of first transparent or translucent areas, and at least one design layer having at least one color, said at least one design layer being visible from one side of said display device and substantially less visible from the other side, said image being substantially transparent or translucent as viewed from the other side, comprising the steps: 1) providing at least a definition of said design layer to a computer, 2) generating a computerized version of said design layer with,he computer, 3) outputting the computerized version of said design layer to said display device, the computerized version of said design layer being modified to subdivide said design layer into a plurality of second discrete transparent or translucent areas and other areas; and 4) displaying said modified design layer and said silhouette pattern withType: GrantFiled: December 11, 1998Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Bruno Mueller, William E. Bird
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Patent number: 6491781Abstract: An adhesively mountable image using a highly tacky reusable adhesive surface is provided. The image carrier is removable from the adhesive carrier, and a subsequent image carrier may be releasably bound to the same adhesive carrier. Kits for this system are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2000Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Karl Werner Kreckel, Wilhelm Kuester, Bruno Mueller
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Patent number: 6482288Abstract: An adhesively mountable image using a reusable adhesive surface is provided. The image carrier is removable from the adhesive carrier, and a subsequent image carrier may be releasably bound to the same adhesive carrier. Kits for this system are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2000Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Karl Werner Kreckel, Wilhelm Kuester, Bruno Mueller, Pierre Congard, Francis V. Loncar, Jr.
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Patent number: 6479142Abstract: The present invention is an outdoor advertising or display system including a multi-layer graphic article intended for application to an outdoor surface such as concrete, asphalt and the like. The advertising system includes an imageable base layer and an image-protective surface layer that can be laminated to the base layer following imaging of the base layer. The image-protective surface layer is frictionally modified to provide an anti-skid layer for surface traffic.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2000Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Robert R. Condon, Bruno Mueller, Elmar Paul Johannes Klameth, Siegfried Rainer Goeb
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Patent number: 6386351Abstract: A method of monitoring a torque transmission system with a manually switchable gearbox in the power train of a motor vehicle involves the utilization of at least one sensor unit at the input side of the torque transmission system to ascertain relevant positions of the shift lever of the gearbox and the driving torque of the engine of the motor vehicle. The thus obtained shift lever signals are memorized, together with comparison signals which are obtained as a result of filtering of the shift lever signals, and various characteristics of such signals are recognized and identified to indicate the intention of the operator of the vehicle regarding the switching of the gearbox. The thus obtained switching intention signals are transmitted to a controlled clutch operating system.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2000Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: LuK Getriebe-Systeme GmbHInventors: Michael Salecker, Uwe Wagner, Michael Reuschel, Martin Rauser, Bruno Müller, Alfons Wagner
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Patent number: 6296019Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure medium system with at least one valve and one pressure medium supply, whereby a differential pressure can be purposely controlled in a positive and negative pressure area, especially for controlling a torque converter lockup clutch of a hydrodynamic torque converter.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1999Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: LuK Getriebe-Systeme GmbHInventors: Bruno Müller, Manfred Homm
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Patent number: 6235507Abstract: A microbiological process for producing vanillin and other useful products from ferulic acid is disclosed. Vanillin and guaiacol are recovered from the process using a differential pH extraction where the guaiacol is recovered at a pH of greater than 9 and the vanillin is recovered at a pH of from about 5 to about 8.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1998Date of Patent: May 22, 2001Assignee: Givaudan Roure (International) SAInventors: Andreas Muheim, Bruno Müller, Thomas Münch, Markus Wetli
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Patent number: 6217476Abstract: A torque-transmitting device is connected to a prime mover unit and a speed-changing transmission and includes a hydrodynamic torque-converter or fluid coupling with a pump wheel, a turbine wheel and in some cases a stator wheel. The torque-transmitting device has a disconnecting clutch to uncouple it from the prime mover unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1999Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: LuK Getriebe-Systeme GmbHInventors: Bruno Müller, Uwe Wagner, Thomas Heck