Patents by Inventor Christian Berning

Christian Berning 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: 9856613
    Abstract: The road milling machine according to the invention comprises a cleaning device which has a cleaning unit arranged in front of the work roller in the working direction. The cleaning unit ensures that the surface of the terrain over which the wheels or running gears travel is clear of material. As a result, an optimum milling result is always achieved. The invention takes effect in particular when using small millers which have at least one rear wheel or running gear which can be moved into an inner working position in relation to a longitudinal side of the machine frame and into an outer working position in relation to a longitudinal side of the machine frame. In this preferred embodiment, the cleaning device comprises a pivot device which is designed in such a way that the cleaning unit can be moved into an inner working position in relation to a longitudinal side of the machine frame and into an outer working position in relation to a longitudinal side of the machine frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Berning, Dieter Bungarten, Peter Busley, Marius Kloft
  • Patent number: 9850628
    Abstract: A road milling machine includes a machine frame, front wheels or tracks, rear wheels or tracks, and a milling drum supported from the machine frame between the rear wheels or tracks. The front wheels or tracks are mounted on pivoting columns. Steering levers are attached to the pivoting columns. A steering tie rod includes a connecting part and a projecting arm. The connecting part is connected to the steering levers. A steering cylinder is connected to a free end of the projecting arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Berning, Oliver Thiel, Roland Lull, Cyrus Barimani
  • Publication number: 20170356142
    Abstract: The self-propelled construction machine according to the invention, in particular road-milling machine, recycler, stabiliser or surface miner, comprises a machine frame 2, which is supported by a chassis 1, which has wheels or tracks 1A, 1B. A milling drum 4 is arranged on the machine frame. The wheels or tracks 1A, 1B and the milling drum 4 are driven by a drive unit 8. Furthermore, the construction machine comprises a control unit 19 for controlling the drive unit 8 and a signal-receiving unit 18 for detecting at least one measurement variable M(t) which is characteristic of an operating state of the milling drum 4. The construction machine is characterised in that the rotational speed of the milling drum 4 is adapted, on the basis of at least one measurement variable M(t) which is characteristic of a critical operating state of the milling drum, to the operating conditions of the construction machine in such a way that the milling drum is operated in a non-critical operating state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2015
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Christian Berning, Cyrus Barimani
  • Patent number: 9840816
    Abstract: In a self-propelled construction machine, in particular cold milling machine, recycler or surface miner, for working ground surfaces, comprising a milling drum supported at a machine frame and a conveying device arranged at the machine frame which accepts the milled-off material from the milling drum during the working operation and, on a continuously revolving first transport belt, unloads it, in conveying direction, onto a point of discharge at a discharge end along a parabolic trajectory, it is provided for the following features to be achieved: as a minimum, the last section of the conveying device as seen in conveying direction comprises no less than one continuously revolving cover belt arranged above the transport belt, said cover belt extending essentially parallel to the transport belt and resting against the milled-off material on the transport belt at least in a partial section of the length of the transport belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Berning, Cyrus Barimani, Martin Hömig
  • Publication number: 20170327148
    Abstract: A method for sideways movement of an earth working machine (10), the earth working machine (10) comprising a machine frame (12) that stands via at least one front drive unit (18) and at least one rear drive unit (20) on a standing surface (A) of a substrate (U), which drive units (18, 20) are configured to roll on the substrate (U) in a running direction (D), the drive units (18, 20) being rotatable relative to the machine frame (12) around a steering axis (S) associated with the respective drive unit (18, 20), wherein the method-related sideways movement occurs in a sideways direction (V) that deviates from the travel direction of the earth working machine (10) determined by the respective steering angle, the method encompassing the following steps: tilting the drive units (18, 20) relative to the standing surface (A) around a tilt axis (N) enclosing an angle, preferably a right angle, both with the associated steering axis (S) and with the running direction (D) of the drive unit (18, 20), in such a way t
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Hanjo Held, Cyrus Barimani, Christian Berning
  • Patent number: 9809937
    Abstract: In an automotive milling machine, comprising a machine frame, comprising a controller for the travelling and milling operation, comprising a working drum, comprising a transport conveyor, where the transport conveyor is slewable, relative to the machine frame, about a first axis extending essentially horizontally under an elevation angle, and sideways about a second axis extending orthogonally to the first axis under a slewing angle, where the transport conveyor discharges the milled material onto a loading surface of a transport vehicle at a specified conveying speed, and where the controller continuously controls positioning of the milled material automatically via, as a minimum, the slewing angle of the transport conveyor, it is provided for the following features to be achieved: the controller specifies and monitors limit values for a maximum permissible slewing angle range for slewing the transport conveyor variable in accordance with the current operating situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Berning, Sebastian Winkels, Harald Kroell, Tobias Krista
  • Publication number: 20170284040
    Abstract: A method is provided for measuring the milling depth of a road milling machine, the machine being operative to mill a ground surface with a milling roller lowered to a milling depth to create a milling track, the machine including at least one side plate located to at least one side of the milling roller to engage an untreated ground surface, and the machine including a stripping plate operative to be lowered onto the milling track generated by the milling roller. The method includes measuring the milling depth of the milling track, the measuring including detecting a measurement value of a ground engaging sensor engaging the milling track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Christian Berning, Dieter Simons
  • Publication number: 20170275832
    Abstract: A method is provided for measuring the milling depth of a road milling machine, the machine being operative to mill a ground surface with a milling roller lowered to a milling depth to create a milling track, the machine including at least one side plate located to at least one side of the milling roller to engage an untreated ground surface, and the machine including a stripping plate operative to be lowered onto the milling track generated by the milling roller. The method includes measuring the milling depth of the milling track, the measuring including detecting a measurement value of a ground engaging sensor engaging the milling track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Christian Berning, Dieter Simons
  • Patent number: 9764910
    Abstract: In an automotive milling machine, comprising a machine frame, comprising a controller for the travelling and milling operation, comprising a working drum, comprising a transport conveyor slewable relative to the machine frame, where the transport conveyor discharges the milled material onto a point of impingement on a loading surface of different transport vehicles, where the controller comprises a detection and control unit which monitors the alterable position of the loading surface of the transport vehicle by an image-recording system comprising no less than one sensor which continuously generates no less than one digital image of, as a minimum, the loading surface, it is provided for the following features to be achieved: the detection and control unit comprises an analysis device which detects faults or errors in the image generated by the no less than one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Berning, Sebastian Winkels, Harald Kroell, Tobias Krista
  • Publication number: 20170233955
    Abstract: The invention relates to a planning system and method for operating one or more road milling machines. In that context, material properties of a road are captured and are geographically associated with one or more roads or road segments. Based on the material properties, an expected milling output of a road milling machine is ascertained, in the context of carrying out milling tasks on the road, or an expected wear on the milling tools. An optimized sequence of milling tasks to be carried out is created on the basis of those data. Accordingly, the invention may enable optimized deployment of the one or more road milling machines and of resources necessary for carrying out the road milling tasks. Aspects of the planning system may be remotely implemented for centralized application with respect to each of the road milling machines, or locally implemented for individual road milling machines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Christian Berning, Sebastian Hofrath, Cyrus Barimani
  • Publication number: 20170233959
    Abstract: The invention relates to a self-propelled construction machine, comprising a machine frame supported by a chassis having wheels or crawler tracks. The basic principle of the invention involves determining a variable ? which is characteristic of the milling profile on the basis of a functional relationship between the variable which is characteristic of the milling profile and the advance speed v and/or milling drum rotational speed n. The variable ? which is characteristic of the milling profile is a correction variable for adjusting the height of the milling drum with respect to the surface of the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Christian Berning, René Müller, Sebastian Hofrath, Cyrus Barimani
  • Patent number: 9714488
    Abstract: The invention relates to a road milling machine, with a milling drum housing partially surrounding a milling drum, wherein the opening between the milling drum housing and the surface of the material to be milled can be closed off by a hold-down device. The distance between the axis of rotation and the hold-down device increases in the specified direction of rotation of the milling drum at least over a section of the gap between the milling drum and the hold-down device. The particular configuration of the hold-down device leads to an improvement in transport of the milled material to the transport arrangement. The gap width increasing in the direction of rotation of the milling drum improves material flow with a relatively small power requirement and relatively low wear of the milling drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Franzmann, Christian Berning, Herbert Ley, Cyrus Barimani, Günter Hähn
  • Patent number: 9670630
    Abstract: A road cutting machine has a machine frame and at least one left-hand running gear and at least one right-hand running gear. A device is provided for raising or lowering the running gears resting on the ground, in relation to the machine frame, and also a control unit is provided for activating the device for raising and lowering the running gears, so that the height of the running gears can be adjusted to the machine frame. The control unit comprises sensors for detecting changes in the height of the ground to be covered by the running gears in relation to the machine frame, whereby the control unit contains a control mode for initiating actions in the control system for adjusting the height of the running gears. The control unit is configured in such a way in the control mode that if a change is detected in the height of the ground, the respective running gear or the respective running gears are raised or lowered so as to compensate any lateral tilting due to a change in the height of the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Berning, Dirk Franzmann, René Müller, Cyrus Barimani, Günter Hähn
  • Publication number: 20170138004
    Abstract: The invention relates to a self-propelled ground milling machine, in particular a road milling machine or road recycler, having a machine frame supported by running gears and a working roller arranged on the machine frame in a roller housing, a hold-down device which is height-adjustable with respect to the traffic surface being arranged upstream of the working roller in the working direction. The invention further relates to a method for working on a traffic surface using a self-propelled ground milling machine. The ground milling machine comprises a detection unit which is formed in such a way that a physical variable characteristic of an undesirable state of the operating process is determined, in which state fragments are broken off from the traffic surface during work on the traffic surface using the working roller, apply a compressive force to the hold-down device and can press the hold-down device into a raised position with respect to the traffic surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Christian Berning, Philip Verhaelen, Cyrus Barimani
  • Patent number: 9644330
    Abstract: A self-propelled construction road milling machine, includes a machine frame and a milling drum housing, in which a milling drum is arranged. The machine includes a drive unit with which the height of the scraper blade of a scraper device can be adjusted in relation to the milling drum. A control unit for the drive unit adjusts the height of the scraper blade and a measurement device measures the distance between the lower edge of the scraper blade and the milled material. The control unit is designed in such a way that the scraper blade is height-adjustable depending on the height of the milled material remaining in the milled track. The control unit ensures that, on the one hand, the milled material can come out of the milling drum housing unimpeded behind the milling drum in the direction of work and, on the other hand, that the milling drum housing is shut above the material that is coming out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Berning, Andreas Vogt, Cyrus Barimani
  • Publication number: 20170114637
    Abstract: The invention relates to a milling machine having a replaceable milling drum, different types of milling drums being capable of being associated with the milling machine; and having a control unit for controlling the milling machine, machine parameters of the milling machine being settable by way of the control unit. Provision is made that the milling machine has associated with it at least one means that is designed to detect at least one characteristic feature of the milling drum; that the at least one means is connected to the control unit; and that the control unit is designed to specify for at least one machine parameter, indirectly or directly from the characteristic feature, a value to be set, and/or a setting range. The invention further relates to a corresponding milling drum and to a corresponding method. The milling machine, milling drum, and method allow the selection of machine parameters for operation of the milling machine to be simplified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Christian Berning, Thomas Lehnert, Philip Verhaelen
  • Publication number: 20170089020
    Abstract: A construction machine apparatus includes a plurality of ground engaging supports, a machine frame supported from the ground engaging supports and a milling drum supported from the machine frame. A milling drum location detection system is configured to determine a drum location in an external reference system. A location indicator system includes a memory configured to store information identifying a location of one or more areas to be avoided in the external reference system, and a controller configured to compare the drum location to the location of the one or more areas to be avoided, and to provide an output corresponding to a proximity of the milling drum to the location of the one or more areas to be avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Matthias Fritz, Christian Berning, Cyrus Barimani, Günter Hähn
  • Patent number: 9540779
    Abstract: A road milling machine includes a rear wheel or track mounted on a pivot arm such that the wheel or track is movable between a first outer end position projecting laterally relative to the machine frame, and a second inner end position which permits milling close to an edge. A travel drive of the rear wheel or track provides a driving force to move the wheel or track between the end positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Berning, Tobias Stinner, Andreas Vogt, Cyrus Barimani, Günter Hähn
  • Publication number: 20160369459
    Abstract: A road milling machine includes a machine frame, front wheels or tracks, rear wheels or tracks, and a milling drum supported from the machine frame between the rear wheels or tracks. The front wheels or tracks are mounted on pivoting columns. Steering levers are attached to the pivoting columns. A steering tie rod includes a connecting part and a projecting arm. The connecting part is connected to the steering levers. A steering cylinder is connected to a free end of the projecting arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Christian Berning, Oliver Thiel, Roland Lull, Cyrus Barimani, Günter Hähn
  • Patent number: 9523176
    Abstract: A method is provided for measuring the milling depth of a road milling machine, the machine being operative to mill a ground surface with a milling roller lowered to a milling depth to create a milling track, the machine including at least one side plate located to at least one side of the milling roller to engage an untreated ground surface, and the machine including a stripping plate operative to be lowered onto the milling track generated by the milling roller. The method includes measuring the milling depth of the milling track, the measuring including detecting a measurement value of a ground engaging sensor engaging the milling track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Berning, Dieter Simons