Patents by Inventor Christoph Hess

Christoph Hess 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).

  • Publication number: 20160325736
    Abstract: A method for operating a drive train of a motor vehicle is provided, the drive train featuring a first drive assembly formed as an internal combustion engine a second drive assembly formed as an electric motor, a start-up element and a transmission). The start-up element features a converter and a lock-up clutch and is connected between the electric motor and the transmission. The electric motor is connected between the internal combustion engine and the start-up element. If a decoupling of the lock-up clutch is requested, the lock-up clutch of the start-up element is initially brought into slip. If the slip at the lock-up clutch of the start-up element reaches a threshold or is greater than the threshold, a target rotational speed is subsequently predetermined for the electric motor and the rotational speed of the electric motor is adjusted to such target rotational speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas Lemp, Christoph Hess, Falko Platzer
  • Publication number: 20160102760
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic transmission is provided. The method includes disengaging a shifting element of the automatic transmission and measuring an input speed of the automatic transmission while the shifting element is disengaging. A command pressure of the shifting element is adjusted to a target command pressure based at least in part on the input speed of the automatic transmission while the shifting element is disengaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Christoph Hess, Philipp Kölbl, Ruben Cueppers
  • Publication number: 20160060451
    Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer compound which, based on the total weight of the polymer compound, comprises at least the following components: (a) 5 to 50 wgt.-% destructed starch and/or starch derivative, (b) 20 to 70 wgt.-% aliphatic-aromatic copolymer, (c) 10 to 50 wgt.-% polyhydroxyalkanoate and (d) 3 to 25 wgt.-% polyactic acid. Such polymer compounds are characterized by a high ratio of bio-based carbon and exhibit no significant embrittlement or worsening of the mechanical properties profile, despite the presence of increased volumes of polyhydroxyalkanoate, even after storage. The invention further relates to production methods for the polymer compound according to the invention, and use thereof in the production of films, molded parts or fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Harald Schmidt, Christoph Hess, Christophe Bréso, Ralf Hackfort, Frank Rörthmans, Wolfgang Friedek
  • Patent number: 9228066
    Abstract: A method for the production of a polymer material is shown and described, which is characterized by: a) producing a mixture containing at least 1 to 75 wt.-% starch and/or starch derivative, 10 to 85 wt.-% polyester, and 0.01 to 7 wt.-% of a polymer containing an epoxy group; (b) homogenizing the mixture while supplying thermal and/or mechanical energy; (c) setting the water content of the mixture, so that the end product has a water content less than approximately 12 wt.-%, in relation to the total composition of the mixture. The polymer material produced with the method according to the invention is characterized by outstanding mechanical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: BIOTEC BIOLOGISCHE NATURVERPACKUNGEN GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Harald Schmidt, Christoph Hess, Johannes Mathar, Ralf Hackfort
  • Patent number: 9216728
    Abstract: A method of carrying out coasting downshifts that involve an interlocking shifting element in an automatic transmission having a torque converter lockup clutch. At the beginning of the coasting downshift, positive action is taken on the torque. The method including the steps of, at the beginning of the coasting downshift, the torque converter lockup clutch is fully or partially disengaged so that the drive-train is fully or partially decoupled from the drive aggregate, and action upon the torque is carried out in such manner that the engine rotational speed only falls below the turbine rotational speed once the synchronous point for the interlocking shifting element is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Z Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Christoph Hess
  • Publication number: 20150211630
    Abstract: Within of the method for improving the shifting quality at the start of the commissioning of a new automatic transmission or an automated transmission of a motor vehicle, a filling pressure adaptation is carried out by individual gearshifts. At least one adaptation counter is monitored, which indicates the number of the carried out filling pressure adaptations of at least one shifting element with one individual gearshift from the commissioning of the new automatic transmission or automated transmission. As long as the value of a specified number of monitored adaptation counters falls below a specified threshold value, no D-R and R-D reversing operations are permitted by the transmission control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Christoph Hess, Philipp Koelbl
  • Publication number: 20150080180
    Abstract: Within the framework of the method for implementing the synchronization of a positive-locking shifting element for a gearshift in thrust mode with a positive engine control intervention or a positive rotational speed control, the input signal for the transmission control for the traction-thrust detection is switched over to traction, such that the gearshift in the transmission control proceeds as a gearshift in traction mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Christoph Hess
  • Publication number: 20140274554
    Abstract: A method of carrying out coasting downshifts that involve an interlocking shifting element in an automatic transmission having a torque converter lockup clutch. At the beginning of the coasting downshift, positive action is taken on the torque. The method including the steps of, at the beginning of the coasting downshift, the torque converter lockup clutch is fully or partially disengaged so that the drive-train is fully or partially decoupled from the drive aggregate, and action upon the torque is carried out in such manner that the engine rotational speed only falls below the turbine rotational speed once the synchronous point for the interlocking shifting element is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Christoph HESS
  • Patent number: 8715816
    Abstract: A multilayered film is shown and described that is used in particular for packaging, which comprises at least one first layer A and at least one second layer B, wherein layer A contains thermoplastic polyester and layer B contains thermoplastic starch. The multilayered film according to the invention is characterized by excellent barrier properties, low sensitivity to moisture, and good mechanical strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Biotec Biologische Naturverpackungen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Harald Schmidt, Christoph Hess, Johannes Mathar, Ralf Hackfort
  • Patent number: 8563652
    Abstract: A thermoplastic polymer material containing starch is shown and described, which can be obtained by homogenizing a mixture containing 40 to 85 wt.-% starch and/or starch derivative, 15 to 55 wt.-% softener, and 0.01 to 7 wt.-% of a polymer which contains an epoxy group, while supplying thermal and/or mechanical energy and setting the water content of the mixture to less than approximately 12 wt.-%. The polymer material according to the invention is characterized by outstanding mechanical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Biotec Biologische Naturverpackungen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Harald Schmidt, Christoph Hess, Johannes Mathar, Ralf Hackfort
  • Patent number: 8513354
    Abstract: A thermoplastic polymer material containing starch is shown and described, which can be obtained by homogenizing a mixture containing 40 to 85 wt.-% starch and/or starch derivative, 15 to 55 wt.-% softener, and 0.01 to 7 wt.-% of a polymer which contains an epoxy group, while supplying thermal and/or mechanical energy and setting the water content of the mixture to less than approximately 12 wt.-%. The polymer material according to the invention is characterized by outstanding mechanical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Biotec Biologische Naturverpackungen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Harald Schmidt, Christoph Hess, Johannes Mathar, Ralf Hackfort
  • Publication number: 20100305240
    Abstract: A thermoplastic polymer material containing starch is shown and described, which can be obtained by homogenizing a mixture containing 40 to 85 wt.-% starch and/or starch derivative, 15 to 55 wt.-% softener, and 0.01 to 7 wt.-% of a polymer which contains an epoxy group, while supplying thermal and/or mechanical energy and setting the water content of the mixture to less than approximately 12 wt.-%. The polymer material according to the invention is characterized by outstanding mechanical properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Harald Schmidt, Christoph Hess, Johannes Mathar, Ralf Hackfort
  • Publication number: 20100249268
    Abstract: A method for the production of a polymer material is shown and described, which is characterized by: (a) producing a mixture containing at least 1 to 75 wt.-% starch and/or starch derivative, 10 to 85 wt.-% polyester, and 0.01 to 7 wt.-% of a polymer containing an epoxy group; (b) homogenizing the mixture while supplying thermal and/or mechanical energy; (c) setting the water content of the mixture, so that the end product has a water content of less than approximately 12 wt.-%, in relation to the total composition of the mixture. The polymer material produced with the method according to the invention is characterized by outstanding mechanical properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Harald Schmidt, Christoph Hess, Johannes Mathar, Ralf Hackfort
  • Publication number: 20090179069
    Abstract: A multilayered film is shown and described that is used in particular for packaging, which comprises at least one first layer A and at least one second layer B, wherein layer A contains thermoplastic polyester and layer B contains thermoplastic starch. The multilayered film according to the invention is characterized by excellent barrier properties, low sensitivity to moisture, and good mechanical strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Harald Schmidt, Christoph Hess, Johannes Mathar, Ralf Hackfort
  • Publication number: 20050092964
    Abstract: A cross-linked carboxymethyl starch is described for use as an absorbent for water, whereby the cross-linking in part or in full takes place via diether bridges, which are formed between neighbouring polymer chains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Inventors: Manfred Lechner, Werner-Michael Kulicke, Christoph Hess, Christian Seidel, Brigitte Hartmann