Patents by Inventor Claus Granzow

Claus Granzow 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: 8919515
    Abstract: The clutch device comprises a first clutch element and a second clutch element, which are each supported in a rotational manner on a common axis of rotation. In an engaged state, the clutch elements are coupled to one another in a form-locking manner by a sliding sleeve. The sliding sleeve is attached to the first clutch element in a rotationally fixed and axially displaceable manner. A peripheral surface of the sliding sleeve is provided with at least one step, having a first step flank and extending with a first step course on the peripheral surface of the sliding sleeve, wherein the first step course also has, at least in sections, at least one axial directional component in the direction of the axis of rotation. A placement agent can be displaced radially back and forth between an engaging placement agent position and a disengaging placement agent position, and is otherwise stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Claus Granzow, Martin Saitner
  • Publication number: 20130112522
    Abstract: The clutch device comprises a first clutch element and a second clutch element, which are each supported in a rotational manner on a common axis of rotation. In an engaged state, the clutch elements are coupled to one another in a form-locking manner by a sliding sleeve. The sliding sleeve is attached to the first clutch element in a rotationally fixed and axially displaceable manner. A peripheral surface of the sliding sleeve is provided with at least one step, having a first step flank and extending with a first step course on the peripheral surface of the sliding sleeve, wherein the first step course also has, at least in sections, at least one axial directional component in the direction of the axis of rotation. A placement agent can be displaced radially back and forth between an engaging placement agent position and a disengaging placement agent position, and is otherwise stationary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Claus Granzow, Martin Saitner
  • Patent number: 8251873
    Abstract: A method for actuating a continuously variable clutch such that the torque to be transmitted by the clutch is continuously adjusted either electromechanically via an electromotive drive, hydraulically via a pressure actuator, or electromagnetically via an electromagnetic actuator. The torque transmitted by the clutch is adjusted by utilizing a position-dependent clutch torque specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Robert Zdych, Michael Gromus, Claus Granzow
  • Publication number: 20100056336
    Abstract: A method for actuating a continuously variable clutch such that the torque to be transmitted by the clutch is continuously adjusted either electromechanically via an electromotive drive, hydraulically via a pressure actuator, or electromagnetically via an electromagnetic actuator. The torque transmitted by the clutch is adjusted by utilizing a position-dependent clutch torque specification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Robert Zdych, Michael Gromus, Claus Granzow
  • Patent number: 7634338
    Abstract: A method for steering and regulating a driving mechanism in motor vehicles having hybrid drive. A drive torque (M) desired by the driver is distributed to at least one electric motor (Em) and a combustion engine (Vm) so that therewith the driving mechanism of the vehicle can be steered, together with the hybrid functions. In a central digital unit (1), a resulting distribution degree of the torques (M_Em, M_Vm) of at least one electric motor and of the combustion engine is determined, the sum of the torque (M_Em, M_Vm) corresponding to the drive torque (M) desired by the driver. The resulting distribution degree takes into account here requirements according to the needed hybrid and driving mechanism functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Claus Granzow
  • Patent number: 7188013
    Abstract: A method for interlinking regulation and/or control functions for a motor vehicle, the communication structure of the control or regulation functions is defined by way of graphs containing nodes and directed gridlines, the nodes of the graph representing control or regulation functions and its directed gridlines representing defined communication paths of the control or regulation functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Horst Krimmel, Wolf-Dieter Gruhle, Martin Spiess, Claus Granzow, Udo Gillich, Roland Geiger, Jürgen Lucas, Frank König
  • Publication number: 20060076915
    Abstract: A method for steering and regulating a driving mechanism in motor vehicles having hybrid drive. A drive torque (M) desired by the driver is distributed to at least one electric motor (Em) and a combustion engine (Vm) so that therewith the driving mechanism of the vehicle can be steered, together with the hybrid functions. In a central digital unit (1), a resulting distribution degree of the torques (M_Em, M_Vm) of at least one electric motor and of the combustion engine is determined, the sum of the torque (M_Em, M_Vm) corresponding to the drive torque (M) desired by the driver. The resulting distribution degree takes into account here requirements according to the needed hybrid and driving mechanism functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Claus Granzow
  • Patent number: 7021441
    Abstract: A distributor gear (1) with an adjustable coupling device (5) for a vehicle, in particular for a vehicle with a shiftable all-wheel drive is described for the distribution of an incoming drive torque via a drive shaft (2) to at least two output shafts (3, 4). It is moreover provided that an output shaft (4) can be connected via the coupling device (5) with the drive shaft (2) and that the coupling device (5) can be actuated via an electric motor (9) and a drive converter device (10) located between the electric motor (9) and the coupling device (5) for the conversion of rotary movement of the electric motor (9) into a translatory actuation movement for the coupling device (5). The electric motor (9) is incorporated into a gear (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Claus Granzow, Karl-Hermann Ketteler, Ünal Gazyakan, Detlef Baasch, Christoph Pelchen, Barbara Schmohl
  • Publication number: 20050283290
    Abstract: The invention refers to a process for influencing the steering behavior of a motor vehicle that has at least one differential lock and a steering system with which the first yawing moment (MG) can be generated, as well as a supplemental angle (?ZL), which can override the driver steering angle (?FL) and with which a second yawing moment (MG) can be generated. Hereby, according to the invention, the supplemental angle (?ZL) can be calculated and that a second yawing moment can be generated that compensates for the first yawing moment (MG).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventors: Horst Krimmel, Claus Granzow
  • Publication number: 20040181316
    Abstract: A method for interlinking regulation and/or control functions for a motor vehicle, the communication structure of the control or regulation functions is defined by way of graphs containing nodes and directed gridlines, the nodes of the graph representing control or regulation functions and its directed gridlines representing defined communication paths of the control or regulation functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Horst Krimmel, Wolf-Dieter Gruhle, Martin Spieb, Claus Granzow, Udo Gillich, Roland Geiger, Jurgen Lucas, Frank Konig
  • Publication number: 20040163921
    Abstract: A distributor gear (1) with an adjustable coupling device (5) for a vehicle, in particular for a vehicle with a shiftable all-wheel drive is described for the distribution of an incoming drive torque via a drive shaft (2) to at least two output shafts (3, 4). It is moreover provided that an output shaft (4) can be connected via the coupling device (5) with the drive shaft (2) and that the coupling device (5) can be actuated via an electric motor (9) and a drive converter device (10) located between the electric motor (9) and the coupling device (5) for the conversion of rotary movement of the electric motor (9) into a translatory actuation movement for the coupling device (5). The electric motor (9) is incorporated into a gear (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Claus Granzow, Karl-Hermann Ketteler, Unal Gazyakan, Detlef Baasch, Christoph Pelchen, Barbara Schmohl