Patents by Inventor Dieter Frank

Dieter Frank 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: 11975587
    Abstract: A method for operating a pressure control system in a vehicle includes controlling a flow-control valve in a charging line, which conveys a charging pressure medium, in dependence upon an admission pressure and/or upon an admission volume flow. The admission pressure and/or the admission volume flow characterizes a prevailing or currently to be expected loading of a pneumatic consumer of the pressure control system during the supply of the charging pressure medium with a charging volume flow and at a charging pressure into the pneumatic consumer. The method further includes adjusting a flow-control cross-section, which acts on the charging pressure medium as it flows through the flow-control valve, or adjusting an average flow-control cross-section so as to limit the charging volume flow to a limit volume flow. The method additionally includes outputting the volume-flow limited charging pressure medium to the pneumatic consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS EUROPE BV
    Inventors: Dieter Frank, Joerg Scharpenberg, Uwe Stabenow
  • Publication number: 20230101840
    Abstract: A method for operating a pressure control system in a vehicle includes controlling a flow-control valve in a charging line, which conveys a charging pressure medium, in dependence upon an admission pressure and/or upon an admission volume flow. The admission pressure and/or the admission volume flow characterizes a prevailing or currently to be expected loading of a pneumatic consumer of the pressure control system during the supply of the charging pressure medium with a charging volume flow and at a charging pressure into the pneumatic consumer. The method further includes adjusting a flow-control cross-section, which acts on the charging pressure medium as it flows through the flow-control valve, or adjusting an average flow-control cross-section so as to limit the charging volume flow to a limit volume flow. The method additionally includes outputting the volume-flow limited charging pressure medium to the pneumatic consumer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Dieter Frank, Joerg Scharpenberg, Uwe Stabenow
  • Patent number: 11313400
    Abstract: A plug-in connection arrangement for a component includes a first portion having a first groove contour in a first annular groove arranged in the first portion, and a second portion having a second groove contour in a second annular groove arranged in the second portion. Via a resilient connection arrangement element arranged between the first portion and the second portion in the second annular groove, the first portion and the second portion can have a retention position relative to each other in a first position and which can be moved in an axial direction into a second position which is provided for operation. The second position is a sealing engagement position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS EUROPE BV
    Inventors: Klaus Bredbeck, Dieter Frank, Morten Gehrke, Frank Vogelsang, Thorsten Weber
  • Publication number: 20210404458
    Abstract: A reciprocating-piston machine, in particular a two-stage or multi-stage piston compressor, includes: a first connecting rod for deflecting a first piston and which has a connecting-rod eye, the first connecting rod being a drive connecting rod; a second connecting rod for deflecting a second piston and which has at least one further connecting-rod eye, the second connecting rod being a follower connecting rod; a coupling element which extends through the connecting-rod eye and the at least one further connecting-rod eye and about which the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod are rotationally movable relative to one another; a coupling bearing element arranged between the coupling element and a connecting-rod eye inner surface of the connecting-rod eye; and a damping element with elastic damping action arranged in a damping annular chamber between the coupling bearing element and the connecting-rod eye inner surface of the connecting-rod eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Dieter Frank, Eduard Nuss
  • Patent number: 10865813
    Abstract: A compressed air supply installation for operating a pneumatic installation, especially an air suspension installation of a vehicle, includes a compressed air supply unit, a compressed air port towards the pneumatic installation, a venting port towards the surroundings, a first pneumatic connection between the compressed air supply and the compressed air port, the first pneumatic connection having an air drier and a shut-off valve, and a second pneumatic connection between the compressed air port and the venting port. The shut-off valve is a pneumatically pilot-controlled check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: WABCO GMBH
    Inventors: Dieter Frank, Frank Meissner, Uwe Stabenow
  • Patent number: 10859075
    Abstract: A double-piston compressor of a compressed air supply device includes a first pressure stage and a second pressure stage, each having a cylinder with a piston guided therein in an axially movable manner. The piston of the cylinder of the first pressure stage and the cylinder of the second pressure stage are rigidly connected to one another via a piston rod and are in driving connection with the drive shaft via a slotted guide. The slotted guide comprises a recess which is formed in the piston rod, provided with a slotted guide track and oriented perpendicularly to an axis of rotation of the drive shaft with its cross-sectional plane. The slotted guide comprises a drive roller which is engaged with the recess and fastened to the drive shaft in an axially parallel, eccentric, and also rotatable manner with respect to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: WABCO GMBH
    Inventors: Klaus Bredbeck, Dieter Frank, Thorsten Weber
  • Patent number: 10788151
    Abstract: A connection arrangement includes a first connection body and a second connection body for forming a pneumatic connection along a connection axis, and a sealing element configured to seal a sealing gap which surrounds the pneumatic connection and which has a longitudinal dimension which extends parallel to the connection axis. A pneumatic flow is able to travel through the first and second connection bodies along the connection axis. The first connection body has a through-hole having a cross section transverse to the connection axis. The second connection body is arranged at least partially in the through-hole. An at least partially circumferential first recess transverse to the connection axis is formed on an outer face of the first connection body extending parallel to the connection axis for receiving the sealing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: WABCO GMBH
    Inventors: Klaus Bredbeck, Dieter Frank, Frank Vogelsang
  • Patent number: 10717336
    Abstract: A compressed-air supply system for operating a pneumatic installation includes a reservoir, a number of bellows, a pressure-air feed to which a charging assembly having a compressor is connected on a pressure-medium feed side, a pressure-air connection to the pneumatic installation, a venting connection to the environment, a pneumatic main line between the pressure-air feed and the pressure-air connection, a vent line between the pressure-air feed and the venting connection and a changeover valve associated with the pressure-air feed and configured to be controlled by pressure air in such a way that the pressure-air feed is open or can be opened via the changeover valve to the main line. A flow pressure at the pressure-air feed can be generated by the charging assembly to the main line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: WABCO GMBH
    Inventors: Dieter Frank, Frank Meissner, Uwe Stabenow
  • Patent number: 10288092
    Abstract: A compressed air supply installation for operation of an air spring installation of a vehicle includes an air feed with an air compressor configured to supply a compressed air feed with compressed air, a pneumatic main line with an air dryer and a compressed air connection for supplying the pneumatic installation with compressed air, a purge line branching from the pneumatic main line to the compressed air feed and comprising a purge valve connected in the purge line and a purge connection for releasing air to the environment, wherein the purge valve is part of a controllable valve assembly. The controllable valve assembly with the purge valve can be pneumatically loaded with a control pressure derived from the air compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: WABCO GMBH
    Inventors: Dieter Frank, Frank Meissner, Uwe Stabenow
  • Patent number: 10093144
    Abstract: A compressed air supply installation for operating an air suspension installation of a vehicle includes an air supply unit configured to supply air, an air compression unit configured to compress air, a bleeding line, and a compressed air supply line. The bleeding line includes a bleeding valve arrangement in the form of a controllable solenoid valve arrangement comprising a magnetic part and a pneumatic part actuatable directly via the magnetic part, and a bleeding port for bleeding air. The compressed air supply line includes an air dryer, and a compressed air port for supplying the pneumatic installation with compressed air. The pneumatic part is open in an unactivated state of the magnetic part of the solenoid valve arrangement. The pneumatic part is open in a branch line of the compressed air supply line between a pressure-side valve port and a control-side valve port of the branch line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Frank, Frank Meissner, Uwe Stabenow
  • Publication number: 20180266406
    Abstract: A double-piston compressor of a compressed air supply device includes a first pressure stage and a second pressure stage, each having a cylinder with a piston guided therein in an axially movable manner. The piston of the cylinder of the first pressure stage and the cylinder of the second pressure stage are rigidly connected to one another via a piston rod and are in driving connection with the drive shaft via a slotted guide. The slotted guide comprises a recess which is formed in the piston rod, provided with a slotted guide track and oriented perpendicularly to an axis of rotation of the drive shaft with its cross-sectional plane. The slotted guide comprises a drive roller which is engaged with the recess and fastened to the drive shaft in an axially parallel, eccentric, and also rotatable manner with respect to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Klaus Bredbeck, Dieter Frank, Thorsten Weber
  • Patent number: 9926994
    Abstract: A compressed air supply installation for operating a pneumatic installation, especially an air suspension installation of a vehicle, includes: an air supply unit and an air compression unit for supplying a compressed air supply unit with compressed air, a pneumatic connection, especially a bleeding line, comprising a bleeding valve system in the form of a controllable solenoid valve system and a bleeding port for bleeding air, and a pneumatic connection, especially a compressed air supply line, comprising an air drier and a compressed air port for supplying compressed air. The solenoid valve system comprises a primary valve and a secondary valve, which are actuatable by a controller of the solenoid valve system that is common to both valves and acts upon both valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Frank, Frank Meissner
  • Publication number: 20180080490
    Abstract: A plug-in connection arrangement for a component includes a first portion having a first groove contour in a first annular groove arranged in the first portion, and a second portion having a second groove contour in a second annular groove arranged in the second portion. Via a resilient connection arrangement element arranged between the first portion and the second portion in the second annular groove, the first portion and the second portion can have a retention position relative to each other in a first position and which can be moved in an axial direction into a second position which is provided for operation. The second position is a sealing engagement position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Klaus Bredbeck, Dieter Frank, Morten Gehrke, Frank Vogelsang, Thorsten Weber
  • Patent number: 9834053
    Abstract: A vehicle air suspension installation includes pneumatics configured for operation in conjunction with a compressed air supply installation, and comprises: a pneumatic line having a port connection to the air supply installation, air bellows, each serving as a pressure chamber for an air spring, one air bellows being connected to the pneumatic line via a directional solenoid valve, and the air bellows being fillable/bleedable depending on a switching state of the valve, and first and second directional valves forming a solenoid valve system, which has a pneumatic part that is actuatable by a magnetic part. The first directional valve forms a primary valve, and the second forms a secondary valve. First and second air bellows associated with the valve system are fillable/bleedable depending on the switching state of the primary and secondary valves. The primary and secondary valves are controllable by a controller of the magnetic part. The controller is common to and acts upon both valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: WABCO GMBH
    Inventors: Dieter Frank, Jorg Meier, Frank Meissner
  • Patent number: 9764278
    Abstract: A compressed air supply unit for operating a pneumatic unit by means of a compressed air flow, in particular of an air suspension unit of a vehicle, comprises an air dryer arrangement in a main pneumatic line that pneumatically links a compressed air feed line from an air compressor and a compressed air connection to the pneumatic unit. A valve arrangement is pneumatically connected to the main pneumatic line for controlling the compressed air flow. The air dryer arrangement has a drying container having a container outer wall. A partition along a length of the drying container divides an internal space delimited by the container outer wall into first and second chambers delimited by the partition and the container outer wall. The partition adjoins the container outer wall along the length of the drying container, and the first and second chambers are adjacent to one another along that length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: WABCO GMBH
    Inventors: Klaus-Dieter Bergemann, Klaus Bredbeck, Dieter Frank, Morten Gehrke, Frank Meissner, Uwe Stabenow
  • Publication number: 20170246928
    Abstract: A compressed air supply installation for operating an air suspension installation of a vehicle includes an air supply unit configured to supply air, an air compression unit configured to compress air, a bleeding line, and a compressed air supply line. The bleeding line includes a bleeding valve arrangement in the form of a controllable solenoid valve arrangement comprising a magnetic part and a pneumatic part actuatable directly via the magnetic part, and a bleeding port for bleeding air. The compressed air supply line includes an air dryer, and a compressed air port for supplying the pneumatic installation with compressed air. The pneumatic part is open in an unactivated state of the magnetic part of the solenoid valve arrangement. The pneumatic part is open in a branch line of the compressed air supply line between a pressure-side valve port and a control-side valve port of the branch line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Dieter Frank, Frank Meissner, Uwe Stabenow
  • Publication number: 20170219139
    Abstract: A connection arrangement includes a first connection body and a second connection body for forming a pneumatic connection along a connection axis, and a sealing element configured to seal a sealing gap which surrounds the pneumatic connection and which has a longitudinal dimension which extends parallel to the connection axis. A pneumatic flow is able to travel through the first and second connection bodies along the connection axis. The first connection body has a through-hole having a cross section transverse to the connection axis. The second connection body is arranged at least partially in the through-hole. An at least partially circumferential first recess transverse to the connection axis is formed on an outer face of the first connection body extending parallel to the connection axis for receiving the sealing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Klaus Bredbeck, Dieter Frank, Frank Vogelsang
  • Patent number: 9694801
    Abstract: A compressed air supply device for operating a pneumatic installation comprises an air supply unit configured to supply air, an air compression unit configured to compress air, a bleeding line comprising a controllable solenoid valve arrangement, the solenoid valve arrangement having a magnetic part and a pneumatic part, and a bleeding port configured to bleed air. The device also comprises a compressed air supply line having an air drier and a compressed air port, the compressed air supply line being configured to supply the pneumatic installation with compressed air, wherein the pneumatic part is open when the magnetic part is not activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: WABCO GMBH
    Inventors: Dieter Frank, Frank Meissner, Uwe Stabenow
  • Publication number: 20170152875
    Abstract: A compressed air supply installation for operation of an air spring installation of a vehicle includes an air feed with an air compressor configured to supply a compressed air feed with compressed air, a pneumatic main line with an air dryer and a compressed air connection for supplying the pneumatic installation with compressed air, a purge line branching from the pneumatic main line to the compressed air feed and comprising a purge valve connected in the purge line and a purge connection for releasing air to the environment, wherein the purge valve is part of a controllable valve assembly. The controllable valve assembly with the purge valve can be pneumatically loaded with a control pressure derived from the air compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Applicant: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Frank, Frank Meissner, Uwe Stabenow
  • Publication number: 20170129300
    Abstract: A compressed-air supply system for operating a pneumatic installation includes a reservoir, a number of bellows, a pressure-air feed to which a charging assembly having a compressor is connected on a pressure-medium feed side, a pressure-air connection to the pneumatic installation, a venting connection to the environment, a pneumatic main line between the pressure-air feed and the pressure-air connection, a vent line between the pressure-air feed and the venting connection and a changeover valve associated with the pressure-air feed and configured to be controlled by pressure air in such a way that the pressure-air feed is open or can be opened via the changeover valve to the main line. A flow pressure at the pressure-air feed can be generated by the charging assembly to the main line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Dieter Frank, Frank Meissner, Uwe Stabenow