Patents by Inventor Dieter Toepker
Dieter Toepker 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: 9242306Abstract: A suspension component for a vehicle includes a cast iron body, a high strength steel tube and an adapter ring. The adapter ring includes a protrusion engaged with a face of the cast iron body. The protrusion is heated to a plasticized state as a capacitor is discharged through the protrusion and the face. The adapter ring is welded to the body upon cooling of the adapter ring. The high strength steel tube is fixed to the adapter ring.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2013Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: Magna International Inc.Inventor: Dieter Toepker
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Patent number: 9132471Abstract: A method of manufacturing a twist beam axle assembly includes inserting a tubular sleeve within a twist tube, deforming a portion of the sleeve and the twist tube such that an outer surface of the sleeve engages an inner surface of the twist tube along at least a portion of the deformation, and fastening the sleeve to the twist tube.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2011Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: Magna International Inc.Inventor: Dieter Toepker
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Publication number: 20130292364Abstract: A suspension component for a vehicle includes a cast iron body, a high strength steel tube and an adapter ring. The adapter ring includes a protrusion engaged with a face of the cast iron body. The protrusion is heated to a plasticized state as a capacitor is discharged through the protrusion and the face. The adapter ring is welded to the body upon cooling of the adapter ring. The high strength steel tube is fixed to the adapter ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventor: Dieter Toepker
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Patent number: 8475075Abstract: A suspension component for a vehicle includes a cast iron body, a high strength steel tube and an adapter ring. The adapter ring includes a protrusion engaged with a face of the cast iron body. The protrusion is heated to a plasticized state as a capacitor is discharged through the protrusion and the face. The adapter ring is welded to the body upon cooling of the adapter ring. The high strength steel tube is fixed to the adapter ring.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2008Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Magna International Inc.Inventor: Dieter Toepker
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Patent number: 8205898Abstract: In a front wheel drive vehicle a traditional twist beam axle suffers from a short service life due to premature failures in intermediate areas between the end sections and the transitional section. A twist beam suspension is provided comprising a transverse strut (16) interconnecting longitudinal control arms (12). The transverse strut (16) may be formed from a tubular pipe. The tubular member may define a pair of tubular end sections (18), a deformed, U-shaped transitional section (20), and a pair of intermediate sections (22) between the end sections (18) and the transitional section (20). The intermediate section (22) may define a contour (28), known as a tongue. The tongue (28) enhances the flexibility in torsion and improves the stiffness in bending of the transverse strut (16). The tongue (28) may also include a concavity, to further aid in improving stiffness.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2008Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Magna International Inc.Inventor: Dieter Toepker
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Publication number: 20110219602Abstract: A method of manufacturing a twist beam axle assembly includes inserting a tubular sleeve within a twist tube, deforming a portion of the sleeve and the twist tube such that an outer surface of the sleeve engages an inner surface of the twist tube along at least a portion of the deformation, and fastening the sleeve to the twist tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2011Publication date: September 15, 2011Inventor: Dieter TOEPKER
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Patent number: 7967308Abstract: A twist beam axle assembly includes a twist tube and a tubular sleeve. The twist tube has a deformed portion with a non-circular cross-section positioned adjacent to an undeformed portion with a substantially circular cross-section. The tubular sleeve is positioned within and coupled to the twist beam to overlap the adjacent deformed and undeformed portions. An outer surface of the sleeve engages an inner surface of the twist tube.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2008Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Magna International Inc.Inventor: Dieter Toepker
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Publication number: 20100301577Abstract: In a front wheel drive vehicle a traditional twist beam axle suffers from a short service life due to premature failures in intermediate areas between the end sections and the transitional section. A twist beam suspension is provided comprising a transverse strut (16) interconnecting longitudinal control arms (12). The transverse strut (16) may be formed from a tubular pipe. The tubular member may define a pair of tubular end sections (18), a deformed, U-shaped transitional section (20), and a pair of intermediate sections (22) between the end sections (18) and the transitional section (20). The intermediate section (22) may define a contour (28), known as a tongue. The tongue (28) enhances the flexibility in torsion and improves the stiffness in bending of the transverse strut (16). The tongue (28) may also include a concavity, to further aid in improving stiffness.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2008Publication date: December 2, 2010Inventor: Dieter Toepker
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Publication number: 20100098483Abstract: A suspension component for a vehicle includes a cast iron body, a high strength steel tube and an adapter ring. The adapter ring includes a protrusion engaged with a face of the cast iron body. The protrusion is heated to a plasticized state as a capacitor is discharged through the protrusion and the face. The adapter ring is welded to the body upon cooling of the adapter ring. The high strength steel tube is fixed to the adapter ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2008Publication date: April 22, 2010Applicant: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventor: Dieter Toepker
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Publication number: 20100072724Abstract: A twist beam axle assembly includes a twist tube and a tubular sleeve. The twist tube has a deformed portion with a non-circular cross-section positioned adjacent to an undeformed portion with a substantially circular cross-section. The tubular sleeve is positioned within and coupled to the twist beam to overlap the adjacent deformed and undeformed portions. An outer surface of the sleeve engages an inner surface of the twist tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2008Publication date: March 25, 2010Inventor: Dieter Toepker
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Patent number: 6416114Abstract: A side impact beam for motor vehicles has a profiled section of sheet metal having a length in a longitudinal direction and having a cross-sectional shape over most of the length. The cross-sectional shape has at least one cross-sectional portion comprised of a stay extending in the longitudinal direction, a first leg and a second leg connected to opposite longitudinal sides of the stay, a first flange connected to a free end of the first leg, and a second flange connected to a free end of the second flange. At least one tension element connects the first and second legs.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2000Date of Patent: July 9, 2002Assignee: Benteler AGInventors: Dieter Töpker, Achim Kröning
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Patent number: 6349583Abstract: In a method of forming a hollow workpiece having open ends by inner pressure in a multi-part forming tool, the forming tool having a forming mold is heated and the workpiece is placed into the forming mold of the forming tool. Closing plugs are inserted into the open ends of the workpiece, wherein the closing plugs are components of closing cylinders, in order to seal off the open ends. The forming tool is closed. A heated pressure fluid is introduced into the hollow workpiece through at least one of the closing plugs, with the hollow workpiece having been heated and plasticized in the forming tool. The material of the hollow workpiece is pressed with the heated pressure fluid into the forming mold of the forming tool. The device for performing the method has a multi-part forming tool with a forming mold for the workpiece. Hydraulic closing cylinders with closing plugs are provided for sealing the open ends of the workpiece. The forming tool has a heating device for heating at least the forming mold.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2000Date of Patent: February 26, 2002Assignee: Benteler AGInventors: Jürgen Kleinschmidt, Dieter Töpker, Elmar Grussmann
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Patent number: 6305738Abstract: A door frame for motor vehicles includes a window channel laterally defined by an outer door panel and an inner door panel, wherein the outer door panel and the inner door panel are provided adjacent of the window opening with longitudinally extending stiffening or reinforcement members located in the window channel. The reinforcement members are circumferentially closed tubular sections having an essentially oval cross-section, wherein the reinforcement members are adapted in their shape to the inner surfaces of the outer door panel and the inner door panel.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1999Date of Patent: October 23, 2001Assignee: Benteler AGInventors: Ludger Gehringhoff, Christian Smatloch, Dieter Töpker
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Patent number: 6240958Abstract: A fuel supply system for automobiles with a fuel tank to which are connected a filler pipe and at least one vent for venting the tank during operation of the automobile and one vent for venting the tank during refueling of the tank. The operation vent line and/or the refueling vent line are components of a multiple-duct line. The filler pipe may also be incorporated in the multiple-duct line.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1999Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: Benteler AGInventors: Wolfgang Streubel, Dieter Töpker, Andreas Ewerszumrode
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Patent number: 6187113Abstract: A steel alloy for pipes, sheet metal or sections for manufacturing bumpers for motor vehicles, wherein the steel alloy contains, in percent by weight, 0.17 to 0.20% carbon, 1.70 to 2.20% manganese, 0.45 to 0.75% chromium, 0.10 to 0.35% molybdenum, 0.03 to 0.05% aluminum, 0.01 to 0.05% titanium, 0.01 to 0.12% vanadium, 0.025 to 0.06% niobium, 0.0001 to 0.10% zirconium, 0.002 to 0.003% Boron, 0.01 to 0.04% nitrogen, up to 0.15% silicon and up to 0.025% phosphorus and up to 0.010% sulfur, wherein the remainder is iron including impurities caused from smelting, and wherein the sum of the alloy components titanium, vanadium and niobium is between 0.16 and 0.25%.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1999Date of Patent: February 13, 2001Assignee: Benteler AGInventor: Dieter Töpker