Patents by Inventor Eric Berndt

Eric Berndt 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: 11060427
    Abstract: A valve train arrangement including at least one exhaust valve and a reverse-spring hydraulic lash adjuster (RSHLA) is provided. The RSHLA has a predetermined closing velocity. An engine brake system is configured to engage the exhaust valve, such that: (i) upon activation of the engine brake system, the engine brake system engages the at least one exhaust valve to open the at least one exhaust valve; and (ii) upon deactivation of the engine brake system, the engine brake system disengages the at least one exhaust valve such that the at least one exhaust valve is closed. A deactivation velocity of the engine brake system is less than the predetermined closing velocity of the RSHLA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Eric Berndt
  • Publication number: 20200400047
    Abstract: A valve train arrangement including at least one exhaust valve and a reverse-spring hydraulic lash adjuster (RSHLA) is provided. The RSHLA has a predetermined closing velocity. An engine brake system is configured to engage the exhaust valve, such that: (i) upon activation of the engine brake system, the engine brake system engages the at least one exhaust valve to open the at least one exhaust valve; and (ii) upon deactivation of the engine brake system, the engine brake system disengages the at least one exhaust valve such that the at least one exhaust valve is closed. A deactivation velocity of the engine brake system is less than the predetermined closing velocity of the RSHLA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Eric Berndt
  • Patent number: 10823018
    Abstract: A valve train arrangement is disclosed. The arrangement includes at least one exhaust valve and a support arranged adjacent to the at least one exhaust valve 4 and configured to engage a lobe defined on a camshaft. A lost-motion hydraulic lash adjuster (LMHLA) is positioned within the support, and the LMHLA is configured to adjust lash between the support and the at least one exhaust valve. An engine brake system is configured to engage the at least one exhaust valve, such that: (i) upon activation of the engine brake system, the engine brake system engages the at least one exhaust valve to open the at least one exhaust valve; and (ii) upon deactivation of the engine brake system, the engine brake system disengages the at least one exhaust valve such that the at least one exhaust valve is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Eric Berndt
  • Patent number: 10060303
    Abstract: A camshaft phaser comprising an advance one-way clutch and a retard one-way clutch. The camshaft phaser comprises an input component arranged to receive torque from an engine, an advance inner ring, a plurality of rollers circumferentially arranged around the advance inner ring, an advance outer ring radially disposed between the input component and the advance inner ring, and an actuation assembly arranged to be disposed within a camshaft, the actuation assembly comprises advance locking pin assemblies arranged in advance channels and an actuator rod. For an advanced mode, the actuator rod is arranged to radially displace advance locking pin assemblies to non-rotatably connect the camshaft and advance inner ring, the rollers ride up ramps on advance outer ring, which expands radially to engage the input component. The retard clutch is substantially similar, and arranged diametrically opposed, to the advance clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Eric Berndt
  • Patent number: 9869214
    Abstract: A camshaft phaser including a gear arranged to receive torque from an engine, a housing non-rotatably connected to the gear and arranged to connect to a camshaft and a phase adjustment assembly including first gear teeth, second gear teeth and a hub arranged to non-rotatably connect to the camshaft and including third gear teeth and a displacement assembly arranged to for an advance mode, displace the hub in a first axial direction so that the third gear teeth non-rotatably connect to the second gear teeth and the hub is rotatable with respect to the housing in a first circumferential direction and for a retard mode, displace the hub in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction, so that the third gear teeth non-rotatably connect to the first gear teeth and the hub is rotatable with respect to the housing in a second circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Eric Berndt
  • Patent number: 9856921
    Abstract: A damping pulley assembly is disclosed including a pulley with an outer flange and a fixed pulley plate. A floating pulley clutch plate is located within and engaged with the outer flange. Circumferentially spaced apart leaf springs are connected to a pulley hub. Second ends of the leaf springs are connected to a driven hub that includes a fixed hub plate. Floating clutch plates are located between the fixed pulley plate and the fixed hub plate, which are biased toward the fixed pulley plate by the leaf springs so that the clutch plates contact one another and/or the fixed hub or pulley plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Eric Berndt
  • Patent number: 9771837
    Abstract: A camshaft phaser, including: an input component arranged to receive torque from an engine; an advance hub; an advance wedge plate radially disposed between the input component and the advance hub; and an actuation assembly including an advance pin arranged to be disposed in an advance channel for a camshaft and an actuator pin. For an advance mode: the actuator pin is arranged to radially displace the advance pin into non-rotatable connection with the advance hub; the advance hub is arranged to rotate, with respect to the input component, in a first circumferential direction; and the advance wedge plate is arranged to block rotation of the advance hub, with respect to the input component, in a second circumferential direction, opposite the first circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Eric Berndt
  • Patent number: 9726054
    Abstract: A camshaft phaser, including: a gear to receive torque; a housing non-rotatably connected to the gear; and a phase adjustment assembly. The phase adjustment assembly includes: first and second frusto-conical shaped surfaces arranged to non-rotatably connect to a camshaft; third and fourth frusto-conical shaped surfaces; and a displacement assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Eric Berndt
  • Patent number: 9719382
    Abstract: A camshaft phaser, including: a housing; and a phase adjustment assembly including: first and second frusto-conical shaped surfaces arranged to non-rotatably connect to a camshaft, a first one-way clutch including a third frusto-conical shaped surface; a second one-way clutch including a fourth frusto-conical shaped surface; and a displacement assembly including: a first resilient element arranged to, for an advance mode, displace the first surface in a first axial direction to non-rotatably connect the first and third surfaces and enable the second surface to rotate with respect to the housing in a first circumferential direction; and a second resilient element arranged to, for a retard mode, displace the second surface in a second axial direction to non-rotatably connect the second and fourth surfaces and enable the first surface to rotate with respect to the housing in a second circumferential direction, opposite the first circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Eric Berndt
  • Publication number: 20170175595
    Abstract: A camshaft phaser including a gear arranged to receive torque from an engine, a housing non-rotatably connected to the gear and arranged to connect to a camshaft and a phase adjustment assembly including first gear teeth, second gear teeth and a hub arranged to non-rotatably connect to the camshaft and including third gear teeth and a displacement assembly arranged to for an advance mode, displace the hub in a first axial direction so that the third gear teeth non-rotatably connect to the second gear teeth and the hub is rotatable with respect to the housing in a first circumferential direction and for a retard mode, displace the hub in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction, so that the third gear teeth non-rotatably connect to the first gear teeth and the hub is rotatable with respect to the housing in a second circumferential direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventor: Eric Berndt
  • Publication number: 20170138226
    Abstract: A camshaft phaser, including: an input component arranged to receive torque from an engine; an advance hub; an advance wedge plate radially disposed between the input component and the advance hub; and an actuation assembly including an advance pin arranged to be disposed in an advance channel for a camshaft and an actuator pin. For an advance mode: the actuator pin is arranged to radially displace the advance pin into non-rotatable connection with the advance hub; the advance hub is arranged to rotate, with respect to the input component, in a first circumferential direction; and the advance wedge plate is arranged to block rotation of the advance hub, with respect to the input component, in a second circumferential direction, opposite the first circumferential direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: Eric Berndt
  • Publication number: 20170138227
    Abstract: A camshaft phaser, including an input component receiving torque from an engine, an advance hub, an advance wedge plate radially between the input component and advance hub, and an actuation assembly including an advance shoe arranged in a channel in a camshaft and an actuator pin. For an advance mode, the actuator pin can radially displace the advance shoe into non-rotatable connection with the advance hub, the advance hub is arranged to rotate, with respect to the input component, in a first circumferential direction, and the advance wedge plate is arranged to block rotation of the advance hub, with respect to the input component, in a second circumferential direction, opposite the first circumferential direction. Components permitting operation in a phase retard mode where retard shoes are in non-rotatable connection with a retard hub and a drive mode where the advance and retard shoes are both in contact with their hubs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: Eric Berndt
  • Publication number: 20170138229
    Abstract: A camshaft phaser, including: a housing; and a phase adjustment assembly including: first and second frusto-conical shaped surfaces arranged to non-rotatably connect to a camshaft, a first one-way clutch including a third frusto-conical shaped surface; a second one-way clutch including a fourth frusto-conical shaped surface; and a displacement assembly including: a first resilient element arranged to, for an advance mode, displace the first surface in a first axial direction to non-rotatably connect the first and third surfaces and enable the second surface to rotate with respect to the housing in a first circumferential direction; and a second resilient element arranged to, for a retard mode, displace the second surface in a second axial direction to non-rotatably connect the second and fourth surfaces and enable the first surface to rotate with respect to the housing in a second circumferential direction, opposite the first circumferential direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: Eric Berndt
  • Publication number: 20170122145
    Abstract: A camshaft phaser, including: a gear to receive torque; a housing non-rotatably connected to the gear; and a phase adjustment assembly. The phase adjustment assembly includes: first and second frusto-conical shaped surfaces arranged to non-rotatably connect to a camshaft; third and fourth frusto-conical shaped surfaces; and a displacement assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventor: Eric Berndt
  • Patent number: 9593603
    Abstract: A camshaft phase adjuster assembly is provided that includes at least one helical groove for adjusting a phase position between a camshaft and a drive sprocket. The camshaft phase adjuster assembly includes a camshaft including at least one helical groove extending between a bore and a radially outer surface of a sprocket support portion, and the helical groove includes circumferentially offset first and second ends. A drive sprocket includes at least one axially extending drive sprocket groove on a radially inner surface of the drive sprocket arranged facing the at least one helical groove. An actuator selectively moves an actuator pin axially such that a radially extending rotation pin slides within the helical groove and the drive sprocket groove from a first phase position to a second phase position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Eric Berndt
  • Publication number: 20170037749
    Abstract: A camshaft phaser comprising an advance one-way clutch and a retard one-way clutch. The camshaft phaser comprises an input component arranged to receive torque from an engine, an advance inner ring, a plurality of rollers circumferentially arranged around the advance inner ring, an advance outer ring radially disposed between the input component and the advance inner ring, and an actuation assembly arranged to be disposed within a camshaft, the actuation assembly comprises advance locking pin assemblies arranged in advance channels and an actuator rod. For an advanced mode, the actuator rod is arranged to radially displace advance locking pin assemblies to non-rotatably connect the camshaft and advance inner ring, the rollers ride up ramps on advance outer ring, which expands radially to engage the input component. The retard clutch is substantially similar, and arranged diametrically opposed, to the advance clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventor: Eric Berndt
  • Publication number: 20160230616
    Abstract: A camshaft phase adjuster assembly is provided that includes at least one helical groove for adjusting a phase position between a camshaft and a drive sprocket. The camshaft phase adjuster assembly includes a camshaft including at least one helical groove extending between a bore and a radially outer surface of a sprocket support portion, and the helical groove includes circumferentially offset first and second ends. A drive sprocket includes at least one axially extending drive sprocket groove on a radially inner surface of the drive sprocket arranged facing the at least one helical groove. An actuator selectively moves an actuator pin axially such that a radially extending rotation pin slides within the helical groove and the drive sprocket groove from a first phase position to a second phase position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Eric BERNDT
  • Publication number: 20160201734
    Abstract: A damping pulley assembly including a pulley with an outer flange having splines on an inner side thereof and a fixed pulley plate extending inwardly therefrom. A floating pulley clutch plate having spline receiving notches is located within the outer flange, with the notches engaged with the splines. Circumferentially spaced apart leaf springs are connected to a pulley hub and second ends of the leaf springs all extend in a first circumferential direction. Second ends of the leaf springs are connected to a driven hub that includes a fixed hub plate. A floating hub clutch plate having spline receiving notches is arranged on splines of the driven hub. The floating clutch plates are located between the fixed pulley plate and the fixed hub plate, which is biased toward the fixed pulley plate by the leaf springs so that the clutch plates contact one another and/or the fixed hub or pulley plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Eric Berndt
  • Patent number: 9316292
    Abstract: A strut including a housing, a plunger within a space in the housing and including a tapered outer circumferential surface, a primary spring engaged with the housing, a wedge element within the space and including a tapered inner circumferential surface engageable with the outer circumferential surface, and a secondary spring engaged with the wedge element and the plunger to urge the plunger in an axial direction. The primary spring urges the plunger in the axial direction with a first force. In a fully extended mode, the plunger is maximally displaced in the axial direction. In a contracted mode, the plunger is displaced in an opposite axial direction in response to application of a second force, sufficiently greater than the first force, on the plunger in the opposite axial direction. When the second force is sufficiently decreased, the plunger displaces with respect to the housing in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jeffrey Hewitt, Lucian Botez, Eric Berndt
  • Publication number: 20150233449
    Abstract: A strut including a housing, a plunger within a space in the housing and including a tapered outer circumferential surface, a primary spring engaged with the housing, a wedge element within the space and including a tapered inner circumferential surface engageable with the outer circumferential surface, and a secondary spring engaged with the wedge element and the plunger to urge the plunger in an axial direction. The primary spring urges the plunger in the axial direction with a first force. In a fully extended mode, the plunger is maximally displaced in the axial direction. In a contracted mode, the plunger is displaced in an opposite axial direction in response to application of a second force, sufficiently greater than the first force, on the plunger in the opposite axial direction. When the second force is sufficiently decreased, the plunger displaces with respect to the housing in the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey Hewitt, Lucian Botez, Eric Berndt