Patents by Inventor Erwin Wack

Erwin Wack 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: 6585091
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper for incorporation into the torque transmission path between two components or subassemblies, especially for a hydrodynamic coupling device, includes at least two disk-like damper members. Each damper member has a radially outward coupling region and a radially inward coupling region, and at least one deformation region extending between the radially outward coupling region and the radially inward coupling region. Each deformation region is elastically deformable at least in some areas to permit a relative circumferential movement between the radially outward coupling region and the radially inward coupling region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Edgar Reinhart, Dietrich Bechmann, André Meyer, Friedrich Schramm, Christoph Sasse, Erwin Wack, Jörg Sudau
  • Patent number: 6553758
    Abstract: A freewheel unit intended especially for the stator of a hydrodynamic torque converter, allows first and second elements to rotate relative to each other around a rotational axis essentially in only one direction. A locking element carrier extends in the circumferential direction around the rotational axis and comes at least one first locking element which extends away from this carrier toward the first element in a first circumferential direction. At least one first locking element can come to rest against at least one blocking surface provided on the first element to prevent any relative rotation between the first element and the locking element carrier in one direction of relative rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Edgar Reinhart, Dietrich Bechmann, André Meyer, Friedrich Schramm, Christoph Sasse, Erwin Wack
  • Patent number: 6536575
    Abstract: A clutch disk is provided having a connecting arrangement, by means of which the friction linings can execute a radial movement with respect to the hub rotation axis and/or tilting movement with respect to a plane orthogonal to the hub rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Mario Lory, Klaus Dollhopf, Achim Link, Reinhard Feldhaus, Bernhard Schierling, Norbert Ament, Jürgen Kleifges, Erwin Wack, Jürgen Weth, Bernd Peinemann, Andreas Orlamünder
  • Patent number: 6527094
    Abstract: A freewheel arrangement, in particular for a guide wheel of a hydrodynamic torque converter, permits a relative rotation between two elements in essentially only one relative rotational direction with respect to one another about an axis of rotation. At least one pawl is pivotably supported on a first of the two elements and has a pawl section which can come into contact with a blocking surface of the second of the two elements. At least one pawl is formed by a plurality of pawl plate elements which can be stamped from sheet metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Edgar Reinhart, Dietrich Bechmann, André Meyer, Friedrich Schramm, Christoph Sasse, Erwin Wack
  • Patent number: 6516928
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic coupling device comprises a casing arrangement and a turbine rotor which can be rotated about an axis of rotation (A) in the casing arrangement. The turbine rotor has a turbine rotor shell which supports a plurality of turbine rotor blades, and a turbine rotor hub which is coupled or can be coupled to a drive element for joint rotation. A lock-up clutch arrangement is provided for the optional production of a torque transmission connection between the turbine rotor and the casing arrangement, and a torsional vibration damper arrangement couples the turbine rotor for torque transmission to a coupling element of the lock-up clutch arrangement. A positive drive arrangement is provided on the torsional vibration damper arrangement, which positive drive arrangement is in drive engagement for torque transmission with a mating positive drive arrangement on the turbine rotor. The mating positive drive arrangement is formed integrally on the turbine rotor shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Christoph Sasse, Erwin Wack
  • Publication number: 20020175037
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper for a hydrodynamic torque converter is provided with at least one input part and an output part, which is given the ability to move relative to the input part by stored-energy elements, where the output part is designed as a hub disk, which is connected nonrotatably to a hub centered on a transmission input shaft. The hub disk extends radially inward to the area of the outside circumference of the hub, where it is connected directly to the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Applicant: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Erwin Wack, Christoph Sasse, Horst Breier
  • Patent number: 6435998
    Abstract: A drive train of a motor vehicle includes a gear arrangement with at least two gear elements moveable relative to one another acts in a torque transmission path between an internal combustion engine and a transmission. The gear arrangement being connected between a drive-side flywheel mass and a gear-side flywheel mass. The gear arrangement includes at least one additional mass having a center of gravity (Sp) which is displaceable radially in relation to an axis of rotation (D) of the torque transmission path as a function of a relative position of the at least two gear elements. In the event of a change in the relative rotary angle between the flywheel masses, a moment of inertia of the torque transmission path also changes, so that there is no definite resonant point and the torque transmission path takes effect as a self-steadying system. Furthermore, the additional mass may be arranged to generate a centrifugally dependent return force directed toward a specific relative rotary angle position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Mannesmann, Sachs AG
    Inventors: Jörg Sudau, Erwin Wack, Peter Frey
  • Patent number: 6364080
    Abstract: An arrangement for the rotationally fixed connection of a hydrodynamic coupling device to a drive component, in particular a drive shaft, has a first torque-transmission engagement formation, which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the drive component, a second torque-transmission engagement formation, which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the hydrodynamic coupling device and is in or can be brought into torque-transmitting engagement with the first torque-transmission engagement formation as a result of these formations being moved toward one another substantially in the direction of an axis of rotation, and a preloading device which preloads the hydrodynamic coupling device with respect to the drive component substantially in the direction of the axis of rotation. The first and second torque-transmission engagement formations are brought into or held in torque-transmitting engagement with one another by the preloading force generated by the preloading device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Jörg Sudau, Erwin Wack
  • Patent number: 6364081
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter having a torsional vibration damper arrangement which is arranged in a torque-transmission path between a lockup clutch of the torque converter and a turbine impeller of the torque converter. The torsional vibration damper arrangement has a primary side, which is coupled to the lockup clutch or forms a part thereof, and a secondary side, which is coupled to the turbine impeller and/or forms a part thereof. The primary side and the secondary side are able to rotate with respect to one another about a converter axis of rotation, counter to the action of a damper spring arrangement. The turbine impeller has a bearing area for the primary side, which allows radial movement of the primary side with respect to the turbine impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventor: Erwin Wack
  • Publication number: 20020033310
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter includes a converter housing and a turbine wheel which is arranged in the converter housing and is rotatable with respect to the converter housing about a rotational axis of the converter. The torque converter further includes a lockup clutch for producing a torque transmission connection between the converter housing and the turbine wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Christoph Sasse, Wolfgang Kundermann, Hans-Wilhelm Wienholt, Wolfgang Gude, Dietrich Bechmann, Erwin Wack
  • Patent number: 6334816
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper, especially for transmission of torque in a hydrodynamic torque converter, includes a primary side, a secondary side, and a plurality of damper spring arrangements arranged between the primary side and the secondary side such that the primary side is rotatable relative to the secondary side against an urgency of the damper spring arrangement. Each damper spring arrangement has at least one spring and is supported in each circumferential end area at a supporting area of the secondary side and at a first and a second supporting area of the primary side which are arranged on both axial sides of the associated supporting area of the secondary side. The primary side has a substantially annular carrier part and at least one of the first and second supporting areas of the primary side are constructed as separate parts that are connected for rotation with the primary side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Erwin Wack, Wolfgang Kundermann, Jörg Sudau, Christoph Sasse
  • Publication number: 20010035322
    Abstract: A freewheel arrangement, in particular for a guide wheel of a hydrodynamic torque converter, permits a relative rotation between two elements in essentially only one relative rotational direction with respect to one another about an axis of rotation. At least one pawl is pivotably supported on a first of the two elements and has a pawl section which can come into contact with a blocking surface of the second of the two elements. At least one pawl is formed by a plurality of pawl plate elements which can be stamped from sheet metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Applicant: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Edgar Reinhart, Dietrich Bechmann, Andre Meyer, Friedrich Schramm, Christoph Sasse, Erwin Wack
  • Publication number: 20010032767
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper for incorporation into the torque transmission path between two components or subassemblies, especially for a hydrodynamic coupling device, includes at least two disk-like damper members. Each damper member has a radially outward coupling region and a radially inward coupling region, and at least one deformation region extending between the radially outward coupling region and the radially inward coupling region. Each deformation region is elastically deformable at least in some areas to permit a relative circumferential movement between the radially outward coupling region and the radially inward coupling region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Applicant: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Edgar Reinhart, Dietrich Bechmann, Andre Meyer, Friedrich Schramm, Christoph Sasse, Erwin Wack, Jorg Sudau
  • Publication number: 20010027649
    Abstract: A freewheel unit intended especially for the stator of a hydrodynamic torque converter, allows first and second elements to rotate relative to each other around a rotational axis essentially in only one direction. A locking element carrier extends in the circumferential direction around the rotational axis and comes at least one first locking element which extends away from this carrier toward the first element in a first circumferential direction. At least one first locking element can come to rest against at least one blocking surface provided on the first element to prevent any relative rotation between the first element and the locking element carrier in one direction of relative rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Applicant: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Edgar Reinhart, Dietrich Bechmann, Andre Meyer, Friedrich Schramm, Christoph Sasse, Erwin Wack
  • Publication number: 20010020563
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic coupling device comprises a casing arrangement and a turbine rotor which can be rotated about an axis of rotation (A) in the casing arrangement. The turbine rotor has a turbine rotor shell which supports a plurality of turbine rotor blades, and a turbine rotor hub which is coupled or can be coupled to a drive element for joint rotation. A lock-up clutch arrangement is provided for the optional production of a torque transmission connection between the turbine rotor and the casing arrangement, and a torsional vibration damper arrangement couples the turbine rotor for torque transmission to a coupling element of the lock-up clutch arrangement. A positive drive arrangement is provided on the torsional vibration damper arrangement, which positive drive arrangement is in drive engagement for torque transmission with a mating positive drive arrangement on the turbine rotor. The mating positive drive arrangement is formed integrally on the turbine rotor shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Applicant: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Christoph Sasse, Erwin Wack
  • Patent number: 6231472
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper for a lockup clutch of a hydrodynamic clutch device has a drive-side damper element which is in an operative connection with a turbine shell and a driven-side damper element which is connected with the drive-side damper element via a damping device having at least one energy accumulator acting in the circumferential direction and is in a working connection with a turbine hub. The drive-side damper element is constructed as a planetary carrier for at least one gear unit element of a planetary gear set, while the driven-side damper element acts as another gear unit element of the planetary gear set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Jörg Sudau, Erwin Wack, Christoph Sasse
  • Patent number: 6152278
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damping device for rotating clutch disks which interact with internal combustion engines includes two coaxial cover disks which are held together and are rotatable about an axis of rotation within a fixed angular range relative to an internally located part. A number of torsion springs are circumferentially arranged between the cover disks and the internally located part which may comprise one of an intermediate disk, side disk, spring, drive disk. The cover disks are axially loaded by a spring force in opposing directions and a distance between the cover plate is fixed by axial distance pieces which are connected between the cover plates. The cover disks and the internally located part are arranged on a hub furnished with splines. At least one stop surface is configured on the external splines of the hub so that the internally located part is supported in the axial direction against the stop surface for axially securing the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventor: Erwin Wack
  • Patent number: 5988343
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper, for installation in the clutch disc of a motor vehicle friction clutch, the damping spring system of which torsional vibration damper comprises at least three spring stages which are sized for different torque ranges of the torque to be transmitted between an input component and an output component. The spring stages are graduated so that they are active in corresponding ranges of the relative angle of rotation between the input component and the output component. The torsional vibration damper comprises a pre-damper which is sized for operation at idle, a low-speed damper which is sized for travel at slow speeds, and a load damper which is sized for load operation. The spring stage of the low-speed damper has an initial torque which is lower than the final torque of the pre-damper, and the load damper also has an initial torque which is lower than the final torque of the low-speed damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Jurgen Kleifges, Erwin Wack
  • Patent number: 5976048
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper is provided with a transmission element on the driving side, at least one planet carrier which is provided with at least one bearing for receiving a planet gear engaging with at least one ring gear, and a transmission element on the driven side. One of the transmission elements has a controller for elastic elements of a damping arrangement. At least one lubricant feed is associated with the planet gear. The lubricant feed extends, at least along part of its extent, within the range of extension of the planet gear and opens out in the region of the bearing. Lubricant can flow through this lubricant feed due to the pumping action of the planet gear as it rotates relative to other elements of the planetary gear unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Jorg Sudau, Erwin Wack
  • Patent number: 5733218
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper has an input-side transmission element and an output-side transmission element, at least one of which is connected, preferably by means of a spring device, with at least one moment-transmitting element of a gear train which acts between the two transmission elements. At least one of the moment-transmitting gear train elements can be aligned before the creation of a connection to the corresponding element with some play, or clearance, at least in the radial direction, with respect to this element carrier, and after the application to the gear train of an adjustment moment which effects an alignment of this transmission element with respect to the other transmission elements as a function of the force by moving the two transmission elements into a predetermined relative position, the gear train element in question can be provided with a connection to the element carrier which fixes the element in its position where it has been aligned as a function of the force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Jorg Sudau, Erwin Wack