Patents by Inventor Frank Stengel

Frank Stengel 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: 9057411
    Abstract: In a clutch which is impelled by an actuator into the closed position and which automatically moves into the open position by an opening spring, the movement of the clutch into the open position is monitored and any malfunction is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Matthias Ehrlich, Frank Stengel, Martin Fuss, Alexander Schweizer, Martin Zimmermann, Jens Martin, Joachim Hirt
  • Patent number: 8463516
    Abstract: A process and device for controlling a motor vehicle with an initialization device (43) for startup and a clutch actuated by means of a clutch actuator set (45) between a drive unit and a gear with a control device (41) by means of which at least one control of the clutch actuator set (45) and an acquisition of measurement data of a sensor (47) takes place for the purpose of determining the position of the clutch, characterized in that to verify the state “clutch open” upon startup, a positioning of the clutch actuator set (45) that has been set and stored before or during shutdown is compared to a positioning that was acquired during a predetermined movement course of the clutch actuator set (45) after startup by means of a distance measurement, which takes place at least in a segment of that movement course, whereby the state “clutch open” is recognized, in particular, when the magnitude of the comparison is within a predetermined tolerance range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alexander Schweizer, Frank Stengel, Martin Fuss, Matthias Ehrlich, Behzad Nazari, Jens Martin, Joachim Hirt, Martin Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 7950915
    Abstract: A plastics injection molding machine with an injection unit has an injection unit housing as central part of the injection unit, a plasticizing cylinder connected to the injection unit housing, a screw which is supported in the plasticizing cylinder for rotation to prepare injection material and for displacement to effect the injection stroke in axial direction, drive motors coupled to and generating the rotation and axial movements of the screw and supported on the injection unit housing via a motor flange, and an injection force measuring device for determining the injection force applied by the screw when executing its injection stroke, wherein the injection force measuring device includes at least one tensile force sensor which is integrated in the injection unit housing in such a manner that the reaction force of the injection force, as generated by the injection force and introduced via the motors and the motor flange into the injection unit housing, is detectable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Sumitomo (Shi) Demag Plastics Machinery GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Stengel, Holger Schmidt, Dietmar Scholz
  • Patent number: 7749136
    Abstract: A method for the adjustment of a gearbox actuation system of an automated gearbox of a vehicle. The gearbox includes a shift finger; a plurality of gearshift rails, each rail in the plurality of gearshift rails in a respective position; a neutral gap with a first portion formed by respective jaws for said each rail and with a second portion formed separate from the respective jaws and open to the first portion; and, a gearshift motor. The method includes the step of performing at least one reference travel with a gear in the automated gearbox engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Klaus Kupper, Klaus Henneberger, Jorg Metzger, Reinhard Berger, Frank Stengel
  • Publication number: 20090238909
    Abstract: A plastics injection molding machine with an injection unit has an injection unit housing as central part of the injection unit, a plasticizing cylinder connected to the injection unit housing, a screw which is supported in the plasticizing cylinder for rotation to prepare injection material and for displacement to effect the injection stroke in axial direction, drive motors coupled to and generating the rotation and axial movements of the screw and supported on the injection unit housing via a motor flange, and an injection force measuring device for determining the injection force applied by the screw when executing its injection stroke, wherein the injection force measuring device includes at least one tensile force sensor which is integrated in the injection unit housing in such a manner that the reaction force of the injection force, as generated by the injection force and introduced via the motors and the motor flange into the injection unit housing, is detectable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Stengel, Holger Schmidt, Dietmar Scholz
  • Patent number: 7574296
    Abstract: A process and device for the currentless referencing of a clutch position in non self-locking clutch actuating systems which are switched without current for a first predetermined, passive period of time or until an actuator standstill occurs, in order to verify a clutch reference position, then the clutch position achieved is determined by first measurement and current is supplied to the clutch actuating system for a predetermined, active period of time, the clutch actuating system being then switched again without current for another predetermined, passive period of time or until an actuator standstill occurs, the clutch position being determined by another measurement; finally the measured clutch position is checked to determine whether it can be verified as a new clutch reference position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Markus Baehr, Felix Dreher, Matthias Panzer, Frank Stengel, Martin Fuss, Jens Martin, Martin Zimmermann, Matthias Ehrlich, Alexander Schweizer
  • Publication number: 20080295628
    Abstract: A method for adjusting the gearbox actuation system of an automatic gearbox of a vehicle, whereby at least one reference travel is made with the gear engaged. The invention further relates to a gearbox actuation system for selecting and engaging gears in an automatic gearbox of a vehicle, especially for carrying out the inventive method, whereby at least one reference travel is made for the purpose of adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Klaus Kupper, Klaus Henneberger, Jorg Metzger, Reinhard Berger, Frank Stengel
  • Patent number: 7448291
    Abstract: To improve the safety of automated gearboxes, it is proposed that terminal positions of internal gearshift members and external actuation members be so defined separately from each other that one can recognize whether the engagement of a speed is accompanied by the attainment of a terminal position of an internal gearshift member or an external actuation member. Error analysis is possible in this way. For dual clutch gears, it is additionally proposed that one can, at least in gearshift operations that are critical in terms of safety, disengage on speed of a subgear in a separate procedure, before a new speed of this subgear can be engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Frank Stengel, Alexander Schweizer, Martin Zimmermann, Behzad Nazari, Joachim Hirt, Martin Fuss, Matthias Ehrlich, Jens Martin
  • Patent number: 7438666
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adjusting the gearbox actuation system of an automatic gearbox of a vehicle, whereby at least one reference travel is made with the gear engaged. The invention further relates to a gearbox actuation system for selecting and engaging gears in an automatic gearbox of a vehicle, especially for carrying out the inventive method, whereby at least one reference travel is made for the purpose of adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Klaus Kupper, Klaus Henneberger, Jorg Metzger, Reinhard Berger, Frank Stengel
  • Publication number: 20080215221
    Abstract: A process and device for the currentless referencing of a clutch position in non self-locking clutch actuating systems which are switched without current for a first predetermined, passive period of time or until an actuator standstill occurs, in order to verify a clutch reference position, then the clutch position achieved is determined by first measurement and current is supplied to the clutch actuating system for a predetermined, active period of time, the clutch actuating system being then switched again without current for another predetermined, passive period of time or until an actuator standstill occurs, the clutch position being determined by another measurement; finally the measured clutch position is checked to determine whether it can be verified as a new clutch reference position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Markus Baehr, Felix Dreher, Matthias Panzer, Frank Stengel, Martin Fuss, Jens Martin, Martin Zimmermann, Matthias Ehrlich, Alexander Schweizer
  • Patent number: 7417401
    Abstract: A method for operating a drive mechanism comprising bringing a mobile element into a predetermined reference position with the help of an engine and setting an absolute position signal to a reference value allocated to a reference position; changing the position of the mobile element with the help of the engine and creating an incremental position measurement signal, depending on the change in position, for the mobile element; controlling the incremental position measurement signal and following the absolute position signal when a change in the incremental position measurement signal occurs; repositioning the mobile element in the reference position with assistance of the engine and determining the position value indicated by the absolute position signal in the reference position; determining a difference value from the position value and the reference value and saving the difference value in a data storage; and, repeating steps b) through e) are performed at least once.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Alexander Schweizer, Martin Zimmerman, Jens Martin, Joachim Hirt, Martin Fuss, Matthias Ehrlich, Frank Stengel
  • Patent number: 7402036
    Abstract: A nozzle contact device for guiding and clamping the injection nozzle for an injection unit of an injection molding machine onto an injection mold includes a linear drive for moving the injection unit back and forth, and a guide carriage which can be driven by the linear drive, with the guide carriage being articulated to the injection unit. The invention is characterized in that the axis of rotation of the articulation between the guide carriage and the injection unit extends horizontally, and that this axis of rotation and the injection axis are arranged on planes which are parallel to each other, preferably on the same horizontal plane. Rotary joints or flexural joints can be provided. In addition, the rear part of the injection unit, in particular a screw mechanism can be height-adjustable. As a result, the nozzle contact force is introduced into the injection unit in the absence of a bending moment. No tilting is caused between the injection nozzle and the sprue bush of the injection mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Demag Ergotech GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Schmidt, Donald Meinert, Frank Stengel
  • Patent number: 7381148
    Abstract: A system for ensuring the ability to start an internal combustion engine contained within a drive train of a vehicle includes, in addition to an actuation device, a torque transmission device contained in the drive train between the internal combustion engine and driven vehicle wheels, an enabling device that is operable by a person operating the vehicle and by means of which the operability of the starter is enabled for starting the internal combustion engine when the torque transmission between the internal combustion engine and the driven wheels of the vehicle is interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Betelligungs KG
    Inventors: Behzad Nazari, Jens Martin, Matthias Ehrlich, Joachim Hirt, Frank Stengel, Martin Fuss, Alexander Schweizer, Martin Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 7291091
    Abstract: A method for clutch control for wet clutches includes the following steps: determining whether a viscosity of clutch fluid lies above a predetermine threshold value; when the determined viscosity is above the predetermined threshold value: adaptation of the clutch/gear control with respect to clutch/gear control for routine operation in such a manner that additional clutch energy will be transmitted to the clutch fluid and that the clutch fluid is heated by the additional energy; and checking to see whether the viscosity of the clutch fluid during the altered clutch control operation is above the threshold value and, if that threshold value is not reached, return to clutch/gear control for routine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventor: Frank Stengel
  • Patent number: 7276013
    Abstract: The invention relates to a parallel shift transmission having a drive unit and two partial transmissions, each connectable to the drive unit via a friction clutch and each having a plurality of gear ratio steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Alexander Schweizer, Frank Stengel, Martin Fuss, Matthias Ehrlich, Behzad Nazari, Jens Martin, Joachim Hirt, Martin Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20070209901
    Abstract: In a clutch which is impelled by an actuator into the closed position and which automatically moves into the open position by an opening spring, the movement of the clutch into the open position is monitored and any malfunction is displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Matthias Ehrlich, Frank Stengel, Martin Fuss, Alexander Schweizer, Martin Zimmermann, Jens Martin, Joachim Hirt
  • Publication number: 20070087895
    Abstract: A method for operating a drive mechanism comprising bringing a mobile element into a predetermined reference position with the help of an engine and setting an absolute position signal to a reference value allocated to a reference position; changing the position of the mobile element with the help of the engine and creating an incremental position measurement signal, depending on the change in position, for the mobile element; controlling the incremental position measurement signal and following the absolute position signal when a change in the incremental position measurement signal occurs; repositioning the mobile element in the reference position with assistance of the engine and determining the position value indicated by the absolute position signal in the reference position; determining a difference value from the position value and the reference value and saving the difference value in a data storage; and, repeating steps b) through e) are performed at least once.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Alexander Schweizer, Martin Zimmerman, Jens Martin, Joachim Hirt, Martin Fuss, Matthias Ehrlich, Frank Stengel
  • Publication number: 20060154782
    Abstract: A system for ensuring the ability to start an internal combustion engine contained within a drive train of a vehicle includes, in addition to an actuation device, a torque transmission device contained in the drive train between the internal combustion engine and driven vehicle wheels, an enabling device that is operable by a person operating the vehicle and by means of which the operability of the starter is enabled for starting the internal combustion engine when the torque transmission between the internal combustion engine and the driven wheels of the vehicle is interrupted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Behzad Nazari, Jens Martin, Matthias Ehrlich, Joachim Hirt, Frank Stengel, Martin Fuss, Alexander Schweizer, Martin Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20060144667
    Abstract: A process and device for controlling a motor vehicle with an initialization device (43) for startup and a clutch actuated by means of a clutch actuator set (45) between a drive unit and a gear with a control device (41) by means of which at least one control of the clutch actuator set (45) and an acquisition of measurement data of a sensor (47) takes place for the purpose of determining the position of the clutch, characterized in that to verify the state “clutch open” upon startup, a positioning of the clutch actuator set (45) that has been set and stored before or during shutdown is compared to a positioning that was acquired during a predetermined movement course of the clutch actuator set (45) after startup by means of a distance measurement, which takes place at least in a segment of that movement course, whereby the state “clutch open” is recognized, in particular, when the magnitude of the comparison is within a predetermined tolerance range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Alexander Schweizer, Frank Stengel, Martin Fuss, Matthias Ehrlich, Behzad Nazari, Jens Martin, Joachim Hirt, Martin Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20060127528
    Abstract: A nozzle contact device for guiding and clamping the injection nozzle for an injection unit of an injection molding machine onto an injection mold includes a linear drive for moving the injection unit back and forth, and a guide carriage which can be driven by the linear drive, with the guide carriage being articulated to the injection unit. The invention is characterized in that the axis of rotation of the articulation between the guide carriage and the injection unit extends horizontally, and that this axis of rotation and the injection axis are arranged on planes which are parallel to each other, preferably on the same horizontal plane. Rotary joints or flexural joints can be provided. In addition, the rear part of the injection unit, in particular a screw mechanism can be height-adjustable. As a result, the nozzle contact force is introduced into the injection unit in the absence of a bending moment. No tilting is caused between the injection nozzle and the sprue bush of the injection mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Applicant: Demag Ergotech GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Schmidt, Donald Meinert, Frank Stengel