Patents by Inventor Frank von Levern

Frank von Levern 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: 7213696
    Abstract: A friction clutch arrangement includes a clutch housing mounted to a flywheel, a pressure plate, a clutch disk mounted on a transmission shaft, and a diaphragm spring which loads the pressure plate toward the flywheel to engage the clutch. A disengagement device includes a sliding sleeve which is axially displaceable on the shaft to introduce a disengagement force to the clutch spring via an force action point, thereby producing a characteristic curve of disengagement force versus disengagement travel of the sleeve. During disengagement, a compensation device introduces a compensation force counter to the pressing force in a predefined section of the characteristic curve, thereby reducing the disengagement force in the predefined section. A switchable force transmission device changes the effective force transmission ratio of the pressing force and the disengagement force during disengagement in a predetermined manner, thereby optimizing the disengagement stroke of the pressure plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Andrzej Szadkowski, Frank von Levern, Andreas Gebauer
  • Patent number: 6886676
    Abstract: A hub ring for use in a clutch disk includes an inner circumference which can engage a hub; and a pair of axially opposed front sides. At least one of the front sides has means for positively engaging a structural component arranged against the respective front side so that torque can be transmitted from the structural component to the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Frank von Levern, Norbert Lohaus
  • Publication number: 20030234152
    Abstract: A hub ring for use in a clutch disk includes an inner circumference which can engage a hub; and a pair of axially opposed front sides. At least one of the front sides has means for positively engaging a structural component arranged against the respective front side so that torque can be transmitted from the structural component to the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Frank von Levern, Norbert Lohaus