Patents by Inventor Hans Hofele

Hans Hofele 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).

  • Publication number: 20220371423
    Abstract: A motor vehicle shell of a motor vehicle includes a frame structure that is formed by crossmembers and by longitudinal members. The frame structure is closed peripherally and protrudes downwardly in a vertical direction of the motor vehicle from a base element. A receiving chamber for receiving an electrical energy store is delimited by the frame structure. A cover is formed separately from the frame structure and is disposed opposite the base element. The receiving chamber is closed downwardly in the vertical direction of the motor vehicle by the cover. An annular and dimensionally stable intermediary element is formed separately from the frame structure and separately from the cover. The intermediary element is disposed between the frame structure and the cover and the intermediary element is fixed at least in a liquid-tight manner on the frame structure by a firmly bonded connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Clemens BALKE, Jan DRECHSEL, Leif ECKLE, Patrick HEBER, Hans HOFELE, Frank IMRECKE, Stefan LUTZ, Andreas MAIER, Franz MAIER, Jan-Mark OPELKA, Markus ORNER, Calixte ROLLAND, Thomas WEBER
  • Patent number: 10160023
    Abstract: The drawing press according to the invention includes a support structure for supporting a metal sheet holder which is part of a tool and supported on the press frame via the support structure. The metal sheet holder is assigned a plunger with a die tool, whereas the plunger is moved by means of a plunger drive which includes a blocking position. The blocking position is obtained, for example, by a drive which, in the blocking position does not transmit any movement of the drive output to the driving servomotor. This can be achieved, for example, by an eccentric drive in the stretched position thereof. For performing the actual drawing stroke, the stamping tool is vertically movably supported. A carriage is raised or lowered by the press table by means of a table drive. As table drive, preferably a servomotor with a non-linear drive, such as an eccentric drive is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: SCHULER PRESSEN GMBH
    Inventors: Dietmar Schoellhammer, Martin Schmeink, Andreas Dangelmayr, Hans Hofele, Juergen Fahrenbach
  • Publication number: 20180264536
    Abstract: The drawing press according to the invention includes a support structure for supporting a metal sheet holder which is part of a tool and supported on the press frame via the support structure. The metal sheet holder is assigned a plunger with a die tool, whereas the plunger is moved by means of a plunger drive which includes a blocking position. The blocking position is obtained, for example, by a drive which, in the locking position does not transmit any movement of the drive output to the driving servomotor. This can be achieved, for example, by an eccentric drive in the stretched position thereof. For performing the actual drawing stroke, the stamping tool is vertically movably supported. A carriage is raised or lowered by the press table by means of a table drive. As table drive, preferably a servomotor with a non-linear drive, such as an eccentric drive is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: SCHULER PRESSEN GMBH
    Inventors: DIETMAR SCHOELLHAMMER, Martin Schmeink, Andreas Dangelmayr, Hans Hofele, Juergen Fahrenbach
  • Publication number: 20130180301
    Abstract: The drawing press according to the invention includes a support structure for supporting a metal sheet holder which is part of a tool and supported on the press frame via the support structure. The metal sheet holder is assigned a plunger with a die tool, whereas the plunger is moved by means of a plunger drive which includes a blocking position. The blocking position is obtained, for example, by a drive which, in the locking position does not transmit any movement of the drive output to the driving servomotor. This can be achieved, for example, by an eccentric drive in the stretched position thereof. For performing the actual drawing stroke, the stamping tool is vertically movably supported. A carriage is raised or lowered by the press table by means of a table drive. As table drive, preferably a servomotor with a non-linear drive, such as an eccentric drive is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: SCHULER PRESSEN GMBH
    Inventors: DIETMAR SCHOELLHAMMER, Martin Schmeink, Andreas Dangelmayr, Hans Hofele, Juergen Fahrenbach
  • Patent number: 7752881
    Abstract: Press driving modules are provided to permit a standardized press design. The presses of a press line are equipped with always identical press driving modules, and the pressing force of the presses is varied only by the adaptation of the number of press driving modules. The press driving modules each contain two driving devices, respectively, that interact parallel or in series and have different characteristic curves. In particular, they have different maximal traveling speeds and different maximal forces. They can also have a different design with respect to their positioning capability and path resolution. This concept permits not only a standardization of presses of different performance classes within a press line but, beyond that, the largely free definition of characteristic path-time curves of the slides, and thereby finally also a freer design of workpieces, particularly of vehicle body parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Schuler Pressen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hans Hofele, Andreas Lauke
  • Publication number: 20080207389
    Abstract: A transmission-hub unit (1) for a wind energy installation includes transmission (3) including a single piece rotatably supported transmission part (12, 27) which comprises the input gear wheel (1 1) of the transmission (3) as well as the blade-hub (2). Preferably, only two radial bearings (16, 18) for the support of the blade-hub (2) and the gear wheel (11) are provided. Additionally, axial bearings may be provided. A particularly compact, short, and light-weight arrangement for the transmission (3) and the blade-hub (2) is obtained thereby. The concept is particularly suitable for large wind energy installations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Jurgen Fahrenbach, Andreas Dangelmayr, Hans Hofele, Volker Schade
  • Patent number: 7287950
    Abstract: In a transfer arrangement and method for transferring a workpiece between first and second spaced locations along a guide rail with a carriage movably supported on the guide rail, a transfer arm is pivotally supported on the carriage and carries at its free end a workpiece holder which is accelerated by the carriage with the arm essentially stretched out in the movement direction out of, and decelerated into, the end positions, and, in an intermediate position, the carriage movement is slowed down or even reversed while the workpiece holder is moved along by a pivot movement of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Schuler Pressen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Schmeink, Andreas Lauke, Gerd Jäger, Hans Hofele, Claudia Maria Thudium, legal representative, Andreas Dangelmayr, Karl Thudium, deceased
  • Publication number: 20070062247
    Abstract: Press driving modules are provided to permit a standardized press design. The presses of a press line are equipped with always identical press driving modules, and the pressing force of the presses is varied only by the adaptation of the number of press driving modules. The press driving modules each contain two driving devices, respectively, that interact parallel or in series and have different characteristic curves. In particular, they have different maximal traveling speeds and different maximal forces. They can also have a different design with respect to their positioning capability and path resolution. This concept permits not only a standardization of presses of different performance classes within a press line but, beyond that, the largely free definition of characteristic path-time curves of the slides, and thereby finally also a freer design of workpieces, particularly of vehicle body parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Applicant: SCHULER PRESSEN GmnH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Hans Hofele, Andreas Lauke
  • Patent number: 7159438
    Abstract: A transfer press provided with a transfer device, having transfer units provided with cross members (37) for which the length is shorter than the width of a tool. The transfer units (29 to 32) are arranged completely between the processing stations or stages, are mounted on the crown or head piece, and are not provided with elements extending beside the tools or between supports of adjacent processing or press stations. Thus, the full width spanned by the press supports can be used for the tools. In addition, tools can be used which are provided with guides, effective between the upper tool and the lower tool, particularly in the side region. The work pieces are handled solely by means of the openings, freed by the tools and pointing counter to the transporting device, wherein no element of the transfer device extends past the side limits of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Schuler Pressen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Lauke, Karl Thudium, Gerd Jäger, Hans Hofele
  • Patent number: 7102316
    Abstract: In a press having a plunger supported so as to be movable linearly back and forth by drive means which include at least one servomotor in combination with a rotatably supported inertia structure connected for rotation with the servomotor, the inertia structure has an inertia moment which is small enough to permit reversal of the servomotor within a stroke length of the plunger so that the stroke of the plunger is adjustable under the control of a control device connected to the servomotor for controlling its operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Schuler Pressen GmbH & KG
    Inventors: Joachim Beyer, Hans Hofele, Andreas Lauke
  • Publication number: 20060156933
    Abstract: In a press comprising a frame structure, a plunger movably supported by the frame structure, at least one servomotor for driving the plunger and an elbow lever drive connected to the servomotor and the plunger for actuating the plunger, at least one auxiliary drive is connected to the plunger for operating the plunger in stroke ranges where the elbow lever drive is ineffective for controllably moving the plunger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Inventors: Hans Hofele, Andreas Lauke
  • Publication number: 20050238473
    Abstract: In a transfer arrangement and method for transferring a workpiece between first and second spaced locations along a guide rail with a carriage movably supported on the guide rail, a transfer arm is pivotally supported on the carriage and carries at its free end a workpiece holder which is accelerated by the carriage with the arm essentially stretched out in the movement direction out of, and decelerated into, the end positions, and, in an intermediate position, the carriage movement is slowed down or even reversed while the workpiece holder is moved along by a pivot movement of the arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Publication date: October 27, 2005
    Inventors: Martin Schmeink, Andreas Lauke, Gerd Jager, Hans Hofele, Karl Thudium, Claudia Thudium, Andreas Dangelmayr
  • Publication number: 20050189900
    Abstract: In a press having a plunger supported so as to be movable linearly back and forth by drive means which include at least one servomotor in combination with a rotatably supported inertia structure connected for rotation with the servomotor, the inertia structure has an inertia moment which is small enough to permit reversal of the servomotor within a stroke length of the plunger so that the stroke of the plunger is adjustable under the control of a control device connected to the servomotor for controlling its operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Inventors: Joachim Beyer, Hans Hofele, Andreas Lauke
  • Publication number: 20040261488
    Abstract: A transfer press provided with a transfer device, having transfer units provided with cross members (37) for which the length is shorter than the width of a tool. The transfer units (29 to 32) are arranged completely between the processing stations or stages, are mounted on the crown or head piece, and are not provided with elements extending beside the tools or between supports of adjacent processing or press stations. Thus, the full width spanned by the press supports can be used for the tools. In addition, tools can be used which are provided with guides, effective between the upper tool and the lower tool, particularly in the side region. The work pieces are handled solely by means of the openings, freed by the tools and pointing counter to the transporting device, wherein no element of the transfer device extends past the side limits of the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: Schuler Pressen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Lauke, Karl Thudium, Gerd Jager, Hans Hofele
  • Patent number: 6775888
    Abstract: A system for forming workpieces, has at least one forming tool has at least one machining device with a local energy feed. The local feed is provided for machining the workpieces as a separate station within the forming system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Schuler Pressen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Konrad Wegener, Hans Hofele, Sieghard Muller
  • Patent number: 6729173
    Abstract: A hydraulic drawing system for a press is provided for controlling a blank holder. The blank holder can be moved by at least one hydraulic cylinder-piston unit which has at least one pressure chamber. By way of a connection line, the pressure chamber is connected directly with a control block provided for controlling the movements of the at least one cylinder-piston unit. At least one storage element for storing pressure for the at least one cylinder-piston unit is connected by way of a connection line with the control block and, by way of another connection line at least one valve device is connected with the control block. The connection lines extend in each case at least approximately completely within the respective components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Schuler Pressen GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Hans Hofele, Andreas Lauke
  • Patent number: 6710291
    Abstract: A process forms workpieces in a forming system with at least one forming station. The workpieces are transported from or to the at least one forming station. Outside the time period provided for the forming of a certain workpiece, a machining takes place in the forming system with a local energy feed on this workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Schuler Pressen GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Konrad Wegener, Hans Hofele
  • Patent number: 6612229
    Abstract: A multistation press has several slides which can be moved up and down and which are equipped with tools for forming workpieces. The press a transport arrangement for transporting the workpieces within and/or between the stations. At least one cross traverse for holding the workpieces, in its resting condition, is aligned at least approximately perpendicularly with respect to the transport direction of the workpieces. The cross traverse is held at its two ends in each case a lever arrangement and can be oriented in the space. A length compensating device is arranged on at least one of the two ends of the cross traverse to change the overall length of the cross traverse between its two ends. The length compensating device has an exterior tube element, which is mounted at one end of the cross traverse on the one lever arrangement, and an interior element which is displaceably arranged inside the exterior tube element and which is mounted at the other end of the cross traverse on the other lever arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Schuler Pressen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hans Hofele, Jürgen Hohnhaus
  • Publication number: 20020157443
    Abstract: A hydraulic drawing system for a press is provided for controlling a blank holder. The blank holder can be moved by at least one hydraulic cylinder-piston unit which has at least one pressure chamber. By way of a connection line, the pressure chamber is connected directly with a control block provided for controlling the movements of the at least one cylinder-piston unit. At least one storage element for storing pressure for the at least one cylinder-piston unit is connected by way of a connection line with the control block and, by way of another connection line at least one valve device is connected with the control block. The connection lines extend in each case at least approximately completely within the respective components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: Schuler Pressen GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Hans Hofele, Andreas Lauke
  • Publication number: 20020088266
    Abstract: A multistation press has several slides which can be moved up and down and which are equipped with tools for forming workpieces. The press a transport arrangement for transporting the workpieces within and/or between the stations. At least one cross traverse for holding the workpieces, in its resting condition, is aligned at least approximately perpendicularly with respect to the transport direction of the workpieces. The cross traverse is held at its two ends in each case a lever arrangement and can be oriented in the space. A length compensating device is arranged on at least one of the two ends of the cross traverse to change the overall length of the cross traverse between its two ends. The length compensating device has an exterior tube element, which is mounted at one end of the cross traverse on the one lever arrangement, and an interior element which is displaceably arranged inside the exterior tube element and which is mounted at the other end of the cross traverse on the other lever arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Hans Hofele, Jurgen Hohnhaus