Patents by Inventor Heinrich Nikolaus
Heinrich Nikolaus 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).
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Patent number: 6106427Abstract: The invention is based on a continuously variable transmission comprising a mechanical power branch and an electronically controlled hydraulic power branch which can be adjusted via a swash plate (7), a summarizing transmission and a multi-stage transmission with hydraulically actuated, force-locking shift elements (11-14). The shift signals of the shift elements (11-14) are generally triggered when a shift or synchronizer speed is reached. Thereafter elapses a response or reaction time and an adjusting time until the shift elements (11-14) are engaged. This results in long clutch shift processes. It is proposed that the response and engagement times of the shift elements (11-14) be compensated by a control unit.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1999Date of Patent: August 22, 2000Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Heinrich Nikolaus, Robert Paton
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Patent number: 5958471Abstract: The invention relates to a spray dried composition consisting essentially of sorbitol, xylitol and mannitol, the method of making the composition and the use thereof in a compacted article or chewing gum products.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1996Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit beschrankter HaftungInventors: Eugen Schwarz, Gernot Moschl, Heinrich Nikolaus, Ralf Steinstrasser
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Patent number: 5343779Abstract: An arrangement and process for operating a continuously variable drive unit of a motor vehicle having an apparatus for control of the operation of the clutches (25, 26) in the mechanical transmission branch (19). Sensors (7, 9, 45) transmit the speed of the mechanical transmission branch (19), the hydrostatic transmission branch (17) and the transmission output shaft (10) to an electronic control device (3). The clutches (25, 26) are disconnected in the case of inadmissible speed ratios.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1991Date of Patent: September 6, 1994Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Heinrich Nikolaus, Robert Paton
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Patent number: 5311548Abstract: A digital electronic control apparatus for controlling at least one electronic control element comprises. The apparatus comprises first and second pulse width modulated output signal generators, the frequency of the second signal being different from the first. The second pulse width modulated signal is provided as a function of a digital value determined by at least one of a characteristic and operating condition of the at least one electronic control element. An AND-gate receives the first and second pulse width modulated signals and is capable of producing an output signal for controlling the at least one electronic control element a first and second pulse width modulated signal having a first frequency.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1992Date of Patent: May 10, 1994Assignee: Mannesmann Rexroth GmbHInventor: Heinrich Nikolaus
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Patent number: 5238663Abstract: The invention relates to a process for recovering nickel from industrial effluents, characterized in thata) the effluent loaded with nickel is allowed to settle in a corrugated-plate separator (1) for the removal of solid constituents contained therein,b) a flocculant is added and the mixture is neutralized with alkali or mineral acid,c) after flocculation, the mixture is again allowed to settle in a corrugated-plate separator (3) andd) filtered through a sand filter (4),e) the filtered effluent is passed through a sequestering cation exchanger system containing three exchanger columns, the first column (5) being loaded up to breakthrough of nickel, the second column (6) serving as a guard filter and the third column (7) being regenerated or standing by in the freshly regenerated state,f) the particular column loaded with nickel is regenerated with dilute mineral acid, andg) the regenerate is treated with sodium hypophosphite in the presence of catalytic quantities of sodium borohydride, and to equipment forType: GrantFiled: September 12, 1991Date of Patent: August 24, 1993Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit beschrankter HaftungInventors: Werner Vikari, Ralf Steinstrasser, Heinrich Nikolaus, Gunther Feldmann-Schlohbohm, Klaus Behne
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Patent number: 5187933Abstract: The invention relates to a variable displacement pump supplying fluid to a number of consumers. The pump control for adjusting the delivery rate is actuated by a signal which is produced by the respective highest loaded consumer. The signal is provided by a valve, in particular a pressure compensating valve which is associated with the consumer, and which valve opens a spool land when the valve becomes positioned at its control end range. A pressure signal from any pressure fluid source is delivered through the land to the pump controller. The control, according to the invention, offers a broad variety of possibilities for arranging the pressure compensation valve at various locations, engaging the valve by a variety of pressure differences, and using a number of pressure fluid sources of provide for the signal pressure to actuate the pump controller.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1989Date of Patent: February 23, 1993Assignee: Mannesmann Rexroth GmbHInventor: Heinrich Nikolaus
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Patent number: 5179330Abstract: A control circuit includes a microprocessor, a table store and an amplifier stage to control a controlled device which has a non-linear or linear, but discontinuous response curve. To obtain a linear response curve of the controlled device the table store is loaded with a response curve map in operating the controlled device. Thereafter the data loaded in pairs in the table store are inversely read-out and used as a control signal for the controlled device. The table store thus allows to linearize the response curve of the controlled device. In addition the data may be modified. According to the invention any correcting means to obtain an ideal response of the controlled device is eliminated. The invention provides for an optimum performance, smallest possible expenditure of circuitry and shortest possible control time.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1990Date of Patent: January 12, 1993Assignee: Mannesmann Rexroth GmbHInventor: Heinrich Nikolaus
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Patent number: 5177965Abstract: The invention refers to a hydraulic system comprising at least a variable displacement pump and at least a consumer. Means are provided to generate electrical limit signals when at least one of the consumers, preferably a load leading consumer indicates the need for an increased delivery rate or when the variable displacement pump indicates a hydraulic under-supply. In response to the limit signals generated by the consumer need or the pump are varied in a control circuit to adjust the control signals delivered to the servo devices of the hydraulic systems such that the pump control is optimized and that the flow rates to the consumers are decreased in the mode of under-supply. In addition very simple electrical circuits are disclosed to substantially reduce the expenditure of the system.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 1992Date of Patent: January 12, 1993Inventor: Heinrich Nikolaus
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Patent number: 5159855Abstract: The invention concerns a continuously variable driving unit motor vehicles having a controllable internal combustion engine and a hydrostatic-mechanical power split transmission with continuously variable reduction ratio, wherein the transmission is set to the lowest possible resistance when the driving unit is started and when the vehicle is stationary with the internal combustion engine running or during a warm-up period, the motor vehicle does not move unintentionally.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1991Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Heinrich Nikolaus, Robert Paton
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Patent number: 5159812Abstract: The invention refers to a hydraulic system comprising at least a variable displacement pump and at least a consumer. Means are provided to generate electrical limit signals when at least one of the consumers, preferrably a load leading consumer indicates the need for an increased delivery rate or when the variable displacement pump indicates a hydraulic under-supply. In response to the limit signals generated by the consumer need or the pump are varied in a control circuit to adjust the control signals delivered to the servo devices of the hydraulic systems such that the pump control is optimized and that the flow rates to the consumers are decreased in the mode of under-supply. In addition very simple electrical circuits are disclosed to substantially reduce the expenditure of the system.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1990Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Mannesmann Rexroth GmbHInventor: Heinrich Nikolaus
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Patent number: 5146812Abstract: Arrangement and method for operating a continuously variable drive unit of a motor vehicle with a controllable internal combustion engine and a hydrostatic-mechanical power split transmission and a control device which, near the gear-shift points S1 or S2 at an approximately constant rotational speed of the output shaft of the power split transmission, reduces the speed n.sub.mot of the internal combustion engine starting from n.sub.1 and accelerates the resetting motion PHI or the swash plate up to the shift point, resets the motion PHI of the swash plate by a calculated load-dependent value K during gear shifting, and, in the new gear range at a further decreasing speed of the internal combustion engine and accelerated resetting of the swash plate exits the area close to the shift point with almost constant rotational speed of the output shaft of the transmission and then, at a constant PHI angle of the swash plate, the rotational speed of the output shaft is increased to the previous level n.sub.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 1991Date of Patent: September 15, 1992Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Heinrich Nikolaus, Robert Paton
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Patent number: 5128599Abstract: An automatic control including a memory is provided to be loaded with positional data for the automatic control of a cycle of motions of preferably a plurality of power members. The speed reading the data in and out is freely selectable. Accordingly programming a cycle of motions may be performed in a slow motion process, whereas the speed of reading out the data is selected such that an optimum operational speed is obtained. In addition to the automatic speed control a manual control is provided to interrupt the cycle motion of the automatic control to manually adjust the position or the power member. In returning to the automatic control the further cycle of motion is taken up again where it has been interrupted.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1990Date of Patent: July 7, 1992Assignee: Mannesmann Rexroth GmbHInventors: Heinrich Nikolaus, Gerhard Ditter
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Patent number: 4928487Abstract: A cylinder unit is supplied with pressurized fluid from a hydraulic machine which is variable in speed and/or displacement. The machine may be operated as a pump and as a motor to increase the pressure or, respectively, to decrease the pressure so that the piston of the cylinder unit may be actuated in both directions and, furthermore, the brake energy is recovered by the machine when the piston is driven through an external load. This results in an increased efficiency of the control apparatus for the cylinder unit avoiding any problems arising from heat.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1985Date of Patent: May 29, 1990Assignee: Mannesmann Rexroth GmbHInventor: Heinrich Nikolaus
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Patent number: 4920748Abstract: The torque of a hydraulic machine is dependent of the fluid pressure delivered to the machine and is further dependent of the adjustment of its volume of through-put. In response to a load coupled to the machine, a speed results which is controlled by a speed control system acting on the adjusting system of the hydraulic machine. According to the invention, an electro hydraulic speed control comprises a pair of control circuits which are connected to, but operate independent of each other. Thus the electrical control circuit produces a control signal y.sub.e1 from the difference of the actual value and the desired value of the speed for adjusting a hydraulic restricting means which produces a hydraulic pressure signal p.sub.st in the hydraulic control circuit which pressure signal is compared with a hydraulic reference signal p.sub.o to produce a differential pressure signal p.sub.o -p.sub.st which is applied to the adjusting cylinder of the hydraulic machine.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1984Date of Patent: May 1, 1990Assignee: Mannesmann Rexroth GmbHInventors: Rolf Kordak, Heinrich Nikolaus, Frank Metzner
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Patent number: 4813234Abstract: A hydraulic transmission, in particular for an automotive drive system including a combustion engine comprises at least a pair of hydrostatic pumps and at least a pair of hydrostatic motors each pump and/or motor having the same size or different size with a constant or adjustable through-put. Automatically actuated clutches are provided to connect the pumps to the engine and to connect the motors to a load. A variety of transmission ranges is obtained by activating selected ones of the individual pumps and motors by actuating corresponding clutches. Therefore, the combustion engine may be operated under conditions in which fuel comsumption is as low as possible.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 1987Date of Patent: March 21, 1989Assignee: Mannesmann Rexroth GmbHInventor: Heinrich Nikolaus
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Patent number: 4688380Abstract: A secondarily controlled hydrostatic machine with variable volume is connected to a line with impressed system pressure which is fed by a primary unit. By switching over the primary unit the secondary unit is subjected to a displacement amount which results in as large as possible a pivot angle of the secondary unit to obtain the highest possible efficiency. The switching over takes place in dependence upon an upper and lower switching point corresponding to the desired pivot angle range of the secondary unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1986Date of Patent: August 25, 1987Assignee: Mannesmann Rexroth GmbHInventors: Peter Reinhardt, Heinrich Nikolaus, Frank Metzner
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Patent number: 4579043Abstract: A hydrostatic machine, in particular of bent axis design comprises a clutch which is provided between the drive shaft and the pistons. The force necessary for clutch engagement is produced by hydraulic pressure forces which are either applied to the pistons or delivered by the pistons depending on whether the machine operates as a motor or as a pump. When the machine neither produces a moment nor receives a moment the clutch is automatically disengaged due to the reduction of the hydraulic pressure forces. According to the invention the clutch helps to prevent hydraulic losses of the machine while running idle and improves the overall efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1984Date of Patent: April 1, 1986Assignee: Mannesmann Rexroth GmbHInventors: Heinrich Nikolaus, Rainer Bavendiek