Patents by Inventor Hermann Hoffmann

Hermann Hoffmann 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: 11781648
    Abstract: A parking lock for a transmission of an electric or hybrid vehicle is disclosed. The parking lock includes a lock device including an actuatable actuating element and a setting element adjustable between a deployed position and a retracted position. The locking device is configured such that, in response to repeated actuation of the actuating element, the setting element is, via a coupling mechanism, adjusted alternately between the retracted position and the deployed position. A camshaft is provided with a cam arranged on the camshaft that is connected in terms of drive to the lock device. A ratchet wheel is provided with a pawl that is adjustable between an engagement position, where the pawl blocks a rotation of the ratchet wheel, and a release position, where the blocking of the ratchet wheel is released. The setting element adjusts the pawl between the engagement position and the release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Benjamin Gaiser, Hermann Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 11697501
    Abstract: In a passenger seating arrangement in an aircraft cabin, the passenger seating arrangement has exactly two rows of seat units and exactly one aisle. A first row of seat units and a second row of seat units are separated by the aisle. The rows of seat units and the aisle all extend in a longitudinal direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft cabin. Each seat unit includes a seat, an upper shell and a lower shell, the lower shell forming a footwell. The seats are arranged in parallel to each other in a seating direction. An upper shell of a first seat unit and a lower shell of a second seat unit, which, viewed in the longitudinal direction, is arranged behind the first seat unit, partially overlap in a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: RECARO Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christopher Chilcott, Hermann Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 11193586
    Abstract: A parking lock for a transmission of a motor vehicle may include a park gear rotatable about an axis of rotation, and an actuation device adjustable into a locking position and an unlocking position radially relative to the axis of rotation. In the unlocking position, rotating of the park gear may be possible, and in the locking position, rotating of the park gear may be prevented by way of positive locking. The actuation device may include a shifting drum and a locking lever, wherein the shifting drum may be rotatable about a guiding axis that is radial relative to the axis of rotation. The locking lever, by way of a guide track formed in the shifting drum, may interact with the guide track so that when the shifting drum is rotated, the locking lever may be guidable by the guide track radially relative to the axis of rotation and parallel to the guiding axis, and thereby the actuation device may be adjustable into the locking position and into the unlocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Inventors: Martin Berger, Karl-Heinz Hanslik, Hermann Hoffmann, Florian Kollitz
  • Publication number: 20210293334
    Abstract: A parking lock for a transmission of an electric or hybrid vehicle is disclosed. The parking lock includes a lock device including an actuatable actuating element and a setting element adjustable between a deployed position and a retracted position. The locking device is configured such that, in response to repeated actuation of the actuating element, the setting element is, via a coupling mechanism, adjusted alternately between the retracted position and the deployed position. A camshaft is provided with a cam arranged on the camshaft that is connected in terms of drive to the lock device. A ratchet wheel is provided with a pawl that is adjustable between an engagement position, where the pawl blocks a rotation of the ratchet wheel, and a release position, where the blocking of the ratchet wheel is released. The setting element adjusts the pawl between the engagement position and the release position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Benjamin Gaiser, Hermann Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20200166131
    Abstract: A parking lock for a transmission of a motor vehicle may include a park gear rotatable about an axis of rotation, and an actuation device adjustable into a locking position and an unlocking position radially relative to the axis of rotation. In the unlocking position, rotating of the park gear may be possible, and in the locking position, rotating of the park gear may be prevented by way of positive locking. The actuation device may include a shifting drum and a locking lever, wherein the shifting drum may be rotatable about a guiding axis that is radial relative to the axis of rotation. The locking lever, by way of a guide track formed in the shifting drum, may interact with the guide track so that when the shifting drum is rotated, the locking lever may be guidable by the guide track radially relative to the axis of rotation and parallel to the guiding axis, and thereby the actuation device may be adjustable into the locking position and into the unlocking position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Martin Berger, Karl-Heinz Hanslik, Hermann Hoffmann, Florian Kollitz
  • Patent number: 10371020
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine may include at least one cylinder, a first outlet valve and a second outlet valve for directing exhaust gas out from a combustion chamber of the at least one cylinder. The first outlet valve may include a first valve opening and a first valve body where the first valve opening is adjustable between a closed position and an open position. The second outlet valve may include a second valve opening and a second valve body where the second valve body is adjustable between a closed position and an open position. An adjusting lever may adjust one or both of the first valve body and the second valve body between the open position and the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Patrick Altherr, Hermann Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20170362967
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine may include at least one cylinder, a first outlet valve and a second outlet valve for directing exhaust gas out from a combustion chamber of the at least one cylinder. The first outlet valve may include a first valve opening and a first valve body where the first valve opening is adjustable between a closed position and an open position. The second outlet valve may include a second valve opening and a second valve body where the second valve body is adjustable between a closed position and an open position. An adjusting lever may adjust one or both of the first valve body and the second valve body between the open position and the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Patrick Altherr, Hermann Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 9815556
    Abstract: The invention relates to an aircraft seat device comprising at least one table device which comprises at least one table surface and at least one adjustment device, which is provided for the purpose of adjusting the table surface between a stowed position and a use position. The adjustment device is provided for the purpose of moving the table surface in a linear displacement movement and a rotational movement at least substantially in one plane during an adjustment between the stowed position and the use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: RECARO Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Daniel Helwig, Hermann Hoffmann, Joerg Purfuerst, Andreas Itzinger, Sascha Knaup
  • Publication number: 20160288911
    Abstract: The invention relates to an aircraft seat device comprising at least one table device which comprises at least one table surface and at least one adjustment device, which is provided for the purpose of adjusting the table surface between a stowed position and a use position. The adjustment device is provided for the purpose of moving the table surface in a linear displacement movement and a rotational movement at least substantially in one plane during an adjustment between the stowed position and the use position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Applicant: RECARO Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Daniel HELWIG, Hermann HOFFMANN, Joerg PURFUERST, Andreas ITZINGER, Sascha KNAUP
  • Patent number: 8857177
    Abstract: A piston engine, having at least one cylinder that includes at least a first and a second discharge valve and a double overhead camshaft for controlling the first and a second discharge valves. The double overhead camshaft includes both an inner shaft, which has at least one first cam for controlling the first discharge valve, and an outer shaft that is coaxial to the first inner shaft and has at least one second cam for controlling the second discharge valve. The inner shaft and the outer shaft are rotationally adjustable relative to one another changing the discharge time frame of the discharge valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Elsässer, Hermann Hoffmann, Sascha Senjic, Peter Wieske
  • Patent number: 8490587
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cam drive (1) having a camshaft and having cams (18, 18?)arranged thereon and having at least one rocker arm (3) which has a cam follower (2) and which is operatively connected by means of its first arm (4) to a plunger-like bearing (5) and by means of its second arm (6) to at least one gas exchange valve (7) of an associated cylinder. The cam drive (1) also has a device (10) for varying the lift of the at least one gas exchange valve (7). Here, it is essential to the invention that the device (10) is embodied as a clutch device which acts between the plunger-like abutment (5) and the rocker arm (3, 3?, 3?)and which has an actuating element (12) which is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis (13) of the plunger-like abutment (5) at least between two positions, wherein a valve lift in a first, coupled position of the actuating element (12) is varied in comparison with a second, decoupled position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Hale, Jonathan Hall, Hermann Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 8327815
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an adjustable camshaft (1), which is connected to a crankshaft via a sprocket/belt pulley (3) and has a phase adjusting device (4) for adjusting the phase between the camshaft (1) and the crankshaft. The essential idea of the invention is that the phase adjusting device (4) comprises a planetary gear (5) having at least two sun wheels (6 and 7) disposed coaxially to each other and planet wheels (8) surrounding said sun wheels, wherein said planet wheels are rotatably supported on a planet wheel carrier (10) via a planet wheel axis (9). Said planet wheel carrier (10) can be rotated in relation to the camshaft axis (11), wherein a rotation of the planet wheel carrier (10) brings about a phase adjustment between the camshaft (1) and the drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Hale, Jonathan Hall, Hermann Hoffmann, Gordon Taylor
  • Patent number: 7845075
    Abstract: A camshaft has at least two completely machined individual cams fixedly mounted on a shaft in predetermined angular positions. The shaft includes an outside shaft and an inside shaft arranged concentrically in the former, and is to be manufactured in such a way that remachining of the joined camshaft is not necessary. This is by combining the individual cams even before they are mounted on a shaft and joining them to this shaft to form a machining module, such that the individual cams are combined in their mutual arrangement in relation to one another in which the cams are to be mounted on the finished camshaft. The final machining of the cams is performed within this machining nodule. When the cams are completely machined in this way, the cams are joined to the shaft of the camshaft within the machining module. This ensures that the desired mutual arrangement is maintained, i.e., that remachining is not necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Mahle Ventiltrieb GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Fritz, Tilo Hentschel, Hermann Hoffmann, Martin Lechner
  • Publication number: 20100242472
    Abstract: A piston engine, having at least one cylinder that includes at least a first and a second discharge valve and a double overhead camshaft for controlling the first and a second discharge valves. The double overhead camshaft includes both an inner shaft, which has at least one first cam for controlling the first discharge valve, and an outer shaft that is coaxial to the first inner shaft and has at least one second cam for controlling the second discharge valve. The inner shaft and the outer shaft are rotationally adjustable relative to one another changing the discharge time frame of the discharge valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Alfred Elsässer, Hermann Hoffmann, Sascha Senjic, Peter Wieske
  • Publication number: 20100101515
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cam drive (1) having a camshaft and having cams (18, 18?) arranged thereon and having at least one rocker arm (3) which has a cam follower (2) and which is operatively connected by means of its first arm (4) to a plunger-like bearing (5) and by means of its second arm (6) to at least one gas exchange valve (7) of an associated cylinder. The cam drive (1) also has a device (10) for varying the lift of the at least one gas exchange valve (7). Here, it is essential to the invention that the device (10) is embodied as a clutch device which acts between the plunger-like abutment (5) and the rocker arm (3, 3?, 3?) and which has an actuating element (12) which is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis (13) of the plunger-like abutment (5) at least between two positions, wherein a valve lift in a first, coupled position of the actuating element (12) is varied in comparison with a second, decoupled position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2007
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas Hale, Jonathan Hall, Hermann Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20100064998
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an adjustable camshaft (1), which is connected to a crankshaft via a sprocket/belt pulley (3) and has a phase adjusting device (4) for adjusting the phase between the camshaft (1) and the crankshaft. The essential idea of the invention is that the phase adjusting device (4) comprises a planetary gear (5) having at least two sun wheels (6 and 7) disposed coaxially to each other and planet wheels (8) surrounding said sun wheels, wherein said planet wheels are rotatably supported on a planet wheel carrier (10) via a planet wheel axis (9). Said planet wheel carrier (10) can be rotated in relation to the camshaft axis (11), wherein a rotation of the planet wheel carrier (10) brings about a phase adjustment between the camshaft (1) and the drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas Hale, Johnathan Hall, Hermann Hoffmann, Gorden Taylor
  • Patent number: 7677214
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for shutting down at least one cylinder of an internal combustion engine. The device (1) is connected to a rocker lever (2) which actuates an intake/exhaust valve (6) of the respective cylinder. In active cylinder operation, the rocker lever (2) executes an oscillating tilting movement about a pivot axle (10) which is situated in the area of the connection to the cylinder head (9), whereas when the respective cylinder is deactivated, the rocker lever (2) is lifted by the cylinder head (9) and therefore its pivot axle (10) is shifted in the direction of the connection of the rocker lever (2) to the valve of the respective cylinder. It is essential to the invention here that the device (1) is arranged essentially between the rocker lever (2) and the cylinder head (9) and the device has a guide element (11), a pivot axle element (12) displaceably mounted on the guide element (11) and a spring (15) stretched between two abutments (13, 14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Hale, Jonathan Hall, Hermann Hoffmann, Mark Potts
  • Patent number: 7533640
    Abstract: The invention relates to a contoured body having an additional cam contour for effecting a valve control of a piston combustion engine that is used, in particular, for an internal exhaust gas recirculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignees: Fev Motorentechnik GmbH, Mahle Ventiltrieb GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Hahn, Helge Djie, Sven Lauer, Markus Duesmann, Falk Schneider, Christopher Steinmetz, Hermann Hoffmann, Martin Lechner
  • Patent number: 7431002
    Abstract: A camshaft has contrarotating cams for automotive engines, in which an inside shaft and an outside shaft are arranged concentrically so they are contrarotating, at least one cam has at least one main cam element that can be placed radially on the outside shaft and is supported there so it can rotate. The main cam element is connected to the inside shaft in a manner that is rotationally locked via a fastener passing through a recess in the outside shaft. Further features include a fastener, a main cam element and a locking means. The fastening of the main cam element to the inside shaft is provided by widening the outside diameter of the fastener by the locking means with a resulting tightly seated connection between the fastener and the inside shaft, and the fastener and the locking means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Hoffmann, Martin Lechner, Falk Schneider
  • Publication number: 20080115750
    Abstract: The invention relates to a contoured body having an additional cam contour for effecting a valve control of a piston combustion engine that is used, in particular, for an internal exhaust gas recirculation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Joachim Hahn, Helge Djie, Sven Lauer, Markus Duesmann, Falk Schneider, Christopher Steinmetz, Hermann Hoffmann, Martin Lechner