Patents by Inventor Joachim Kuhnel

Joachim Kuhnel 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: 7172057
    Abstract: Vibration damper comprising a piston rod, which is guided with freedom of axial movement in a damping medium-filled cylinder and which carries a piston, which divides the cylinder into two working spaces. At least one of the two working spaces has a flow connection leading to a housing, in which a separating element separates at least one chamber from one of the two working spaces, where the volume of the minimum of one chamber in the housing has a size which is variable within defined limits. The separating element executes relative motion with respect to the housing, and is located in a permanent position with respect to the piston rod, whereas the housing is movable with respect to the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Frank Gundermann, Joachim Kühnel, Christian Böhm, Heinz-Joachim Gilsdorf
  • Patent number: 7135794
    Abstract: Spring support having at least one axially moveable spring plate, an actuator with a rotor producing a rotational movement relative to its stator, which is converted into an axial movement of the spring plate, and a torsional locking element which prevents torsional movement of the spring plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventor: Joachim Kühnel
  • Publication number: 20040163906
    Abstract: Vibration damper comprising a piston rod, which is guided with freedom of axial movement in a damping medium-filled cylinder and which carries a piston, which divides the cylinder into two working spaces. At least one of the two working spaces has a flow connection leading to a housing, in which a separating element separates at least one chamber from one of the two working spaces, where the volume of the minimum of one chamber in the housing has a size which is variable within defined limits. The separating element executes relative motion with respect to the housing, and is located in a permanent position with respect to the piston rod, whereas the housing is movable with respect to the piston rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Frank Gundermann, Joachim Kuhnel, Christian Bohm, Heinz-Joachim Gilsdorf
  • Publication number: 20040075350
    Abstract: Spring support having at least one axially moveable spring plate, an actuator with a rotor producing a rotational movement relative to its stator, which is converted into an axial movement of the spring plate, and a torsional locking element which prevents torsional movement of the spring plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventor: Joachim Kuhnel
  • Patent number: 6364332
    Abstract: An adjustable vibration damper, having a displacer in a cylinder, a damping medium exerting a damping force via an adjustable damping valve. The adjustable damping valve is activated by a control pressure of a pneumatic spring A safety device is provided which, in the event of a control pressure reduced as a result of damage to the pneumatic spring, provides a sufficiently high damping force of the vibration damper. At least two pneumatic springs are connected to the safety device, which is constructed from a pneumatic circuit functioning as a pressure balance between the pneumatic springs which releases the higher control pressure of a pneumatic spring in the pneumatic circuit. The adjustable vibration dampers which belong to the pneumatic springs are connected via at least one pressure outlet connection of the pneumatic circuit and are activated by the highest control pressure of the pneumatic springs involved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Thomas Kutsche, Norbert Heinz, Thomas Manger, Joachim Kühnel, Thorsten Asshoff, Steffen Heyn
  • Patent number: 6305512
    Abstract: A pressure operated valve is provided including an adjusting device, a spring and a vent connection. The adjusting device is axially movably arranged in a pressure chamber defined in the valve and comprises a valve body and a pressure intensifier. A space between the valve body and valve face defines a valve passage cross section. The spring is operatively arranged for holding the pressure intensifier in a floating arrangement in the pressure chamber. The pressure intensifier has a first side exposed to a pressure in the pressure connection opening and a second side facing away from the pressure connection opening. The second side of the pressure intensifier and the adjusting device define a low pressure chamber within the pressure chamber. The vent connection is an inflow restrictor arranged between the lower pressure chamber and a space having a lower pressure than the low pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Norbert Heinz, Joachim Kühnel, Thomas Kutsche, Thomas Manger, Thorsten Assiioff, Steffen Heyn, Alfred Wirth
  • Patent number: 6182687
    Abstract: A pressure-dependent valve, for use with an adjustable vibration damper comprising a piston rod arranged in an axially movable fashion in a cylindrical tube filled with damping fluid, is controlled by a pressure transducer pressurized via a pressure connection opening. The pressure-dependent valve includes a valve body axially movable relative to a valve surface. The valve body and valve surface together determine a valve passage cross-section. The pressure transducer is float-mounted in a pressure space and supported by at least one spring. One of the valve parts determining the valve passage cross-section is movable relative to the current position of the pressure transducer by an adjustment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Andreas Förster, Joachim Kühnel
  • Patent number: 5649692
    Abstract: A self-actuating vibration damper for use in a pneumatic suspension system of a motor vehicle having an air spring that defines an air chamber is disclosed. Located within the air chamber is an actuator rod mounted between two air valves. Upon application of a sufficiently heavy load to the vibration damper, a first end of the actuator rod closes the first air valve to prevent release of air from the air chamber to the outside atmosphere, and a second end of the actuator rod opens the second valve to admit compressed air into the air chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Heinz-Joachim Gilsdorf, Joachim Kuhnel, Michael Hurrlein