Patents by Inventor Johannes Sorg

Johannes Sorg 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: 8853874
    Abstract: A wind power turbine with a wind rotor which operates at variable speeds, a generator that can operate at a constant speed and an electric machine that can operate at a variable speeds, which are each in driving connection with one another by way of a superimposition transmission, such that as a power control device for regulating the speed of the generator, the electric machine is connected to a power grid and operates as a generator and motor. A controllable brake, for braking the generator, is arranged in the force flow between the transmission and the generator to extend the operating range of the wind power turbine down to lower wind speeds. When operating the turbine at low wind speeds, the brake is applied, the generator is deactivated, and electric current is produced by operating the electric machine as a generator, which is fed to the power grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichschafen AG
    Inventor: Johannes Sorg
  • Publication number: 20120133155
    Abstract: A wind power turbine with a wind rotor which operates at variable speeds, a generator that can operate at a constant speed and an electric machine that can operate at a variable speeds, which are each in driving connection with one another by way of a superimposition transmission, such that as a power control device for regulating the speed of the generator, the electric machine is connected to a power grid and operates as a generator and motor. A controllable brake, for braking the generator, is arranged in the force flow between the transmission and the generator to extend the operating range of the wind power turbine down to lower wind speeds. When operating the turbine at low wind speeds, the brake is applied, the generator is deactivated, and electric current is produced by operating the electric machine as a generator, which is fed to the power grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Johannes Sorg
  • Patent number: 7954572
    Abstract: A steering system for tracked vehicles having two brake circuits which is activated after a failure of the primary steering mechanism. The steering system includes a steering switch (L) that can be controlled by a steering axle which, in the event of primary steering system failure, acts upon the brakes of the vehicle in such a manner that rotation of the steering axle results in a braking action upon a track on the inside of a curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Sorg, Bruno Walter, Notker Amann, Robert Januschevski
  • Publication number: 20100170728
    Abstract: A steering system for tracked vehicles having two brake circuits which is activated after a failure of the primary steering mechanism. The steering system includes a steering switch (L) that can be controlled by a steering axle which, in the event of primary steering system failure, acts upon the brakes of the vehicle in such a manner that rotation of the steering axle results in a braking action upon a track on the inside of a curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Sorg, Bruno Walter, Notker Amann, Robert Januschevski
  • Patent number: 7441618
    Abstract: An electrical drive system for a vehicle with a skid steering element exhibits a homogeneous electrical drive engine and a homogeneous gear unit (16, 18) on the left and on the right side in each case, which are propelled by a drive engine (2,4), assigned in each case, and over a power drive flange (28, 40) to propel a track or a drive wheel. Two transfer elements (26, 24) of the left gear unit (16), which do not form the drive, are directly connected by a mechanical gear train crosswise in each case with both transfer elements (36, 38) of the right gear unit, which do not form the drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Johannes Sorg
  • Publication number: 20060283641
    Abstract: An electrical drive system for a vehicle with a skid steering element exhibits a homogeneous electrical drive engine and a homogeneous gear unit (16, 18) on the left and on the right side in each case, which are propelled by a drive engine (2, 4), assigned in each case, and over a power drive flange (28, 40) to propel a track or a drive wheel. Two transfer elements (26, 24) of the left gear unit (16), which do not form the drive, are directly connected by a mechanical gear train crosswise in each case with both transfer elements (36, 38) of the right gear unit, which do not form the drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2004
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Johannes Sorg
  • Publication number: 20060037792
    Abstract: In a vehicle equipped with individual, electric wheel, drive trains, prime movers (16, 18) are situated radially outside the drive wheels (4, 6) and by a linking transmission (12, 14) rigidly connected with a vehicle body (2) are operatively coupled with drive wheels (4, 6). The drive wheels (4, 6) are unsprung relative to the vehicle body (2) and connected by transmission shafts (8, 10) with the linking transmission (12, 14). One shiftable clutch (32) is proposed with which the two drive wheels (4, 6) can be selectively operatively coupled together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2003
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Ralf Boss, Johannes Sorg
  • Patent number: 6155955
    Abstract: In motor vehicles fitted with overlay steering mechanisms comprising a transmission (2) and a steering transmission (4), substantial amounts of torque flow from the transmission inlet (12) to the steering transmission (4) when cornering. This results in a loss of speed during cornering. According to the method described, the torque flow to the steering transmission (4) is preferably automatically compensated by higher prime mover torque. Driving performance can be enhanced during cornering without needing to design the transmission (2) for higher input torque. The principle disclosed in the invention can be used for other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ralf Boss, Johannes Sorg
  • Patent number: 6032751
    Abstract: A cross-drive steering transmission serves for steering a tracklaying vehicle and has the following characteristics: at least two fixed mechanical reduction gears which act according to at least two turning radii; in addition an automatic steering radius switching mechanism is provided between the fixed reduction gears (fixed steering radii) and a device for the driver inputting a desired steering radius. Also provided is a control unit which, depending on the steering radius input by the driver, switches among a plurality of the fixed steering radii and approximates the desired steering radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Walter Loichinger, Johannes Sorg
  • Patent number: 5730677
    Abstract: A protection device for a steering transmission of a tracked vehicle having a plurality of planetary gear sets capable of engaging different ratios for cornering in curves with different radii. The input and output speeds of the steering transmission and the transmission ratios are determined and compared with predetermined operating parameters in order to determine if clutch slippage is occurring. If slippage is detected, the steering transmission is thereupon temporarily disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Sorg, Walter Loichinger