Patents by Inventor Jurgen Kleifges

Jurgen Kleifges 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: 6962533
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper, especially a dual-mass flywheel, has a primary side and a secondary side, which is free to rotate around an axis of rotation relative to the primary side. Starting from a rotation in a direction of rotation around a forward base angle (?), a forward base spring arrangement exerts a forward base restoring force on the secondary side. Starting from rotation around a forward auxiliary angle (?), which is greater than the forward base angle (?), a forward auxiliary spring arrangement exerts an additional forward auxiliary restoring force. Upon rotation around a forward limit angle (?), both spring arrangements come to a stop together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Michael Zottmann, Jürgen Kleifges, Bernhard Schierling, Alexander Manger
  • Patent number: 6723180
    Abstract: A gray cast iron alloy for a friction element of a friction clutch, which may be brought into frictional contact with a clutch disk by a friction surface of the friction element, contains: 3.0-3.4 percent by weight C, 1.8-2.3 percent by weight Si, 0.4-0.8 percent by weight Mn, 0.0-0.35 percent by weight P, 0.0-0.125 percent by weight S, 0.4-0.6 percent by weight Mo, with the remainder comprising iron and production-related impurities and/or additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Achim Link, Jürgen Kleifges
  • Patent number: 6666314
    Abstract: A pressure plate is held so as to be movable axially with respect to the housing by means of at least one leaf spring arrangement which is secured in a first coupling area to a first mounting area of the pressure plate and is secured in a second coupling area to a second mounting area of the housing. A contact surface is provided on each mounting area for the contact of the at least one leaf spring arrangement with the first coupling area and the second coupling area. The contact surface in at least one of the mounting areas is inclined relative to a plane (E) extending essentially orthogonal to an axis of rotation (A) of the thrust plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventor: Jürgen Kleifges
  • Patent number: 6662923
    Abstract: A pressure plate assembly for a friction clutch includes a housing for mounting to a flywheel; a pressure plate, held in the housing with the freedom to move in the same direction as that of a rotational axis (A); a stored-energy element; and a wear-compensating device acting in the path of force transmission between the stored-energy element and the pressure plate, where the wear-compensating device has at least one adjusting element, which can move in an adjusting direction to compensate for wear. A clearance-producing arrangement includes a gripping element provided on the pressure plate, which element comes or can be brought to rest against a blocking element (fixed in position relative to the housing arrangement upon the occurrence of wear. When the housing arrangement is being attached to the flywheel arrangement, the blocking element arrives in state in which it is able to enter into a blocking interaction with the associated gripping element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Johann Dobler, Klaus Gorzitzke, Oswald Grünewald, Winfried Herterich, Jürgen Kleifges, Wolfgang Knauer, Jörg Lampe, Walter Lindner, Achim Link, Gerhard Röll, Reinhold Weidinger, Erwin Ziegler
  • Publication number: 20030114228
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper, especially a dual-mass flywheel, has a primary side and a secondary side, which is free to rotate around an axis of rotation relative to the primary side. Starting from a rotation in a direction of rotation around a forward base angle (&ggr;), a forward base spring arrangement exerts a forward base restoring force on the secondary side. Starting from rotation around a forward auxiliary angle (&dgr;), which is greater than the forward base angle (&ggr;), a forward auxiliary spring arrangement exerts an additional forward auxiliary restoring force. Upon rotation around a forward limit angle (&egr;), both spring arrangements come to a stop together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Michael Zottmann, Jurgen Kleifges, Bernhard Schierling, Alexander Manger
  • Patent number: 6536575
    Abstract: A clutch disk is provided having a connecting arrangement, by means of which the friction linings can execute a radial movement with respect to the hub rotation axis and/or tilting movement with respect to a plane orthogonal to the hub rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Mario Lory, Klaus Dollhopf, Achim Link, Reinhard Feldhaus, Bernhard Schierling, Norbert Ament, Jürgen Kleifges, Erwin Wack, Jürgen Weth, Bernd Peinemann, Andreas Orlamünder
  • Publication number: 20020079185
    Abstract: A pressure plate is held so as to be movable axially with respect to the housing by means of at least one leaf spring arrangement which is secured in a first coupling area to a first mounting area of the pressure plate and is secured in a second coupling area to a second mounting area of the housing. A contact surface is provided on each mounting area for the contact of the at least one leaf spring arrangement with the first coupling area and the second coupling area. The contact surface in at least one of the mounting areas is inclined relative to a plane (E) extending essentially orthogonal to an axis of rotation (A) of the thrust plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Applicant: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventor: Jurgen Kleifges
  • Publication number: 20020079188
    Abstract: A gray cast iron alloy for a friction element of a friction clutch, which may be brought into frictional contact with a clutch disk by a friction surface of the friction element, contains: 3.0-3.4 percent by weight C, 1.8-2.3 percent by weight Si, 0.4-0.8 percent by weight Mn, 0.0-0.35 percent by weight P, 0.0-0.125 percent by weight S, 0.4-0.6 percent by weight Mo, with the remainder comprising iron and production-related impurities and/or additives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Applicant: Mannesmann Sachs AG,,,,,
    Inventors: Achim Link, Jurgen Kleifges
  • Patent number: 6398655
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper is embodied with a drive-side transmission element and an output-side transmission element, one of which is connected to the gear element of a gear active between the two transmission elements. The gear element is placed into movement during relative movements of the two transmission elements. The gear element is effective as the drive for at least one mass associated with it. Upon a position change of the mass relative to the rotational center of the transmission elements, a change occurs in the moment of inertia caused by the mass. The gear element is connected to the mass by a gear device that transforms its movement and/or changes the translation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Andreas Orlamünder, Bernhard Schierling, Reinhard Feldhaus, Jürgen Kleifges
  • Publication number: 20020040837
    Abstract: A pressure plate assembly for a friction clutch includes a housing for mounting to a flywheel; a pressure plate, held in the housing with the freedom to move in the same direction as that of a rotational axis (A); a stored-energy element; and a wear-compensating device acting in the path of force transmission between the stored-energy element and the pressure plate, where the wear-compensating device has at least one adjusting element, which can move in an adjusting direction to compensate for wear. A clearance-producing arrangement includes a gripping element provided on the pressure plate, which element comes or can be brought to rest against a blocking element (fixed in position relative to the housing arrangement upon the occurrence of wear. When the housing arrangement is being attached to the flywheel arrangement, the blocking element arrives in state in which it is able to enter into a blocking interaction with the associated gripping element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Applicant: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Johann Dobler, Klaus Gorzitzke, Oswald Grunewald, Winfried Herterich, Jurgen Kleifges, Wolfgang Knauer, Jorg Lampe, Walter Lindner, Achim Link, Gerhard Roll, Reinhold Weidinger, Erwin Ziegler
  • Publication number: 20010025762
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper, particularly for a drivetrain in a motor vehicle, having a substantially disk-shaped flywheel mass element having a friction surface for cooperating with friction facings of a friction clutch and a damper element arrangement communicating with the flywheel mass element, wherein the flywheel mass element is produced from a sheet metal material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Applicant: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Benedikt Schauder, Bernhard Schierling, Jurgen Kleifges
  • Patent number: 6047804
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper having a first damper element and a second damper element, which are connected to each other for the purpose of torque transmission by a first damping spring device. The first damping spring device has at least one damping spring arrangement with at least one damping spring. One of the damper element has a support on which the damping spring arrangement is supported in its respective end areas in approximately the circumferential direction via support elements. Further, a displacement surface is embodied on the first damper element for each support element. On the other damper element, there are carriers for each support element. Upon a relative rotation between the first and second damper elements, the carrier serve to take along the respective support elements and press them in the direction of the displacement surface for the purpose of movement along the associated displacement surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Reinhard Feldhaus, Jurgen Kleifges, Andreas Orlamunder
  • Patent number: 6026710
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper is equipped with a drive-side transmission element and an output-side transmission element deflectable relative thereto. A friction device is connected between the transmission elements. The friction device has a friction element with at least two different friction areas. The friction element is arranged in a circumferential opening having circumferential ends in one of the transmission elements. As long as the friction element is movable within the circumferential opening relative to the ends of the circumferential opening, only a first friction area of the friction element is active. When the friction element contacts one of the circumferential ends of the circumferential opening, only a second friction area of the friction element is active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Andreas Orlamunder, Reinhard Feldhaus, Bernd Peinemann, Jurgen Kleifges
  • Patent number: 6003650
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper is provided with a drive-side transmission element which engages with a driven-side transmission element via a planetary gear set. The planetary gear set includes a planet wheel mounted on a planet carrier. The planet wheel engages another element of the planetary gear set such as a ring gear. The planet wheel has a toothing at its outer circumference which engages a toothing of the ring gear. The toothing of at least one of the planet wheel and the ring gear is made from a material which obviates the requirement of lubricating the toothing engagement between the planet wheel and the ring gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventor: Jurgen Kleifges
  • Patent number: 5988343
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper, for installation in the clutch disc of a motor vehicle friction clutch, the damping spring system of which torsional vibration damper comprises at least three spring stages which are sized for different torque ranges of the torque to be transmitted between an input component and an output component. The spring stages are graduated so that they are active in corresponding ranges of the relative angle of rotation between the input component and the output component. The torsional vibration damper comprises a pre-damper which is sized for operation at idle, a low-speed damper which is sized for travel at slow speeds, and a load damper which is sized for load operation. The spring stage of the low-speed damper has an initial torque which is lower than the final torque of the pre-damper, and the load damper also has an initial torque which is lower than the final torque of the low-speed damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Jurgen Kleifges, Erwin Wack
  • Patent number: 5908099
    Abstract: A friction clutch, especially for motor vehicles, with a carrier plate, which interacts with a pre-damper and has friction linings and acts on a flywheel, especially a dual-weight flywheel. The flywheel is connected to the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine. The pre-damper has a cover disk and an intermediate disk. The carrier plate has a plurality of apertures, circumferentially distributed evenly on a graduated circle for the purpose of accommodating springs of the pre-damper. The cover disk is directly engaged with the carrier plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventor: Jurgen Kleifges
  • Patent number: 5884743
    Abstract: A clutch plate in which the support of the hub provides for pivoting as well as radial compliance relative to the remaining components. This support is accomplished by a component, which is centered directly or indirectly on the hub plate of the load compliance, whereby the load springs can be employed for radial compliance of the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Jurgen Kleifges, Harald Jeppe, Jurgen Weth, Reinhard Feldhaus, Norbert Lohaus, Andreas Orlamunder, Klaus Memmel
  • Patent number: 5878856
    Abstract: A flywheel device has at least two inertial masses which can rotate relative to one another against the action of elastic elements of a damping device, one of which inertial masses, namely the output-side inertial mass which is farther from a drive system, such as for example the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, is guided both radially and axially by way of a bearing arrangement with respect to the input-side inertial mass. The bearing arrangement has at least one axial plain bearing and one radial plain bearing. Both plain bearings guide the output-side inertial mass with respect to the input-side inertial mass with a clearance, the size of which is determined so that when a wobbling motion is introduced from the crankshaft to the input-side inertial mass, the output-side inertial mass, under the effect of centrifugal forces, can perform a self-stabilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Jorg Sudau, Bernhard Schierling, Hilmar Gobel, Jurgen Kleifges, Cora Carlson
  • Patent number: 5779017
    Abstract: A friction clutch for a motor vehicle, which friction clutch has friction surfaces on the centrifugal mass and on the application plate, whereby the clutch disc is provided with friction lining rings which have an essentially constant material thickness over their radial extent or dimension. The matching friction surfaces extend at least in one radial direction beyond the friction surfaces, and are riveted to a carrier in this area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Jurgen Kleifges, Bernhard Schierling, Harald Jeppe
  • Patent number: 5771999
    Abstract: A clutch disc for a motor vehicle clutch which has an input part and an output part with relative rotational play. A friction device is located between the input part and output part. The friction device includes a friction disc located non-rotationally on the input part or on the output part, which friction disc has friction areas which have different coefficients of friction around its periphery, There also are contact areas which in the effective range of angular rotation of the clutch disc move essentially from one friction area at least partly to another friction area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Jurgen Kleifges, Matthias Fischer, Norbert Lohaus