Patents by Inventor Ludwig Winkelmann

Ludwig Winkelmann 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: 6810787
    Abstract: A master cylinder for the clutch or brake of a motor vehicle has a housing for a reciprocable piston one end of which receives the spherical head of a reciprocable piston rod. The head is held in a desired position relative to the piston by a one-piece or composite coupling device having a first section exerting a pull or bearing upon the head of the piston rod and a second section which is confined in or surrounds the end of the piston and urges the first section in a direction to hold the piston rod against axial movements relative to the piston. The coupling device and/or the piston are or can be made of a plastic material, and the connection between such parts is or can be established by snap action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Roland Welter, Peter Schaaf, Peter Giese, Ludwig Winkelmann, Gerhard Meyer
  • Patent number: 6811013
    Abstract: A clutch release bearing includes a housing, a first bearing ring having a skirt for fixed rotative securement of the bearing ring to the housing, a revolving second bearing ring connected to the separating clutch via a spring element, and a plurality of rolling elements guided between the first and second bearing rings. Seals are provided on both sides of the rolling elements at a distance thereto, wherein one seal is configured to seal an annular gap between the first and second bearing rings and includes a sealing arrangement which is securely fixed to the first bearing ring and comprised of at least two components to establish two sealing zones, wherein the second bearing ring and the sealing arrangement interact in such a way that a desired installation position of the sealing arrangement is automatically establishes as the second bearing ring is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Steffen Dittmer, Bernhard Klöpfer, Ludwig Winkelmann
  • Publication number: 20040099502
    Abstract: A self-adjusting release bearing in the form of a tapered rolling bearing for a separating clutch disposed between an internal combustion engine and a gearbox of a motor vehicle, includes a non-rotating first bearing ring, a revolving second bearing ring, and a plurality of rolling elements guided between the first and second bearing rings. Supported upon a calotte-shaped section of one of the first and second bearing rings in a contact zone is an adjustment ring having a complementary calotte-shaped section to thereby allow pivoting of the release bearing, whereby a sliding element made of thermoplastic material is disposed in the contact zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: INA-SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventors: Steffen Dittmer, Ludwig Winkelmann, Bernhard Klopfer
  • Patent number: 6719117
    Abstract: A release bearing includes a rolling-contact bearing having a non-rotatable outer ring, a rotating inner ring, and plural rolling members located between the outer and inner rings. The inner ring is intended to interact with an adjustment ring which has a ring flange for abutment against a disk spring of a clutch mechanism. Disposed in a support zone between the inner ring and the adjustment ring is a sliding element whereby the support zone is configured in the form of complementary calotte-shaped portions so that the adjustment ring and the inner ring are movable relative to one another for effecting a self-adjustment of the release bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Bernhard Klöpfer, Steffen Dittmer, Ludwig Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 6719115
    Abstract: The friction clutch between the prime mover and the change-speed transmission in the power train of a motor vehicle is actuatable by a slave cylinder cooperating with a master cylinder wherein the piston is movable by a clutch pedal or by an electric actuator. The casing of the slave cylinder is made, at least in part, of a plastic material and defines a plenum chamber arranged to receive pressurized fluid from the master cylinder by way of a conduit extending through a bell which contains the clutch and the slave cylinder. The annular piston of the slave cylinder surrounds the input shaft of the transmission. The plastic material of the casing of the slave cylinder can contain one or more additives which enhance its strength and/or influence its frictional engagement with the adjacent surfaces of the piston or of a lip seal which reciprocates with the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Axel Rogner, Manfred Jansen, Wolfgang Fugel, Ulrich Helfmeier, Ernani Almeida, Dieter Adler, Uwe Abraham, Gerhard Meyer, Ludwig Winkelmann, Rainer Venz, Manfred Kraus, Peter Giese, Roland Welter, Jean-Francois Heller, Volker Lang, Wolfgang Sulger, Urban Panther
  • Publication number: 20040026207
    Abstract: A clutch release bearing includes a housing, a first bearing ring having a skirt for fixed rotative securement of the first bearing ring to the housing, a revolving second bearing ring connected to the separating clutch via a spring element, and a plurality of rolling elements guided between the first and second bearing rings. Seals are provided on both sides of the rolling elements at a distance thereto and involve a sealing arrangement which is securely fixed to the housing and comprised of at least two components to establish two sealing zones for sealing an annular gap between the first and second bearing rings. The sealing arrangement cooperates with a planar surface of the revolving bearing ring and assumes a desired position, when the revolving bearing ring is installed with the assistance of a press-fit tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: INA-SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventors: Steffen Dittmer, Bernhard Klopfer, Ludwig Winkelmann
  • Publication number: 20040020743
    Abstract: A clutch release bearing includes a housing, a first bearing ring having a skirt for fixed rotative securement of the bearing ring to the housing, a revolving second bearing ring connected to the separating clutch via a spring element, and a plurality of rolling elements guided between the first and second bearing rings. Seals are provided on both sides of the rolling elements at a distance thereto, wherein one seal is configured to seal an annular gap between the first and second bearing rings and includes a sealing arrangement which is securely fixed to the first bearing ring and comprised of at least two components to establish two sealing zones, wherein the second bearing ring and the sealing arrangement interact in such a way that a desired installation position of the sealing arrangement is automatically establishes as the second bearing ring is installed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: INA-SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventors: Steffen Dittmer, Bernhard Klopfer, Ludwig Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 6684996
    Abstract: A release bearing for a separating clutch installed in a motor vehicle, includes a casing movable in an axial direction and operatively connected to an actuating mechanism, a non-rotatable bearing ring having a ring bottom supported by the casing; and a revolving bearing ring having a annular flange. Guided between the bearing rings is a plurality of rolling elements. An engagement disk made of a low-friction and wear-resistant material is securely fixed to the annular flange, and a spring member is operatively connected to the separating clutch and cooperates with the annular flange of the revolving bearing ring, wherein the spring member bears against the engagement disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Ludwig Winkelmann, Steffen Dittmer, Bernhard Klöpfer, Stefan Kurzbeck
  • Patent number: 6684997
    Abstract: A release bearing includes a rolling-contact bearing having a non-rotatable inner ring, a rotating outer ring, and plural rolling members located between the inner and outer rings, An adjustment ring having a ring flange is provided for abutment against a disk spring of a clutch mechanism, and a sliding element made of bearing material is disposed in a support zone defined between complementary calotte-shaped portions of the outer ring and the adjustment ring so that the adjustment ring and the outer ring are movable relative to one another for effecting a self-adjustment of the release bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Bernhard Klopfer, Steffen Dittmer, Ludwig Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 6640541
    Abstract: A master cylinder for use in the power train of a motor vehicle to actuate the brakes or the friction clutch is designed to avoid the generation of screeching noise and/or the transmission of stray movements to the piston rod in response to shifting of the piston relative to the housing and relative to the sealing element(s) between the piston and the housing. This can be accomplished by causing the piston to turn relative to the housing and the sealing element(s) during axial movement in the housing and/or by installing one or more dampers between the piston and the housing and/or between the piston and the piston rod. The dampers can constitute separately produced parts and/or specially configured and/or finished surfaces provided on the piston and contacting the housing and/or the sealing element(s). The invention also relates to improvements in the configuration and/or the material(s) of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Ludwig Winkelmann, Rainer Venz, Ulrich Helfmeier, Dieter Adler, Uwe Stratil, Thomas Bertelshofer, Karl-Ludwig Grell, Harald Peschke, Roland Welter
  • Publication number: 20030097928
    Abstract: A master cylinder for use in the power train of a motor vehicle to actuate the brakes or the friction clutch is designed to avoid the generation of screeching noise and/or the transmission of stray movements to the piston rod in response to shifting of the piston relative to the housing and relative to the sealing element(s) between the piston and the housing. This can be accomplished by causing the piston to turn relative to the housing and the sealing element(s) during axial movement in the housing and/or by installing one or more dampers between the piston and the housing and/or between the piston and the piston rod. The dampers can constitute separately produced parts and/or specially configured and/or finished surfaces provided on the piston and contacting the housing and/or the sealing element(s). The invention also relates to improvements in the configuration and/or the material(s) of the piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Ludwig Winkelmann, Rainer Venz, Ulrich Helfmeier, Dieter Adler, Uwe Stratil, Thomas Bertelshofer, Karl-Ludwig Grell, Harald Peschke, Roland Welter
  • Patent number: 6526868
    Abstract: A master cylinder for use in the power train of a motor vehicle to actuate the brakes or the friction clutch is designed to avoid the generation of screeching noise and/or the transmission of stray movements to the piston rod in response to shifting of the piston relative to the housing and relative to the sealing element(s) between the piston and the housing. This can be accomplished by causing the piston to turn relative to the housing and the sealing element(s) during axial movement in the housing and/or by installing one or more dampers between the piston and the housing and/or between the piston and the piston rod. The dampers can constitute separately produced parts and/or specially configured and/or finished surfaces provided on the piston and contacting the housing and/or the sealing element(s). The invention also relates to improvements in the configuration and/or the material(s) of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Ludwig Winkelmann, Rainer Venz, Ulrich Helfmeier, Dieter Adler, Uwe Stratil, Thomas Bertelshofer, Karl-Ludwig Grell, Harald Peschke, Roland Welter
  • Publication number: 20030029692
    Abstract: The friction clutch between the prime mover and the change-speed transmission in the power train of a motor vehicle is actuatable by a slave cylinder cooperating with a master cylinder wherein the piston is movable by a clutch pedal or by an electric actuator. The casing of the slave cylinder is made, at least in part, of a plastic material and defines a plenum chamber arranged to receive pressurized fluid from the master cylinder by way of a conduit extending through a bell which contains the clutch and the slave cylinder. The annular piston of the slave cylinder surrounds the input shaft of the transmission. The plastic material of the casing of the slave cylinder can contain one or more additives which enhance its strength and/or influence its frictional engagement with the adjacent surfaces of the piston or of a lip seal which reciprocates with the piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Axel Rogner, Manfred Jansen, Wolfgang Fugel, Ulrich Helfmeier, Ernani Almeida, Dieter Adler, Uwe Abraham, Gerhard Meyer, Ludwig Winkelmann, Rainer Venz, Manfred Kraus, Peter Giese, Roland Welter, Jean-Francois Heller, Volker Lang, Wolfgang Sulger, Urban Panther
  • Publication number: 20030014970
    Abstract: A master cylinder for the clutch or brake of a motor vehicle has a housing for a reciprocable piston one end of which receives the spherical head of a reciprocable piston rod. The head is held in a desired position relative to the piston by a one-piece or composite coupling device having a first section exerting a pull or bearing upon the head of the piston rod and a second section which is confined in or surrounds the end of the piston and urges the first section in a direction to hold the piston rod against axial movements relative to the piston. The coupling device and/or the piston are or can be made of a plastic material, and the connection between such parts is or can be established by snap action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Welter, Peter Schaaf, Peter Giese, Ludwig Winkelmann, Gerhard Meyer
  • Patent number: 6502682
    Abstract: The abstract relates to a hydraulic clutch release system, particularly for motor vehicles. The system 1 has a master cylinder and a slave cylinder, and the slave cylinder has a piston 7 which is annular in form and works inside an annular cylinder 2. The leading end of the cylinder is fitted with a seal 9 which is mounted on a one-piece seal carrier 10a through an undercut part of the carrier in which the seal fits without leaving any empty space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Hartmut Koschmieder, Walter Parzefall, Ludwig Winkelmann, Harald Peschke
  • Patent number: 6470791
    Abstract: A master cylinder for the clutch or brake of a motor vehicle has a housing for a reciprocable piston one end of which receives the spherical head of a reciprocable piston rod. The head is held in a desired position relative to the piston by a one-piece or composite coupling device having a first section exerting a pull or bearing upon the head of the piston rod and a second section which is confined in or surrounds the end of the piston and urges the first section in a direction to hold the piston rod against axial movements relative to the piston. The coupling device and/or the piston are or can be made of a plastic material, and the connection between such parts is or can be established by snap action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Roland Welter, Peter Schaaf, Peter Giese, Ludwig Winkelmann, Gerhard Meyer
  • Publication number: 20020134641
    Abstract: A release bearing includes a rolling-contact bearing having a non-rotatable outer ring, a rotating inner ring, and plural rolling members located between the outer and inner rings. The inner ring is intended to interact with an adjustment ring which has a ring flange for abutment against a disk spring of a clutch mechanism. Disposed in a support zone between the inner ring and the adjustment ring is a sliding element whereby the support zone is configured in the form of complementary calotte-shaped portions so that the adjustment ring and the inner ring are movable relative to one another for effecting a self-adjustment of the release bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: INA-SCHAEFFLER KG, Industriestrasse
    Inventors: Bernhard Klopfer, Steffen Dittmer, Ludwig Winkelmann
  • Publication number: 20020134640
    Abstract: A release bearing includes a rolling-contact bearing having a non-rotatable inner ring, a rotating outer ring, and plural rolling members located between the inner and outer rings, An adjustment ring having a ring flange is provided for abutment against a disk spring of a clutch mechanism, and a sliding element made of bearing material is disposed in a support zone defined between complementary calotte-shaped portions of the outer ring and the adjustment ring so that the adjustment ring and the outer ring are movable relative to one another for effecting a self-adjustment of the release bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: INA-SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventors: Bernhard Klopfer, Steffen Dittmer, Ludwig Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 6446436
    Abstract: A master cylinder for use in the power train of a motor vehicle to actuate the brakes or the friction clutch is designed to avoid the generation of screeching noise and/or the transmission of stray movements to the piston rod in response to shifting of the piston relative to the housing and relative to the sealing element(s) between the piston and the housing. This can be accomplished by causing the piston to turn relative to the housing and the sealing element(s) during axial movement in the housing and/or by installing one or more dampers between the piston and the housing and/or between the piston and the piston rod. The dampers can constitute separately produced parts and/or specially configured and/or finished surfaces provided on the piston and contacting the housing and/or the sealing element(s). The invention also relates to improvements in the configuration and/or the material(s) of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Ludwig Winkelmann, Rainer Venz, Ulrich Helfmeier, Dieter Adler, Uwe Stratil, Thomas Bertelshofer, Karl-Ludwig Grell, Harald Peschke, Roland Welter
  • Publication number: 20020117372
    Abstract: A release bearing for a separating clutch installed in a motor vehicle, includes a casing movable in an axial direction and operatively connected to an actuating mechanism, a non-rotatable bearing ring having a ring bottom supported by the casing; and a revolving bearing ring having a annular flange. Guided between the bearing rings is a plurality of rolling elements. An engagement disk made of a low-friction and wear-resistant material is securely fixed to the annular flange, and a spring member is operatively connected to the separating clutch and cooperates with the annular flange of the revolving bearing ring, wherein the spring member bears against the engagement disk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Ludwig Winkelmann, Steffen Dittmer, Bernhard Klopfer, Stefan Kurzbeck