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: 6810787Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 12, 2002Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: Roland Welter, Peter Schaaf, Peter Giese, Ludwig Winkelmann, Gerhard Meyer
-
Patent number: 6811013Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 30, 2003Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KGInventors: Steffen Dittmer, Bernhard Klöpfer, Ludwig Winkelmann
-
Publication number: 20040099502Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2003Publication date: May 27, 2004Applicant: INA-SCHAEFFLER KGInventors: Steffen Dittmer, Ludwig Winkelmann, Bernhard Klopfer
-
Patent number: 6719117Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 22, 2002Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KGInventors: Bernhard Klöpfer, Steffen Dittmer, Ludwig Winkelmann
-
Patent number: 6719115Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 21, 2002Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: 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: 20040026207Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2003Publication date: February 12, 2004Applicant: INA-SCHAEFFLER KGInventors: Steffen Dittmer, Bernhard Klopfer, Ludwig Winkelmann
-
Publication number: 20040020743Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2003Publication date: February 5, 2004Applicant: INA-SCHAEFFLER KGInventors: Steffen Dittmer, Bernhard Klopfer, Ludwig Winkelmann
-
Patent number: 6684996Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 21, 2001Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KGInventors: Ludwig Winkelmann, Steffen Dittmer, Bernhard Klöpfer, Stefan Kurzbeck
-
Patent number: 6684997Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 20, 2002Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KGInventors: Bernhard Klopfer, Steffen Dittmer, Ludwig Winkelmann
-
Patent number: 6640541Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 10, 2003Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: Ludwig Winkelmann, Rainer Venz, Ulrich Helfmeier, Dieter Adler, Uwe Stratil, Thomas Bertelshofer, Karl-Ludwig Grell, Harald Peschke, Roland Welter
-
Publication number: 20030097928Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2003Publication date: May 29, 2003Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: Ludwig Winkelmann, Rainer Venz, Ulrich Helfmeier, Dieter Adler, Uwe Stratil, Thomas Bertelshofer, Karl-Ludwig Grell, Harald Peschke, Roland Welter
-
Patent number: 6526868Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 8, 2002Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: Ludwig Winkelmann, Rainer Venz, Ulrich Helfmeier, Dieter Adler, Uwe Stratil, Thomas Bertelshofer, Karl-Ludwig Grell, Harald Peschke, Roland Welter
-
Publication number: 20030029692Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2002Publication date: February 13, 2003Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: 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: 20030014970Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2002Publication date: January 23, 2003Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbHInventors: Roland Welter, Peter Schaaf, Peter Giese, Ludwig Winkelmann, Gerhard Meyer
-
Patent number: 6502682Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 16, 2001Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: Hartmut Koschmieder, Walter Parzefall, Ludwig Winkelmann, Harald Peschke
-
Patent number: 6470791Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 25, 2000Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: Roland Welter, Peter Schaaf, Peter Giese, Ludwig Winkelmann, Gerhard Meyer
-
Publication number: 20020134641Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2002Publication date: September 26, 2002Applicant: INA-SCHAEFFLER KG, IndustriestrasseInventors: Bernhard Klopfer, Steffen Dittmer, Ludwig Winkelmann
-
Publication number: 20020134640Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2002Publication date: September 26, 2002Applicant: INA-SCHAEFFLER KGInventors: Bernhard Klopfer, Steffen Dittmer, Ludwig Winkelmann
-
Patent number: 6446436Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 17, 2000Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbHInventors: Ludwig Winkelmann, Rainer Venz, Ulrich Helfmeier, Dieter Adler, Uwe Stratil, Thomas Bertelshofer, Karl-Ludwig Grell, Harald Peschke, Roland Welter
-
Publication number: 20020117372Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2001Publication date: August 29, 2002Inventors: Ludwig Winkelmann, Steffen Dittmer, Bernhard Klopfer, Stefan Kurzbeck