Patents by Inventor Lukas Spath

Lukas Spath 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: 11796017
    Abstract: A method for operating a hydraulic actuator for a prime mover or a drive device of a vehicle includes determining that the hydraulic actuator is to be actuated via an actuating system and detecting an operating variable influenced by a filling state of the hydraulic actuator indicative of pressure conditions in the hydraulic actuator, with the operating variable being separate from actuator operating variables of the hydraulic actuator and the actuating system. The method further includes pressurizing the actuator during a fast fill phase to one or more pressures over a fast fill time period in response to determining that the hydraulic actuator is to be actuated. The fast fill time period and the one or more pressures are adjusted as a function of the operating variable under certain operating conditions. Additionally, the method includes pressurizing the actuator during a pressure build-up phase after the fast fill phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Markus Terwart, Lukas Spath, Andreas Fischer
  • Publication number: 20230313851
    Abstract: A method for operating a fluid supply system for supplying fluid to an actuator and a component of a motor vehicle drive train, where the actuator and the component are connected in parallel within a supply path of the fluid supply system, may include increasing a pressure of the fluid in the supply path from a low base pressure level (associated with a non-actuated condition of the actuator) when the actuator is to be actuated. The method may further include determining, when the actuator is not to be actuated, whether a criterion is present, indicating an insufficient supply of the fluid in the supply path to the component. Additionally, the method may include increasing the pressure of the fluid in the supply path from the low base pressure level when the criterion is present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Markus Terwart, Robert Weissenrieder, Lukas Spath
  • Patent number: 11680613
    Abstract: A method for adapting a biting point pressure of a hydraulically actuated hybrid disengaging clutch arranged in a hybrid drive train of a motor vehicle between an internal combustion engine and an electric machine includes step by step implementation during driving of the motor vehicle via a plurality of selected engagement operations of the hybrid disengaging clutch with a manipulation of a rapid filling routine. Proceeding from an initially stored biting point pressure, a setting pressure, which is reduced relative to a subsequent rapid filling routine, is incrementally increased step by step. An actual value, which is set in each case for a test parameter, is detected until the actual value corresponds to a setpoint value. A change in the transmission of torque of the hybrid disengaging clutch is derivable via the actual value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Lukas Spath, Robert Weissenrieder, Markus Terwart, Moghtader Salehan
  • Patent number: 11603894
    Abstract: A method for adapting a biting point filling time of a hydraulically actuated hybrid disengaging clutch is implemented step by step during driving of the motor vehicle via a plurality of selected engagement phases of the hybrid disengaging clutch with a manipulation of the customary rapid filling routine. Proceeding from an initially stored biting point filling time, a filling time which is shortened in comparison with this for a subsequent rapid filling routine is increased step by step, in each case by an increment. Here, an actual value which is set in each case for a test parameter, from which a change in the transmission of torque of the hybrid disengaging clutch can be derived, is detected until the actual value corresponds to a setpoint value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Lukas Spath, Robert Weissenrieder, Markus Terwart, Moghtader Salehan
  • Publication number: 20230048509
    Abstract: A method for adapting a biting point pressure of a hydraulically actuated hybrid disengaging clutch arranged in a hybrid drive train of a motor vehicle between an internal combustion engine and an electric machine includes step by step implementation during driving of the motor vehicle via a plurality of selected engagement operations of the hybrid disengaging clutch with a manipulation of a rapid filling routine. Proceeding from an initially stored biting point pressure, a setting pressure, which is reduced relative to a subsequent rapid filling routine, is incrementally increased step by step. An actual value, which is set in each case for a test parameter, is detected until the actual value corresponds to a setpoint value. A change in the transmission of torque of the hybrid disengaging clutch is derivable via the actual value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Lukas Spath, Robert Weissenrieder, Markus Terwart, Moghtader Salehan
  • Publication number: 20230037821
    Abstract: A method for operating a hydraulic actuator for a prime mover or a drive device of a vehicle includes determining that the hydraulic actuator is to be actuated via an actuating system and detecting an operating variable influenced by a filling state of the hydraulic actuator indicative of pressure conditions in the hydraulic actuator, with the operating variable being separate from actuator operating variables of the hydraulic actuator and the actuating system. The method further includes pressurizing the actuator during a fast fill phase to one or more pressures over a fast fill time period in response to determining that the hydraulic actuator is to be actuated. The fast fill time period and the one or more pressures are adjusted as a function of the operating variable under certain operating conditions. Additionally, the method includes pressurizing the actuator during a pressure build-up phase after the fast fill phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Markus Terwart, Lukas Spath, Andreas Fischer
  • Publication number: 20230003268
    Abstract: A method for adapting a biting point filling time of a hydraulically actuated hybrid disengaging clutch is implemented step by step during driving of the motor vehicle via a plurality of selected engagement phases of the hybrid disengaging clutch with a manipulation of the customary rapid filling routine. Proceeding from an initially stored biting point filling time, a filling time which is shortened in comparison with this for a subsequent rapid filling routine is increased step by step, in each case by an increment. Here, an actual value which is set in each case for a test parameter, from which a change in the transmission of torque of the hybrid disengaging clutch can be derived, is detected until the actual value corresponds to a setpoint value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Lukas Spath, Robert Weissenrieder, Markus Terwart, Moghtader Salehan
  • Patent number: 10704621
    Abstract: A method for the transmission and damping of a mean torque with a superposed alternating torque having an input and an output. The mean and superposed alternating torque is transmitted along a torque path from the input to the output area. An input speed is a mean speed and a superposed alternating component. A slip arrangement is provided in the torque path between the input and the output for transmitting the mean and superposed alternating torque and generating a speed slip between an input speed and an output speed. The slip arrangement provides a maximum of an external activation of the speed slip in a area of the maxima of at least one periodic oscillation component of the alternating component and provides a minimum of an external activation of the speed slip in an area of the minima of at least one periodic oscillation component of the alternating component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Tobias Höche, Tobias Dieckhoff, Daniel Lorenz, Andreas Orlamünder, Ingrid Hoffelner, Wolfgang Grosspietsch, Steffen Matschas, Johannes Friess, Christofer Ebert, Matthias Kram, Dennis Egler, Axel Rohm, Erwin Wack, Bernd Unseld, Thomas Dögel, Matthias Reisch, Lukas Spath, Angelika Ebert
  • Patent number: 10704620
    Abstract: A method for transmission of and damping of a mean torque with a superposed alternating torque in a torque transmission arrangement for a powertrain of a motor vehicle having an input and an output. The mean torque with the superposed alternating torque is transmitted along a torque path from the input the output. The input rotates at an input speed and the output rotates at an output speed. A slip arrangement is provided in the torque path between the input and the output for generating a speed slip. The slip arrangement provides a maximum of an external activation of the speed slip in the area of a maxima of at least one periodic oscillation component of an alternating component and provides a minimum of an external activation of the speed slip in the area of a minima of at least one periodic oscillation component of the alternating component (new).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Tobias Höche, Tobias Dieckhoff, Daniel Lorenz, Andreas Orlamünder, Ingrid Hoffelner, Wolfgang Grosspietsch, Steffen Matschas, Johannes Friess, Christofer Ebert, Matthias Kram, Dennis Egler, Axel Rohm, Erwin Wack, Bernd Unseld, Thomas Dögel, Matthias Reisch, Lukas Spath, Angelika Ebert
  • Publication number: 20190195298
    Abstract: A method for transmission of and damping of a mean torque with a superposed alternating torque in a torque transmission arrangement for a powertrain of a motor vehicle having an input and an output. The mean torque with the superposed alternating torque is transmitted along a torque path from the input the output. The input rotates at an input speed and the output rotates at an output speed. A slip arrangement is provided in the torque path between the input and the output for generating a speed slip. The slip arrangement provides a maximum of an external activation of the speed slip in the area of a maxima of at least one periodic oscillation component of an alternating component and provides a minimum of an external activation of the speed slip in the area of a minima of at least one periodic oscillation component of the alternating component (new).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Tobias HÖCHE, Tobias DIECKHOFF, Daniel LORENZ, Andreas ORLAMÜNDER, Ingrid HOFFELNER, Wolfgang GROSSPIETSCH, Steffen MATSCHAS, Johannes FRIESS, Christofer EBERT, Matthias KRAM, Dennis EGLER, Axel ROHM, Erwin WACK, Bernd UNSELD, Thomas DÖGEL, Matthias REISCH, Lukas SPATH, Angelika EBERT
  • Publication number: 20190162255
    Abstract: A method for the transmission and damping of a mean torque with a superposed alternating torque having an input and an output. The mean and superposed alternating torque is transmitted along a torque path from the input to the output area. An input speed is a mean speed and a superposed alternating component. A slip arrangement is provided in the torque path between the input and the output for transmitting the mean and superposed alternating torque and generating a speed slip between an input speed and an output speed. The slip arrangement provides a maximum of an external activation of the speed slip in a area of the maxima of at least one periodic oscillation component of the alternating component and provides a minimum of an external activation of the speed slip in an area of the minima of at least one periodic oscillation component of the alternating component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2017
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Tobias HÖCHE, Tobias DIECKHOFF, Daniel LORENZ, Andreas ORLAMÜNDER, Ingrid HOFFELNER, Wolfgang GROSSPIETSCH, Steffen MATSCHAS, Johannes FRIESS, Christofer EBERT, Matthias KRAM, Dennis EGLER, Axel ROHM, Erwin WACK, Bernd UNSELD, Thomas DÖGEL, Matthias REISCH, Lukas SPATH, Angelika EBERT
  • Patent number: 10288162
    Abstract: A method for operating a transmission (3) with a hydraulic system comprising a variable capacity hydraulic pump, the method comprising determining during operation, a current hydraulic fluid volume requirement for actuating the transmission (3) and for temperature controlling and lubricating components of the transmission (3); setting the delivery volume of the hydraulic pump in a manner dependent on the currently determined hydraulic fluid volume requirement of the transmission (3), the delivery volume of the hydraulic pump, provided for temperature controlling and lubricating the components, being guided at least partially through a heat exchanger; wherein the delivery volume of the hydraulic pump is varied in a manner dependent on a temperature of the hydraulic fluid to an extent which sets that part of the delivery volume flow of the hydraulic pump which is to be guided via the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Markus Terwart, Rainer Novak, Dirk Friederich, Lukas Spath
  • Publication number: 20180051795
    Abstract: A method for operating a transmission (3) with a hydraulic system comprising a variable capacity hydraulic pump, the method comprising determining during operation, a current hydraulic fluid volume requirement for actuating the transmission (3) and for temperature controlling and lubricating components of the transmission (3); setting the delivery volume of the hydraulic pump in a manner dependent on the currently determined hydraulic fluid volume requirement of the transmission (3), the delivery volume of the hydraulic pump, provided for temperature controlling and lubricating the components, being guided at least partially through a heat exchanger; wherein the delivery volume of the hydraulic pump is varied in a manner dependent on a temperature of the hydraulic fluid to an extent which sets that part of the delivery volume flow of the hydraulic pump which is to be guided via the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Markus Terwart, Rainer Novak, Dirk Friederich, Lukas Spath