Patents by Inventor Manfred Ackermann

Manfred Ackermann 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: 6250270
    Abstract: The invention relates to a starting/driving unit for an internal combustion engine (VM) of a motor vehicle with at least two starting methods, which has a clutch (K) between the crankshaft (KW), the engine (VM), and the vehicle transmission (FG) as well as an electric machine which is connected to the engine (VM) by way of the clutch (K). With the electric machine, the two starting methods can be executed in an optimal fashion solely by virtue of the fact that through rotation of the crankshaft by means of the electric machine, each starting method is preceded by a start clearing phase in which the starting conditions are detected when the clutch is engaged, a decision is made as to the subsequent operating phases (direct start phase, positioning phase, preinjection phase, impulse start phase) and their starting parameters are determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Ahner, Manfred Ackermann
  • Patent number: 6202614
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive assembly of a motor vehicle, having a internal combustion engine and an electrical machine coupled or capable of being coupled to a crankshaft of the engine, wherein the electrical machine can be switched to motor and generator modes, and having an electronic control unit for controlling direct injection and ignition of the engine. It is provided that at the start of the engine (12) the crankshaft (16) can be put in a predeterminable starting position via the electrical machine (22) switched for motor operation, and upon attaining the starting position of the crankshaft (16), the ignition of the fuel injected into a starting cylinder (14) is effected, and via the electrical machine (22), a torque can be exerted on the crankshaft (16) during the entire starting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ferdinand Grob, Gerhard Koelle, Peter Ahner, Klaus Harms, Manfred Ackermann
  • Patent number: 6098584
    Abstract: The starter apparatus for an internal combustion engine (2) includes a starter-generator including a device for rotating a flywheel (5) to a predetermined rotational speed and a device for rotating the crankshaft (3) of the engine to directly start the engine; at least one clutch (6, 7) for directly coupling or disengaging the flywheel (5) with the crankshaft (3) of the engine (2) so that the flywheel (5) starts the engine (2) with the rotational energy stored in the flywheel (5) by the starter-generator in an impulse starting method and a changeover device (11) for changing between the impulse starting method based on engagement of the flywheel (5) with the engine (2) and a direct starting method in which the starter-generator (4) is directly coupled to the engine, wherein the changeover device switches between the direct starting method and the impulse starting method as a function of a temperature of the engine (2) so that the impulse starting method is used at comparatively lower temperatures and the dire
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Ahner, Siegfried Schustek, Manfred Ackermann, Martin Eisenhardt, Robert Schenk
  • Patent number: 5853072
    Abstract: A free-running device for starting mechanisms of internal combustion engines has a cup-shaped driver having a cup edge and a cup bottom, clamping members through which the cup edge is cooperatable with a hub of the internal combustion engine, the cup edge at least in the region of the clamping members having no mechanical connection to the cup bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Siegfried Schustek, Manfred Ackermann
  • Patent number: 5818679
    Abstract: The circuit arrangement for an auxiliary relay that actuates a starting relay for a starter device of an internal combustion engine includes a temperature measuring device (20) and a control and/or regulating circuit device (16,16') for controlling, in a turned-on state, an operating current (I) flowing through a relay coil of the auxiliary relay according to a temperature of the auxiliary relay or starting relay measured by the temperature measuring device (20) so that the operating current (I) and mean value of the operating current (I) are controlled according to the temperature. The control and/or regulating circuit clocks the operating current and can vary the duty cycle to reduce the power losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Siegfried Schustek, Manfred Ackermann, Gerd Kirsten
  • Patent number: 5694876
    Abstract: A fabric feed mechanism that includes a forward feed roller located forward of the stitch forming area and a rear feed roller located to the rear of the stitch forming area. The drive to the forward and rear feed rollers is synchronized such that the fabric is fed to the stitch forming instruments in a relaxed and unstretched condition. There is a independently applied downward pressure to forward and rear feed rollers and the forward feed roller is raised along with the presser foot. The front feed roller has sections that are located on opposite sides of the presser foot toe to thus ensure that the top layer of fabric is fed under the presser foot rather than riding up the front roller. A material folding device is located forward of the stitch forming area for folding material to be fed to the stitch forming area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: One Union Special Corporation
    Inventors: Manfred Ackermann, Dale R. Carr
  • Patent number: 5605106
    Abstract: A fabric feed mechanism that includes a forward feed roller located forward of the stitch forming area and a rear feed roller located to the rear of the stitch forming area. The drive to the forward and rear feed rollers is synchronized such that the fabric is fed to the stitch forming instruments in a relaxed and unstretched condition. There is a independently applied downward pressure to forward and rear feed rollers and the forward feed roller is raised along with the presser foot. The front feed roller has sections that are located on opposite sides of the presser foot toe to thus ensure that the top layer of fabric is fed under the presser foot rather than riding up the front roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Union Special Corporation
    Inventors: Manfred Ackermann, Dale R. Carr, Larry D. Crisler
  • Patent number: 5533415
    Abstract: The starter apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a starter motor; an axially shiftable starting gear engageable with a ring gear of the internal combustion engine; a drive train for transferring rotary motion of a drive shaft of the starter motor to the starting gear, the drive train including a plurality of parts from the starting gear to the drive shaft; a free wheel clutch coupled with the drive shaft of the starter motor; and a shock absorber spring device for damping torque shocks between the starting gear and the drive shaft occurring on operation of the starter and located in the drive train between the starting gear and the drive shaft of the starter motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Robert Bosch G.m.b.H.
    Inventors: Manfred Ackermann, Ngoc-Thach Nguyen, Siegfried Schustek, Quang-Ngoc Tran
  • Patent number: 5493979
    Abstract: A guide mechanism for the roller presser bar of a sewing machine of the type that includes an upper surface roller feeder for imparting movement to the upper work surface and a presser foot that cooperates with the feed dog. The guide mechanism for the roller presser bar is independent of the guide mechanism for the presser foot bar. The independent guide mechanism for the roller presser bar avoids binding of the roller presser bar that occurs when a common guide mechanism is utilized for both the roller presser and the presser foot bar. The roller presser bar guide mechanism includes a pair of movable vertically aligned surfaces attached to the bar and a cooperating block attached to the sewing machine housing with a pair of adjustable guide plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Union Special Corporation
    Inventors: Manfred Ackermann, Troy Vanderhoof, David Wilke
  • Patent number: 5370071
    Abstract: A device for sewing together two plies of cloth with a lap seam. The device comprises a cloth guide that is disposed between a plurality of reciprocating needles and the front of a cutting knife. The guiding portion of the cloth guide extends substantially between the needles and the front edge of the cutting knife. A cloth guide for assuring a full lap of material when sewing a lap seam where the left ply is to be laid on top of the right ply is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Union Special Corporation
    Inventor: Manfred Ackermann
  • Patent number: 5222450
    Abstract: A device for sewing together two plies of cloth with a lap seam. The device comprises a cloth guide that is disposed between a plurality of reciprocating needles and the front of a cutting knife. The guiding portion of the cloth guide extends substantially between the needles and the front edge of the cutting knife. A cloth guide for assuring a full lap of material when sewing a lap seam where the left ply is to be laid on top of the right ply is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Union Special Corporation
    Inventor: Manfred Ackermann
  • Patent number: 5052318
    Abstract: An adjustable inlet including two members which act together to define an opening through which the stitch chain enters a stitch chain cutting assembly to be cut. Each member contains a top and a front side substantially perpendicular to each other. The members are adjustably mounted at the entrace to the stitch chain cutting assembly by a combination of a screw and a pin, which fit through holes located in the front side of each member. The holes are elongated to allow adjustment of one or both members upon loosening of the screw, which adjustment would result in the narrowing or enlargining of the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Union Special Corporation
    Inventor: Manfred Ackermann
  • Patent number: 4817544
    Abstract: A sewing machine for sewing a fabric comprising, a reciprociting needle, a hemming device comprising a guide member having an edge guide extending towards the needle, and an elongated hemming guide extending laterally from the guide member and including a device for retaining the fabric in a folded configuration passing towards the needle. The sewing machine has a device for sensing passage of a cross-seam of the fabric as it passes along the guide member, a device responsive to the sensing device for shifting the guide member and hemming guide along with the fabric laterally away while the needle penetrates the fabric in the region of the cross-seam, and a device for returning the guide member and hemming guide along with the fabric to its original position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Union Special Corporation
    Inventors: Manfred Ackermann, Franklin V. Narbert
  • Patent number: 4791875
    Abstract: A needle guard for sewing machines having a reciprocating needle, a looper, and a guard member portioned adjacent a lower end of the needle during reciprocation thereof. The guard member has a plurality of faces projecting a different distance towards the needle, and the guard has a device for selectively positioning one of the faces towards the needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: Union Special Corporation
    Inventor: Manfred Ackermann
  • Patent number: 4430126
    Abstract: With hydraulically setting shaped brick, particularly for construction, composed of(a) 4 to 30% by weight hydraulically or similarly acting binding agent, such as cement, high-hydraulic lime, lime or hydraulically reacting plastic or mixtures thereof;(b) about 60 to 95% by weight mineral aggregate material; and(c) 0 to 10% by weight other additions, the raw material basis is extended with regard to aggregate material, and deposited amounts of country rock from mining are reduced, since the aggregate material is composed of country rock (mining waste material) from mining, particularly hard coal mining, with a grain size up to 15 mm and a finest grain portion under 0.2 mm from 10 to 45% by weight. To produce the shaped brick, the mixture is shaped and then hardened. Through particular choice of granulation and density, the mining waste material can be adjusted to desired quality characteristics and the physical characteristics of the shaped brick varied, corresponding to utility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Assignee: Bergwerksverband GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Ackermann, Rolf Kohling, Dieter Leininger
  • Patent number: 4285291
    Abstract: This invention relates to a needle guard which is adapted to position the needle relative the lower stitch forming mechanism and further serves to minimize skipped stitches during the sewing operation. The needle guard is positioned beneath the work supporting surface of the machine and during the sewing operation is disposed proximate the needle path. Upon completion of the sewing operation the needle guard is retracted from the path of the needle. Adjustable means are provided so as to accomodate the needle guard to needles of various sizes and to permit positioning of the needle guiding surface with respect to the path of the needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1981
    Assignee: Union Special Corporation
    Inventors: Manfred Ackermann, Nicholas Alfano
  • Patent number: 4235178
    Abstract: A bobbin thread tension for a closed end cylindrical body bobbin thread case of a horizontal axis type rotary hook for a lockstitch sewing machine consisting of a diagonally slotted thread aperture in the wall of the bobbin case partially covered by a bobbin thread control that is adjustably mounted on the wall of the bobbin case by a pivot screw at one of its ends and inward a clamp screw passing through an enlarged hole in the bobbin thread control allowing the control to be pivoted to cover an effective amount of the thread aperture thereby increasing or decreasing the bobbin thread tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1980
    Assignee: Union Special Corporation
    Inventor: Manfred Ackermann