Patents by Inventor Markus Steinberger

Markus Steinberger 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: 10465780
    Abstract: A rotor assembly includes a torque converter having a housing forming a hydraulic chamber, a rotor for an electric motor, a rotor carrier non-rotatably connected to the rotor, wherein the rotor carrier is fixed to the torque converter housing, and a seal is disposed between the torque converter housing and rotor carrier for sealing therebetween. In some example embodiments, the rotor assembly has at least one bolt for fixing the torque converter housing to the rotor carrier. In some embodiments, the rotor carrier includes an aperture and the at least one bolt is disposed in the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gabe Pyers, Matthew Payne, Markus Steinberger, Allen McAfoos
  • Patent number: 10465782
    Abstract: A torque converter comprising: a damper assembly including a spring retainer; and, a turbine assembly connected to the damper assembly, the turbine assembly including: a turbine shell including an axially movable turbine piston; a drive plate fixed to the turbine piston; and a diaphragm spring, the drive plate having openings for receiving the diaphragm spring; the diaphragm spring acting on the turbine piston with a preload force. In an example aspect, the diaphragm spring includes a plurality of radially inward tabs and the drive plate includes a plurality of openings for receiving the radially inward tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jeremy Vanni, Matthew Payne, Markus Steinberger
  • Patent number: 10428922
    Abstract: A hybrid module configured for arrangement in a torque path upstream from a transmission and downstream from an internal combustion engine includes a drive unit including an electric motor and a housing, a torque converter connected to the electric motor and at least one baffle blade extending axially from the housing radially outside of the electric motor and the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: John Ramsey, Markus Steinberger, Matthew Payne
  • Patent number: 10400875
    Abstract: A torque converter including an axis of rotation and a flange rotatable about the axis of rotation is disclosed. The torque converter includes a turbine shell independently rotatable about the axis of rotation relative to the flange. A first plate, disposed between the flange and the turbine shell, may be fixed to the turbine shell. A second plate, disposed between the flange and the turbine shell, may be radially outward relative to the first plate. The torque converter further includes a cover having an inner surface and a third plate disposed between the flange and the cover. The first plate may include at least one ramp protruding in an axial direction toward the flange, wherein the ramp is rotatably engageable with the flange for urging the flange axially in a direction toward the cover, and for transmitting an axial force for urging a clutch to engage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Patrick Lindemann, John Carrier, Joshua Cerreta, Matthew Payne, Markus Steinberger, Brian Zaugg
  • Patent number: 10352422
    Abstract: A rotor assembly includes a torque converter including a housing forming a hydraulic chamber, a rotor for an electric motor, a rotor carrier non-rotatably connected to the rotor that is fixed to the torque converter housing, a rotor carrier flange, a spring, and a snap ring. In some embodiments, the rotor carrier includes a groove and a castellated portion, the snap ring is disposed in the groove, and the spring clamps the rotor carrier flange between the snap ring and the castellated portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Ayyalraju Satyaseelan, Matthew Payne, Markus Steinberger
  • Publication number: 20190213784
    Abstract: A system utilizing specified occlusion techniques to reduce the overall amount of occlusion computations required to generate an image in a changing viewpoint environment. Viewpoint location changes about a current viewpoint can result in a different image view with the potential exposure of previously occluded portions of a scene image that would now be now visible from that new viewpoint location. To reduce the amount of occlusion computations required to render an associated image in a changing viewpoint environment, techniques are described that reduce occlusion computations using, for example, one or more trim region rendering techniques. Some techniques include generating potential visible set (PVS) information based on a viewport including an original viewpoint location and an anticipated change in viewpoint location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Dieter SCHMALSTIEG, Markus STEINBERGER, Philip VOGLREITER
  • Publication number: 20190186607
    Abstract: A hybrid module configured for arrangement in a torque path upstream from a transmission and downstream from an internal combustion engine includes a drive unit including an electric motor and a housing, a torque converter connected to the electric motor and at least one baffle blade extending axially from the housing radially outside of the electric motor and the torque converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: John RAMSEY, Markus STEINBERGER, Matthew PAYNE
  • Publication number: 20190190334
    Abstract: An electric motor includes a rotor, a stator for rotationally driving the rotor and a rotor carrier hub for supporting the rotor on an outer circumferential surface thereof. The rotor carrier hub includes a groove on the outer circumferential surface. The electric motor also includes a clamping ring configured for holding the rotor axially in place on the rotor carrier hub. The clamping ring being fixed on the outer circumferential surface of the rotor carrier hub by at least one inner radial protrusion of the clamping ring extending into contact with the rotor carrier hub in the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew PAYNE, Markus STEINBERGER
  • Publication number: 20190126738
    Abstract: A hybrid module includes a housing, an annular stator, first and second annular rotors, and a first bearing. The housing is arranged for fixing to a combustion engine and a multi-speed transmission of a vehicle. The annular stator is fixed to the housing. The first annular rotor is disposed on a first axial side of the stator. The second annular rotor is disposed on a second axial side of the stator, opposite the first axial side. The first bearing is installed between the first annular rotor or the second annular rotor, and the annular stator. In an example embodiment, the first annular rotor or the second annular rotor includes an annular magnet. In an example embodiment, the first annular rotor is fixed to the second annular rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Steinberger, David Smith, Micah Steiner
  • Patent number: 10267398
    Abstract: A torque converter is provided. The torque converter includes a turbine including a turbine shell including a radially extending turbine shell wall, an impeller including an impeller shell including a radially extending impeller shell wall, a diaphragm spring rotationally fixed to one of the turbine and the impeller, and a friction material fixed to the diaphragm spring. The radially extending turbine shell wall and the radially extending impeller shell wall are engageable via the friction material and the diaphragm spring to form a lockup clutch. A method of forming a torque converter is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: John Ramsey, Markus Steinberger, Jacob Rufener
  • Publication number: 20190105978
    Abstract: A motor assembly for a hybrid vehicle includes an electric motor, a shaft, a multiplate clutch, and a housing. The electric motor has a rotatable rotor with a carrier. The shaft is arranged for drivingly engaging a combustion engine. The multiplate clutch is drivingly engaged with the carrier for releasably engaging the electric motor to the shaft. The housing includes a center support with a hydraulic channel extending from radially outside of the electric motor to radially inside of the electric motor. In an example embodiment, the motor assembly has a torque converter fixed to the carrier. In some example embodiments, the motor assembly has a concentric slave cylinder for engaging the clutch. The concentric slave cylinder is hydraulically connected to the center support hydraulic channel. In an example embodiment, the motor assembly has a pressing plate in contact with the slave cylinder and the multiplate clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Steinberger, Patrick Lindemann, Matthew Payne, Ayyalraju Satyaseelan, Gregory Heeke
  • Publication number: 20190085961
    Abstract: A hybrid transmission for a front-wheel drive vehicle includes a multi-speed transmission, a differential, an electric motor, and a planetary gear set. The multi-speed transmission includes an input shaft with a first axis. The differential includes a housing with a second axis, radially offset from the first axis. The electric motor is concentric with the second axis. The planetary gear set connects the multi-speed transmission, the differential, and the electric motor. In some example embodiments, the planetary gear set includes a sun gear drivingly engaged with the multi-speed transmission, a planet carrier drivingly engaged with the differential, and a ring gear drivingly engaged with the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christopher Shamie, Patrick Lindemann, Markus Steinberger, Paul Lindemann
  • Publication number: 20190084400
    Abstract: A hybrid module for a vehicle includes a damper, a pulley, a clutch, and a torque converter. The damper is arranged for fixing to a crank shaft of an engine. The pulley circumscribes the damper and is arranged for connecting to an electric motor via a belt drive. The clutch has a first output flange for drivingly engaging the damper with the pulley. The torque converter has a pilot drivingly engaged with the first output flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Steinberger, Benjamin Vögtle, Gregory Heeke, Peter Burke
  • Publication number: 20180223975
    Abstract: A torque converter including an axis of rotation and a flange rotatable about the axis of rotation is disclosed. The torque converter includes a turbine shell independently rotatable about the axis of rotation relative to the flange. A first plate, disposed between the flange and the turbine shell, may be fixed to the turbine shell. A second plate, disposed between the flange and the turbine shell, may be radially outward relative to the first plate. The torque converter further includes a cover having an inner surface and a third plate disposed between the flange and the cover. The first plate may include at least one ramp protruding in an axial direction toward the flange, wherein the ramp is rotatably engageable with the flange for urging the flange axially in a direction toward the cover, and for transmitting an axial force for urging a clutch to engage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Patrick Lindemann, John Carrier, Joshua Cerreta, Matthew Payne, Markus Steinberger, Brian Zaugg
  • Patent number: 10041576
    Abstract: A torque converter is provided. The torque converter includes a cover. The cover includes a radially extending section and an axially extending section extending axially from an outer radial end of the radially extending section. The torque converter also includes at least one baffle assembly attached to the radially extending section or the axially extending section of the cover. The at least one baffle assembly includes a plurality of baffles protruding from the cover to impact fluid flow in the torque converter. Methods of forming a torque converter are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Matthew Smith, Nigel Gurney, Jasmina Subotic, Markus Steinberger, Daniel Sayre
  • Patent number: 10030752
    Abstract: A torque converter is provided. The torque converter includes an impeller; a turbine axially movable toward and away from the impeller; and a damper coupled to the turbine, the damper including an elastic element forcing the turbine against the impeller in an equal pressure condition. A method of forming a torque converter is also provided. The method includes forming a damper to include an elastic element; providing the damper inside a front cover so the damper contacts the front cover; and providing axially movable turbine between the damper and an impeller such that the elastic element forces the turbine to engage an impeller in an equal pressure condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Patrick Lindemann, Markus Steinberger
  • Patent number: 10012083
    Abstract: A torque converter turbine is provided. The torque converter turbine includes a plurality of blades, an annular bowl shaped blade supporting portion supporting the blades and a mass fixed to the blade supporting portion. A method of forming a torque converter turbine is also provided. The method includes providing a blade supporting portion of a turbine shell with mass and connecting a plurality of blades to the blade supporting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Steinberger, Timothy Hess
  • Patent number: 9964193
    Abstract: A torque converter comprising: first and second cover plates arranged to receive torque; a flange; a turbine shell independently rotatable relative to the flange; at least one resilient element, at least partially disposed axially between the first and second cover plates, for transmitting a torque force between the flange and the first and second cover plates; a first axial gap, disposed between the flange and the first cover plate, having a first width; a second axial gap, disposed between the flange and the second cover plate, having a second width; one of the first cover plate or the second cover plate having at least one ramp protruding in an axial direction toward the flange, the ramp rotatably engageable with the flange for urging the flange axially in a direction toward the cover, and for transmitting an axial force for urging a clutch to engage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Patrick Lindemann, John Carrier, Joshua Cerreta, Matthew Payne, Markus Steinberger, Brian Zaugg
  • Patent number: 9917482
    Abstract: A hybrid drive module including: a torque converter with a cover, an impeller and a turbine; a rotor for an electric motor; a hub non-rotatably connected to the rotor and the cover and including a circumferential surface and a plurality of protrusions extending radially outward from the circumferential surface; and an end plate disposed between the plurality of protrusions and the rotor and engaged with the end plate and the rotor. The plurality of protrusions is formed of a material forming the hub and restrains the end plate and the rotor, with respect to the hub, in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Patrick M. Lindemann, Markus Steinberger, Matthew Payne
  • Publication number: 20180062469
    Abstract: A rotor assembly includes a torque converter including a housing forming a hydraulic chamber, a rotor for an electric motor, a rotor carrier non-rotatably connected to the rotor that is fixed to the torque converter housing, a rotor carrier flange, a spring, and a snap ring. In some embodiments, the rotor carrier includes a groove and a castellated portion, the snap ring is disposed in the groove, and the spring clamps the rotor carrier flange between the snap ring and the castellated portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ayyalraju Satyaseelan, Matthew Payne, Markus Steinberger