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).

  • Publication number: 20160084364
    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: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: John RAMSEY, Markus STEINBERGER, Jacob RUFENER
  • Publication number: 20160025183
    Abstract: A damper assembly for a motor vehicle drive train is provided. The damper assembly includes a spring retainer retaining arc springs; an engine-side cover for connecting to an engine crankshaft, the spring retainer being fixed to the engine-side cover; and a seal configuration between the engine-side cover and the spring retainer. The seal configuration, the engine-side cover and the spring retainer define an arc spring cavity for lubricating fluid to lubricate the arc springs. The seal configuration is configured to prevent lubricating fluid from radially exiting the arc spring cavity during rotation of the damper assembly about a center axis thereof. A method of forming a damper assembly is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: John RAMSEY, Markus STEINBERGER, Allen PERVO
  • Publication number: 20160017937
    Abstract: A rocker one-way clutch includes a stator housing, an inner race, and a strut. The stator housing has a strut pocket and a plurality of stator blades. The inner race has a first angled contact face. The strut is disposed in the strut pocket and has a second angled contact face arranged to contact the first angled contact face. In an example embodiment, an angle between a line passing from the contact face to a rocker pivot center and a line parallel to the contact face is acute. In an example embodiment, the acute angle is approximately 10 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Trevor McConnell, Gregory Blough, Markus Steinberger, Jacob Rufener, Bohua Zhang
  • Publication number: 20150316139
    Abstract: A transmission damper includes a first cover plate, a flange, a spring, and a shaft. The first cover plate includes a first spring window and is arranged for fixing to a sheave for a continuously variable transmission. The flange is rotatable relative to the first cover plate and includes a second spring window. The spring is disposed in the first and second spring windows. The shaft is fixed to an inner portion of the flange and arranged for connecting to an engine crankshaft. In an example embodiment, the shaft is fixed to the flange by welding. In an example embodiment, the sheave is rotatable relative to the shaft. In an example embodiment, the shaft includes an internal taper for connecting to the engine crankshaft. In an example embodiment, the flange includes a radially extending tab arranged for contacting a portion of the cover plate after a predetermined rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Steinberger, Eric Zaugg, Allen Pervo
  • Patent number: 9140346
    Abstract: A torque converter, including: a cover; a pump shell non-rotatably connected to the cover; a turbine shell; and a one-way clutch including: an outer race non-rotatably connected to the turbine shell and including a groove; an output hub including a first outer surface with first ramps; and at least one wedge plate including a second inner surface with second ramps engaged with the first ramps and a second outer surface disposed within the groove. For rotation of the outer race with respect to the output hub in a first direction, the outer race is rotatable with respect to the at least one wedge plate and the output hub. For rotation of the outer race with respect to the hub in a second direction, opposite the first direction, the at least one wedge plate is arranged to non-rotatably connect the outer race and the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Steinberger, Jacob Rufener
  • Patent number: 9133885
    Abstract: A flange forming an input for the device and including a damper stop tab extending radially outward; a plate including first and second curved slots; and a curved friction assembly including a first end disposed in the first curved slot, a second end disposed in the second curved slot, at least one curved engagement plate including an engagement tab extending radially inward, at least one curved friction plate rotationally fixed to the plate, and a resilient element urging the at least one curved engagement plate and the at least one curved friction plate into contact. The device includes at least one elastic element engaged with the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co., KG
    Inventors: Markus Steinberger, Matthew Payne
  • Publication number: 20150219196
    Abstract: A damper assembly for a torque converter comprising: a cover plate comprising a hole having a first diameter; a press fit rivet disposed in the hole, the rivet including: a rivet head and a press fit portion having a second diameter; where prior to press fitting the rivet into the hole, the second diameter is greater than the first diameter. A method for connecting a damper assembly and a turbine for a torque converter is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Heck, Markus Steinberger
  • Patent number: 9091312
    Abstract: A one-way clutch, including: an outer race including a pocket and a strut. The strut includes a body and a retention segment. The body is at least partially locatable in the pocket. The retention segment includes a neck portion and a spring retention portion. The neck portion is directly connected to the body and extends from the body in a first direction. The spring retention portion extends from the neck portion in the first direction and includes first and second segments extending in second and third opposite directions, orthogonal to the first direction, from the neck portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Scaheffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Patrick M. Lindemann, Markus Steinberger, Jacob Rufener
  • Publication number: 20150206285
    Abstract: A computer implemented method of performing an approximate-nearest-neighbor search is disclosed. The method comprises dividing an image into a plurality of tiles. Further, for each of the plurality of tiles, perform the following in parallel on a processor: (a) dividing image patches into a plurality of clusters, wherein each cluster comprises similar images patches, and wherein the dividing continues recursively until a size of a cluster is below a threshold value; (b) performing a nearest-neighbor query within each of the plurality of clusters; and (c) performing collaborative filtering in parallel for each image patch, wherein the collaborative filtering aggregates and processes nearest neighbor image patches from a same cluster containing a respective image patch to form an output image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Dawid Stanislaw Pajak, Yun-Ta Tsai, Markus Steinberger
  • Patent number: 9074643
    Abstract: A torque converter comprising: a cover for receiving torque from a prime mover; an impeller fixed to the cover to form a housing for the torque converter; a turbine disposed in the housing for receiving torque from the impeller; a clutch backing plate fixed to the housing and arranged to receive a force, in an axial direction, from the turbine during operation of the torque converter; a thrust plate for thrust engagement with the clutch backing plate, and, a cover plate for driving engagement with a damper spring, wherein the thrust plate comprises the cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jonathan Jameson, Brain Zaugg, Daniel Sayre, Markus Steinberger
  • Patent number: 9062740
    Abstract: A damper assembly for a torque converter including first and second elastic elements, an input element drivingly engaged with the first elastic element, an intermediate element drivingly engaged with the first elastic element and the second elastic element, and an output element for connecting to an input shaft for a transmission and drivingly engaged with the second elastic element. The assembly also includes a spring element including a circumferentially wound portion and first and second radially extending portions. The first radially extending portion is drivingly engaged with the intermediate element and the second radially extending portion is drivingly engaged with a turbine for the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Steinberger, Layton Broome
  • Patent number: 9017174
    Abstract: A slip clutch, including: a flywheel; and a vibration damper including: first and second cover plates; a flange; and at least one spring engaged with the cover plates and flange. The clutch includes a slip assembly, with a first plurality of circumferentially aligned surfaces: fixedly connected to the flywheel or formed with the flywheel; and at an acute angle with respective to a circumferential line, and a second plurality of circumferentially aligned surfaces: formed by a portion of the first cover plate radially outward of the spring; at an acute angle with respective to a circumferential line; and in contact with the first plurality of surfaces, or engaged with the first plurality of surfaces via an intermediate element in contact with the first and second pluralities of surfaces. The slip assembly includes a resilient element applying a force to the first cover plate in an axial direction toward the flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Markus Steinberger
  • Publication number: 20150096857
    Abstract: A stator assembly for a torque converter includes a housing, a blocking element, an inner race, and a first ring. The housing includes a plurality of stator blades, a central axis, and a pocket. The blocking element is disposed in the pocket and is pivotable about an axis parallel to the central axis. The inner race includes an outer notch for engaging the blocking element, an inner spline for engaging a transmission shaft, and a first outer piloting surface. The first ring is for radially positioning the housing on the inner race first outer piloting surface. In some example embodiments, the housing includes a bore and the first ring is pressed into the housing bore. In some example embodiments, the housing includes a radially extending surface in contact with the first ring. In an example embodiment, the radially extending surface limits axial displacement of the inner race.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Jacob Rufener, Markus Steinberger, Michael Resh, David Burky, JR., Patrick Lindemann
  • Publication number: 20150072822
    Abstract: A torque transmission apparatus, including: a first vibration damper with a first input part arranged to receive torque from an engine, a first output part and at least one first spring engaged with the first input and output parts; and a torque converter including a cover non-rotatably connected to the first output part, an impeller with at least one first blade and an impeller shell non-rotatably connected to the cover, a turbine with at least one second blade and a turbine shell, an output hub and a planetary gear set including a first component non-rotatably connected to the turbine shell or a second component non-rotatably connected to the output hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Michael G. Swank, Markus Steinberger
  • Publication number: 20150068857
    Abstract: A torque converter, including: a cover; an impeller shell; a turbine shell; a turbine clutch formed by the turbine and impeller shells; and a stator formed of a single piece of material and including a protrusion extending in an axial direction and having a radial surface. In a drive mode : the cover transmits torque to the impeller shell; the turbine clutch is open; the radial surface forms an entirety of a portion of the stator closest, in the axial direction from the stator toward the turbine shell, to the turbine shell; and the radial surface is free of contact with the turbine shell. In a coast mode for the torque converter, at least a portion of the radial surface is in contact with the turbine shell or is separated from the turbine shell by a layer of fluid in contact with the radial surface and the turbine shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Patrick M. Lindemann, Markus Steinberger, John Carrier
  • Publication number: 20150045124
    Abstract: A damper assembly for an engine is provided. The damper assembly includes a first spring damper connectable to a torque input component and a slip clutch connected to the first spring damper. The first spring damper transfers torque input to the first spring damper to the slip clutch. A hybrid motor vehicle drive train and a method of forming a damper assembly are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Markus STEINBERGER, Matthew PAYNE
  • Publication number: 20150037158
    Abstract: A stamped stator for a torque converter includes a first blade plate, a second blade plate, an outer race, at least one wedge plate, and an inner race. The first blade plate includes a first blade portion, a first radial wall connected to the first blade portion, a first plurality of radially inwardly extending tabs, and a second radially inwardly extending surface. The second blade plate includes a second blade portion axially aligned with the first blade portion, and a second radial wall axially aligned with the first radial wall. The outer race is disposed axially between the first and second blade plates and includes a third radial wall radially and axially aligned with the first radial wall, a fourth radial wall radially and axially aligned with the second radial wall, and an inwardly facing circumferential notch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Steinberger, Jacob Rufener
  • Publication number: 20150027110
    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 a no 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 a no pressure condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Patrick Lindemann, Markus Steinberger
  • Publication number: 20150027111
    Abstract: A torque converter is provided. The torque converter includes a plurality of arc springs and a turbine shell defining a pocket receiving the plurality of arc springs. The turbine shell may further include a rounded portion supporting turbine blades, an outer radial portion extending radially from the rounded portion and an axial extension extending axially from the outer radial portion. The rounded portion, the outer radial portion and the axial extension may define the pocket. A method for forming a drive assembly for a torque converter is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Markus Steinberger, John Ramsey
  • Publication number: 20140326566
    Abstract: A one-way clutch, including: a housing including a top side and a plurality of indentations in the housing, each indentation including: a respective opening in a portion of the top side; a respective bottom wall opposite the respective opening in an axial direction parallel to an axis of rotation for the one-way clutch; and a respective side wall. The respective side wall: connects the respective opening and the respective bottom wall and tapers inward from the respective opening to the respective bottom wall. The clutch includes a plurality of struts, each strut including a first segment disposed in a respective indentation and including a respective side surface substantially parallel to the respective side wall. Each strut is pivotable in the respective indentation to enable rotation of the housing in a first rotational direction and to block rotation of the housing in a second rotational direction, opposite the first rotational direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Patrick M. Lindemann, Markus Steinberger, Jacob Rufener