Patents by Inventor Martin Steigerwald
Martin Steigerwald 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).
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Patent number: 7506623Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for the electrical adjustment of the relative rotary-angle position between a camshaft (2) and a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, with an adjusting gear (3) which has a driving part (4) fixed with respect to the crankshaft, a driven part (5) fixed with respect to the camshaft and an adjusting shaft (8) connected fixedly in terms of rotation to an adjustment-unit shaft (6) of an electrical adjustment unit (7). In order to achieve a simpler type of construction which, moreover, is distinguished by quiet running, there is provision, according to the invention, for the adjusting shaft (8) to be arranged in a radially floating manner.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2006Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: Schaeffler KGInventors: Jens Schäfer, Martin Steigerwald, Jonathan Heywood
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Publication number: 20090050088Abstract: A camshaft adjuster for adjusting the relative angular positions of a camshaft and a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine in accordance with a setting shaft is provided. In which the setting shaft is driven by a setting assembly and has a driving connection with an adjusting gear through a coupling. The drive moment is transmitted in the coupling by a radial extension (21) of a first coupling half (19), which contacts a second coupling half (25) without play in a circumferential direction and which is movable in a direction of a Y-Y axis relative to a second coupling half (25). This permits compensation of eccentricities between the setting shaft of the setting assembly and the adjusting gear.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2005Publication date: February 26, 2009Applicant: Schaeffler KGInventors: Jens Schafer, Martin Steigerwald, Jonathan Heywood
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Publication number: 20080314345Abstract: An adjustment device (1) for adjusting the relative rotational angle position of a camshaft (2) in relation to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine is provided, with the device having an adjustment mechanism (3), which is embodied as a triple-shaft transmission and provided with an input part (4) fixed to the crankshaft, an output part fixed to the camshaft, and an adjusting shaft (7) connected to an adjusting motor shaft (5) of an adjusting motor (6). The motor (6) is provided as an electric motor and is spatially separated from the adjusting shaft (7), and the torque produced thereby is transmitted to the adjusting shaft (7), either mechanically via a flexible shaft (8), pneumatically via a compressor (9) operating a pneumatic motor (13) using pressurized air, or hydraulically via a hydraulic motor (16) and a pump (14) providing the hydraulic medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2008Publication date: December 25, 2008Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KGInventors: Jens Schafer, Martin Steigerwald, Jonathan Heywood
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Publication number: 20080236530Abstract: An adjustment device (1) for adjusting the relative rotational angle position of a camshaft (2) in relation to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine is provided, with the device having an adjustment mechanism (3), which is embodied as a triple-shaft transmission and provided with an input part (4) fixed to the crankshaft, an output part fixed to the camshaft, and an adjusting shaft (7) connected to an adjusting motor shaft (5) of an adjusting motor (6). The motor (6) is provided as an electric motor and is arranged parallel to the camshaft (2). The motor generates an adjustment torque that is transmitted to the adjustment shaft (7) via a secondary drive (18) that has a belt drive, a chain drive, a cardan drive, or an additional spur gear stage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2008Publication date: October 2, 2008Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KGInventors: Jens Schafer, Martin Steigerwald, Jonathan Heywood
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Publication number: 20080210182Abstract: The invention relates to an electric camshaft adjuster for adjusting and securing the phase angle of a camshaft of an internal combustion engine with respect to its crankshaft, having a three shaft gearing which is embodied as a harmonic drive (19, 19?) of sleeve design, and a drive wheel (1) which is fixed to the crankshaft and has a first ring gear (2) as well as an output component (4) which is fixed to the camshaft and has a second ring gear (5) arranged next to the first ring gear (2) and an adjustment shaft (10, 10?, 10?, 10??) which can be driven by an electric adjustment motor, with a wave generator (17, 17?, 17?) which has means for elliptically deforming a flexurally elastic, externally toothed sleeve (18).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2005Publication date: September 4, 2008Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KGInventors: Jens Schaefer, Martin Steigerwald, Jonathan Heywood
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Publication number: 20080053389Abstract: Adjustment device (1) for adjusting a relative rotational angle position of a camshaft (3) relative to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine is provided. The adjusting device includes a crankshaft-fixed drive part (4) and a camshaft-fixed driven part (5). The adjustment device (1) has an adjustment motor (2) as a primary adjustment device and an auxiliary drive (11) as a secondary adjustment device. When the adjusting motor fails, the camshaft (3) can be moved into a fixed rotational angle position, an emergency running position, by the auxiliary drive (11).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2005Publication date: March 6, 2008Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KGInventors: Jens Schafer, Mike Kohrs, Martin Steigerwald, Jonathan Heywood
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Publication number: 20080047513Abstract: A camshaft adjusting device for an internal combustion engine is provided. A functionally reliable camshaft adjusting device designed for a long-lasting operation is obtained when the camshaft adjuster (13) has a lifelong lubrication located in the housing (28, 36, 37) sealed from the surrounding area be sealing covers (36, 37). The camshaft adjuster is not required to be mounted inside the cylinder head (33), but can be mounted as a separate unit on the cylinder head (33) of the internal combustion engine independent of the lubricating oil circuit. This expands, in particular, the range of possibilities for use of the camshaft adjuster (13) with a belt drive.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2005Publication date: February 28, 2008Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KGInventors: Jens Schafer, Martin Steigerwald, Andreas Tholke
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Patent number: 7308876Abstract: The invention relates to a camshaft adjuster (1) for adjusting and fixing the relative position of the angle of rotation of a camshaft (8) in relation to a crankshaft of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine. The adjusting device comprises a high transmission and friction-reduced adjusting gear mechanism (2), comprising a drive shaft which is rotationally fixed to the crankshaft, a driven shaft which is rotationally fixed to the camshaft (8) and an adjusting shaft (9) which is connected to an adjusting motor shaft (10) of an adjusting motor. A camshaft adjuster (1), which is economical to run, can be produced such that the adjusting gear mechanism (2) and the adjusting motor (3) are embodied as separate units and are connected together by a rotational backlash-free, disengaging coupling (4).Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2003Date of Patent: December 18, 2007Assignee: Schaeffler KGInventors: Jens Schäfer, Martin Steigerwald, Jörg Degelmann, Jon Heywood
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Publication number: 20070251473Abstract: A camshaft adjuster including an electric servo motor (21) that is mounted in a first housing (14) and an electronics module (37), which supplies the servo motor (21) with electricity is provided. A second housing (26), which is separate from the first housing (14), is allocated to the electronics module and is attached by its exterior to the first housing (14). A wall (29) of the second housing (26) separates the servo motor (21) and the electronics module (37) to be mounted separately. A power supply and a logic element are integrated into the electronics module, allowing the camshaft adjuster to be operated as an autonomous unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2005Publication date: November 1, 2007Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KGInventors: Jens Schafer, Martin Steigerwald
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Patent number: 7275506Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for the variable setting of the control times of gas-exchange valves of an internal combustion engine, with a driving element (12), with a driven element (8) and with an adjusting gear (11) designed as a triple-shaft gear, the driving element (12) being mounted rotatably with respect to the driven element (8) on the latter or on the camshaft (9). The relative phase position of the driven element (8) with respect to the driving element (12) can be selectively varied or held by means of the adjusting gear (11). According to the invention, it is proposed to mount the driving element (12) on the driven element (8) by means of rolling bearings (19, 21). Radial and/or axial forces can thereby be supported in an optimized way in terms of friction, as a result of which the efficiency of the device (1) is increased.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2006Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Schaeffler-KGInventors: Jens Schäfer, Martin Steigerwald, Jonathan Heywood
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Publication number: 20070194649Abstract: An electric camshaft adjuster for adjusting and fixing the phase angle of a camshaft of an internal combustion engine relative to a crankshaft thereof is provided. The camshaft adjuster is provided with a triple-shaft gear drive having a driving pinion that is fixed to the crankshaft, an output part which is fixed to the camshaft, and an adjusting shaft. The adjusting shaft is connected to a motor shaft (5, 5?, 5?) of an electric adjusting motor that is provided as a pancake motor (1, 1?, 1?, 1??) including a pancake (3, 3?, 3?) and a stator (15, 15?, 15?, 15??) which is disposed in a housing (8, 8?, 8?) with an associated cover (9, 9?, 9?). In order to create a camshaft adjuster that is inexpensive to produce and operate, the pancake motor (1, 1?, 1?, 1??) is configured as a brushless DC motor (BLDC motor) whose housing (8, 8?, 8?) and cover (9, 9?, 9?) are arranged to be fixed to the cylinder head and whose motor shaft (5, 5?, 5?) is connected to the adjusting shaft by a releasable coupling.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2005Publication date: August 23, 2007Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KGInventors: Jens Schäfer, Martin Steigerwald
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Publication number: 20070101956Abstract: A device and a method for determining an angle of rotation between a camshaft (5) and a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine is provided, the device including a camshaft regulator provided with an electronic regulator, and a device for determining the position of the angle of rotation of the camshaft and the crankshaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2004Publication date: May 10, 2007Applicant: INA-Schaeffler KGInventors: Jens Schafer, Martin Steigerwald
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Publication number: 20070074692Abstract: An adjustment device (1) for adjusting the relative rotational angle position of a camshaft (2) in relation to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine is provided, with the device having an adjustment mechanism (3), which is embodied as a triple-shaft transmission and provided with an input part (4) fixed to the crankshaft, an output part fixed to the camshaft, and an adjusting shaft (7) connected to an adjusting motor shaft (5) of an adjusting motor (6). The motor (6) is provided as an electric motor and is spatially separated from the adjusting shaft (7), and the torque produced thereby is transmitted to the adjusting shaft (7), either mechanically via a flexible shaft (8), pneumatically via a compressor (9) operating a pneumatic motor (13) using pressurized air, or hydraulically via a hydraulic motor (16) and a pump (14) providing the hydraulic medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2004Publication date: April 5, 2007Inventors: Jens Schafer, Martin Steigerwald, Jonathan Heywood
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Publication number: 20070031267Abstract: A machine (1) has a rotor (3) located so that it can rotate in a housing (2). The rotor is located at least partly in fluid, such as coolant. To provide a machine which has lower losses with a higher cooling capacity, the housing pressure can be reduced so that the fluid transitions into the two-phase range. In one embodiment, the housing pressure can be reduced by a suction device (7).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2006Publication date: February 8, 2007Applicant: Linde AktiengesellschaftInventors: Alexander Glaab, Martin Steigerwald, Bernward Welschof
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Patent number: 7152561Abstract: A control structure for the adjusting motor of an electric camshaft adjuster in an internal combustion engine is provided. The control structure includes a controller which processes measuring signals of the internal combustion engine to control data for the adjusting motor. A controller which has meaningful values for the adjusted setpoint rotational speed of the adjusting motor, even when the input differential signal has a zero value, is obtained by applying the signal of an uncontrolled rotational speed to the output signal of a controlled setpoint rotational speed.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2006Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KGInventors: Jens Schäfer, Martin Steigerwald, Martin Overberg
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Publication number: 20060236966Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for the variable setting of the control times of gas-exchange valves of an internal combustion engine, with a driving element (12), with a driven element (8) and with an adjusting gear (11) designed as a triple-shaft gear, the driving element (12) being mounted rotatably with respect to the driven element (8) on the latter or on the camshaft (9). The relative phase position of the driven element (8) with respect to the driving element (12) can be selectively varied or held by means of the adjusting gear (11). According to the invention, it is proposed to mount the driving element (12) on the driven element (8) by means of rolling bearings (19, 21). Radial and/or axial forces can thereby be supported in an optimized way in terms of friction, as a result of which the efficiency of the device (1) is increased.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2006Publication date: October 26, 2006Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KGInventors: Jens Schafer, Martin Steigerwald, Jonathan Heywood
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Publication number: 20060236965Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for the electrical adjustment of the relative rotary-angle position between a camshaft (2) and a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, with an adjusting gear (3) which has a driving part (4) fixed with respect to the crankshaft, a driven part (5) fixed with respect to the camshaft and an adjusting shaft (8) connected fixedly in terms of rotation to an adjustment-unit shaft (6) of an electrical adjustment unit (7). In order to achieve a simpler type of construction which, moreover, is distinguished by quiet running, there is provision, according to the invention, for the adjusting shaft (8) to be arranged in a radially floating manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2006Publication date: October 26, 2006Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KGInventors: Jens Schaefer, Martin Steigerwald, Jonathan Heywood
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Publication number: 20060201462Abstract: The invention relates to a camshaft adjuster (1) for adjusting and fixing the relative position of the angle of rotation of a camshaft (8) in relation to a crankshaft of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine. The adjusting device comprises a high transmission and friction-reduced adjusting gear mechanism (2), comprising a drive shaft which is rotationally fixed to the crankshaft, a driven shaft which is rotationally fixed to the camshaft (8) and an adjusting shaft (9) which is connected to an adjusting motor shaft (10) of an adjusting motor. A camshaft adjuster (1), which is economical to run, can be produced such that the adjusting gear mechanism (2) and the adjusting motor (3) are embodied as separate units and are connected together by a rotational backlash-free, disengaging coupling (4).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2003Publication date: September 14, 2006Applicant: INA-Schaeffler KGInventors: Jens Schafer, Martin Steigerwald, Jorg Degelmann, Jon Heywood
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Patent number: 7089897Abstract: An electrical adjusting device for changing an angle of rotation of a camshaft (3) relative to a crankshaft of an internal-combustion engine is provided. The device includes an adjusting gear unit (1), which is formed as a triple-shaft gear unit, including an input part (4) that is fixed to the crankshaft, an output part (5) that is fixed to the camshaft, and an adjusting shaft (6), which is connected in a torsion-proof manner to an electric adjusting motor (2) having a permanent magnet rotor and a stator (8) fixed to the housing. A stationary gear ratio (i0), the value of which defines the adjusting gear unit (1) as a positive or negative gear unit and deter-mines whether a direction of adjustment of the camshaft (3, 65, 69) is into an advanced or retarded base position, is located between the input part (4) and the output part (5) when the adjusting shaft is at rest.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2004Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KGInventors: Jens Schäfer, Martin Steigerwald, Jonathan Heywood
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Publication number: 20060124095Abstract: A control structure for the adjusting motor of an electric camshaft adjuster in an internal combustion engine is provided. The control structure includes a controller which processes measuring signals of the internal combustion engine to control data for the adjusting motor. A controller which has meaningful values for the adjusted setpoint rotational speed of the adjusting motor, even when the input differential signal has a zero value, is obtained by applying the signal of an uncontrolled rotational speed to the output signal of a controlled setpoint rotational speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2006Publication date: June 15, 2006Applicant: INA-Schaeffler KGInventors: Jens Schafer, Martin Steigerwald, Martin Overberg