Patents by Inventor Michael Heuler

Michael Heuler 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: 10072624
    Abstract: A starting element (100) for use, for example, in a drivetrain of a motor vehicle, includes a piston (310) which divides a first volume (560) that can be filled with a fluid from a second volume (570) that can be filled with a fluid, wherein the piston (310) comprises at least one fluid passage (640) which allows the fluid at least occasionally to pass through the piston (310) from the first volume (560) into the second volume (570) and/or from the second volume (570) into the first volume (560). The at least one fluid passage (640) comprises a passage component part (650) and a receiving opening (660) in the piston (310). The passage component part (650) is inserted into the receiving opening so that at least one passage opening (670) is formed which allows the fluid to pass through at least occasionally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ralf Fambach, Peter Frey, Michael Heuler, Reinhard Feldhaus, Horst Zinssmeister
  • Patent number: 9777817
    Abstract: A clutch device has a friction transmission element which has a base with at least one friction surface, at least one control element for acting on a damping device, and at least one radial support which cooperates with a stop and has a plurality of lugs which extend at least substantially radially in direction toward the stop and which are at least substantially brought closer to the stop up to a gap before the stop when the friction transmission element is stationary, while, at speed, at least a portion of the lugs comes in contact with the stop. The lugs are connected to the base via a bend which causes an axial offset with respect to the base, the bend allows a displacement of the lugs in direction toward the energy accumulators, and the lugs are completely covered by the stop in an axial extension direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Alexander Strom, Peter Frey, Erwin Wack, Michael Heuler, Christian Wickel
  • Publication number: 20160377159
    Abstract: A clutch device has a friction transmission element which has a base with at least one friction surface, at least one control element for acting on a damping device, and at least one radial support which cooperates with a stop and has a plurality of lugs which extend at least substantially radially in direction toward the stop and which are at least substantially brought closer to the stop up to a gap before the stop when the friction transmission element is stationary, while, at speed, at least a portion of the lugs comes in contact with the stop. The lugs are connected to the base via a bend which causes an axial offset with respect to the base, the bend allows a displacement of the lugs in direction toward the energy accumulators, and the lugs are completely covered by the stop in an axial extension direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Alexander STROM, Peter FREY, Erwin WACK, Michael HEULER, Christian WICKEL
  • Patent number: 9140348
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic coupling includes a housing coupled to a driveshaft having an impeller and a turbine wheel arranged in the housing driven by the impeller and a first damper arrangement by which the housing is coupled to a driven member by a lockup clutch. The first damper arrangement includes a first torsional vibration damper connected to the lockup clutch that is rotatable around an axis of rotation against the action of a first damper spring arrangement. A second torsional vibration damper is connected to the first torsional vibration damper and rotatable around the axis of rotation against the action of a second damper spring arrangement. The turbine wheel is connected to an intermediate torsional vibration damper region including a first secondary side, a second primary side, a second damper arrangement has a deflection mass carrier connected to the second secondary side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Heuler, Patrick Rediger, Mario Kensy, Alexander Strom
  • Publication number: 20140345553
    Abstract: A starting element (100) for use, for example, in a drivetrain of a motor vehicle, includes a piston (310) which divides a first volume (560) that can be filled with a fluid from a second volume (570) that can be filled with a fluid, wherein the piston (310) comprises at least one fluid passage (640) which allows the fluid at least occasionally to pass through the piston (310) from the first volume (560) into the second volume (570) and/or from the second volume (570) into the first volume (560). The at least one fluid passage (640) comprises a passage component part (650) and a receiving opening (660) in the piston (310). The passage component part (650) is inserted into the receiving opening so that at least one passage opening (670) is formed which allows the fluid to pass through at least occasionally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Ralf FAMBACH, Peter FREY, Michael HEULER, Reinhard FELDHAUS, Horst ZINSSMEISTER
  • Patent number: 8727087
    Abstract: A torque transmission includes a housing arrangement drivable around an axis of rotation and filled with fluid and a clutch arrangement between the housing arrangement and a driven member. The clutch arrangement has a first friction surface formation rotatable with the housing arrangement and a second friction surface formation rotatable with the driven member. A clutch piston is movable axially for producing and canceling frictional engagement of the first and the second friction surface formation. A piston carrying element is connected to the clutch piston on the radially inner side for axial movement of the clutch piston. The piston carrying element has in its radially inner end region a first axial supporting area for axially supporting the driven member at the piston carrying element and a second axial supporting area for supporting the piston carrying element at the housing arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ralf Fambach, Georg Mencher, Gregor Sueck, Andreas Grell, Michael Heuler
  • Publication number: 20130125538
    Abstract: A torque transmission device, particularly for a motor vehicle, for the transmission of a torque from a driving unit, particularly from an internal combustion engine, to a driven unit, particularly a transmission, has at least one bearing location which has at least one bearing support acting in axial and/or radial direction, wherein an insulation element preventing a flow of electric current is provided in the region of the at least one bearing location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Frey, Michael Heuler, Georg Mencher
  • Publication number: 20130037368
    Abstract: A torque transmission includes a housing arrangement drivable around an axis of rotation and filled with fluid and a clutch arrangement between the housing arrangement and a driven member. The clutch arrangement has a first friction surface formation rotatable with the housing arrangement and a second friction surface formation rotatable with the driven member. A clutch piston is movable axially for producing and canceling frictional engagement of the first and the second friction surface formation. A piston carrying element is connected to the clutch piston on the radially inner side for axial movement of the clutch piston. The piston carrying element has in its radially inner end region a first axial supporting area for axially supporting the driven member at the piston carrying element and a second axial supporting area for supporting the piston carrying element at the housing arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ralf FAMBACH, Georg MENCHER, Gregor SUECK, Andreas GRELL, Michael HEULER
  • Publication number: 20120205212
    Abstract: A torque transmission arrangement includes a housing arrangement which is drivable for rotation around an axis of rotation and a clutch arrangement in the torque transmission path between the housing arrangement and a driven member. The clutch arrangement has a first friction surface formation, which is rotatable with the housing arrangement and a second friction surface formation, which is rotatable with the driven member, and a clutch piston, which is movable axially for producing and canceling a frictional engagement of the first friction surface formation with the second friction surface formation. A piston carrying element, which is connected in a substantially fluid-tight manner to the clutch piston on the radially inner side, permits an axial movement of the clutch piston. The piston carrying element is produced substantially in its entirety from plastic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ralf FAMBACH, Georg MENCHER, Gregor SUECK, Andreas GRELL, Michael HEULER
  • Publication number: 20110240429
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic coupling includes a housing coupled to a driveshaft having an impeller and a turbine wheel is arranged in the housing driven by the impeller, and a first damper arrangement by which the housing is coupled to a driven member by a lockup clutch. The first damper arrangement includes a first torsional vibration damper connected to the lockup clutch is rotatable around an axis of rotation against the action of a first damper spring arrangement. A second torsional vibration damper is connected to the first torsional vibration damper and rotatable around the axis of rotation against the action of a second damper spring arrangement. The turbine wheel is connected to an intermediate torsional vibration damper region including a first secondary side, a second primary side, a second damper arrangement having a deflection mass carrier connected to the second secondary side that is carried at the deflection mass carrier such that a radial position of the deflection mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Heuler, Patrick Rediger, Mario Kensy, Alexander Strom
  • Patent number: 7905787
    Abstract: A drive system for a motor vehicle comprises a drive unit with a drive shaft and a torque-transmitting assembly, which is to be connected on the drive side to the drive shaft for rotation in common around an axis of rotation (A) and which is to be connected on the takeoff side to a gearbox. The drive-side connection is accomplished by means of an axial plug-in connection arrangement, and the torque-transmitting assembly is supported in at least one axial direction on the gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Frey, Michael Kühner, Alexander Markow, Michael Heuler, Martin Grumbach, Bernhard Sich, Robert Reiser, Peter Hammer
  • Publication number: 20100294610
    Abstract: A fluid-filled clutch arrangement includes a housing; a piston mounted with freedom of axial movement in the housing, the piston being sealed against the housing, the piston having a drive side bounding a drive side pressure space from a takeoff side bounding a takeoff side pressure space; a clutch which can establish and release a working connection between a drive and a takeoff as a function of the position of the piston relative to the clutch; and a partition wall bounding the takeoff side pressure space opposite the piston, the partition wall being active between the takeoff side pressure space and a cooling space. At least one supply line connects a fluid supply source to at least one of the drive-side pressure space, the takeoff side pressure space, and the cooling space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Michael Heuler, Jürgen Dacho
  • Patent number: 7726122
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter including a housing connectable to a drive element for rotation in common around an axis of rotation, the housing being fillable with a fluid; a pump wheel in the housing; a turbine wheel in the housing and connected to a takeoff element; and a supporting/sealing hub area on an axial side of the housing and facing away from the drive element, the supporting/sealing hub area comprising a first hub element permanently connected to the housing; and a second hub element connected to the first hub element for rotation in common around the axis of rotation, the second hub element being axially movable relative to the first hub element, the second hub element comprising an outside circumference, a sealing surface on the outside circumference, a first axial end facing away from the drive element, and a rotational driver formation at the first axial end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Michael Heuler
  • Patent number: 7699150
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic clutch includes a housing which can be brought into working connection with a drive; a hydrodynamic circuit formed by a pump wheel and a turbine wheel; a torsional vibration damper having a drive side transmission element, a takeoff side transmission element, and at least one energy storage group between the transmission elements; and a bridging clutch including first friction elements connected to the housing and second friction elements connected to the drive side transmission element. A first flow route extends from a first flow passage to the friction elements, and a second flow route extends from the hydrodynamic circuit to a second flow passage. A sealing arrangement cooperates with the drive side transmission element to separate the first flow route from the second flow route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Frey, Michael Heuler, Edgar Reinhart, Bernd Reinhardt, Stefan Mundt, Thomas Baier, Frank Zerner
  • Patent number: 7588130
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic clutch device includes a pump wheel, a housing connecting the pump wheel to a drive, a turbine wheel connected to a takeoff, the turbine wheel being located in the housing and cooperating with the pump wheel to form a hydrodynamic circuit, and a bridging clutch located in the housing and having a piston located between the hydrodynamic circuit and a pressure space. The piston is movable between an engaged position and a released position. At least one through opening in the piston allows an exchange of clutch fluid between the hydrodynamic circuit and the pressure space regardless of the position of the piston and a non-return valve allows only flow from the hydrodynamic circuit to the pressure space when the clutch is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Heuler, Jürgen Ackermann, Thomas Adelmann, Christoph Gajda
  • Publication number: 20080179155
    Abstract: A drive system for a motor vehicle comprises a drive unit with a drive shaft and a torque-transmitting assembly, which is to be connected on the drive side to the drive shaft for rotation in common around an axis of rotation (A) and which is to be connected on the takeoff side to a gearbox. The drive-side connection is accomplished by means of an axial plug-in connection arrangement, and the torque-transmitting assembly is supported in at least one axial direction on the gearbox.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Frey, Michael Kuhner, Alexander Markow, Michael Heuler, Martin Grumbach, Bernhard Sich, Robert Reiser, Peter Hammer
  • Publication number: 20080087514
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter including a housing connectable to a drive element for rotation in common around an axis of rotation, the housing being fillable with a fluid; a pump wheel in the housing; a turbine wheel in the housing and connected to a takeoff element; and a supporting/sealing hub area on an axial side of the housing and facing away from the drive element, the supporting/sealing hub area comprising a first hub element permanently connected to the housing; and a second hub element connected to the first hub element for rotation in common around the axis of rotation, the second hub element being axially movable relative to the first hub element, the second hub element comprising an outside circumference, a sealing surface on the outside circumference, a first axial end facing away from the drive element, and a rotational driver formation at the first axial end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Michael Heuler
  • Publication number: 20070235277
    Abstract: A fluid-filled clutch arrangement includes a housing; a piston mounted with freedom of axial movement in the housing, the piston being sealed against the housing, the piston having a drive side bounding a drive side pressure space from a takeoff side bounding a takeoff side pressure space; a clutch which can establish and release a working connection between a drive and a takeoff as a function of the position of the piston relative to the clutch; and a partition wall bounding the takeoff side pressure space opposite the piston, the partition wall being active between the takeoff side pressure space and a cooling space. At least one supply line connects a fluid supply source to at least one of the drive-side pressure space, the takeoff side pressure space, and the cooling space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Heuler, Jurgen Dacho
  • Publication number: 20070205067
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic clutch includes a housing which can be brought into working connection with a drive; a hydrodynamic circuit formed by a pump wheel and a turbine wheel; a torsional vibration damper having a drive side transmission element, a takeoff side transmission element, and at least one energy storage group between the transmission elements; and a bridging clutch including first friction elements connected to the housing and second friction elements connected to the drive side transmission element. A first flow route extends from a first flow passage to the friction elements, and a second flow route extends from the hydrodynamic circuit to a second flow passage. A sealing arrangement cooperates with the drive side transmission element to separate the first flow route from the second flow route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Frey, Michael Heuler, Edgar Reinhart, Bernd Reinhardt, Stefan Mundt, Thomas Baier, Frank Zerner
  • Publication number: 20060207851
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic clutch device includes a pump wheel; a housing connecting the pump wheel to a drive; a turbine wheel connected to a takeoff, the turbine wheel being located in the housing and cooperating with the pump wheel to form a hydrodynamic circuit; and a bridging clutch located in the housing and having a piston located between the hydrodynamic circuit and a pressure space, the piston being movable between an engaged position, wherein the drive transmits torque to the takeoff via the bridging clutch, and a released position, wherein the drive transmits torque to the takeoff via the hydrodynamic circuit. A first pressure medium line supplies clutch fluid to the hydrodynamic circuit, and a second pressure medium line supplies clutch fluid to the pressure space. At least one through opening in the piston allows an exchange of clutch fluid between the hydrodynamic circuit and the pressure space regardless of the position of the piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Heuler, Jurgen Ackermann, Thomas Adelmann, Christoph Gajda