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).
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Patent number: 10072624Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 21, 2014Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ralf Fambach, Peter Frey, Michael Heuler, Reinhard Feldhaus, Horst Zinssmeister
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Patent number: 9777817Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 13, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Alexander Strom, Peter Frey, Erwin Wack, Michael Heuler, Christian Wickel
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Publication number: 20160377159Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2016Publication date: December 29, 2016Inventors: Alexander STROM, Peter FREY, Erwin WACK, Michael HEULER, Christian WICKEL
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Patent number: 9140348Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 7, 2009Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Michael Heuler, Patrick Rediger, Mario Kensy, Alexander Strom
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Publication number: 20140345553Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Inventors: Ralf FAMBACH, Peter FREY, Michael HEULER, Reinhard FELDHAUS, Horst ZINSSMEISTER
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Patent number: 8727087Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 8, 2012Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ralf Fambach, Georg Mencher, Gregor Sueck, Andreas Grell, Michael Heuler
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Publication number: 20130125538Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2012Publication date: May 23, 2013Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Peter Frey, Michael Heuler, Georg Mencher
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Publication number: 20130037368Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2012Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ralf FAMBACH, Georg MENCHER, Gregor SUECK, Andreas GRELL, Michael HEULER
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Publication number: 20120205212Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2012Publication date: August 16, 2012Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ralf FAMBACH, Georg MENCHER, Gregor SUECK, Andreas GRELL, Michael HEULER
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Publication number: 20110240429Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2009Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Michael Heuler, Patrick Rediger, Mario Kensy, Alexander Strom
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Patent number: 7905787Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 23, 2008Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Peter Frey, Michael Kühner, Alexander Markow, Michael Heuler, Martin Grumbach, Bernhard Sich, Robert Reiser, Peter Hammer
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Publication number: 20100294610Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Inventors: Michael Heuler, Jürgen Dacho
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Patent number: 7726122Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 12, 2007Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventor: Michael Heuler
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Patent number: 7699150Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 27, 2007Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Peter Frey, Michael Heuler, Edgar Reinhart, Bernd Reinhardt, Stefan Mundt, Thomas Baier, Frank Zerner
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Patent number: 7588130Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 14, 2006Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Michael Heuler, Jürgen Ackermann, Thomas Adelmann, Christoph Gajda
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Publication number: 20080179155Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2008Publication date: July 31, 2008Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Peter Frey, Michael Kuhner, Alexander Markow, Michael Heuler, Martin Grumbach, Bernhard Sich, Robert Reiser, Peter Hammer
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Publication number: 20080087514Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2007Publication date: April 17, 2008Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventor: Michael Heuler
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Publication number: 20070235277Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2007Publication date: October 11, 2007Inventors: Michael Heuler, Jurgen Dacho
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Publication number: 20070205067Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2007Publication date: September 6, 2007Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Peter Frey, Michael Heuler, Edgar Reinhart, Bernd Reinhardt, Stefan Mundt, Thomas Baier, Frank Zerner
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Publication number: 20060207851Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2006Publication date: September 21, 2006Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Michael Heuler, Jurgen Ackermann, Thomas Adelmann, Christoph Gajda