Patents by Inventor Michael Kuhner

Michael Kuhner 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: 9834082
    Abstract: A hybrid drive module (110) which is constructed to transmit a torque from an input side (120) to an output side (130) includes a torsional vibration damper (180) which is coupled to the input side (120) and which works at least partially on the principle of power splitting, a disconnect clutch (280) which is coupled to the torsional vibration damper (180) and to the output side (130) and which is constructed to interrupt a torque flow from the input side (120) to the output side (130), and an electric drive component (320) which is coupled to the output side (130) and which is arranged so as to introduce a torque component provided by the electric drive component (320) into the torque flow downstream of the disconnect clutch (280).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Dögel, Michael Kühner, Andreas Ratte
  • Patent number: 9429211
    Abstract: A drive system for a vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine and a torsional vibration damping arrangement. The internal combustion engine is switchable between operating modes of different performance capability, and the torsional vibration damping arrangement comprises a flywheel mass arrangement and at least one deflection mass pendulum unit with a deflection mass carrier and a deflection mass arrangement supported at the deflection mass carrier such that it can deflect out of a basic relative position with respect to the latter by means of a deflection mass coupling arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Orlamünder, Daniel Lorenz, Michael Kühner, Thomas Dögel
  • Patent number: 9366318
    Abstract: A transmission includes a transmission input element, a transmission output element and a gear ratio changing system in a torque path between the transmission input element and the transmission output element. A torsional vibration damping arrangement with an input region and an output region is provided in the torque path. A first torque transmission path and, parallel thereto, a second torque transmission path, and a coupling arrangement for superposing the torques transmitted via the torque transmission paths, are provided between the input region and the output region. The torsional vibration damping arrangement includes a phase shifter arrangement for generating a phase shift of rotational irregularities transmitted via the first torque transmission path relative to rotational irregularities transmitted via the second torque transmission path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Daniel Lorenz, Cora Carlson, Thomas Weigand, Thomas Dögel, Michael Kühner, Andreas Orlamünder
  • Patent number: 9316299
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic coupling arrangement, particularly torque converter, includes a housing arrangement which is filled or fillable with fluid, an impeller, a turbine, a lockup clutch, a torsional vibration damping arrangement with an input region and an output region, wherein a first torque transmission path and parallel thereto a second torque transmission path and a coupling arrangement for superposing the torques transmitted via the torque transmission paths are provided between the input region and the output region. The torsional vibration damping arrangement further includes at least in the first torque transmission path a phase shifter arrangement for generating a phase shift of rotational irregularities transmitted via the first torque transmission path relative to rotational irregularities transmitted via the second torque transmission path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Doegel, Michael Kühner, Ingrid Hoffelner, Mathias Kopp
  • Patent number: 9303744
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damping arrangement, particularly for a drivetrain with an automatic transmission, includes an input region and an output region, wherein a first torque transmission path and parallel thereto a second torque transmission path and a coupling arrangement for superposing the torques transmitted via the torque transmission paths are provided between the input region and the output region. The torsional vibration damping arrangement further includes at least in the first torque transmission path a phase shifter arrangement for generating a phase shift of rotational irregularities transmitted via the first torque transmission path relative to rotational irregularities transmitted via the second torque transmission path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Dögel, Michael Kühner, Ingrid Hoffelner
  • Patent number: 9222408
    Abstract: A drive system for a vehicle has an internal combustion engine and a torsional vibration damping arrangement. The internal combustion engine is switchable between operating modes of different performance. The torsional vibration damping arrangement includes an input region, which can be driven in rotation, and an output region. A first torque transmission path is provided between the input region and output region, and a second torque transmission path is provided parallel thereto. A coupling arrangement superposes the torques transmitted via the torque transmission paths, and a phase shifter arrangement is provided in at least one torque transmission path for generating a phase shift of rotational irregularities transmitted via the one torque transmission path in relation to the rotational irregularities transmitted via the other torque transmission path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Orlamünder, Daniel Lorenz, Michael Kühner, Thomas Dögel
  • Publication number: 20150362042
    Abstract: A drive system for a vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine and a torsional vibration damping arrangement. The internal combustion engine is switchable between operating modes of different performance capability, and the torsional vibration damping arrangement comprises a flywheel mass arrangement and at least one deflection mass pendulum unit with a deflection mass carrier and a deflection mass arrangement supported at the deflection mass carrier such that it can deflect out of a basic relative position with respect to the latter by means of a deflection mass coupling arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Andreas Orlamunder, Daniel Lorenz, Michael Kuhner, Thomas Dogel
  • Publication number: 20150298533
    Abstract: A hybrid drive module (110) which is constructed to transmit a torque from an input side (120) to an output side (130)includes a torsional vibration damper (180) which is coupled to the input side (120) and which works at least partially on the principle of power splitting, a disconnect clutch (280) which is coupled to the torsional vibration damper (180) and to the output side (130) and which is constructed to interrupt a torque flow from the input side (120) to the output side (130), and an electric drive component (320) which is coupled to the output side (130) and which is arranged so as to introduce a torque component provided by the electric drive component (320) into the torque flow downstream of the disconnect clutch (280).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas DÖGEL, Michael KÜHNER, Andreas RATTE
  • Patent number: 9151373
    Abstract: A wet clutch arrangement includes a housing arrangement which is filled or fillable with fluid, a first friction surface formation which is rotatable with the housing arrangement around an axis of rotation and a second friction surface formation which is rotatable with a driven member around the axis of rotation and which can be brought into frictional engagement with the first friction surface formation by a piston pump. At least a portion of a torsional vibration damping arrangement is provided in a torque transmission path and includes an input region and an output region. The torsional vibration damping arrangement further includes at least in a first torque transmission path a phase shifter arrangement for generating a phase shift of rotational irregularities transmitted via the first torque transmission path relative to rotational irregularities transmitted via a second torque transmission path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Dögel, Michael Kühner, Ingrid Hoffelner
  • Patent number: 8939860
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic coupling arrangement, particularly torque converter, comprises a housing arrangement (12) which is filled or fillable with fluid, an impeller (20), a turbine (28), a lockup clutch (54), a torsional vibration damping arrangement (42) with an input region (52) and an output region (82), wherein a first torque transmission path (46) and parallel thereto a second torque transmission path (48) and a coupling arrangement (50) for superposing the torques transmitted via the torque transmission paths (46,48) are provided between the input region (52) and the output region (82), wherein the torsional vibration damping arrangement (42) further includes at least in the first torque transmission path (46) a phase shifter arrangement (56) for generating a phase shift of rotational irregularities transmitted via the first torque transmission path (46) relative to rotational irregularities transmitted via the second torque transmission path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Dögel, Ingrid Hoffelner, Michael Kühner, Mathias Kopp
  • Publication number: 20140102398
    Abstract: A drive system for a vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine switchable between operating modes of different performance capability, and a torsional vibration damping arrangement that comprises a primary side preferably coupled to a crankshaft and a secondary side rotatable with respect to the primary side against the action of a damper element arrangement. The damper element arrangement has a stiffness which increases as the load torque to be transmitted increases, and the primary side and the secondary side are in a limiting relative rotational position with respect to one another during transmission of a maximum torque which can be delivered in an operating mode with lower performance capability at a maximum torque rotational speed, and the damper element arrangement provides a limiting stiffness in the limiting relative rotational position such that a natural frequency of the torsional vibration damping arrangement is below the maximum torque speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Andreas Orlamünder, Daniel Lorenz, Michael Kühner, Thomas Dögel
  • Publication number: 20140047949
    Abstract: A transmission includes a transmission input element, a transmission output element and a gear ratio changing system in a torque path between the transmission input element and the transmission output element. A torsional vibration damping arrangement with an input region and an output region is provided in the torque path. A first torque transmission path and, parallel thereto, a second torque transmission path, and a coupling arrangement for superposing the torques transmitted via the torque transmission paths, are provided between the input region and the output region. The torsional vibration damping arrangement includes a phase shifter arrangement for generating a phase shift of rotational irregularities transmitted via the first torque transmission path relative to rotational irregularities transmitted via the second torque transmission path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel Lorenz, Cora Carlson, Thomas Weigand, Thomas Dögel, Michael Kühner, Andreas Orlamünder
  • Publication number: 20130085030
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic coupling arrangement, particularly torque converter, comprises a housing arrangement (12) which is filled or fillable with fluid, an impeller (20), a turbine (28), a lockup clutch (54), a torsional vibration damping arrangement (42) with an input region (52) and an output region (82), wherein a first torque transmission path (46) and parallel thereto a second torque transmission path (48) and a coupling arrangement (50) for superposing the torques transmitted via the torque transmission paths (46,48) are provided between the input region (52) and the output region (82), wherein the torsional vibration damping arrangement (42) further includes at least in the first torque transmission path (46) a phase shifter arrangement (56) for generating a phase shift of rotational irregularities transmitted via the first torque transmission path (46) relative to rotational irregularities transmitted via the second torque transmission path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Dögel, Ingrid Hoffelner, Michael Kühner, Mathias Kopp
  • Publication number: 20130068580
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic coupling arrangement, particularly torque converter, includes a housing arrangement which is filled or fillable with fluid, an impeller, a turbine, a lockup clutch, a torsional vibration damping arrangement with an input region and an output region, wherein a first torque transmission path and parallel thereto a second torque transmission path and a coupling arrangement for superposing the torques transmitted via the torque transmission paths are provided between the input region and the output region. The torsional vibration damping arrangement further includes at least in the first torque transmission path a phase shifter arrangement for generating a phase shift of rotational irregularities transmitted via the first torque transmission path relative to rotational irregularities transmitted via the second torque transmission path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Doegel, Michael Kühner, Ingrid Hoffelner, Mathias Kopp
  • Publication number: 20130072346
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damping arrangement, particularly for a drivetrain with an automatic transmission, includes an input region and an output region, wherein a first torque transmission path and parallel thereto a second torque transmission path and a coupling arrangement for superposing the torques transmitted via the torque transmission paths are provided between the input region and the output region. The torsional vibration damping arrangement further includes at least in the first torque transmission path a phase shifter arrangement for generating a phase shift of rotational irregularities transmitted via the first torque transmission path relative to rotational irregularities transmitted via the second torque transmission path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas Dögel, Michael Kühner, Ingrid Hoffelner
  • Publication number: 20130072338
    Abstract: A wet clutch arrangement includes a housing arrangement which is filled or fillable with fluid, a first friction surface formation which is rotatable with the housing arrangement around an axis of rotation and a second friction surface formation which is rotatable with a driven member around the axis of rotation and which can be brought into frictional engagement with the first friction surface formation by a piston pump. At least a portion of a torsional vibration damping arrangement is provided in a torque transmission path and includes an input region and an output region. The torsional vibration damping arrangement further includes at least in a first torque transmission path a phase shifter arrangement for generating a phase shift of rotational irregularities transmitted via the first torque transmission path relative to rotational irregularities transmitted via a second torque transmission path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Dögel, Michael Kühner, Ingrid Hoffelner
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7650975
    Abstract: A clutch disk arrangement for a multi-disk clutch has a hub rotatable about an axis of rotation and a plurality of friction lining assemblies connected to the hub by a torsional vibration damper arrangement. The torsional vibration damper arrangement includes a central disk element on the hub and a cover disk element on each side of the central element, where the cover disk elements are permanently connected to each other and are connected by a damper element arrangement to the central disk element for transmitting torque. A driver formation is provided on at least one of the cover disk elements and an opposing driver formation is arranged on at least one of the friction lining assemblies. The driver formation engages the opposing driver formation so that the at least one of the friction lining assemblies is fixed with respect to rotation and is axially displaceable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Gerald Buer, Winfried Bokisch, Michael Kühner, Thorsten Müller, Andreas Orlamünder
  • Patent number: 7635056
    Abstract: A pressure plate arrangement for a friction clutch includes a housing rotatably fixed to an abutment arrangement for joint rotation about an axis of rotation and a plate arrangement with at least one intermediate plate and a pressure plate. At least one of the intermediate and pressure plates is mounted in the housing and axially movable relative thereto and rotateable about the axis of rotation. An energy storage device coupled to the housing generates an elastic restoring force on the plate arrangement. A releasing spring arrangement located between the housing and plate arrangement is tensioned to generate an elastic restoring force on the pressure plate in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A clutch disk arrangement is clamped between the abutment arrangement and the at least one intermediate plate, or between any two plates of the plate arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Orlamünder, Thorsten Müller, Michael Kühner, Winfried Bokisch, Sebastian Vogt, Waldemar Mensch
  • Publication number: 20080296116
    Abstract: A friction clutch is configured with a pressure plate arrangement having: a housing rotatably fixed to an abutment arrangement for joint rotation about an axis of rotation; a plate arrangement having at least one intermediate plate and a pressure plate, at least one of the intermediate and pressure plates being mounted in the housing and operative to axially move relative thereto and to rotate about the axis of rotation; an energy storage device coupled to the housing and operative to generate a elastic restoring force exerted on the plate arrangement, the energy storage device being coupled to the pressure plate; a releasing spring arrangement located between the housing and plate arrangement and coupled thereto, the releasing spring arrangement being tensioned to generate an elastic restoring force exerted at least on the pressure plate in a second direction opposite to the first direction in response to the elastic restoring force; and a clutch disk arrangement clamped between the abutment arrangement and
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Andreas Orlamunder, Thorsten Muller, Michael Kuhner, Winfried Bokisch, Sebastian Vogt, Waldemar Mensch