Patents by Inventor Norbert Ament

Norbert Ament 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: 8960396
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper arrangement including a torsional vibration damper with a primary side and a secondary side rotatable with respect to the primary side around an axis of rotation against the action of a damper spring arrangement. One side of the primary side and secondary side includes two cover disk elements and a central disk element arranged between the cover disk elements. The cover disk elements are connected to one another by first connection elements radially inside the damper spring arrangement so as to be fixed axially and so as to transmit torque. The cover disk elements are connected to one another by second connection elements in such a way that they are prevented from moving axially away from one another. No torque can be transmitted between the cover disk elements by the second connection elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Reinhard Feldhaus, Christian Wickel, Norbert Ament, Alexander Markow, Michael Peterseim, Erwin Wack, Thomas Krüger
  • Publication number: 20110226576
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper arrangement including a torsional vibration damper with a primary side and a secondary side rotatable with respect to the primary side around an axis of rotation against the action of a damper spring arrangement. One side of the primary side and secondary side includes two cover disk elements and a central disk element arranged between the cover disk elements. The cover disk elements are connected to one another by first connection elements radially inside the damper spring arrangement so as to be fixed axially and so as to transmit torque. The cover disk elements are connected to one another by second connection elements in such a way that they are prevented from moving axially away from one another. No torque can be transmitted between the cover disk elements by the second connection elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Reinhard Feldhaus, Christian Wickel, Norbert Ament, Alexander Markow, Michael Peterseim, Erwin Wack, Thomas Krüger
  • Publication number: 20080261706
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper includes a primary side having a pair of axially spaced cover disk elements which are fixed to each other, and a central disk element axially between the cover disk elements, wherein each disk element has a like plurality of circumferentially arranged openings, and each opening has a pair of circumferential support areas. A like plurality of damping element units are arranged in respective sets of openings, and are supported against the circumferential support areas. A radial support surface supports each damping element unit in a radially outward direction, each radial support surface extending without curvature in the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Norbert Ament, Reinhard Feldhaus, Erwin Wack, Michael Peterseim, Alexander Markow
  • Patent number: 6536575
    Abstract: A clutch disk is provided having a connecting arrangement, by means of which the friction linings can execute a radial movement with respect to the hub rotation axis and/or tilting movement with respect to a plane orthogonal to the hub rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Mario Lory, Klaus Dollhopf, Achim Link, Reinhard Feldhaus, Bernhard Schierling, Norbert Ament, Jürgen Kleifges, Erwin Wack, Jürgen Weth, Bernd Peinemann, Andreas Orlamünder
  • Patent number: 6299540
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damping device in the drive train of a motor vehicle has two coaxial cover plates which are rotationally connected and are kept at a distance apart. The two coaxial cover plates rotate about a common axis of rotation within a certain angular range relative to a coaxial internally located part arranged between the two cover paltes and the cover plates are elastically connected to the internally located part by a spring element which is effective in the circumferential direction. The cover plates are held apart by distance pieces applied transversely to the circumferential direction. Each distance piece has a joint region where the distance piece is connected to the cover plate and a connecting region which traverses the distance between the cover plates. The radial distance between the joint region and the axis of rotation differs from the radial distance between the connecting region and the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventor: Norbert Ament
  • Patent number: 6016899
    Abstract: A clutch disk for a motor vehicle, in which a centering force is applied between the input parts and the output parts in operating states in which the input parts, relative to the output parts, carry out a wobbling movement or undergo a radial displacement, a spring element arranged between one cover plate and the hub disk and which is centered directly or indirectly at the cover plate or hub disk. A bearing ring is arranged with an outer contour between the spring tongues and the bearing region of the hub. The inner contour of a structural component part of the one coverplate is arranged at a distance from this outer contour for determining the movement play of the spring tongues of the spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventor: Norbert Ament
  • Patent number: 5927460
    Abstract: A clutch disk for a friction clutch, especially for internal combustion engines, with a hub, two friction disks which are arranged concentric to the hub and are connected thereto. A plurality of facing spring elements are connected with the friction disks so as to be rotationally fixed relative thereto, and are provided between the friction disks in the circumferential direction. The facing spring elements are curved in a wavy manner and nested against one another in pairs such that they exert a force on the friction disks in the axial direction. The facing spring elements which are nested against one another are designed so that their ends which are directed in the circumferential direction are located at a distance from one another in the no-load state of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventor: Norbert Ament
  • Patent number: 5829567
    Abstract: A clutch disc includes an elastic mounting to absorb both wobbling movement and to compensate for axially offsetting transmission components. Between the hub and the components which can rotate with respect to the hub, there is a spring element which makes it possible by means of two different types of fingers to accomplish both a radially elastic centering and an axially elastic clamping. The clutch disc can thereby absorb both wobbling movements and axial offsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventor: Norbert Ament
  • Patent number: 5722525
    Abstract: Torsional vibration damper for a motor vehicle friction clutch, the torsional vibration damper having a hub with a hub disc, and cover plates located one on either side of the hub disc, which cover plates are fastened together. The cover plates can be rotated with respect to the hub disc against the force of springs by a specified amount, whereby the radial guidance of the parts which can rotate in relation to one another is provided by preferably one cover plate and a bearing element inserted in a central hole of the cover plate. The bearing element permits a limited radial relative movement of the cover plate with respect to the hub, is designed so that in addition to an axial offset, it can also compensate for an angular offset between the crankshaft and the transmission shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Norbert Ament, Reinhard Feldhaus, Joachim Lindner, Klaus Memmel, Jorg Sudau, Michael Weiss
  • Patent number: 5687828
    Abstract: A friction clutch for a drive train of a motor vehicle generally has a torsional damper with at least one hub and hub disc concentric to an axis of rotation, and cover plates located on both sides of the hub disc which are non-rotationally connected together and held at a distance from one another. Coil springs can be located in apertures of the hub disc, on one hand, and in the cover plates on the other hand. The apertures can be designed so that the coil springs, located in the apertures of the cover plates, in spite of the fact that the coil springs are held without stress on their ends, cannot come loose from the apertures. To achieve this, the edges with which the ends of the respective coil springs come in contact can be provided with indentations which are designed for the radial release of the respective outermost windings of the coil springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Norbert Ament, Harald Raab
  • Patent number: 5673778
    Abstract: This invention relates to a clutch disc with a torsional vibration damper, in which a control plate is used which, after a specified angle of rotation, comes into contact with the aperture of a spring element. Additional friction surfaces can be activated as a result of the presence of a control plate, which is capable of coming into contact on one of the components, i.e. the input part or the output part, with a friction element which is connected non-rotationally to the other of the two components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventor: Norbert Ament
  • Patent number: 5655641
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a clutch disc for a friction clutch, in which two identical cover plates are used, each of which has areas with different outside diameters, whereby the area with the larger diameter has the openings for fastening rivets for lining carriers and the openings for the location of balancing rivets, and the areas with the smaller diameter make it possible to have access with a tool for peening the rivet heads from the other side. The individual cover plates are also assembled to one another in mirror inversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Norbert Ament, Dieter Bernhard
  • Patent number: 5630491
    Abstract: A transmission of a motor vehicle can have a friction clutch with a torsional vibration damper and a clutch disc. In the friction clutch there can be a control plate for the control of a friction action as a function of the torsion angle, which control plate can be centered in one direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation by means of at least two diagonally opposite stop edges. The stop edges preferably can interact with two opposite-facing end surfaces of the coil springs within the clutch disc. It can thereby be possible to center the control plate independently of the guide diameter of the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Norbert Ament, Harald Raab
  • Patent number: 5529161
    Abstract: A friction clutch can typically have a rotary power input member which can be rotationally engaged by means of a torsional damping device such as springs located between the input and output members. The output member can include a hub, non-rotationally connected to a hub disc, and the input member can include at least one disc-shaped member disposed adjacent the hub disc, which disc-shaped member can have friction linings for engaging a rotating part of an engine. The torsional damping device can include a base friction apparatus and a load friction apparatus for which friction rings are used, which rings have an internal axial stress and generate the frictional force as a result of their material properties and their axial friction mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Norbert Ament, Harald Raab
  • Patent number: 5431269
    Abstract: A clutch disc with a basic friction device, which can have a corresponding friction ring with axial projections that torsionally lock with the toothing of the hub, for transmission of the torque to the hub disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Norbert Ament, Harald Raab
  • Patent number: 5238096
    Abstract: The invention relates to a clutch plate with a torsional vibration damper in which there is provided an entrained friction arrangement which acts before the transition from idling spring action into load spring action. During a reversal of the direction of rotation, the entrained friction arrangement is carried by frictional force and it runs through its free angle only during the transition from the load spring arrangement into the idling spring arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs A.G.
    Inventors: Norbert Ament, Harald Raab
  • Patent number: 5230415
    Abstract: In order to mount the lateral discs of a clutch plate, provided with a torsional vibration damper, of a motor vehicle friction clutch on a hub, there is provided a plastic ring (23) which is inserted with an annular part (29) into a central opening in one of the lateral discs. The plastics ring (23) has a plurality of sets of radially inwardly projecting blocks (41, 43, 45), separated from one another by slots (46), with a cylindrical segment-shaped internal contour (47). The blocks (41) of a first set are radially resilient and define an internal diameter (D1) such that these blocks can rest without radial pretension on the external contour of the hub. The blocks (43) of a second set pass into the noses (33) provided to prevent rotation and, like the blocks (45) of a third set, are not resilient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Norbert Ament, Harald Raab
  • Patent number: 5205389
    Abstract: The invention relates to a clutch disk for a friction clutch in which a load and an idling system are provided. The idling system is bridged over by teeth (2a, 4) in the load system. A load friction disk (23) which simultaneously makes direct contact with one (11) of the two covering plates as well as the associated hub disk (12) is provided for producing a two-staged frictional force in the idling system. Owing to different material constitutions of the load friction disk (23) on opposing sides or owing to different material of the load friction disk (23) and the hub disk (12) it is possible to produce a jump in the frictional force. The load friction disk (23) is controlled primarily by stop edges, and additional control can be provided by a spring for the idling range, which is used after a predetermined angle of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Harald Raab, Norbert Ament
  • Patent number: 5000304
    Abstract: The clutch disc for a motor vehicle friction clutch comprises a hub on which a driving disc provided with friction linings is coaxially rotatably mounted through a torsional vibration damper. The torsional vibration damper has two mutually relatively rotatable damper parts which are rotationally elastically coupled with one another through springs. One of the damper parts is guided rotatably on the hub through at least one rolling bearing. The rolling bearing reduces especially the friction occuring in idling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Kock, Harald Raab, Karl H. Dotter, Norbert Ament
  • Patent number: 4998608
    Abstract: The invention relates to a clutch disk having a torsional vibration damper (19) for motor-vehicle clutches, a delayed friction device (51) being arranged in a space-saving manner radially above a friction ring (45) effective in the load region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Harald Raab, Norbert Ament, Dieter Bernhard