Patents by Inventor Peter Harz

Peter Harz 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: 7607985
    Abstract: A constant velocity fixed joint having an outer and inner joint part forming pairs of ball tracks, wherein the track base lines of the pairs of tracks each form an opening angle relative to one another. The track base lines of the outer ball tracks, at the attaching part end, form a radius whose center is positioned beyond a first longitudinal axis and is offset by a first offset from the central plane of the outer joint part towards the attaching part. The track base lines of the inner ball tracks, at the aperture end, comprise a radius whose center is positioned beyond the second longitudinal axis and is offset by a second offset from the central plane of the inner joint part towards the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Krude, Peter Harz
  • Publication number: 20090062022
    Abstract: A constant velocity fixed joint having an outer and inner joint part forming pairs of ball tracks, wherein the track base lines of the pairs of tracks each form an opening angle relative to one another. The track base lines of the outer ball tracks, at the attaching part end, form a radius whose center is positioned on a first longitudinal axis and is offset by a first offset from the central plane of the outer joint part towards the attaching part. The track base lines of the inner ball tracks, at the aperture end, comprise a radius whose center is positioned on the second longitudinal axis and is offset by a second offset from the central plane of the inner joint part towards the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: WERNER KRUDE, PETER HARZ
  • Patent number: 7462107
    Abstract: A constant velocity fixed joint having an outer and inner joint part forming pairs of ball tracks, wherein the track base lines of the pairs of tracks each form an opening angle relative to one another. The track base lines of the outer ball tracks, at the attaching part end, form a radius whose center is positioned on a first longitudinal axis and is offset by a first offset from the central plane of the outer joint part towards the attaching part. The track base lines of the inner ball tracks, at the aperture end, comprise a radius whose center is positioned on the second longitudinal axis and is offset by a second offset from the central plane of the inner joint part towards the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Krude, Peter Harz
  • Publication number: 20060142089
    Abstract: A constant velocity fixed joint having an outer and inner joint part forming pairs of ball tracks, wherein the track base lines of the pairs of tracks each form an opening angle relative to one another. The track base lines of the outer ball tracks, at the attaching part end, form a radius whose center is positioned on a first longitudinal axis and is offset by a first offset from the central plane of the outer joint part towards the attaching part. The track base lines of the inner ball tracks, at the aperture end, comprise a radius whose center is positioned on the second longitudinal axis and is offset by a second offset from the central plane of the inner joint part towards the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Werner Krude, Peter Harz
  • Patent number: 7022022
    Abstract: A counter track joint including first pairs of tracks whose control angles open in a first axial direction, and second pairs of tracks whose control angles open in a second axial direction. The outer joint part forms an introducing aperture for the ball cage. The ball cage, while engaging the outer tracks, can be threaded into the outer joint part in the second axial direction. The outer joint part forms a first stop and guiding face for a spherical outer face of the ball cage. Between the introducing aperture and the first stop and guiding face, the outer joint part comprises a displacement region for the ball cage. A securing element forms a second stop and guiding face for the spherical outer face of the ball cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: GKN Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Ida Hassenrik, Stephan Maucher, Thomas Weckerling, Peter Harz, Wolfgang Hildebrandt
  • Publication number: 20040116192
    Abstract: A constant velocity fixed joint having the following characteristics:
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Werner Krude, Peter Harz
  • Publication number: 20040072622
    Abstract: The invention relates to a constant velocity fixed ball joint in the form of a counter track joint, comprising an outer joint part with outer tracks, an inner joint part with inner tracks, torque transmitting balls received in pairs of tracks formed of outer tracks and inner tracks, and a ball cage with cage windows in which the balls are held in a common plane and guided on to the angle-bisecting plane when the joint is articulated. First outer tracks, together with first inner tracks, form first pairs of tracks whose control angles open in a first axial direction. Second outer tracks, together with second inner tracks, form second pairs of tracks whose control angles open in a second axial direction, with the control angles being defined as angles between the tangents at the ball contact points in the tracks when the joint is in the aligned condition. The ball cage comprises a spherical outer face with a greatest diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Ida Hassenrik, Stephan Maucher, Thomas Weckerling, Peter Harz, Wolfgang Hildebrandt
  • Patent number: 6709338
    Abstract: A constant velocity fixed ball joint in the form of a counter track joint, having an outer joint part with outer tracks, an inner joint part with inner tracks, torque transmitting balls received in pairs of tracks formed of outer tracks and inner tracks, and a ball cage with cage windows in which the balls are held in a common plane and guided on to the angle-bisecting plane when the joint is articulated. First outer tracks, together with first inner tracks, form first pairs of tracks whose control angles open in a first axial direction. Second outer tracks, together with second inner tracks, form second pairs of tracks whose control angles open in a second axial direction, with the control angles being defined as angles between the tangents at the ball contact points in the tracks when the joint is in the aligned condition. The outer joint part forms a first stop-and-guiding face for a spherical outer face of the ball cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: GKN Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Weckerling, Stephan Maucher, Peter Harz, Wolfgang Hildebrandt
  • Publication number: 20020094230
    Abstract: A constant velocity fixed ball joint in the form of a counter track joint, having an outer joint part with outer tracks, an inner joint part with inner tracks, torque transmitting balls received in pairs of tracks formed of outer tracks and inner tracks, and a ball cage with cage windows in which the balls are held in a common plane and guided on to the angle-bisecting plane when the joint is articulated. First outer tracks, together with first inner tracks, form first pairs of tracks whose control angles open in a first axial direction. Second outer tracks, together with second inner tracks, form second pairs of tracks whose control angles open in a second axial direction, with the control angles being defined as angles between the tangents at the ball contact points in the tracks when the joint is in the aligned condition. The outer joint part forms a first stop-and-guiding face for a spherical outer face of the ball cage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas Weckerling, Stephan Maucher, Peter Harz, Wolfgang Hildebrandt
  • Patent number: 6398657
    Abstract: The invention relates to a constant velocity fixed joint and to the introduction of the cage into the outer joint part of a constant velocity fixed joint. The joint comprises an outer joint part, an inner joint part, a ball cage and balls. The outer joint part forms a bell-shaped member comprising a first longitudinal axis, a base, an aperture and circumferentially alternating first and second outer ball tracks. The inner joint part forms a hub comprising a second longitudinal axis and circumferentially alternating first and second inner ball tracks. The first outer and first inner ball tracks, together form first track pairs and the second outer and second inner ball tracks, together, form second track pairs. Each track pair accommodates a torque transmitting ball, with the tangents at the balls in the points of contact with the track pairs forming control angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventors: Werner Krude, Peter Harz
  • Publication number: 20010006910
    Abstract: The invention relates to a constant velocity fixed joint and to the introduction of the cage into the outer joint part of a constant velocity fixed joint. The joint comprises an outer joint part, an inner joint part, a ball cage and balls. The outer joint part forms a bell-shaped member comprising a first longitudinal axis, a base, an aperture and circumferentially alternating first and second outer ball tracks. The inner joint part forms a hub comprising a second longitudinal axis and circumferentially alternating first and second inner ball tracks. The first outer and first inner ball tracks, together form first track pairs and the second outer and second inner ball tracks, together, form second track pairs. Each track pair accommodates a torque transmitting ball, with the tangents at the balls in the points of contact with the track pairs forming control angles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Publication date: July 5, 2001
    Inventors: Werner Krude, Peter Harz
  • Patent number: 5852864
    Abstract: A constant velocity universal ball joint has a bell-shaped outer joint part which is open at one end. The outer joint part includes longitudinally extending circumferentially distributed outer ball tracks. An inner joint part with longitudinally extending circumferentially distributed inner ball tracks is positioned within the outer part such that the outer and inner tracks are arranged radially opposite one another to form pairs. A torque transmitting ball is received in each track pair. A cage is arranged between the outer joint part and the inner joint part and holds the balls in a common plane in circumferentially distributed cage windows. The cage guides the balls on to the angle bisecting plane when the axes of the outer and inner joint part are articulated relative to one another. The outer joint part is produced, especially by extrusion, forging or deep-drawing. The forming provides outer ball tracks which, if viewed from the open end, are axially undercut-free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventors: Werner Krude, Peter Harz
  • Patent number: 5618235
    Abstract: An outer joint part is produced by forming in such a way that the torque transmitting capacity is substantially increased and that the production costs, essentially do not rise. This is achieved in that at the outwardly open axial end of the cavity of the outer joint part, there is arranged a radially outwardly directed collar-shaped flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventors: Werner Krude, Peter Harz
  • Patent number: 5616081
    Abstract: A constant velocity universal ball joint has an outer joint part, an inner joint part and torque transmitting balls held in a cage. The cage has centers of curvature (M.sub.1, M.sub.2) of the outer spherical face (14, 44) and of an inner spherical face (14, 44) of the ball cage (4, 34) which are axially offset relative to a central cage plane (E), defined by the circumferentially extending center lines (L.sub.m) of the cage windows (12, 42). The center of curvature (M.sub.1) of the outer spherical face (13, 43) is positioned towards the aperture (8, 38) in the outer joint part (2, 32), and the center of curvature (M.sub.2) of the inner spherical face, (14, 44), is positioned towards the end of the outer joint part (2, 32) located axially opposite the aperture (8, 38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignees: GKN Automotive AG, GKN Birfield SpA
    Inventors: Werner Krude, Peter Harz, Bruno Feichter
  • Patent number: 5599234
    Abstract: A constant velocity fixed joint having an outer joint part, an inner joint part, a cage and torque transmitting balls has the cumulative clearance errors of the joint minimized via the fixing method of supporting inserts. This is achieved in that a ring is provided with at least two fingers pointing axially and radially inward into the cavity of the outer joint part and arranged between two outer running grooves so as to abut the spherical contact face of the cage. While the clearances between the internal joint components are positioned at a predetermined relationship, the ring is positioned at an axial distance from a reference face located at the open end of the outer joint part and that the ring, while observing a predetermined axial play, is connected to the outer joint part. The inner faces of the outer joint part arranged between the outer running grooves thus being held at a predetermined position relative to the spherical outer face of the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventors: Peter Harz, Werner Krude, Herbert Taureg
  • Patent number: 5593084
    Abstract: A constant velocity fixed joint having an outer joint part, an inner joint part, a cage and torque transmitting balls has the cumulative clearance errors of the joint minimized via the fixing method of supporting inserts. This is achieved in that a ring is provided with at least two fingers pointing axially and radially inward into the cavity of the outer joint part and arranged between two outer running grooves so as to abut the spherical contact face of the cage. While the clearances between the internal joint components are positioned at a predetermined relationship, the ring is positioned at an axial distance from a reference face located at the open end of the outer joint part and that the ring, while observing a predetermined axial play, is connected to the outer joint part. The inner faces of the outer joint part arranged between the outer running grooves thus being held at a predetermined position relative to the spherical outer face of the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventors: Peter Harz, Werner Krude, Herbert Taureg
  • Patent number: 5542885
    Abstract: A homokinetic ball turning joint has a joint outer part (1a) with ball tracks (6a) distributed around its circumference that extend substantially in the longitudinal direction and a joint inner part (11a) with ball tracks (13a) distributed around its circumference that extend substantially in the longitudinal direction. The tracks (6a, 13a) are arranged in pairs, lie opposite each other in the radial direction and carry together a torque transmitting ball (14a). A cage (7a) receives the ball (14a) in windows (15a) distributed around the circumference, retains it in a common plane and when the axes of the joint outer part (1a) and joint inner part (11a) are bent towards each other, it guides the balls (14a) onto the angle bisecting plane. The joint outer part (1a) has inner surfaces (5a) with no undercuts located between the individual ball tracks (6a), when viewed in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventors: Werner Krude, Peter Harz
  • Patent number: 5494129
    Abstract: An insertable unit for a wheel bearing has an integrated constant velocity universal joint, which is axially insertable into the wheel carrier from the outside and which permits easy dismantling and re-assembly. The outer joint part at the wheel end can be inserted through the through-bore of the wheel carrier. The outer bearing ring is inserted into the through-bore and is secured against axial displacement. The inner diameter of the two-part inner bearing ring is smaller than the outer diameter of the outer joint part. The outer joint part and the wheel hub are welded to one another in the region of the axially inner end of the two-part inner bearing ring, with the outer joint part being supported on the inner bearing ring by a planar face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventors: Werner Krude, Peter Harz
  • Patent number: RE35995
    Abstract: A constant velocity universal ball joint has a bell-shaped outer joint part which is open at one end. The outer joint part includes longitudinally extending circumferentially distributed outer ball tracks. An inner joint part with longitudinally extending circumferentially distributed inner ball tracks is positioned within the outer part such that the outer and inner tracks are arranged radially opposite one another to form pairs. A torque transmitting ball is received in each track pair. A cage is arranged between the outer joint part and the inner joint part and holds the balls in a common plane in circumferentially distributed cage windows. The cage guides the balls on to the angle bisecting plane when the axes of the outer and inner joint part are articulated relative to one another. The outer joint part is produced, especially by extrusion, forging or deep-drawing. The forming provides outer ball tracks which, if viewed from the open end, are axially undercut-free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventors: Werner Krude, Peter Harz
  • Patent number: RE36163
    Abstract: A tripod joint has an outer joint part with three circumferentially distributed, axis-parallel recesses forming circumferentially distributed opposed tracks. An inner joint part has a star-shaped cross-section and three circumferentially distributed arms engaging the recesses in the outer joint part. The arms support roller assemblies. When torque is transmitted with the joint in an extended position, the resultant K.sub.1 of the forces acting from the inner joint part directly on a roller forms a shorter perpendicular distance from the joint axis than the resultant K.sub.2 of the counter forces acting from the outer joint part on the roller, so that, when torque is introduced into the joint, at any angle of articulation of the operating range, the roller is subject to a tilting moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignees: Lohr & Bromkamp GmbH, GKN Automotive AG
    Inventors: Michael Ricks, Norbert Hofmann, Friedhelm John, Werner Krude, Dieter Jost, Peter Harz, Jorg Bensinger