Patents by Inventor Peter Schiele

Peter Schiele 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).

  • Publication number: 20080064547
    Abstract: A method is described for the operation of a transmission device (3) with several shift elements (5, 6) actuated hydraulically by a pressure source (4) for engaging and disengaging various transmission ratios and with several electric actors (7, 8) of a hydraulic system of the transmission device (3) for the adjustment of actuating pressures for the shift elements (5, 6). When an engine start-stop function calls for a combustion engine (2) of a drivetrain comprising the transmission device (3) to be switched off, the energizing current of the actors (7, 8) is adjusted from an operating level (I_B) in which the respective actors (7, 8) are energized with a current appropriate for producing an operating-situation-dependent actuation pressure in the shift elements (5, 6), to a standby level (I_S). When the engine start-stop function calls for the combustion engine (3) to be switched on, the energizing current of the actors (7, 8) is adjusted from the standby level (I_S) to the operating level (I_B).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Schiele, Klaus Steinhauser
  • Publication number: 20080060862
    Abstract: A process is described for actuating a hydraulic storage device (5) of a transmission unit comprising a storage space (9) whose volume can be varied between a minimum and a maximum. The volume of the storage space (9) can be changed from minimum to maximum by acting upon the storage space (9) with pressurized hydraulic fluid from a pressure supply (19) of the transmission unit. To overcome a restoring tendency of the hydraulic storage device (5) starting from an operating condition different from the operating condition which corresponds to minimum volume of the storage space (9) toward an operating condition which corresponds to minimum volume of the storage space (9), the pressure has to be set to a threshold value. A holding device (12) is provided to hold the hydraulic storage device (5) at least in the operating condition that corresponds to maximum volume of the storage space (9) against the said restoring tendency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter SCHIELE, Armin Thiele, Klaus Steinhauser
  • Patent number: 7331173
    Abstract: A hydraulic system (1) for a transmission with a starter clutch is described. The hydraulic system (1) is designed to comprise a primary circuit (24) and a secondary circuit (5). A cooling system (9) for the starter clutch, a radiator (7) for hydraulic fluid and a lubricant supply (10) for the transmission are integrated into the secondary circuit (5), where the radiator (7) is arranged upstream from the cooling system (9) for the starter clutch. A volume flow of the hydraulic fluid through the radiator (7) can be limited by way of a controllable bypass line (11), which opens up into the secondary circuit (5) downstream from the radiator (7) and upstream from the cooling system (9) for the starter clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichschafen AG
    Inventors: Thilo Schmidt, Georg Gierer, Peter Schiele
  • Publication number: 20080035444
    Abstract: A vehicle transmission having shifting elements (A-E) and a parking brake for locking a drive train output and a method for controlling the transmission. Activation of the parking brake depends on a driver's control action. Deactivating the parking brake, when the vehicle is on a slope greater or lesser than a preset value and depending on the slope, a combination of shifting elements (A, D) or (B, D) frictionally slip, such that the output rotates against the strain on a parking brake locking element, caused by the slope, to partially eliminate this strain. Next, one of shifting elements (C, A or B) engages locking the output. The parking brake is then released and finally, the engaged shifting element (C or A or B) is disengaged in a regulated manner, such that the output can be driven according to the driver's control action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Schiele, Peter Ziemer
  • Publication number: 20080029331
    Abstract: A process for operating a power train (1) of a vehicle during an activated engine start/stop function for an internal combustion engine (2), having a starter unit (3) for the internal combustion engine (2), by way of which can be generated at least a startup input torque required for starting the internal combustion engine (2), an output (5), and a non-positive shifting element (6A) configured with a continuously variable transmission, and a starting device (6) arranged between the internal combustion engine (2) and the output (5) is described. A portion of the input torque of the internal combustion engine (2) and/or the input torque of the starter unit (3) dependent on the currently set transmission capacity of the shifting element (6A) can be fed via the starting device (6) in the direction of the output (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Peter SCHIELE
  • Publication number: 20080016599
    Abstract: A method for operating a parallel hybrid drive train of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, an electric engine and an output. The electric engine being located in the power drive between the output and the internal combustion engine. A second shifting element is located between the internal combustion engine and the electric engine and a first shifting element between the electric engine and the output. Output torque driving the output can be adjusted according to the transmitting capacities of the first and second shifting elements and according to the input torque of the electric engine and/or internal combustion engine. These adjustments are corrected according to standards derived from divergences found in parameters during operation of the drive train.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ralf Dreibholz, Johannes Kaltenbach, Michael Gromus, Stefan Blattner, Bernd Allgaier, Stefan Kilian, Peter Schiele, Friedrich Tenbrock, Gerd Frotscher
  • Publication number: 20080006501
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-disk clutch or multi-disk brake (1, 2), comprising an inner disk carrier (4) carrying internal disks (3) and an outer disk carrier (6) carrying external disks (5), friction linings (7, 7?) on the internal and external disks (3, 5), a first end disk (9), on which a closing force for the multi-disk clutch or multi-disk brake can be applied by a piston (10) of a piston-cylinder arrangement which can be actuated by a pressure medium, and a second end disk (8), which forms an axial abutment for the clutch pack (14) formed by the disks (3, 5, 8, 9), wherein the multi-disk clutch or multi-disk brake (1, 2) and/or the components encompassing the clutch or the brake are configured such that the internal and external disks (3, 5) can be wetted with a cooling oil (13). So as to improve heat dissipation during operation, it is provided that the multi-disk clutch or multi-disk brake (1, 2) is configured such that the cooling oil (13) can be directed axially through the clutch pack (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Josef Haupt, Thilo Schmidt, Peter Schiele, Tobias Miller, Christian Schwemer
  • Publication number: 20080000746
    Abstract: A vehicular parallel hybrid drivetrain contains a combustion engine, electric motor and drive output and a method of operating the drivetrain. A respective shift element device (6, 7) with continuously variable transmission capacity is provided, between the combustion engine and the electric motor and between the electric motor and the drive. The shift element device (6), between the combustion engine and electric motor, comprises a speed-dependent hydraulic coupling element and a frictional shift element in a parallel power branch. The shift element device (6) has continuously adjustable transmission capacity and is bridged, via the hydraulic coupling element. The hydraulic coupling element actively couples with the electric motor, via a free-wheel overrunning connection (8). This coupling disengages when the speed of the coupling element side of the coupling element is lower than the speed of the electric motor in the area of the free-wheel overrunning connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Schiele, Georg Gierer, Christian Popp
  • Publication number: 20070246273
    Abstract: A method for operating a parallel hybrid powertrain (1) of a vehicle having one internal combustion engine (2) and one electric motor (3). The electric motor is located in the drivetrain between an output and the internal combustion engine. Between the internal combustion engine and the electric motor, a frictionally engaged shifting element is provided, while between the electric motor and the output, a starting element (6) having a hydrodynamic torque converter (6A) and a converter lock-up clutch (6B) is disposed. A target output torque to be applied to the output is dependent on the slippage of the starting element. During a starting phase of the internal combustion engine via the electric motor, an input torque produced by the electric motor is directed at least in part via the torque converter and in part via the converter lock-up clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Friedrich Tenbrock, Peter Schiele, Johannes Kaltenbach, Bernd Allgaier, Christian Schwemer, Michael Gromus, Martin Neumann, Klaus Habe
  • Publication number: 20070214905
    Abstract: A method for cooling a friction shift element of a transmission is proposed, wherein a variable, a constant or the maximum amount of cooling oil is fed to the friction shift element in a time-controlled manner, specifically within an aftercooling phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Armin Gierling, Christian Popp, Klaus Steinhauser, Peter Schiele
  • Publication number: 20070207892
    Abstract: A method is described for operating a parallel hybrid device train (1) of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine (2), an electric engine (3) and an output (5) wherein the electric engine (3) is disposed in the power train between the output (5) and the internal combustion engine (2) and both between the internal combustion engine (2) and the electric engine (3) and between the electric engine (3) and the output (5) is respectively provided a frictionally engaged shifting element (7, 8). In addition, a nominal output torque abutting on the output (5) can be adjusted according to the transmitting capacity of the first shifting element (8) located between the electric engine (3) and the output (5). According to the invention, the transmitting capacity of the first shifting element (8) is adjusted under control according to the nominal input torque required so that the first shifting element (8) has a transmitting capacity needed for producing the nominal output torque on the output (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ralf Dreibholz, Johannes Kaltenbach, Michael Gromus, Stefan Blattner, Bernd Allgaier, Stefan Kilian, Peter Schiele, Friedrich Tenbrock, Gerd Frotscher
  • Patent number: 7258640
    Abstract: An apparatus for compensating the viscous characteristics of a hydraulic medium in a pressure line (10) in which apparatus a pressure nozzle (12) with constant geometry and constant through-flow cross-section is located in the pressure line (10). It is provided according to the invention that in the pressure Line (10) upstream or downstream of the pressure nozzle (12) at least one channel-shaped area (11, 28) is made or situated which, compared to the pressure nozzle (12), has a smaller through-flow cross-section and a larger axial extension and that the control pressure (P_SekV) abutting between the channel-shaped area (11, 28) and the pressure nozzle (12) can be supplied via a control pressure line (13) to a shift valve (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thilo Schmidt, Georg Gierer, Peter Schiele
  • Publication number: 20070167284
    Abstract: A method for operating a drive train of a vehicle with a hydrodynamic torque converter, one transmission device and one prime mover during a gearshift starting from an actual ratio to a target ratio. A nominal standard of the control pressure of the shifting element to be disengaged is adjusted according to a nominal standard of the control pressure of the shifting element to be engaged. The rotational speed of a turbine of the torque converter is passed during the gearshift, starting from a synchronous rotational speed of the turbine of the actual ratio, in direction of a synchronous rotational speed of the turbine of the target ratio, the nominal standard of the control pressure of the shifting element to be disengaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Peter Schiele, Maurizio Vecchio, Alf Zwingenberger, Ruben Cuppers, Stefan Schneider, Rainer Wassner, Wolfgang Kosling, Reinhard Vollmar
  • Publication number: 20070129211
    Abstract: A procedure for increasing the readiness of crossover gearshifts in an automatic transmission which, with the switching command or immediately thereafter, a motor fueling is provided through which a snatch operation of the disengaging switching element and/or an increase of the rotational speed gradient (turbine revolution speed) is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2004
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Inventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Christian Popp, Peter Schiele
  • Publication number: 20070085497
    Abstract: A method for operating power train side components of a motor vehicle. Using a control device of a motor, at least one motor parameter is issued and delivered via a databus to at least one control device of one other power drive side component working independently of the motor control device in order to operate all or each one of the power drive side components dependent in a first inventive aspect, a behavior of the respective other power drive side components that adjusts itself according to the motor torque actually made available by the motor is evaluated. In second inventive aspect, the motor torque issued by the motor control device is compared with a torque stored according to motor operation parameters in the control device working independently of the motor control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventors: Christian Popp, Georg Gierer, Thilo Schmidt, Klaus Steinhauser, Peter Schiele, Bernd Allgaier, Christian Schwemer, Ruben Cuppers
  • Publication number: 20060259223
    Abstract: A method for controlling an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, namely for controlling a static disengagement function, such that if the motor vehicle's speed is lower than a limiting speed value and if, at the same time, at least one further initiation criterion is fulfilled, static disengagement is implemented. As a further initiation criterion, it is checked whether a characteristic parameter of a hydrodynamical starting element, in particular a torque converter, is below a limiting value of the characteristic parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Inventors: Peter Schiele, Christian Popp
  • Publication number: 20060123777
    Abstract: A hydraulic system (1) for a transmission with a starter clutch is described. The hydraulic system (1) is designed to comprise a primary circuit (24) and a secondary circuit (5). A cooling system (9) for the starter clutch, a radiator (7) for hydraulic fluid and a lubricant supply (10) for the transmission are integrated into the secondary circuit (5), where the radiator (7) is arranged upstream from the cooling system (9) for the starter clutch. A volume flow of the hydraulic fluid through the radiator (7) can be limited by way of a controllable bypass line (11), which opens up into the secondary circuit (5) downstream from the radiator (7) and upstream from the cooling system (9) for the starter clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Thilo Schmidt, Georg Gierer, Peter Schiele
  • Publication number: 20060113158
    Abstract: A braking method for a vehicle is proposed as a safety measure and replacement function if the brake system fails, in particular the X-by-wire brake system of a motor vehicle, in which the vehicle is braked with the help of the transmission by a defined engagement of frictional shift elements until the vehicle comes to rest, such that the combination of frictional shift elements actuated when the vehicle's working brake system fails does not correspond to the shift logic of a gear during normal driving operation of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2004
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Inventors: Christian Popp, Peter Schiele, Christian Schwemer, Georg Gierer, Klaus Steinhauser, Bernd Allgaier
  • Patent number: 6948395
    Abstract: A device to allow for emergency operation of an automatic-transmission motor vehicle, having a monitoring device to monitor pre-determined operating parameters, a diagnostic device to detect faults, a control device to activate an alternative function, and an output device by means of which the fault may be presented to the driver. The control device provides the driver an emergency operation capability while providing an alternative function depending on the degree of the fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Georg Gierer, Christian Popp, Klaus Steinhauser, Peter Schiele
  • Publication number: 20050155803
    Abstract: A method for controlling and regulating a power train of a hybrid vehicle and a power train of a hybrid vehicle having one internal combustion engine, one electric machine, one shifting element and one output in a power flow of the power train and designed with continuously variable transmitting capacity and one clutch device and the internal combustion engine. The electric machine can be operatively interconnected via the clutch device, the hybrid vehicle being optionally driveable via the electric machine and/or via the internal combustion engine and the internal combustion engine can be started via the electric machine. In the operation of the power train, the transmitting capacity of the shifting element during the starting operation of the internal combustion engine is adjusted so that on the output of the power train, a torque abuts which is independent of the starting operation of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Inventor: Peter Schiele