Patents by Inventor Rainer Gramss
Rainer Gramss 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: 11525519Abstract: Coolant valve for a vehicle includes a housing having a plurality of coolant ports, a valve element arranged in an adjustable manner in the housing in order to connect or disconnect coolant ports, and at least one seal arrangement. The seal arrangement bears in a sealing manner against the housing on one side and in a sealing manner against the valve element on the other side, the seal arrangement having a carrier element made of a first material and a sealing element made of a second material, the second material being softer than the first material. The sealing element has a first sealing lip bearing against the valve element and the carrier element having a supporting portion. The first sealing lip protrudes beyond the supporting portion with a free end, and the first sealing lip is pressed against the supporting portion when coolant flows through the coolant valve.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2019Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Rainer Gramss, Torsten Hauk
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Publication number: 20210222778Abstract: Coolant valve for a vehicle includes a housing having a plurality of coolant ports, a valve element arranged in an adjustable manner in the housing in order to connect or disconnect coolant ports, and at least one seal arrangement. The seal arrangement bears in a sealing manner against the housing on one side and in a sealing manner against the valve element on the other side, the seal arrangement having a carrier element made of a first material and a sealing element made of a second material, the second material being softer than the first material. The sealing element has a first sealing lip bearing against the valve element and the carrier element having a supporting portion. The first sealing lip protrudes beyond the supporting portion with a free end, and the first sealing lip is pressed against the supporting portion when coolant flows through the coolant valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2019Publication date: July 22, 2021Inventors: Rainer GRAMSS, Torsten HAUK
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Publication number: 20200191280Abstract: Aa valve arrangement for a cooling system of a vehicle includes a housing having at least two cooling-liquid ports, and a valve element, which can be adjusted between an open position in which it opens up a connection between the cooling-liquid ports and a closed position in which it separates the connection between the cooling-liquid ports. A drive is provided for adjusting the valve element between the open position and the closed position, wherein the drive includes an electric motor, which motor drives an actuation element which actuates the valve element, wherein the actuation element moves along a circular path section in the course of an adjustment of the valve element between the open position and the closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2018Publication date: June 18, 2020Inventors: Peter QUADE, Torsten HAUK, Carsten HELDBERG, Florian CLAUSING, Rainer Gramss
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Patent number: 10683940Abstract: A valve arrangement for a cooling system of a vehicle includes a housing having at least two cooling-liquid ports, and a valve element, which can be adjusted between an open position in which it opens up a connection between the cooling-liquid ports and a closed position in which it separates the connection between the cooling-liquid ports. A drive is provided for adjusting the valve element between the open position and the closed position, wherein the drive includes an electric motor, which motor drives an actuation element which actuates the valve element, wherein the actuation element moves along a circular path section in the course of an adjustment of the valve element between the open position and the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2018Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Peter Quade, Torsten Hauk, Carsten Heldberg, Florian Clausing, Rainer Gramss
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Publication number: 20190083913Abstract: A filter arrangement for a liquid-conducting system, preferably a cooling circuit of an engine, includes a filter housing with an inlet and an outlet for liquid flowing along a flow path through the filter housing. A filter is arranged in the filter housing in the flow path of the liquid for filtering out dirt particles from the liquid. A collecting chamber is arranged upstream of the filter and into which dirt particles which are filtered out by the filter drop because of gravity when liquid no longer flows through the filter housing, wherein the collecting chamber forms a dead space, and therefore dirt particles located in the collecting chamber are not entrained by liquid flowing through the filter housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2018Publication date: March 21, 2019Inventors: Torsten Hauk, Rainer Gramss
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Patent number: 9841115Abstract: A thermostat valve includes a housing with several cooling fluid connections, at least two hollow valve elements mounted rotatably next to one another in the housing on a common rotational shaft, each having at least one opening selectively couplable to one or more of the cooling fluid connections by way of rotation of the valve elements, and a rotational drive for a first of the valve elements can be driven rotationally in the housing, a second of the valve elements can be selectively coupled to or decoupled from the first valve element, the second valve element driven rotationally, when it is coupled to the first valve element, and a coupling element mounted axially movably on the rotational shaft, and a coupling drive by way of which the coupling element can be moved axially on the rotational shaft between a coupling position and a decoupling position.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2014Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Rainer Gramss, Torsten Hauk
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Publication number: 20160178081Abstract: A thermostat valve includes a housing with several cooling fluid connections, at least two hollow valve elements mounted rotatably next to one another in the housing on a common rotational shaft, each having at least one opening selectively couplable to one or more of the cooling fluid connections by way of rotation of the valve elements, and a rotational drive for a first of the valve elements can be driven rotationally in the housing, a second of the valve elements can be selectively coupled to or decoupled from the first valve element, the second valve element driven rotationally, when it is coupled to the first valve element, and a coupling element mounted axially movably on the rotational shaft, and a coupling drive by way of which the coupling element can be moved axially on the rotational shaft between a coupling position and a decoupling position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2014Publication date: June 23, 2016Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Rainer Gramss, Torsten Hauk
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Patent number: 9366344Abstract: A valve device for a combustion engine, comprising a housing with at least two fluid connections, a hollow valve element, being rotatably supported in the housing between at least two rotational positions, the valve element comprising at least two openings, which, dependent on the rotational position of the valve element can be connected with the fluid connections of the housing, and a drive for rotating the valve element. The valve element is connected torque proof with a shaft, the shaft being rotatably supported at two opposing bearings of the housing, and the shaft, at least at one end, being rotatably supported in a bearing bush, the bearing bush being received at one of the bearings torque proof against a rotation about the shaft axis, with the inner surface and/or the outer surface of the bearing bush being formed spherically.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2010Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Thomas Rogge, Rainer Gramss
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Publication number: 20120080629Abstract: The invention relates to a valve device for a combustion engine, in particular of an automobile, comprising a housing with at least two fluid connections, a hollow valve element, being rotatably supported in the housing between at least two rotational positions, said valve element comprising at least two openings, which dependent on the rotational position of the valve element can be connected with the fluid connections of the housing, and a drive for rotating the valve element. According to the invention, the valve element is connected torque proof with a shaft, which shaft is rotatably supported at two opposing bearings of the housing, wherein the shaft is at least at one end rotatably supported in a bearing bush, which bearing bush is received at one of the bearings torque proof against a rotation about the shaft axis, wherein the inner surface and/or the outer surface of the bearing bush is formed spherically.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2010Publication date: April 5, 2012Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Thomas Rogge, Rainer Gramss
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Patent number: 7377559Abstract: The tank flap of an automobile is locked via a wire spring with which an extension connected to the tank flap will cooperate. A spring-biased locking body keeps the wire spring in the releasing position when the tank flap initially is forced inwards.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2005Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Rainer Gramss, Carsten Albracht
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Patent number: 7213877Abstract: A neck rest for the front seats in automobiles, a neck rest body being supported by the back rest of the front seats, characterized in that a support member being integrated in the backside of the neck rest body, the support member being movable in the neck rest body between a closed and an opened position, in the closed position the support member being substantially flush with the backside of the neck rest body and the support member having means for supporting or suspending an article at the backside of the neck rest body in the opened position of the support member.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2005Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Rainer Gramss
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Patent number: 7144067Abstract: An arm rest for a door paneling in automobiles, whereby a support member for an arm rest padding has an elongated guiding member at the lower side, the guide member being liftable in guide means, the guide means being fastened to the paneling, in that further locking means for the guide member and the guide means are provided in order lock the guide member in different elevated positions in the guide means and that an actuation element is provided to release the locking means and to allow displacement of the arm rest padding.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2004Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Rainer Gramss
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Patent number: 6991006Abstract: A closing mechanism for a filling tube of a fuel tank in an automobile, including: a first housing portion adapted to be fastened in an opening of the body of the automobile, a closing slide member which supported for linear or pivotal, movement transverse to the axis of the opening, the closing slide member and a portion of the housing portion together form a funnel-like guide means such that upon a movement of a fuel nozzle towards the guide means the closing slide member is moved into an open position whereby the nozzle can be moved further into the opening, a second housing portion having a first end connectable to the first housing portion and a second end attachable to the end of the filling tube, the second housing portion having a second opening aligned with the first opening, and a closing flap for the second opening.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2004Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co.Inventors: Rainer Gramss, Uwe Stapf
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Publication number: 20060016814Abstract: The tank flap of an automobile is locked via a wire spring with which an extension connected to the tank flap will cooperate. A spring-biased locking body keeps the wire spring in the releasing position when the tank flap initially is forced inwards.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2005Publication date: January 26, 2006Applicant: ITW AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Rainer Gramss, Carsten Albracht
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Publication number: 20050218708Abstract: A neck rest for the front seats in automobiles, a neck rest body being supported by the back rest of the front seats, characterized in that a support member being integrated in the backside of the neck rest body, the support member being movable in the neck rest body between a closed and an opened position, in the closed position the support member being substantially flush with the backside of the neck rest body and the support member having means for supporting or suspending an article at the backside of the neck rest body in the opened position of the support member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2005Publication date: October 6, 2005Applicant: ITW AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS GMBH & CO. KGInventor: Rainer Gramss
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Publication number: 20050134085Abstract: An arm rest for a door paneling in automobiles, whereby a support member for an arm rest padding has an elongated guiding member at the lower side, the guide member being liftable in guide means, the guide means being fastened to the paneling, in that further locking means for the guide member and the guide means are provided in order lock the guide member in different elevated positions in the guide means and that an actuation element is provided to release the locking means and to allow displacement of the arm rest padding.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2004Publication date: June 23, 2005Applicant: ITW AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS GMBH & CO. KGInventor: Rainer Gramss
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Patent number: 6805411Abstract: A neck rest includes a first support, a second support pivotably supported on the first support, and third support displaceably supported on the second support between a lower and an upper position. A controllable locking mechanism retains the third support in the lower position, the locking mechanism being unlocked when the second support has a attained a predetermined pivot angle. A stop is placed between second and/or third support and first support to prevent a pivoting of the second and the third supports towards the first support when the second and third supports have a attained their extended position.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2003Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Rainer Gramss, Carsten Albracht
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Publication number: 20040163732Abstract: Closing means for a filling tube of a fuel tank in an automobile, comprising:Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2004Publication date: August 26, 2004Inventors: Rainer Gramss, Uwe Stapf
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Publication number: 20040021358Abstract: A neck rest for the seats of automobiles comprising a fixed support member and a fixed cushion member enclosing the fixed support member and two rods connected to the support member, the rods being adapted to be accommodated by sleeve members in the back rest of the seat, a second support member for a movable cushion member which is movably supported by the first support member whereby the movable cushion member can be moved between a position wherein it is accommodated by the fixed cushion member and an extended position and vice versa in the extended position the movable cushion member is moved relative to the fixed cushion member towards the head of the person seating on the seat, and actuating means for the actuation of the movable cushion member into the extended position, characterized by the further features:Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2003Publication date: February 5, 2004Applicant: ITW AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS GMBH & CO.KGInventors: Rainer Gramss, Carsten Albracht
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Patent number: 6588071Abstract: A clip member for sealing an opening in a sheet material includes a body which is fluid tight in an axial direction, at least one flange portion adapted to engage a surface of the sheet material, at least one resiliently deformable arm attached to the body and radially bendable relative to the body for facilitating introduction of the body into the opening and locking of the body in the opening, and a deformable film surrounding the arm. The film is tied on both the body and the flange portion to seal the opening and deformed concurrently with the deformation or bending of the arm. A locking portion is provided on the arm to engage an edge of the opening when the body is fit into the opening with a snapping action of the arm.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2001Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Rainer Gramss