Patents by Inventor Rainer Hofmann

Rainer Hofmann 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: 20230366439
    Abstract: A method for preventing stalling of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle has at least one internal combustion engine, at least one automatically controlled clutch, and at least one transmission, wherein a drive shaft of the internal combustion engine can be coupled to a transmission input shaft of the transmission by means of the clutch to transmit torque, wherein the clutch is disengaged if a calculated rotational speed value of the drive shaft is less than a certain threshold value, and wherein the rotational speed value is calculated, in particular continually or continuously, as a function of a determined, current rotational speed of the drive shaft and as a function of a determined, current speed gradient of the drive shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Rainer HOFMANN
  • Patent number: 11788629
    Abstract: A valve armature of a solenoid valve includes an armature body having a blind hole in which an elastomer seal is vulcanized in. The armature body is manufactured in a cold forming process, in which a final axial linear dimension of the armature body is also determined. Furthermore, a valve having such a valve armature is presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: BÜRKERT WERKE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Christian Bezold, Dieter Schmieg, Tobias Griebel, Rainer Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20220178450
    Abstract: A valve armature of a solenoid valve includes an armature body having a blind hole in which an elastomer seal is vulcanized in. The armature body is manufactured in a cold forming process, in which a final axial linear dimension of the armature body is also determined. Furthermore, a valve having such a valve armature is presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Christian BEZOLD, Dieter SCHMIEG, Tobias GRIEBEL, Rainer HOFMANN
  • Patent number: 10989300
    Abstract: The invention relates to an operating method for an automatic transmission, particularly for an automatic variable-speed transmission and/or dual-clutch transmission, for a motor vehicle. The automatic transmission can be operated in a cost-effective manner, particularly with reduced component wear and increased service life, and/or the driving comfort of the vehicle can be improved such that when lifting of at least one driven vehicle wheel off the roadway during braking is detected by the operating method, then for the length of said braking process, in the event of an incomplete gear change into a gear of the transmission, the engagement of a gear is prevented and/or the beginning of a gear change into a gear of the transmission is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Rainer Hofmann, Axel Schamscha
  • Publication number: 20200173549
    Abstract: The invention relates to an operating method for an automatic transmission, particularly for an automatic variable-speed transmission and/or dual-clutch transmission, for a motor vehicle. The automatic transmission can be operated in a cost-effective manner, particularly with reduced component wear and increased service life, and/or the driving comfort of the vehicle can be improved such that when lifting of at least one driven vehicle wheel off the roadway during braking is detected by the operating method, then for the length of said braking process, in the event of an incomplete gear change into a gear of the transmission, the engagement of a gear is prevented and/or the beginning of a gear change into a gear of the transmission is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Hofmann, Axel Schamscha
  • Publication number: 20200001595
    Abstract: A method for depositing wet printed sheets and forming a sheet stack in a delivery of a printing machine. An auxiliary stack which is separate from the sheet stack has sheet-shaped intermediate layers that are usable as moisture barriers in the sheet stack. A plurality of sheets are stacked on top of one another to form a first section of the sheet stack. Then an intermediate layer is moved from the auxiliary stack onto the section of the sheet stack. A plurality of sheets are stacked on top of one another and on the intermediate layer to form a further section. The intermediate layer is thus arranged in the sheet stack between the first section and the further section. The placement of the intermediate layers provides a way of reducing or even eliminating quality losses in sheets and/or sheet stacks caused by moisture and moisture exchange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: SEBASTIAN WILHELM, RAINER HOFMANN, SABINE ROEHL, JAN GASSENSCHMIDT, ROLF MUELLER
  • Patent number: 9996775
    Abstract: A method for configuring the further processing of printing substrates in a digital printing machine includes modifying settings for configuring the further processing while the machine is in operation. The settings of the further processing are created by using a configuration program running on a control unit of the digital printing machine. The modified settings have an effect on at least one region to be further processed on the printing substrate and the settings are printed onto the printing substrate so as to be allocated to a corresponding region to be further processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Bernd Sitzmann, Rolf Kuendgen, Patrick Roth, Rainer Hofmann, Michael Postels
  • Publication number: 20160314384
    Abstract: A method for configuring the further processing of printing substrates in a digital printing machine includes modifying settings for configuring the further processing while the machine is in operation. The settings of the further processing are created by using a configuration program running on a control unit of the digital printing machine. The modified settings have an effect on at least one region to be further processed on the printing substrate and the settings are printed onto the printing substrate so as to be allocated to a corresponding region to be further processed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: BERND SITZMANN, ROLF KUENDGEN, PATRICK ROTH, RAINER HOFMANN, MICHAEL POSTELS
  • Patent number: 8438975
    Abstract: A printing press includes an apparatus for handling or manipulating varnishing plates or printing plates, having a plate feed channel which is at least temporarily disposed in a plate feed position for feeding a varnishing or printing plate out of the plate feed channel to a plate cylinder. A seat or step surface for an operator is disposed above the plate feed channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Rainer Hofmann
  • Patent number: 8408128
    Abstract: A method for operating a cleaning apparatus, having a trough and a brush disposed in the trough, in a printing press, includes first, second and third steps. In the first step, a cylinder of the printing press is cleaned by the cleaning apparatus, with the brush bearing against the cylinder. In the second step, the brush is moved away from the cylinder, and a level of a liquid in the trough is changed, resulting in the liquid being brought into contact with the brush. In the third step, the brush is cleaned by the liquid in the trough. A printing press for carrying out the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Stephan Balleis, Rainer Hofmann, Patrick Roth, Bernd Sitzmann, Markus Uihlein
  • Publication number: 20120279323
    Abstract: An inspection device includes a distal area, a proximal area and a flexible area disposed between the distal area and the proximal area. The flexible area includes a plurality of segments disposed displaceably to each other. At least one external guide element is disposed outside of the flexible area, between the distal area and the proximal area so that the distal area can be displaced with respect to the proximal area with the aid of the external guide element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Karsten Broda, Rainer Hofmann
  • Patent number: 8146452
    Abstract: An apparatus for driving a roller of a printing press includes a main motor configured to drive the roller through a first gear wheel and a first freewheel, and an auxiliary motor configured to drive the roller through a second gear wheel and a second freewheel. A brake that is different from the main motor, for example a band brake, is configured to brake the roller during overrunning of the roller following a machine stop signal. A printing press having the apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Stephan Balleis, Rainer Hofmann, Patrick Roth, Bernd Sitzmann, Markus Uihlein
  • Patent number: 7737103
    Abstract: The invention relates to an aqueous multicomponent system comprising a hydrophobe modified polymer which forms a high-viscosity liquid during mixing and to the use of said multicomponent system, in particular, in the form of a cosmetic component or a washing and/or rinsing and/or cleaning agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Matthias Hloucha, Danuta Bedrunka, Rainer Hofmann, Wolfgang von Rybinski, Erik Hattemer, Doris Dahlmann
  • Publication number: 20100050892
    Abstract: A method for operating a cleaning apparatus, having a trough and a brush disposed in the trough, in a printing press, includes first, second and third steps. In the first step, a cylinder of the printing press is cleaned by the cleaning apparatus, with the brush bearing against the cylinder. In the second step, the brush is moved away from the cylinder, and a level of a liquid in the trough is changed, resulting in the liquid being brought into contact with the brush. In the third step, the brush is cleaned by the liquid in the trough. A printing press for carrying out the method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: HEIDELBERGER DRUCKMASCHINEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Stephan Balleis, Rainer Hofmann, Patrick Roth, Bernd Sitzmann, Markus Uihlein
  • Patent number: 7624658
    Abstract: A transmission configuration includes an automated dual-clutch transmission having two transmission sections with respective input shafts, respective output shafts and respective motor clutches. The motor clutches are connected, on a motor side thereof, to a drive shaft and to a respective one of the input shafts on a transmission side thereof. A drive-side speed sensor unit is disposed at the drive shaft. An input-side speed sensor configuration includes sensor wheels connected, fixed against relative rotation, to respective ones of the input shafts, and pulse sensors disposed stationary with respect to a housing and within an effective range of the respective sensor wheels. The input-side speed sensor configuration is configured to detect a speed of the input shafts and a direction of rotation of at least one of the input shafts. A method for controlling an automated dual-clutch transmission is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignees: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, GETRAG Getriebe- und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmeyer GmbH & Cie KG
    Inventors: Jörg Fähland, Bernd Cappelmann, Rainer Hofmann, Ansgar Damm, Günter Rühle, Martin Seufert, Matthias Beck, Josef Glatthaar, Lothar Herdle
  • Publication number: 20090255429
    Abstract: A printing press includes an apparatus for handling or manipulating varnishing plates or printing plates, having a plate feed channel which is at least temporarily disposed in a plate feed position for feeding a varnishing or printing plate out of the plate feed channel to a plate cylinder. A seat or step surface for an operator is disposed above the plate feed channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: HEIDELBERGER DRUCKMASCHINEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Rainer Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20090120224
    Abstract: An apparatus for driving a roller of a printing press includes a main motor configured to drive the roller through a first gear wheel and a first freewheel, and an auxiliary motor configured to drive the roller through a second gear wheel and a second freewheel. A brake that is different from the main motor, for example a band brake, is configured to brake the roller during overrunning of the roller following a machine stop signal. A printing press having the apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: HEIDELBERGER DRUCKMASCHINEN AG
    Inventors: Stephan Balleis, Rainer Hofmann, Patrick Roth, Bernd Sitzmann, Markus Uihlein
  • Patent number: 7487866
    Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for a motor vehicle transmission, preferably a twin-clutch transmission, is connected for cooling at least one clutch of the transmission. The hydraulic circuit is preferably a low-pressure circuit and it includes at least one hydraulic pump, at least one filter element, for filtering the hydraulic oil, and at least one pressure-regulating valve. The circuit-related control sequence and the power consumption of the hydraulic pump are optimized in that at least one adjusting valve is provided in order to control the volume flow of cooling oil flowing to the clutch, in that a pressure-compensation valve is provided in addition, and in that the pressure-regulating valve, the adjusting valve and/or the pressure-compensation valve are arranged and/or formed within the hydraulic circuit such that the pressure difference between the supply pressure and the establishing cooling-oil pressure is essentially constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Georg Kruse, Rainer Hofmann, Carsten Adomeit, Lloyd Storey, Shaun Mepham
  • Publication number: 20080153666
    Abstract: A transmission configuration includes an automated dual-clutch transmission having two transmission sections with respective input shafts, respective output shafts and respective motor clutches. The motor clutches are connected, on a motor side thereof, to a drive shaft and to a respective one of the input shafts on a transmission side thereof. A drive-side speed sensor unit is disposed at the drive shaft. An input-side speed sensor configuration includes sensor wheels connected, fixed against relative rotation, to respective ones of the input shafts, and pulse sensors disposed stationary with respect to a housing and within an effective range of the respective sensor wheels. The input-side speed sensor configuration is configured to detect a speed of the input shafts and a direction of rotation of at least one of the input shafts. A method for controlling an automated dual-clutch transmission is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicants: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, GETRAG Getriebe- und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmeyer GmbH & Cie KG
    Inventors: Jorg Fahland, Bernd Cappelmann, Rainer Hofmann, Ansgar Damm, Gunter Ruhle, Martin Seufert, Matthias Beck, Josef Glatthaar, Lothar Herdle
  • Patent number: 7367919
    Abstract: A transmission configuration includes an automated dual-clutch transmission having two transmission sections with respective input shafts, respective output shafts and respective motor clutches. The motor clutches are connected, on a motor side thereof, to a drive shaft and to a respective one of the input shafts on a transmission side thereof. A drive-side speed sensor unit is disposed at the drive shaft. An input-side speed sensor configuration includes sensor wheels connected, fixed against relative rotation, to respective ones of the input shafts, and pulse sensors disposed stationary with respect to a housing and within an effective range of the respective sensor wheels. The input-side speed sensor configuration is configured to detect a speed of the input shafts and a direction of rotation of at least one of the input shafts. A method for controlling an automated dual-clutch transmission is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignees: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, GETRAG Getriebe- und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmeyer GmbH & Cie KG
    Inventors: Jörg Fähland, Bernd Cappelmann, Rainer Hofmann, Ansgar Damm, Günter Rühle, Martin Seufert, Matthias Beck, Josef Glatthaar, Lothar Herdle