Patents by Inventor Rainer Lutz

Rainer Lutz 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: 20240369106
    Abstract: A suspension strut bearing for a motor vehicle includes a cap, a guide ring rotatably mounted relative to the cap about an axis of rotation, and a bearing arranged between the cap and the guide ring. The cap has a profile with a rib structure open in a radial direction on a front face directed towards a body of the motor vehicle. In some example embodiments, the profile of the open rib structure is formed from multiple webs. At least one first web may be formed at least partially in a circumferential direction on the cap, and at least one second web may be formed at least partially in the radial direction on the cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Stautner, Jürgen Hahn, Gerhard Meyer, Jens Dungs, Rainer Lutz
  • Patent number: 12018897
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for a fuel cell is disclosed. The heat exchanger includes at least two tube bodies that are arranged at a distance from one another and are in each case structured so that a fluid can flow through internally and so that air can flow around externally. A water channel, through which water can flow fluidically separated from the fluid, is arranged in or on at least one tube body. At least one opening, via which the water channel communicates fluidically with an external environment of the at least one tube body, is provided on the at least one tube body. The at least one opening is arranged in the at least one tube body so that at least one of the tube bodies can be wetter with water, which is guided through the water channel and escapes the water channel through the at least one opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Bruemmer, Christian Buerck, Rainer Lutz, Jan Schultes, Thomas Strauss
  • Patent number: 11951788
    Abstract: A bearing unit (1) for a suspension strut (2) of a motor vehicle (3), has at least the following components: a guide ring (4) having a guide axis (5) for a wheel spring (6); a cap (7) with a damper holder (8) for a damper block (9); a bumpstop holder (10) for a bumpstop (11); an axial bearing (12) with a bearing pitch circle (13) for supporting the guide ring (4) on the cap (7) and for low-friction rotation about the guide axis (5) relative to the cap (7). The bumpstop holder (10) is formed integrally by the cap (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co.
    Inventors: Jürgen Hilbinger, Jens Dungs, Harald Kohlmann, Gerhard Meyer, Rainer Lutz, Arno Wolf
  • Patent number: 11807069
    Abstract: An electrically driven motor vehicle may include a first cooling circuit, a first component, a first heat exchanger, at least one pump configured to convey a coolant, a second cooling circuit, and a second component. The first component may be arranged in the first cooling circuit and may have a temperature which is to be controlled. The second component may be arranged in the second cooling circuit and may have a temperature which is to be controlled. The first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit may be fluidically separated from one another and may be coupled to one another to transfer heat via a second heat exchanger. One of (i) the first component and (ii) the second component may be configured as at least one of an electrical energy storage and a fuel cell module, and the other may be configured as a secondary braking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Inventor: Rainer Lutz
  • Publication number: 20230311713
    Abstract: A cooling system for a fuel cell of a motor vehicle may include a closed coolant circuit through which a coolant is circulatable, a heat exchanger fluidically incorporated in the coolant circuit for cooling the coolant, an open sprinkler circuit through which a sprinkler fluid is flowable for cooling the heat exchanger, and a channel structure fluidically incorporated in the sprinkler circuit. The heat exchanger may include an air inlet surface, an air outlet surface, and a plurality of cooling tubes. The coolant may be flowable through the heat exchanger via the plurality of cooling tubes. Air may be flowable through the heat exchanger from the air inlet surface to the air outlet surface. The channel structure may include a plurality of channels, which may each include a plurality of outlet nozzles via which the sprinkler fluid is appliable to the plurality of cooling tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Richard Bruemmer, Christian Buerck, Achim Koppehel, Rainer Lutz, Jan Schultes, Thomas Strauss
  • Publication number: 20230194189
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for a fuel cell is disclosed. The heat exchanger includes at least two tube bodies that are arranged at a distance from one another and are in each case structured so that a fluid can flow through internally and so that air can flow around externally. A water channel, through which water can flow fluidically separated from the fluid, is arranged in or on at least one tube body. At least one opening, via which the water channel communicates fluidically with an external environment of the at least one tube body, is provided on the at least one tube body. The at least one opening is arranged in the at least one tube body so that at least one of the tube bodies can be wetter with water, which is guided through the water channel and escapes the water channel through the at least one opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Richard Bruemmer, Christian Buerch, Rainer Lutz, Jan Schultes, Thomas Strauss
  • Publication number: 20230191879
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cooling system (1) for a vehicle. The cooling system (1) comprises a cooling circuit (2) having a first and second heat source (3a, 3b) and a first and second radiator (4a, 4b). In the cooling circuit (2), the heat sources (3a, 3b) and the radiator (4a, 4b) are connected in series with one another. A hydraulic switch (6) divides the cooling circuit (2) into two partial circuits (2a, 2b). The respective partial circuit (2a, 2b) each includes the respective heat sources (3a, 3b) and the respective radiator (4a, 4b). The invention also relates to a method for operating the cooling system (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Richard Bruemmer, Gunther Hentschel, Rainer Lutz, Thomas Strauss
  • Publication number: 20230191899
    Abstract: A cooling system for a vehicle is disclosed. The cooling system includes a cooling circuit that is flowed through by a coolant. The cooling circuit includes a first heat source, a first radiator, a second heat source, and a second radiator. A first partial circuit is provided with the first heat source and the first radiator fluidically connected to one another. A second partial circuit is provided with the second heat source and the second radiator fluidically connected to one another. The first partial circuit and the second partial circuit can be hydraulically separated from one another at times such that the two partial circuits are flowed through by a part of the coolant, and hydraulically connected to one another at times such that the two partial circuits can be jointly flowed through by a common part of the coolant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Richard Bruemmer, Gunther Hentschel, Rainer Lutz, Thomas Strauss
  • Publication number: 20220203790
    Abstract: A bearing unit (1) for a suspension strut (2) of a motor vehicle (3), has at least the following components: a guide ring (4) having a guide axis (5) for a wheel spring (6); a cap (7) with a damper holder (8) for a damper block (9); a bumpstop holder (10) for a bumpstop (11); an axial bearing (12) with a bearing pitch circle (13) for supporting the guide ring (4) on the cap (7) and for low-friction rotation about the guide axis (5) relative to the cap (7). The bumpstop holder (10) is formed integrally by the cap (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Hilbinger, Jens Dungs, Harald Kohlmann, Gerhard Meyer, Rainer Lutz, Arno Wolf
  • Publication number: 20220194164
    Abstract: An electrically driven motor vehicle may include a first cooling circuit, a first component, a first heat exchanger, at least one pump configured to convey a coolant, a second cooling circuit, and a second component. The first component may be arranged in the first cooling circuit and may have a temperature which is to be controlled. The second component may be arranged in the second cooling circuit and may have a temperature which is to be controlled. The first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit may be fluidically separated from one another and may be coupled to one another to transfer heat via a second heat exchanger. One of (i) the first component and (ii) the second component may be configured as at least one of an electrical energy storage and a fuel cell module, and the other may be configured as a secondary braking system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventor: Rainer Lutz
  • Patent number: 10819394
    Abstract: Embodiments detect the presence of proximity integrated circuit cards (PICCs) during wireless charging by analyzing the signal strength of a subcarrier within a near field communication (NFC) field. An NFC reader sends requests or other commands to stimulate a response from a PICC that may be in the operating area, and the presence of a PICC is determined based upon the signal strength for the subcarrier. For one embodiment, the subcarrier signal strength is compared to background values measured without stimulus to determine if a PICC is present in the operating area. As such, the presence of a PICC is detectable even where NFC communication with a PICC is unsuccessful because the PICC response is corrupted or not detectable due to interference. Once the presence of a PICC is determined, one or more actions can be taken to protect the PICC from damage due to wireless charging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Leonhard Petzel, Dariusz Adam Mastela, Harald Karl Krepelka, Rainer Lutz
  • Publication number: 20180236837
    Abstract: A suspension strut bearing having a cap and a guide ring mounted such that it is rotatable in relation to the cap about an axis of rotation, a plain bearing or rolling bearing provided between the cap and the guide ring and a supporting ring provided for a bump stop, which supporting ring extends radially internally around the guide ring, and the supporting ring is connected to the guide ring with material fit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rainer Lutz, Andreas Wöllner, Arno Wolf, Gerhard Meyer
  • Patent number: 10029532
    Abstract: The invention relates to strut bearing with a cap and a guide ring which is mounted in a rotatable manner about a rotational axis (D) relative to the cap. An axial bearing is arranged between the cap and the guide ring, and the cap includes a soft component and a hard component. Furthermore, the soft component has at least two circumferential sealing lips which rest against the guide ring in a sliding manner in order to seal the axial bearing. According to the invention, the soft component is formed on a hard component end face oriented towards the guide ring, and a hard component end face oriented opposite the guide ring has a profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Wollner, Rainer Lutz, Ralf Stautner
  • Patent number: 10006314
    Abstract: A device for recovering the waste heat energy having a Clausius-Rankine circuit with a line system conveying a working medium via which at least one vaporizer for vaporizing the working medium, an expansion device for expanding the vaporized working medium to produce mechanical work, a condenser for fluidizing the vaporized and expanded working medium as well as a delivery pump for condensing and conveying the working medium through the line system are fluidically connected to one another. A compensation tank supplies additional working medium volume and is connected to a fluid line and can be fluidically separated from the line system via a valve that is controllable via a control device connected to a sensor for detecting working medium temperature and/or pressure, such that a working medium volume is transferred from the compensation tank into the line system or from the line system into the compensation tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Lutz, Giovanna Motisi, Richard Bruemmer
  • Patent number: 9969232
    Abstract: A suspension strut mount (1), with a mount arranged between a guide ring (2) and a cap (3). The guide ring (2) and the cap (3) are connected to each other by a snap-on connection (5) that has at least one torsion snap-fit hook (6, 21) that is arranged via a holder (7) that can be torsionally bent on one of the guide ring (2) or the cap (3) and engages, in the assembled state, in an undercut (8) on the other of the guide ring (2) or the cap (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Wollner, Rainer Lutz, Ralf Stautner
  • Patent number: 9869351
    Abstract: A spring strut bearing with a cap and with a guide ring which is mounted in a rotatable manner relative to the cap about a rotational axis (D), an axial bearing being arranged between the cap and the guide ring. The cap has a seal, and the cap is connected to the guide ring at an inner diameter of the cap by a snap-in connection. The cap has a first element of the snap-in connection, and the guide ring has a second element of the snap-in connection, said elements engaging into each other in a formfitting manner. The first element is designed as a two-component part, the soft component of which engages into the second element in a formfitting manner and the hard component of which forms a reinforcement of the soft component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Wollner, Alexander Zernickel, Rainer Lutz, Ralf Stautner
  • Patent number: 9765812
    Abstract: A steering bearing for bearing a steering column of a motor vehicle, including an inner ring and an outer ring having respective raceways on which balls roll, the outer ring being enclosed by a sleeve in which a spring ring is arranged. The spring ring tensions the balls against the respective raceways and the balls roll on said spring ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rainer Lutz, Andreas Wollner, Herbert Erhardt
  • Publication number: 20170136841
    Abstract: The invention relates to strut bearing with a cap and a guide ring which is mounted in a rotatable manner about a rotational axis (D) relative to the cap. An axial bearing is arranged between the cap and the guide ring, and the cap includes a soft component and a hard component. Furthermore, the soft component has at least two circumferential sealing lips which rest against the guide ring in a sliding manner in order to seal the axial bearing. According to the invention, the soft component is formed on a hard component end face oriented towards the guide ring, and a hard component end face oriented opposite the guide ring has a profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Wollner, Rainer Lutz, Ralf Stautner
  • Publication number: 20160305474
    Abstract: A steering bearing for bearing a steering column of a motor vehicle, including an inner ring and an outer ring having respective raceways on which balls roll, the outer ring being enclosed by a sleeve in which a spring ring is arranged. The spring ring tensions the balls against the respective raceways and the balls roll on said spring ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rainer Lutz, Andreas Wollner, Herbert Erhardt
  • Publication number: 20160281784
    Abstract: A spring strut bearing with a cap and with a guide ring which is mounted in a rotatable manner relative to the cap about a rotational axis (D), an axial bearing being arranged between the cap and the guide ring. The cap has a seal, and the cap is connected to the guide ring at an inner diameter of the cap by a snap-in connection. The cap has a first element of the snap-in connection, and the guide ring has a second element of the snap-in connection, said elements engaging into each other in a formfitting manner. The first element is designed as a two-component part, the soft component of which engages into the second element in a formfitting manner and the hard component of which forms a reinforcement of the soft component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Wollner, Alexander Zernickel, Rainer Lutz, Ralf Stautner