Patents by Inventor Ralph Mertens

Ralph Mertens 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: 9951850
    Abstract: A drive assembly for a motor vehicle has a multi-step transmission and a differential drive. The multi-step transmission comprises a rotatingly drivable driveshaft and an intermediate shaft parallel to the driveshaft, and at least one first transmission stage and a second transmission stage for transmitting torque from the driveshaft to the intermediate shaft with different transmission ratios, as well as a shift unit, wherein the intermediate shaft comprises an output gear for transmitting torque to a differential carrier of the differential drive, wherein a rotational axis of the differential carrier extends parallel to the intermediate shaft, wherein the output gear and the shift unit are arranged axially between the at least two transmission stages, and wherein the driveshaft comprises bores for supplying lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Fred Kramer, Mark Schmidt, Ralph Mertens, Thomas Altenrath, Jiri Marks, Theodor Gassmann
  • Publication number: 20170175863
    Abstract: A drive assembly for a motor vehicle has a multi-step transmission and a differential drive. The multi-step transmission comprises a rotatingly drivable driveshaft and an intermediate shaft parallel to the driveshaft, and at least one first transmission stage and a second transmission stage for transmitting torque from the driveshaft to the intermediate shaft with different transmission ratios, as well as a shift unit, wherein the intermediate shaft comprises an output gear for transmitting torque to a differential carrier of the differential drive, wherein a rotational axis of the differential carrier extends parallel to the intermediate shaft, wherein the output gear and the shift unit are arranged axially between the at least two transmission stages, and wherein the driveshaft comprises bores for supplying lubricant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Fred Kramer, Mark Schmidt, Ralph Mertens, Thomas Altenrath, Jiri Marks, Theodor Gassmann
  • Patent number: 7698960
    Abstract: An assembly for measuring force at a friction coupling, more particularly in the driveline of a motor vehicle. The assembly includes an outer plate carrier (6) at which outer plates (7) are held so as to be rotationally secured and in a way so as to be axially displaceable, wherein at least one of the outer plates (7) comprises an outer cam (12); an inner plate carrier (8) at which inner plates (9) are held in a rotationally fast way and in a way so as to be axially displaceable; wherein the outer plates (7) and the inner plates (9) are arranged so as to alternate in the axial direction, while jointly forming a plate package (10); a force measuring device arranged in such a way that, upon actuation of the friction coupling (3), it is loaded by the cam (12) in an operating direction extending at a distance from, and transversely to, the longitudinal axis (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Theodor Gassmann, Nikolaus Mayr, Mark Schmidt, Ralph Mertens, Kurt Müller
  • Publication number: 20090163313
    Abstract: A differential assembly 2 for variable torque distribution in the drive line of a motor vehicle. A differential gear 21 with a rotationally drivable differential cage 4 and two output shafts 3, 3?, which are drivingly connected to the differential cage 4 by means of a differential gear set 7, 9, 9?, wherein a first drive train is formed. A gear stage 14, 14? per output shaft 3, 3?, which gear stage is drivingly connected on one side to the differential cage 4 and on the other side to one of the output shafts 3, 3? is part of a second drive train which is functionally parallel to the first drive train. Friction clutch 15, 15? are provided for each gear stage 14, 14? and ball ramp assemblies are provided for actuating the friction clutches, the ball ramp assembly having a plurality of ball grooves 44, 45; 44?, 45? of variable depth. A single electric motor 52 is drivingly connected to rotatably driveable discs 43; 43? of axial setting devices 16, 16?.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2006
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: GKN DRIVELINE INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Theodor Gassmann, Mark Schmidt, Kai Sorge, Kurt Muller, Ralph Mertens