Patents by Inventor Reiner Keller

Reiner Keller 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: 9279497
    Abstract: A connecting device of a vehicle drive-train, located outside a variable-speed transmission, for rotationally coupling a shaft to a drive-train element. A sliding sleeve is rotationally fixed on the shaft but slides axially between first and second positions. In the first position, the shaft is rotationally disengaged from the drive-train element and, in the second position, they are rotationally coupled. An actuator displaces the sliding sleeve between the first and second positions, with a shift groove along a peripheral contour of the sliding sleeve and engagement members for engaging in the groove. The sliding sleeve can rotate and move axially relative to the engagement members and the groove is shaped as a curved guiding such that, when the engagement members engage in the groove and the sliding sleeve rotates relative to the engagement member, the sliding sleeve moves axially between the first and second positions by virtue of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Reiner Keller, Frank Richter
  • Publication number: 20140116180
    Abstract: A connecting device of a vehicle drive-train, located outside a variable-speed transmission, for rotationally coupling a shaft to a drive-train element. A sliding sleeve is rotationally fixed on the shaft but slides axially between first and second positions. In the first position, the shaft is rotationally disengaged from the drive-train element and, in the second position, they are rotationally coupled. An actuator displaces the sliding sleeve between the first and second positions, with a shift groove along a peripheral contour of the sliding sleeve and engagement members for engaging in the groove. The sliding sleeve can rotate and move axially relative to the engagement members and the groove is shaped as a curved guiding such that, when the engagement members engage in the groove and the sliding sleeve rotates relative to the engagement member, the sliding sleeve moves axially between the first and second positions by virtue of the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Reiner Keller, Frank Richter
  • Patent number: 8707918
    Abstract: A valve train of a combustion piston engine having an actuating device which comprises a phase shift gearbox with two inputs and an output for phase adjustment of a camshaft. The first input is connected with a crankshaft, the second input is connected with a controllable braking device and the output is rotationally fixed with the camshaft. The brake is an electromagnetically controlled friction brake which comprises an electromagnet and magnetic coil. A brake rotor is connected with the second input and can be biased, by the magnetic field of the electromagnet, against a friction surface. A permanent magnet is positioned axially adjacent the brake rotor such that, by its magnetic field, the brake rotor can be pressed against a fixed friction surface for the adjustment of a basic brake torque with the respective basic pressing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Frank Richter, Reiner Keller, Markus Wannags, Ilja Imgrunt
  • Patent number: 8689656
    Abstract: A shifting device for a gearbox which has at least one sliding sleeve that is placed on a transmission shaft in a rotationally fixed and axially movable manner. One idler gear, which is rotationally supported on the transmission shaft, is located at on one side adjacent the sleeve. The sliding sleeve can be axially moved, by an actuating element, from a neutral position into a shifting position toward the idler gear, and upon reaching the shifting position, couples the idler gear with the transmission shaft. The associated actuating elements are arranged in a stationary manner and, upon actuation, engage with at least one shifting groove, provided on an outside diameter of the at least one sliding sleeve and has a curve-shaped path, in the axial direction, so that rotation of the transmission shaft axially shifts the sliding sleeve according to the further path of the shifting groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Frank Richter, Reiner Keller
  • Publication number: 20130146007
    Abstract: A valve train of a combustion piston engine having an actuating device which comprises a phase shift gearbox with two inputs and an output for phase adjustment of a camshaft. The first input is connected with a crankshaft, the second input is connected with a controllable braking device and the output is rotationally fixed with the camshaft. The brake is an electromagnetically controlled friction brake which comprises an electromagnet and magnetic coil. A brake rotor is connected with the second input and can be biased, by the magnetic field of the electromagnet, against a friction surface. A permanent magnet is positioned axially adjacent the brake rotor such that, by its magnetic field, the brake rotor can be pressed against a fixed friction surface for the adjustment of a basic brake torque with the respective basic pressing force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Frank Richter, Reiner Keller, Markus Wannags, Ilja Imgrunt
  • Publication number: 20120255382
    Abstract: A shifting device for a gearbox which has at least one sliding sleeve that is placed on a transmission shaft in a rotationally fixed and axially movable manner. One idler gear, which is rotationally supported on the transmission shaft, is located at on one side adjacent the sleeve. The sliding sleeve can be axially moved, by an actuating element, from a neutral position into a shifting position toward the idler gear, and upon reaching the shifting position, couples the idler gear with the transmission shaft. The associated actuating elements are arranged in a stationary manner and, upon actuation, engage with at least one shifting groove, provided on an outside diameter of the at least one sliding sleeve and has a curve-shaped path, in the axial direction, so that rotation of the transmission shaft axially shifts the sliding sleeve according to the further path of the shifting groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Frank Richter, Reiner Keller
  • Patent number: 8228149
    Abstract: An electromagnetic control mechanism (1) with an actuating element (15) which can move longitudinally and can be retained in three stable positions. By way of two coils (3, 4), the actuating element (15) can be switched to a first or to a second stable position, namely, the two opposed end positions. The actuating element (15) comprises an actuator rod (7) with a permanent magnet (8) arranged on the actuator rod (7), such that the actuating element (15) can be retained magnetically in the third stable position by the permanent magnet (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Puth, Reiner Keller, Michael Pantke
  • Publication number: 20110001591
    Abstract: An electromagnetic control mechanism (1) with an actuating element (15) which can move longitudinally and can be retained in three stable positions. By way of two coils (3, 4), the actuating element (15) can be switched to a first or to a second stable position, namely, the two opposed end positions. The actuating element (15) comprises an actuator rod (7) with a permanent magnet (8) arranged on the actuator rod (7), such that the actuating element (15) can be retained magnetically in the third stable position by the permanent magnet (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Thomas Puth, Reiner Keller, Michael Pantke
  • Patent number: 7849759
    Abstract: A shifting device (1) for a transmission with a selection actuator and a shifting actuator, which a shifting shaft (2) comprising shifting forks (3) or selector forks, which engage in sliding collars for engaging the gears in which the shifting motion can be carried out by way of an axial motion of the shifting shaft (2), while the selection motion is kinematically disengaged from the shifting motion and the shifting shaft (2) does not rotate during the selection motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Josef Bader, Stefan Renner, Karlheinz Mayr, Reiner Keller, Kai Heinrich
  • Patent number: 7804674
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator and a method for controlling the actuator comprising at least one armature (3) and two coils (1, 2). The voltage gradient at the two coils (1, 2) is measured during a sudden increase in voltage. From this measured data, a subtractor (16) computes a third voltage gradient (25) from which a logic unit (17) determines the position of the armature (3) without the use of an additional sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Reiner Keller, Kai Heinrich, Michael Pantke
  • Publication number: 20100078288
    Abstract: An electromagnetically actuated transmission shifting element of a motor vehicle, in particular an electromagnetically actuated transmission brake (1), having a disk packet (3) and an electromagnetic actuator (7, 8, 9) for adjustable compression, to a greater or lesser extent, of the disk packet (3) and with at least one speed sensor (10). Each at least one speed sensor is integrated in the electromagnetic actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Kai HEINRICH, Michael PANTKE, Stefan ALBRECHT, Henrik SCHUH, Reiner KELLER
  • Publication number: 20100043584
    Abstract: A shifting device (1) for a transmission with a selection actuator and a shifting actuator, which a shifting shaft (2) comprising shifting forks (3) or selector forks, which engage in sliding collars for engaging the gears in which the shifting motion can be carried out by way of an axial motion of the shifting shaft (2), while the selection motion is kinematically disengaged from the shifting motion and the shifting shaft (2) does not rotate during the selection motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Josef Bader, Stefan Renner, Karlheinz Mayr, Reiner Keller, Kai Heinrich
  • Patent number: 7503438
    Abstract: A transmission brake (1) is described, where one transmission shaft (3) can be braked to carry out an upshift operation. The aim of the invention is to provide a transmission brake that is devoid of any hydraulic or pneumatic actuation device and that requires very little axial installation space. Such a transmission brake (1) has one electromagnetic actuation device (6, 7, 8) with which the friction elements (4, 5) of the transmission brake (1) can be pressed against each other for actuating the brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Stefan Renner, Reiner Keller, Markus Ulbricht
  • Patent number: 7495536
    Abstract: A magnetic actuator for the direct generation of a rotary actuation of a shaft (1) with currentless stop position fixation is proposed, which comprises at least one permanent magnetic anchor (2) configured as an annular segment and torque-proof connected to the shaft (1) and at least two electromagnet systems (7, 8), which each have a coil (5, 6) wound around a ferromagnetic core (3, 4), wherein the at least two electromagnet systems (7, 8) and the at least one permanent magnetic anchor (2) are arranged in a non-magnetic pole conduit (10) or on a circular path configured as an annular segment or as a ring co-axially with respect to the rotating shaft (1), the at least one permanent magnetic anchor (2) is arranged between two electromagnet systems (7, 8), and the length of the circular segment between the electromagnet systems (7, 8) is greater than the length of the anchor (2) arranged between the electromagnet systems (7, 8) in peripheral direction in order to make possible a motion of the anchor (2) along a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Reiner Keller, Michael Pantke
  • Publication number: 20080191826
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator and a method for controlling the actuator comprising at least one armature (3) and two coils (1, 2). The voltage gradient at the two coils (1, 2) is measured during a sudden increase in voltage. From this measured data, a subtractor (16) computes a third voltage gradient (25) from which a logic unit (17) determines the position of the armature (3) without the use of an additional sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Reiner Keller, Kai Heinrich, Michael Pantke
  • Publication number: 20080188339
    Abstract: A multi-group transmission is proposed, said transmission comprising a gearbox actuator, in which the working cylinder of the activating devices of the gearbox actuator, the required air channels (2), and the clutch actuator (4) are integrated into the gearbox housing (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Josef Bader, Stefan Renner, Reiner Keller
  • Publication number: 20080030291
    Abstract: A magnetic actuator for the direct generation of a rotary actuation of a shaft (1) with currentless stop position fixation is proposed, which comprises at least one permanent magnetic anchor (2) configured as an annular segment and torque-proof connected to the shaft (1) and at least two electromagnet systems (7, 8), which each have a coil (5, 6) wound around a ferromagnetic core (3, 4), wherein the at least two electromagnet systems (7, 8) and the at least one permanent magnetic anchor (2) are arranged in a non-magnetic pole conduit (10) or on a circular path configured as an annular segment or as a ring co-axially with respect to the rotating shaft (1), the at least one permanent magnetic anchor (2) is arranged between two electromagnet systems (7, 8), and the length of the circular segment between the electromagnet systems (7, 8) is greater than the length of the anchor (2) arranged between the electromagnet systems (7, 8) in peripheral direction in order to make possible a motion of the anchor (2) along a
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Reiner Keller, Michael Pantke
  • Publication number: 20060060437
    Abstract: A transmission brake (1) is described, where one transmission shaft (3) can be braked to carry out an upshift operation. The aim of the invention is to provide a transmission brake that is devoid of any hydraulic or pneumatic actuation device and that requires very little axial installation space. Such a transmission brake (1) has one electromagnetic actuation device (6, 7, 8) with which the friction elements (4, 5) of the transmission brake (1) can be pressed against each other for actuating the brake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Publication date: March 23, 2006
    Inventors: Stefan Renner, Reiner Keller, Markus Ulbricht