Patents by Inventor Reinhard Berger

Reinhard Berger 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: 20080151253
    Abstract: An interferometric confocal method and assembly for terabyte volume optical data memories couples two-beam spectral interferometry to chromatic confocal technology and permits a longitudinal splitting of foci in the memory volume, with the foci having limited diffraction. A spectrometer is located downstream of the interferometer with confocal discrimination in the beam path. A diffractive optical zone lens (DOZE) with a usage of the first diffraction order is introduced into the interferometric beam path to achieve longitudinal chromatic splitting. The interferometer can be a fibre-coupled interferometer with a retroreflector in the fibre-coupled reference arm and with wavelength-dependent optical path difference modification by dispersion or diffraction. The optical path difference in the interferometer is set so that easily detectable wavelets are formed from detectable interferograms by spectral analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Universitat Stuttgart
    Inventors: Klaus Korner, Reinhard Berger, Ulrich Droste, Christian Kohler, Wolfgang Osten, Christof Pruss, Aiko Ruprecht, Tobias Wiesendanger
  • Patent number: 7374511
    Abstract: Methods and devices for actuating a parking brake in a gearbox which is actuated in an automated manner, whereby gear changes are carried out using at least one electrically driven actuator, gear positions can be selected by using a selector device, and the parking brake can be activated by using the selector device when the vehicle is stationary or moving slowly. A vehicle provided with an additional gearbox. An ignition key can only be removed, when the gearbox is in a P state and the additional gearbox is not in the N state. A further method and device, whereby the additional gearbox can only be shifted in the N state when the gearbox is not in the P state. Further methods and a device in which automated manual gearboxes, especially parallel gearboxes, are controlled in such a way that the vehicle can be safely parked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: LuK Lamellan und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Reinhard Berger, Alexander Schweizer, Dietmar Lang, Klaus Kuepper, Burkhard Pollak, Juergen Benz
  • Patent number: 7367924
    Abstract: A method for controlling gear-shifting processes of a powershift gearbox which can be coupled to a drive motor and has gear steps including two friction clutches and a plurality of clutches, and at least one gearbox actuator for actuating the gear steps. The method includes the following steps: the torque of the drive motor is received by the new friction clutch associated with the new gear step to be engaged; before the disengagement of the old gear step and before or during the torque reception, a pre-determined pre-tensioning force is applied to the clutch of the old gear step by the gearbox actuator; and the old gear step is disengaged when the motor torque and the clutch torque are balanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Reinhard Berger, Gunter Hirt, Alexander Schweizer, Boris Serebrennikov, Lidvar Budal, Brad Shellhammer, Jeremy Whitmer, Dietmar Lang
  • Publication number: 20080087487
    Abstract: A pump drive system having a pump drive element that is driven by a first or a second drive mechanism. The pump drive element is connectable or connected by a coupling element in a rotationally fixed connection either through a first free-wheel device to the first drive mechanism or through a second free-wheel device to the second drive mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Ivo Agner, Dierk Reitz, Reinhard Berger, Johannes Lamers
  • Patent number: 7350634
    Abstract: Actuation devices are disclosed for a pressure-closed clutch where the position of an actuation member is acquired by an incremental sensor. In an embodiment of the actuation device, the signal of the incremental sensor is acquired in case of a sudden change in the power consumption of an actuator and is used as a new reference signal. In another embodiment, the actuation member, while the spindle is rotating, is moved by a recovery spring during the closing of the clutch against a stop and the signal of the incremental sensor upon the attainment of said stop is used as a reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteillgungs KG
    Inventors: Markus Baehr, Christian Rieger, Juergen Gerhart, Gerd Jaeggle, Reinhard Berger
  • Patent number: 7329205
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive train having a twin-clutch transmission and to a method for controlling the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Marian Preisner, Reinhard Berger
  • Publication number: 20080004767
    Abstract: A method for diagnosing damage in the shift mechanism of an automatic gearbox, involving at least one of the following steps: (a) determining an actual period needed for synchronizing a gear, comparing the actual period with a setpoint period for synchronizing the gear, and establishing whether the shift mechanism is damaged; the shift mechanism is assumed to be damaged if the actual period differs from the setpoint period; (b) moving a shift actuator to a limit stop after selection of a gear, establishing whether the limit stop that has been reached is an internal limit stop of the shift actuator or a gearbox limit stop, and establishing whether the shift mechanism is damaged; the shift mechanism is assumed to be damaged if the limit stop that has been reached is an internal limit stop of the shift actuator; (c) determining an actual engine speed during the overlap phase and comparing the actual speed with a speed range within which the engine speed is expected to lie during the overlap phase, and establishi
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2005
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Markus Klump, Stefan Winkelmann, Marian Preisner, Reinhard Berger
  • Patent number: 7246535
    Abstract: A method for recognition of the synchronization position and the end of the synchronization operation in an automated shiftable transmission with an electromotive shift actuator is disclosed, which is characterized in that the rotational speed of the shift actuator is detected and the synchronization position, as well as the end of the synchronized operation, is determine based upon the change of the rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Reinhard Berger, Martin Vornehm, Stefan Winkelmann
  • Publication number: 20070135261
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for actuating a parking brake in a gearbox which is actuated in an automated manner, whereby gear changes are carried out by means of at least one electrically driven actuator, gear positions can be selected by means of a selector device, and the parking brake can be activated by means of the selector device when the vehicle is stationary or moving slowly. The invention also relates to a vehicle provided with an additional gearbox. The ignition key can only be removed, according to the inventive methods and devices, when the gearbox is in the P state and the additional gearbox is not in the N state. The invention further relates to a method and device, whereby the additional gearbox can only be shifted in the N state when the gearbox is not in the P state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Reinhard Berger, Alexander Schweizer, Dietmar Lang, Klaus Kupper, Burkhard Pollak, Jurgen Benz
  • Publication number: 20070125619
    Abstract: A device is provided for actuation of a parking lock of a vehicle transmission that is automatically operated in particular, whereby the parking lock can be brought into a locked position by means of a spring mechanism and can be brought out of the locked position and into an unlocked position by means of an actuator, and an electrically operated actuator is provided, acting upon a locking latch arranged in the unlocked position of the parking lock with a locking slide in an engaged position so that the engaged position can be released such that the spring mechanism brings the parking lock into the locked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Reinhard Berger, Carmen Ciemek
  • Patent number: 7211026
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling and/or regulating a drive train in a vehicle with an engine and a gearbox, especially an automatic gearbox, whereby depending on a warning signal and a stopping request of the driver an engine stalling aid is launched. The invention also relates to a drive train for a vehicle with an engine and a gearbox, especially an automatic gearbox, especially for carrying out said method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Reinhard Berger, Robert Fischer, Wolfgang Reik
  • Patent number: 7204785
    Abstract: The methods and devices for actuating a parking brake in a gearbox which is actuated in an automated manner, whereby gear changes are carried out by means of at least one electrically driven actuator, gear positions can be selected by means of a selector device, and the parking brake can be activated by means of the selector device when the vehicle is stationary or moving slowly. The invention also relates to a vehicle provided with an additional gearbox. The ignition key can only be removed, when the gearbox is in the P state and the additional gearbox is not in the N state. The further method and device, whereby the additional gearbox can only be shifted in the N state when the gearbox is not in the P state. The methods and a device for carrying out the same, by automated manual gearboxes, especially parallel gearboxes, are controlled in such a way that the vehicle can be safely parked and can set off in a reliable and comfortable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Reinhard Berger, Alexander Schweizer, Dietmar Lang, Klaus Küpper, Burkhard Pollak, Jürgen Benz
  • Patent number: 7188541
    Abstract: A transmission system including a shift mechanism for operating and controlling the transmission system. To automatically detect geometric characteristic values of the transmission system or of the shifting device a selector motor and a shift motor actuate a select or finger that is displaceably mounted in a selection-shift-passageway layout. Starting from an initial position whose coordinates within the selection-shift-passageway layout are unknown, the selector finger is displaced in the directions of shifting and in the directions of selection in order to detect paths of movement in the direction of selection or shifting. The selector finger is repeatedly displaced to establish the maximum paths of movement until the predetermined transmission geometric characteristic values are completely detected. Also disclosed are a control device for controlling a transmission system that includes a shift mechanism, and a method for controlling such a transmission system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Martin Zimmermann, Holger Stork, Georg Schneider, Klaus Henneberger, Martin Eckert, Gunter Hirt, Thomas Jäger, Martin Vornehm, Volker Kretz-Busch, Reinhard Berger
  • Patent number: 7160225
    Abstract: A method, a device, and use thereof for operating a motor vehicle having a drive motor and a transmission in the drive train are proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs
    Inventors: Reinhard Berger, Klaus Kupper, Georg Schneider
  • Patent number: 7153234
    Abstract: A method for controlling at least two clutches in a twin-clutch gearbox of a motor vehicle, wherein at least one clutch is opened by at least one emergency valve. A twin-clutch gearbox of a motor vehicle, consisting of at least two clutches actuated by at least one clutch actuator by means of a release system, especially for carrying out said method, whereby an emergency valve is provided in order to open at least one clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Reinhard Berger, Alexander Wuhrer
  • Patent number: 7137310
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for carrying out a gearshift in a twin-clutch transmission, which is characterized in that a downshift is carried out subject to the kind of shift and/or of at least one predetermined vehicle parameter. The invention also relates to a twin-clutch transmission, especially for carrying out the inventive method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventor: Reinhard Berger
  • Patent number: 7137495
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drivetrain comprising an internal combustion engine, at least one friction clutch having at least one disengagement device with a pressure relief device and a transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Reinhard Berger, Burkhard Pollak
  • Patent number: 7095194
    Abstract: In a method for operating an electronically commutated (EC) motor that has a primary part having a coil and a secondary part having magnet segments, a measuring sequence is determined that has a plurality of measured value combinations, which are a function of the relative position between secondary part and primary part and each of which includes a number of measured values that corresponds to the number of magnetic fields sensors that are used for the determination. The coil is supplied with power as a function of the measured value combinations. The absolute position of the secondary part is determined by positioning of the secondary part at a reference position and by an absolute position value being tracked at each change of the measured value combination starting from a reference position value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Sven-Jostein Kro, Reinhard Berger
  • Patent number: 7093511
    Abstract: A power transmission for a motor vehicle. The transmission includes a plurality of transmission ratio steps defined by pairs of gear carried on parallel shafts, and final output mechanisms for engaging desired transmission ratio steps. The final output mechanisms are operable for controlling the engagement of respective transmission ratio steps to minimize tractive force interruption by allowing rapid gear changes to be effected to reduce the times between shifts of gears. By sensing accelerator pedal position and vehicle speed a new transmission ratio step to be subsequently engaged can be pre-selected while an engaged gear remains engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Viggo L. Norum, Lars Lein, Geir Huseby, Gunter Hirt, Reinhard Berger, Carsten Bünder, Boris Serebrennikov, Jörg Metzger, Robert Fischer, Burkhard Pollak, Gerd Ahnert
  • Publication number: 20060172855
    Abstract: A method of controlling a twin-clutch transmission with a first partial transmission with which are associated a first engine clutch and a first group of gears, and a second partial transmission with which are associated a second engine clutch and a second group of gears, said method containing the step of engaging a forward gear associated with one partial transmission and a reverse gear associated with the other partial transmission when the transmission, with the motor vehicle at a standstill, is in a non-driving position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Inventors: Burkhard Pollak, Reinhard Berger