Patents by Inventor Rolf Meinhard

Rolf Meinhard 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: 20030106767
    Abstract: First and second automatically operable friction clutches in the power train of a motor vehicle are connected between a rotary output element of the prime mover and first and second input elements of a change-speed gearbox. The wear upon the friction linings on the clutch disc of one of the clutches is frequently different from the wear upon the friction linings, on the clutch disc of the other clutch. This is compensated for by automatically ascertaining the extent of wear upon the friction linings of the two clutches and by carrying out remedial undertakings such as temporarily reducing or interrupting the wear upon the friction linings which were subjected to more pronounced wear and/or increasing the wear upon the other friction linings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: LUK LAMELLEN UND KUPPLUNGSBAU BETEILIGUNGS KG
    Inventors: Sebastien Beneton, Christopher Raber, Rolf Meinhard, Reinhard Berger
  • Publication number: 20030051964
    Abstract: The invention relates to a torque transmission device comprising a first and at least one second coupling device, of which each can be switched into different switching positions The torque transmission device also comprises a drive device, an actuating device and a drive release device or a spring device or a change-over device or a release lever device or a valve device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Gunter Hirt, Reinhard Berger, Rolf Meinhard
  • Patent number: 6405846
    Abstract: A friction clutch wherein a pressure plate is axially movably but non-rotatably coupled to a cover and is biased by a diaphragm spring to urge the friction linings of a clutch disc against a flywheel which is driven by the engine of a motor vehicle. The diaphragm spring is tiltable relative to a seat which is carried by the cover, and a second spring is provided to bias a portion of the seat against the diaphragm spring. The latter can be moved axially of the flywheel to compensate for wear upon the friction linings, particularly when the flywheel is idle or is driven at a relatively low speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungs GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Reik, Paul Maucher, Ed Maucher, Karl-Ludwig Kimmig, Rolf Meinhard, Christopher Wittman
  • Publication number: 20020060118
    Abstract: The torque transmitting connection between the output shaft of the prime mover and the input shaft or shafts of the transmission in the power train of a motor vehicle is established by a torsional vibration damper and a clutch assembly. The damper has an input member affixed to the output shaft and an output element separably coupled to a counterpressure plate of a single friction clutch or of one of two friction clutches of the clutch assembly by an axial plug-in connection. The output element(s) of the clutch(es) is or are connected to a single input shaft or to discrete input shafts of the transmission. The plug-in connection renders it possible to assemble the torsional vibration damper with the prime mover and to assemble the clutch assembly with the transmission prior to the establishment of a torque transmitting connection between the damper and the clutch assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Sebastien Beneton, Rolf Meinhard
  • Publication number: 20020038749
    Abstract: A friction clutch wherein a pressure plate is axially movably but non-rotatably coupled to a cover and is biased by a diaphragm spring to urge the friction linings of a clutch disc against a flywheel which is driven by the engine of a motor vehicle. The diaphragm spring is tiltable relative to a seat which is carried by the cover, and a second spring is provided to bias a portion of the seat against the diaphragm spring. The latter can be moved axially of the flywheel to compensate for wear upon the friction linings, particularly when the flywheel is idle or is driven at a relatively low speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Reik, Paul Maucher, Ed Maucher, Karl-Ludwig Kimmig, Rolf Meinhard, Christopher Wittman
  • Patent number: 6325192
    Abstract: A friction clutch wherein a pressure plate is axially movably but non-rotatably coupled to a cover and is biased by a diaphragm spring to urge the friction linings of a clutch disc against a flywheel which is driven by the engine of a motor vehicle. The diaphragm spring is tiltable relative to a seat which is carried by the cover, and a second spring is provided to bias a portion of the seat against the diaphragm spring. The latter can be moved axially of the flywheel to compensate for wear upon the friction linings, particularly when the flywheel is idle or is driven at a relatively low speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau
    Inventors: Wolfgang Reik, Paul Maucher, Ed Maucher, Karl-Ludwig Kimmig, Rolf Meinhard, Christopher Wittman
  • Patent number: 6145642
    Abstract: A friction clutch for use in the power train of a motor vehicle has a diaphragm spring which, when the clutch is engaged, reacts against the rear wall of the housing and urges the axially movable pressure plate against the friction linings of the clutch disc so that the latter can receive torque from an engine-driven fly-wheel. The wear at least upon the friction linings of the clutch disc is automatically compensated for at requisite intervals by a unit which employs a first set of ramps on the rear wall of the housing and a second set of ramps on an annular element which is installed between the rear wall of the housing and the diaphragm spring, or directly on the diaphragm spring. The latter can be provided with resilient tongues which bear against the outer side of the rear wall of the housing and bias the diaphragm spring against the annular element or, in the absence of such element, directly against those ramps of the wear compensating unit which are provided on the rear wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Chistophe Acker, Rolf Meinhard
  • Patent number: 6098772
    Abstract: A friction clutch wherein an adjusting device serves to compensate for wear at least upon the friction linings of the clutch disc between the driven counterpressure plate and the axially movable pressure plate. The purpose of the adjusting device is to ensure that the bias of the clutch spring upon the pressure plate remains at least substantially unchanged. The adjusting device satisfies such requirement due to the provision of a device which compensates for departures of the actual position of the clutch actuating unit from an optimum position or which compensates for the departures of those portions of the actuating unit relative to a clutch disengaging member from an optimum position which are acted upon by the actuating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Ludwig Kimmig, Christoph Wittmann, Wolfgang Reik, Paul Maucher, Rolf Meinhard
  • Patent number: 6085883
    Abstract: A friction clutch wherein the pressure plate is movable axially of and relative to the clutch housing to engage or disengage and the clutch by bearing against or by becoming disengaged from the friction linings of the clutch disc. The wear upon the friction linings is compensated for by an adjusting unit which is designed to shift a seat for the tiltable diaphragm spring relative to the housing and toward the pressure plate. A resilient component, which can form part of or can be borne by the diaphragm spring or which is carried by the housing, acts upon the diaphragm spring to ensure that the magnitude of the force to be exerted upon and by the diaphragm spring during and immediately after disengagement of the clutch varies within a narrow range. The resilient component does not affect the operation of the adjusting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Ludwig Kimmig, Rolf Meinhard, Irene Fallert
  • Patent number: 6029787
    Abstract: A friction clutch wherein a pressure plate is axially movably but non-rotatably coupled to a cover and is biased by a diaphragm spring to urge the friction linings of a clutch disc against a flywheel which is driven by the engine of a motor vehicle. The diaphragm spring is tiltable relative to a seat which is carried by the cover, and a second spring is provided to bias a portion of the seat against the diaphragm spring. The latter can be moved axially of the flywheel to compensate for wear upon the friction linings, particularly when the flywheel is idle or is driven at a relatively low speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Reik, Paul Maucher, Ed Maucher, Karl-Ludwig Kimmig, Rolf Meinhard, Christopher Wittman
  • Patent number: 6000515
    Abstract: A friction clutch has a pressure plate which is axially movably but non-rotatably coupled to a flywheel on the output element of the engine in a motor vehicle and is acted upon by a diaphragm spring which causes the pressure plate and the flywheel to frictionally engage the friction linings of a clutch disc when the clutch is engaged. The wear upon the friction linings is compensated by a device which causes the diaphragm spring to move toward the flywheel and operates between the clutch housing and the diaphragm spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Ludwig Kimmig, Christoph Wittmann, Wolfgang Reik, Paul Maucher, Rolf Meinhard
  • Patent number: 5803224
    Abstract: A friction clutch wherein the pressure plate is movable axially of and relative to the clutch housing to engage or disengage the clutch by bearing against or by becoming disengaged from the friction linings of the clutch disc. The wear upon the friction linings is compensated for by an adjusting unit which is designed to shift a seat for the titable diaphragm spring relative to the housing and toward the pressure plate. A resilient component, which can form part of or can be borne by the diaphragm spring or which is carried by the housing, acts upon the diaphragm spring to ensure that the magnitude of the force to be exerted upon and by the diaphragm spring during and immediately after disengagement of the clutch varies within a narrow range. The resilient component does not affect the operation of the adjusting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Ludwig Kimmig, Rolf Meinhard, Irene Fallert
  • Patent number: 4856636
    Abstract: Apparatus for damping fluctuations of torque in the power train between the engine and the variable-speed transmission of a motor vehicle has a first flywheel which is driven by the crankshaft of the engine, a second flywheel which is coaxial with the first flywheel and can transmit torque from the first flywheel to the shaft of the transmission in response to engagement of a friction clutch, at least one elastic damper which opposes rotation of the flywheels relative to each other, and at least one friction generating device which opposes rotation of the flywheels relative to each other within a lower range of speeds but is deactivated by centrifugal force when the speed rises above a preselected value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventor: Rolf Meinhard