Patents by Inventor Stefan Gierer

Stefan Gierer 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: 9227629
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle hybrid drive-train in which, depending on the operating situation, the engine and electric machine either operate individually or together. The engine and the electric machine can be coupled or separated by a clutch. The engine can be started by the electric machine or a separate starting device. To co-ordinate transmission shifts and required engine starts, during a transmission shifting process, if the engine needs to be started, then based on whether the shift is an upshift, a downshift, a traction shift or an overdrive shift and also depending on the type of engine start required, it is first determined whether the shift should be completed, at least partially completed or discontinued before carrying out the start and, based on this determination, measures for continuing, at least partially continuing or discontinuing the shift process are initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Tobias Zollner, Anton Fritzer, Patrick Peter, Thomas Lemp, Alexander Pfau, Stefan Gierer
  • Publication number: 20140142796
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle hybrid drive-train in which, depending on the operating situation, the engine and electric machine either operate individually or together. The engine and the electric machine can be coupled or separated by a clutch. The engine can be started by the electric machine or a separate starting device. To co-ordinate transmission shifts and required engine starts, during a transmission shifting process, if the engine needs to be started, then based on whether the shift is an upshift, a downshift, a traction shift or an overdrive shift and also depending on the type of engine start required, it is first determined whether the shift should be completed, at least partially completed or discontinued before carrying out the start and, based on this determination, measures for continuing, at least partially continuing or discontinuing the shift process are initiated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Tobias Zollner, Anton Fritzer, Patrick Peter, Thomas Lemp, Alexander Pfau, Stefan Gierer
  • Publication number: 20130274978
    Abstract: A control device for a hybrid vehicle, comprising a hybrid drive with an internal combustion engine and an electric machine, wherein the control device, during a purely electric powered operation, compares an actual position of a crankshaft angle of the internal combustion engine with a target position for an auxiliary activation of the internal combustion engine or a target position range for an auxiliary activation of the internal combustion engine, and wherein the control device then, when said device determines that the actual position deviates from the target position by more than a limit value, determines at least one actuating variable, on the basis of which the actual position of the crankshaft angle can be altered such that, prior to the auxiliary activation of the internal combustion engine, the actual position deviates from the target position by less than the limit value, or lies within the target position range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Lemp, Stefan Gierer