Patents by Inventor Stefan Wallner
Stefan Wallner 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).
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Patent number: 8535202Abstract: A method and a device for operating a hybrid drive of a vehicle includes a parallel hybrid drive train having an internal combustion engine, at least one electric machine, a shift element interposed between the internal combustion engine and the electrical machine, a automatic transmission, and a power take-off. The internal combustion engine is frictionally connected to the electrical machine via the shift element and may be started by the electric machine. A coordinated sequence of functions with defined intermediate states is called up. A state of the shift element for the synchronization of a transmission input of the transmission to a target transmission input speed is varied once the engine has been started. The synchronization is performed either purely with an electromotive force or with a force produced by a combination of the electrical machine and the internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2008Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Stefan Wallner
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Patent number: 8475331Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for controlling a creep operation of a vehicle with a hybrid drive (1), comprising a parallel hybrid drivetrain (2), with an internal combustion engine (3), at least one electric motor (5), a first switching element (4) in the form of a friction element between the internal combustion engine (3) and the electric motor (5), a gearbox (7), an output (26) and a second switching element (6) arranged between the electric motor (5) and the output (26). According to the invention, a simple, effective and component-friendly continuous creeping can be achieved without additional constructional or economic costs can be achieved, wherein the creeping operation is carried out with the internal combustion engine (3) running and both switching elements (4,6) simultaneously operating with slip, wherein the total operating power required to generate a required creeping torque is variably distributed over both switching elements (4, 6).Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2008Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Stefan Wallner
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Patent number: 8475330Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling a creep mode of a vehicle having a hybrid drive system (1, 1?), having a parallel hybrid drivetrain (2, 2?) comprising an internal combustion engine (3), at least one electrical machine (5), a first switching element (4) designed as a frictional element and disposed between the internal combustion engine (3) and the electrical machine (5), by means of which the internal combustion engine (3) can be connected to the electrical machine (5), a gearbox (7), an output (26), and at least one second switching element (6) designed as a frictional element and disposed between the electrical machine (5) and the output (26), by means of which the electrical machine (5) can be operationally connected to the output (26).Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2008Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Kai Bornträger, Stefan Wallner, Christian Mittelberger
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Patent number: 8388492Abstract: A method for determining conditions of a hybrid drive train of a motor vehicle. The method determines, the actual conditions (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) of the drive train from predetermined condition parameters of the actuating device of the hybrid control. The condition parameters include whether or not a flow of force is present between a combustion engine (VM) and an electrical engine (EM), whether or not the combustion engine (VM) is operating, and whether or not a flow of force to the output is present.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2008Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Stefan Wallner, Ralf Dreibholz, Friedrich Tenbrock
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Patent number: 8386142Abstract: A motor vehicle control system for controlling a motor vehicle with a hybrid drive comprising an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, with a strategy sub-component, a control sub-component and an actuator sub-component. The functional components include at least an internal combustion engine functional component, a transmission functional component, such that the strategy sub-component (8) of the hybrid functional component (4) comprises an operating status prescription module which determines a prescribed value for the operating status of the hybrid drive and transmits the prescribed value to the control sub-component (9) of the hybrid functional component (4) such that the control sub-component (9) of the hybrid functional component (4) comprises a first module (18) and a second module (23).Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2008Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Winfried Fakler, Notker Amann, Christian Mittelberger, Mesut Er, Stefan Blattner, Johannes Kaltenbach, Stefan Wallner
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Patent number: 8328681Abstract: A method of operating a drive train of a motor vehicle whereby the drive train comprises at least a hybrid drive with a combustion engine and an electric motor, a transmission, positioned between the hybrid drive and an output, and a clutch, positioned between the combustion engine and the electric motor. When the electric motor is exclusively driving, the combustion engine can be started by engaging a clutch positioned between the combustion engine and the electric motor.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2008Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Stefan Wallner
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Patent number: 8308605Abstract: A method of controlling and/or regulating a hybrid drive system of a vehicle, with at least one internal combustion engine and at least one electric machine which can be coupled to the input shaft of an automated transmission, at least some of the time, by at least one clutch to facilitate driving of the vehicle such that at least one energy accumulator is charged by the electric machine which is operated as a generator and driven by the internal combustion engine. The electric machine is a synchronizer machine that is continually energized by maintaining a nominal speed of the synchronizer machine below an inflexion speed (n_Eck) during the charging process.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2008Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Stefan Wallner
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Patent number: 8290655Abstract: A control system for controlling a vehicle with a hybrid drive comprising an internal combustion engine and an electric motor and a plurality of functional components each divided into strategy, control and actuator sub-components. The functional components include engine, transmission and hybrid functional components. The strategy sub-component of the hybrid functional component comprises an operating status prescription module which determines a recommended value for the operating status of the hybrid drive and transmits the recommended value to the control sub-component.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2008Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Winfried Fakler, Notker Amann, Christian Mittelberger, Mesut Er, Stefan Blattner, Johannes Kaltenbach, Stefan Wallner
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Patent number: 8272993Abstract: A method of carrying out a shift under load in either an electric vehicle which has a change-under-load transmission or a hybrid vehicle which has a hybrid transmission while the vehicle is operating in a purely electrical mode. The speed adaptation of the electric machine, which is required for synchronization to a new gear, is carried out in a speed regulation mode.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2008Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Stefan Wallner
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Patent number: 8257223Abstract: A method of carrying out a shift with traction force interruption during hybrid operation in a parallel hybrid vehicle having an automated transmission. The method comprises the steps of maintaining the coupling between the internal combustion engine (1) and the electric machine (2), eliminating the load before disengaging the old gear, and synchronizing to the new gear by the operation of the electric machine (2).Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2008Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Stefan Wallner
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Patent number: 8251865Abstract: A method of carrying out a shift under load during hybrid operation in a parallel hybrid vehicle in which the speed adaptation of the electric machine and the internal combustion engine, required for synchronization to the new gear, is carried out by adapting the speed of the electric machine in a speed regulation mode.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2008Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Stefan Wallner
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Patent number: 8241174Abstract: A method for controlling a drivetrain including a combustion engine, electric motor/generator and a transmission inter-coupled, via a summarizing gear, with one output and two input elements and, via a clutch, with each other. One input element is fixed to the engine, the second input element is fixed to the motor/generator and the output element is fixed to the input shaft of the transmission. The clutch is between two elements of the summarizing gear. Before a gearshift, torques of the engine and motor/generator are reduced and the clutch disengaged. To quickly reduce torque in the summarizing gear, the engine torque is reduced after a defined time, such that the clutch disengages when the slippage is proportional to the lowering engine torque and the motor/generator torque, in a ratio of torques at the beginning of torque reduction, is reduced proportionally to the engine torque.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2007Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Stefan Wallner, Notker Amann
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Patent number: 8196688Abstract: A method of carrying out a shift operation with traction force interruption during hybrid operation when the electric machine has failed or the energy accumulator is full in a parallel hybrid vehicle having an automated transmission. During an upshift, the power inverter, connected to the electric machine, is actuated with an active short-circuit whereby a torque is generated, at the electric machine, which is used for synchronizing the transmission input.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2008Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventor: Stefan Wallner
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Patent number: 8083639Abstract: A method for wear-free braking of a vehicle having an electrodynamic drive system including an electric machine and a planetary gearset with a crankshaft of the combustion engine being connected with a first element of the gearset, the electric machine connected to a second element of the gearset and a transmission input shaft connected to a carrier of the gearset. The friction clutch serves as a bridging clutch to detachably connect two elements of the gearset such that when the clutch is engaged, the gearset is locked and the combustion engine operating in thrust mode applies braking torque to the drive train, the clutch is disengaged and a transmission input speed exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the speed of the combustion engine is raised to a maximum speed by appropriate control of the electric machine.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2008Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Stefan Wallner, Notker Amann
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Publication number: 20110313601Abstract: Within the scope of the method for determining the actual state of a hybrid drive train of a parallel hybrid vehicle as information for the hybrid operating strategy or the strategic layer of the hybrid control, an abstract strategy actual state is formed, on the basis of the actual state of the hybrid drive train, as information for the hybrid operating strategy or the strategic layer of the hybrid control, wherein each actual state of the hybrid drive train is unambiguously assigned to a strategy actual state.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2008Publication date: December 22, 2011Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Stefan Wallner
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Patent number: 8076883Abstract: A drive system for an electrically operated vehicle includes an electric drive unit operable as a motor and as a generator, a first power source circuit with a control device for controllably outputting power, a second chargeable and dischargeable power source circuit having at least one capacitor and which is connected in parallel to the drive unit, an electric intermediate circuit connected to the first and the second power source circuits and to the drive unit, a third chargeable and dischargeable power source circuit with at least one battery and which is connected to the intermediate circuit, a first detection device for detecting an electrical voltage of the intermediate circuit, which detection device is connected to the control device, and a second detection device for detecting a characteristic value of the vehicle speed and which is connected to the control device.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2006Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbHInventor: Stefan Wallner
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Patent number: 8002666Abstract: A method for controlling a motor vehicle drive train including a combustion engine, an electric machine and a transmission, which are coupled by a summation gear system, having two input and one output elements, and a clutch. One input element is coupled to the crankshaft of the combustion engine, the other input element is coupled to the rotor of the electric machine and the output element is coupled to the input shaft of the transmission and the clutch is arranged between two elements of the summation gear system, such that when the clutch is disengaged a speed difference between the combustion engine and the transmission input shaft is synchronized by the electric machine and, if necessary, by a controlled engagement of the clutch. To improve synchronization, at the beginning of the synchronization the clutch is brought to its contact point before the engagement of the bridging clutch.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2007Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Stefan Wallner, Notker Amann
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Publication number: 20110198140Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for operating a hybrid drive (1) of a vehicle, comprising a drive train (2) that has a combustion engine (3), at least one electric machine (5), and a powershift transmission (7). The combustion engine (3) can be started from purely electromotive force during powershifting. In order to ensure a reliable starting process and a high degree of comfort during operation, a slip period during which at least one powershifting element of the powershift transmission (7) is in a state of slip during powershifting is adjusted at least during a signaled start of the combustion engine (3) by taking into account a progress over time of the start of the combustion engine (3). In a device for carrying out said method, means are provided for detecting and time-variably adjusting a slip of at least one powershifting element of the powershift transmission (7).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2008Publication date: August 18, 2011Inventors: Stefan Wallner, Johannes Kaltenbach, Kai Bornträger
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Publication number: 20110172055Abstract: A method of carrying out a shift with traction force interruption during hybrid operation in a parallel hybrid vehicle having an automated transmission. The method comprises the steps of maintaining the coupling between the internal combustion engine (1) and the electric machine (2), eliminating the load before disengaging the old gear, and synchronizing to the new gear by the operation of the electric machine (2).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2008Publication date: July 14, 2011Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Stefan Wallner
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Publication number: 20110166726Abstract: A control system for controlling a vehicle with a hybrid drive comprising an internal combustion engine and an electric motor and a plurality of functional components each divided into at least a strategy sub-component, a control sub-component and an actuator sub-component, the functional components including at least an engine functional component, a transmission functional component and a hybrid functional component, such that the strategy sub-component (8) of the hybrid functional component comprises an operating status prescription module which determines a recommended value for the operating status of the hybrid drive and transmits the recommended value to the control sub-component (9), and such that a possible recommended value that can be determined by the operating status prescription module is a preselected hybrid driving condition, and if the operating status prescription module of the strategy sub-component (8) transmits the preselected hybrid driving condition, as the recommended value, to the conType: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2008Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Winfried Fakler, Notker Amann, Christian Mittelberger, Mesut Er, Stefan Blattner, Johannes Kaltenbach, Stefan Wallner