Patents by Inventor Theodor Gassmann

Theodor Gassmann 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: 20130130857
    Abstract: An electric drive for a motor vehicle comprising an electric motor and a drive unit is disclosed. The drive unit has a first gear stage, driveable by the electric motor, a second gear stage, driveable by the first gear stage, and a differential drive, driveable by the second gear stage. The first gear stage has a driving wheel and an output wheel, wherein the driving wheel is arranged coaxially to the output shaft of the electric motor and is rotatingly driveable by the electric motor around a first rotational axis A. The output wheel is drivingly connected to the driving wheel and is rotatingly driveable around a second rotational axis B, wherein the second rotational axis B is arranged parallel off-set to the first rotational axis A. The second gear stage and the differential drive are arranged coaxially to the second rotational axis B.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventor: Theodor Gassmann
  • Publication number: 20120238395
    Abstract: A power transfer unit assembly for a vehicle. The power transfer unit includes a housing, an internal variable speed differential positioned within the housing, a first front side shaft rotatively connected to the differential, a second front side shaft rotatively connected to the differential, an input shaft interconnected to at least one of the first and second side shafts, and at least one shifting mechanism for engaging at least one of the first and second shafts with at least one mode selection gear set. Engagement of the mode selection gear set transfers torque through the input shaft to selectively engage with a second gear set interconnected to a power transfer final drive unit assembly having an internal variable speed differential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Brent Michael Peura, Robert Genway-Haden, Theodor Gassmann, Mark Schmidt, Michael Schwekutsch
  • Publication number: 20120115665
    Abstract: A parking lock assembly for a motor vehicle is described that has at least one electrically drivable driving axle. The parking lock comprises an electric drive, a shaft which is arranged in the driveline of a motor vehicle and which is drivable by the electric drive, as well as a locking mechanism which is controllable in the locking sense in order to prevent a rotational movement of the shaft and which is controllable in the opening sense in order to release the shaft. The electric drive is controllable in order to transmit torque to the shaft if, in spite of the locking mechanism being controlled in the opening sense, the shaft is prevented from carrying out a rotational movement. Furthermore, a method of actuating such a parking lock assembly is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Michael Schwekutsch, Theodor Gassmann, Mark Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20120011952
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an angle drive arrangement for a drive train of a motor vehicle having a permanently drivable first drive axle and a switchable second drive axle. The angle drive arrangement comprises an input shaft and a shift clutch. The input shaft can be driven in rotation about a first rotational axis. The shift clutch is arranged coaxially with respect to the first rotational axis and which has a clutch input part and a clutch output part which can be coupled to one another in order to transmit a torque. The angel drive arrangement further includes an angle gearing with a crown gear, which is arranged coaxially with respect to the first rotational axis, and a pinion, which is mounted so as to be rotatable about a second rotational axis and which is in meshing engagement with the crown gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Michael Schwekutsch, Theodor Gassmann
  • Publication number: 20110284337
    Abstract: An actuating assembly for connecting a driving axle in the driveline of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The actuating assembly comprises a pump for generating a hydraulic pressure; a pressure accumulator which can be filled by the pump with a hydraulic fluid for generating a pre-pressure; a first hydraulic actuating unit for actuating a first coupling; a second hydraulic actuating unit for actuating a second coupling; wherein at least one of the two first or second hydraulic actuating units can be loaded by the pressure accumulator with hydraulic pressure and, after the pressure accumulator has been at least partially emptied, can be additionally loaded by the pump, wherein the associated first or second coupling can be actuated in the closing sense. Furthermore, a drive assembly having an inventive actuating assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Theodor Gassmann, Michael Schwekutsch, Mark Schmidt, Holger Seidl
  • Patent number: 7993233
    Abstract: A friction coupling assembly includes: an actuator in the form of a ball ramp assembly, a plate package, and a ball bearing. The actuator has two coaxial discs, wherein the faces of the two discs each have ball grooves of increasing depth. Pairs of opposed ball grooves hold balls to axially support the two discs. The plate package is arranged coaxially relative to the discs and has outer plates for fixing to a coupling carrier and inner plates for fixing to a coupling hub. The ball bearing is for axially supporting the at least one rotatingly drivable disc, wherein a first bearing race of the ball bearing is integrally formed with the at least one rotatingly drivable disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International, GmbH
    Inventors: Theodor Gassmann, Mark Schmidt, Andreas Pottharst, Kurt Mueller
  • Publication number: 20110179906
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive assembly for a motor vehicle with a drive unit and multiple driven axles. The drive assembly comprises a transfer case 12 which distributes torque introduced by the drive unit 4 to a first driveline 5 and to a second driveline 7, wherein the first driveline 5 is permanently drivingly connected to the transfer case 12 in order to transfer torque to a first driving axle 6 and wherein optionally, in addition to the first driveline 5, the second driveline 7 can be drivingly connected to the transfer case 12 in order to transfer torque to the second driving axle 8, and a propeller shaft 24 which is arranged in the torque flow between the transfer case 12 and the second driving axle 8, wherein there are provided first coupling means 22 for coupling and uncoupling the propeller shaft 24 relative to the drive unit 4, as well as second coupling means 26 for coupling and uncoupling the propeller shaft 24 relative to the second driving axle 8.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Peter Juenemann, Fred Kramer, Michael Schwekutsch, Mark Schmidt, Theodor Gassmann
  • Publication number: 20110143878
    Abstract: A coupling assembly for optionally connecting a driving axle in a motor vehicle having multiple driving axles is disclosed. The coupling assembly comprises an externally controllable friction coupling with a coupling input part and an output part. The input part is rotatingly drivable around an axis of rotation A. A differential drive with an input element and two output elements which are drivingly connected to the input element, are also included. The input element of the differential drive is arranged coaxially relative to the coupling output part and drivably connected to the coupling output part for the purpose of transmitting torque. A driveline assembly having such a coupling assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Peter Juenemann, Fred Kramer, Michael Schwekutsch, Mark Schmidt, Theodor Gassmann
  • Patent number: 7946402
    Abstract: A motor vehicle hydraulic pump (1) is provided comprising a gerotor rotor set or planetary rotor set and at least two output stages. A first output stage (10) of the hydraulic plump (1) is connected to a lubricant, in particular, a clutch lubricant. A second output stage (11) of the hydraulic pump (1) is connected to at least one clutch (2) of the actuation thereof. The invention also provides a method for actuating at least one clutch which is arranged in the motor vehicle by means of a motor vehicle hydraulic pump, whereby an inter-connection of a volume flow outlet of the first step (10) and the second step (11) of the hydraulic pump (1) takes place according to requirements for actuating the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Theodor Gassmann, Josef Bachmann, Bernhard Terfloth, Rolf Schwarze
  • Patent number: 7846056
    Abstract: A drive assembly for use between an axle differential and a sideshaft comprises an intermediate shaft that is rotatably supported around a rotation axis and has a first end fixedly connected to an output gear of the axle differential and a second end fixedly connected at least indirectly to the sideshaft. A controllable coupling unit comprises a coupling cage with outer plates and a coupling hub with inner plates. The coupling cage is rotatably supported around the rotation axis relative to a bearing support. The coupling hub is connected to the intermediate shaft. The outer plates and the inner plates are arranged so as to axially alternate and jointly form a plate package. The coupling cage extends in the axial direction from the differential carrier to the bearing support and is sealed by first and second rotary seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Adrian Chludek, Christian Gasch, Theodor Gassmann, Artur Grunwald
  • Publication number: 20100294614
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a hydraulic assembly for actuating a setting unit in a motor vehicle. The hydraulic assembly comprises at least one hydraulic actuating unit which acts on the setting unit, as well as at least one piston pump with a piston which is displaceably positioned in a housing, wherein, when the piston moves, there is built up a hydraulic pressure for loading the actuating unit. There is provided a driveshaft with an axis of rotation and an eccentric, wherein the eccentric acts on the piston of the at least one piston pump and, when the driveshaft rotates, builds up a hydraulic pressure. Furthermore, the disclosure relates to a coupling assembly with an inventive hydraulic assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventor: Theodor Gassmann
  • Publication number: 20100285916
    Abstract: A transmission module for the variable distribution of torque in the driveline of a motor vehicle. A driveshaft 3 in a housing 8, is rotatingly drivable around a first axis of rotation A. A hollow shaft 4 is arranged coaxially relative to the first shaft 3 and is rotatingly drivable relative thereto. A transmission stage 5 having a first sun gear 32 which is drivingly connected to the hollow shaft 4, having a second sun gear 34 which is arranged so as to coaxially adjoin the first sun gear 32 and which is connected to the driveshaft 3 in a rotationally fixed way, and having a hollow gear 33 which, in the housing 8, is rotatably supported on an axis of rotation B extending parallel to the axis of rotation A and which meshingly engages the first sun gear 32 and the second sun gear 34, wherein the first and the second sun gear 32, 34 comprise different numbers of teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventor: Theodor Gassmann
  • Patent number: 7806797
    Abstract: An axial setting device includes two discs which are centered on a common axis. One is axially supported and the other one is axially displaceable, and at least one is rotatingly drivable. The two discs on their end faces, each have a plurality of circumferential ball grooves. The ball grooves each comprise a depth which decreases in the same direction, and each pair of opposed ball grooves accommodates a ball. At least the ball grooves of one of the two discs, starting from the region of the greatest groove depth, comprise a first groove portion with a greater pitch and an adjoining second groove portion with a smaller pitch, wherein the first groove portion extends over a smaller circular-arch-shaped portion than the second groove portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Theodor Gassmann, Mark Schmidt, Kurt Müller, Kai Sorge
  • Publication number: 20100222175
    Abstract: A friction coupling assembly includes: an actuator in the form of a ball ramp assembly, a plate package, and a ball bearing. The actuator has two coaxial discs, wherein the faces of the two discs each have ball grooves of increasing depth. Pairs of opposed ball grooves hold balls to axially support the two discs. The plate package is arranged coaxially relative to the discs and has outer plates for fixing to a coupling carrier and inner plates for fixing to a coupling hub. The ball bearing is for axially supporting the at least one rotatingly drivable disc, wherein a first bearing race of the ball bearing is integrally formed with the at least one rotatingly drivable disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Theodor Gassmann, Mark Schmidt, Andreas Pottharst, Kurt Müller
  • Patent number: 7713158
    Abstract: A transfer box with a housing, an input shaft, a first output shaft extending coaxially relative to said input shaft, and a second output shaft extending parallel to said two shafts, as well as with a differential gear assembly arranged between said shafts, wherein the input shaft carries a cross member with a plurality of radial bearing arms for the differential gears, wherein a first side gear is connected in a rotationally fast way to the first output shaft and wherein a second side gear is rotatably supported on the input shaft and drives the second output shaft, wherein the differential gears are spur gears and the side gears crown gears and wherein the teeth of the differential gears engage the teeth of the side gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Theodor Gassmann, Heinzwilli Fuchs
  • Patent number: 7699740
    Abstract: A friction coupling assembly includes: a ball ramp assembly (2) with two coaxial discs (6, 7), wherein the faces (8, 9) of the two discs (6, 7) each have ball grooves (12, 13) of increasing depth, wherein pairs of opposed ball grooves hold balls to axially support the two discs (6, 7); a plate package (3) arranged coaxially relative to the discs (6, 7) and having outer plates (24) for fixing to a coupling carrier (40) and inner plates (25) for fixing to a coupling hub (56); and a plate spring (5) for introducing force into the plate package (3), the plate spring (5) is arranged coaxially relative to the discs (6, 7), is axially pretensioned and, functionally, is arranged in series with the plate package (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Theodor Gassmann, Mark Schmidt, Andreas Pottharst, Kurt Müller
  • Patent number: 7698960
    Abstract: An assembly for measuring force at a friction coupling, more particularly in the driveline of a motor vehicle. The assembly includes an outer plate carrier (6) at which outer plates (7) are held so as to be rotationally secured and in a way so as to be axially displaceable, wherein at least one of the outer plates (7) comprises an outer cam (12); an inner plate carrier (8) at which inner plates (9) are held in a rotationally fast way and in a way so as to be axially displaceable; wherein the outer plates (7) and the inner plates (9) are arranged so as to alternate in the axial direction, while jointly forming a plate package (10); a force measuring device arranged in such a way that, upon actuation of the friction coupling (3), it is loaded by the cam (12) in an operating direction extending at a distance from, and transversely to, the longitudinal axis (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Theodor Gassmann, Nikolaus Mayr, Mark Schmidt, Ralph Mertens, Kurt Müller
  • Patent number: 7677374
    Abstract: A method of determining the coupling moment in a friction coupling with an electro-mechanical actuator which comprises a supporting element axially supported in a housing and a displaceable setting element axially supported on said supporting element, wherein the supporting element is axially supported in the housing via an undisplaceably enclosed hydraulic medium and that the pressure in the hydraulic medium is measured and used by lookup tables of values for the actuator and for the friction coupling for the purpose of calculating the coupling moment in a central ECU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Artur Grunwald, Theodor Gassmann
  • Publication number: 20090163313
    Abstract: A differential assembly 2 for variable torque distribution in the drive line of a motor vehicle. A differential gear 21 with a rotationally drivable differential cage 4 and two output shafts 3, 3?, which are drivingly connected to the differential cage 4 by means of a differential gear set 7, 9, 9?, wherein a first drive train is formed. A gear stage 14, 14? per output shaft 3, 3?, which gear stage is drivingly connected on one side to the differential cage 4 and on the other side to one of the output shafts 3, 3? is part of a second drive train which is functionally parallel to the first drive train. Friction clutch 15, 15? are provided for each gear stage 14, 14? and ball ramp assemblies are provided for actuating the friction clutches, the ball ramp assembly having a plurality of ball grooves 44, 45; 44?, 45? of variable depth. A single electric motor 52 is drivingly connected to rotatably driveable discs 43; 43? of axial setting devices 16, 16?.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2006
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: GKN DRIVELINE INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Theodor Gassmann, Mark Schmidt, Kai Sorge, Kurt Muller, Ralph Mertens
  • Publication number: 20090088287
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive assembly for being used in the axle drive of a motor vehicle between an axle differential and a sideshaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Adrian Chludek, Christian Gasch, Theodor Gassmann, Artur Grunwald