Patents by Inventor Thomas Gerlach

Thomas Gerlach 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: 12662183
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a steering unit for a steer-by-wire steering system of a motor vehicle, having a steering shaft which can be rotated by a driver, and a spindle drive which interacts with the steering shaft to limit a steering angle of the steering shaft, wherein the spindle drive has a spindle and a spindle nut screwed onto the spindle, wherein the spindle nut is displaceable with a movement component in the axial direction relative to the spindle when the spindle is rotated, wherein the spindle nut has a first spindle stop for tangentially striking against a first end stop fixed to the spindle, wherein the first end stop is formed integrally with the spindle. The number of components is thus reduced, and the structure of the steering unit is simplified, as a result of which the effort for production and assembly is reduced, and cost-effective production of the steering unit is made possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2026
    Assignees: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG, WILLI ELBE GELENKWELLEN GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Fabian Ruh, Ralf Sedlmeier, Jörg Hauhoff, Thomas Herrlich, Thomas Gerlach
  • Publication number: 20260140003
    Abstract: Sensor module has one or more sensor pairs with a first sensor and a second sensor, each having an electrode for a ground terminal and an electrode for a signal terminal. The sensor module has at least one ground line as well as a first signal line and a second signal line. The first signal line is connected to the signal terminal of the first sensor, the second signal line is connected to the signal terminal of the second sensor, and the ground line is connected to the ground terminals of the first and second sensors. The sensor module extends in a longitudinal direction L from a beginning to an end, and the ground line and the signal lines run from the beginning to the end of the sensor module without crossing each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2026
    Publication date: May 21, 2026
    Inventors: Stefan POLLASCHEK, Anton HORAK, Martin BREINEDER, Gerhard DOMANN, Martin ZIRKL, Andreas TSCHEPP, Johannes ZIEGLER, Thomas GERLACH, Stephan RUTTLOFF
  • Publication number: 20260061792
    Abstract: A suspension link for motor vehicles includes an elongated base body with a connection at each of two ends. The base body is formed as a one-piece hollow profile by extrusion and subsequently bent into a curved shape. The cross-section may be rectangular and constant along at least part of the length, and the link may consist of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. A method of manufacturing the suspension link includes producing a blank by extrusion with the base body and connections in raw form, and bending the blank into a curved shape. The method may further include forming at least one connection during or after extrusion, machining the connections after bending, and subjecting the blank to heat treatment. The extrusion may be carried out as cold or forward extrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2025
    Publication date: March 5, 2026
    Applicant: Willi Elbe Gelenkwellen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jörg HAUHOFF, Ralf SEDLMEIER, Thomas GERLACH
  • Publication number: 20250121873
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a steering unit for a steer-by-wire steering system of a motor vehicle, having a steering shaft which can be rotated by a driver, and a spindle drive which interacts with the steering shaft to limit a steering angle of the steering shaft, wherein the spindle drive has a spindle and a spindle nut screwed onto the spindle, wherein the spindle nut is displaceable with a movement component in the axial direction relative to the spindle when the spindle is rotated, wherein the spindle nut has a first spindle stop for tangentially striking against a first end stop fixed to the spindle, wherein the first end stop is formed integrally with the spindle. The number of components is thus reduced, and the structure of the steering unit is simplified, as a result of which the effort for production and assembly is reduced, and cost-effective production of the steering unit is made possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Inventors: Fabian RUH, Ralf SEDLMEIER, Jörg HAUHOFF, Thomas HERRLICH, Thomas GERLACH
  • Publication number: 20210076938
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid system for performing a magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) and a radiofrequency ablation on a patient, comprising the following characteristics: a) the hybrid system comprises a magnetic resonance tomography system in which MRT high-frequency signals for carrying out the magnetic resonance tomography can be generated and supplied on an output terminal of the magnetic resonance tomography system; b) the hybrid system comprises at least one ablation electrode for performing the radiofrequency ablation; and c) the at least one ablation electrode is coupled to the output terminal of the magnetic resonance tomography system such that the radiofrequency ablation can be carried out by the at least one ablation electrode by means of the MRT high-frequency signals. The invention also relates to a method for operating such a hybrid system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas GERLACH, Enrico PANNICKE
  • Patent number: 10086646
    Abstract: A wheel for a rail vehicle has a wheel tire (1) with a ridge (9) formed on the inner circumference of the wheel tire (1), a wheel body (3) with a ring flange (11) formed on the outer circumference and running radially outward, and a clamp ring (5) attached to the wheel body (3) via a fastening means (13), on a side face opposite the ring flange (11). Damping means formed as at least two separate circular ring segments (7) extend between the clamp ring (5) and the circumferential ridge and between the circumferential ridge (9) of the wheel tire (1) and the ring flange in the circumferential direction of the wheel. On at least one side, the circular ring segments (7) have at least two centering cams (19) meshing into corresponding recesses (21). The circular segments (7) have an elastomer core enclosed by metal sheet segments (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Gutehoffnungshütte Radsatz GmbH
    Inventors: Thaddäus Kasprzyk, Thomas Hoog, Christian Kemp-Lettkamp, Thomas Gerlach
  • Patent number: 9976526
    Abstract: A fuel injection system (10) for delivering metered amounts fuel into the combustion chamber or cylinder of an engine. The fuel delivered can selectively comprise a gaseous fuel, a liquid fuel or a fuel mixture comprising the gaseous fuel and the liquid fuel. When the fuel delivered comprises a mixture of the gaseous fuel and the liquid fuel, the quantity of liquid fuel comprises a metered quantity. The quantity of gaseous fuel also comprises a metered quantity, with the metering of the gaseous fuel being regulated by prediction. The injection event involves delivering the liquid fuel and the gaseous fuel, with the metering of the gaseous fuel delivered being adjusted to allow for the quantity of liquid fuel delivered with the gaseous fuel. The injection system (10) comprises a liquid fuel circuit (11) and a gaseous fuel circuit (13), both communicating with a fuel delivery injector (15) that delivers fuel to the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: ORBITAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
    Inventors: David James Caley, Thomas Gerlach, Simon Christopher Brewster
  • Publication number: 20180086138
    Abstract: A wheel for a rail vehicle has a wheel tire (1) with a ridge (9) formed on the inner circumference of the wheel tire (1), a wheel body (3) with a ring flange (11) formed on the outer circumference and running radially outward, and a clamp ring (5) attached to the wheel body (3) via a fastening means (13), on a side face opposite the ring flange (11). Damping means formed as at least two separate circular ring segments (7) extend between the clamp ring (5) and the circumferential ridge and between the circumferential ridge (9) of the wheel tire (1) and the ring flange in the circumferential direction of the wheel. On at least one side, the circular ring segments (7) have at least two centering cams (19) meshing into corresponding recesses (21). The circular segments (7) have an elastomer core enclosed by metal sheet segments (17).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Thaddäus Kasprzyk, Thomas Hoog, Christian Kemp-Lettkamp, Thomas Gerlach
  • Publication number: 20170138312
    Abstract: A fuel rail assembly for direct injection of a gaseous fuel into an internal combustion engine comprises a fuel rail defining a flow passage for receiving gaseous fuel and a delivery injector for directly injecting fuel received from the fuel rail into a combustion chamber of the engine. The delivery injector is arranged having a selectively openable delivery port for delivery of gaseous fuel into the combustion chamber when the delivery port is in an open condition. The fuel rail assembly further comprises a valve operable so as to interrupt the flow of gaseous fuel to the delivery injector for delivery into the combustion chamber. A containment zone is defined between the valve and the delivery port when the delivery port is in a closed condition, whereby the containment zone is selected so as to be a prescribed volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: ORBITAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
    Inventors: David James CALEY, Nicholas COPLIN, Thomas GERLACH
  • Patent number: 9453486
    Abstract: An injector has an inlet and an outlet and an armature tube having passage structure and having a distal end spaced from the outlet. The passage structure communicates with the inlet. A movable, magnetic armature is coupled to the armature tube. An electromagnetic coil is associated with a stator and with the armature. A first spring is constructed and arranged, when the coil is not activated, to bias the armature tube so that the distal end engages in a sealing manner with a first seat to limit leakage of the gaseous fuel from the outlet. A second valve is movable in a valve body. A second spring is constructed and arranged, when the coil is not activated, to bias the second valve so that a seating surface thereof engages a second seat to close the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J Hornby, Klaus Husslein, Harry Schüle, Christopher Heukenroth, Wolfram Klemp, Thomas Komischke, Thomas Gerlach
  • Publication number: 20160273504
    Abstract: An injector has an inlet and an outlet and an armature tube having passage structure and having a distal end spaced from the outlet. The passage structure communicates with the inlet. A movable, magnetic armature is coupled to the armature tube. An electromagnetic coil is associated with a stator and with the armature. A first spring is constructed and arranged, when the coil is not activated, to bias the armature tube so that the distal end engages in a sealing manner with a first seat to limit leakage of the gaseous fuel from the outlet. A second valve is movable in a valve body. A second spring is constructed and arranged, when the coil is not activated, to bias the second valve so that a seating surface thereof engages a second seat to close the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Michael J. Hornby, Klaus Husslein, Harry Schüle, Christopher Heukenroth, Wolfram Klemp, Thomas Komischke, Thomas Gerlach
  • Publication number: 20140246508
    Abstract: A fuel injection system (10) for delivering metered amounts fuel into the combustion chamber or cylinder of an engine. The fuel delivered can selectively comprise a gaseous fuel, a liquid fuel or a fuel mixture comprising the gaseous fuel and the liquid fuel. When the fuel delivered comprises a mixture of the gaseous fuel and the liquid fuel, the quantity of liquid fuel comprises a metered quantity. The quantity of gaseous fuel also comprises a metered quantity, with the metering of the gaseous fuel being regulated by prediction. The injection event involves delivering the liquid fuel and the gaseous fuel, with the metering of the gaseous fuel delivered being adjusted to allow for the quantity of liquid fuel delivered with the gaseous fuel. The injection system (10) comprises a liquid fuel circuit (11) and a gaseous fuel circuit (13), both communicating with a fuel delivery injector (15) that delivers fuel to the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: ORBITAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
    Inventors: David James Caley, Thomas Gerlach, Simon Christopher Brewster
  • Patent number: 8814598
    Abstract: The invention relates to a contact means (100) for attaching an end of a cable (110). The contact means (100) has a casing (300) with an inner chamber (320) for receiving a section of the cable (110) in the region of the cable end, and a pull relief element (200, 201, 202, 203) which can be fastened to the casing (300) in the inner chamber (320), with a pull relief section (220, 221, 222, 223) and at least one contacting section (240, 241). The pull relief section (220, 221, 222, 223) is formed to fix a cable sheath (120) of the cable (110). The contacting section (240, 241) is formed to contact a shield (130) of the cable (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics AMP GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Hein, Martin Szelag, Karl-Heinz Hess, Martin Schmitt, Dennis Feldmann, Hermann Schenk, Achim Pfeffer, Thomas Gerlach, Niranjan Thirunavukkarasu
  • Publication number: 20120315790
    Abstract: The invention relates to a contact means (100) for attaching an end of a cable (110). The contact means (100) has a casing (300) with an inner chamber (320) for receiving a section of the cable (110) in the region of the cable end, and a pull relief element (200, 201, 202, 203) which can be fastened to the casing (300) in the inner chamber (320), with a pull relief section (220, 221, 222, 223) and at least one contacting section (240, 241). The pull relief section (220, 221, 222, 223) is formed to fix a cable sheath (120) of the cable (110). The contacting section (240, 241) is formed to contact a shield (130) of the cable (110).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics AMP GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Hein, Martin Szelag, Karl-Heinz Hess, Martin Schmitt, Dennis Feldmann, Hermann Schenk, Achim Pfeffer, Thomas Gerlach, Niranjan Thirunavukkarasu
  • Publication number: 20100307877
    Abstract: Present invention relates to a device for reducing vibrations of a vibrating object as well as a method for reducing vibrations, wherein the perturbing vibrations are reduced drastically by induction of counter-forces. In general, vibrations of equal frequency (counter-vibration) as the perturbing vibration are generated. The force generated by the counter-vibration acts onto the vibrating object, whose amplitude of vibration is to be reduced. The phasing of the counter-vibration is antipodal to the vibration to be reduced, preferably the force of the generated counter-vibration is greater than the force being necessary for compensation of the perturbing vibration. The transfer of the force of the counter-vibration onto the vibrating object is affected by means of a magnetorheological or electrorheological material, whereby the absolute value of the transmitted force is adjusted by the magnitude of an applied magnetical or electric field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur forderung der Angewandten Forschung e.V
    Inventors: Holger Bose, Thomas Gerlach, Johannes Ehrlich, Angelo Merlo, Ippolito Massimo
  • Publication number: 20100193304
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a damping device having a first control element with a first surface (O1) and a second control element with a second surface (O2), the two control elements being moveable relative to each other with their two surfaces, a spatial region (intermediate space Z) which is filled at least partially with a magnetorheological and/or electrorheological material (M) and is disposed between the first and the second surface, and a field producer (4) with which a magnetic and/or electrical field can be produced in at least a partial region of the material-filled part of the intermediate space, and also a housing (1) which has two chambers (K1, K2) and in which a piston unit (2) which is moveable relative to the housing and a closing unit (3) which is moveable relative to the piston unit are disposed, the piston unit and the closing unit forming a throughflow opening (D) connecting the two chambers, through which a fluid (F) can be displaced between the two chambers by means of a relative m
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der angewandten Forschung e.v.
    Inventors: Holger Böse, Thomas Gerlach, Jörn Probst
  • Publication number: 20100162776
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a locking device having a control unit with a first control element with a first surface (O1) and a second control element with a second surface (O2), the two control elements being moveable relative to each other with their two surfaces, a spatial region (intermediate space Z) which is filled at least partially with a magnetorheological and/or electrorheological material (M) and is disposed between the first and the second surface, and a field producer (4) with which a magnetic and/or electrical field can be produced in at least a partial region of the material-filled part of the intermediate space, a locking unit with a piston unit (2) and a locking system (3) with which the piston unit can be locked, the two control elements being able to be coupled to each other by the field produced in the intermediate space and the locking state of locking system and piston unit being able to be changed by means of this coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der angewandten Forschung e.v.
    Inventors: Holger Böse, Thomas Gerlach
  • Patent number: D623026
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: FISSLER GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Gerlach
  • Patent number: D623483
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Fissler GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Gerlach
  • Patent number: D624369
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: FISSLER GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Gerlach