Patents by Inventor Thomas Grass

Thomas Grass 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: 11918989
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for regenerating a catalyst used for the hydrogenation of an aromatic species, consisting of several steps. First the system is purged with nitrogen, then air is metered in stepwise, and the addition of nitrogen is subsequently ended until only air is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Evonik Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Johan Anton, Michael Grass, Johannes Kraft, Thomas Schneider, Grzegorz Ziomek
  • Patent number: 6848549
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for operating an automated change-speed gearbox of a motor vehicle. The control device of the change-speed gearbox communicates via signals with a control unit of an anti-block control system. To allow particularly comforatable operation of the change-speed gearbox, the invention envisages that, as a function of signals from the control unit of the anti-lock control system, the change-speed gearbox is set to a neutral position, an appropriate gear ratio is determined and this gear ratio is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Thomas Grass, Klaus Neft, Anton Rink, Joachim Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20030116393
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for operating an automated change-speed gearbox of a motor vehicle. The control device of the change-speed gearbox communicates via signals with a control unit of an anti-block control system. To allow particularly comforatable operation of the change-speed gearbox, the invention envisages that, as a function of signals from the control unit of the anti-lock control system, the change-speed gearbox is set to a neutral position, an appropriate gear ratio is determined and this gear ratio is engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Thomas Grass, Klaus Neft, Anton Rink, Joachim Schaefer
  • Patent number: 6358186
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlling a torque transmitting system and the torque transmittable by the torque transmitting system in a power train of a vehicle with a transmission and an engine, and with at least one actuator controllable by a control unit, such as an actuating unit, for operating the torque transmitting system. This is accomplished in that, in at least one operating state, such as starting or acceleration state, the control unit shifts between at least two operating states of the torque transmitting system in which the system transmitting different torques, so that a different, such as a higher or a lower, torque can be selected and transmitted in the respective operating states for providing a different, such as a higher or a lower, torque to power the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: LuK Getriebe Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Kosik, Thomas Grass, Klaus Henneberger, Michael Reuschel
  • Patent number: 6230504
    Abstract: The invention relates to the control of an automatic clutch in the drive train of a motor vehicle having a gearbox which can be changed arbitrarily by the driver between drive positions and idle (isolation of gearbox input and gearbox output). During idling, the clutch is essentially kept disengaged in order to reduce noise (gearbox rattling), but is temporarily closed at intervals for very short periods of time, in order to reset a temperature drift of an actuator unit which operates the clutch and which assumes a self-adjusting position when the clutch is engaged. The air conditioning system is switched off temporarily when, during idling, the clutch is engaged temporarily in order to eliminate the risk of rattling noise of the gearbox due to the air conditioning system being on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Thomas Grass, Franz Kosik
  • Patent number: 6183392
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic clutch intended for an engine-transmission unit in a vehicle with random gear changing. The gearbox comes into action automatically as soon as it has recognized the driver's intentions. Furthermore, the gear lever shift, the speed and the engine torque of the vehicle as well as the brake system action are monitored. As soon as the gear lever has shifted and the speed or the torque has fallen sufficiently and/or the brake system is actuated, the clutch is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Franz Kosik, Thomas Grass
  • Patent number: 6171213
    Abstract: An automatically controllable clutch is arranged between the engine and the driving wheels in the transmission line of a motor vehicle. A transmission can be shifted arbitrarily or manually between idling and at least one driving position. An accelerator pedal or the like control the power of the engine, and a control device controls the clutch as a function of defined parameters detected by assigned sensors. When the driving position is engaged and the accelerator pedal is not operated, the clutch operates at its gripping point and transmits a low torque which is sufficient for a creeping of the vehicle on a level road or at a very low tractive resistance. When an approximated synchronism of the clutch input and the clutch output has been reached during the phase with an engaged driving position and while the accelerator pedal is not operated, the clutch is closed when the accelerator pedal is operated while maintaining the synchronism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Franz Kosik, Thomas Grass
  • Patent number: 6139467
    Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic clutch intended for an engine-transmission unit in a vehicle. When in the closing stage, the clutch works under contact overpressure conditions, so that the torque transmitted by the clutch is higher by a set quantity than the engine generated torque. At low external temperature, the contact overpressure is reduced, resulting in a shorter clutch adjustment path and in less energy being required for clutching, thereby compensating for the greater stiffness of the clutch control element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Franz Kosik, Thomas Grass
  • Patent number: 6113517
    Abstract: The power train of a motor vehicle has an automated clutch which can transmit torque from a prime mover to a transmission in response to signals from an electronic control unit. The latter causes the clutch to transmit a constant torque during a first interval, to thereupon transmit a gently varying torque during a second interval if the operator of the motor vehicle fails to carry out certain necessary operations prior to elapse of the first interval, and to thereafter transmit a pronouncedly varying torque during a third interval if no remedial undertakings were completed during the second interval. The third interval is cut short if the engine tends to choke, and the full or shortened third interval can be followed by a fourth interval corresponding to the first interval or by a further interval corresponding to the second interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignees: LuK Getriebe-Systeme GmbH, Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Salecker, Martin Zimmermann, Franz Kosik, Thomas Grass
  • Patent number: 6093132
    Abstract: The invention concerns an automatic clutch in the drive train of a motor vehicle having a transmission with manual or voluntary selection of the different gears. After a gear-change, the engagement of the clutch is controlled as a function of the shift speed during the gear-change, such that, at high shift speeds, only a shortened clutch slip phase can occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Franz Kosik, Thomas Grass
  • Patent number: 6090009
    Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic clutch for an engine-transmission unit in a vehicle with random gear changing. A sensor technology is used for determining the parameters to be taken into account for the automated clutch control. The sensing device includes a speed or driving notch display, so that, when normally changing the gear or driving notch, the transition over the neutral gear or idle is not displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Franz Kosik, Thomas Grass
  • Patent number: 6086508
    Abstract: The invention concerns an automatic clutch in a motor vehicle drive train with a manually operated gearshift. If an accelerator pedal or the like used to control the engine and a vehicle service brake are not activated, the clutch is set at a creeping moment when a gear is engaged and the engine is running. When the service brake is actuated, this creeping moment is maintained for a predetermined time interval, decreased or suppressed in a time-delayed manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Franz Kosik, Thomas Grass
  • Patent number: 6077189
    Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic clutch intended for use in an engine-transmission unit of a vehicle. When starting up, the clutch transmits first a high torque for a very slow speed, which is then reduced after a set lapse of time if a threshold value is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Franz Kosik, Thomas Grass
  • Patent number: 6058792
    Abstract: An automatic clutch between a motor vehicle engine and drive train with a manually shifted gearbox disposed on the clutch output side. Rotational speed differences between the clutch input and output detected by sensor technology are taken into consideration when the clutch is engaged. If the signals from the sensing elements for the rotational speed on the output side fail, replacement signals are calculated from other parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Franz Kosik, Thomas Grass
  • Patent number: 6056095
    Abstract: In a vehicle in whose drive train a manually shifted transmission with automated clutch actuation is located, in order to suppress improper actuations of the clutch, an inhibition time is applied to the signal activating an intended shifting function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Thomas Grass, Franz Kosik
  • Patent number: 6047800
    Abstract: The invention concerns an automatic clutch in a motor vehicle drive train. An automatic control device constantly determines values for the travel of an adjusting unit actuating the clutch and associated values of the moment transmitted by the clutch in order to establish whether the travel available is sufficient to reach a threshold value of the transmitted coupling moment. A warning signal is optionally emitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Franz Kosik, Thomas Grass
  • Patent number: 6045484
    Abstract: The invention concerns an automatic clutch in a motor vehicle drive train. During travel, the clutch is controlled with excess contact pressure such that the transmissible moment of the clutch exceeds the engine torque by a predetermined amount. At low speeds or in low gears and/or when travelling slowly, the amount of excess contact pressure is considerably reduced. At high speeds or in high gears and/or at when travelling fast, the clutch is set at the maximum transmissible moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignees: DaimlerChrysler AG, LuK Getriebe-Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Kosik, Thomas Grass, Michael Salecker
  • Patent number: 6035984
    Abstract: This invention relates to an automatically controlled clutch in a motor vehicle drive train. Rotational speed differences between the clutch input and the clutch output are determined by a computer from rotational speeds of the vehicle engine, on the one hand, and rotational speeds of the vehicle drive wheels, on the other hand. Variations of a frequency which is characteristic of resonant frequencies in the drive train when the clutch is closed are not taken into account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Franz Kosik, Thomas Grass
  • Patent number: 6029784
    Abstract: In a vehicle having an automatically actuatable clutch arranged in the drive train between engine and transmission, the clutch is released or maintained released in the event of a brief interruption in the power supply to the clutch control device while activation of the clutch control device still exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Grass, Bernd Koch, Franz Kosik
  • Patent number: 5993352
    Abstract: An automatically controlled clutch is arranged between the engine and the driving wheels in the transmission line of a motor vehicle having a transmission which can be shifted manually in an arbitrary manner between idling and driving positions. A control device used for operating the clutch constantly determines the operating performance of the clutch and stores correspondingly adapted characteristic values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz AG
    Inventors: Franz Kosik, Thomas Grass