Patents by Inventor Thomas Weckerling

Thomas Weckerling 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: 20240125359
    Abstract: A tripod joint can include a joint outer part with a first longitudinal axis and a cavity running parallel to the first longitudinal axis with an open end, three recesses running parallel to the first longitudinal axis being formed in the joint outer part, and a joint inner part with a second longitudinal axis., The tripod joint can include at least one central body on which three trunnions are formed with trunnion axes extending radially from the second longitudinal axis, wherein a roller body is arranged on each of the trunnions, which roller body has at least one outer ring and an inner ring rotatable therewith about a common axis of rotation, as well as bearing bodies arranged between the outer ring and the inner ring; wherein each roller body is movably received in the recesses along the first longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Orkan Eryilmaz, Thomas Weckerling, Julian Lehnert, Hans-Jürgen Post, Daniela Ballas, Patricia Urbistondo, Jesús Abenójar García-Minguillán
  • Publication number: 20240035520
    Abstract: A counter track joint comprises an outer joint part, an inner joint part, first pairs of tracks widening towards the opening side of the outer joint part when the counter track joint is aligned, and second pairs of tracks widening towards the connecting side of the outer joint part when the counter track joint is aligned; a ball in each of the first and second pairs of tracks; a ball cage having circumferentially distributed cage windows each receiving one of the balls, wherein one of the outer ball track group and the inner ball track group is hardened and hard machined, and the other of the outer ball track group and the inner ball track group is soft finished and subsequently hardened. A method of manufacturing a counter track joint is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Stephan Maucher, Thomas Weckerling, Rolf Cremerius, Ida Benner, Anna Gremmelmaier, Hans-Jürgen Post
  • Patent number: 11815138
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint comprises an outer joint part with outer ball tracks and an inner joint part with inner ball tracks. An outer ball track and an inner ball track respectively form a pair of tracks with one another; in each, a torque-transmitting ball is guided. The torque-transmitting balls are accommodated in a ball cage with circumferentially distributed cage windows. In any angular position of the constant velocity joint an opening angle is formed between an outer tangent to the outer ball track and an inner tangent to the inner ball track. At an articulation angle of zero degrees the opening angle is greater than zero degrees. A central articulation angle range is defined with articulation angles less than fifteen degrees. The opening angle increases by at least two degrees within the central articulation angle range, and is less than twelve degrees for all articulation angles within the central articulation angle range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Maucher, Anna Gremmelmaier, Wolfgang Hildebrandt, Thomas Weckerling
  • Patent number: 11796008
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint comprises an outer joint part with outer ball tracks, an inner joint part with inner ball tracks, wherein respectively an outer ball track and an inner ball track form a pair of tracks with each other; a torque-transmitting ball in each pair of tracks; a ball cage in which the torque-transmitting balls are received; wherein a first articulation angle range is defined comprising articulation angles of less than twenty degrees, and a second articulation angle range comprising articulation angles greater than twenty degrees; wherein an opening angle within the first articulation angle range increases as the articulation angle (?) increases, and wherein a first mean opening angle increase of the first articulation angle range is greater than a second mean opening angle increase of the second articulation angle range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Ida Benner, Rolf Cremerius, Anna Gremmelmaier, Wolfgang Hildebrandt, Stephan Maucher, Hans-Jürgen Post, Thomas Weckerling
  • Patent number: 11454288
    Abstract: An actuator assembly comprises a rotatably drivable drive gear; a locking ring which is rotatably mounted in a stationary housing and is drivingly connected to the drive gear, wherein the locking ring is rotatable from a first rotational position into a second rotational position against a rotation stop; wherein at least one friction face pairing is provided in the power path between the drive gear and the locking ring, via which a torque can be transmitted to the locking ring by frictional forces; a first ramp ring drivable by the drive gear and a second ramp ring, which are axially supported against each other and are configured to convert rotary movement into axial movement; wherein the first ramp ring, after the locking ring has reached the rotary stop, can be further rotatably driven by the drive gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Jan Haupt, Thomas Weckerling, Theodor Gassmann
  • Patent number: 11320004
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an overrunning clutch, comprising a torque-introducing clutch element, a torque-receiving clutch element and switching element, which is forced from an engagement position into a freewheeling position or from a freewheeling position into an engagement position in dependence on the direction of a sufficient change in the rotational angle position between the torque-introducing clutch element and the torque-receiving clutch element by means of an actuating force applied to the switching element by an actuator. According to the disclosure, the actuating force is a friction-induced actuating force, which is induced by means of a friction-force pairing between the actuator and a component of the overrunning clutch that is in frictional contact with the actuator and the actuator forms an interlockingly acting actuating stop, by means of which the actuating force acts on the switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Ltd.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Beigang, Thomas Weckerling, Maximilian Werkhausen, Jan Haupt, Dirk Güth
  • Publication number: 20220082137
    Abstract: An actuator assembly comprises a rotatably drivable drive gear; a locking ring which is rotatably mounted in a stationary housing and is drivingly connected to the drive gear, wherein the locking ring is rotatable from a first rotational position into a second rotational position against a rotation stop; wherein at least one friction face pairing is provided in the power path between the drive gear and the locking ring, via which a torque can be transmitted to the locking ring by frictional forces; a first ramp ring drivable by the drive gear and a second ramp ring, which are axially supported against each other and are configured to convert rotary movement into axial movement; wherein the first ramp ring, after the locking ring has reached the rotary stop, can be further rotatably driven by the drive gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Jan Haupt, Thomas Weckerling, Theodor Gassmann
  • Patent number: 11187283
    Abstract: In an overrunning clutch, a clutch link axially overlaps another clutch link and a control element of a control mechanism, via which the axial displacement of a connecting link acting between the clutch links is initiated, is arranged on the radial inside of the overlap on the connecting link. The overrunning clutch is particularly suitable for use in a drive train of a motor vehicle and which can transmit high torque despite compactness in structure, operates extensively without noise in the overrunning direction, and has only low mass to be moved during a shifting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Ltd.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Beigang, Thomas Weckerling
  • Publication number: 20210270325
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint comprises an outer joint part with outer ball tracks; an inner joint part with inner ball tracks; wherein an outer ball track and an inner ball track respectively form a pair of tracks with one another, in each of which a torque-transmitting ball\ is guided; a ball cage with circumferentially distributed cage windows in which the torque-transmitting balls are accommodated; wherein in any angular position of the constant velocity joint an opening angle is formed between an outer tangent to the outer ball track and an inner tangent to the inner ball track; wherein at an articulation angle of zero degrees the opening angle is greater than zero degrees, wherein a central articulation angle range is defined with articulation angles less than fifteen degrees, wherein the opening angle increases by at least two degrees within the central articulation angle range and is less than twelve degrees for all articulation angles within the central articulation angle range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Stephan Maucher, Anna Gremmelmaier, Wolfgang Hildebrandt, Thomas Weckerling
  • Publication number: 20210178482
    Abstract: A blank for a conduit arrangement includes an annular conduit having a first end and a second end, which is formed by a channel surrounded by a wall. The conduit arrangement has an axis of rotation and the conduit extends in a circumferential direction over an angle of more than 360 degrees about the axis of rotation and forms at least one wind turn. The axis of rotation is arranged perpendicularly to a base surface, the wall having first surfaces which are arranged at a first angle of at least 30 degrees relative to the base surface or in which a surface normal forms at least one second angle of 0 to 60 degrees with respect to the base surface. First partial surfaces of the walls, which face one another in an axial direction, of adjacent turns are arranged spaced apart from one another. The blank is produced by an additive manufacturing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Rolf Cremerius, Thomas Weckerling, Ümit Aydin, Galina Ermakova
  • Publication number: 20210140488
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint comprises an outer joint part with outer ball tracks, an inner joint part with inner ball tracks, wherein respectively an outer ball track and an inner ball track form a pair of tracks with each other; a torque-transmitting ball in each pair of tracks; a ball cage in which the torque-transmitting balls are received; wherein a first articulation angle range is defined comprising articulation angles of less than twenty degrees, and a second articulation angle range comprising articulation angles greater than twenty degrees; wherein an opening angle within the first articulation angle range increases as the articulation angle (?) increases, and wherein a first mean opening angle increase of the first articulation angle range is greater than a second mean opening angle increase of the second articulation angle range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Ida Benner, Rolf Cremerius, Anna Gremmelmaier, Wolfgang Hildebrandt, Stephan Maucher, Hans-Jürgen Post, Thomas Weckerling
  • Publication number: 20200362925
    Abstract: The invention relates to an overunning clutch, comprising a torque-introducing clutch element, a torque-receiving clutch element and switching element, which is forced from an engagement position into a freewheeling position or from a freewheeling position into an engagement position in dependence on the direction of a sufficient change in the rotational angle position between the torque-introducing clutch element and the torque-receiving clutch element by means of an actuating force applied to the switching element by an actuator. According to the invention, the actuating force is a friction-induced actuating force, which is induced by means of a friction-force pairing between the actuator and a component of the overrunning clutch that is in frictional contact with the actuator and the actuator forms an interlockingly acting actuating stop, by means of which the actuating force acts on the switching element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Wolfgang Beigang, Thomas Weckerling, Maximilian Werkhausen, Jan Haupt, Dirk Güth
  • Publication number: 20200277998
    Abstract: In an overrunning clutch, a clutch link axially overlaps another clutch link and a control element of a control mechanism, via which the axial displacement of a connecting link acting between the clutch links is initiated, is arranged on the radial inside of the overlap on the connecting link. The overrunning clutch is particularly suitable for use in a drive train of a motor vehicle and which can transmit high torque despite compactness in structure, operates extensively without noise in the overrunning direction, and has only low mass to be moved during a shifting process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Wolfgang Beigang, Thomas Weckerling
  • Patent number: 10330164
    Abstract: A coupling assembly for a driveline of a motor vehicle comprises a first shaft; a second shaft; a coupling which can selectively drivingly connect or disconnect the first shaft and the second shaft; a brake for braking the second shaft relative to a stationary component; and an actuating device for actuating the coupling and the brake. The actuating device comprises a ramp mechanism having a first ring which is axially supported relative to the stationary component, and a second ring which is axially movable relative to the first ring when one of the first and second rings is rotated relative to another one of the first and second rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Ltd.
    Inventors: Per-Owe Lindberg, Hans-Peter Nett, Mathias Adelt, Thomas Weckerling, Björn Hellström, Marten Olsson
  • Patent number: 10052950
    Abstract: In a differential that is part of a selectively disconnectable or connectable secondary powertrain, a clutch device allows the input member of the differential, via which driving power is introduced into the differential, to be uncoupled from the output members to which the driving power is forwarded in a branched manner in order to be able to completely shut off part of the secondary powertrain in the disconnected state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Ltd.
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Nett, Sven Herber, Thomas Weckerling
  • Patent number: 9810269
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint comprises an outer joint part with a longitudinal axis and first and second outer ball tracks. The outer joint part comprises an attachment side and an aperture side. An inner joint part has a longitudinal axis and first and second inner ball tracks. with a torque transmitting ball 14 in each pair of tracks, and a ball cage 15 with cage windows 18 in which the balls 14 are held. In each angular position of the constant velocity joint 11 an opening angle is enclosed between an outer tangent and an inner tangent at the ball. At least one of the first and second pairs of tracks is designed such that, within a small articulation angle range comprising at least the joint central plane, at at least an articulation angle, an opening angle amounts to zero, and within a greater articulation angle range, an aperture-side opening angle of a first pair of tracks widens in the opposite axial direction relative to the aperture-side opening angle of a second pair of tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hildebrandt, Thomas Weckerling, Stephan Maucher, Rolf Cremerius, Ida Benner, Hans-Jurgen Post, Anna Gremmelmaier
  • Publication number: 20170028848
    Abstract: In a differential that is part of a selectively disconnectable or connectable secondary powertrain, a clutch device allows the input member of the differential, via which driving power is introduced into the differential, to be uncoupled from the output members to which the driving power is forwarded in a branched manner in order to be able to completely shut off part of the secondary powertrain in the disconnected state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Applicant: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Nett, Sven Herber, Thomas Weckerling
  • Publication number: 20160333954
    Abstract: A coupling assembly for a driveline of a motor vehicle comprises a first shaft; a second shaft; a coupling which can selectively drivingly connect or disconnect the first shaft and the second shaft; a brake for braking the second shaft relative to a stationary component; and an actuating device for actuating the coupling and the brake. The actuating device comprises a ramp mechanism having a first ring which is axially supported relative to the stationary component, and a second ring which is axially movable relative to the first ring when one of the first and second rings is rotated relative to another one of the first and second rings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Per-Owe Lindberg, Hans-Peter Nett, Mathias Adelt, Thomas Weckerling, Bjöm Hellström, Marten Olsson
  • Publication number: 20160053817
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint comprises an outer joint part with a longitudinal axis and first and second outer ball tracks. The outer joint part comprises an attachment side and an aperture side. An inner joint part has a longitudinal axis and first and second inner ball tracks. with a torque transmitting ball 14 in each pair of tracks, and a ball cage 15 with cage windows 18 in which the balls 14 are held. In each angular position of the constant velocity joint 11 an opening angle is enclosed between an outer tangent and an inner tangent at the ball. At least one of the first and second pairs of tracks is designed such that, within a small articulation angle range comprising at least the joint central plane, at at least an articulation angle, an opening angle amounts to zero, and within a greater articulation angle range, an aperture-side opening angle of a first pair of tracks widens in the opposite axial direction relative to the aperture-side opening angle of a second pair of tracks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hildebrandt, Thomas Weckerling, Stephan Maucher, Rolf Cremerius, Ida Benner, Hans-Jurgen Post, Anna Gremmelmaier
  • Patent number: 9133887
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint comprises an outer joint part with a longitudinal axis and outer ball tracks, wherein the outer joint part comprises an attachment side and an aperture side; an inner joint part with a longitudinal axis and inner ball tracks; a torque transmitting ball in each pair of tracks; a ball cage with cage windows in which the balls are held, wherein in each angular position of the constant velocity joint there is enclosed an opening angle ? between an outer tangent T and an inner tangent T? at the ball, wherein at least one of the pairs of tracks is designed such that, inside a small articulation angle range, which comprises at least the joint central plane EM, in at least one joint articulation angle ?, an opening angle ? amounts to zero, and that inside a larger articulation angle range, an aperture side opening angle ? of a ball moving towards the aperture side of the outer joint part and an attachment side opening angle ? of a ball moving at the same joint articulation angle ? towards th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hildebrandt, Stephan Maucher, Thomas Weckerling, Rolf Cremerius, Ida Benner, Hans-Jurgen Post, Anna Gremmelmaier