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).

  • Patent number: 12523260
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2026
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Maucher, Thomas Weckerling, Rolf Cremerius, Ida Benner, Anna Gremmelmaier, Hans-Jürgen Post
  • Publication number: 20250361912
    Abstract: A drive shaft assembly for a motor vehicle, has at least a first tripod joint having a first outer part and a first inner part having three first trunnions with first trunnion axes. A second sliding joint has a second outer part and a second inner part, and a connecting shaft which extends along an axial direction between a first end and a second end and which is connected in a torque-transmitting manner via the first end to the first tripod joint and via the second end to the second sliding joint. At least the trunnion axes of the first trunnions are inclined relative to a radial direction by a first angle of inclination which is greater than zero angular degree.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2023
    Publication date: November 27, 2025
    Inventors: Orkan Eryilmaz, Thomas Weckerling, Hans-Jürgen Post, Darius Engel
  • Publication number: 20250361913
    Abstract: A tripod joint has an outer joint part having a first longitudinal axis, a cavity parallel to the first longitudinal axis and an open end. Three recesses extending parallel to the first longitudinal axis are formed in the outer joint part. An inner joint part has a second longitudinal axis, at least one central body on which three journals are formed, a roller body arranged on each of the journals and at least an outer ring and an inner ring which can be rotated relative to the latter about a common axis of rotation. When the axes are coaxial and a torque is transmitted during intended operation of the tripod joint between the journal and the inner ring via two contact points which, in a cross-section of the tripod joint running transversely to the longitudinal axes, are arranged spaced apart from one another along the radial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Publication date: November 27, 2025
    Inventors: Orkan Eryilmaz, Thomas Weckerling, Hans-Jürgen Post, Julian Lehnert
  • Publication number: 20250327486
    Abstract: A multipod joint having an outer joint part with a first longitudinal axis and a cavity which runs parallel to the first longitudinal axis and which has an open end. At least two recesses running parallel to the first longitudinal axis are distributed along a circumferential direction, which extends around the first longitudinal axis. The joint has a joint inner part with a second longitudinal axis, comprising at least one central body on which at least two trunnions are formed with trunnion axes extending radially from the second longitudinal axis. A roller body rotatable at least about the trunnion axis is arranged on each trunnion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2025
    Publication date: October 23, 2025
    Inventors: Orkan Eryilmaz, Jesús Abenójar García-Minguillán, Daniela Ballas, Arne Berger, Andoni Epelde, David Jaramillo, Julian Lehnert, Patricia Urbistondo, Thomas Weckerling
  • Patent number: 12345299
    Abstract: A shaft coupling for the switchable connection of a first shaft to a second shaft arranged coaxially thereto, comprises the first shaft, which has on a circumferential surface a plurality of first ball tracks extending along an axis of rotation over at least a first section and a second section, the first ball tracks being arranged spaced apart from one another along a circumferential direction in the first section by first webs and in the second section by second webs, as well as a plurality of first balls arranged in the first section and a plurality of second balls arranged in the second section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Jan Haupt, Moritz Abbenhaus, Thomas Weckerling, Maximilian Werkhausen
  • Publication number: 20250137495
    Abstract: A shaft coupling for the switchable connection of a first shaft to a second shaft arranged coaxially thereto, comprises the first shaft, which has on a circumferential surface a plurality of first ball tracks extending along an axis of rotation over at least a first section and a second section, the first ball tracks being arranged spaced apart from one another along a circumferential direction in the first section by first webs and in the second section by second webs, as well as a plurality of first balls arranged in the first section and a plurality of second balls arranged in the second section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Inventors: Jan Haupt, Moritz Abbenhaus, Thomas Weckerling, Maximilian Werkhausen
  • Patent number: 12134130
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Cremerius, Thomas Weckerling, Ümit Aydin, Galina Ermakova
  • Publication number: 20240360876
    Abstract: A counter track joint comprises an outer joint part and an inner joint part, wherein first pairs of tracks widen towards the opening side of the outer joint part when the counter track joint is aligned, and second pairs of tracks widen towards the connecting side of the outer joint part when the counter track joint is aligned; a ball in each first and second pair of tracks respectively; a ball cage with circumferentially distributed cage windows, each of which accommodates one of the balls, the ball cage having a non-circular shape with at least three maxima and three minima when viewed in cross-section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Inventors: Stephan Maucher, Thomas Weckerling, Ida Benner, Rolf Cremerius, Anna Gremmelmaier, Hans-Jürgen Post
  • 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