Patents by Inventor Tomas Smetana

Tomas Smetana 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: 20230116014
    Abstract: A manipulator arm for a robot, including a printed circuit board motor and a transmission, the printed circuit board motor including a multi-layer board having at least one first solenoid coil with flat coils lying vertically on top of each other, the flat coils being connected electrically in series or in parallel, two vertically adjacent coils being orthogonally offset to each other in each case such that, in a cross-section perpendicular to the surface of the multi-layer board, conducting track portions of the one flat coil are arranged in partial overlap vertically with two conducting track portions of the other flat coil. A robot having at least one manipulator arm of this type and the use of a printed circuit board motor in a manipulator arm of a robot are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jochen DAMERAU, Tomas SMETANA, Jörg KEGELER
  • Patent number: 11442893
    Abstract: Database-aware snapshotting is disclosed. It is determined that a first snapshot of a database having a plurality of shards should be taken. Each shard has a corresponding snapshot sidecar container of a plurality of snapshot sidecar containers. A consensus state among the plurality of snapshot sidecar containers that the first snapshot should be taken is determined. A snapshot controller is directed to take the first snapshot of the database, the first snapshot generating a shard volume snapshot for each shard of a plurality of shards. Subsequent to the snapshot controller taking the first snapshot of the database, each snapshot sidecar container is informed to allow activity on the corresponding shard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Red Hat, Inc.
    Inventors: Huamin Chen, Tomas Smetana
  • Publication number: 20200347886
    Abstract: A method for operating a bearing (10), in particular roller bearing or sliding bearing or linear bearing, with at least a first energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4) and a second energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4), wherein a first control unit of the first energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4) and a second control unit of the second energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4) are configured to control outputting of energy of the respective energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4) according to a predefined supply strategy, wherein the first control unit and/or the second control unit receive/receives a supply request and controls the outputting of energy by the respective energy supply module (1, 2, 3, 4) as a function of the supply request and the predefined supply strategy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Kram, Tomas Smetana, Michel Gnaba, Masato Izumi
  • Publication number: 20200073956
    Abstract: Database-aware snapshotting is disclosed. It is determined that a first snapshot of a database having a plurality of shards should be taken. Each shard has a corresponding snapshot sidecar container of a plurality of snapshot sidecar containers. A consensus state among the plurality of snapshot sidecar containers that the first snapshot should be taken is determined. A snapshot controller is directed to take the first snapshot of the database, the first snapshot generating a shard volume snapshot for each shard of a plurality of shards. Subsequent to the snapshot controller taking the first snapshot of the database, each snapshot sidecar container is informed to allow activity on the corresponding shard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Huamin Chen, Tomas Smetana
  • Patent number: 10539205
    Abstract: A gear mechanism for an anti-roll stabilizer of a vehicle, having at least one planetary gear mechanism stage with a sun gear, an internal gear and at least two planetary clears, at least one planetary gear having a first planetary part and a second planetary part which are mounted coaxially and are connected to one another via a spring apparatus. The spring apparatus loads the two planetary parts with a prestressing force in an opposed manner in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignees: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft, Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thorsten Koch, Igor Illg, Wilfried Breton, Ramon Jurjanz, Tomas Smetana
  • Patent number: 10471827
    Abstract: A differential arrangement including a wedge clutch assembly is provided. The wedge clutch assembly includes a cage with a first plurality of tapered crossbars to at least partially define a plurality of tapered wedge pockets. A plurality of wedges are each arranged within a respective one of the plurality of wedge pockets and within a circumferential groove of an input drive gear or a differential assembly. An actuator assembly is configured to move the cage in at least one of a first axial direction or a second axial direction. Movement of the first plurality of tapered crossbars in one of the first axial direction or the second axial direction circumferentially drives the plurality of wedges into contact with the circumferential groove such that the input drive gear drives the differential assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Brian Lee, Tomas Smetana, Jeffrey Hemphill
  • Publication number: 20190070955
    Abstract: A differential arrangement including a wedge clutch assembly is provided. The wedge clutch assembly includes a cage with a first plurality of tapered crossbars to at least partially define a plurality of tapered wedge pockets. A plurality of wedges are each arranged within a respective one of the plurality of wedge pockets and within a circumferential groove of an input drive gear or a differential assembly. An actuator assembly is configured to move the cage in at least one of a first axial direction or a second axial direction. Movement of the first plurality of tapered crossbars in one of the first axial direction or the second axial direction circumferentially drives the plurality of wedges into contact with the circumferential groove such that the input drive gear drives the differential assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Brian Lee, Tomas Smetana, Jeffrey Hemphill
  • Patent number: 10224781
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric motor and a method for assembling the motor. Especially preferred is that the electric motor is for driving an antiroll stabilizer. The electric motor includes firstly a stator having at least one electromagnet and a rotor which can rotate about an axis relative to the stator. The electric motor also includes at least one bearing plate for receiving a bearing for rotatable mounting of the rotor. Disposed on the bearing plate is a retainer disc for retaining contacts. The contacts are for electrical connection of the at least one electromagnet of the stator and pass through the retainer disc. Fastening elements are used to fasten the retainer disc to the bearing plate. There is also a positioning arrangement for radial positioning of the retainer disc with respect to the bearing plate. According to the invention the positioning arrangement is designed for adjustable radial positioning of the retainer disc with respect to the bearing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Tomas Smetana, Kathrin Rosenkranz, Martin Brautigam
  • Patent number: 10151651
    Abstract: A hollow machine element for transmitting a force and/or a torque is provided. The hollow machine element forms a component of an assembly for measuring the acting force and/or torque by using inverse magnetostrictive effect. The hollow machine element extends along an axis and has a cavity that extends along the axis. The machine element includes at least one magnetization region for magnetization, and which includes a magnetostrictive material. A magnetic field measurable via the assembly can be caused by the magnetization and by the force and/or by the torque. The magnetization region is directed toward the cavity and has an axially central segment, in which the magnetization region is arranged at a radial distance from a ferromagnetic region of the machine element to define a gap therebetween. The gap may be empty or filled with insulation, to provide magnetic insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Stephan Neuschaefer-Rube, Jan Matysik, Darius Dlugai, Christian Schmitt, Markus Neubauer, Tomas Smetana
  • Publication number: 20180120176
    Abstract: A hollow machine element for transmitting a force and/or a torque is provided. The hollow machine element forms a component of an assembly for measuring the acting force and/or torque by using inverse magnetostrictive effect. The hollow machine element extends along an axis and has a cavity that extends along the axis. The machine element includes at least one magnetization region for magnetization, and which includes a magnetostrictive material. A magnetic field measurable via the assembly can be caused by the magnetization and by the force and/or by the torque. The magnetization region is directed toward the cavity and has an axially central segment, in which the magnetization region is arranged at a radial distance from a ferromagnetic region of the machine element to define a gap therebetween. The gap may be empty or filled with insulation, to provide magnetic insulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Stephan NEUSCHAEFER-RUBE, Jan MATYSIK, Darius DLUGAI, Christian SCHMITT, Markus NEUBAUER, Tomas SMETANA
  • Patent number: 9701187
    Abstract: A drive device which can use a hybrid drive as well as a torque distribution using the same electric motor and which can also have a simple structure. The drive device (1) can be coupled or is coupled to a first and a second motor (6, 7), the second motor (7) can be used in accordance with the shift state of a shifting device (13) for a drive or for an active torque distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Tomas Smetana, Philip Wurzberger
  • Patent number: 9638302
    Abstract: An axle drive system for a motor vehicle, having a dynamoelectric drive motor (1), a shiftable superimposing transmission having a first and a second gear stage (3, 4), a shift actuator system (5) for shifting the superimposing transmission, as well as a power divider (8) driving two output shafts (10, 12). The drive motor (1), power divider shafts (9, 11), output shafts (10, 12) and dynamoelectric drive motor (1) are arranged coaxially to each other and perpendicular to the direction of travel of the motor vehicle. A particularly compact design is achieved for the axle drive system of the aforementioned type in that the shift actuator system (5) having an electric motor (14) provided for actuation purposes is in its entirety disposed in a space bounded by the first gear stage (3) on one side and the second gear stage (4) on the other side in the axial direction of the drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Tomas Smetana, Philip Wurzberger
  • Patent number: 9641039
    Abstract: A drive device having an electric drive. A drive device (1) includes at least one housing (15), at least one electric drive, the electric drive having a rotor arrangement with a rotor shaft (7) which is designed for rotation about a rotational axis (17), and a bearing arrangement (14 a, b) for mounting the rotor arrangement. The bearing arrangement (14 a, b) supports the rotor arrangement in relation to the rotational axis (17) radially inwardly, the bearing arrangement (14a, b) supporting the rotor shaft in relation to a support section (15, 16) that is fixed to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Tomas Smetana
  • Patent number: 9527382
    Abstract: An electric axle for a vehicle, including an electric motor, a reduction gear section, a torque-distributing differential and two output shafts, where the electric motor, the torque-distributing differential and the two output shafts are disposed coaxially with a main transmission axis, and where the electric motor generates a drive torque which is reduced by the reduction gear section and distributed to the two output shafts via the torque-distributing differential, and further including a differential mechanism. The torque-distributing differential is designed as a planetary differential, and the differential mechanism is operatively connected to the torque-distributing differential via a shaft means disposed coaxially with the main transmission axis. The differential mechanism makes it possible to vary a speed difference and/or torque difference between the output shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Tomas Smetana
  • Publication number: 20160352182
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric motor and a method for assembling the motor. Especially preferred is that the electric motor is for driving an antiroll stabilizer. The electric motor includes firstly a stator having at least one electromagnet and a rotor which can rotate about an axis relative to the stator. The electric motor also includes at least one bearing plate for receiving a bearing for rotatable mounting of the rotor. Disposed on the bearing plate is a retainer disc for retaining contacts. The contacts are for electrical connection of the at least one electromagnet of the stator and pass through the retainer disc. Fastening elements are used to fasten the retainer disc to the bearing plate. There is also a positioning arrangement for radial positioning of the retainer disc with respect to the bearing plate. According to the invention the positioning arrangement is designed for adjustable radial positioning of the retainer disc with respect to the bearing plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Tomas Smetana, Kathrin Rosenkranz, Martin Brautigam
  • Patent number: 9441717
    Abstract: An axle drive system includes a first dynamoelectric drive motor having a first rotor shaft radially mounted on a housing at two bearing points; a superimposing transmission and a power divider having a first power divider shaft driving a first output shaft, and having a second power divider shaft driving a second output shaft; the power divider shafts, the output shafts and the first rotor shaft rotationally mounted about a common axis of rotation oriented transversely to the direction of travel. A transmission input shaft is connected to the first rotor shaft for co-rotation therewith; at one end facing the first rotor shaft, the transmission input shaft is radially mounted on the housing at a further bearing point; the first rotor shaft and the transmission input shaft are intercoupled axially displaceably; the first and the second output shafts are each mounted relative to the housing by a radial bearing and relative to each other by another radial bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Tomas Smetana
  • Patent number: 9302580
    Abstract: A drive device for a vehicle is provided having an electric motor for generating a drive torque for the vehicle having a reduction gear section; the reduction gear section being operatively connected to the electric motor and reducing the drive torque; having a power divider section operatively connected to the reduction gear section; the power divider section distributing the reduced drive torque to the two output shafts; the power divider section and the reduction gear section being configured coaxially to a main transmission axis; and the power divider section being configured as a planetary gear set, a planetary drive being associated with each of the output shafts; the planetary gears of the two planetary drives being configured on a common planetary-gear carrier in a common pitch-circle diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Tomas Smetana
  • Patent number: 9249878
    Abstract: A shifting device including at least one coupling device, a shaft, a sliding sleeve-of the coupling device which is arranged in an axially moveable and rotationally fixed manner on the shaft and an actuator arrangement of the coupling device for axially moving the sliding sleeve. At least one coupling toothing is associated with the coupling element which can rotate about a rotational axis with respect to the shaft and a counter toothing corresponding to the coupling toothing is associated with the sliding sleeve in a rotationally fixed manner. At least one annular actuator element of the actuator arrangement surrounds the periphery of the sliding sleeve about the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Tomas Smetana
  • Publication number: 20160003337
    Abstract: A flexible drive concept for a vehicle is provided. As a result, the claimed drive device includes a shifting device which can shift a transmission gear and an intermediate gear into different shifting states such that a second motor can be selectively used in two gears as a drive motor or alternatively as a torque vectoring motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventor: Tomas SMETANA
  • Publication number: 20150375611
    Abstract: A drive device which can use a hybrid drive as well as a torque distribution using the same electric motor and which can also have a simple structure. The drive device (1) can be coupled or is coupled to a first and a second motor (6, 7), the second motor (7) can be used in accordance with the shift state of a shifting device (13) for a drive or for an active torque distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Tomas Smetana, Philip Wurzberger