Patents by Inventor Volker Middlemann

Volker Middlemann 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).

  • Hydrokinetic torque converter and lockup clutch therefor
    Patent number: 6408999
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter is provided with a lockup clutch wherein the piston and other constituents of the lockup clutch are adequately cooled during each stage of operation of the torque converter and its clutch. The piston of the lockup clutch and/or the component which cooperates with the piston to transmit torque from the housing directly to the turbine of the torque converter is provided with a friction lining which establishes a portion of the path for the flow of fluid coolant between the fluid-filled compartments at opposite sides of the piston. The rate of fluid flow between the compartments is regulated by one or more adjustable valves which are carried by the housing of the torque converter and/or by the piston of the lockup clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Luk Getriebe-Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Otto, Volker Middlemann
  • Hydrokinetic torque converter and lockup clutch therefor
    Publication number: 20010045333
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter is provided with a lockup clutch wherein the piston and other constituents of the lockup clutch are adequately cooled during each stage of operation of the torque converter and its clutch. The piston of the lockup clutch and/or the component which cooperates with the piston to transmit torque from the housing directly to the turbine of the torque converter is provided with a friction lining which establishes a portion of the path for the flow of fluid coolant between the fluid-filled compartments at opposite sides of the piston. The rate of fluid flow between the compartments is regulated by one or more adjustable valves which are carried by the housing of the torque converter and/or by the piston of the lockup clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Applicant: LUK Getriebe-Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Otto, Volker Middlemann
  • Hydrokinetic torque converter and lockup clutch therefor
    Patent number: 6273228
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter is provided with a lockup clutch wherein the piston and other constituents of the lockup clutch are adequately cooled during each stage of operation of the torque converter and its clutch. The piston of the lockup clutch and/or the component which cooperates with the piston to transmit torque from the housing directly to the turbine of the torque converter is provided with a friction lining which establishes a portion of the path for the flow of fluid coolant between the fluid-filled compartments at opposite sides of the piston. The rate of fluid flow between the compartments is regulated by one or more adjustable valves which are carried by the housing of the torque converter and/or by the piston of the lockup clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: LuK Getribe-Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Otto, Volker Middlemann
  • Hydrokinetic torque converter and lockup clutch therefor
    Patent number: 6062358
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter is provided with a lockup clutch wherein the piston and other constituents of the lockup clutch are adequately cooled during each stage of operation of the torque converter and its clutch. The piston of the lockup clutch and/or the component which cooperates with the piston to transmit torque from the housing directly to the turbine of the torque converter is provided with a friction lining which establishes a portion of the path for the flow of fluid coolant between the fluid-filled compartments at opposite sides of the piston. The rate of fluid flow between the compartments is regulated by one or more adjustable valves which are carried by the housing of the torque converter and/or by the piston of the lockup clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: LuK Getriebe-Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Otto, Volker Middlemann
  • Hydrokinetic torque converter and lockup clutch therefor
    Patent number: 5782327
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter is provided with a lockup clutch wherein the piston and other constituents of the lockup clutch are adequately cooled during each stage of operation of the torque converter and its clutch. The piston of the lockup clutch and/or the component which cooperates with the piston to transmit torque from the housing directly to the turbine of the torque converter is provided with a friction lining which establishes a portion of the path for the flow of fluid coolant between the fluid-filled compartments at opposite sides of the piston. The rate of fluid flow between the compartments is regulated by one or more adjustable valves which are carried by the housing of the torque converter and/or by the piston of the lockup clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Luk Getriebe-Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Otto, Volker Middlemann