Patents by Inventor Volker Thoms

Volker Thoms 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: 8161620
    Abstract: In a cold rolling method for producing annular composite workpieces, at least two hollow cylindrical workpieces made of different materials are inserted into one another. The at least two hollow cylindrical workpieces are roll formed by pressing the at least two hollow cylindrical workpieces against each other between two diametrically opposed external roll forming tools and an internal rolling arbor or between two diametrically opposed external roll forming tools and an internal roll forming tool to form a composite workpiece. The composite workpiece is a bearing ring or a gear ring. One of the hollow cylindrical workpieces can be a nonferrous material such as aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Technische Universität Dresden
    Inventors: Thomas Ficker, Andrá Hardtmann, Mario Houska, Volker Thoms
  • Publication number: 20070261454
    Abstract: A method for producing a double-chamber hollow profile having chamber walls integrally joined to one another, in which a tubular hollow profile blank having a single hollow space is bent to form two branches which run at least virtually parallel to one another, and inserted into a internal high pressure forming tool to be expanded into a final shape by a high internal fluid pressure until the opposing walls of the branches bear against one another and the remaining walls bear against the recess cavity of the forming tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Applicant: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Volker Thoms
  • Publication number: 20070200391
    Abstract: In a method for producing a vehicle component, such as a chassis frame, which is equipped with spring strut mountings, elongate, tubular longitudinal member hollow profiles, which run parallel and are spaced apart from one another in the horizontal plane, are connected at the respective longitudinal member ends nonreleasably to one another by tubular cross member hollow profiles, to secure a crossbar for receiving a rear axle, a differential and a transverse link, and a crossbar, which is spaced apart in the longitudinal direction and is intended for the securing of a transmission between the two end-side cross member hollow profiles, on the longitudinal member hollow profiles, to form the size and shape of the cross section of the longitudinal member hollow profiles in an expanding manner by means of internal high pressure forming, to form body mountings of the frame by forming secondary shaped elements laterally from the longitudinal member hollow profile by means of exertion of a fluidic internal high pres
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicant: DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG
    Inventor: Volker Thoms
  • Publication number: 20070131341
    Abstract: A method for producing an elongate hollow member that includes a laterally protruding mounting component, the mounting component is formed from the hollow member. For this purpose the latter, at a point about a horizontal axis intersecting the central longitudinal axis of the hollow component at an angle of approximately 45°, is bent upwards or downwards at an angle of approximately 90°, such that the bent section projects transversely in relation to the longitudinal extent of the remainder of the component. The lateral projection of the bent section is then angled at an offset height in relation to the remainder of the component to form the mounting component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Applicant: DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG
    Inventor: Volker Thoms
  • Patent number: 6677050
    Abstract: A process for connecting at least two components, particularly body components of motor vehicles, wherein the first component has an undercut on a side facing the second component. In the area of the undercut, a connection piece is cast to the first component. The connection piece is designed such that, during its solidification, the connection piece is firmly connected with the first component by the contraction of a last-solidifying core area of the connection piece. Then the second component is mounted on the connection piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Franz Guetlbauer, Hartmut Hoffmann, Arno Jambor, Volker Thoms
  • Publication number: 20030085017
    Abstract: A process for connecting at least two components, particularly body components of motor vehicles, wherein the first component has an undercut on a side facing the second component. In the area of the undercut, a connection piece is cast to the first component. The connection piece is designed such that, during its solidification, the connection piece is firmly connected with the first component by the contraction of a last-solidifying core area of the connection piece. Then the second component is mounted on the connection piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Franz Guetlbauer, Hartmut Hoffmann, Arno Jambor, Volker Thoms
  • Patent number: 6513572
    Abstract: A process for connecting at least two components, particularly body components of motor vehicles, wherein the first component has an undercut on a side facing the second component. In the area of the undercut, a connection piece is cast to the first component. The connection piece is designed such that, during its solidification, the connection piece is firmly connected with the first component by the contraction of a last-solidifying core area of the connection piece. Then the second component is mounted on the connection piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Franz Guetlbauer, Hartmut Hoffmann, Arno Jambor, Volker Thoms
  • Patent number: 6401800
    Abstract: A device for continuous. casting of workpieces has a melting crucible, a filling device, and a forming tool provided with a temperature control system. The temperature control system of the forming tool is designed so that areas of the workpiece to be manufactured that have a greater wall thickness can be cooled to a greater degree and areas of the workpiece to be manufactured with a lesser wall thickness can be cooled to a lesser degree and/or heated. The solid-liquid interface of the workpiece is located in a plane that is at least approximately perpendicular to the vertical axis of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Franz Guetelbauer, Hartmut Hoffmann, Andreas Poellmann, Volker Thoms
  • Patent number: 6390724
    Abstract: A connecting element for connecting two adjacent profiled rods, whose longitudinal axes enclose an angle &agr;, is to be further developed such that its production is simplified with respect to different angles &agr;.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Volker Thoms, Willi Wurl
  • Patent number: 6364973
    Abstract: The invention relates to drawn pieces made of steel plate, particularly for motor vehicles bodies, and to a process for manufacturing such drawn pieces. In order to be able to manufacture drawn pieces with a high piece strength but of a low weight and with a low susceptibility to denting in a simple manner, according to the invention, a spring steel plate which is already hardened in the initial state, particularly bainitized—for example, CK60 or C63 or 67SiCr5—is used during the drawing of the vehicle body parts. The yield point of the heat-treated plate bar material is approximately in the range of from 800 to 1,800 N/mm2; the tensile strength is above that. Because of these strength values, plate bars of a plate thickness of approximately 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm can be used, whereby approximately 20 to 60% of the previous piece weight can be saved. The drawn piece according to the invention is therefore a definite lightweight part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Roland Golle, Hartmut Hoffmann, Volker Thoms
  • Publication number: 20020007928
    Abstract: A process for connecting at least two components, particularly body components of motor vehicles, wherein the first component has an undercut on a side facing the second component. In the area of the undercut, a connection piece is cast to the first component. The connection piece is designed such that, during its solidification, the connection piece is firmly connected with the first component by the contraction of a last-solidifying core area of the connection piece. Then the second component is mounted on the connection piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Applicant: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Franz Guetlbauer, Hartmut Hoffmann, Arno Jambor, Volker Thoms
  • Patent number: 6328092
    Abstract: A process for connecting at least two components, particularly body components of motor vehicles, wherein the first component has an undercut on a side facing the second component. In the area of the undercut, a connection piece is cast to the first component. The connection piece is designed such that, during its solidification, the connection piece is firmly connected with the first component by the contraction of a last-solidifying core area of the connection piece. Then the second component is mounted on the connection piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Franz Guetlbauer, Hartmut Hoffmann, Arno Jambor, Volker Thoms
  • Patent number: 6327827
    Abstract: A flat cast structural member, particularly a cast metal part or a cast plastic part wherein the surface of the structural member is covered by a thin metal sheet or a plastic layer. An adhesive or coupling layer is provided between the thin metal sheet or plastic layer, whereby under the influence of heat, the adhesive or coupling layer absorbs any surface unevenness or irregularities on the structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Heinrich Flegel, Wolfgang Fussnegger, Martin Klamser, Stefan Lotz, Bruno Moeltgen, Volker Thoms
  • Patent number: 6190595
    Abstract: Extrusion arrangement for manufacturing bent workpieces, having an extrusion die which is guided in an extrusion chamber and compresses material situated in the extrusion chamber and presses it through a bottom die arranged on a head-side end of the extrusion chamber. At least two further bottom die elements are arranged behind the bottom die in a parallel adjoining manner and are displaceably and rotatably disposed such that their successive passage openings form an extrusion duct of a variable curvature and twisting. For producing hollow profiles, an arbor is provided in the interior of the extrusion chamber, whose extension extending through the outlet opening of the bottom die and into the passage openings of the bottom die elements consists of a plurality of segments which are movably connected with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Volker Thoms, Andreas Poellmann, Klaus Mueller
  • Patent number: 6186579
    Abstract: A body shell part for a motor vehicle body having a profile edge that is form-lockingly embedded in an elastic edge profile. The elastic edge profile has an elastically bendable detent nose profile arrangement which is form-lockingly locked onto an adjacent circumferential edge of the structural vehicle body part. A detachable securing arrangement is assigned to the detent nose profile arrangement for blocking the elastically bendable detent nose profile arrangement in its operating position reaching over the circumferential edge of the structural vehicle body part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Fussnegger, Volker Thoms
  • Patent number: 6122812
    Abstract: A rigid connection of structural parts of a motor vehicle and a tool and for establishing the connection are provided. The two structural parts to be connected are designed as oblong hollow bodies with one structural part having axially spaced radial cross-sectional reductions along the length of the connection in which the other structural part is held on it while forming a releasable plug-type connection and in that the first structural part--starting from the plug-in position. Because of the expansion between the plug-type connection points, during an internal high-pressure deforming, the parts are locked in a form-fitting manner. The interim structural part, in contrast to the other structural part, being constructed to be more easily plastically deformable under high pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Volker Thoms
  • Patent number: 6116074
    Abstract: An extrusion arrangement is disclosed for manufacturing hollow-profile workpieces made of metal, including an extrusion die which is guided in an extrusion chamber and compresses material situated in the extrusion chamber. For forming an extruded hollow profile, the extrusion die presses the material through a bottom die arranged on a head-side end of the extrusion chamber, a forming of the extruded hollow profile taking place by means of internal high pressure during the emerging from the bottom die. Advantageously, a plurality of forming tools are provided which can be alternately arranged adjoining the outlet opening of the bottom die for receiving an extruded hollow profile and its forming, and, for cooling and releasing the formed extruded profile, the tools can be removed from the bottom die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Volker Thoms, Andreas Poellmann, Klaus Mueller
  • Patent number: 6098262
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a hollow body made of two mutually welded together metal bars which are flatly disposed on one another. Within an internal high-pressure forming tool in a closed position, the metal bars are widened by introducing a pressure fluid under a high pressure into the parting line existing between the metal bars, until they are placed on the die sinking of the forming tool defining the final contour while forming the hollow body. The metal bar composite is trimmed by a cutting operation, and the pressure fluid inlet area of the metal bar composite is cut off after the widening has taken place. In order to reliably manufacture a flangeless hollow body in a simple manner from two metal bars, the metal bars are seam-welded before entering into the forming tool, and the resulting metal bar composite is then trimmed by a beam welding process in the weld seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Volker Thoms, Andreas Poellmann
  • Patent number: 6092287
    Abstract: A rigid connection of structural parts of a motor vehicle and a tool and for establishing the connection are provided. The structural parts are fixed together after a coating during their assembly to one another in a simple, joined and effective manner without plastically deforming the respective exterior structural part and damaging the coating in the process and therefore visually impairing the visible side of the structural parts. The two structural parts to be connected are designed as oblong hollow bodies with one structural part having axially spaced radial cross-sectional reductions along the length of the connection in which the other structural part is held on it while forming a releasable plug-type connection and in that the first structural part--starting from the plug-in position. Because of the expansion between the plug-type connection points, during an internal high-pressure deforming, the parts are locked in a form-fitting manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Volker Thoms
  • Patent number: 5927129
    Abstract: A process and an extrusion arrangement are suggested for cutting extruded hollow profiles while heated from the extruding process heat into the required lengths by means of a high-energy beam or jet moved along with the extruding operation. The interior of the extruded hollow profile is filled with a light-weight material at least at the cutting points. The light-weight material is advantageously an expansive foam mass, such as an aluminum foam or a plastic foam. The filling of the extruded hollow profile takes place either by coextrusion or by way of an arbor or a hollow-chamber bottom die of the extrusion arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Volker Thoms, Andreas Poellmann, Klaus Mueller, Udo Bahrke