Patents by Inventor Wilhelm Walter

Wilhelm Walter 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: 9850954
    Abstract: A bearing arrangement for a wheel hub of a motor vehicle, which wheel hub can be driven by a rotary joint. In the bearing arrangement, the wheel hub, which is connected to a wheel flange, and the rotary joint, which is connected to a drive shaft, are connected for conjoint rotation to one another and to a double-row rolling element bearing mounted on the wheel hub, the rolling element bearing having at least one separate inner bearing ring which is arranged axially outward, points towards the rotary joint, and which is axially pretensioned by a collar of the wheel hub impinging on an end face of the inner bearing ring. A sealing ring made of sheet metal rests on the inner bearing ring, and includes a sealing element that rests sealingly on the rotary joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alexander Happ, Wilhelm Walter
  • Patent number: 9746032
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement (14a) on an axial roller bearing (10) which includes two race rings (12, 13) with rolling elements (4) guided therebetween, the sealing arrangement (14a) sealing off a rolling element chamber (16) of the axial roller bearing (10). The sealing arrangement (14a) has, as reinforcement, a rotationally symmetrical reinforcing sleeve (15a) that externally encloses both race rings (12, 13), the sealing arrangement (14a) being fixed in position by at least one securing section (20a), and some sections of the reinforcing sleeve (15) being covered by or connected to an elastic sealing material (17), in a connected manner, in sealing sections (19a, 19b) of said sealing arrangement (14a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Alexander Happ, Wilhelm Walter
  • Patent number: 9689431
    Abstract: A seal arrangement (1) of an anti-friction bearing, which seal arrangement (1) is inserted between a first bearing part (2) and a second bearing part (4). The seal arrangement includes a seal (6) which is positioned on the rotationally fixed first bearing part by a support element (15) which is enclosed at least on one side by an elastic seal material (16), and which seal (6) includes at least one sealing lip (25, 26). A thrower ring (7), forming a collection chamber (13), of the seal arrangement is assigned to the second rotatable bearing part. To this end, a cylindrical portion (9) of the thrower ring is snapped in an end-side circumferential groove (11) by a flange (5) of the second rotatable bearing part. A radial leg (12) of the thrower ring extends such that it maintains a sealing gap (14) to the seat. Moreover, the seal of the seal arrangement includes elastic sealing lips which are supported on the second bearing part such that they are offset with respect to the thrower ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wilhelm Walter, Erwin Hartmann, Alexander Happ
  • Publication number: 20170082146
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bearing arrangement (1) for a wheel hub (3) of a motor vehicle, which wheel hub can be driven by a rotary joint (2). In the bearing arrangement, the wheel hub (3), which is connected to a wheel flange (4), and the rotary joint (2), which is connected to a drive shaft, are connected for conjoint rotation to one another and to a double-row rolling element bearing (5) mounted on the wheel hub (3), the rolling element bearing having at least one separate inner bearing ring (6) which is arranged axially outward, points towards the rotary joint (2), and which is axially pretensioned by a collar (7) of the wheel hub (3) impinging on an end face of the inner bearing ring (6), wherein a sealing ring (8) made of sheet metal rests on the inner bearing ring (6), wherein the sealing ring (8) includes a sealing element (9) that rests sealingly on the rotary joint (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alexander Happ, Wilhelm Walter
  • Patent number: 9545822
    Abstract: In summary, provided is a wheel bearing unit having a cover element which can be used as a pre-seal to a main seal and encloses the fastening elements of the wheel flange. The outstanding sealing effect has been favored in the past, however a disadvantage in terms of assembly and dismantling is produced which the invention seeks to eliminate. Therefore one or more openings are provided which are formed in the cover. The opening or openings enable the simple dismantling or assembly of the fastening elements on the wheel flange and can advantageously also be closed, such that both the sealing effect and an easy dismantling or assembly are possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Techologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alexander Happ, Wilhelm Walter
  • Patent number: 9440489
    Abstract: A cassette seal includes a first and a second ring, wherein the axial sections and the radial sections of the first and second ring are aligned approximately parallel to one another, forming an interior in which a sealing arrangement arranged on the first ring engages in the direction of the second ring and a gap is formed between the radial section of the first ring and the axial section of the second ring. A fixed additional element extends on the side of the axial section of the second ring facing away from the interior, and the rises in the direction of the radial section of the first ring above the axial section of the second ring with a protrusion. The protrusion has a downward slope in the direction of the second ring, to form the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alexander Haepp, Wilhelm Walter
  • Publication number: 20160193873
    Abstract: In summary, provided is a wheel bearing unit having a cover element which can be used as a pre-seal to a main seal and encloses the fastening elements of the wheel flange. The outstanding sealing effect has been favored in the past, however a disadvantage in terms of assembly and dismantling is produced which the invention seeks to eliminate. Therefore one or more openings are provided which are formed in the cover. The opening or openings enable the simple dismantling or assembly of the fastening elements on the wheel flange and can advantageously also be closed, such that both the sealing effect and an easy dismantling or assembly are possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Alexander Happ, Wilhelm Walter
  • Publication number: 20160186815
    Abstract: A seal arrangement (1) of an anti-friction bearing, which seal arrangement (1) is inserted between a first bearing part (2) and a second bearing part (4). The seal arrangement includes a seal (6) which is positioned on the rotationally fixed first bearing part by a support element (15) which is enclosed at least on one side by an elastic seal material (16), and which seal (6) includes at least one sealing lip (25, 26). A thrower ring (7), forming a collection chamber (13), of the seal arrangement is assigned to the second rotatable bearing part. To this end, a cylindrical portion (9) of the thrower ring is snapped in an end-side circumferential groove (11) by a flange (5) of the second rotatable bearing part. A radial leg (12) of the thrower ring extends such that it maintains a sealing gap (14) to the seat Moreover, the seal of the seal arrangement includes elastic sealing lips which are supported on the second bearing part such that they are offset with respect to the thrower ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wilhelm Walter, Erwin Hartmann, Alexander Happ
  • Publication number: 20150377298
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement (14a) on an axial roller bearing (10) which includes two race rings (12, 13) with rolling elements (4) guided therebetween, the sealing arrangement (14a) sealing off a rolling element chamber (16) of the axial roller bearing (10). The sealing arrangement (14a) has, as reinforcement, a rotationally symmetrical reinforcing sleeve (15a) that externally encloses both race rings (12, 13), the sealing arrangement (14a) being fixed in position by at least one securing section (20a), and some sections of the reinforcing sleeve (15) being covered by or connected to an elastic sealing material (17), in a connected manner, in sealing sections (19a, 19b) of said sealing arrangement (14a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alexander HÄPP, Wilhelm WALTER
  • Patent number: 8979385
    Abstract: A seal assembly for sealing a radial rolling contact bearing, having a first sealing ring and a second sealing ring, wherein the two sealing rings can be rotated relative to each other about a common axis of rotation and together form a labyrinth seal, wherein a sealing gap of the labyrinth seal that extends substantially radially with respect to the axis of rotation is covered radially by an axial projection of the second sealing ring, and the sealing gap at the axial projection opens axially into a first catch channel of the first sealing ring. A hub of the radial rolling contact bearing forms the second sealing ring. Therefore, the second sealing ring is integrated into the hub flange, which means that the hub flange performs the function of the second sealing ring and to some extent helps to form the labyrinth seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alexander Haepp, Wilhelm Walter
  • Publication number: 20150014935
    Abstract: A cassette seal includes a first and a second ring, wherein the axial sections and the radial sections of the first and second ring are aligned approximately parallel to one another, forming an interior in which a sealing arrangement arranged on the first ring engages in the direction of the second ring and a gap is formed between the radial section of the first ring and the axial section of the second ring. A fixed additional element extends on the side of the axial section of the second ring facing away from the interior, and the rises in the direction of the radial section of the first ring above the axial section of the second ring with a protrusion. The protrusion has a downward slope in the direction of the second ring, to form the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alexander Haepp, Wilhelm Walter
  • Patent number: 8696211
    Abstract: A compact cassette seal and a corresponding wheel hearing for a passenger car or truck. The cassette seal has a bent sheet-metal ring which is and/or can be non-rotatably connected to a radially inner component and an annular sealing system which is non-rotatably connected to a radially outer component. The sealing system has a bearing ring and a radially peripheral seal with at least one sealing lip. The seal is secured to the bearing ring and the sealing lips resting on the bent sheet-metal ring in a sealing manner. A radially outer ring end section of the sealing system defines a labyrinth seal with a bent sheet-metal section of the bent sheet-metal ring. The bent sheet-metal section radially overlaps the ring end section on the exterior thereby forming an axially aligned or substantially axially aligned labyrinth seal section of the labyrinth seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alexander Haepp, Robert Heuberger, Marc-Andre Schaefer, Wilhelm Walter
  • Publication number: 20140003753
    Abstract: A seal assembly for sealing a radial rolling contact bearing, having a first sealing ring and a second sealing ring, wherein the two sealing rings can be rotated relative to each other about a common axis of rotation and together form a labyrinth seal, wherein a sealing gap of the labyrinth seal that extends substantially radially with respect to the axis of rotation is covered radially by an axial projection of the second sealing ring, and the sealing gap at the axial projection opens axially into a first catch channel of the first sealing ring. A hub of the radial rolling contact bearing forms the second sealing ring. Therefore, the second sealing ring is integrated into the hub flange, which means that the hub flange performs the function of the second sealing ring and to some extent helps to form the labyrinth seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alexander Haepp, Wilhelm Walter
  • Patent number: 8500338
    Abstract: A steering knuckle, which is provided for receiving an outer ring of a wheel bearing, and a wheel bearing arrangement with such a steering knuckle. The sealing arrangements of the wheel bearing has a pre-seal, which is designed as a labyrinth seal to provide sealing for an appropriate gap geometry. To this end, the steering knuckle has a collecting channel, which captures liquids and dirt particles and discharges them at the periphery. The hearing seal can be changed by this measure, so that savings are possible with a minimum of sealing action of the conventional sealing arrangement and with greatly reduced friction torque. Overall, the sealing action, which is now achieved by the bearing seal and the pre-seal together, is increased or remains at least at the same level while manufacturing costs are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wilhelm Walter, Erwin Hartmann
  • Publication number: 20130127119
    Abstract: A sealing assembly for sealing a rolling bearing, between a first and a second bearing part, where the two bearing parts are rotatable relative to each other and form therebetween both an axial space and a radial space. The sealing assembly includes: A contact member having a mounting section for attachment and a ring-shaped contact section for positioning the contact member on the second bearing part, and a carrier mountable to the first bearing part and has an elastic member forming a first axial sealing lip and/or a radial sealing lip. The contact member and a radially extending portion of the second bearing part together form a first collecting channel, and that an opening leading into the first collecting channel should be at least partially defined by an end section of the contact member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alexander Haepp, Wilhelm Walter
  • Publication number: 20120207417
    Abstract: A sealing ring for sealing a rolling chamber of a rolling bearing, which has a supporting part that is fixed to a first bearing part and retains an elastic part. The sealing ring seals the roiling chamber by a radial or axial sealing lip on the elastic part. The sealing ring lies between the first bearing part and a second bearing part that is rotatable relative to the first bearing part or lies between the first bearing part and another component fixed to the second bearing part and moveable relative to the first bearing part. A ring of lubricant is applied, formed and retained by an annular groove in a sealing lip and by the second bearing part or by the component. The ring of lubricant can also be shaped so that the ring of lubricant closes a gap between the sealing lip and the second bearing part or the components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Wilhelm Walter, Erwin Hartmann
  • Patent number: 8240674
    Abstract: The invention relates to a seal with non-contact adjacent deflector rings, arranged concentrically to each other, about a common rotation axis, whereby, on a first deflector ring of the deflector rings, at least two axially-adjacent radial lips are embodied an said radial lips are embodied such as not to come into contact with a second deflector ring of the deflector rings and an annular hollow cavity is embodied between two axially-adjacent radial lips and the second deflector ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Erwin Hartmann, Wilhelm Walter
  • Patent number: 8152381
    Abstract: A rolling bearing which has a sealing arrangement and a sensor component, particularly an encoder, which is fitted with a mounting flange. The rolling bearing further has an inner ring and an outer ring between which rolling members are arranged. The sealing arrangement is equipped with at least one sealing element between the inner ring and the outer ring. In order to provide a rolling bearing which can easily be retrofitted with a retrofit sensor, particularly a retrofit encoder, and is well protected against environmental influence, the sensor component that is fitted with the mounting flange is designed as a retrofit part, while at least one water discharge port is disposed in the region of the mounting flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Wilhelm Walter, Alexander Haepp, Erwin Hartmann
  • Patent number: 8042814
    Abstract: The seal for sealing off the bearing interior of a bearing has a first sealing lip angled outward from a base of the seal and forming a first sealing contact, and a second sealing lip angled inward from the base and forming a second sealing contact. An annular chamber is formed between the first sealing lip and the second sealing lip. The first sealing lip has at least one ventilation opening which leads into the chamber from the outside. The ventilation opening is positioned at the first sealing contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wilhelm Walter, Alexander Haepp, Bernhard Wilm
  • Patent number: 7997316
    Abstract: A seal arrangement for a tire pressure-regulating device for a motor vehicle, which provides a compressed-air supply to a tire of a vehicle through a hole in an inner ring of a rolling bearing of a wheel bearing, through a seal housing which is connected to a wheel hub in a rotationally fixed manner, and through the wheel hub itself. A flat seal is fixed on the inner ring of the rolling bearing and the radially outer end of the seal has a sealing lip which is directed towards the seal housing and bears against it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Wilhelm Walter, Robert Heuberger, Marc-Andre Schaefer