Patents by Inventor Wolfgang Christgen

Wolfgang Christgen 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: 10738884
    Abstract: A hydraulic switching assembly for a motor vehicle, having a hydraulic pump (1) which guides a hydraulic medium from a reservoir (2) via hydraulic lines (3) and at least one magnetic valve assembly (4) including a magnetically actuatable switching valve (5), to a switching element (6) in order to hydraulically actuate the switching element (6) between two switching positions. A pressure accumulator (7) and a first check valve (8a) are mounted in a supply line (3a) upstream of the switching valve (5) in order to realize a reliable temporary supply of oil pressure to the switching element (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Max Schafer, Wolfgang Christgen, Volker Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10619526
    Abstract: A variable valve train (1) of a combustion engine for applying a load on two equally acting gas exchange valves (2, 3) for each cylinder of the combustion engine is provided, including a switchable valve train element (4, 5) with an outer part and an inner part ((6, 7), (8, 9)) that can move relative to each other allocated to each of the two gas exchange valves (2, 3). The outer and inner parts ((6, 7), (8, 9)) are selectively connectable to each other by an associated coupling slide mechanism (10, 11). The valve train (1) further includes a control shaft (12), on which a control cam (13, 14) is applied for each coupling slide mechanism (10, 11), and the control cams contact an outer end face (15, 16) of the respective coupling slide mechanisms (10, 11) for displacement thereof in one direction, and the two control cams (13, 14) can rotate separately from each other on the common control shaft (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Christgen, Volker Schmidt, Matthias Becker
  • Publication number: 20200025043
    Abstract: A module of a variable valve drive of an internal combustion engine is proposed that includes a push rod mounted longitudinally in a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine. The push rod is actuated by a linear actuator that includes an armature that makes contact, at least indirectly with the push rod, to displace it in a first longitudinal direction. A switchable rocker arm with a coupling slide arranged transversely to a longitudinal extent or side of the rocker arm corresponds to an actuating finger that extends from the push rod. The coupling slide includes a slide part that projects laterally from the rocker arm and can be acted upon by a free end of the actuating finger. Kinetic energy of the push rod is dissipated or converted at least partially via a separate damper in the first longitudinal direction before it reaches a final position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Volker Schmidt, Wolfgang Christgen
  • Publication number: 20190003587
    Abstract: A hydraulic switching assembly for a motor vehicle, having a hydraulic pump (1) which guides a hydraulic medium from a reservoir (2) via hydraulic lines (3) and at least one magnetic valve assembly (4) including a magnetically actuatable switching valve (5), to a switching element (6) in order to hydraulically actuate the switching element (6) between two switching positions. A pressure accumulator (7) and a first check valve (8a) are mounted in a supply line (3a) upstream of the switching valve (5) in order to realize a reliable temporary supply of oil pressure to the switching element (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Max Schafer, Wolfgang Christgen, Volker Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20180363517
    Abstract: A variable valve train (1) of a combustion engine for applying a load on two equally acting gas exchange valves (2, 3) for each cylinder of the combustion engine is provided, including a switchable valve train element (4, 5) with an outer part and an inner part ((6, 7), (8, 9)) that can move relative to each other allocated to each of the two gas exchange valves (2, 3). The outer and inner parts ((6, 7), (8, 9)) are selectively connectable to each other by an associated coupling slide mechanism (10, 11). The valve train (1) further includes a control shaft (12), on which a control cam (13, 14) is applied for each coupling slide mechanism (10, 11), and the control cams contact an outer end face (15, 16) of the respective coupling slide mechanisms (10, 11) for displacement thereof in one direction, and the two control cams (13, 14) can rotate separately from each other on the common control shaft (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Christgen, Volker Schmidt, Matthias Becker
  • Patent number: 10066517
    Abstract: A double-flow hydraulic support element for a switchable finger lever of a valve train of an internal combustion engine is provided. A piston is arranged in an axial bore of the housing of the support element in an axially movable manner, and the piston includes a hollow cylindrical pressure part and a cup-shaped working part. A head of the pressure part is used as a support for the finger lever and projects beyond the housing edge, and an opening for the flow of a hydraulic medium is formed in the end face of the head. The housing has a first passage and a second passage axially spaced from the first passage for the hydraulic medium. The support element has a hydraulic play compensation device with a ball non-return valve for the finger lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jurgen Kretschmer, Peter Sailer, Wolfgang Christgen, Michael Kugler, Jochen Tovar, Max Schafer
  • Publication number: 20180187576
    Abstract: A double-flow hydraulic support element for a switchable finger lever of a valve train of an internal combustion engine is provided. A piston is arranged in an axial bore of the housing of the support element in an axially movable manner, and the piston includes a hollow cylindrical pressure part and a cup-shaped working part. A head of the pressure part is used as a support for the finger lever and projects beyond the housing edge, and an opening for the flow of a hydraulic medium is formed in the end face of the head. The housing has a first passage and a second passage axially spaced from the first passage for the hydraulic medium. The support element has a hydraulic play compensation device with a ball non-return valve for the finger lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jurgen Kretschmer, Peter Sailer, Wolfgang Christgen, Michael Kugler, Jochen Tovar, Max Schafer
  • Patent number: 9512742
    Abstract: A method for mounting a valve train (1) of an internal combustion engine, having, parallel to a row of cam followers (2), a camshaft (13) which has a cam (15) per cam follower (2), which cam (15) acts on the roller (10) of said cam follower (2), which camshaft (13) is supported with respect to the cylinder head (3) via an axial bearing (14), wherein a) the cam followers (2) are provided presorted into two main groups (A, B); b) the two mounts (11) of each cam follower (2) of the first main group (A) run with offset in relation to the longitudinal extent of the cam follower (2) in the side surfaces (12) with respect to one another in such a way that an axial line of the pin (9) differs in the clockwise direction from perpendicular; c) the offset of the second main group (B) differs in the counterclockwise direction from perpendicular, and d) a partial quantity of the first and second main group (A, B) are selected and mounted for each row of cam followers (2) in order to minimize/compensate for an axial thrust
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Christgen, Volker Schmidt, Michael Schober
  • Patent number: 9447707
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic support element for valve drive of a combustion engine, with a pot cylindrical casing and a hollow cylindrical piston guided axially movably therein, the inner end of which is supported via a spring on the bottom wall of the casing, whose outer end projects past the outer margin of the casing and is formed as a hemispherical bearing head, and whose inner space is subdivided by means of a partition element into an axially inner supply-pressure space and an axially outer switching-pressure space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Kretschmer, Peter Sailer, Wolfgang Christgen, Matthew Evans, David Kehr, Chad Lee
  • Publication number: 20160102583
    Abstract: A method for mounting a valve train (1) of an internal combustion engine, having, parallel to a row of cam followers (2), a camshaft (13) which has a cam (15) per cam follower (2), which cam (15) acts on the roller (10) of said cam follower (2), which camshaft (13) is supported with respect to the cylinder head (3) via an axial bearing (14), wherein a) the cam followers (2) are provided presorted into two main groups (A, B); b) the two mounts (11) of each cam follower (2) of the first main group (A) run with offset in relation to the longitudinal extent of the cam follower (2) in the side surfaces (12) with respect to one another in such a way that an axial line of the pin (9) differs in the clockwise direction from perpendicular; c) the offset of the second main group (B) differs in the counterclockwise direction from perpendicular, and d) a partial quantity of the first and second main group (A, B) are selected and mounted for each row of cam followers (2) in order to minimize/compensate for an axial thrust
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Christgen, Volker Schmidt, Michael Schober
  • Publication number: 20150330269
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic support element for valve drive of a combustion engine, with a pot cylindrical casing and a hollow cylindrical piston guided axially movably therein, the inner end of which is supported via a spring on the bottom wall of the casing, whose outer end projects past the outer margin of the casing and is formed as a hemispherical bearing head, and whose inner space is subdivided by means of a partition element into an axially inner supply-pressure space and an axially outer switching-pressure space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Kretschmer, Peter Sailer, Wolfgang Christgen, Matthew Evans, David Kehr, Chad Lee
  • Patent number: 9004023
    Abstract: A variable lift valve train for an internal combustion engine, including a pivoted lever with a transmission surface on one end, a counter running surface in a central region and, on a further end, a support element and a contact element, the transmission surface has a zero lift path and, adjoining the zero lift path in lever pivoting direction, a lift path, the transmission surface being in contact with a valve opener, the counter running surface being loaded by at least one lift cam, the support element being guided on a lever guide section, the contact element, for adjusting a valve lift being loaded by an adjusting device in direction of the lever guide section, and the valve train including directly in a region of the pivoted lever, an effective and optionally additionally actuable element for creating an additional valve lift during a base circle phase of the lift cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Christgen, Michael Schober
  • Patent number: 8869764
    Abstract: In a valve drive for an internal combustion engine, with a rocker arm (40) being arranged in its cylinder head pivotal by the cams of a camshaft and supported with one end at the valve shaft of a charge-cycle valve, while comprising at its other end a ball scraper (46), resting on the spherical end section (44) of a support element (42) embodied as a hydraulic valve clearance compensation element, a groove-shaped ventilation channel (57) is arranged according to the invention in the contact area between the ball scraper (46) of the rocker arm (40) and the spherical end section (44) of the support element (42) by which the oil reservoir (54) of the support element (42) is open towards the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Juergen Kretschmer, Wolfgang Christgen, Melanie Stark
  • Patent number: 8813705
    Abstract: A hydraulic support element having a housing, a pressure piston, a high pressure chamber for a hydraulic means extending between a bottom face of the pressure piston and a bottom of the housing, wherein the housing includes a passage for the hydraulic means, which communicates radially inwardly with an aperture in the pressure piston, wherein the pressure piston includes a deflecting sheath for the hydraulic means, tightly contacting the pressure piston at the interior jacket axially below the aperture and extending to the proximity of a head of the pressure piston, wherein a rising line for the hydraulic means is formed between the deflecting sheath and the interior jacket, which starts at the aperture and leads in the area of the head into a reservoir inside the deflecting sheath directly in front of the return valve and with the deflecting sheath having at least one perforation axially above its contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Christgen, Juergen Kretschmer, Melanie Stark
  • Patent number: 8776750
    Abstract: An assembly for a valve train of an internal combustion engine, which has a hydraulic support element and a cam follower resting on one end via a bearing surface located on the bottom side thereof on a complimentary end side of a pressure piston of the support element. The piston extends across the outer shell in a bore of a crucible-shaped housing of the support element. The housing has an opening for hydraulic fluid, which is conductible via a channel between the housing and piston through a passage in the pressure piston to a storage chamber. In a section of a direct contact region between the bearing surface of the cam follower and end side of the piston, an anti-turn mechanism for the piston in relation to the cam follower is implemented. The piston is installed in a defined manner and is torsionally oriented in relation to the cam follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Christgen, Frank Himsel, Junichi Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 8739750
    Abstract: A mechanical bucket tappet (1) for a valve driver of an internal combustion engine having a hollow cylinder-shaped wall (2) which is delimited at one frontal area (3) by a disk-like bottom (4) whose top side (5) is provided as a cam stop face and which comprises a central, funnel-like recess (6), wherein a dome-like one-piece catch (8) aligned with the recess (6) projects from a lower side (7) of the bottom (4), the underside (9) of said catch being used for putting on a valve stem and wherein the funnel-like recess (6) is sealed near or at the top side (5) of the bottom (4), so that the bottom (4) comprises a central encasement (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Geers, Wolfgang Christgen, Manfred Straetz
  • Patent number: 8689754
    Abstract: An assembly for a valve drive of an internal combustion engine, which has a hydraulic support element and a cam follower connected by way of a clamp. The follower rests on one end via a cap on a spherical head of a pressure piston of the support element. The piston extends in a bore of a housing of the support element. The clamp flanks the cap with holding strips along the sides. The inner sides run in a guide zone on the outer shell of the piston. The housing has an opening for hydraulic fluid that can be conducted between the housing and the piston through at least one passage in the piston to a storage chamber. The guide zone on the piston is also designed as an anti-rotation mechanism therefore. The piston is installed in a defined manner and is torsionally oriented in relation to the cam follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Christgen, Peter Sailer, Frank Himsel
  • Publication number: 20130306009
    Abstract: A valve train actuating device for an internal combustion engine including a lever-type cam follower and a hydraulic support element for supporting the cam follower is provided. The hydraulic support element includes at least one piston guided in a housing (1), the piston having at least one reservoir (3) for pressure medium for a hydraulic valve lash adjustment. The piston cooperates on a supporting head (2) projecting out of the housing (1) with a supporting region (4) of the cam follower, and a pressure medium inlet is configured on the supporting head (2) and on the supporting region (4) for supplying pressure medium to the reservoir (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Sailer, Wolfgang Christgen, Jurgen Kretschmer
  • Publication number: 20130247851
    Abstract: A variable lift valve train for an internal combustion engine, including a pivoted lever with a transmission surface on one end, a counter running surface in a central region and, on a further end, a support element and a contact element, the transmission surface has a zero lift path and, adjoining the zero lift path in lever pivoting direction, a lift path, the transmission surface being in contact with a valve opener, the counter running surface being loaded by at least one lift cam, the support element being guided on a lever guide section, the contact element, for adjusting a valve lift being loaded by an adjusting device in direction of the lever guide section, and the valve train including directly in a region of the pivoted lever, an effective and optionally additionally actuable element for creating an additional valve lift during a base circle phase of the lift cam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Christgen, Michael Schober
  • Publication number: 20130025555
    Abstract: In a valve drive for an internal combustion engine, with a rocker arm (40) being arranged in its cylinder head pivotal by the cams of a camshaft and supported with one end at the valve shaft of a charge-cycle valve, while comprising at its other end a ball scraper (46), resting on the spherical end section (44) of a support element (42) embodied as a hydraulic valve clearance compensation element, a groove-shaped ventilation channel (57) is arranged according to the invention in the contact area between the ball scraper (46) of the rocker arm (40) and the spherical end section (44) of the support element (42) by which the oil reservoir (54) of the support element (42) is open towards the outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Juergen Kretschmer, Wolfgang Christgen, Melanie Stark