Christiane Bauer

Title: **Christiane Bauer: Innovator in Piston Ring Technologies**

Introduction

Christiane Bauer is a prominent inventor based in Burscheid, Germany, recognized for her significant contributions to sliding element technology, particularly in piston rings. With a total of eight patents to her name, she has established herself as a key figure in the field of engineering and innovation.

Latest Patents

Bauer's latest patents include an innovative design for a sliding element, specifically a piston ring. This pioneering approach features an outer circumferential running surface that lacks a nitriding layer and, preferentially, any surface hardening. Instead, it incorporates a Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) layer or a metal-based nitride layer, such as a chromium nitride (CrN) layer. The design also ensures that between the substrate and the DLC layer, there is at least one metal-containing intermediate layer, which is ideally a chromium layer. Additionally, the flanks of the piston ring are surface-hardened using a nitriding layer, enhancing durability.

Moreover, her method for producing piston rings involves a unique manufacturing process where the base body, made from cast iron or cast steel, receives at least one Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) layer. This layer is applied with a variable thickness, being thicker at the regions of the ring ends compared to the remaining parts. This design optimizes the radial pressure distribution during engine operation, ensuring a substantially uniform pressure at elevated temperatures.

Career Highlights

Throughout her career, Christiane Bauer has worked with notable companies, including Federal-Mogul Burscheid GmbH, where she furthered her expertise in piston ring development. Her role at Wilmington Trust, National Association, as a collateral trustee, contributed to her wide-ranging experience in both engineering and financial aspects of her innovations.

Collaborations

Bauer has collaborated with industry professionals such as Ralf Lammers and Manfred Fischer, sharing her knowledge and pushing the boundaries of innovation in engine components. These collaborations have been pivotal in refining her patented technologies.

Conclusion

With her cutting-edge innovations and robust patent portfolio, Christiane Bauer exemplifies the role of a modern inventor in the engineering landscape. Her advancements in piston ring technology illustrate her commitment to improving engine performance and durability, spotlighting her importance in the world of inventions.