Patents Examined by Aimee Tran Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11390268
    Abstract: A control device for a vehicle having: an engine; a torque converter having a lock-up clutch; an engagement element disposed downstream of the torque converter; a drive shaft disposed downstream of the engagement element; and an electric motor disposed downstream of the engagement element, and connected to the drive shaft includes a control portion adapted to: in a case where an electric travel mode in which the lock-up clutch and the engagement element are disengaged is switched to an engine travel mode in which the lock-up clutch is disengaged and the engagement element is engaged, decrease driving torque of the electric motor after engagement of the engagement element; and gradually decrease the driving torque of the electric motor while gradually increasing driving torque of the engine after the driving torque of the electric motor is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaharu Mochizuki, Yoshimasa Nishihiro, Takashi Enomoto
  • Patent number: 11384833
    Abstract: An automatic transmission comprising a control valve body adapted to control oil flow within the transmission, a torque converter having a torque converter clutch operable in one of an open and an applied condition, a first control circuit between the control valve body and the torque converter and a second control circuit between the control valve body and the torque converter, a first oil path that provides a fluid connection between the first control circuit and the torque converter, a second oil path that provides a fluid connection between the second control circuit and the torque converter, a third oil path that provides a fluid connection between the second control circuit and the torque converter clutch, and an orifice that provides a fluid connection between the second control circuit and the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Edward W. Mellet, Leonid Basin, Clinton E. Carey
  • Patent number: 11370406
    Abstract: A control system for operating a work vehicle powertrain includes an engine configured to generate power for an output shaft. The control system includes a transmission positioned operatively between the engine and the output shaft and configured to selectively transfer the power along a power flow path between the engine and the output shaft. The transmission includes an input shaft; at least one intermediate shaft; at least one directional clutch; and intermediate clutches configured for selective engagement to transfer power between the at least one intermediate shaft and the output shaft. A controller is configured to receive a vehicle stop request to stop the work vehicle; implement, upon receiving the vehicle stop request, a clutch braking function; and generate, upon the implementation of the clutch braking function, clutch commands to engage at least two of the intermediate clutches selected such that the output shaft is slowed and stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Runde, William J. Vande Haar, Benjamin E. Shores
  • Patent number: 11365793
    Abstract: A hybrid module configured for arrangement in a torque path upstream from a transmission and downstream from an internal combustion engine includes an electric motor including a rotor and a stator for driving the rotor, a torque converter downstream of the electric motor, and a rotor input clutch including a piston and at least one clutch plate. The piston is configured for being pressed in a first axial direction into the at least one clutch plate via a pressure increase of fluid in an apply chamber. The hybrid module also includes a compensation chamber assembly. The compensation chamber assembly and the piston define a compensation chamber radially offset from the apply chamber. The compensation chamber assembly is configured for applying a force on the piston in a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction via a pressure increase of fluid in the compensation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Kyle Nelson
  • Patent number: 11359706
    Abstract: A launch device having a front cover connectable to the output of a prime mover, an output hub connectable to the input of the transmission, an impeller driven in rotation with the front cover and a turbine fluidly coupled in rotation with the impeller. A damper includes an output member connected to and rotatable with the output hub. A lock-out clutch, when engaged, rotationally locks the damper with the front cover and includes a clutch piston which is axially and rotationally moveable relative to the output hub. A mechanical clutch piston positioner includes first and second interfaces individually associated with either the clutch piston or one of the output member or output hub. The first interface is axially and rotationally moveable relative to the second interface. Upon the first interface overrunning tire second interface, mechanical engagement of the interfaces axially positions tire clutch piston toward the front cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Exedy GlobalParts Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichiro Maeda, Ken Mototsune, Scott Binder
  • Patent number: 11359697
    Abstract: A locking device comprising: first and second flanges; and first and second flange locking structures. The first and second flange locking structures are used for selectively locking the first flange and the second flange. Each flange locking structure comprises: a synchronising ring and a driving assembly. The synchronising ring is able to slide relative to the corresponding flange; and the drive assembly is capable of selectively pushing the synchronising ring to slide along the axial direction of the corresponding flange from an unlocked position to a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: BYD Company Limited
    Inventors: Yanyan Zhu, Yu Hua, Jing Liu, Lingdao Chai, Jintao Zhang
  • Patent number: 11352676
    Abstract: A machine component, made of steel or cast iron and having a circular hole that opens in a first surface, includes a plurality of first quench-hardened regions that include the first surface and are arranged apart from each other along a first circle surrounding the hole when viewed in a plane in a direction perpendicular to the first surface, and a base region that is a region other than the first quench-hardened regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Imadu, Toshiyuki Iseki, Takaaki Sasaki, Motomi Mizugai
  • Patent number: 11339862
    Abstract: A method for operating a drive-train of a motor vehicle. The drive-train having a transmission connected between a drive aggregate and a drive output. A hydrodynamic starting element is connected between the drive aggregate and transmission. The starting element includes a converter and converter lock-up clutch. A Power Take-Off (PTO) can be coupled to the drive aggregate on the drive aggregate side to take up drive torque delivered by the drive aggregate. In order to determine the torque taken up by the PTO, the lock-up clutch is operated in a rotational-speed-regulated manner at least when the PTO is coupled to the drive aggregate in order to set a defined target slip at the lock-up clutch. As a function of the actuation pressure of the lock-up clutch required for setting the target slip when the PTO is coupled, the torque taken up by the PTO is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ulf Lang, Markus Eisele, Ralf Baus, Friedrich Reiter
  • Patent number: 11320003
    Abstract: A cooling structure for a hybrid powertrain apparatus of a vehicle may include: a first rotor shaft coaxially connected to an engine output shaft and connected to a rotor of a first motor; an engine clutch shaft coaxially connected to the first rotor shaft not to rotate and connected to an engine clutch; a transmission input shaft mounted coaxially with the engine clutch shaft not to rotate by a rotor of a second motor connected to the engine clutch; and a cooling channel formed in the transmission input shaft to be able to supply oil for simultaneously cooling the first motor, the second motor, and the engine clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hong Seok Yang, Kyoung Bum Kim, Hee Ra Lee, Jae Won Ha
  • Patent number: 11320000
    Abstract: A clutch device includes a clutch plate and a clutch outer. The clutch plate includes a plurality of teeth circumferentially disposed apart from each other. The clutch outer includes a bottom portion, a plurality of cover portions, and a plurality of openings. The bottom portion has a disc shape and is greater in diameter than the clutch plate. The cover portions axially extend from an outer peripheral edge of the bottom portion so as to cover the teeth. The cover portions are circumferentially disposed apart from each other. Each opening is disposed between each adjacent pair of the cover portions. Each opening is radially opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: EXEDY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidenori Kitazawa, Noriko Matsuyoshi
  • Patent number: 11305753
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, a switching valve, and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit configured to perform switching from the engine travel mode to the EV travel mode through a first stage to start the filling control when it is determined that the possibility is high that the engine stop condition will be established afterwards while the engine travel mode is selected, a second stage to start the clutch release control by switching the switching valve to the second state in response to establishment of the engine stop condition, and a third stage to stop operation of the engine after completion of the clutch release control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keigo Matsubara, Ayumu Sagawa
  • Patent number: 11260847
    Abstract: A vehicle control unit performs filling control in which the vehicle control unit boosts an oil pressure in a second oil passage by supplying electric power to a pressure regulating valve with a switch valve being in a first state in which the switch valve connects a first oil passage to a clutch and disconnects the second oil passage from the clutch, torque replacement control in which the vehicle control unit increases motor torque while reducing shaft torque of an engine, and clutch disengagement control in which the vehicle control unit disengages the clutch while performing hydraulic control by the pressure regulating valve with the switch valve being in the second state in which the switch valve connects the second oil passage to the clutch and disconnects the first oil passage from the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keigo Matsubara, Ayumu Sagawa
  • Patent number: 11193559
    Abstract: A transmission having planetary gearsets (RS1, RS2, RS3, RS4, RS5). Elements (ST2, ST4) of gearsets (RS2, RS4) form input and output shafts, respectively. Element (SO1) of gearset (RS1) couples element (HO5) of gearset (RS5) and can be immobilized by shift element (A). Element (ST1) of gearset (RS1) couples element (HO4) of gearset (RS4). Element (HO1) of gearset (RS1) can be immobilized by shift element (B). Elements (SO4, ST2) of gearsets (RS4 RS2) can connect by shift element (C). Elements (HO2, SO3, SO5) of gearsets (RS2, RS3, RS5) couple and can couple element (SO4) of gearset (RS4) by shift element (E). An element of gearset (RS4) is connected to an element of gearset (RS3), while another element of gearset (RS4) can be connected by shift element (D) to another element of gearset (RS3). Elements (SO2 ST5) of gearsets (RS2, RS5) are connected and can be immobilized by shift element (F).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Peter Ziemer, Andreas Beisswenger, Christoph Margraf, Stefan Brom, Kai Bornträger, Michael Trübenbach, Johannes Glückler