Patents Examined by David Morris
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Patent number: 9624847Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a multi-mode powertrain system includes periodically determining a power cost difference between a first power cost and a second power cost. This includes determining the first power cost associated with operating the powertrain system with the engine operating in a presently commanded engine state in response to an operator torque request and determining the second power cost associated with an expected powertrain operation with the engine operating in a non-commanded engine state in response to the operator torque request. The first power cost is compared with the second power cost, and successive iterations of the periodically determined power cost difference between the first power cost and the second power cost are integrated to determine an integrated power cost difference. A transition to the non-commanded engine state is commanded when the integrated power cost difference is greater than a threshold.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2015Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Kee Yong Kim, Anthony H. Heap, John Janczak, Samantha Victoria Lado, YaoYao Wei
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Patent number: 9618095Abstract: A multi-speed transmission has four planetary gear sets, eight rotatable shafts and six shifting elements. The sun gear of the first planetary gear set is connected to the third shaft. The input shaft is detachably connectable to the fourth shaft. The input shaft is connected to the sun gear of the fourth planetary gear set. The eighth shaft is connected to the ring gear of the first planetary gear set, the sun gear of the second planetary gear set, and the sun gear of the third planetary gear set. The fifth shaft is connected to the bar of the second planetary gear set and the ring gear of the third planetary gear set and is detachably connectable to the seventh shaft. The sixth shaft is connected to the ring gear of the second planetary gear set and is detachably connectable to the output shaft of the transmission.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2013Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Stefan Beck, Christian Sibla, Wolfgang Rieger
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Patent number: 9611901Abstract: A freewheel arrangement having a freewheel, which comprises an inner ring, an outer ring rotatable in a first direction of rotation relative to the inner ring, and clamping elements between the inner ring and the outer ring, which prevent a rotation of the outer ring relative to the inner ring in a second direction of rotation. The outer ring and the inner ring and the clamping elements may be formed as a stamped sheet metal part.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2013Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Norbert Bastel, Till Martin Lutz Ebner, Rolf Koestel, James Ronald Papania, Volker Heinz, Dirk Achim Schmitt
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Patent number: 9598082Abstract: In consideration of an amplification effect of a braking force at the time of brake operation, upper-limits (?, ?) of a brake operation force (Brk) with which the execution of free-run coasting and neutral coasting is started may be different, on the basis of whether or not a brake booster can be filled with a negative pressure. Therefore, while the braking force at the time of brake operation is secured, the range of the brake operation force (Brk) with which coasting is executed can be enlarged, and an improvement in fuel economy can be made.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2013Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Rentaro Kuroki, Takuya Hirai, Masaki Mitsuyasu, Jonggap Kim, Masaki Matsunaga, Yasunari Kido, Takeaki Suzuki, Takayuki Kogure, Yukari Okamura, Akihiro Sato, Yusuke Kinoshita
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Patent number: 9598069Abstract: In a control device for a limited slip differential that limits a differential operation of front and rear wheels of a four-wheel-drive vehicle having mounted thereon a vehicle behavior control device that controls a braking force, an ECU that controls a torque coupling as the limited slip differential includes: a differential limiting force calculating device that calculates target torque of the torque coupling based on a vehicle traveling state; a differential limiting force correcting device that makes a correction to reduce the target torque based on a command from the vehicle behavior control device; and a thermal load calculating device that calculates a thermal load of the torque coupling. The differential limiting force correcting device limits the correction of the target torque based on the command from the vehicle behavior control device, when the thermal load of the torque coupling is equal to or larger than a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2015Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATIONInventor: Tomoaki Kato
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Patent number: 9594090Abstract: A planetary gearset is provided in a transmission for a vehicle. The planetary gearset includes a carrier that rotates about the axis. Tone wheels can be used as part of a speed-sensing mechanism in which the tone wheel includes surface features on an outside surface, and a speed sensor senses the surface features as they rotate about the axis and past the speed sensor. The tone wheel is connected to the carrier via a press-fit or interference-fit. To do so, the tone wheel includes legs or flanges that extend inward from an inner surface of the tone wheel. The legs or flanges flex as the tone wheel is pressed onto the carrier. The legs or flanges securely attach the tone wheel to the carrier.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2015Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Bradley Ronald Heuver, Brandon David Lint, Peter Schultz
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Patent number: 9593724Abstract: A transmission clutch assembly includes at least one rotatable clutch plate or friction plate, a reaction plate, a non-rotatable piston, at least one bearing roller, and a cage. The reaction plate is arranged to rotate with and apply a force to the at least one rotatable clutch plate or friction plate. The non-rotatable piston is arranged for sealing engagement with a transmission housing. The at least one bearing roller arranged between and contactable with the reaction plate and the piston to permit relative rotational motion therebetween. The cage is for positioning the at least one roller and is retained by the reaction plate or the piston.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2015Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co.Inventors: Jeffrey Hemphill, Vural Ari
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Patent number: 9586590Abstract: A control device for a drivetrain of a vehicle, includes a drive engine, a starting element, and a coupling element. The coupling element brakes a secondary side when the control device receives an input signal indicating a switching off of the drive engine. The starting element includes a mass damper torsional damper arrangement with at least one damper mass. The starting element is coupled with the drive engine by a primary side and with the mass damper torsional damper arrangement by a secondary side so as to be fixed with respect to relative rotation, and the coupling element is constructed to brake the secondary side by coupling with the primary side of the starting element and/or by coupling with a reference component that stationary when the vehicle is stationary. This makes it possible to find a better compromise between comfort, responsiveness, economical, and ecological aspects of the drivetrain.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2013Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Christian Weber, Axel Rohm
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Patent number: 9587680Abstract: The present invention provides a clutch. The clutch of the invention includes a coupler, that is a ring or hollow structure surrounding a lumen. The lumen of the coupler has an engaging section and a non-engaging section. In an engaged configuration of the clutch, a driving member and a driven member are located in the engaging section of the coupler and rotation of the driving member in the engaging section generates rotation of the coupler and rotation of the coupler generates rotation of the driven member. In a disengaged configuration of the clutch, one or both of the driving member and the driven member is not located in the engaging section of the coupler and either rotation of the driving member does not generate rotation of the coupler or rotation of the coupler does not generate rotation of the driven member.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2013Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Inventor: Shmuel Beeri
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Patent number: 9581240Abstract: A control apparatus of an automatic transmission includes a first anomaly determination device and an energization interrupting device. The first anomaly determination device is configured to determine whether high-pressure anomaly has occurred in a first pressure regulating device. The high-pressure anomaly is to cause the first pressure regulating device to perform regulation to high pressure only. The energization interrupting device is configured to interrupt energization to a first switching device in a case where the first anomaly determination device determines that the high-pressure anomaly has occurred in the first pressure regulating device and in a state where a first switching valve is located at a first position connected to a first oil passage so as to supply hydraulic pressure of a hydraulic oil regulated by the first pressure regulating device to a second clutch.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Hideaki Yamashita
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Patent number: 9568098Abstract: A controller for a vehicle transmission is disclosed. The controller may include an electronic control unit configured to carry out a change shift for changing a path of the transmission of power between a first transmission path and a second transmission path by engaging a predetermined clutch mechanism. The electronic control unit may also be configured to set a change speed ratio region that defines a range of a speed ratio of the first transmission mechanism such that a rotation speed difference between engagement members of the clutch mechanism, which are engaged with each other in carrying out the change shift, is smaller than or equal to a predetermined value. When a speed ratio outside the change speed ratio region is set in the first transmission mechanism, the change shift is not carried out.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2013Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Motonori Kimura, Daisuke Inoue, Atsushi Ayabe, Shuhei Ishikawa, Hiroki Kondo, Akira Hino, Kenji Matsuo, Takuro Shimazu
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Patent number: 9562576Abstract: A method for ascertaining a biting point of a friction clutch device of a motor vehicle that is actuatable between a disengaged and an engaged position, the friction clutch device having a hydrostatic actuator device with at least one position sensor and at least one pressure force sensor, the friction clutch device being actuated in the disengagement and/or engagement direction, and data are obtained with the help of the at least one position sensor and the at least one pressure force sensor, while based on the obtained data a position force characteristic curve having a first section and a second section is obtained, the first section being approximated with the help of a linear equation and the second section being approximated with the help of a parabolic equation.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2013Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Erhard Hodrus
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Patent number: 9555806Abstract: A method for controlling rollback of a work vehicle may include receiving a signal indicating that a pedal of the work vehicle has been depressed, wherein the work vehicle is initially traveling in a first direction up an inclined surface such that at least one clutch of the transmission is engaged. In addition, the method may include reducing a pressure within the at least one clutch after receiving the signal in order to decelerate the work vehicle in the first direction and engaging a parking brake of the work vehicle as the work vehicle reverses direction and travels in a second direction down the inclined surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2012Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Garth Harvey Bulgrien, Peter J. Dix, Pawel Kuros
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Patent number: 9534643Abstract: A liquid friction clutch (1) having a housing (2, 3), a clutch disc (4)—rotatable relative to the housing (2, 3) and which is rotatably arranged on an end (5) of a shaft (6) which is mounted centrally within the housing (2, 3), which shaft (6) bears on its other end (8) a driveable active element (7). A working chamber (9) is positioned between the housing (2, 3) and the clutch disk (4). A storage chamber (10) is provided for the clutch fluid. A supply duct (11) leads from the storage chamber (10) to the working chamber (9). A stationary clutch part (13) relative to which the housing (2, 3) is rotatable, wherein a rotatably mounted pump element (14) is provided which, with the housing (2, 3), defines a shear gap (12).Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2014Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Thomas Buchholz, Wolfgang Sorg
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Patent number: 9528559Abstract: A latch subassembly for a motor vehicle drive train is provided. The latch subassembly includes a bearing arrangement including at least one thrust bearing. The latch subassembly also includes a diaphragm spring. The diaphragm spring includes a first end for axially mounting in a housing and a second end held by the at least one thrust bearing, the second end being axially movable between a first position and a second position within the bearing arrangement. A disconnect assembly and a method of forming a disconnect assembly are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2014Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Brian Lee, Justin Bitar
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Patent number: 9522658Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes a powertrain comprising a prime mover and a driveline. The control system selectively controls the driveline to assume a first state in which a transmission of the driveline is substantially fully connected to the prime mover and a second state in which when the vehicle is stationary the transmission is at least partially disconnected or decoupled from the prime mover to reduce a torque loading on the prime mover. The control system controls the driveline to assume the second state when the vehicle is held stationary by a brake in response to actuation of a driver operable brake control. Upon release of the brake control, the control system verifies that a first portion of a powertrain of the vehicle is rotating at a speed exceeding a prescribed threshold and commands the driveline to assume the first state before permitting release of the brake.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2013Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITEDInventors: Tim Reynolds, Craig Percy
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Patent number: 9523395Abstract: A driving force transmission device includes: a switch member that switches a first rotary member and a second rotary member between a coupled state and a decoupled state; a second friction member that generates a frictional force between the rotary members; a piston member that has first to sixth engaged portions formed in the shape of a staircase and that presses the switch member and the second friction member in an axial direction; a biasing mechanism that presses the switch member and the second friction member toward the piston member; and an engaging member that engages with one of the plurality of engaged portions. The engaging member rotates the piston member by sliding on a plurality of tilted surfaces of the plurality of engaged portions, and the piston member is always pressed toward the engaging member by a biasing force of the biasing mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2015Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATIONInventors: Takashi Hosokawa, Noriyuki Fujii, Kunihiko Suzuki, Hiroshi Takuno
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Patent number: 9511761Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, a motor, and a belt stepless speed changer device having a driving rotary body, a driven rotary body, a first shaft member supporting the driving rotary body with allowing rotation thereof in unison, a second shaft member supporting the driven rotary body with allowing rotation thereof in unison, and an endless belt wound around the driving rotary body and the driven rotary body. The vehicle further includes a transmission case configured to receive the powers from the engine and the motor via the belt stepless speed changer device and a centrifugal clutch incorporated in a power transmission line extending form the engine to the first shaft member. The motor is disposed on the side opposite the engine across the driving rotary body, and the driving power of the motor is inputted to the first shaft member.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2013Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Kubota CorporationInventors: Sumio Yagyu, Go Takaki, Shinichi Kawabata, Shigeki Hayashi, Shohei Nakai, Hiroki Bessho
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Patent number: 9506560Abstract: An automatic transmission includes engagement mechanisms whose engagement states among the engagement mechanisms are changeable to achieve each of shift stages of the automatic transmission, a detector, and a determination device. The detector is configured to detect the engagement states of the engagement mechanisms. The determination device is configured to determine that abnormality has occurred in a case where the engagement states detected by the detector do not match a predetermined engagement state.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2015Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Yuya Tachibanada, Yutaka Ishikawa
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Patent number: 9488262Abstract: A transmission includes a torque converter including a pump and a turbine, and an input hub. A pump lock-up clutch selectively connects the pump and the input hub for directly communicating torque therebetween when the lock-up clutch is engaged. A first pump damper interconnects the pump lock-up clutch and the input hub for damping torsional vibration between the pump and the input hub when the pump-lock up clutch is engaged. A turbine damper interconnects the turbine and either the pump or the input hub. The turbine damper is operable to dampen torsional vibration between the turbine and ether the pump or the input hub when the pump lock-up clutch is engaged. A turbine lock-up clutch selectively connects the turbine and either the input hub or the pump for directly communicating torque between the turbine and the one of either the input hub or the pump.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2014Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Dongxu Li, Victor M. Roses