Patents Examined by David R Morris
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Patent number: 11976693Abstract: A clutch assembly, the assembly may include a first member having a locking structure and a second member having a receiving area. The assembly may include a locking element supported in the receiving area of the second member, the locking element moving between an engaged position where the locking element holds or transfers torque between the first and second members and a disengaged position where the locking element holds or transfers no torque between the first and second members. The locking element includes a socket. Moreover, the assembly may include a reciprocating member in the socket when the locking element is in the disengaged position.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2022Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.Inventors: Todd M. Andrzejewski, Joshua D. Hand
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Patent number: 11976692Abstract: A disconnect clutch actuator mechanism includes a shift fork, an actuator, and a position sensor. The shift fork includes a rack gear, a pair of pins, and a sensor target. The shift fork is arranged to be pivotable on the pair of pins. The actuator includes a pinion gear engaged with the rack gear. The actuator is arranged to pivot the shift fork. The position sensor is arranged proximate the sensor target for sensing a pivot position of the shift fork. In some example embodiments, the rack gear includes a pair of arched portions and a toothed portion disposed on at least one of the pair of arched portions. The pinion gear is engaged with the toothed portion. In an example embodiment, the rack gear has a gap disposed between the pair of arched portions and the pinion gear is disposed in the gap.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2023Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Brian Lee, Michael Hodge
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Patent number: 11959534Abstract: A torque converter, including: a cover arranged to receive torque; an impeller; a turbine; a stator; and a lock-up clutch including a piston plate, a first plate, a second plate axially disposed between the cover and the first plate, and a rivet non-rotatably connecting the first plate to the second plate, the rivet being a component distinct from the first plate and the second plate. The cover and the piston plate define at least a portion of a first pressure chamber. The first plate and the second plate define at least a portion of a second pressure chamber. The first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber are arranged to receive and expel a fluid to axially displace the piston plate to open and close the lock-up clutch.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2023Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Long Souers
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Patent number: 11926311Abstract: A hybrid driving system and a hybrid electric vehicle. The hybrid driving system includes an engine, an input element (20), an output element (23), a box body (24), a first motor (13), a second motor (14), a first planet row, a second planet row, a third planet row, a first clutch (15) and a first brake (16). According to the hybrid driving system of the present disclosure, a basic three-planet-row planet gear configuration is provided through the planet row mechanical structure and the reasonable layout of multiple operating elements (the clutches and the brakes), which can realize at least two E-CVT working modes to obtain higher transmission efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2019Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: GUANGZHOU AUTOMOBILE GROUP CO., LTD.Inventors: Changning Tai, Xuewu Liu, Xiaoming Ling, Fenfen Ma, You Zhou, Anwei Zhang, Dongwei Liang, Jiajing Guan
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Patent number: 11911907Abstract: A control system for controlling movements of an end effector connected to a clutch output of magnetorheological (MR) fluid clutch apparatuses. A clutch driver drives the MR fluid clutch apparatuses between a controlled slippage mode, in which slippage in the MR fluid clutch apparatuses varies, and a combined mode, in which slippage between clutch input and clutch output is maintained below a given threshold simultaneously for both of the MR fluid clutch apparatuses, the two clutch outputs resisting movement of the end effector in the same direction. A mode selector module receives signals representative of a movement parameter(s) of the end effector, to select and switch a mode based on the signals. A movement controller controls the clutch driver and the motor driver to displace the end effector based on the selected mode and on commanded movements of the end effector for the end effector to achieve the commanded movements.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2019Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: EXONETIK INC.Inventors: Pascal Larose, Patrick Chouinard, Jean-Sebastien Plante, Guifre Julio
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Patent number: 11913505Abstract: A system for controlling a clutch in a heavy vehicle including an internal combustion engine and an automated mechanical transmission, where the engine is running, the clutch is engaged and the transmission is in neutral, including an electronic control unit adapted to receive a request to shut down the engine, to disengage the clutch of the transmission, and to shut down the engine, where the electronic control unit is adapted to reengage the clutch when the rotation of the engine and the rotation of the transmission input shaft is zero, and to actively slow down rotation of the transmission input shaft by the use of a brake device if the stop time for the transmission input shaft exceeds a predefined time interval. The advantage of the invention is that vibrations and noise are reduced during shut down of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2020Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventors: Magnus Blanckenfiell, Fredrik Karpenman
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Patent number: 11912264Abstract: When an abnormality associated with power transmission in a power transmission path which is formed such that power of an engine or the like is able to be transmitted to driving wheels has occurred and a vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined vehicle speed, a limp-home travel control unit switches a limp-home travel mode to a first limp-home travel mode in which the power of the engine or the like is able to be transmitted to the driving wheels through the power transmission path. When an abnormality associated with power transmission in the power transmission path has occurred and the vehicle speed is lower than the predetermined vehicle speed, the limp-home travel control unit switches the limp-home travel mode to a second limp-home travel mode in which limp-home travel is performed using power of a second electric motor.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2021Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yukimasa Nishimura, Masahiro Nishiu
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Patent number: 11906021Abstract: An electric powertrain includes a first electric motor that has an uninterrupted connection with a drive shaft of a vehicle. The electric powertrain further includes a second electric motor that has an interruptible connection with the drive shaft. In one form, this interruptible connection includes a clutch. The electric powertrain further includes a first gear train in the form of a first planetary gear and a second gear train in the form of a second planetary gear. The clutch in one variation includes a positive clutch in the form of a dog clutch. The dog clutch has a clutch suspension configured to deflect a clutch collar when gearing is misaligned during shifting.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.Inventors: Isaac Mock, James Allen Raszkowski
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Patent number: 11906000Abstract: A coupling system for a torque transmission device of a motor vehicle includes a sliding sleeve. An actuator including a mobile member movable between a rest position and an activated position is linked to the sliding sleeve by a rotating kinematic link and by an elastic return member fixed in rotation about the axis of revolution. The mobile member is capable, by means of the kinematic link, of driving the sliding sleeve from the retracted position to the coupling position and of loading the elastic return member by passing from the rest position to the activated position. The elastic return member is able, while unloading, by means of the kinematic link, to return the mobile member from the activated position to the rest position and the sliding sleeve from the coupling position to the retracted position.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2020Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: VALEO EMBRAYAGESInventor: Hervé Maurel
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Patent number: 11898626Abstract: A system for bypassing a torque converter in a powertrain is provided. The system includes a torque generating device including an output shaft and a transmission assembly. The transmission assembly includes a transmission output shaft and a torque converter, a torque converter bypass shaft. The transmission assembly further includes a disconnect clutch selectively coupling the torque converter with the torque generating device and a torque converter clutch selectively coupling the torque converter bypass shaft with the torque generating device. Engaging the disconnect clutch and disengaging the torque converter clutch enables the torque generating device to transmit torque to the transmission output shaft through the torque converter. Engaging the torque converter clutch and disengaging the disconnect clutch enables the torque generating device to transmit torque to the transmission output shaft through the torque converter bypass shaft.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2021Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Dongxu Li, Chengwu Duan, Norman K. Bucknor, Chunhao J. Lee, Lei Hao
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Patent number: 11898609Abstract: A wheel end disconnect assembly includes an axle shaft, a wheel hub, and a wheel end disconnect clutch. The axle shaft has a first dog clutch spline and the wheel hub has a second dog clutch spline. The wheel end disconnect clutch has a dog clutch sleeve and a rocker pin. The dog clutch sleeve has a third dog clutch spline engaged with one of the first or second dog clutch splines and arranged to selectively engage and disengage from the other of the first or second dog clutch splines, and a first spiral groove. The rocker pin has a first pin end arranged to selectively engage and disengage from the first spiral groove to axially displace the dog clutch sleeve. The first dog clutch spline and the second dog clutch spline may both be outer splines, and the third dog clutch spline may be an inner spline.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2022Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Brian Lee
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Patent number: 11892040Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a first clutch in the form of a dynamically controllable clutch (DCC) and a second clutch in the form of an electrically actuated Controllable Mechanical Diode (“CMD”) clutch. The DCC and the CMD clutch each have a pocket plate and share a notch plate. The DCC pocket plate and the shared notch plate are supported for rotation in first and second directions about a rotational axis. The pocket plate of the CMD clutch is fixed in position. The DCC includes a translator to move a DCC locking element to a deployed position mechanically coupling the DCC pocket plate and the shared notch plate. The CMD clutch includes first and second actuators configured to move the first and second locking elements of the CMD clutch to a deployed position mechanically coupling the shared notch plate to the pocket plate of the CMD clutch.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2022Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.Inventor: Brandon J. Voelker
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Patent number: 11892038Abstract: A clutch system includes a rotary input member, a wrap spring clutch and a rotary output member. The wrap spring clutch has a first end, a second end, and a plurality of coils. The stiffness of the wrap spring clutch is selected such that, when transmitting less than a selected coil engagement torque, the clutch system transmits torque helically from the rotary input member, to the second end, helically through the wrap spring clutch to the first end, and into the rotary output member. When transmitting more than the selected coil engagement torque, the clutch system transmits torque in parallel from the rotary input member, to the second end, helically through the wrap spring clutch to the first end, and into the rotary output member, and from the rotary input member through the coil engagement surface, to the first end, and into the rotary output member.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2020Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIPInventors: David Balsdon, Evan Hurry, Hao Tran, Andrew Malcolm Boyes
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Patent number: 11892041Abstract: A coupling device has two components which are rotatable relative to one another, a recess which is provided on the first component, and a locking element which is held movably on the second component and is movable relative to the components between a locking position in which the locking element engages in the recess and a release position in which engagement of the locking element in the recess is prevented. An actuating device is provided which is displaceable relative to the components and relative to the locking element and which has an actuating element formed from a first material, by which a movement of the locking element out of one of the positions into the other position can be effected by displacement of the actuating device. The actuating device has a main body which is formed from a second material which is different from the first material.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2020Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Ulrich Ohnemus, Fritz Pobitzer
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Patent number: 11885397Abstract: A torque converter includes a front cover, an impeller, a turbine, a lock-up clutch, and a damper assembly. The front cover is arranged to receive a torque. The impeller has an impeller shell non-rotatably connected to the cover. The turbine is in fluid communication with the impeller and includes a turbine shell. The lock-up clutch includes a clutch plate. The damper assembly includes a spring and a cover plate supporting the spring. The cover plate includes a spring window configured to receive the spring, and a plurality of tabs extending from a radial side of the spring window towards the front cover. The plurality of tabs are configured to drivingly connect to the clutch plate.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2022Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Subramanian Annamalai, Kyle Nelson
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Patent number: 11879505Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch is provide that includes a fixed component, a driven component and an elastic component. The fixed component includes a magnetic yoke provided thereon with multiple iron cores, and each iron core is provided thereon with a coil. The driven component includes an armature disc provided thereon with multiple magnets. The armature disc and the magnetic yoke are disposed correspondingly, and the iron cores and the magnets are disposed correspondingly. The elastic component is used to keep the armature disc at a disengaged position from magnetic yoke. When the coil is energized in a forward direction, the iron core attracts the magnet and when the coil is energized in a reverse direction, the iron core generates an electromagnetic force to reduce an attractive force of the magnet.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2020Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Jing-Jin Electric Technologies Co., LtdInventors: Ping Yu, Changqi Yang, Jianwen Li, Yang Cao
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Patent number: 11879508Abstract: A clutch for preventing backdrive, includes a housing: a cover portion positioned on one end portion of the housing; an external shaft, at least one portion of which is positioned inside the housing, the other end portion thereof passing through the housing; a rocker positioned between the housing and the cover portion and fastened to the external shaft; an input shaft, one end portion thereof being inserted into an opening portion in the locker, and the other end portion thereof passing through the cover portion; and a gear portion positioned on the housing or the cover portion so that a serrated portion positioned on the locker is selectively brought into contact with the gear portion, wherein rotation of the rocker is restricted so that the external shaft is rotated along a rotation direction of the input shaft.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2022Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia CorporationInventors: Sang Woo Hwang, Youngil Sohn, Sehyun Chang, Min Jun Kim
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Patent number: 11873868Abstract: A viscous friction clutch includes a rotor, a housing that is rotatable relative to the rotor, a working chamber located between the rotor and the housing such that a volume of shear fluid can be selectively introduced to the working chamber to contact both the rotor and the housing, an electromagnetic coil, a valve assembly that controls the volume of the shear fluid present in the working chamber, and a flux path that magnetically links the electromagnetic coil and the valve assembly. The flux path passes through a flux guide part made of a ferromagnetic material that extends through the rotor in an interior of the viscous friction clutch and across a flux gap that traverses both an air gap and a non-ferromagnetic portion of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2021Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: HORTON, INC.Inventor: Raimund Krammer
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Patent number: 11873869Abstract: A small and compact rotation transmitter includes a torque limiter and an angular position holding apparatus. An outer race member is installed in a housing, and a coil spring is mounted on the outer peripheral surface thereof. Inside the outer race member, an internal space is formed, and an inner race member is installed concentrically with the outer race member. In the annular space between the outer and inner race members, a thin-plate elastic piece is pressed against the outer and inner race members, and either the outer or inner race member is connected to an input-side device while the other is connected to an output-side device. Even without rotation torque, the position of the output-side device is held by the coil spring. When the rotation torque from the input-side device becomes excessive, slippage occurs on the thin-plate elastic piece, whereby the outer and inner race members are disconnected.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2019Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: ORIGIN COMPANY, LIMITEDInventors: Taro Isobe, Shunichi Watanabe
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Patent number: 11865912Abstract: A transfer for a four wheel drive vehicle includes first and second distribution mechanisms. The first distribution mechanism includes a first clutch and is configured to distribute a portion of power from a power source to a second transmission mechanism through the first clutch. The second distribution mechanism includes a planetary gear set and a second clutch, and is configured to distribute a portion of power from the power source to a second transmission mechanism through the planetary gear set and the second clutch in order. The first and second clutches are configured to be controlled to a half-engaged state between engagement and disengagement. An input shaft of the first distribution mechanism and an input shaft of the planetary gear set are unitized.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2022Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventors: Masayuki Ushiki, Katsuya Higuchi