Patents Examined by Farhana Pervin
  • Patent number: 11801747
    Abstract: Provided is a powertrain of a vehicle comprising an electric motor, a final drive, a gearing system with two-degrees-of-freedom configured to transfer power from the electric motor to the final drive, the gearing system comprising a one-way mechanism, and a mechanical friction brake connected to the gearing system. The powertrain further comprises a control system. The powertrain enables power driving, coasting without motor drag and braking with regenerative braking. Further provided is a method for controlling braking mode in a vehicle that comprises such a powertrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Inventors: Alon Goldman, Michael Nenner Weil
  • Patent number: 11802596
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for wet clutch pressure control to reduce drag and degradation of rotary seals in a transmission. In one example, a method may include determining an upper threshold pressure based on a rotational speed of a shaft of the transmission, determining a lower threshold pressure based on the rotational speed of the shaft, and adjusting a pressure of hydraulic fluid applied to the clutch to be between the upper threshold pressure and the lower threshold pressure. In this way, the pressure of the hydraulic fluid applied to the clutch may be maintained at a level that allows full torque transfer by the wet clutch while reducing drag on the rotary seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: DANA BELGIUM N.V.
    Inventors: Kurt Cattoor, Filip D. Schacht, Joachim Van Dingenen, Tommy Van Acker
  • Patent number: 11802612
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter and a torsional vibration damper include a pump wheel connected on the drive side and a turbine wheel which is driven by the pump wheel. Between the housing of the torque converter and an output hub, a torsional vibration damper, which includes an input part that can be connected to the housing by a converter bridging clutch, and an output part, which is connected to the output hub, are provided. In order to allow a special wiring of the torsional vibration damper, an intermediate flange is arranged against a respective spring device, which acts in a circumferential direction, between the input part and the output part, said intermediate flange having a centrifugal pendulum and being connected to the turbine wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: David Schnädelbach
  • Patent number: 11788614
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a torque transmission device between a first drive element and an output element, having a torque transmission unit; an input, which is rotatable about a rotation axis and can be coupled to the first drive element, and an output, which can be connected to the output element. A separating clutch is arranged outside of the torque transmission unit and the fluid chamber, and is designed for selective torque transmission between the first drive element and the torque transmission unit. The separating clutch has a clutch input and a clutch output that is selectively connectable via a clutch actuating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Stephan Maienschein
  • Patent number: 11788584
    Abstract: A torque transmitting device for transmitting torque between a first drive element and an output element, having a torque transmitting unit with a housing delimiting a first fluid chamber filled with a liquid, and a separating clutch arranged outside of the torque transmitting unit and the first fluid chamber in a second fluid chamber separated from the first chamber and which selectively transmits torque between the first drive element and the torque transmitting unit. The separating clutch has a clutch output that is connectable to a clutch input via a friction device and a clutch actuator that comprises a pressing element and an actuation element to which fluid pressure can be applied to move the actuation element. The pressing element is arranged within the second fluid chamber, and the actuation element is at least partly arranged within the first fluid chamber so that pressure is applied thereto by fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stephan Maienschein, René Daikeler, Christian Hügel
  • Patent number: 11788620
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a transmission. In one example, the transmission may include a brake system arranged in-line with a second brake along a longitudinal axis of the transmission. Each brake may have a plurality of separator plates which may be secured to a housing of the transmission by at least one pin. The brake system may further include an end plate positioned between the first brake and the second brake, the end plate secured to the housing by a plurality of dowel pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Belgium N.V.
    Inventors: Kurt Cattoor, Filip D. Schacht, Jessica Versini, Joachim Van Dingenen, Hein Nevejant
  • Patent number: 11781647
    Abstract: Methods and systems for hydraulic actuation of axle system components are provided. A hydraulic system in an electric axle, is provided in one example, which includes a housing with a plurality of sections that enclose an electric motor and a gearbox, the system further includes a hydraulic pump that is coupled to the housing and configured to supply pressurized fluid to a solenoid valve through a plurality of fluid passages. The hydraulic system further includes a clutch in the gearbox configured to receive the pressurized fluid from the solenoid valve through a hydraulic passage internally routed through the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas M. O'Neil
  • Patent number: 11780421
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electric drive unit (EDU) having a motor-driven torque converter includes receiving a request signal indicative of a requested output torque of the EDU, and operating the motor at a target motor speed using the requested output torque. The target motor speed minimizes system losses while achieving the requested output torque. When the requested output torque remains below a calibrated threshold and a turbine speed is less than a corner speed of the motor, a torque converter clutch (TCC) transitions to or remains in a locked state. The controller commands the TCC to transition to an unlocked state to reach the target motor speed, thereby selectively enabling torque multiplication. A powertrain system includes a driven load and the EDU. A computer readable storage medium may include executable instructions for performing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Norman K. Bucknor, Chunhao J. Lee, Dongxu Li, Lei Hao, Chengwu Duan
  • Patent number: 11781605
    Abstract: A prime mover includes a stator fixed to a housing, and a rotor rotatable relative to the stator. The prime mover is capable of outputting torque from the rotor by being supplied with electric power. A speed reducer is capable of reducing the torque of the prime mover and outputting the reduced torque. The speed reducer includes a sun gear rotatable integrally with the rotor, and planetary gears capable of revolving in a circumferential direction of the sun gear while rotating in a state of meshing with the sun gear. A gear width of the sun gear is set such that a length in the axial direction by which the sun gear and the planetary gear are overlapped is smaller than a gear width of the planetary gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takumi Sugiura
  • Patent number: 11772745
    Abstract: A pedally propelled vehicle multi speed gear system includes a gear mechanism including a main shaft; a hollow first shaft and a hollow second shaft, both axially stationary and rotatably arranged about the main shaft; an epicyclical first gear section arranged about the main shaft between the first and second shafts, and including two radially stacked carrier elements; and a first shift mechanism arranged between the first shaft and the first gear section, and configured to rotationally engage the first shaft with either of the two radially stacked carriers. The first shift mechanism includes two first clutches radially stacked about the main shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: CA TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS AS
    Inventors: Knut Tore Ljøsne, Christian Antal
  • Patent number: 11773921
    Abstract: In a power transmission apparatus, a second clutch includes a divider dividing driving clutch plates and driven clutch plates in an axial direction such that a first region adjacent to a clutch pressure plate and a second region adjacent to a centrifugal clutch are defined. The second clutch presses the driving clutch plates and the driven clutch plates in the first region and the second region against each other during operation of the centrifugal clutch, and presses the driving clutch plates and the driven clutch plates in the first region against each other during operation of a back torque transmission cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA F.C.C.
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Ozawa, Han Hiong Chen, Katsu Yoshimoto
  • Patent number: 11760195
    Abstract: Provided herein is an electric axle including a differential assembly drivingly connected to a first axle half shaft and a second axle half shaft, wherein the first and second axle half shafts each have a wheel coupled to the ends thereof; an electric motor/generator drivingly connected to a first rotatable shaft; a first gear set having a first gear connected to the first rotatable shaft and a second gear connected to a second rotatable shaft; a second gear set having a first gear connected to the second rotatable shaft and a second gear selectively connected to a third rotatable shaft; a third gear set having a first gear connected to the third rotatable shaft and a second gear drivingly connected to the differential assembly; and a selector device configured to selectively connect the third rotatable shaft to the second gear of the second gear set or the first rotatable shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua A. Perry, William F. Waltz, George A. Willford, James F. Ziech
  • Patent number: 11760211
    Abstract: Methods and system are described for changing a gear ratio of an axle gearbox that does not include friction clutches and that may or may not include synchronizers. The axle gearbox may receive propulsive force via an electric machine. The methods and systems permit the axle gearbox to be shifted from a high gear range to a low gear range while a vehicle that includes the axle gearbox is moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul M. Moubarak, Shubham Dixit, Joseph Jay Torres
  • Patent number: 11738639
    Abstract: A propulsion system for an electric vehicle includes a first electric propulsion motor including a stator and a rotor that has a first and second output shafts that are axially opposed and define first and second torque outputs of the first electric motor. The system also includes a second electric propulsion motor including a stator and a rotor having a second output shaft with a torque output. Further, the system includes a first reduction gearbox to receive the torque supplied on the first torque output of the first electric motor where appropriate via a first selective or non-selective coupling system, a second reduction gearbox to receive the torque supplied by the second electric motor where appropriate via a second selective or non-selective coupling system, and a third coupling system for coupling the second torque output of the first electric motor to the torque output of the second electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: VALEO EMBRAYAGES
    Inventors: Olivier Marechal, Benoit Couturier
  • Patent number: 11731506
    Abstract: A driving system includes an electric motor, a transmission apparatus, a differential apparatus and a brake. The differential apparatus includes an input portion coupled to an output portion of the transmission apparatus, a pair of output portions, and a differential device that allows differential rotation of the pair of output portions. A brake is provided in a drive path from an output portion of the electric motor to the input portion of the differential apparatus. The differential apparatus includes a clutch member movable between a first position in which a differential rotation of the differential device is allowed and a second position in which the differential rotation of the differential device is stopped, a clutch actuator that moves the clutch member to the first position, and a holding portion that holds the clutch member to the second position when the clutch actuator is in a non-operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Isao Hirota, Kazutaka Kawata
  • Patent number: 11732764
    Abstract: A dual clutch transmission includes an input shaft and a first clutch, which has a first input disc carrier, a first output disc carrier, a first force transfer region, and a first actuating piston. The transmission has a second clutch having a second input disc carrier, a second output disc carrier, a second force transfer region, and a second actuating piston. The transmission includes a first partial transmission having a first partial transmission input shaft, and a second partial transmission having a second partial transmission input shaft. The input shaft, the first input disc carrier, and the second input disc carrier are non-rotationally connected to one another. The first output disc carrier is non-rotationally connected to the first partial transmission input shaft. The second output disc carrier is non-rotationally connected to the second partial transmission input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: MERCEDES-BENZ GROUP AG
    Inventor: Peter Hahn
  • Patent number: 11719317
    Abstract: An electric vehicle transmission (7) has a drive input shaft (10), a drive output shaft (11), a first planetary gearset (P1), a second planetary gearset (P2), and a third planetary gearset (P3). The drive input shaft (10) is designed to be coupled to an electric machine (6). In addition, at least functionally a first shifting element (A), a second shifting element (B), a third shifting element (C), and a fourth shifting element (D) are provided. Also disclosed is a drive system (4), a vehicle drive-train (5), and an electric vehicle incorporating an electric vehicle transmission of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: David Rittler, Stefan Renner, Stefan Spühler, Johannes Glückler, Michael Trübenbach, Paul Lenz
  • Patent number: 11712961
    Abstract: A dual-rotor in-wheel motor based on an axial magnetic field and a control method thereof are provided. The dual-rotor in-wheel motor includes an axle and a hub. The axle is fixedly connected to a frame. The hub relatively rotates around the axle. A disc-shaped intermediate stator is fixedly connected on the axle. A left coil assembly and a right coil assembly are fixedly mounted on two sides of the intermediate stator, respectively. A left rotor and a right rotor are respectively arranged on the two sides of the intermediate stator. The left coil assembly drives the left rotor to rotate, and the right coil assembly drives the right rotor to rotate. A left clutch is arranged between the left rotor and the hub, and a right clutch and a speed reduction mechanism are arranged between the right rotor and the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: JIANGSU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ren He, Junmin Li
  • Patent number: 11708154
    Abstract: A landing gear system includes wheel rotatably coupled to an axle. A driveshaft extends through a cavity formed in the axle and is rotatable about an axis. A planetary gear includes a sun gear operably coupled to the drive shaft and a planet gear operably engaging the sun gear. The planetary gear further includes a ring gear that surrounds and is operably coupled to the planet gear so that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the ring gear. A clutch assembly is selectively moveable between an engaged state and a disengaged state. The clutch assembly transfers rotation of the ring gear to the wheel when the clutch assembly is in the engaged state, and the clutch assembly does not transfer rotation of the wheel to the ring gear when the clutch assembly is in the disengaged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignees: Safran Landing Systems, Safran Landing Svstems Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Kyle Schmidt, Steve Amberg, Didier Brun
  • Patent number: 11702064
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine and an electric motor as driving power sources, a clutch of a hydraulic type provided between the engine and the electric motor, an electric oil pump that supplies hydraulic pressure to the clutch, a mechanical oil pump that interlocks with a rotation of the electric motor and supplies hydraulic pressure to the clutch, and a controller that controls the electric motor and the electric oil pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Guodong Tan, Atsushi Onomoto