Patents Examined by John V Ligerakis
  • Patent number: 7594397
    Abstract: A clutch mechanism for a hydrostatic continuously variable transmission in which a high pressure oil path and a low pressure oil path are shortened to change-over a transmittance of power. A spring sheet is provided of which manufacturing and assembling are simple and the number of component parts is reduced. This clutch mechanism for a hydrostatic continuously variable transmission includes a cam plate member arranged at the end part of the transmission shaft, a roller engaged with the cam plate member and moved in a diametrical outward direction with a centrifugal force, a roller bearing member slid axially through an outward motion of the roller, a spring sheet member for biasing the roller bearing member toward the roller, and a spring sheet member for supporting the spring member. The spring sheet member is held by said cam plate member and said casing and is supported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimasa Mitsubori, Yoshihiro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7581628
    Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch 1 is disclosed having first and second relative rotary members 3, 5, an electromagnet 11 having a coil 7 and a yoke 9, a rotor 13 placed in close proximity to the electromagnet 11 and permeating magnetic field lines through the yoke 9, a friction clutch 15 operative to transfer drive torque between the first and second relative rotary members 3, 5, and an armature 17 permeating magnetic field lines coming from the rotor 13 for controlling coupling the friction clutch. The rotor 13 includes first and second magnetic members 21, 23 for forming at least one magnetic flux loop 19 and the first and second magnetic members 21, 23 are made of materials different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: GKN Driveline Torque Technology KK
    Inventor: Isao Hirota
  • Patent number: 7546914
    Abstract: An all-wheel transmission system includes an input shaft, a first output shaft and two mutually independently controllable friction clutches for the metering the transfer of drive torque from a powertrain to a first axle assembly and a second axle assembly. The first friction clutch includes a first clutch component rotationally connected to an input shaft and of a second clutch component rotationally connected to a first output shaft while the second friction clutch includes a first clutch component rotationally connected to the input shaft and a second clutch component rotationally connected to a second output shaft. One of the friction clutches can be selectively bridged via coordinate actuation of a bridging clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain AG & Co KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Schranz, Bernd Gsell, Klaus Lippitsch, Thomas Papst
  • Patent number: 7543694
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrokinetic coupling device (10) characterized by the fact that the web (74) comprises, at the inner radial end thereof, a collar (86), which axially extends toward the front between the turbine wheel (32) and the turbine hub (40) and which is rotationally joined by friction welding respectively: at the front, to the turbine wheel (32) by a first weld joint (88) provided between a front annular contact face (90) of the collar (86) and a rear welding face (92) opposite the inner radial periphery of the turbine wheel (32) and; at the rear, to the turbine hub (40) by a second rear weld joint (96) provided between a rear annular contact face (98) of the collar (86) and a front welding face (100) opposite the outer radial periphery of the turbine hub (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventors: Rabah Arhab, Norberto Termenon
  • Patent number: 7513350
    Abstract: A clutch including two rotary shafts, one of which is connected to one or more first clutch plates which cooperate with a second set of clutch plates, the clutch plates acted on by an actuating piston positioned within a two chamber hydraulic cylinder. A torque control valve comprising a cylindrical inner valve member rotatably and linearly movably received in a cylindrical opening in an outer valve member. Each valve member having elongate recesses positioned such that longitudinal movement of the inner valve member within the outer valve member will vary the degree of communication between the first and second elongate recesses connected to two hydraulic fluid sources of differing pressures. The second clutch plates are connected to one side of a spring of predetermined spring rate, which is also connected to one of the valve members, and the other side of the spring is connected to the other of the valve members and to the other rotary shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Ricardo Uk Limited
    Inventors: Shaun Ewan Mepham, Robert John Barnes
  • Patent number: 7506738
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sprag type one-way clutch of disengaging type comprising an outer race having a substantially annular inner peripheral track surface, an inner race spaced apart from the outer race in a radial direction and disposed coaxially with and rotatable relative to the outer race and having a substantially annular outer peripheral track surface, a plurality of sprags disposed between the outer race and the inner race to transmit torque between the inner and outer track surfaces, and a ribbon spring for applying rising moment to the sprags, and wherein an outer diameter side cam surface of the sprag is provided with a mechanism for preventing fluctuation of the sprag during a predetermined number of idle revolutions of the outer race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: NSK Warner K.K.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Muramatsu, Akira Iwano
  • Patent number: 7503443
    Abstract: A torque limiting device that includes a body, an output race including a distal portion extending from the body for supporting a tool that is to be controlled from the body and a proximal portion formed as a radial flange and a plurality of ball bearings disposed in a plurality of accommodating holes arranged about the flange. A first thrust member is disposed at the distal portion side of the flange and an actuator plate is providing having a peripheral ratchet surface and a plurality of holes arranged in line with certain holes in the flange. A pawl is supported by the body for engagement with the ratchet surface. A second thrust member imposes a force on the actuator plate toward the output race. The balls supported by the output race transfer axial force therethrough between the actuator plate and the first thrust member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Seekonk Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick P. Dobras
  • Patent number: 7497312
    Abstract: A clutch assembly for use in a transmission of a motor vehicle is provided including, a stationary frame, a non-rotating apply piston mounted with the frame, a clutch hub torsionally connected with a portion of a friction pack, a clutch housing torsionally connected with another portion of a friction pack, the housing having a stop for the friction pack, an apply bearing with a first race operatively associated with an apply member and a second race operatively associated with the piston, and a reaction bearing with an outer race operatively associated with the frame and an inner race associated with the clutch housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Braford, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7497310
    Abstract: A friction clutch for a driven element that is connected directly to a drive by means of a first friction-disk clutch and being capable of being matched to the speed of the drive. When the first friction-disk clutch is disengaged, the drive of the driven element is adjusted to a relatively low take-up speed by means of an eddy-current clutch which can be engaged by means of a second friction-disk clutch. The driven element is arranged on a shaft or axle, so that, when the first and second friction clutches are disengaged, the drive of the driven element can be adjusted to a further take-up speed by means of the friction of a roller bearing. The eddy-current clutch includes an eddy-current part and a permanent magnet part which can be moved relative to the eddy-current part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Linnig Trucktec GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Wolf
  • Patent number: 7484607
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper in a gearbox housing has an input part connected to a drive and acts on a first damping unit and an intermediate part which acts as the output of the first damping unit and as the input of a second damping unit. The torsional vibration damper further has an output part which is in working connection with the second damping unit and which is designed to accept a takeoff. Takeoff-side drive elements of the intermediate part, the second damping unit, and the takeoff are mounted in a torque-transmitting space of a clutch device, which space is provided with at least one inlet and at least one outlet. A sealing wall separates the torque-transmitting space from a damping space including the first damping unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Hans-Jürgen Schneider, Thomas Walter, Alexander Markow, Thomas Dögel, Wolfgang Grosspietsch, Rainer Brand, Hilmar Göbel, Reinhard Feldhaus, Jürgen Weth, Stefan Zopf
  • Patent number: 7410040
    Abstract: An actuator for selectively causing axial compression of friction elements in a clutch is disclosed. The actuator comprises a pair of beveled wedge washers and a bearing race supported between the washers. The race supports conical bearing rollers in a generally radial orientation. An actuator plate is mounted for rotation relative to the bearing race and includes bearing ramp surfaces that are operable to move the conical bearing rollers radially inwardly thereby forcing the washers to move apart axially and to thereby cause compression of and torque transfer through the friction elements. A clutch including the actuator is well suited for inclusion in a transfer case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: DYMOS Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dan M. Stefan, Thomas C. Bowen, Jason R. Davis