Patents Examined by Khoi Ta
  • Patent number: 5329826
    Abstract: A pneumatic control system (200) for controlling the automated shifting of the splitter section (114) of an automated compound transmission (110) is provided. Shifting of the splitter section is controlled by a differential area piston/cylinder actuator assembly (162) having a first chamber (168A) associated with low-speed operation and a second chamber (170A) associated with high-speed operation. Pressurization and exhaust of each of the chambers is controlled by an individual independently controlled solenoid actuated valve (202 and 204 respectively), each of which operates in response to control signals from an ECU 124.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Roger A. Graves, Jr., William J. Mack
  • Patent number: 5326333
    Abstract: A differential apparatus is disclosed for controlling differential between left- and right-hand axles of a vehicle. A differential mechanism of planetary gear type is received within a differential case. The differential case is provided with a ring gear of the differential mechanism. A first hub is provided with a sun gear of the differential mechanism, and is fixed to one of the axles. A second hub is so provided as to be capable of being rotatable with respect to the first hub, and is fixed to the other axle. The carrier is movable axially relative to the second hub of the differential mechanism and is integrally rotatable together with the second hub of the differential mechanism. A first friction clutch for limiting differential between the carrier and the first hub is engaged by a cam mechanism controlled by a second friction clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Tochigi Fuji Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Niizawa, Isao Hirota
  • Patent number: 5323666
    Abstract: A transmission system having a power input shaft for connection to a power source and two coaxial differentially driven outputs located substantially parallel to and spaced from the input shaft. The power input shaft is operatively connecting the driven outputs to simultaneously drive the driven outputs in response to rotation of the power input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Dosco Overseas Engineering Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Etherington, Michael R. Long
  • Patent number: 5322484
    Abstract: A limited slip differential includes a friction clutch mechanism, a viscous coupling, and a camming mechanism disposed between the friction clutch mechanism and the viscous coupling. The camming mechanism converts shearing forces within the viscous coupling to an axial force applied to engage the clutch mechanism. The camming mechanism includes annular discs having axially inclined ramps, and a roller bearing for movement along the ramps to provide for variable spacing between the annular discs, wherein increased spacing is used to apply the axial force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: David C. Reuter
  • Patent number: 5318159
    Abstract: In an automatic transmission provided with a hydraulic lockup clutch which can directly and mechanically engage an input shaft with an output shaft of a torque converter, input torque of the above torque converter is detected and an working oil pressure supplied to said lockup clutch is detected. And a target oil pressure for said lockup clutch is set based on said input torque, supply of the oil pressure is feedback controlled so that an actual working oil pressure gets close to said target oil pressure, and said lockup clutch is controlled to the semi-clutch state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Japan Electronic Control Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masuo Kashiwabara
  • Patent number: 5315897
    Abstract: An engine speed control system causes an engine, equipped with an automatic transmission which shifts up according to predetermined shift schedules, to reduce its output at a predetermined engine speed so as to protect the engine by preventing the engine from being subjected to "over-revolution." The predetermined engine speed is changed according to engine operating conditions such as a decrease in engine temperature. Simultaneously, a shift-up vehicle speed, at which the automatic transmission shifts itself up, is decreased according to engine operating conditions and, more particularly, engine temperatures and throttle openings. As a result, an up-shift of the automatic transmission properly takes place, even when the vehicle travels at lower speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsutoshi Abe, Seiji Yashiki
  • Patent number: 5315899
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for an automatic transmission of an automotive vehicle with an exhaust braking unit is provided. This hydraulic control system serves to elevate hydraulic pressure utilized for actuating frictional elements of the automatic transmission during exhaust braking operation toward a preselected level when the pay load of the vehicle is greater than a preselected threshold value for securing tight engagement of the frictional elements without any slippage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Jatco Corporation
    Inventor: Hideki Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 5314378
    Abstract: A rear differential gear allows to be locked by a differential gear lock switch at speeds less than a first set vehicle speed, prohibited from being locked at speeds greater than or equal to the first set vehicle speed, and automatically unlocked if the locked state elapses a predetermined period of time at speeds greater than or equal to a second set vehicle speed that is greater than the first set vehicle speed. Therefore, it can prevent reduction in driving stability due to the under-steering in a turning, even if a driver has forgotten unlocking the locked rear differential gear by operating the differential gear lock switch in a rear differential lock controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeki Ohtagaki, Hirosi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5311789
    Abstract: A transmission has a drive shaft, at least two countershafts, and an output shaft. A set of gearwheels is arranged on the drive shaft, the gearwheels meshing pairwise with corresponding gearwheels on the countershafts. Gearshift sleeves provide non-rotatable interlocking of one gear wheel each of the pairs to the respective shaft on which it is provided, while the respective other gearwheel of the pair is non-rotatable interlocked to the shaft on which it is provided. Further, the countershafts each have a gearwheel meshing with a corresponding gearwheel on the output shaft. Each two gearwheels on the input shaft simultaneously mesh with one gearwheel on the first countershaft and mesh with one gearwheel on the second countershaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Getrag Getriebe-Und Zahnradfabrik H.H. GmbH
    Inventors: Helga Henzler, Guenter Knoedel, Monika Rack
  • Patent number: 5311795
    Abstract: A control system controls a second to third gear shift of an automatic transmission in an advantageous way. The transmission has a 3-4 clutch, which is locked under hydraulic pressure, and a 2-3 brake provided with a lock pressure chamber and an unlock pressure chamber. The 2-3 brake is locked when a hydraulic pressure is developed in the lock pressure chamber only and is unlocked when a fluid pressure is developed in the unlock pressure chamber and when a hydraulic pressure is released from both the lock pressure chamber and the unlock pressure chamber. Hydraulic pressure is released from the lock pressure chamber so as to unlock the 2-4 brake only when a second to third gear shift is needed for the first time after engine ignition simultaneously with application of pressure to the 3-4 clutch so as to lock the 3-4 clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yoshimura, Toshihisa Marusue, Masahito Kitada, Hidetoshi Kambara
  • Patent number: 5310389
    Abstract: A parallel-axis gear differential includes pairs of element gears (34) mounted within pockets (36) formed in a differential housing (10). Each element gear includes a first gear section (38) for meshing with one of two side gears (30 or 32), a second gear section (40) for meshing with the first gear section of its mating element gear, and a stem section (42 ) for interconnecting the first two gear sections. Associated with each pair of pockets are two passageways (44, 46) for providing respective paths for the flow of lubrication fluid between the exterior of the housing and the respective meshing gear sections (38, 40) of each pair of element gears (34). The profile of the teeth of the element gears is modified with a chamfer-like shape (58) at the intersection of the profile and the top lands of the teeth, the chamfer-like shape making an angle of 10.degree.-30.degree. with the top lands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Zexel-Gleason USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Hideyuki Sato
  • Patent number: 5305662
    Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine and a continuous variable transmission which enables well-responsible transmission control to be carried out at a proper transmission rate without increasing the transmission shock. When engine power corresponding to an engine power torque corrected amount is changeable, then an intake air flow adjusting unit is controlled in response to a corrected engine power torque corrected amount. On the contrary, when the corrected engine power torque corrected amount is not changeable, the amount corrected engine power torque corrected is restricted within a range where the engine power can be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhide Togai, Takashi Takatsuka, Makoto Shimada, Junji Kawai, Kazuya Hayafune
  • Patent number: 5303616
    Abstract: A multiple ratio automatic transmission having a hydrokinetic torque converter in an automotive vehicle driveline wherein the torque converter has a controllable bypass clutch and wherein provision is made for changing the clutch capacity during a ratio change to reduce undesirable torque fluctuations in the driveline, thus improving shift quality while maintaining optimum hydrodynamic torque converter efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Bruce J. Palansky, Thomas L. Greene, John A. Daubenmier, Gavin F. McCall, Lawrence H. Buch, Paul F. Smith
  • Patent number: 5299985
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission apparatus utilizing either a dual viscous clutch transmission means or a hydro torque converter transmission means. In one embodiment, a hydro torque converter transmission means is connected to an input shaft and interconnected to 1) a hydro torque converter and splitter means; 2) a planetary torque means; and 3) an output shaft. The hydro torque converter and splitter means is operable through a torque converter clutch assembly in order to connect a power splitter means and a torque converter assembly to the output drive shaft in a pre-selected mode. A second embodiment is a variable output transmission means operable to selectively interconnect a power splitter means, a torque converter clutch assembly, and a torque converter assembly to an output drive shaft so as to achieve a desired output in a pre-selected mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Inventor: Thomas A. Johnston
  • Patent number: 5299986
    Abstract: The transmission includes a hydraulically operated actuator for selectively controlling a locking mechanism for a differential mechanism interconnecting a motion input shaft and at least two motion output shafts. The lubricant for the differential mechanism is supplied by a pump to an actuator for the lock device with the pump being driven from the motion input shaft. In one embodiment, the pump and the actuator are disposed in a support for the differential mechanism. In a second embodiment, the pump is mounted on the housing and is provided with a reciprocating piston driven by a rotatable cam mounted for rotation with the differential casing. The plunger is biased in one direction by a spring in such a manner that the plunger is driven for a suction stroke by the cam and for a delivery stroke by the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Carraro S.p.A.
    Inventors: Armando Fabris, Ivano Visentini, Antonietto Raniero
  • Patent number: 5297450
    Abstract: A variable speed transmission includes parallel driver and driven shafts (54, 56) which mount respective series of intermeshing gears (60-65, 70-75) of progressively increasing gear ratio for selectively transmitting power from one shaft to the other. A series of two-way roller clutches are interposed between the driven shaft (56) and respective gear members (70-75) of the series of driven gears. The roller clutches are engageable for rotatively coupling the driven gears (70-75) to the driven shaft (56) and are disengageable for permitting relative rotation between the driven gears and the driven shaft. Each of the roller clutches includes a cam disk (10) having a plurality of recesses (20) formed in its peripheral surface and a roller retainer (12) circumferentially supporting a plurality of rollers (32) within respective recesses (20) in the cam disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Inventor: Roger MacPherson
  • Patent number: 5295924
    Abstract: A multiple speed ratio transmission for use in the driveline of an automotive vehicle includes a hydrokinetic torque converter and three interconnected planetary gear units, several one-way clutches and brakes, friction clutches and friction brakes. The engaged and release state of the friction elements permits the transmission to produce several underdrive speed ratios, a direct drive ratio, an overdrive ratio and reverse drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Rudolf Beim
  • Patent number: 5295922
    Abstract: A differential drive has a drivable differential carrier rotatably supported in a differential housing. Two axle shaft gears are rotatably held in cylindrical bores in the differential carrier. The axle shaft gears are coaxially arranged relative to each other. A plurality of differential gears are supported in bores in the differential carrier. The axle shaft gears rotate with the differential gears and are arranged axis-parallel. One group of the differential gears engage one of the axle shaft gears and another group of differential gears engage the other of the axle shaft gears. Each of the one group of the differential gears engage at least one of the other group of differential gears to achieve an uneven torque distribution between the axle shaft gears. Also, both the axle shaft gears have substantially equal rolling circle diameters and equal outer diameters and at least the gears of the one group of differential gears have two axially different regions with different rolling circle diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Viscodrive GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Amborn, Wolfgang Hildebrandt
  • Patent number: 5293789
    Abstract: During a shift operation, a time interval TT which is required to switch a mechanical gear ratio is detected. To bring it into coincidence with a reference value, the duty cycle with which a linear solenoid valve SL6 which determines a back pressure on an accumulator is energized is adjusted. The duty cycle is adjusted in accordance with an oil temperature, a throttle valve opening and a shift mode of an automatic transmission in order to prevent the occurrence of shift shocks as a result of a variation in the shift response of the automatic transmission from transmission to transmission or with time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeki Goto, Masato Shimei, Tetsuhiro Miyazawa, Yoshitami Saitou, Nobuyuki Isono
  • Patent number: 5292290
    Abstract: A transmission arrangement for motor vehicles has a planetary gear set acting as an axle step-up and reversing gear. The planet gears of the planetary gear set have two sets of teeth at different diameters. Synchronizing rings are arranged to minimize the structural space required. A housing for a following differential is connectable either with the planet gear carrier or else with a ring gear meshing with the larger planet gears by way of a sliding sleeve. The transmission has a continuously variable section preceding the planetary gearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Romanus Scholz, Paulus Heidemeyer, Dag-Arnulf Schlaf