Patents Examined by Lillian T Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11299027
    Abstract: The present invention provides a power system for a hybrid vehicle, relating to the field of hybrid vehicles. The power system for a hybrid vehicle adopts a first planetary gear mechanism with two sun gears, the first sun gear rotates with an input shaft, the second sun gear and the input shaft are independent of each other, and the second sun gear achieves different motion states through a second brake or/and a second clutch, and cooperates with a first brake to provide different transmission ratios of four to six gears when an engine and motors are in driving, so that the power system is simple in structure and low in cost, and the fuel economy and acceleration dynamic performance of the power system are improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: NINGBO UMD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhiling Qiu, Tejinder Singh, Jun Fu, Choonghyeo Kim, Daguo Luo, Xiaozhe Lin, Ruiping Wang
  • Patent number: 11274718
    Abstract: An active transfer case is equipped with a multi-plate clutch assembly, a clutch actuation mechanism configured to selectively engage the clutch assembly, a power-operated clutch actuator configured to control actuation of the clutch actuation mechanism, a power-operated actuator brake associated with the power-operated clutch actuator, and a control system configured to control actuation of the clutch actuator and the actuator brake while employing a preemptive check of the functionality of the actuator brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin Northrup, Opinder Sharma
  • Patent number: 11274741
    Abstract: A pumpless lubrication system for a power transfer assembly equipped with a hypoid gearset having a ring gear and a hollow pinion unit. Lubricant splashed from one of the ring gear and the pinion unit is collected in a collection reservoir and directed through a conduit unit into the hollow pinion unit. The lubricant is delivered to a torque transfer coupling for lubricating and cooling a multi-plate clutch pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Bradley Ketchel, Wade Smith, Ryan Strand, Ryan Shaw
  • Patent number: 11274719
    Abstract: A pumping device for a seat of a vehicle is proposed. In the pumping device, a plurality of pressure members is provided along an outer circumferential surface of a brake drum, and braking operation is performed through the pressure members moved when the brake drum rotates, so that friction between the brake drum and a housing can be avoided and thus deterioration of operational performance is prevented. In addition, the shape of the brake drum is simplified and the number of components is reduced, so that weight and size of the pumping device, and production cost are reduced, and fuel efficiency increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: HYUNDAI TRANSYS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Young Sun Lee
  • Patent number: 11268597
    Abstract: An automatic transmission for a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine includes at least two fixed gear ratios, a transmission shaft, a planetary gearbox, a shaft, two shift elements, and a variator. A first side of the variator can be coupled to the transmission shaft for torque transmission and a second side of the variator can be coupled to the planetary gearbox via the shaft in order to adjust the gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Benjamin Kluge, Sebastian Liebert
  • Patent number: 11267331
    Abstract: A hybrid module for a powertrain of a motor vehicle includes an electric machine, a clutch device, and a frictionally-engaging separating clutch. The separating clutch is arranged between a dual-mass flywheel and an intermediate shaft. The separating clutch includes a counter-plate, an outer lamella carrier rigidly connected to the counter-plate, a pressure plate, axially movable relative to the outer lamella carrier, an intermediate plate, axially movable relative to the outer lamella carrier, a first clutch disk, axially movable and extending between the pressure plate and the intermediate plate, and a second clutch disk, axially movable and extending between the counter-plate and the intermediate plate. The pressure plate or the intermediate plate is connected to the outer lamella carrier for conjoint rotation therewith via a leaf spring, or the pressure plate or the intermediate plate is connected to the counter-plate for conjoint rotation therewith via a leaf spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dirk Reimnitz
  • Patent number: 11242915
    Abstract: A two-speed drive unit of an electric vehicle includes a planetary gear set transmission having multiple elements including a first element, a second element and a third element. A motor generator unit supplies a motive force to the planetary gear set transmission. A first stage gear transfers the motive force to the planetary gear set transmission from the motor generator unit. A second stage gear is connected through the second element to a final drive. A first torque transmitting device defining a selectable one-way clutch (SOWC) is connected to the third element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Chunhao J Lee, Farzad Samie, Chi-Kuan Kao, Norman K Bucknor
  • Patent number: 11235660
    Abstract: Methods and systems for an electric drive axle of a vehicle are provided. An electric drive axle system includes, in one example, an electric motor-generator rotationally coupled to a gear train. The gear train includes an output shaft rotationally coupled to a gear assembly axially offset from an input shaft rotationally coupled to the electric motor-generator, where the gear assembly is rotationally coupled to a differential and the differential is rotationally coupled to an axle, a first clutch assembly is configured to rotationally couple and decouple a first gear set from the output shaft, and a second clutch assembly is configured to rotationally couple and decouple a second gear set from the output shaft, the second gear set having a different gear ratio than the first gear set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventor: Eric M. Engerman
  • Patent number: 11236804
    Abstract: Methods and systems for an electric drive axle of a vehicle are provided. An electric drive axle system includes, in one example, a gear train configured to rotationally attach to an electric motor-generator. The gear train includes an output shaft rotationally coupled to a first planetary gear assembly axially offset from an input shaft rotationally coupled to the electric motor-generator, the first planetary gear assembly configured to removably couple to a differential arranged co-axial with an axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Eric M. Engerman, Mitchell R. Lawson
  • Patent number: 11230182
    Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes a power source, a clutch arrangement and a housing, the clutch arrangement arranged between the power source and a transmission. The clutch arrangement includes: a first clutch arranged to couple the power source to a first input shaft of the transmission and a second clutch arranged to couple the power source to a second input shaft of the transmission; and a torque transmission member having an extension in a radial direction and adapted to transmit torque from the power source to one of the first or second input shafts. The torque transmission member includes clutch lamellae carriers for the first and second clutches. The torque transmission member is journaled at a radially inner portion against the housing via one or more first bearings, and an output rotor shaft of the power source is journaled against the housing via one or more second bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: NINGBO GEELY AUTOMOBILE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Markus Kifeldt, Pär Bergström, Johannes Larsson
  • Patent number: 11230180
    Abstract: A transfer includes: an input shaft; a motor; first and second output shafts; first and second planetary gear devices; an input switching unit; a transmission switching unit; and a distribution switching unit. Further, connection states of the input shaft, the first and the second planetary gear devices, the first and the second output shafts can be switched to a plurality of modes including first, second, and third modes by the input switching unit, the transmission switching unit, and the distribution switching unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yosuke Akiyama, Yohei Habata, Hideaki Komada
  • Patent number: 11226012
    Abstract: A driving force transmission device includes a clutch housing configured to be connected to a propeller shaft; a shaft including a weakened portion that is a portion in an axial direction of the shaft; a multi-plate clutch disposed between the clutch housing and the shaft; a case member including a housing portion having a cylindrical shape, the housing portion being configured to house at least a part of the clutch housing; and a falling-off preventing member configured to, when the shaft is broken at the weakened portion, allow rotation of the clutch housing while restraining the clutch housing from falling off the housing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takao Kimura
  • Patent number: 11209051
    Abstract: A pack includes a set of first friction disks interleaved with a set of second friction disks to form a stack. An annular pressure plate has an engagement side disposed against the stack. The engagement side includes an outer circumferential edge, an inner circumferential edge, a flat face extending radially inward from the outer edge, a step axially recessed into the engagement side relative to the face, and a tapered face extending from the step to the inner circumferential edge. The tapered face is disposed against an end one of the first friction disks, and the flat face is radially outboard of the first friction disks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yasser Hindi, Carl Garbacik
  • Patent number: 11204098
    Abstract: Provided is an automatic transmission with a compact arrangement that prevents rotation of a hub member, and efficiently supplies lubrication hydraulic oil to the friction plates. The automatic transmission comprises a brake in which a plurality of friction plates are arranged between the hub member and a drum member, wherein a biasing member, an engagement hydraulic pressure chamber, and a disengagement hydraulic pressure chamber are arranged radially inward of the friction plates at positions radially overlapping each other. The hub member comprises: a first hub member comprising a cylindrical portion having a splined region with which the friction plates are spline-engaged, wherein the first hub member s spline-engaged with a transmission casing; and a second hub member formed with a part of a lubrication oil supply passage, wherein the second hub member is fittingly engaged with the transmission casing such that it is connected to a valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Shota Yamakawa, Tomotaka Ishizaka, Tatsuhiko Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 11193577
    Abstract: An epicyclic gear system, a fluid directing ring, and a method of directing a fluid to at least one fluid passage of a carrier in an epicyclic gear system are provided. The system includes a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears disposed around the sun gear, a carrier configured for rotation relative to the sun gear and having at least one fluid passage having a fluid passage inlet for supplying a fluid to at least one of the plurality of planet gears, and a plurality of fluid directors fixed for rotation with the carrier and disposed radially inward from the fluid passage inlet. Each of the plurality of fluid directors has a directing surface configured to receive the fluid conveyed radially outwardly and direct the fluid in a direction of rotation of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Kevin M. Allen
  • Patent number: 11193550
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for optimizing feature parameters of straight grooves of a wet friction element and relates to the technical field of heavy-duty vehicle transmission. By using the method, the feature parameters of the straight grooves of the wet friction element can be improved by optimization, and the thermoelastic stability of the wet friction element can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture
    Inventors: Jie Li, Xiaoyan Wang, Yanxiong Zhang, Jialing Gu, Long Tao, Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 11192443
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission (100) for a hybrid drive arrangement which can be coupled to two drive assemblies (7, 8), comprising an input shaft (10) and an output shaft (11), at least one first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh shifting element (SE1, SE2, SE3, SE4, SE5, SE6, SE7), and at least one planetary gear (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Lucius Dempel, Dominik Eszterle, Thomas Huber, Christian Wirth, Simon Brummer, Tom Smejkal
  • Patent number: 11187311
    Abstract: An axle center transmission includes a transmission gearing for transmitting a driving torque received at an input element and having at least two selectively switchable gear transmission ratios and a differential for distributing the transmitted driving torque to two output elements. The transmission gearing has a first gear that is formed as a planetary transmission and comprises a first sun gear, a first planet carrier having one or more planet gears, and a first annulus gear. The transmission gearing furthermore has a second gear that is formed as a planetary transmission and comprises a second sun gear, a second planet carrier having one or more planet gears, and a second annulus gear. The first sun gear forms said input element; the first planet carrier is stationary; and the second sun gear is couplable or coupled to the first annulus gear for a common rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: KESSLER & CO. GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Bauer
  • Patent number: 11174916
    Abstract: An aircraft engine reduction gearbox includes a power input and a power output, and an epicyclic gear train engaged with the power input and the power output. The epicyclic gear train includes a sun gear engaged with the power input and centrally disposed to define a center axis of the epicyclic gear train. Compound planet gears are mounted to a carrier and rotatable about respective planet gear axes. Each compound planet gear has an input gear in meshed engagement with the sun gear, and output gears axially spaced from the input gear. Ring gears are axially spaced apart and rotatable about the center axis. The ring gears are engaged with the power output. Each ring gear is in meshed engagement with one of the output gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Michel Desjardins
  • Patent number: 11174927
    Abstract: An electromotive drive assembly comprises a housing arrangement with a first and second housing element between which an intermediate plate is arranged; a drive unit comprising a drive shaft which is rotatably drivable about a first axis of rotation; a transmission arrangement with an intermediate shaft which extends through an opening of the intermediate plate and is rotatably drivable by the drive shaft, and with a power split unit which is drivingly connected to the intermediate shaft and is rotatably supported about a third axis of rotation coaxial with the first axis of rotation by a first bearing in the intermediate plate and a second bearing in the second housing element; and a clutch arrangement by which the power path between the drive unit and the power split unit can be selectively connected and disconnected, wherein the opening comprises a clutch receptacle on which at least one element of the controllable clutch arrangement is axially supported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Simon Broicher, Mark Schmidt, Ervin Szilagyi, Damian Dudek