Patents Examined by Peter T. Kwon
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Patent number: 5971881Abstract: A variable speed, reversible transmission that utilizes two gerotor pumps for variable controlling the speed of the output shaft or axle. A rotatable input member connectable to a drive source drives first and second epicyclic gear trains, which drive the two pumps. As the fluid flow through each pump is variably restricted, the epicyclic gears associated therewith revolve about the input member, causing a worm gear intermediate the input member and the output member to variably rotate in a forward or reverse direction. The worm gear transmits rotational power from the input member to the output member in response to the fluid flow restriction through each pump. The present invention also provides for the two pumps comprising a modular pump unit and a system of transmissions employing a common modular pump assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1998Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Assignee: Tecumseh Products CompanyInventor: Norman E. Jolliff
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Patent number: 5970809Abstract: A transmission device for farm tractors is disclosed. In the transmission device, a hollow travelling drive shaft and a PTO drive internal shaft are substituted for a typical hollow PTO drive shaft and travelling internal shaft, respectively. The transmission device also has a splined flange for directly transmitting the engine power from the flywheel to the PTO drive internal shaft. In a main change gear unit, a hub sleeve and a main gear shifting shaft are forged into a single structure. A super low-speed change gear unit is connected to a sub-change gear through two sets of shafts capable of allowing the super low-speed change gear unit to be independently operated from the sub-speed change gear unit. The transmission device is thus selectively operated without performing any super low-speed changing action.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1998Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Assignee: Tongyang Moolsan Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yo Sang Nam, Young Sun Kang, Gye Yong Song, Sang Il Nam, Sam Suk Jung
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Patent number: 5971884Abstract: A power changing apparatus of a bicycle hub is provided. The apparatus including a transmission section at one side of a hub shell of a rear wheel, a bi-directional pedaling apparatus (BDPA) section at the other side thereof, and a clutch between the transmission section and the BDPA section provides the power in one direction at all times regardless of the direction of power applied thereto and changes speed according to the driving state of the bicycle. Also, a lever is inserted into the left side of a hub shaft having holes at both ends thereof to control the transmission section and a pin lever is inserted into the right side of the hub shaft to control the BDPA section. The power changing apparatus of the bicycle hub can be connected to a general bicycle compatible with it.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 1997Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Assignee: World Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Moon-Soo Yoo
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Patent number: 5971880Abstract: In a broad aspect, the invention is an infinitely variable ratio transmission that may include an input shaft connected to a carrier plate. The input shaft is disposed within the bore of a sun gear. At least one planetary gear is rotatably attached to the carrier plate. A ring gear is connected to an output shaft. The at least one planetary gear is disposed between and meshed with the ring gear and the sun gear. A pump having a first and second gear enclosed within a housing is disposed about the input shaft. The second gear is attached to the sun gear. A pump oil pickup passageway connects an inlet port on the pump to a pump oil reservoir. A pump oil return passageway connects an outlet port of the pump to the reservoir. A control valve is provided to regulate fluid flow through the pump. Various clutch arrangements are disclosed to provide a reverse mode.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 1998Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Inventor: Fred Keiser
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Patent number: 5970811Abstract: A speed-change apparatus for satisfactorily performing the automatic gear shifting of the conventional gear transmission by controlling two motors comprises a select mechanisms including a stepping-motor 2, a select shaft provided with a select gear meshing with a motor gear 3 for transferring the rotation, a device for connecting the select shaft with the select-shift rod of the gear transmission, and a select sensor 6 for detecting an angle of rotation of the select shaft; the shift mechanism comprises a shift motor 9, an intermediate shaft 12, an actuator gear 11 meshing with a motor gear 10 for transferring rotation, a long actuator gear 13 provided on the periphery of the intermediate shaft 12, a shift shaft provided with a male screw 15, a cylindrical slider 17 with a female screw 16 meshing with the male screw 15 a shift gear 14 meshing with the long actuator gear 13, a mechanism coupled with the slider 17 for connecting the slider 17 with the select-shift rod, and a stroke sensor 19 for detecting an aType: GrantFiled: July 23, 1998Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Assignee: Aichi Kikai Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshio Imao, Eiji Takeyama
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Patent number: 5967927Abstract: A continuously variable transmission for use on vehicle, which is provided in an FR drive power transmission path to change the rotational drive power of the engine in continuous speed variation, comprises a variable displacement type hydraulic swash plate pump (P) and a hydraulic swash plate motor (M), which are connected with each other through a hydraulic closed circuit (51). The hydraulic pump (P), which is driven by the engine, delivers oil to the hydraulic motor (M), and the hydraulic motor (M), which is driven by the oil being received, transmits the rotational drive power to the rear wheels.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 1998Date of Patent: October 19, 1999Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masahiro Imamura, Toru Takahashi
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Patent number: 5967936Abstract: An automatic variable transmnission, and a hydraulic pressure control system for the same, have a structure which can be installed in both rear and front wheel drive vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1997Date of Patent: October 19, 1999Assignee: KIA Motors CorporationInventors: Jong-Pil Kim, Yeong-Soo Cho
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Patent number: 5967938Abstract: A multiple speed bicycle of the coaster brake type has a single drive sprocket and a drive chain in longitudinal alignment with one another. A sun gear is keyed to the main drive axle of the bicycle and rotates with the main drive axle. The sun gear engages a drive gear mounted on a planet gear axle and a planet gear is mounted on the same planet gear axle. Driving and driven satellite gears are mounted on satellite gear axles that are pivotally mounted on a nonrotatable ring concentric with the main drive axle. The satellite gears have differing diameters and differing numbers of teeth, one for each GEAR of the bicycle, and are positioned radially outwardly of the planet gear, in circumferentially spaced relation to one another. The planet gear orbits the main drive axle in incremental degrees of angular rotation when the bicycle operator manipulates a remote control member on the handlebar of the bicycle to change from one preselected gear to another preselected gear.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1998Date of Patent: October 19, 1999Inventors: James R. Benford, Robert L. Benford
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Patent number: 5964675Abstract: A system for controlling gear (gear ratio) shifting in an automatic transmission mounted on a vehicle, including a shift control means for generating a shift command to upshift from one gear (gear ratio) currently established to a next gear (gear ratio) by determining a command to the solenoid valves to discharge the pressurized oil from the frictional engaging elements that establish the current gear (gear ratio) so as to slip-control the frictional engaging elements, and to charge the pressurized oil to the frictional engaging elements that establish the next gear (gear ratio) to be shifted to.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1998Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takamichi Shimada, Noboru Sekine
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Patent number: 5964677Abstract: The present invention includes shift mechanisms, lock assemblies and methods of adjusting a gear ratio of a transmission. According to one aspect of the invention, a shift mechanism configured to adjust a transmission includes a central axle defining a central axis; a drive member configured to rotate about the central axle responsive to an application of a driving force to the drive member; and a mount assembly comprising a mount support and an eccentric mount, the mount support being provided about the central axle and the eccentric mount defining an eccentric axis, the eccentric mount being movably coupled with the mount support to provide radial adjustment of the eccentric axis relative to the central axis and wherein resultant forces are generated responsive to the eccentric axis being spaced from the central axis, and the mount assembly being configured to utilize at least one resultant force to assist with movement of the eccentric mount with respect to the mount support.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1998Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Assignee: Speed Control, Inc.Inventor: Ned Mills
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Patent number: 5964122Abstract: A dual control device for selectively actuating a brake, a clutch or an accelerator of a driving school vehicle having at least one mechanical sensor which generates an electrical signal corresponding to an action of a foot of the user. An electrical circuit receives this electrical signal so as to actuate on electric motive member. The electric motive member has an output mechanical element affixed to an end of an actuating flexible element and connected to one of the pedals. The output mechanical element applies an axial stress on the flexible element when the motive member is actuated. The axial stress applied to the flexible element being applied onto the pedal so as to pull the pedal toward the floor of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1997Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Inventors: Henri Bonnard, Francisco Rivas, Michel Santalucia
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Patent number: 5960669Abstract: A system for estimating a temperature of a vehicle hydraulically-operated transmission including a hydraulic torque converter, a plurality of frictional engaging elements such as clutches installed in the transmission and a hydraulic pressure supplying circuit for discharging hydraulic fluid from one of said plurality of frictional engaging elements and for supplying hydraulic fluid to another to bring said one and another one of said plurality of frictional engaging elements into operation such that gear-shift is effected in the transmission. A heat quantity generated by the hydraulic coupling means (.DELTA.Ttr), a heat quantity generated by at least one of the frictional engaging elements at gearshift (.DELTA.Tcl(No)), a heat quantity generated by stirring of the hydraulic fluid (.notident.Tst), a heat quantity generated or absorbed at a heat exchanger which exchanges heat from the fluid (.DELTA.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 1997Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tatsuyuki Ohashi, Yoshirou Tashiro, Toshiyuki Suzuki, Kaname Tokita
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Patent number: 5961418Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission has a gear neutral (GN) point and serves as an output member by torque circulation. When a pulley ratio thereof is within a predetermined range from the GN point, a coasting state occurs which may hinder smooth torque transmission based on the transmission efficiency and generate a great engine braking effect (failure in the transmission resulting from the coasting state) based on a large gear ratio. When the pulley ratio assumes a predetermined value that may cause failure in transmission resulting from the coasting state, upon release of the accelerator pedal, an electronic throttle system performs control such that the engine outputs a predetermined torque. Thus a positive driving state is always established. In this state, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) is shifted in the upshift direction to escape rapidly from a range defined by the pulley ratio of the predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 1997Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takao Taniguchi, Shoichi Miyagawa, Kazumasa Tsukamoto, Shiro Sakakibara, Takeshi Inuzuka, Masashi Hattori, Hirofumi Nozawa
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Patent number: 5961422Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the pressure of a hydraulically operated frictional coupling device which is released or engaged to achieve a shifting action of an automatic transmission, by first rapidly reducing or increasing the pressure to a predetermined level, holding the pressure at this level for a predetermined time and then continuously reducing or increasing the pressure to complete the shifting action, wherein a learning compensation device is provided to update, by learning compensation, a selected control parameter influencing a pattern of change of the pressure of the coupling device during the shifting action such that the shifting action is achieved in a predetermined manner.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1998Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideki Yasue, Hiromichi Kimura
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Patent number: 5957800Abstract: A shift control system of an automatic transmission sets a predetermined gear stage by applying a first frictional engagement element and releasing a second frictional engagement element. A pressure regulating mechanism regulates an oil pressure to be fed to or drained from the first frictional engagement element. A failure detector detects a failure of an apparatus to participate in the regulation and control of the oil pressure which is to be fed to or drained from at least one of the first and second frictional engagement elements. A gear stage inhibitor inhibits the setting of the predetermined gear stage if the failure is detected by the failure detector.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 1997Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aishin A.W. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hidehiro Oba, Kagenori Fukumura, Yasuo Hojo, Atsushi Tabata, Hiromichi Kimura, Masato Kaigawa, Masahiko Ando, Akira Fukatsu, Yoshihisa Yamamoto, Masahiro Hayabuchi, Kazumasa Tsukamoto
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Patent number: 5954608Abstract: A drive speed control system having an input shaft and an output shaft in communication with a planetary gear mechanism. The planetary gear mechanism is in communication with a first rotatable drum member and a second rotatable drum member which is positioned radially inward relative to the first rotatable drum member. A first annular inflatable member is positioned radially outwardly of the first rotatable drum member and a second annular inflatable member is positioned radially between the first and second rotatable drum members. The first and second annular inflatable members are in communication with a control system to cause the inflation of the first annular inflatable member to inhibit rotation of the first rotatable drum member and to cause inflation of the second annular inflatable member, when the first annular inflatable member is uninflated, to cause the first rotatable drum member to rotate in unison with the second rotatable drum.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1998Date of Patent: September 21, 1999Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.Inventors: Malcolm E. Kirkwood, Graham M. Annear
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Patent number: 5954612Abstract: A multi-speed offset transfer case for a four (4) wheel drive motor vehicle having a plural stage torque transfer and speed changing mechanism which provides four (4) or more output speeds for each input speed. A modified planetary gear assembly forms the first stage and provides selectively either speed reduction or an output speed which is equal to the input speed. This planetary gear assembly receives torque from an input shaft and includes a sun gear in driven engagement with the input shaft, a planetary gear carrier which supports a plurality of planet gears and a ring gear. The planetary gear carrier includes an output sleeve, which is preferably an integral part of the planetary gear carrier.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 1997Date of Patent: September 21, 1999Assignee: Dana CorporationInventor: Ralph W. Baxter, Jr.
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Patent number: 5951426Abstract: A hydraulically actuated limited slip differential which transfers a predetermined amount of clutch torque each time the clutch mechanism is triggered. The differential includes a hydraulic pump mechanism comprising a plurality of fluid supply passages disposed in a side gear and in fluid communication with a cavity defined by the side gear and the clutch mechanism. The hydraulic pump mechanism transfers fluid into the cavity in response to meshing rotation between the pinion gears and the side gears. Sufficiently high differentiation between the output shafts increases the pressure in the cavity to trigger the frictional clutch mechanism with the differential casing to provide braking action between the side gears and the differential casing. The clutch mechanism includes a cone clutch element having a frusto-conical engagement surface which frictionally engages an insert having a complementary frusto-conical engagement surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1998Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: Auburn Gear, Inc.Inventor: James L. Forrest
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Patent number: 5951429Abstract: A transfer case for a four-wheel drive vehicle having a planetary gear assembly and a synchronized range clutch which can be selectively shifted on-the-move for establishing four-wheel high-range and low-range drive modes.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1998Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.Inventor: Richard E. Eastman
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Patent number: 5947881Abstract: A graduated gear assembly provides for controlled movement between a stationary support surface and exterior contact surface. The assembly contains two discs are supported by a roller shaft affixed to the support surface. The first disc has a contact surface and an opposing receiving surface containing bearing retaining area. The first side of the second disc contains a recessed bearing receiving area to receive the female portion of the bearing. The opposing second side has a plurality of recessed arcs each containing a receiving area and a sphere receiving ridge. A plurality of spheres are immovably affixed to the support surface and a handle is rigidly affixed, and moves with, the discs, which rotate as a single unit. The unit is rotated to a first position wherein the spheres are within the recessed arcs and a second position wherein the spheres are within the sphere receiving areas.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1997Date of Patent: September 7, 1999Inventor: Emile Fournier