Patents Examined by Rodney Bonck
  • Patent number: 8733525
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an adjusting device for a friction clutch of a motor vehicle, having a spindle, a spindle nut screwed onto the spindle to carry along an adjusting element to adjust a wear-related incorrect gap between a counter plate and a pressure plate for pressing a clutch plate between the pressure plate and the counter plate, and an essentially frictionally engaged and/or essentially stepless means of swiveling for swiveling the spindle to adjust the wear-related incorrect gap, as well as to a friction clutch having such an adjusting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christoph Raber, Christian Asal
  • Patent number: 8727086
    Abstract: A torque converter damper, including: an output hub; a first side plate arranged for rotational connection to a lock-up clutch and a turbine of the torque converter. Includes first and second intermediate flange plates; a flange connected to the output hub; springs engaged with the first side plate and the intermediate flange plates; springs engaged with the intermediate flange plates and with the flange; and a resilient element creating frictional contact between first and second components of the torque converter damper. Relative rotation of the first and second components at the frictional contact attenuates vibration at the output hub. The first and second components are rotatable with respect to each other. Rotation of the first component is fixed to rotation of the hub. Rotation of the second component is arranged to be fixed to rotation of the turbine. The hub is arranged to be rotatable with respect to the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Craig Kneidel, Markus Steinberger
  • Patent number: 8727089
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a centrifugal force cutting off sliding damping type torque-actuated clutch capable of controlling a clutch device to perform operations of coupling or disengaging with the driving torque, characterized in that a relay transmission structure assembly (104) is installed between a rotary prime motive end (101) and an output-end clutch structure (1052) installed at an output end (102), the relay transmission structure assembly (104) is installed with a relay coupling structure (204) having an active side of relay coupling structure and a passive side of relay coupling structure, and a centrifugal force cutting type centrifugal clutch (2006) is installed between the relay transmission structure assembly (104) and the static housing (107).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Patent number: 8727088
    Abstract: A work vehicle has a hydraulic pump and a transmission. The transmission includes a transmission body having a cylindrical input shaft, a torque converter body, a lock-up clutch device, a pump drive shaft, and an oil channel. The lock-up clutch device includes a piston, an oil chamber formed at a back surface of the piston, and a clutch portion. The pump drive shaft penetrates the input shaft and is disposed coaxially to the input shaft. The pump drive shaft transmits driving power to the hydraulic pump. The oil channel is formed between an inner circumference surface of the input shaft and an outer circumference surface of the pump drive shaft, and communicates with the oil chamber in the lock-up clutch device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Takeshima, Yoshito Komatsu
  • Patent number: 8727090
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a centrifugal force combined with sliding damping type clutch actuated by torque capable of controlling a clutch device to perform operations of coupling or disengaging with the driving torque, characterized in that a relay transmission structure assembly (104) is installed between a rotary prime motive end (101) and an output-end clutch structure (1052) is installed at an output end (102), the relay transmission structure assembly (104) is installed with a relay coupling structure (204) having an active side of relay coupling structure and a passive side of relay coupling structure, a limit-torque sliding damping device (106) is installed between the relay transmission structure assembly (104) and the static housing (107).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Patent number: 8720658
    Abstract: A starting device includes: a lock-up clutch mechanism; a fluid coupling; a spring damper including a spring, a power transfer portion transferring power from the lock-up clutch mechanism to the spring, and a power output portion transferring power from the spring to an input shaft; and a pendulum damper including a pendulum and a pendulum power transfer portion transferring power from the spring damper to the pendulum. The output portion of the lock-up clutch, the pendulum damper, the spring damper, and the fluid coupling are arranged sequentially in this order from a motor in the axial direction. The lock-up clutch mechanism output and the spring damper output are connected to each other on the outer circumferential side of the pendulum damper, and the spring damper output and the pendulum power transfer portion are connected to each other on the inner circumferential side of the pendulum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Ito, Akihiro Nagae, Yoshihide Mori, Keizo Araki
  • Patent number: 8714333
    Abstract: The present invention provides a friction plate having a friction surface formed by sticking an annular friction material to a substantially annular core plate and wherein the friction surface is provided with a first oil groove having an opening portion opened to an inner peripheral edge of the friction plate and an end terminating at a point between the inner peripheral edge and an outer peripheral edge, and a second oil groove having an opening portion opened to the outer peripheral edge of the friction plate and an end terminating at a point between the inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: NSK-Warner K.K.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Miyazaki, Masahiro Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8714329
    Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch includes a rotating member; an electromagnetic coil that is arranged on a rotational axis of the rotating member and generates electro-magnetic force; an output mechanism that has an armature to which return force in a direction away from the electromagnetic coil is applied by a return spring; a cam mechanism that is juxtaposed along the rotational axis to the output mechanism, and has a control cam that is unable to rotate relative to the rotating member, and a cam follower that is able to roll between the control cam and the armature; and a relative rotation restricting device that is arranged on an axis of the cam mechanism, and that is configured to restrict relative rotation between the armature and the control cam when the electromagnetic coil is in a de-energized state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Yoichi Sakamoto, Kenji Korenaga, Minoru Onitake, Hiroshi Takuno, Takashi Hosokawa, Hirotatsu Kitabatake, Hideaki Komada, Hiroaki Ebuchi, Hiroto Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8714325
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure controller, which controls hydraulic pressure supplied to a torque converter including a lock-up clutch that is engageable using a hydraulic pressure from a mechanical pump, including a first pressure regulation valve that regulates pressure in a first passage connected to the pump while discharging oil in the first passage to a discharge passage; a bypass passage branched from the first passage bypassing the first pressure regulation valve; a first switching valve selectively switchable between a first state in which the bypass passage and a second passage are connected to each other and a second state in which the discharge passage and the second passage are connected to each other; and a second pressure regulation valve that regulates a hydraulic pressure in the second passage. The first switching valve is switchable into the first state to engage the clutch and into the second state to disengage the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoya Jinno, Tetsuya Shimizu, Kazunori Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8708117
    Abstract: A damper unit having at least two series-connected damper units arranged offset from each other in a radial direction, each including two damper parts that are coupled to each other by means of spring units and a speed-adaptive absorber which is at least indirectly coupled to the connection between the two dampers, wherein the speed-adaptive absorber is arranged between the spring units of both dampers in a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Scaheffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Christian Huegel
  • Patent number: 8708118
    Abstract: A clutch and damper assembly for a torque converter includes a clutch piston with a piston friction surface for engaging the clutch and an outer sealing diameter, and a damper. The piston friction surface is disposed radially inward of the damper and the outer sealing diameter is disposed radially outward of the damper. In an example embodiment, the clutch piston includes an inner sealing diameter disposed radially inward of the piston friction surface. In some example embodiments, the damper includes a resilient element and a drive plate. The drive plate is drivingly engaged with the resilient element and frictionally engageable with the clutch piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Steinberger, Patrick Lindemann, Craig Kneidel
  • Patent number: 8708125
    Abstract: A clutch is provided that includes an annular clutch housing, a driving-side rotor, a driven-side rotor having a control surface, and a rolling element located between the inner circumferential surface of the clutch housing and the control surface. The control surface faces radially outward in the clutch housing. When the driving-side rotor rotates, the rotational driving force of the driving-side rotor is transmitted to the driven-side rotor. When the driving-side rotor is driven to rotate, the rolling element rotates together with the driven-side rotor. When the driving-side rotor is not driven to rotate, the rolling element is held between the inner circumferential surface of the clutch housing and the control surface so as to prevent the driven-side rotor from rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Asmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoki Yamashita, Hiroshi Kokubu
  • Patent number: 8701852
    Abstract: An engagement system (10) for a fluid-coupling device (9) may include a first engagement member (31) and a second engagement member (15) that is in operation with the first engagement member (31). A working chamber (33) is disposed between and at least partially defined by the first engagement member (31) and the second engagement member (15). The working chamber (33) has an inlet port (118) and an outlet port (120). A fluid reservoir (35) is fluidically-coupled to the working chamber (33). A scavenge valve (11) is coupled between the working chamber (33) and the fluid reservoir (35) and adjusts the fluid flow through the outlet port (120). An engagement system (10) for a fluid-coupling device (9) may in addition to or alternatively include a working chamber (33) that includes a working chamber inlet port (118) that is along an outer perimeter (126) of the first engagement member (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Borg Warner Inc.
    Inventor: Rick L. Boyer
  • Patent number: 8701854
    Abstract: An automotive car and truck transmission clutch module friction plate and a method of manufacture thereof is provided wherein the friction plate is fabricated from a polymeric material, which is less expensive and lighter than comparable steel friction plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Roche
  • Patent number: 8701851
    Abstract: A selectable mass flywheel assembly for a powertrain of a motor vehicle includes a first mass and a second mass. The first mass is connected to a crankshaft of an engine and the second mass engages with a clutch to transfer torque from the engine to a transmission. The two masses are rotationally coupled to each other with a spring and damper assembly. The flywheel assembly further includes a locking mechanism that engages both masses during the startup of the engine to lock the two masses together to minimize the vibrations and pulsations in the powertrain during startup of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael Partridge, Robert A. Muchmore, Paul A. Piorkowski, Michael S. Powell
  • Patent number: 8695771
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a lockup device that can improve a fuel efficiency of a vehicle. The lockup device (6) has a piston (61), an output plate (63), a first coil spring (65), an inertia member (64), and a second coil spring (66). The output plate (63) is coupled to a turbine (4) such that it can rotate as an integral unit with the turbine (4). The first coil spring (65) elastically couples the piston (61) to the output plate (63) in a rotational direction. The inertia member (64) is provided such that it can rotate relative to the output member (63). The second coil spring (66) elastically couples the inertia member (64) to the output plate (63) in a rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: EXEDY Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Matsuoka, Mitsugu Yamaguchi, Takeshi Kawamoto, Kazuhiro Yamashita, Kazuaki Oomoto
  • Patent number: 8689961
    Abstract: The present invention provides an arrangement of a vehicle with a clutch release bearing and a lubrication path through a bell housing of a transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Kingston Jennings, Mahesh Shashidhar Nesari, Clinton Lee McClellan, Daniel Vern Gochenour, Chad Louis Davis
  • Patent number: 8684140
    Abstract: A centrifugal clutch having a rotor, a clutch component, and at least one centrifugal weight movable relative to the rotor. When the rotational speed of the rotor is below a predefined value, the centrifugal weight is in a first position and at a distance from the clutch component so that the rotor can rotate freely relative to the clutch component and, when the rotational speed of the rotor is above a predefined value, the centrifugal weight executes a movement relative to the rotor under a centrifugal force into a second position so that the centrifugal weight produces a mechanical force fit between the rotor and the clutch component. The centrifugal weight has first toothing and the clutch component a second toothing so that the first toothing, above the predefined rotational speed, engages into the second toothing, establishing a form-locking connection between the rotor and the clutch component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Skylotec GmbH
    Inventor: Kai Rinklake
  • Patent number: 8678159
    Abstract: A compelling-type centrifugal clutch device with C-shaped joint structure, in which a C-shaped joint structure assembly (100), which can be bended for displacement, is installed between an active rotary part (101) and a passive rotary part (201) of a centrifugal clutch device with a radial arrangement device and is driven by the active rotary part (101). A joint axial core of C-shaped joint structure (113) is also provided for connecting an active arm of C-shaped joint structure (111) and a centrifugal compelling arm of C-shaped joint structure (112) having a centrifugal force actuation clutch device (119) at one distal end, and a recovery spring (114) is installed between the mentioned two arms, so that an inward-bending prestressed force is formed between the two arms for performing the angular displacement through bending at difference angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Patent number: 8678158
    Abstract: A torque transmission arrangement including a primary shaft, a friction clutch, a housing in which the primary shaft is rotatably supported by a roller element bearing including an inner ring and an outer ring. An actuator is disposed in the housing between the friction clutch and the roller element bearing for actuating the friction clutch. The actuator comprises a fixed support element, an adjusting element axially offset from the support element and displaceable for engaging the friction clutch, and an actuating mechanism designed for displacing the adjusting element relative to the support element in an axial adjusting direction away from the roller element bearing. The roller element bearing is designed as a tapered roller bearing, and the support element is operationally connected to the tapered roller bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain AG & Co KG
    Inventors: Helmuth Sachsenmaier, Hannes Sperker, Robert Luef