Patents Examined by Rodney Bonck
  • Patent number: 8528714
    Abstract: A clutch arrangement of disc-type design, which has two clutch parts that have at least one element which forms a surface of a friction pairing and which bears friction surfaces. The clutch parts can be operatively connected to one another by an actuating device, which has a pressure element. The actuating force, which acts on the clutch parts, is supported centrally on a support surface which is situated opposite the effective piston surface and which is aligned in the direction of the piston surface. The final element, which forms a surface of a friction pairing, in the line of action of the actuating force has a thickness which is smaller than the thickness of the other elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ivo Agner
  • Patent number: 8522940
    Abstract: An engageable coupling assembly having reduced spin losses and method of assembling such assembly within an automotive transmission to reduce such losses are provided. The assembly is adapted for use with pressurized fluid. The assembly includes first and second coupling members that are supported with respect to each other for relative rotation about a common rotational axis. The coupling members have a first pair of annular faces that oppose each other and define an annular space therebetween. A first face of the first pair has a set of pockets spaced about the rotational axis. A second face of the first pair has a set of locking formations. The coupling members have a second pair of annular faces that oppose each other. A first face of the second pair defines a first set of fluid grooves fluidly communicating the annular space with an exterior surface of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Prout, Joseph J. Jurek
  • Patent number: 8522942
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to methods and devices for use with vehicles that include a clutch, a transmission, a slave cylinder, a master cylinder and an engine. In accordance with an embodiment, a device includes a primary piston configured to urge hydraulic fluid into a slave cylinder, when the primary piston is moved from a first position to a second position, to thereby disengage the clutch from the transmission. The primary piston is normally movable from the first position to the second position by hydraulic actuation of a master cylinder. A secondary piston is configured to selectively apply force to the primary piston, to move the primary piston from the first position to the second position, when the secondary piston is selectively actuated. The secondary piston can be selectively actuated by a secondary fluid, such as a compressed gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventors: Matthew E. Bell, David B. Bell
  • Patent number: 8517157
    Abstract: A drive control system of a crawler vehicle has a lever, a hydraulic distributor for feeding pressurized oil over a feed line to a hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic actuator can engage and release a central clutch. A cable has a first end fixed to a rod of the hydraulic actuator, and a second end connected to the hydraulic distributor. The cable activates and deactivates the hydraulic distributor, depending on the position of the rod. A main pulley is integral with the lever about which the cable is wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: CNH America, LLC
    Inventors: Lorenzo Sghedoni, Franco Pertusi
  • Patent number: 8517156
    Abstract: A clutch actuating apparatus for a double clutch transmission, may include an electric unit that generates rotational force, a decelerating unit coupled to the electric unit and reducing the rotational force of the electric unit, a straight-converting unit that converts the rotational force reduced by the decelerating unit into a straight motion force, a push rod that is moved straight by the straight motion force of the straight-converting unit and makes an operational stroke to selectively engage a clutch, a supplement force supplying unit engaging with the push rod to increase the straight movement force to the push rod or to remove the increased straight movement force from the push rod when the push rod engages or disengages the clutch, and a rod locating unit coupled to the push rod and changing a relative position of the push rod to the straight-converting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jongyop Kim, Sungyong Cho, Hyunduk Chang
  • Patent number: 8517159
    Abstract: An emergency braking system for use in connection with a drive apparatus including a drive belt and pulley system for transferring power from a prime mover to a transmission or transaxle. The braking system includes a pulley engaged to the drive belt and a spring engaged to the pulley to provide a bias force thereto. When tension from the belt is removed from the pulley, the spring forces the pulley into engagement with an actuator to engage a brake mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Thomas J. Langenfeld
  • Patent number: 8511452
    Abstract: A clutch system for closing and interrupting a force flow includes a clutch actuator that can have a pressure medium applied thereto, a first electrically actuatable valve device and a second electrically actuatable valve device. Pressure medium can be fed into a switching chamber of the clutch actuator by the first valve device for building up pressure, and pressure medium can be discharged again by the second valve device for releasing pressure. The clutch system interrupts or closes the force flow at a pressure P?Pd in the switching chamber. A method for operating the clutch system for closing and interrupting a force flow prevents a subsequent pressure buildup in the switching chamber sufficient for actuating the clutch system if the first valve device and the second valve device malfunction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Huba Nemeth, Tibor Kandar, Zoltan Riba
  • Patent number: 8511451
    Abstract: A clutch assembly for connecting a shaft to a rotary member mounted on said shaft in a rotationally fixed manner comprises: a sliding sleeve which is rotationally fixed to the shaft, is axially slidably mounted on said shaft and is provided with a first gearing. A clutch body is rotationally fixed to the rotary member and provided with a second gearing which can mesh with the first gearing to connect the shaft and the rotary member in a rotationally fixed manner. And, a locking synchronization unit having a synchronizer ring with a friction surface the ring permitting the speeds of the shaft and the rotary member to be synchronized before the meshing of the first and second gearings. The locking synchronization unit further comprises a locking member which is coupled to the sliding sleeve by a detent groove and to the synchronizer ring in the rotational direction (D) by a pair of locking surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Hoerbiger Synchron Technik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Erol Ledetzky, Jochen Krenkler
  • Patent number: 8511450
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multiple clutch device having a first clutch which is assigned a first actuating piston with a first pressure chamber and a first pressure equalization chamber, and having a second clutch which is assigned a second actuating piston with a second pressure chamber and a second pressure equalization chamber, a first crossflow channel being provided for setting the hydraulic fluid column in the first pressure equalization chamber and a second crossflow channel being provided for setting the hydraulic fluid column in the second pressure equalization chamber. According to the invention, the first and second crossflow channels are arranged in such a way that both the oil which is discharged via the first crossflow channel and the oil which is discharged via the second crossflow channel can be fed to the first and second clutches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Borgwarner Inc.
    Inventors: Eckart Gold, Marcus Hertel, Tobias Groepper
  • Patent number: 8505704
    Abstract: An apparatus for operating a clutch which may be mounted at a vehicle structure and controls an operation of the clutch may include a motor provided with a motor shaft and receiving electrical energy so as to selectively rotate the motor shaft, a cam mounted at the motor shaft and rotating together with the motor shaft, and a push rod assembly coupled to a clutch fork of the clutch, wherein the push rod assembly may be elastically biased toward and slidably contacted to the cam such that the push rod assembly moves forward or rearward according to a rotating angle of the cam so as to operate the clutch fork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Youngho Kim
  • Patent number: 8506434
    Abstract: An isolating decoupler comprising a hub, a one-way clutch engaged with the hub, a pulley rotationally engaged with the hub, a spring operationally engaged between the one-way clutch and the pulley, and an inertia member engaged with the hub through an elastomeric member, the inertia member substantially disposed within a width of the pulley, the inertia member moveable independently of the pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventor: John Harvey
  • Patent number: 8499916
    Abstract: A rotational coupling device is provided that minimizes flux leakage from a magnetic circuit that engages the device. The device includes a rotor and an armature defining opposed engagement surfaces. The rotor, the armature and a field shell disposed on one side of the rotor and housing an electrical conductor comprise members of a magnetic circuit that, upon energization of the conductor, draws the armature into engagement with the rotor. A torque transmission member is coupled to the armature and supported by a bearing. In one embodiment a sleeve is disposed radially inwardly of the bearing. To prevent flux leakage through the torque transmission member, the sleeve has a magnetic permeability that is lower than a magnetic permeability of the members of the magnetic circuit. In another embodiment, a support cup of the torque transmission member has a radially outwardly turned flange to distance the cup from the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Warner Electric Technology LLC
    Inventors: James A. Pardee, Michael Humy
  • Patent number: 8499912
    Abstract: A torque converter for an automatic transmission includes a first fluid flow path for supplying a fluid to a pump cavity, a second fluid flow path for removing the fluid from the pump cavity, and a third fluid flow path for supplying a hydraulic signal to a lock-up clutch. The third fluid flow path is separate and distinct from the first fluid flow path and the second fluid flow path. A sleeve divides a stepped axial bore in the turbine output shaft into an inner stepped axial bore cavity, which is part of the third fluid flow path, and an outer stepped axial bore cavity, which is part of the first fluid flow path. The torque converter further includes an isolator assembly having a twenty degree rotational travel dampening distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Farzad Samie, Andrew L. Bartos, Chunhao J. Lee
  • Patent number: 8499914
    Abstract: An arrangement for coupling at least two freewheels independent of an associated shaft of a gear mechanism comprises at least one shifting device that comprises an actuation device and a shifting device. The shifting device can be axially displaced with the actuation device that is arranged at least partially in the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Matthias Reisch, Wolfgang Rieger
  • Patent number: 8499915
    Abstract: A quick disconnect coupling including a first hub, a shaft fixedly connected to the first hub, the shaft being non-round in cross-section, and a second hub having a non-round recess extending therethrough, the non-round recess being sized to closely receive the shaft such that the second hub is capable of sliding along the shaft and is prevented from rotating about the shaft, wherein rotation of the first hub results in corresponding rotation of the second hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: F. R. Drake
    Inventors: William L. Harrison, William M. Oliver, Jeffrey D. Wightman
  • Patent number: 8490766
    Abstract: The hydrodynamic torque converter having a torque converter lockup clutch and a converter housing connected at the drive side, and a pump wheel non-rotatably connected thereto, as well as a turbine wheel non-rotatably connected at the output side to an output hub, and a torsional vibration damper actively arranged between the clutch output of the torque converter lockup clutch and the output hub, and including a centrifugal pendulum device arranged within the converter housing and having a pendulum flange with slightly swiveling pendulum masses thereupon, where the pendulum flange is arranged axially between the torsional vibration damper and the turbine wheel and is non-rotatably connected to a damper output part of the torsional vibration damper, and the damper output part and/or the pendulum flange are directly connectable via an interlocking connection to the drive hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stephan Maienschein, Peter Droll
  • Patent number: 8490769
    Abstract: A electromagnetic clutch assembly for use in a vehicle is presented. More specifically, the clutch assembly comprises an input member; an output member; a friction clutch pack having a first plurality of clutch plates coupled for rotation with said input member and a second plurality of clutch plates interleaved with said first plurality of clutch plates and coupled for rotation with said output member; a solenoid coil; an actuator hub having an armature plate; and a cam lever assembly having a first end engaging said actuator hub and a second end engaging said friction clutch pack. When electrical current is applied to the solenoid coil, the armature plate moves the actuator hub, the actuator hub engages the cam lever and causes said cam lever to compress the interleaved first and second plurality of clutch plates, thereby, resulting in the coupling of the input and output members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Christopher V. Kurmaniak
  • Patent number: 8479907
    Abstract: A clutch unit having a pressure plate via which, as a result of axial displacement, a clutch disc which bears friction linings can be pressed against a pressure plate to form a frictionally engaging connection, wherein the axial displacement of the pressure plate can be effected by means of an axial displacement of a lever spring plate which has a circular outer circumference and which bears against one or more protuberances arranged annularly on a surface, which faces toward the lever spring plate of the pressure plate so as to be spaced apart radially from the outer edge thereof, and wherein the pressure plate has, radially at the outside on that side thereof which faces towards the lever spring plate, an annular, axially projecting edge. At least three radial projections which are spaced apart in the circumferential direction are arranged on the radially inner wall of the axially projecting edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventor: Andre Schneegans
  • Patent number: 8479904
    Abstract: A device for setting the torque transferred from a primary shaft to a secondary shaft by a friction clutch comprises a supporting element and an axially displaceable adjusting element which is rotatable with respect to the supporting element and which is operatively connected to the friction clutch for the actuation of the latter, the adjusting element comprising a toothed ring, and the supporting element and adjusting element cooperating via coupling elements in such a way that a rotation of the adjusting element in relation to the supporting element brings about an axial displacement of the adjusting element in relation to the supporting element. The device comprises a linearly displaceable rack element which is in engagement with the toothed ring of the adjusting element, and an electrically activatable linear drive arrangement for the controlled displacement of the rack element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: MAGNA Powertrain AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: August Krieberneg, Helmuth Sachsenmaier
  • Patent number: 8474585
    Abstract: The invention relates to a clutch device, for example, a booster clutch device, including a first clutch element and a second clutch element, where a torsion spring device is provided coupling the first clutch element to the second clutch element, the torsion spring device having a multi-stage spring characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Chambrion, Yannick Simon, Christoph Raber