Patents Examined by Rodney H. Bonck
  • Patent number: 7987956
    Abstract: A transmission ECU calculates a differential rotation, which is the rotational speed difference between a friction plate and a separator plate, when it is determined that a second brake is not engaged. If it is determined that the differential rotation is equal to or above a predetermined value, the transmission ECU narrows the pack clearance of the second brake. If it is determined that the differential rotation is less than the predetermined value, the transmission ECU widens the pack clearance of the second brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kohei Dodo
  • Patent number: 7988378
    Abstract: A friction coupling for locking a shaft relative to a hub is disclosed. The friction coupling includes a radially deformable inner sleeve, a radially deformable outer sleeve, an annular piston which is axially movable relative to the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve, the annular piston having a conical surface, which cooperates with the inner sleeve and/or the outer sleeve and which is arranged to deform the inner sleeve and/or the outer sleeve when the annular piston is moved relative to the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve so as to provide the locking. In at least one embodiment, the friction coupling further includes at least one actuating device to produce a movement of the annular piston for locking the friction coupling, and at least one deactuating device to produce a movement of the annular piston for unlocking the friction coupling. The at least one actuating and deactuating devices are located, seen in the axial direction, on the same side of the annular piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: ETP Transmission AB
    Inventor: Jens Söderlund
  • Patent number: 7987958
    Abstract: A one-way clutch including first and second races with radially opposed circumferential surfaces and at least one wedge separate from the races and disposed radially between the races. The first race is arranged for rotational connection to a torque transmitting element in an automotive device and is arranged to rotate independently of the second race for relative rotation in a first direction. A circumference for one of the circumferential surfaces has a uniform radius. A circumference for the other of the circumferential surfaces includes at least one radial protrusion. The wedge elements are arranged to engage the protrusions and the opposing circumferential surface to rotationally lock the first and second races for relative rotation of the first race in a second rotational direction, opposite the first rotational direction. During lockup, a circumferential extent of the wedge elements in contact with the second race is greater than an axial extent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jeffrey Hemphill, Michael Davis, William Brees
  • Patent number: 7984800
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic clutch includes a hydrodynamic circuit formed by at least a pump wheel and a turbine wheel in a clutch housing with a drive-side housing wall extending to the axis of rotation, and a bridging clutch with a piston capable of shifting axially relative to the drive-side housing wall. The turbine wheel is connected to a hub, which is connected for rotation in common to a takeoff, and is axially supported between the hydrodynamic circuit and a flow guide element, which is supported between the hub and the drive-side housing wall, and has first and second flow passages which are axially offset from each other. The flow guide element has a drive-side end with an axial bearing area which can be moved into axial contact with an axial bearing, which is either an axial contact surface on the drive-side housing wall or is assigned to the drive-side housing wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Frey, Roland Baumann, Michael Greulich, Georg Mencher, Bernd Reinhardt, Peter Hammer, Patrick Rediger
  • Patent number: 7980373
    Abstract: A viscous fan drive with a front-mounted fan and electrical actuation without a tethered harness. The mechanical package includes an inverted viscous clutch, a drive pulley and a split electromagnetic actuator with the electrical portion mounted to a stationary mounting member. An axially moveable valve member controls the flow of viscous fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Rick L. Boyer
  • Patent number: 7980370
    Abstract: A lockup device 7 of a torque converter 1 is formed of a piston 75, a clutch plate 80, and a damper mechanism 9. The clutch plate 80 has a first passage P1 connecting an inner space S3 on the radially inner side to a space S1 formed axially between the front cover 11 and the clutch plate 80, and a second passage P2 connecting the inner space S3 formed on the radially inner side to a space S2 formed axially between the piston and the clutch plate 80.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: EXEDY Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Tomiyama
  • Patent number: 7980369
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a lash prevention spring of unique design having a plurality of spring legs shaped into an s-curve and an inner circumference formed into at least one spline. The invention also comprises a lash prevention assembly in which the disclosed lash spring is attached to a damper hub and is biased against the several teeth from a turbine hub that extend through the damper hub from its opposite side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Craig Kneidel, Jens Schroeter
  • Patent number: 7975818
    Abstract: A rotational coupling device for use as a clutch and/or brake is provided having improved magnetic efficiency and structural integrity. An electrical conduction assembly is disposed within a field shell between radially spaced inner and outer poles of the field shell. The assembly includes a conductor disposed within a shell having a radially extending flange that is disposed proximate the outer pole of the field shell and that is affixed to the field shell at a plurality of points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Warner Electric Technology LLC
    Inventor: James A. Pardee
  • Patent number: 7975823
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a clutch and reverse-locking device comprising a stop bolt (1), an internal clutch stem (2), a clutch control member (3), a clutch casing (4) and a stopper (5). The internal clutch stem (2) is inserted into the clutch casing (4) and they move independently of each other. The internal clutch stem (2) has a slot (21) to house and guide the stop bolt (1). The clutch control member (3) is installed in the internal clutch stem (2) and has an edge (42) set against the groove (11) of the stop bolt (1). The stopper (5) is fitted in the internal clutch stem (2) and protrudes partially outward therefrom. The protruding or non-protruding position of the stop bolt (1) in the internal clutch stem (2) correlates or disconnects the joint movement of the clutch casing (4) and the internal clutch stem (2), activating or deactivating the clutch operation of the clutch device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventor: Yu Min
  • Patent number: 7975822
    Abstract: Three external tooth wet friction materials are each composed of an external tooth plate and a lining adhered to one surface thereof along an entire circumference. Three internal tooth wet friction materials are each composed of an internal tooth plate and a lining adhered to one surface thereof along an entire circumference. Then, the three external tooth wet friction materials and the three internal tooth wet friction materials are disposed side by side so as to constitute a multi-plate frictional engagement apparatus. A thickness of the internal tooth plate is made thinner in view of its good heat discharge capability, and the thickness of the external tooth plate is made thicker by that much.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignees: Aisin Kako Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masato Suzuki, Takuya Muranaka, Hirofumi Onishi
  • Patent number: 7975817
    Abstract: A torque converter is provided with a bridging clutch and two dampers, wherein the bridging clutch is positioned in the power path between the dampers. The converter is provided with a three-duct system for the oil supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bruno Mueller, Stephan Maienschein, Thorsten Krause, Mario Degler
  • Patent number: 7975820
    Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a clutch assembly with a radial flow chamber including a first hub and a carrier. The first hub and carrier form at least one first opening and a first portion of at least one radial chamber or passageway in the clutch assembly. First and second radially disposed segments of the first hub and carrier, respectively, partially define the first portion. A second portion of the chamber is formed between the first segment and a third radially disposed segment connected to a second hub. Openings in the first segment connect the first and second portions. A third portion of the passageway is formed between the second segment and a fourth radially disposed segment. A plate forms at least a portion of an axial barrier with respect to a second clutch in the clutch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Schaffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Adam Uhler
  • Patent number: 7971696
    Abstract: In order to realize an idling disengagement by simple structural means in a dual mass clutch flywheel, a separation is provided between the damper system and spring system of a torsional vibration damper in this dual mass clutch flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Ulrich Rohs
    Inventor: Ulrich Rohs
  • Patent number: 7971695
    Abstract: Drive assemblies and related methods are provided particularly suited for a snowblower. The drive assemblies include a transmission wheel disposed about a shaft and rotatably movable for rotating at least one wheel. The transmission wheel has a contact surface. The drive assemblies also include a drive pulley having a drive surface. The drive pulley is rotatable and configured for causing the transmission wheel to rotate when the drive surface and the contact surface of the transmission wheel are in contact. At least one brake clutch is disposed about an end of the shaft to provide independent control to the at least one wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Vaughn, Jeffrey A. Wians, Christopher M. Osborne
  • Patent number: 7963380
    Abstract: A viscous fan drive having improved pumping efficiency from removing fluid from a fluid operating chamber to a fluid reservoir chamber is achieved by providing a wiper element that is located within the radial clearance between the clutch and the housing that effectively seals leakage paths leading (upstream) and trailing the wiper. The wiper element includes a radial tang that is positioned within a corresponding slot of the cover wall. The wiper element also has a pair of spaced apart arms extending from the radial tang portion each having a radial outer surface that has a similar radius as the cover wall and a radial inner surface has a similar radius as the clutch. The wiper element also preferably includes details designed to seal the radial inner surface to the outer periphery of the clutch during fan drive operation and a locating detail to aid in assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard M. Light, Clinton J. Gautsche, Grover C. DeHart
  • Patent number: 7958984
    Abstract: A friction plate for a wet-type multiplate clutch can include a core plate and friction linings bonded on opposite sides of the core plate, respectively. Each of the friction linings can include plural segment pieces bonded at angular intervals on a corresponding opposite side. The segment pieces can each include at least one first oil groove and at least one second oil groove. The first oil groove opens to a radially-inner side of its corresponding segment piece and has a closed end portion located in a radially-intermediate part of the corresponding segment piece. The second oil groove opens to a radially-outer side of the corresponding segment piece and has a closed end portion located in another radially-intermediate part of the corresponding segment piece. Adjacent ones of the segment pieces are provided, in radially-middle parts of opposing side walls thereof, with angularly-extending recessed portions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: NSK-Warner K.K.
    Inventors: Masahiro Kobayashi, Hiroyuki Kinpara
  • Patent number: 7954617
    Abstract: A motorcycle clutch for a drive connection between an engine and a transmission of a motorcycle is provided, and is some embodiments includes a manually operable clutch lever, engaging inner and outer disks, and a disengaging mechanism operable by means of the clutch lever for a pressure body which is spring-loaded by at least one clutch spring assembly for pressurization of the inner and outer disks, wherein a servo mechanism for reducing the operating force of the clutch lever is provided, the servo mechanism being effectively connected to the intake section of the engine and utilizing the negative intake pressure in the intake section to build up a servo force acting against the direction of the spring load of the clutch spring assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Hoerbiger Antriebstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Ahmed Sayhoun, Falk Nickel, Georg Ruprecht
  • Patent number: 7954612
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an input-side rotating member 2 driven by an engine (driving source) 90, an output-side rotating member 3 for driving an input member, such as a gear part 25 of a rear differential (driving-force distributing mechanism) 97 between wheels, a friction clutch 4 arranged between the input-side rotating member 2 and the output-side rotating member 3, a carrier housing (stationary member) 5 capable of accommodating the rear differential 97 and the friction clutch 4, an oil accommodating space (lubricant accommodating space) S formed in the stationary member 5 and an oil pump 6 driven by the output-side rotating member 3 to supply the friction clutch 4 with oil 600.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: GKN Driveline Torque Technology KK
    Inventors: Naoshi Mogami, Isao Hirota, Shouji Yoshida, Tomohiko Tezuka
  • Patent number: 7954614
    Abstract: A drive train is used at least including an input shaft and an output shaft. A clutch member is rotatable by a clutch shaft about an axis of rotation. The clutch shaft is supported for lateral movement along the axis of rotation to move the clutch member to cooperate with the drive train at a first lateral position to cause the output shaft to turn and to move the clutch member to a second lateral position to disengage the output shaft from rotation of the input shaft. A permanent magnet is supported by one end of the clutch shaft and arranged for receiving an external magnetic biasing force along the axis of rotation to selectively move the clutch member between the first and second lateral positions. A traveling shaft can be used to support a selected gear for movement by the permanent magnet to implement transmission and reversing configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Mercer
  • Patent number: 7950511
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for a seat height adjustment mechanism of a vehicle seat, comprising a drive element which can be driven in opposite directions of rotation, and a driven element which can be driven by means of this drive element, and also comprising two unilaterally acting freewheels which are arranged between this drive element and this driven element and are connected to run in opposite directions, and of which in each case one can be brought out of engagement by means of an unlocking device, and further comprising a restoring device, by means of which the drive element can automatically be brought back into the neutral position when it is deflected out of its neutral position, wherein, in order to allow a fine adjustability of the driven element driven by the drive element, the pivotability of the drive element is limited by means of two stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Grammer AG
    Inventor: Konstantin Lorey