Patents Examined by Sherry Lynn Estremsky
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Patent number: 5937711Abstract: An automatic transmission for an automotive vehicle includes a continually variable drive mechanism having one sheave assembly fixed to an input shaft and the output sheave assembly supported on an intermediate shaft, a low speed gearset driveably connected to the input shaft and an output shaft, a fixed ratio drive mechanism in the form of a chain drive providing a torque delivery path between the intermediate shaft and the output shaft, a transfer clutch for connecting and releasing the first sheave of the variable drive mechanism and input shaft, a low clutch, a reverse gearset, and a reverse clutch for connecting and releasing alternately the output shaft and reverse gearset, and a clutch for selectively driveably connecting the output of the second fixed drive mechanism and a front output shaft.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1998Date of Patent: August 17, 1999Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Warren McCarrick, Barry John Melhorn, Rudolf Beim
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Patent number: 5931756Abstract: A metal V-belt type continuously variable transmission in which the length of a side of an element contacting with a V-face of a pulley is shortened to increase a ratio range. If the element side length of a metal element is represented by L, the angle of the V-face of the pulley is represented by .alpha., and the hertz surface pressure between the pulley and the metal element is represented by .sigma..sub.H, the following relation is established: L .varies. sin .alpha./.sigma..sub.H.sup.2. When the hertz surface pressure .sigma..sub.H is determined to be between an upper limit value defined by the wear durability of the metal element and a lower limit value defined by the limit tensile force of an endless belt, the element side length L can be decreased by decreasing the angle of the V-face of the pulley. Thus, the distance through which the metal element can be moved radially of the pulley is increased to increase the ratio range.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1998Date of Patent: August 3, 1999Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kouhei Ohsono, Toru Yagasaki, Akihito Ohhashi, Shigeru Kanehara, Hirofumi Akagi, Takamichi Shimada
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Patent number: 5931758Abstract: A hydromechanical transmission receives split power inputs from a vehicle engine, one split input driving a hydrostatic power unit and the other split input driving a mechanical power input. The infinitely variable hydrostatic power output is combined in the mechanical power unit with multiple ratios of its split input power to achieve infinitely variable ratios of hydromechanical output power for smoothly propelling a vehicle from rest through multiple transmission ranges to maximum speed, with synchronous shifting between ranges.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1998Date of Patent: August 3, 1999Assignee: General Dynamics Land Systems, Inc.Inventor: Glenn Bayne Walter
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Patent number: 5931761Abstract: In a driven state, a hydraulic pressure of disengagement side is set at a stroke pressure, a one-way clutch in an operating state is over-run, an engine rotation speed is in an idle state, and an automatic transmission is in a neutral state. In a drive state, the hydraulic pressure of disengagement side is controlled so that a difference between an engine rotation speed and an input rotation speed reaches a difference between the both rotation speeds at a start of the shift control. In a state of a synchronized rotation after the shift, the hydraulic pressure of disengagement side is controlled so that the input rotation reaches the synchronized rotation.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 1998Date of Patent: August 3, 1999Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Tsutsui, Masaaki Nishida, Yoshihisa Yamamoto, Akitomo Suzuki, Takayuki Kubo
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Patent number: 5928111Abstract: A fuel cut-off and fuel-supply recovery control system for an internal combustion engine coupled to an automatic power transmission with a lock-up torque converter having a lock-up device operable at either one of an open converter state and a locked-up state through a lock-up control based on engine and vehicle operating conditions, comprises an electronic control module configured to store a fuel-cut engine speed (N.sub.1, N.sub.3) above which a fuel cut-off control is executed under a specified engine and vehicle operating condition and a fuel-supply recovery engine speed (N.sub.2) below which a fuel-supply recovery control is restarted so that fuel supply to the engine is recovered from the fuel cut-off control. The electronic control module variably determines a hysteresis between the fuel-cut engine speed and the fuel-supply recovery engine speed so that a deviation (N.sub.3 -N.sub.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 1997Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Satoshi Sakakibara, Hiromasa Sakai
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Patent number: 5927145Abstract: A compact manual transmission includes an input shaft having four fixed input gears, a first intermediate shaft rotatably supporting two speed gears meshing with two of the input gears, a second intermediate shaft rotatably supporting three speed gears meshed with three of the input gears and a reverse gear meshed with a speed gear on the first intermediate shaft, and an output shaft. Two speed gears on each of the intermediate shafts meshes with common input gears. A transfer gear on each intermediate shaft is meshed with the output shaft. The transmission further includes a synchronizer clutch for establishing two forward gears by selectively coupling the two speed gears to the first intermediate shaft and a pair of synchronizer clutches for establishing three forward gears and the reverse gear by selectively coupling the three speed gears and reverse gear to the second intermediate shaft.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1997Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.Inventors: Parvinder Ahluwalia, David Brown
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Patent number: 5924952Abstract: A power transfer system is disclosed for a four-wheel drive vehicle operable for permitting a vehicle operator to select between various full-time and part-time four-wheel drive modes. The power transfer system includes a dualplanetary gear reduction unit that is operable for establishing high-range and low-range speed ratios, and a synchronized range shift mechanism that is adapted to permit the vehicle operator to shift on-the-fly for establishing full-time and part-time high-range and low-range four-wheel drive modes. The power transfer system includes an slip limiting/torque-biasing arrangement including an interaxle differential and a transfer clutch operable for controlling the magnitude of speed differentiation and torque biasing across the interaxle differential.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1998Date of Patent: July 20, 1999Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.Inventor: Thomas Bowen
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Patent number: 5924959Abstract: A device for controlling an automatic transmission and an engine for vehicles expanding a range of direct drive to improve fuel efficiency and decreasing the shock due to the transmission of torque at the time of acceleration or deceleration.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 1998Date of Patent: July 20, 1999Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shiro Yonezawa, Satoshi Wachi, Hirofumi Ohuchi, Tatsuhiko Takahashi
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Patent number: 5921882Abstract: An automatic transmission for an automotive vehicle includes two variator of the traction drive type, each variator including an input disc, an output disc, and rollers driveably engaged with the discs and adapted to vary continuously the ratio of the speeds of the output disc and input disc, the output disc of the first variator producing a predetermined speed in relation to the speed of an input shaft and driveably connected to a disc of the second variator. A planetary gear unit includes a carrier, a sun gear connected to mutually connected discs, a ring gear connected to the output disc of the second variator, and a set of planet pinions meshing with the respective sun gear and ring gear. Angular variation of the rollers causes the second variator to drive the ring gear at a variable speed relative to input shaft speed and the carrier to rotate in accordance with the speeds of the sun gear and ring gear.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1998Date of Patent: July 13, 1999Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Forrest William Hoge, Daniel Warren McCarrick, Rudolf Beim
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Patent number: 5919108Abstract: In an automatic transmission of an automotive vehicle equipped with a change-speed gear train capable of selectively establishing first-speed to fourth-speed drive power trains, there are provided first and second solenoid valves each in the form of a normally open valve arranged to be supplied with fluid under pressure at its output fluid passage in a deactivated condition, third and fourth solenoid valves each in the form of a normally closed valve arranged to permit fluid under pressure discharged from its output fluid passage in a deactivated condition, a first spool valve for fail-safe arranged to disengage a first hydraulic brake of the change-speed gear train when all the solenoid valves are supplied with the fluid under pressure at their output fluid passages or when the fourth solenoid valve and either one of the first, second and third solenoid valves are supplied with the fluid under pressure at their output fluid passages, and a second spool valve for fail-safe arranged to disengage a second hydraType: GrantFiled: October 15, 1997Date of Patent: July 6, 1999Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kiyoharu Takagi
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Patent number: 5919111Abstract: A gear train for a four-speed automatic transmission used in a vehicle includes an input shaft connected to an engine, an intermediate shaft disposed parallel to the input shaft, a compound planetary gear set mounted on the intermediate shaft, an output shaft aligned with the intermediate shaft and connected to the compound planetary gear set, and plurality of brakes and clutches for selecting input and output element. The compound planetary gear set includes a first simple planetary gear set receiving power from the input shaft and a second simple planetary gear set receiving power from the input shaft, the second simple planetary gear being combined with the first simple planetary gear set in a radial direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 1997Date of Patent: July 6, 1999Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Dong Hoon Park
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Patent number: 5916061Abstract: In a control apparatus in which a weak creep control for lowering the engaging force of a clutch (5) is performed when a throttle opening (.theta.th) is fully closed, when a brake pedal (BP) is depressed, and when the period of a vehicle speed judging pulse (V pulse) has exceeded a predetermined value TM2s whereby the vehicle is discriminated to be in a stopped condition. Once the weak creep control has started, the weak creep control is stopped by the input of the first V pulse and is transferred to a strong creep control in which the clutch engaging force is increased.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1997Date of Patent: June 29, 1999Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideo Koyama, Daihei Teshima
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Patent number: 5911646Abstract: When a vehicle is halted with the transmission in a forward drive range, an input clutch is disengaged to enhance the fuel efficiency and, at the same times a hill-hold brake is engaged to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward on a steep up-slope. At that time, the hydraulic pressure P.sub.C-1 of the input clutch C1 is gradually reduced by .DELTA.P.sub.CIR (P.sub.C-1 =P.sub.C-1 -.DELTA.P.sub.CIR) while the hydraulic pressure P.sub.B-1 of the hill-hold brake B1 is increased gradually so as to satisfy an equation P.sub.B-1 =K1+K2 X e where .DELTA.P.sub.cir is a change in hydraulic pressure which is required for gradually disengaging the first clutch C1, K1 is a hill-hold brake pressure at which braking resistance begins, K2 is hill-hold brake pressure producing a fully braked condition, and e is the input/output rotational-speed ratio of a torque converter Subsequently during start of vehicle movement, the hydraulic pressure P.sub.C-1 of the input clutch C1 is gradually increased (P.sub.C-1 =p.sub.C-1 +.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1996Date of Patent: June 15, 1999Assignee: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Tsutsui, Kazumasa Tsukamoto, Masahiro Hayabuchi, Masaaki Nishida, Yoshihisa Yamamoto, Akitomo Suzuki
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Patent number: 5910062Abstract: A lubricating structure of an automatic transmission is provided which is capable of realizing high lubrication efficiency by allowing lubricating oil to flow efficiently, and of retaining the durability of a member to be lubricated. In the lubricating structure of the automatic transmission, an oil seal line (35) corresponds to a line on which an oil catching member (29) comes into contact with a carrier plate (10), and the oil seal line (35) has a configuration in which the distance in radial directions from an input shaft (21) to each point on the oil seal line (35) is made unequal so that the lubricating oil caught by the oil catching member (29) flows along the oil seal line (35) toward the opening of an oil path (28) on the side opposite to the side on which a pinion is disposed by centrifugal force making rotation on the input shaft (21).Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1997Date of Patent: June 8, 1999Assignee: Jatco CorporationInventor: Muneo Mizuta
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Patent number: 5902210Abstract: A control for a vehicle fitted with an internal combustion engine as a power source. At the time of a driver deceleration intention (when travelling downhill), then with an arrangement where the opening control for the throttle valve and the fuel supply control (fuel cut off control or the like) are automatically controlled in order to obtain a predetermined target vehicle acceleration, when the intention of the driver shifts from a deceleration intention to a non deceleration intention, and hence the automatic control reverts to normal control, the fuel supply control is returned to normal control once the throttle valve opening has reached a predetermined opening. In this way, it is possible to avoid the situation where for example, the fuel supply control reverts to normal control with the throttle valve opened more than necessary. Consequently the occurrence of shock or an unintended acceleration due to a mismatch in the throttle opening at the time of reverting to normal control can be suppressed.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1997Date of Patent: May 11, 1999Assignee: Unisia Jecs CorporationInventors: Hirohisa Kobayashi, Masayuki Hosono
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Patent number: 5902211Abstract: A clutch control system for the automatic control of a motor vehicle clutch which connects an engine with a gearbox under the control of a driver operated gear ratio selector lever. The control system controls both initial clutch take-up on starting of the vehicle, clutch re-engagement following each ratio change, clutch disengagement on movement of the gear selector lever to change the operative ratio of the gearbox, and clutch disengagement on the coming to rest of the vehicle. The clutch control system also warns the driver if he attempts to drive away in a designated non take-up gear or in any gear in a predetermined abusive manner and may be arranged to promote rapid engagement or disengagement of the clutch in certain abusive conditions to reduce energy generation in the clutch.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1995Date of Patent: May 11, 1999Assignee: Automotive Products, plcInventors: Charles John Jones, Ian Duncan Kennedy
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Patent number: 5902209Abstract: An automotive shifter interlock in which a slidable shift lever release member is mechanically locked in a shift-release-inhibit position by the combination of an electromagnet bolt and an ignition switch bolt. The ignition switch bolt mechanically locks the electromagnet bolt in a position locking the shift lever release member even though no power is supplied to the electromagnet. After the ignition switch is closed and the ignition switch bolt withdrawn, the electromagnet continues to provide an electromagnetic lock until the brake pedal is depressed.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1997Date of Patent: May 11, 1999Assignee: Pontiac Coil, Inc.Inventor: John W. Moody
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Patent number: 5902213Abstract: In an automatic transmission including a gear unit with a second brake connected in series with a one-way clutch and a first brake that is not connected with a one-way clutch, the second brake and the first brake are controlled by linear solenoid valves individually. A vehicle load is detected, and when the vehicle is in a high load state, at first the second brake performs an engagement control, then after input rotation to the gear unit is synchronized with output rotation of the gear unit, the first brake performs an engagement control. When the vehicle is in a low load state, at first the first brake performs an engagement control, then after input rotation to the gear unit is synchronized with output rotation of the gear unit, the second brake performs an engagement control.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1997Date of Patent: May 11, 1999Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Tsutsui, Masaaki Nishida, Yoshihisa Yamamoto, Akitomo Suzuki
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Patent number: 5896774Abstract: A device, having a planetary gear and a single motor, in use for switching and transmitting a driving force of the motor to any one of station gears and for driving each station gear in both rotational directions. The operation of locking levers for preventing a planetary gear from revolving around a sun gear is controlled by a cam. The cam is actuated by a driving force of the motor. A spring frictionally connecting the cam and an output shaft of a speed reduction system is interposed therebetween, and a magnet is disposed so as to restrict the movement of the cam when the motor rotates. A sun gear is connected with the output shaft of the speed reduction system with a "play" or gap in order that the rotation of the sun gear is reversed behind time corresponding to the play when the rotation of the motor is reversed, thus making it possible to start actuating the cam earlier than the sun gear for making sure that the locking levers are shifted.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1997Date of Patent: April 27, 1999Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akira Funahashi, Michihiro Iwata
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Patent number: 5894758Abstract: A partially automated transmission system (100) and method for controlling same is provided. The system includes a manually shifted transmission (10), preferably a compound transmission having a splitter and/or range auxiliary section (14) and a manually shifted main section (12). The main section is shifted by a manual shift lever (57). In a preferred embodiment, the auxiliary section is controlled by an auxiliary section actuator (116) under control from a system ECU (146). A sensor (56) is provided for sensing the position of the shift lever and for providing a signal indicative thereof. A control parameter having a value indicative of the rate of change of shift lever position (d/dt (lever position)) is determined and used as a system control parameter.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1997Date of Patent: April 20, 1999Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventor: James M. Walker