Patents Examined by Sherry Lynn Estremsky
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Patent number: 5857381Abstract: Hydraulic operating device, in particular for the operation of a selector fork of a gearbox, and gearbox provided with such an operating device. The device comprises a double-acting cylinder, which is coupled to the selector fork, and a reversible pump. The pump is connected to the working chambers of the cylinder by supply lines. A valve is mounted in each of the supply lines which is operated by fluid flow. This valve comprises a body, a bore formed in the body, a piston, which divides the bore into two chambers, a through-channel, formed in the piston and designed as a flow orifice, connecting the two chambers.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 1997Date of Patent: January 12, 1999Assignee: Applied Power Inc.Inventor: Laurentius A. G. Mentink
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Patent number: 5857934Abstract: An automatic transmission apparatus has a transmission 3 having first and second input shafts 31 and 32 as well as a clutch or a brake, and also has a torque converter 2 having a main unit 10, a planetary gear train 11, lock-up clutch device 12 and a one-way clutch 35. The planetary gear train 11 has a ring gear r1 coupled to a turbine 16, planetary gears p1 meshing with the ring gear r1, a carrier 20 coupled to the first input shaft 31 of the transmission 3 and carrying the planetary gears p1, and a sun gear s1 coupled to a stator 17 and meshing with the planetary gears p1. The one-way clutch 35 transmits a power to the second input shaft 32 of the transmission 3 only when the stator 17 rotates reversely to the impeller 15 and turbine 16.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1997Date of Patent: January 12, 1999Assignee: EXEDY CorporationInventor: Masahiro Ohkubo
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Patent number: 5855532Abstract: An automatic transmission control system is capable of quickly and accurately judging the normal state and faulty state of an input shaft rotation speed sensor and/or an output shaft rotation speed sensor. The system includes an input shaft rotation speed sensor condition judging device for judging whether an input shaft rotation speed sensor detecting a rotation speed NI of an input shaft of the automatic transmission is in a normal or faulty state, an output shaft rotation speed sensor condition judging device for judging whether an output shaft rotation speed sensor detecting a rotation speed No of an output shaft of the automatic transmission is in a normal or faulty state, a multiplying means for multiplying the rotation speed No of the output shaft with a current transmission gear ratio, and comparing and judging means for judging whether the multiplied value is coincident with the rotation speed NI of the input shaft.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1995Date of Patent: January 5, 1999Assignee: Jatco CorporationInventor: Hideharu Sugiyama
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Patent number: 5853345Abstract: A transmission includes a first simple planetary gear set having first, second, and third elements, the first element of the first gear set receiving rotational motion input to the transmission, and a second simple planetary gear set having first, second, and third elements, the first element of the second gear set outputting rotational motion from the transmission and the second element of the second gear set being connected to the third element of the first gear set. The elements of the first gear set include a sun gear, a first carrier, and a first ring gear, and the elements of the second gear set include a second sun gear, a second carrier, and a second ring gear. A first clutch selectively couples the second element of the first gear set to the first element of the second gear set. A second clutch selectively couples two elements selected from the group consisting of the first, second, and third elements of the first gear set and the second element of the second gear set.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1996Date of Patent: December 29, 1998Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Jong-Sul Park
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Patent number: 5853349Abstract: A control for shifting from an off-going speed range to an on-coming speed range comprises an off-going range releasing stage, an on-coming range void-stroke-clearing stage, an on-coming range engaging stage and an on-coming range final stage. During the off-going range releasing stage, an off-going engaging element is released in response to a shift command signal. During the on-coming range void-stroke-clearing stage, the engagement-actuation pressure of the on-coming engaging element is set at a predetermined high-pressure for a predetermined time period after the shift command signal is generated, whereby the void stroke of the on-coming engaging element is cleared. During the on-coming range engaging stage, after the completion of the on-coming range void-stroke-clearing stage, the on-coming engaging element is engaged. During the on-coming range final stage, following the on-coming range engaging stage, the on-coming engaging element is engaged completely.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 1997Date of Patent: December 29, 1998Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takamichi Shimada, Noboru Sekine
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Patent number: 5853346Abstract: A propelling and/or steering mechanism uses a planetary gear set and ring gear arrangement, in which the ring gear "floats" upon the planetary gear set, free of a center hub and a bearing connection.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1995Date of Patent: December 29, 1998Inventor: Edward J. Gaffney
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Patent number: 5848950Abstract: A differential gear transmitting force from an engine to a pair of wheels, includes a differential gear case receiving driving force of an engine and rotatably driven having a casing body and an end cover, a pair of side gears connected with the wheels respectively, pinion gears having a first gear portion meshed with the side gear and a second gear portion meshed with other pinion gear outside in the axial direction of the side gears, housing holes receiving each pinion gear slidably and rotatably and supporting a whole periphery of the second gear portion of the pinion gear except for a meshing portion meshed with other pinion gear, and a plate member fixed to the casing body and being able to bear the thrust force of the pinion gear.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1997Date of Patent: December 15, 1998Assignee: Tochigi Fuji Sangyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masao Teraoka, Susumu Ishikawa, Nobushi Yamazaki, Shuhei Ono
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Patent number: 5848951Abstract: A control system for downshifting an automatic transmission provides reduced shift shock by controlling pressure fed to a kickdown servo brake. A throttle valve sensor, an input shaft rpm sensor, an output shaft rpm sensor, and a transmission control unit are used. The transmission control unit outputs a control signal for a second-to-first speed shift after reducing hydraulic pressure fed in accordance with a duty pattern when the vehicle is in the state of a second-to-first downshift. Alternatively, the transmission control units outputs a control signal for a second-to-first speed shift after the third-to-second speed shift is completed when the vehicle is in the state of a third-to-first speed shift. In any case, the transmission control units controls first and second transmission control solenoid valves, and a hydraulic pressure control solenoid valve for changing the state of hydraulic pressure fed to every friction member.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1996Date of Patent: December 15, 1998Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Hee-Yong Lee
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Patent number: 5839985Abstract: A differential apparatus comprises: a casing (1) rotated by an external power; a first shaft (9) rotatably supported by the casing: a second shaft (11) rotatably supported by the casing; a first side gear (17) formed integral with the first shaft: a second side gear (19) formed integral with the second shaft; and a helical pinion gear assembly (29. 31) geared between the first and second side gears within the casing filled with a viscous fluid. Therefore, a differential limiting force can be generated by gearing between the helical pinion gear assembly and tire first and second side gears, when the viscous fluid is pressurized and circulated within the casing by a gear pumping action of the helical pinion gear assembly caused by differential motion between the first and second side gears, even if the torque applied to one of the side gears is zero (as when one tire is floated perfectly from a road surface).Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 1994Date of Patent: November 24, 1998Assignee: Tochigi Fuji Sangyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masao Teraoka
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Patent number: 5836206Abstract: An improved vehicular change gear transmission (100) is provided that includes a mainshaft thrust washer (32) having at least one and preferably a plurality of substantially equally circumferentially spaced depressions (48) on at least one side and preferably indexed with substantially equally circumferentially spaced depressions (58) on the opposite side thereof that are adapted to enable lubricant (9) to move radially outwardly from between mainshaft gear thrust surfaces (47, 49) disposed on opposite sides of thrust washer (32) to minimize accumulation of lubricant (9) therebetween resulting in reduced hydrodynamic drag.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1996Date of Patent: November 17, 1998Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventor: Robert Craft
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Patent number: 5833568Abstract: A transmission includes a first simple planetary gear set having first, second, and third elements, the first element of the first gear set receiving rotational motion input to the transmission, and a second simple planetary gear set having first, second, and third elements, the first element of the second gear set outputting rotational motion from the transmission. The elements of the first gear set include a sun gear, a first carrier, and a first ring gear, and the elements of the second gear set include a second sun gear, a second carrier, and a second ring gear. A first clutch selectively couples the second element of the first gear set to the second element of the second gear set. A second clutch selectively couples the third element of the first gear set to the third element of the second gear set. A third clutch selectively couples two of the elements of the first gear set.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1996Date of Patent: November 10, 1998Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Jong-Sul Park
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Patent number: 5833569Abstract: A drive train for transmitting torque produced by a motor to a load comprises a planetary gear arrangement mounted concentrically with respect to a tubular shaft. The planetary gear arrangement cooperates with a pair of driven gears which are also coaxial with the tubular shaft, the planetary gear arrangement and the pair of gears being located within an outer housing. The tubular shaft provides an unobstructed, large diameter passage through the drive train, the passage being available for the routing to a load connected to one of the driven gears of movable shafts, conduits or electrical conductors.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 1997Date of Patent: November 10, 1998Inventor: Adolf Schnell
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Patent number: 5830104Abstract: An improved engine control provides rapid decrease in the output speed of the engine when an upshift of the transmission is being actuated. The system selectively actuates a speed retardation system to decrease the engine output speed to match a desired engine output speed at the next highest gear ratio. In one embodiment, an engine control actuates engine braking to achieve this rapid speed reduction. In other embodiments, an additional load may be placed on the engine, such as the actuation of a fan. An operator is preferably provided with a shift intent switch that provides an indication to the engine control that an upshift will be actuated. The engine control waits for an indication that the transmission has been moved to neutral. Once this indication is received, the speed retardation system is actuated to rapidly reduce the engine output speed toward a desired value.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 1997Date of Patent: November 3, 1998Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLCInventors: Thomas Desautels, Edward M. Bacon, Steve M. Weisman
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Patent number: 5830100Abstract: An automatic transmission having five forward speed ranges and a single reverse speed range wherein a fluid torque converter connected to a crankshaft of an engine increases the rotary torque of the engine and transferring the increased rotary torque to a planetary gear unit installed next to the fluid torque converter. The planetary gear unit includes: a first, a second and a third planetary gear set; and changes the rotary torque, rotary speed, and rotational direction of the power transferred from the fluid torque converter. Friction elements connect and lock the planetary gear sets to the driven shafts, and are controlled with a hydraulic control system. The hydraulic control system controls the fluid path by a shift lever, according to the speed and load of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1996Date of Patent: November 3, 1998Inventor: Hyun-Young Choi
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Patent number: 5827152Abstract: A slip detecting device detects slipping of a selected hydraulically engaged element of an automatic transmission during non-shifting, and a determining device determines a hydraulically engaged element larger in driving-force transmitting capacity than the hydraulically engaged element which is in its engaged state. A transmission control element then brings the hydraulically engaged element having the larger driving force transmitting capacity, into its engaged state, in place of the hydraulically engaged element which was in its engaged state. Thus, the slipping of the hydraulically engaged element during non-shifting is prevented.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1997Date of Patent: October 27, 1998Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoichi Sato, Tatsuya Yamakita
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Patent number: 5827153Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle which is shifted to a non-drive position with a releasing action of a hydraulically operated frictional coupling clutch upon operation of a manually operated member from a drive position to a non-drive position, the apparatus including a non-drive shift detecting device for detecting a non-drive shifting operation of the manually operated member from the drive position to the non-drive position, a rapid pressure reduction device operated upon detection of the non-drive shifting operation for rapidly reducing a pressure of the hydraulically operated frictional coupling device to a predetermined pressure level, and a continuous pressure reduction device for continuously reducing the pressure of the frictional coupling device from the predetermined pressure level at a predetermined reduction rate.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1997Date of Patent: October 27, 1998Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideki Yasue, Hiromichi Kimura
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Patent number: 5827149Abstract: An electrically powered park lock actuator for use with an automotive vehicle transmission. The actuator is mechanically independent from a shift actuator which shifts the transmission between gear ranges, and comprises two high-speed, reversible DC electric motor acting via a speed reduction gear train to move a locking pawl into and out of engagement with a gear on the transmission output shaft. The shafts of the two motors are connected to a common worm which forms the fist stage of the gear train, and either one of the motors is individually capable of actuating the locking pawl. In the preferred embodiment, the park lock actuator is controlled by an electronic transmission control system so that the lock actuator may be controlled in coordination with a power-operated transmission gear shift actuator for integrated operation of the transmission. A back-up battery is supplied to provide sufficient power to unlock the transmission in the event of a failure of the vehicle main electrical power system.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1996Date of Patent: October 27, 1998Assignee: Hi-Lex CorporationInventor: Edward E. Sponable
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Patent number: 5827148Abstract: In an electric vehicle provided with an electric motor (M), a motor drive circuit (17) and a control circuit section (15) for outputting an operation command to the motor drive circuit, a variable speed drive unit for electric vehicles has a transmission apparatus (20) which engages or disengages a drive shaft (7a) which receives the drive force from a propelling motor and a driven shaft (5a) which is interconnected with propelling wheels by an electromagnetic engagement clutch (30), the transmission apparatus has the electromagnetic clutch comprised of a first clutch (22) interconnected with the drive shaft, a second clutch (25) having a rotational speed different from the first clutch, and an output side clutch (21) interconnected with the driven shaft; and the output side clutch and the first clutch or the second clutch are alternatively connected to selectively change the motor output.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1997Date of Patent: October 27, 1998Assignees: Seiko Epson Corporation, Tokyo R & D Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takeshi Seto, Akihito Uetake, Tatsuya Shimoda, Masao Ono, Masatoshi Fukuda, Satoshi Yamazaki
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Patent number: 5823910Abstract: A transmission includes a first simple planetary gear set having first, second, and third elements, the first element of the first gear set receiving rotational motion input to the transmission, and a second simple planetary gear set having first, second, and third elements, the first element of the second gear set outputting rotational motion from the transmission and the third element of the second gear set being connected to the third element of the first gear set. The elements of the first gear set include a sun gear, a first carrier, and a first ring gear, and the elements of the second gear set include a second sun gear, a second carrier, and a second ring gear. A first clutch selectively couples the second element of the first gear set to the first element of the second gear set. A second clutch selectively couples the first element of the first gear set to the second element of the second gear set.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1996Date of Patent: October 20, 1998Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Jong-Sul Park
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Patent number: 5820504Abstract: Trochoidal tooth form gear assemblies for in-line mechanical power transmission, gear reduction and differential drive employ internally meshed gear sets having differing numbers of trochoidal gear teeth, all of which are in continuous contact as one gear rotates and orbits relative to another. Coupling and output rotors having external trochoidal gear teeth profiles rotate and/or orbit in mesh with conjugate internal trochoidal gear teeth in stators or coupling rotors. A differing number of teeth between the meshed external and internal gear teeth provides gear reduction of rotational speeds through axially aligned input and output shafts. In certain embodiments, couplers are eccentrically mounted upon axially extending pins to translate the orbital motion of a meshed gear to shaft rotation. The gear sets can be combined in series to provide various gear reduction ratios as functions of the differing number of meshed gear teeth.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1996Date of Patent: October 13, 1998Assignee: Hawk CorporationInventor: Robert E. Geralde