Patents Examined by Timothy Hannon
-
Patent number: 11958361Abstract: A military vehicle includes an engine, an energy storage system, an accessory drive coupled to the engine and including an air compressor and a first motor, a second motor coupled to an axle, and a clutch positioned between the engine and the second motor. The clutch is spring-biased into engagement with the engine and pneumatically disengaged by an air supply selectively provided thereto based on operation of the air compressor. In an engine mode, (i) the clutch does not receive the air supply such that the engine is coupled to the second motor and (ii) the engine drives (a) the accessory drive and (b) the axle through the second motor. In the electric mode, (i) the first motor drives the air compressor to compress air to facilitate supplying the air supply to the clutch to disengage the clutch and decouple the engine from the second motor and (ii) the second motor drives the axle.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2022Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLCInventors: Chad Smith, Dave Marek, Neil Dekarske, Mike Bolton, Ryan Crabtree, Joseph Dehaan, Rachell Harsh, Michael Koenigs, Shawn Naglik, Mitchel Nordahl, Evan Schertz, Mikel Ullman, Jessica Szymanski, Bradon Zeitler, Deepak Shukla, Ed Trinklein, Tim Voight, Mike Yanacek, Matt Mathison, Nader Nasr
-
Patent number: 11953062Abstract: A one-way clutch regenerative braking system includes a sleeve which is arranged on an outer circumference of a hub and moved in an axial direction, a clutch gear which is arranged on a side of the hub and meshed with the sleeve, and a one-way clutch which is arranged on an inner circumference of the hub and rotated in a first direction, wherein, when the sleeve and the clutch gear are meshed with each other, the clutch gear is rotated in a second direction which is opposite to a rotational direction of the one-way clutch.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: NEOOTO CO., LTD.Inventors: Duk Soon Choi, Sun Hyun Kim
-
Patent number: 11953061Abstract: A clutch system is provided. The clutch system includes an outer unit having a surface defining an aperture in the outer unit; an inner unit disposed in the aperture, wherein a shape of the inner unit matches a shape of the aperture; a low melting point material disposed in the aperture between the inner unit and the surface of the outer unit; a heating element; a temperature sensor; and a processor in electronic communication with the heating element and the temperature sensor. The processor is configured to control the heating element thereby changing the low melting point material between a soft state and a rigid state.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2020Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: The Johns Hopkins UniversityInventors: Alexander Cohen, Farshid Alambeigi, Mehran Armand
-
Patent number: 11940014Abstract: A vehicle driveline component with a ball-ramp mechanism that includes a first ball-ramp ring, a second ball-ramp ring and a plurality of balls. Each of the first and second ball-ramp rings have a plurality of ball supports that define ball tracks that receive the balls. Each of the ball supports has a first radial width at a first location and a second radial width at a second location. The first and second widths are different to minimize the amount of material that forms the first and second ball-ramp rings.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2022Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Frederick E. Zink, Robert S. Kleinhardt
-
Patent number: 11940023Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a driveline disconnect clutch of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a driveline disconnect clutch is de-stroked in a particular way so that the driveline disconnect clutch may be de-stroked more consistently. The de-stroking process may be followed by boosting and stroking the driveline disconnect clutch so as to preposition the driveline disconnect clutch or holding the clutch at an offset below stroke pressure to minimize drag.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2022Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Akshay Bichkar, Corey James Blue, Jason Meyer, Maruthi Ravichandran, Bradley Dean Riedle
-
Patent number: 11927252Abstract: A transmission for a vehicle includes an input shaft, a planetary gearset comprising a sun gearwheel, one or more planet gearwheels, a planet gearwheel holder and a planet ring gearwheel, a first gearwheel, a second gearwheel, a third gearwheel, a fourth gearwheel and a fifth gearwheel, an output shaft, and at least two gear engaging devices which are configured to provide at least four selectable gear connections. The planet ring gearwheel is rotatably connected or connectable to the first gearwheel. A first gear engaging device is configured to be provided in a first state where it rotationally connects the second gearwheel to the fourth gearwheel and in a second state where it rotationally disconnects the second gearwheel from the fourth gearwheel. The third selectable gear connection is provided by at least setting the first gear engaging device in the first gear engaging device first state.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2022Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventor: Johan Folkesson
-
Patent number: 11919412Abstract: This application is directed to a bearing support. The bearing support comprises an enclosure, a rotating shaft, first and second bearings installed on the shaft, and a bearing spacer separating the first and second bearings. The first and second bearings comprise an inner ring configured to rotate with the shaft, an outer ring configured to rotate with the enclosure, and a rolling cage configured to enable the inner ring to rotate relative to the outer ring. The bearing spacer comprises lips that create gaps between the bearing spacer and the first and second bearings. Keys can lock the inner rings of the first and second bearings to the shaft and causes the inner rings to rotate with the shaft. The gaps cool the first and second bearings as the shaft rotates. The enclosure houses the first and second bearings, the bearing spacer, and at least a portion of the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2020Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Inventor: Anthony Macaluso
-
Patent number: 11920639Abstract: A vehicle clutch, comprising a primary clutch (1).Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: TAIAN SHENGTAI AUTO PARTS CO., LTD.Inventors: Xiaoqin Wu, Chuanchang Zhao, Hsingchang Kuo, Defu Xue
-
Patent number: 11913503Abstract: To provide a simple-structured cam clutch that does not require precise control and is operable with a smaller drive force and less prone to damage on cam surfaces or inner and outer raceways. The cam clutch includes a plurality of cams circumferentially arranged between an inner race and an outer race and supported by a cage member, and a selector capable of changing an orientation of the cams. The selector includes a driven part allowing a rotation angle thereof to be controlled relative to the inner race or outer race to which the cage member is fixedly attached, and a selector body circumferentially displaceable relative to the driven part in a resilient manner by a spring-loaded mechanism. The selector body includes a cam orientation control protrusion capable of changing the orientation of the cams by making contact with the cams.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2023Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.Inventors: Eiichi Nakagawa, Tsubasa Sugiya, Yuji Kurematsu
-
Patent number: 11913502Abstract: A torque limiter device includes an input shaft having a first contact surface and an output shaft having a second contact surface. The input and output shafts are operable in an engaged position and a disengaged position A biasing mechanism provides a bias force that mechanically biases the input and output shafts in one of the positions and sets a threshold torque. An electromagnet is arranged to selectively provide an electromagnetic force that opposes the bias force when an activation current is supplied. A controller determines a difference in rotations of the shafts and selectively supply the activation current to the electromagnet so as to disengage the input and output shafts when the rotation difference exceeds a threshold. Each of the contact surfaces comprises one or more grooves, wherein at least one rotatable member is disposed in at least one of said grooves.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2023Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: RATIER-FIGEAC SASInventor: Bruno Seminel
-
Patent number: 11904836Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an eco-friendly vehicle in which powertrain noise may be controlled such that voice command recognition of the vehicle control system may be improved and also audio guidance therefrom may be better recognized by a driver, and a method for supporting audio input/output for the same. A method of supporting audio input/output for an eco-friendly vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes determining whether a first condition for audio input/output function and a second condition for inside noise level are satisfied; and performing a noise reduction control by changing an operating point of a driving power source based on a current drive mode, in case where the first and the second conditions are satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia CorporationInventor: Jin Kyeom Cho
-
Patent number: 11898633Abstract: Methods and systems for generating control instructions for a plurality of transmissions having dissimilar gear configurations via a common software framework are described. In one example, the common software framework provides a graphic interface whereby a user/implementer describes configurations of different transmissions. The software framework generates instructions for different transmission controllers that shift the transmissions.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2020Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: VOCIS LIMITEDInventor: Kevin Fan
-
Patent number: 11891042Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a clutch of an axle are provided. In one example, the clutch may be characterized in static or dynamic conditions. The clutch characterization may be a basis for subsequently operating the clutch during gearbox shifting. In particular, an amount of torque that is transferred via the clutch may be controlled or adjusted according to the clutch characterization.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2020Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: DANA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLCInventors: Steven J. Wesolowski, Amar Nivarthi
-
Patent number: 11879537Abstract: A transmission gear assembly including a housing with an axial center line, having a front wall and a circumferential wall with a breather opening. The front wall includes an annular groove in fluid communication with the breather opening and covered by a substantially circular plate having a perimeter at a first distance (r) from the axial center line and with a predetermined length (L). On each transverse side in at least the lower part, an air/oil inlet and outlet is defined by a recess of the perimeter at a distance (r3,r4) from the axial center line smaller than the first distance (r), each recess being in fluid communication with the annular groove. On each transverse side in the upper part, an air/oil inlet is formed by a recess of the perimeter at a distance (r1,r2) from the axial center line smaller than the first distance (r) and having a circumferential length (l1,l2) shorter than a circumferential length (l3,l4) of the inlet/outlets.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2022Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Volvo Car CorporationInventors: Denise Tell, Emil â„«berg
-
Patent number: 11878577Abstract: An electric drive axle including a first shaft in driving engagement with an electric motor. A first gear and a second gear are coupled with the first shaft. A second shaft is disposed offset from the first shaft. A third gear is selectively coupled with the second shaft, and the third gear is meshed with the first gear. A fourth gear is selectively coupled with the second shaft, and the fourth gear is meshed with the second gear. A fifth gear is coupled with the second shaft and meshed with a sixth gear coupled with a differential case.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2021Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: DANA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLCInventor: Eric M. Engerman
-
Patent number: 11879544Abstract: A transmission system avoids activation of a sailing functionality in a vehicle. The transmission system is configured for automatic gear-shifting in an automatic mode and manual gear-shifting by a user in a manual mode. The transmission system includes a user input device configured for manually changing the operational mode between the automatic and manual modes. The transmission system includes a transmission control unit for determining a recommended gear in the automatic and manual modes. In the manual mode, an operating gear of the transmission system is detected by the transmission control unit. A change of the operational mode from manual to automatic by means of the user input device is detected, and if the detected operating gear in the manual mode when changing to automatic mode is lower than the recommended gear, the sailing functionality in the automatic mode is deactivated.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2023Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignees: NINGBO GEELY AUTOMOBILE RESEARCH & DEV. CO., LTD., ZHEJIANG GEELY HOLDING GROUP CO., LTD.Inventors: Johan Ekelund, Farshid Shafiabady
-
Patent number: 11879509Abstract: Proposed is a system for operating and lubricating a clutch of a work vehicle. The system includes a forward-backward switching clutch portion connected to a first transmission hydraulic line, a main transmission clutch portion connected to the first transmission hydraulic line so as to be disposed in parallel with the forward-backward switching clutch portion, an auxiliary transmission clutch portion connected to a second transmission hydraulic line disposed in parallel with the first transmission hydraulic line, and a lubricating oil supply portion configured to supply oil as a lubricant to each clutch friction element. The lubricating oil supply portion includes a clutch lubrication valve unit, and is configured to always allow oil supply to the clutch friction elements of each of the main transmission clutch portion and the auxiliary transmission clutch portion, and is configured to intermittently allow oil supply to the clutch friction element of the forward-backward switching clutch portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2023Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Daedong CorporationInventors: Bong Jae Kim, Gi Sun Shim
-
Patent number: 11878677Abstract: A method includes estimating a first pressure at a first location of a clutch based on a flow rate of a fluid in the clutch, computing a first torque lead value based on the first pressure, computing a second torque lead value based on a second pressure, computing a third torque lead value by combining the first torque lead value and the second torque lead value, and applying torque from a motor of the vehicle based on the third torque lead value.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2023Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Yang Xu, Akshay Bichkar, Zhengyu Dai, Hiral Jayantilal Haria, Hong Jiang, Jason Meyer
-
Patent number: 11873870Abstract: A method for controlling a friction clutch actuated by an actuation system using an actuation pressure ambiguously applied along an actuation path includes providing the friction clutch and the actuation system, detecting a time curve of an actuation processes of the friction clutch, and comparing the time curve with the actuation pressure to ascertain an unambiguous friction clutch actuation path. The method may also include using the time curve to determine whether the friction clutch is in an opening state or a closing state and whether the actuation pressure is applied to an opened friction clutch actuation path or a closed friction clutch actuation path, and starting from a set actuation pressure, carrying out a directional control of the friction clutch by specifying the actuation pressure.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2020Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Carsten Mayer, Marco Grethei, Yunfan Wei
-
Patent number: 11873895Abstract: A method for controlling a powertrain of a vehicle having a dual-clutch transmission (DCT) includes: operating the DCT while the vehicle is in motion with a high or low transmission gear drivingly engaged; receiving a shift request to engage an other one of the high and low transmission gears; reducing an engine torque output and first and second clutch torques; shifting a subtransmission to a neutral gear setting; selecting a first gear or a second gear to drive the subtransmission; shifting the main transmission to engage the selected first or second gear; after shifting the main transmission, shifting the subtransmission to the other one of the high and low transmission gears; and after shifting the subtransmission, controlling the engine torque output and the first and second clutch torques according to a driver request at an accelerator of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2023Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: BRP-ROTAX GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Robert Ebner, Verena Wolfsegger, Petra Wiesinger, Roman Schmied, Alexander Tausch