Patents by Inventor Austin Hoff
Austin Hoff has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240011546Abstract: A torque converter is provided that includes a front cover arranged to receive a torque, an impeller having an impeller shell non-rotatably connected to the cover, and a turbine in fluid communication with the impeller and including a turbine shell. An output element is disposed axially between the front cover and the turbine shell and arranged to connect to a transmission input shaft. The output element includes a flange and a neck extending axially from the flange towards the front cover. A lock-up clutch includes a piston. A floating hub is disposed axially between the front cover and the flange and is sealed to the piston and the transmission input shaft. The floating hub is non-rotatably connected to the neck of the output element.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2022Publication date: January 11, 2024Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Austin Hoff
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Patent number: 11846344Abstract: A torque converter is provided that includes a front cover arranged to receive a torque, an impeller having an impeller shell non-rotatably connected to the cover, and a turbine in fluid communication with the impeller and including a turbine shell. An output element is disposed axially between the front cover and the turbine shell and arranged to connect to a transmission input shaft. The output element includes a flange and a neck extending axially from the flange towards the front cover. A lock-up clutch includes a piston. A floating hub is disposed axially between the front cover and the flange and is sealed to the piston and the transmission input shaft. The floating hub is non-rotatably connected to the neck of the output element.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2022Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Austin Hoff
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Publication number: 20230151873Abstract: A torque converter, including: a cover; an impeller including an impeller shell connected to the cover and at least one impeller blade; a turbine in fluid communication with the impeder and including a turbine shell and at least one turbine blade; stator including at least one stator blade; and a vibration damper including a first cover plate, a second cover plate non-rotatably connected to the first cover plate, an intermediate flange axially disposed between the first cover plate and the second cover plate, at least one spring directly engaged with the first cover plate, the second cover plate, and the intermediate flange, and a resilient element directly engaged with the first cover plate and the intermediate flange and urging the intermediate flange in an axial direction, parallel to an axis of rotation of the torque converter, away from the first cover plate and into contact with the second cover plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2021Publication date: May 18, 2023Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Austin Hoff, David Avins
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Patent number: 11619276Abstract: A wave spring is disclosed herein that creates hysteresis between two components. The wave spring includes an annular body having a wave-shaped profile, and a plurality of axially extending fingers extending from the annular body. The wave spring is dimensioned to be received in a space between at least two axially opposed hub components.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2020Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Austin Hoff, Kelly Gabor
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Patent number: 11525493Abstract: A torsional vibration damper, including: an output flange supported for rotation around an axis of rotation and including a first drive surface and a second drive surface; an intermediate flange including a first drive tab aligned in series with the first drive surface in a circumferential direction around the axis of rotation and a second drive tab aligned in series with the second drive surface in the circumferential direction; a first spring including a first end directly engaged with the first drive surface and a second end directly engaged with the first drive tab; and a second spring including a first end directly engaged with the second drive tab and a second end directly engaged with the second drive surface. In an example embodiment, the intermediate flange includes a centering tab in contact with the output flange and arranged to center the intermediate flange with respect to the output flange.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2019Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Austin Hoff
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Patent number: 11242921Abstract: A torque converter comprises a cover configured to receive an input torque and an impeller having an impeller shell non-rotatably connected to the cover. A piston is disposed axially between the cover and the impeller. The piston is configured to axially displace to selectively engage a clutch and a seal plate is disposed axially between the piston and the cover. The seal plate is sealed to the cover. A first chamber is formed at least in part by the cover, the seal plate, and the piston. A second chamber is formed at least in part by the piston and the impeller shell.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2020Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Austin Hoff, Victor Norwich
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Patent number: 11067157Abstract: A torque converter includes a front cover, an impeller having an outer shell non-rotatably connected to the front cover, and a turbine. A lock-up clutch is disposed axially between the front cover and the turbine. The lock-up clutch includes a piston axially displaceable and having a first opening extending from a first axial side facing the front cover to a second axial side facing the turbine. A seal ring is fixed to the front cover and sealed to the piston. A first fluid chamber is formed at least in part by the piston and the turbine, and a second fluid chamber is formed at least in part by the front cover, the seal ring, and the piston. A valve is connected to the piston and is configured to seal the first opening in response to a pressure difference in the first and second fluid chambers.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2020Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Felipe de Lima Zocca, Victor Norwich, Austin Hoff
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Publication number: 20210207675Abstract: A wave spring is disclosed herein that creates hysteresis between two components. The wave spring includes an annular body having a wave-shaped profile, and a plurality of axially extending fingers extending from the annular body. The wave spring is dimensioned to be received in a space between at least two axially opposed hub components.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2020Publication date: July 8, 2021Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Austin Hoff, Kelly Gabor
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Publication number: 20210190187Abstract: A torsional vibration damper, including: an output flange supported for rotation around an axis of rotation and including a first drive surface and a second drive surface; an intermediate flange including a first drive tab aligned in series with the first drive surface in a circumferential direction around the axis of rotation and a second drive tab aligned in series with the second drive surface in the circumferential direction; a first spring including a first end directly engaged with the first drive surface and a second end directly engaged with the first drive tab; and a second spring including a first end directly engaged with the second drive tab and a second end directly engaged with the second drive surface. In an example embodiment, the intermediate flange includes a centering tab in contact with the output flange and arranged to center the intermediate flange with respect to the output flange.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2019Publication date: June 24, 2021Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Austin Hoff
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Publication number: 20210010578Abstract: A torque converter includes a front cover, an impeller having an outer shell non-rotatably connected to the front cover, and a turbine. A lock-up clutch is disposed axially between the front cover and the turbine. The lock-up clutch includes a piston axially displaceable and having a first opening extending from a first axial side facing the front cover to a second axial side facing the turbine. A seal ring is fixed to the front cover and sealed to the piston. A first fluid chamber is formed at least in part by the piston and the turbine, and a second fluid chamber is formed at least in part by the front cover, the seal ring, and the piston. A valve is connected to the piston and is configured to seal the first opening in response to a pressure difference in the first and second fluid chambers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Felipe de Lima Zocca, Victor Norwich, Austin Hoff
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Publication number: 20200284331Abstract: A torque converter comprises a cover configured to receive an input torque and an impeller having an impeller shell non-rotatably connected to the cover. A piston is disposed axially between the cover and the impeller. The piston is configured to axially displace to selectively engage a clutch and a seal plate is disposed axially between the piston and the cover. The seal plate is sealed to the cover. A first chamber is formed at least in part by the cover, the seal plate, and the piston. A second chamber is formed at least in part by the piston and the impeller shell.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2020Publication date: September 10, 2020Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Austin Hoff, Victor Norwich