Patents by Inventor Sankar K. Mohan
Sankar K. Mohan 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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Patent number: 6533693Abstract: A hybrid drive system for a four-wheel drive system arranged to supply motive power to a transfer case from an internal combustion engine and/or an electric motor/generator. The transfer case is comprised of a planetary gearset having a first input driven by the motor/generator, a second input driven by the engine, and an output directing drive torque to the front and rear drivelines. The output of the planetary gearset drives a rear output shaft connected to the rear driveline and further drives a front output shaft connected to the front driveline. The transfer case further includes a second planetary gearset having an input driven by the motor/generator and an output driving the first input of the first planetary gearset. This hybrid drive arrangement permits use of a modified transfer case in place of a conventional transfer case in a traditional four-wheel drive driveline.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2002Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.Inventors: Thomas C. Bowen, Sankar K. Mohan
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Publication number: 20030024789Abstract: The present invention is directed to a power transfer system for a four-wheel drive vehicle equipped with a torque transfer coupling which includes a clutch pack and a ball-screw actuator. The ball-screw actuator functions to axially translates an apply plate to operatively engage the clutch pack and vary the frictional engagement. This arrangement yields numerous operational advantages over the prior art including, but not limited to, establishing a direct drive between the motor output shaft and the apply plate, concentric mounting of the actuator elements with the motor output shaft, and a simplified mechanical arrangement that reduces the number of frictional elements increasing operational efficiency and decreasing motor requirements.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2002Publication date: February 6, 2003Inventors: Carl H. Vonnegut, Mozaffar Khazaee, Sankar K. Mohan, Eric A. Bansbach, Daniel J. Miller
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Patent number: 6484857Abstract: The present invention is directed to a power transfer system for a four-wheel drive vehicle equipped with a torque transfer coupling which includes a clutch pack and a ball-screw actuator. The ball-screw actuator functions to axially translates an apply plate to operatively engage the clutch pack and vary the frictional engagement. This arrangement yields numerous operational advantages over the prior art including, but not limited to, establishing a direct drive between the motor output shaft and the apply plate, concentric mounting of the actuator elements with the motor output shaft, and a simplified mechanical arrangement that reduces the number of frictional elements increasing operational efficiency and decreasing motor requirements.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2001Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.Inventors: Carl H. Vonnegut, Mozaffar Khazaee, Sankar K. Mohan, Eric A. Bansbach, Daniel J. Miller
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Publication number: 20020160874Abstract: A hybrid drive system for a four-wheel drive system arranged to supply motive power to a transfer case from an internal combustion engine and/or an electric motor/generator. The transfer case is comprised of a planetary gearset having a first input driven by the motor/generator, a second input driven by the engine, and an output directing drive torque to the front and rear drivelines. The output of the planetary gearset drives a rear output shaft connected to the rear driveline and further drives a front output shaft connected to the front driveline. The transfer case further includes a second planetary gearset having an input driven by the motor/generator and an output driving the first input of the first planetary gearset. This hybrid drive arrangement permits use of a modified transfer case in place of a conventional transfer case in a traditional four-wheel drive driveline.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2002Publication date: October 31, 2002Inventors: Thomas C. Bowen, Sankar K. Mohan
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Publication number: 20020155916Abstract: A full-time power transfer system is disclosed to include a transfer case having a clutch assembly arranged to control speed differentiation and torque biasing across an interaxle differential, sensors for detecting and generating sensor signals indicative of various dynamic and operational characteristics of the vehicle, and a controller for controlling actuation of the clutch assembly in response to the sensor signals. Upon the occurrence of traction loss, the clutch assembly is automatically actuated for limiting interaxle slip while transferring increased drive torque to the non-slipping driveline. Under a preferred adaptive control scheme, the actuated condition of the clutch assembly is controllably modulated between its non-actuated and fully-actuated limits for automatically varying the magnitude of speed differentiation and torque biasing across the interaxle differential in response to changes in the dynamic and operational characteristics of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2002Publication date: October 24, 2002Inventors: David Brown, Richard E. Eastman, Sankar K. Mohan, Nancy Mintonye, Janet Brown
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Patent number: 6464608Abstract: A hybrid drive system for a four-wheel drive system arranged to supply motive power to a transfer case from an internal combustion engine and/or an electric motor/generator. The transfer case is comprised of a planetary gearset having a first input driven by the motor/generator, a second input driven by the engine, and an output directing drive torque to the front and rear drivelines. The output of the planetary gearset drives a rear output shaft connected to the rear driveline and further drives a front output shaft connected to the front driveline. The transfer case further includes a second planetary gearset having an input driven by the motor/generator and an output driving the first input of the first planetary gearset. This hybrid drive arrangement permits use of a modified transfer case in place of a conventional transfer case in a traditional four-wheel drive driveline.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2001Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: New Venture Gear Inc.Inventors: Thomas C. Bowen, Sankar K. Mohan
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Publication number: 20020142878Abstract: A two-speed full-time transfer case includes an input shaft, first and second output shafts, a planetary gearset, an interaxle differential, and first and second clutch mechanisms. The planetary gearset includes a sun gear integral with the input shaft, an annulus gear, and pinion gears rotatably mounted on a carrier and which are meshed with the sun and annulus gears. The interaxle differential has an input driven by the carrier, a first output driving the first output shaft and a second output driving a transfer mechanism coupled to the second output shaft. The first clutch mechanism is a fluid-actuated bi-directional overrunning clutch operable for selectively braking the annulus gear. The second clutch mechanism is a fluid-released bi-directional overrunning clutch for selectively releasing the input shaft from coupled engagement with the carrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2002Publication date: October 3, 2002Inventors: Eric A. Bansbach, Sankar K. Mohan, James S. Brissenden
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Patent number: 6458056Abstract: A power transfer system includes a transfer case having a clutch assembly arranged across an interaxle differential, a hydraulic clutch actuation system operable to control actuation of the clutch assembly, sensors for detecting various dynamic and operational characteristics of the vehicle, and a controller for controlling the hydraulic clutch actuation system in response to the sensor signals. Upon the occurrence of traction loss, the clutch assembly is automatically actuated for limiting interaxle slip while transferring increased drive torque to the non-slipping driveline. The actuated condition of the clutch assembly is modulated between its non-actuated and fully-actuated limits for automatically varying the magnitude of speed differentiation and torque biasing across the interaxle differential in response to changes in the operational characteristics of the motor vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2001Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.Inventors: David Brown, Richard E. Eastman, Sankar K. Mohan, Nancy Mintonye
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Publication number: 20020107101Abstract: A hybrid drive system for a four-wheel drive system arranged to supply motive power to a transfer case from an internal combustion engine and/or an electric motor/generator. The transfer case is comprised of a planetary gearset having a first input driven by the motor/generator, a second input driven by the engine, and an output directing drive torque to the front and rear drivelines. The output of the planetary gearset drives a rear output shaft connected to the rear driveline and further drives a front output shaft connected to the front driveline. The transfer case further includes a second planetary gearset having an input driven by the motor/generator and an output driving the first input of the first planetary gearset. This hybrid drive arrangement permits use of a modified transfer case in place of a conventional transfer case in a traditional four-wheel drive driveline.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2001Publication date: August 8, 2002Inventors: Thomas C. Bowen, Sankar K. Mohan
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Publication number: 20020100657Abstract: The present invention is directed to a power transfer system for a four-wheel drive vehicle equipped with a torque transfer coupling which includes a clutch pack and a ball-screw actuator. The ball-screw actuator functions to axially translates an apply plate to operatively engage the clutch pack and vary the frictional engagement. This arrangement yields numerous operational advantages over the prior art including, but not limited to, establishing a direct drive between the motor output shaft and the apply plate, concentric mounting of the actuator elements with the motor output shaft, and a simplified mechanical arrangement that reduces the number of frictional elements increasing operational efficiency and decreasing motor requirements.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2001Publication date: August 1, 2002Inventors: Carl H. Vonnegut, Mozaffar Khazaee, Sankar K. Mohan, Eric A. Bansbach, Daniel J. Miller
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Publication number: 20020079180Abstract: A hydraulic coupling for use in an all wheel drive system, utilized in association with a front wheel drive transaxle, including a multi-plate clutch assembly operably connecting two relatively rotatable members and an actuator assembly for actuating the clutch assembly in response to speed differentiation between the two rotary members. The actuator assembly includes a hydraulic pump, a piston disposed in a piston chamber, and a fluid distribution system including a first flow path for supplying hydraulic fluid from a sump to the hydraulic pump and a second flow path for supplying hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump to the piston chamber. Hydraulic pressure in the piston chamber controls the magnitude of the clutch engagement force exerted by the piston on the clutch assembly. A control valve assembly is located in the piston chamber, in close proximity to the clutch pack where a majority of heat is generated.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2002Publication date: June 27, 2002Inventors: Sankar K. Mohan, Timothy M. Burns, Fred C. Porter
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Patent number: 6398688Abstract: A full-time power transfer system is disclosed to include a transfer case having a clutch assembly arranged to control speed differentiation and torque biasing across an interaxle differential, sensors for detecting and generating sensor signals indicative of various dynamic and operational characteristics of the vehicle, and a controller for controlling actuation of the clutch assembly in response to the sensor signals. Upon the occurrence of traction loss, the clutch assembly is automatically actuated for limiting interaxle slip while transferring increased drive torque to the non-slipping driveline. Under a preferred adaptive control scheme, the actuated condition of the clutch assembly is controllably modulated between its non-actuated and fully-actuated limits for automatically varying the magnitude of speed differentiation and torque biasing across the interaxle differential in response to changes in the dynamic and operational characteristics of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2001Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.Inventors: David Brown, Richard E. Eastman, Sankar K. Mohan, Nancy Mintonye
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Patent number: 6378682Abstract: A hydraulic coupling for use in an all wheel drive system, utilized in association with a front wheel drive transaxle, including a multi-plate clutch assembly operably connecting two relatively rotatable members and an actuator assembly for actuating the clutch assembly in response to speed differentiation between the two rotary members. The actuator assembly includes a hydraulic pump, a piston disposed in a piston chamber, and a fluid distribution system including a first flow path for supplying hydraulic fluid from a sump to the hydraulic pump and a second flow path for supplying hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump to the piston chamber. Hydraulic pressure in the piston chamber controls the magnitude of the clutch engagement force exerted by the piston on the clutch assembly. A control valve assembly is located in the piston chamber, in close proximity to the clutch pack where a majority of heat is generated.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2000Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.Inventors: Sankar K. Mohan, Timothy M. Burns, Fred C. Porter
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Publication number: 20020042318Abstract: A full-time power transfer system is disclosed to include a transfer case having a clutch assembly arranged to control speed differentiation and torque biasing across an interaxle differential, sensors for detecting and generating sensor signals indicative of various dynamic and operational characteristics of the vehicle, and a controller for controlling actuation of the clutch assembly in response to the sensor signals. Upon the occurrence of traction loss, the clutch assembly is automatically actuated for limiting interaxle slip while transferring increased drive torque to the non-slipping driveline. Under a preferred adaptive control scheme, the actuated condition of the clutch assembly is controllably modulated between its non-actuated and fully-actuated limits for automatically varying the magnitude of speed differentiation and torque biasing across the interaxle differential in response to changes in the dynamic and operational characteristics of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2001Publication date: April 11, 2002Inventors: David Brown, Richard E. Eastman, Sankar K. Mohan, Nancy Mintonye, Janet Brown
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Publication number: 20020035003Abstract: A power transfer system for a motor vehicle is disclosed to include a transfer case having a clutch assembly arranged to control speed differentiation and torque biasing across an interaxle differential, a hydraulic clutch actuation system operable to control actuation of the clutch assembly, sensors for detecting and generating sensor signals indicative of various dynamic and operational characteristics of the vehicle, and a controller for controlling the hydraulic clutch actuation system in response to the sensor signals. Upon the occurrence of traction loss, the clutch assembly is automatically actuated for limiting interaxle slip while transferring increased drive torque to the non-slipping driveline.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2001Publication date: March 21, 2002Inventors: David Brown, Richard E. Eastman, Sankar K. Mohan, Nancy Mintonye
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Patent number: 6354977Abstract: A power transfer system for a motor vehicle is disclosed to include a transfer case having a clutch assembly arranged to control speed differentiation and torque biasing across an interaxle differential, a hydraulic clutch actuation system operable to control actuation of the clutch assembly, sensors for detecting and generating sensor signals indicative of various dynamic and operational characteristics of the vehicle, and a controller for controlling the hydraulic clutch actuation system in response to the sensor signals. Upon the occurrence of traction loss, the clutch assembly is automatically actuated for limiting interaxle slip while transferring increased drive torque to the non-slipping driveline.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2000Date of Patent: March 12, 2002Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.Inventors: David Brown, Richard E. Eastman, Sankar K. Mohan, Nancy Mintonye
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Publication number: 20010036879Abstract: A full-time power transfer system is disclosed to include a transfer case having a clutch assembly arranged to control speed differentiation and torque biasing across an interaxle differential, sensors for detecting and generating sensor signals indicative of various dynamic and operational characteristics of the vehicle, and a controller for controlling actuation of the clutch assembly in response to the sensor signals. Upon the occurrence of traction loss, the clutch assembly is automatically actuated for limiting interaxle slip while transferring increased drive torque to the non-slipping driveline. Under a preferred adaptive control scheme, the actuated condition of the clutch assembly is controllably modulated between its non-actuated and fully-actuated limits for automatically varying the magnitude of speed differentiation and torque biasing across the interaxle differential in response to changes in the dynamic and operational characteristics of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2001Publication date: November 1, 2001Inventors: David Brown, Richard E. Eastman, Sankar K. Mohan, Nancy Mintonye, Janet Brown
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Patent number: 6283887Abstract: A full-time power transfer system is disclosed to include a transfer case having a clutch assembly arranged to control speed differentiation and torque biasing across an interaxle differential, sensors for detecting and generating sensor signals indicative of various dynamic and operational characteristics of the vehicle, and a controller for controlling actuation of the clutch assembly in response to the sensor signals. Upon the occurrence of traction loss, the clutch assembly is automatically actuated for limiting interaxle slip while transferring increased drive torque to the non-slipping driveline. Under a preferred adaptive control scheme, the actuated condition of the clutch assembly is controllably modulated between its non-actuated and fully-actuated limits for automatically varying the magnitude of speed differentiation and torque biasing across the interaxle differential in response to changes in the dynamic and operational characteristics of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2000Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.Inventors: David Brown, Richard E. Eastman, Sankar K. Mohan, Nancy Mintonye
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Patent number: 6145644Abstract: A hydraulic coupling including a multi-plate clutch assembly operably connecting two relatively rotatable members and an actuator assembly for actuating the clutch assembly in response to speed differentiation between the two rotary members. The actuator assembly includes a hydraulic pump, a piston disposed in a piston chamber, and a fluid distribution system including a first flow path for supplying hydraulic fluid from a sump to the hydraulic pump and a second flow path for supplying hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump to the piston chamber. Hydraulic pressure in the piston chamber controls the magnitude of the clutch engagement force exerted by the piston on the clutch assembly. The fluid distribution system further includes a third flow path between the piston chamber and a clutch chamber.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1999Date of Patent: November 14, 2000Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.Inventors: Sankar K. Mohan, Timothy M. Burns
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Patent number: 6145398Abstract: An electronically controlled shift system is provided for a synchronized manual transmission of a motor vehicle. The shift system provides greater control of gear engagement by determining an optimum shift force at shift time, by adjusting this shift force based upon engine temperature, and by applying variable shift forces to complete a gear shift. In particular, the electronically controlled shift system comprises a manually operated shift lever for selecting a gear, a transmission control module connected to the shift lever for receiving an electrical input signal indicative of a selected gear and a dual motion actuator receiving actuation signals from the transmission control module for actuating a shift rail of the transmission to engage the selected gear.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 1998Date of Patent: November 14, 2000Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.Inventors: Eric A. Bansbach, Randy W. Adler, Robert S. Zucker, Sankar K. Mohan, Christopher W. Phelan