Transmission Mechanism Patents (Class 180/337)
  • Patent number: 11649651
    Abstract: This application provides a robotic pool cleaner comprising a cleaning body, a drive and a cleaning roller brush mechanism. The robotic pool cleaner filters liquid and/or contaminants in a pool through the cleaning body. The drive mechanism is connected to the cleaning body. The cleaning body is driven to move in the pool in a working process of the robotic pool cleaner. The drive mechanism comprises a drive wheel with a first outer ring gear, the first outer ring gear is externally engaged with the cleaning roller brush mechanism, so that the cleaning roller brush mechanism is driven by the first outer ring gear to rotate relative to the cleaning body when the drive motor drives the first outer ring gear to rotate. The robotic pool cleaner provided in this application can improve cleaning efficiency and reduce wear of a cleaning roller brush, so that the service life of the cleaning roller brush mechanism is prolonged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: BEIJING SMOROBOT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jie Tang, Yaming Tang
  • Patent number: 11460107
    Abstract: A selector drum for an automated manual transmission, in particular a dual clutch transmission, having a selector drum body, which can be mounted in the manual transmission for rotation about an axis of rotation, wherein at least one shifting contour is formed on the selector drum body, said shifting contour extending over a peripheral portion of the selector drum body, wherein the selector drum is designed for shifting at least one high gear stage, one middle gear stage and one low gear stage, wherein the at least one shifting contour has a shifting contour switch in a region of a switch gear portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA PT B.V. & CO. KG
    Inventor: Stefan Kapp
  • Patent number: 11318787
    Abstract: An adjustable portal box assembly for selectively mounting a wheel to an off road vehicle in either of two positions. The assembly includes a mounting plate mountable to the suspension of an off road vehicle, and a portal box is mountable to the mounting plate. The portal box includes an input shaft opening for an input shaft, and an output opening for an output shaft. The portal box is mountable to the mounting plate in a first position in which the output shaft is positioned to extend the wheelbase relative to the input shaft, or in a second position in which the output shaft is positioned in vertical alignment with the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Super ATV, LLC
    Inventors: Jordan E. Stephan, Justin L. Eaton
  • Patent number: 11254268
    Abstract: An outer ring of an inner joint of the constant speed transmission shaft is provided with a vehicle speed sensor rotating synchronously with the inner joint, and the drive axle is fixedly equipped with a signal collecting device opposite to the vehicle speed sensor and configured to monitor a rotation speed signal of the vehicle speed sensor. The inner joint of the constant speed transmission shaft transmits torque during the running of a vehicle, and through monitoring a rotation speed of the inner joint, the rotation data of rear wheels can be obtained. By mounting the vehicle speed sensor on the inner joint and fixing the signal collecting device on the drive axle for monitoring the rotation speed signal of the vehicle speed sensor, the signal reading is stable, which facilitates the maintenance, reduces the cost, and can satisfy the environmental requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Zhejiang CFMOTO Power Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minjie Lai, Zhiyong Chen, Jiajun Li, Fuying Cheng, Zhenxiang Kuang, Yonggang Cui
  • Patent number: 10530224
    Abstract: A motor includes: a stator; a rotor axially aligned with the stator; a circuit board; and a heat dissipating plate. The stator includes: an iron core including teeth; an insulator covering one end surface, in the axial direction, of the iron core; and a coil wound around the teeth. The insulator includes an electrically insulating material having a lower rate of heat transfer than a material included in the iron core. The heat dissipating plate is attached to the insulator in a state in which the heat dissipating plate is in contact with the insulator without being in contact with the iron core, and the circuit board is attached to the heat dissipating plate in a state in which the circuit board is in contact with the heat dissipating plate without being in contact with the iron core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kota Kitamura, Hidenori Shimizu, Atsushi Takeyama, Motoharu Muto, Daiju Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 10498193
    Abstract: A gear assembly diagnostic system includes an electric motor attached to a gear assembly to be diagnosed, a motor controller coupled to the electric motor to control electric current applied to the electric motor, a test controller coupled to the motor controller to provide commands to the motor controller, and electrical current determining apparatus coupled to provide a measurement of current flow through the electric motor. A programmable data acquisition device is coupled to the electrical current determining apparatus and is programmable to determine current flow through the electrical motor at a predetermined frequency. Data storage is coupled to the data acquisition device for receiving and storing current flow determinations from the data acquisition device and a computer is coupled to, and may include, the data storage. The computer includes software designed to calculate one or more characteristics of the gear assembly to be diagnosed from the current flow determinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: KINEMATICS, LLC.
    Inventors: Mark Henderson, Adam Plesniak, Kyle Zech, Kenneth D Miller
  • Patent number: 10300915
    Abstract: A method for controlling an automatic transmission includes reducing, by a controller, a number of rotation of the engine connected to the automatic transmission to the first number of rotation when a shifting of the automatic transmission is started. The method further includes reducing, by the controller, a line pressure that is a hydraulic pressure of a flow line that operates the automatic transmission when the shifting of the automatic transmission is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Jin Young Hwang
  • Patent number: 10253679
    Abstract: A thermal management system for a vehicle including an engine and a transmission can include a radiator, first and second heat exchangers, a control valve and a bypass valve. The radiator can be configured for fluid communication with the engine. The first heat exchanger can be configured for fluid communication with the transmission. The control valve can be configured to selectively communicate a source of relative warm engine fluid or a source of relative cool engine fluid to the first heat exchanger in order to warm or cool the transmission fluid, respectively. The second heat exchanger can be configured to exchanger heat between the transmission fluid and the ambient fluid external to the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The by-pass valve can be configured to selectively direct transmission fluid into or to by-pass the second heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Michael D. Cook, Matthew R. Scott
  • Patent number: 10245947
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a continuously variable transmission, a shiftable transmission, a switching lever, a shift rod, and an operation lever. The continuously variable transmission is located at a side of the engine. The shiftable transmission is located on the same side as the engine in a right-left direction with respect to the continuously variable transmission. The switching lever is located on the same side as the continuously variable transmission with respect to a center of the shiftable transmission in the right-left direction, and inputs a shifting operation force into the shiftable transmission. The shift rod is linked to the switching lever. The operation lever is operated by a driver seated on the seat to shift the shiftable transmission, and is linked to the shift rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shigeaki Oba, Seiji Nakagaki, Hiroyuki Fujimoto, Tomoyuki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 10208812
    Abstract: A method of disengaging an axle disconnect system including providing an actuator having a coil (214) at least partially surrounded by a housing (220), an armature (216) located within the housing and the coil, where the armature is capable of actuating between a first and second position, and at least one of the housing and the armature is part of a magnetic circuit. Applying a current to the coil and actuating the armature from the first position to the second position. Developing an uninterrupted magnetic flux through the magnetic circuit and stopping application of the current to the coil. Permitting the magnetic flux through the magnetic circuit to continue in its uninterrupted state and maintain the armature in the second position. Applying an alternating current, having decreasing amplitude over time, to the coil to dissipate the magnetic flux through the magnetic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Inventor: Stijn Goossens
  • Patent number: 10161513
    Abstract: A method of evaluating a thermal effect of torque converter clutch slip speed calibration settings on a torque converter includes estimating values of a plurality of vehicle operating parameters with a drive simulation model on a computer. The drive simulation model uses drive cycle inputs of a test drive cycle, and a slip speed calibration table to estimate values of the plurality of vehicle operating parameters over a pre-defined period of time for the test drive cycle. The temperature of each of a plurality of discrete regions of the torque converter are estimated with a temperature model on the computer. The temperature model uses the estimated values of the vehicle operating parameters to estimate the temperature of each discrete region of the torque converter at different times during the pre-defined period of time of the test drive cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Anand Kapardi Jammulamadaka
  • Patent number: 10149432
    Abstract: In a mower (10) driven by a pair of electric motors (15) and using an engine (14) for driving a cutter blade (22), a fuel tank (16) for supplying fuel to the engine is positioned in a space surrounded by the electric motors and a chute (30) for forwarding grass clippings to a grass collection bag (23). The chute extends rearward with an upward slant, and is bent in side view in such a manner that a lower part has a steeper incline than an upper part thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shota Tanabe, Koji Kuriyagawa, Hajime Yoshimura, Satoshi Onodera
  • Patent number: 9815346
    Abstract: A recreational off-highway vehicle ROV includes a first connection subframe connected to a first rear subframe and a main frame, and an arm connector disposed rightward of a left upper arm and leftward of a right upper arm and supporting the right and left upper arms. A distance between first and second upper connections connecting the first rear subframe and the first connection subframe is longer than a distance between first and second lower connections connecting the main frame and the first connection subframe. A first upper end portion of a left shock absorber and a second upper end portion of a right shock absorber are disposed between the first and second upper connections in a rear view of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Suzuki, Masayuki Kubo, Kazunari Takata
  • Patent number: 9796481
    Abstract: A method and system for generating an alert report on board an aircraft, comprising an on-board acquiring module configured to acquire data relating to the aircraft, the data originating from sensors and/or equipment installed in the aircraft. An on-board processing module is configured to detect possible anomalies by automatically partitioning the data into a set of homogeneous groups, each anomaly being revealed by a corresponding datum belonging to no homogeneous group. An on-board alert-emitting module is configured to emit an alert report on each detection of an anomaly. An on-board transmitting module is configured to transmit the alert report to the ground and in real-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (S.A.S)
    Inventors: Mohamed-Cherif Dani, Cassiano Silveira Freixo
  • Patent number: 9707956
    Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine that has a crankshaft. A first motor-generator is drivingly connected to the crankshaft via an endless rotatable device. The powertrain includes a transmission that has a transmission input member driven by the crankshaft and a transmission output member. A front differential is operatively connected with front half shafts. A transfer case is configured to distribute torque of the transmission output member to the front differential and to a driveshaft. A rear differential is configured to transfer torque from the driveshaft to rear half shafts. A second motor-generator is drivingly connected to the rear differential. A gearing arrangement is configured to multiply torque from the second motor-generator to the rear half shafts. A controller controls the second motor-generator to function as a motor that provides torque to the rear wheels through the rear differential. A modular rear drive unit operatively connects to the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Shawn H. Swales, Joel M. Maguire, Goro Tamai, Peter J. Savagian
  • Patent number: 9637242
    Abstract: A gearbox system for a dual coaxial counter rotating rotor assembly includes an input shaft to input a first torque into the gearbox system and a transfer shaft operably connected to the input shaft to transfer the first torque therethrough. Two gear sets are operably connected to the transfer shaft. Each gear set includes a first output gear to transfer a second torque acting in a first direction to a first rotor of a rotor assembly and a second output gear to transfer the second torque acting in a second direction opposite the first direction to a second rotor of the rotor assembly. The second torque transferred by each gear set of the two gear sets is substantially equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Todd A. Garcia
  • Patent number: 9562460
    Abstract: A motor grader includes an engine, a power transmission apparatus, a selective catalytic reduction apparatus, a fuel tank and a reducing agent tank. The power transmission apparatus is configured to transmit power from the engine. The selective catalytic reduction apparatus is configured to process exhaust from the engine. The fuel tank is configured to retain fuel. The reducing agent tank is configured to retain a reducing agent. The fuel tank is arranged so as to at least partially overlap with the engine in a planar view. The fuel tank is arranged between the power transmission apparatus and the reducing agent tank in a vehicle front to back direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventor: Yuki Arai
  • Patent number: 9511629
    Abstract: A bearing device includes a recess-projection fitting structure in which a hub wheel and a shaft section, which is fitted in a hole of the hub wheel of the outer joint member of the constant velocity universal joint, are unitized together. In the recess-projection fitting structure, entire fitting regions among projections on the outer surface of the shaft section of the outer joint member and recesses, which fit on the projections, are brought into intimate contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Torii, Hiroshi Kawamura, Kiyoshige Yamauchi, Masahiro Ozawa, Tohru Nakagawa, Yuichi Asano, Mitsuru Umekida, Hisaaki Kura, Shin Tomogami
  • Patent number: 9308907
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling a clutch slip of a hybrid vehicle enable slipping even in a dry engine clutch having a small heat capacity by simultaneously slipping an engine clutch and a dual clutch in a hybrid vehicle mounted with a dual clutch transmission (DCT) to disperse the heat capacity. The apparatus for controlling the clutch slip of a hybrid vehicle includes: an engine clutch selectively connecting an engine and a motor generating power; a dual clutch mechanism selectively connecting the motor and a transmission; and a controller controlling an operation of the engine clutch and two clutches of the dual clutch mechanism, in which the controller may simultaneously perform a dual clutch slip control according to a motor speed and an engine clutch slip control according to an engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Seongwook Moon, Jonghan Oh
  • Patent number: 8996263
    Abstract: An electronic controller for a variable ratio transmission and an electronically controllable variable ratio transmission including a variator or other CVT are described herein. The electronic controller can be configured to receive input signals indicative of parameters associated with an engine coupled to the transmission. The electronic controller can also receive one or more control inputs. The electronic controller can determine an active range and an active variator mode based on the input signals and control inputs. The electronic controller can control a final drive ratio of the variable ratio transmission by controlling one or more electronic solenoids that control the ratios of one or more portions of the variable ratio transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC
    Inventors: Stanley B. Quinn, Jr., Alan L. Miller, Scott R. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8979061
    Abstract: A supporting unit apparatus for an oil pump of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) may include the CVT disposed in a transmission housing, wherein an input shaft and a CVT case cover thereof may be disposed thereto, the oil pump which may be disposed in the transmission housing independent from the CVT and of which a rotating shaft and an oil pump case cover may be disposed thereto, a connecting member which engages the input shaft of the CVT and the rotating shaft of the oil pump for transmitting rotation of the input shaft to the rotating shaft, and a supporting unit which connects the CVT and the oil pump for preventing relative motion of the CVT and the oil pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hyun Ku Lee, Moosuk Kim, Kihyup Kim
  • Patent number: 8932166
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to achieve improvements in the rotational accuracy of the input shaft and the durability of the bearings, and suppression of rotational noise, by improving the support structure of the input shaft of the speed reduction unit. Provided is a drive device for an electric vehicle, including: an electric motor; a speed reduction unit including an input shaft driven by output of the electric motor; and a hub unit rotationally driven by an output member of the speed reduction unit, wherein the input shaft of the speed reduction unit is supported by bearings provided at two locations in an axial direction, the drive device for an electric vehicle being configured such that the bearings at the two locations are attached together to the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Suzuki, Tomoaki Makino
  • Patent number: 8918257
    Abstract: In a linear solenoid 107n, an electromagnetic coil 71n, a pressure sensor 72n, and label resistors 73n and 74n for correcting an inherent variation in a pressure detection characteristic are integrated; the standard characteristic of the pressure sensor 72n is stored in a control module 120M; when driving is started, the resistance values of the label resistors 73n and 74n are read, the pressure detection characteristic of the utilized pressure sensor 72n is corrected, and an excitation current for the electromagnetic coil 71n is controlled in such a way that a target adjusted hydraulic pressure is obtained. Even when due to a change in the oil temperature, the valve opening characteristic of the linear solenoid 107n changes, the adjusted hydraulic pressure is controlled to be constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shozo Kanzaki, Fumiaki Arimai, Hiroyoshi Nishizaki
  • Patent number: 8862344
    Abstract: A clutch actuator and to a method for the control thereof. The actuator actuates a multi-disk clutch, and to do so has actuator modules. The number of which corresponds to the number of the friction clutches. The modules have separate control units and electric motors, which are controlled by the control units and act on the friction clutches by a disengaging mechanism. In order to counter block the partial drive trains disposed downstream of the friction clutches, particularly automatically closed friction clutches during a malfunction of an actuator module, the actuator modules are connected among each other to a data line, which allows monitoring of the actuator modules and counter-measures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Zimmermann, Matthias Gramann, Juergen Gerhart, Martin Rapp, Wolfgang Hill, Michael Menzel, Wai-Wai Buchet
  • Publication number: 20140246263
    Abstract: A gearbox for a model car, comprising: a housing; an input gear; an output gear; and at least one intermediate gear. The housing provides a support for each of the input gear, the output gear and each intermediate gear; and in which the gearbox has: a first operating configuration where the input gear, the output gear and at least one intermediate gear are supported by the supports and mesh to form a gear train from input gear to output gear through each intermediate gear supported by the supports; and a second operating configuration where the input gear and the output gear are supported on the supports but fewer intermediate gears are supported by the supports, such that the input gear, the output gear and any intermediate gears supported by the supports mesh to form a gear train from input gear to output gear through any remaining intermediate gears.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: ARRMA DURANGO LTD
    Inventor: Gerd Strenge
  • Patent number: 8800711
    Abstract: An easily adjustable pressure relief valve for adjusting maximum fluid pressure levels in automatic transmissions at events. Engines used in racing and exhibitions require automatic transmissions with increased fluid pressure to prevent slipping during shifts. The pressure relief valve replaces a main mod line solenoid accumulator and includes an easily replaceable spring allowing adjustment of maximum fluid pressure at each event. The relief valve spring is selectable to adjust maximum fluid pressure for each event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventor: Steven W. Younger
  • Publication number: 20140190758
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a vehicle comprising: prime mover means; at least first and second groups of one or more wheels; and a driveline to connect the prime mover means to the first and second groups of one or more wheels such that the first group of one or more wheels is driven by the prime mover means when the driveline is in a first mode of operation and the second group of one or more wheels is additionally driven by the prime mover means when the driveline is in a second mode of operation, the driveline including an auxiliary driveline comprising an auxiliary driveshaft and drive means between the auxiliary driveshaft and the second group of one or more wheels, the drive means being operable to connect the second group of one or more wheels to the auxiliary driveshaft when the driveline transitions between the first mode and the second mode, the drive means having an input portion, an output portion and first and second releasable torque transmitting means coupled in series therebetween, th
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventors: Russell Osborn, Ian Beverley
  • Patent number: 8666613
    Abstract: A swing control system for a hybrid construction machine has a swing operating lever, an electric swing motor, a speed detection sensor which detects the rotary speed of a swing motor, a controller that calculates the driving speed of the swing motor by a swing operating signal created by the operation of the swing operating lever and by a detecting signal of the rotary speed, an inverter which drives the swing motor by a control signal from the controller, a swing inertia detector that detects the swing inertia of equipment and an inertia torque compensator which compares the torque compensation value in accordance with the equipment inertia, and outputs a calculated torque value for controlling the swing motor to the inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventor: Dong-Uk Choi
  • Patent number: 8620498
    Abstract: A method of regulating operation of a hybrid vehicle traveling on a surface having a grade includes determining a drive force of the hybrid vehicle, calculating a brake pressure value and determining whether a grade freeze condition exists based on the brake pressure value. The method further includes calculating a grade value of the surface based on the drive force when the freeze condition does not exist and regulating operation of the hybrid vehicle based on the grade value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventors: Mark A. Zerbini, Goro Tamai
  • Patent number: 8577575
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle, where the vehicle includes control means for stopping an engine automatically when a stopping condition is met, and restarting the engine after the automatic stoppage of the engine, when a predetermined restarting condition is met, a braking device that is actuated to apply braking force to a drive wheel, and a plurality of vehicle-mounted devices involved in operations of the vehicle. The apparatus includes abnormality detection means for determining whether or not there exists an abnormality in at least one of the vehicle-mounted devices, and fail-safe means for, when during the automatic stoppage of the engine it is determined by the abnormality detection means that there exists an abnormality in at least one of the vehicle-mounted devices, restarting the engine forcibly. The apparatus enables the user to take suitable measures in the presence of an abnormality in the vehicle-mounted devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Tomura, Kenji Kawahara
  • Patent number: 8561749
    Abstract: A vehicle comprising a frame, a seat coupled to the frame, and left and right wheels. Left and right drive shafts transmit power to the left and right wheels, and an input shaft transmits power to the left and right drive shafts. A differential including a housing assembly receives power from the input shaft and divides the power between the left and right drive shafts. A speed sensor is positioned through (e.g., threaded) the housing assembly such that an inner end of the sensor is positioned inside the differential. In one embodiment, the speed sensor includes left and right speed sensors, and the at least two housings comprise a left housing and a right housing. Preferably, both the left speed sensor and the right speed sensor are positioned in one of the left housing and the right housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: HB Performance Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt W. Person, Peter E. True, Michael E. Kenny
  • Publication number: 20130270031
    Abstract: A seat suspension includes a lower support frame having a first slot, an upper support frame having a second slot, and a biasing member between the upper and lower support frames. A first suspension arm is connected to the lower support frame at a first end for rotation with respect to the lower support frame and connected to the upper support frame at a second end for rotation with respect to the upper support frame. A second suspension arm is connected to the first slot in the lower support frame for rotation with respect to the lower support frame and for translation with respect to the lower support frame along the first slot, and a second end coupled to the second slot in the upper support frame for rotation with respect to the upper support frame and for translation with respect to the upper support frame along the second slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Douglas C. Hahn, Jesse C. Boyarski
  • Patent number: 8527159
    Abstract: An electronic-hydraulic controller for an automatic transmission includes a transmission control module (TCM) which is disposed outside the transmission housing and is connected to the actuators, sensors and switches within the transmission by a serial data link such as the car area network (CAN). Electrical power is also provided to the components within the transmission resulting in a connector requiring only five or six terminals. Each of the actuators, sensors and switches includes its own integrated electronic circuitry which receives, stores and provides data and allows it to communicate through the serial data link with the externally mounted control module. The electronic circuitry of each actuator stores data regarding its input signal to output pressure and flow characteristics which facilitates replacement of the transmission control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Steven Mark Bezdek
  • Patent number: 8521378
    Abstract: A method for shifting an automatic or an automated transmission of a motor vehicle to a “neutral” position such that the shift position of the transmission and a parking lock, provided for keeping the motor vehicle stationary, are engaged as a function of a shift position selected with a driver operated selector device and as a function of other operating parameters of the motor vehicle. A holding phase, in which the transmission is in the neutral position, free from friction force locking, can be activated by a separate operating device which is provided, in addition to the selector device, but only when the motor vehicle is simultaneously at least approximately stationary, an ignition current circuit that acts on a drive engine of the motor vehicle is electrically interrupted, and the “neutral” (N) shift position is specified by a selector device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Steinhauser, Frank Worms, Stephane Klein, Walter Hecht, Bernd Zaenglein
  • Patent number: 8518248
    Abstract: An oil strainer includes a body member which includes a circumferential wall projecting in a first (downward) direction toward an oil pan, and a cover member covering an inside space surrounded by the circumferential wall, and including a suction hole to suck an oil from the oil pan. The body member further includes a communication hole opened into the inside space surrounded by the circumferential wall and adapted to lead to the inlet side of an oil pump, and a discharge hole opened into the inside spaces, and adapted to receive the oil discharged from a pressure regulating valve. The body member further includes a partition wall extending from the circumferential wall, and separating the communication hole and the discharge hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Hideki Ishii, Masaru Shimada, Hideki Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 8504259
    Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid powertrain system based upon determined inertial effects for a continuously variable operating range state includes monitoring an operator torque request and a rotational speed of the output member, determining an inertial effect on an input speed of the input member for a continuously variable operating range state, and controlling motor torque outputs from the electric machines to meet the operator torque request based upon the inertial effect on the input speed of the input member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, Kee Yong Kim
  • Patent number: 8494740
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling rotation speed of at least one rotary element in the drive line of a vehicle. A first control model and a second control model are defined. The first control model calculates a permitted slip of at least one of the ground engagement elements of the vehicle at its ground contact point, which ground engagement element is driven via the rotary element. The second control model calculates a torque to said ground engagement element. The result of one of said control models is used for controlling the rotation speed of the rotary element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventor: Karl Erik Olsson
  • Publication number: 20130175110
    Abstract: A wheel type traveling body includes: a drive device provided on a frame for forming a chassis of the wheel type traveling body; pairs of left and right front and rear wheels which are provided on a front axle and a rear axle respectively, which are provided at the front and rear of the frame, respectively; a propeller shaft provided between the front and rear axles and transmitting the travel drive force of the drive device to the front and rear axles; and a bearing provided on the frame and rotatably supporting an intermediate part of the propeller shaft. The wheel type traveling body also includes a protection member provided so as to be separated from the bearing in the radial direction of the propeller shaft and so as to cover the outer periphery of the bearing from below.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Nakata, Hiroshi Tsukui, Makoto Oota, Yuichi Todokoro
  • Patent number: 8473139
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle driving apparatus includes a clutch control device and an automatic transmission control device that are connected to mutually communicate. The clutch control device sends a request to wait gear shift to the automatic transmission control device while front clutch operation is in preparation. The automatic transmission control device that receives the request to wait gear shift determines whether priority is given to engaging or disengaging the front clutch or to shifting gears of the automatic transmission. The automatic transmission control device that is determined to give priority to the front clutch operation sends out a gear shift in stand-by state signal to the clutch control device while maintaining the automatic transmission in a gear shift prepared state. The clutch control device that receives the gear shift in progress signal restrains the front clutch from engaging or disengaging while maintaining the front clutch in an operation prepared state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Suguru Futamura
  • Patent number: 8457825
    Abstract: A powertrain system includes an electric machine mechanically coupled to an internal combustion engine mechanically coupled to a transmission. A method for operating the powertrain system includes determining an engine stall threshold rate during engine operation in a low load condition. A time-rate change in an accessory load is controlled by the electric machine operating in an electric power generating mode in response to the engine stall threshold rate during the engine operation in the low load condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael D Haggerty, Sean W McGrogan, Adam J Heisel
  • Publication number: 20130133972
    Abstract: A hydraulic system includes a hydraulic transmission including a hydraulic pump configured to be coupled to a prime mover, a hydraulic motor configured to be coupled to an output shaft, and fluid lines coupling the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic motor to provide a fluid circuit providing flow communication between the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor, such that operation of the hydraulic pump provides fluid flow to the hydraulic motor, and the hydraulic motor supplies torque to the output shaft. A controller is configured to control operation of the hydraulic transmission. The controller is configured to receive signals indicative of pressure in the fluid circuit and reduce an output of the hydraulic pump when the pressure in the fluid circuit reaches a pressure level, and a rate of response of the reduction of the output of the hydraulic pump is varied based on a temperature of fluid in the fluid circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventor: Christopher M. ELLIOTT
  • Patent number: 8442731
    Abstract: A control system for an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission of a straddle type vehicle in which an intentional shift down operation is easily made in an AT mode. An MT mode temporarily selecting section makes the gear change mode selecting section select the MT mode temporarily and makes the gear ratio control section change the gear ratio of the transmission to a gear ratio from among a plurality of predetermined gear ratios that is positioned lower than a current gear ratio when a mode change signal is inputted in AT mode. An AT mode returning section returns the gear change mode selected by the gear change mode selecting section to AT mode when a release signal is outputted after MT mode is temporarily selected by the MT mode temporarily selecting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshio Unno
  • Publication number: 20130105241
    Abstract: An electric vehicle is provided which includes a frame, a powertrain, and a powertrain suspension system mounting the powertrain to the frame. The powertrain suspension system includes a first and second mount, each mount pivotally coupling the powertrain to the frame, where the first and second mounts are constructed to be weight bearing mounts such that the powertrain hangs from the first and second mounts. The powertrain system further includes a third mount coupling the powertrain to the frame, where the third mount is constructed and arranged to be a non-weight bearing mount. The powertrain suspension system may include a fourth mount coupling the powertrain to the frame, and the first, second, third and fourth mounts may be arranged in a substantially tetrahedral shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: Coda Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald J. Christian, Richard Hoyle, David Brian TenHouten
  • Publication number: 20130092466
    Abstract: An all terrain vehicle is disclosed having a frame and ground engaging members supporting the frame. A driver's seat is supported by the frame, and extends along a first longitudinal axis. A passenger's seat is supported by the frame and extends along a second longitudinal axis, where the first and second longitudinal axes are laterally spaced apart. The passenger seat may also be movable to a second location to allow for the vehicle to support a gurney, which extends in a front to back orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC.
    Inventor: Polaris Industries Inc.
  • Patent number: 8403093
    Abstract: A speed change controller is provided on a saddle-ride type vehicle and is suited to manipulation by a foot. The speed change controller for saddle-ride type vehicles comprises a detection mechanism that detects operation by a driver for speed change, and a speed change mechanism that performs speed change on the basis of speed change operation detected by the detection mechanism. The detection mechanism provided by the invention comprises an operation part manipulated by a foot for speed change and including a moving part, which moves relative to the vehicle on the basis of manipulation by a foot, and a detection unit that detects that the moving part moves a predetermined amount or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Kosugi, Michiya Hayashi, Toshimasa Nakagawa, Masaichi Yamada
  • Patent number: 8392077
    Abstract: A linear solenoid is configured with an electromagnetic coil and a label resistor that are integrated with each other; the label resistor has a resistance value corresponding to a correction coefficient based on the difference between the actual characteristic of the supply current vs. adjusted hydraulic pressure output of the electromagnetic coil and a standard characteristic; and data for correcting a characteristic variation in the command current vs. output current characteristic of an electromagnetic coil is preliminarily stored in a control module by use of an adjustment tool. When the operation is started, the resistance value of the label resistor is read and an output current corresponding to a utilized linear solenoid is supplied, so that a target adjusted hydraulic pressure is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shozo Kanzaki, Fumiaki Arimai, Hiroyoshi Nishizaki
  • Patent number: 8356680
    Abstract: A final drive assembly is used to support a track chain on a track type machine. The final drive assembly includes a sprocket hub mounted for rotation on a fixed hub. A seal is positioned between the fixed hub and the sprocket hub. The fixed hub and the sprocket hub define a seal protection passageway that extends between an outer surface and the seal. The seal protection passageway includes a labyrinth located between an annular attachment flange and the seal along a rotation axis of the sprocket hub. The outer surface includes a valley between a sprocket mount of the sprocket hub and a machine mount of the fixed hub. The seal protection passageway opens at a greater radius than a minimum radius of the valley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Jackson
  • Patent number: 8306711
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided with a shift control device including a rolling angular velocity sensor for detecting a rolling angular velocity of a component of the vehicle, and a steering-angle angular velocity sensor for detecting a steering-angle angular velocity of a handlebar of the vehicle. The shift control device is operable to inhibit shifting of a gear ratio of a continuously variable transmission during rolling operation of the vehicle when detection signals from the rolling angular velocity sensor and the steering-angle angular velocity sensor respectively are equal to or greater than predetermined reference values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Suzuki, Kaoru Hatanaka, Syunichi Miyagishi
  • Patent number: 8272469
    Abstract: The invention provides a trunnion bearing assembly for the drive system of a snow blower, mower, tractor, or other self-propelled utility vehicle. In certain embodiments, the trunnion assembly comprises a bearing having ball bearings, roller bearings, or another type of bearing set. This can provide free relative rotation of several components of the bearing assembly relative to a trunnion housing of the bearing assembly. This rotation is imparted when a friction disk of the assembly engages a spinning motor flywheel of the drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Oconomowoc Mfg. Corp.
    Inventors: Kyle C. Stoehr, Scott T. Breyer
  • Patent number: 8249785
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicular automatic transmission which has a plurality of coupling elements selectively released and engaged to perform shifting actions, the control apparatus including a shift control portion configured to control at least one specially controlled coupling element which is included in the coupling elements provided to perform the shifting actions of the automatic transmission and which is placed in a fully released state prior and subsequent to the shifting action performed according to a presently generated shifting command, the shift control portion controlling each specially controlled coupling element so as to enable the specially controlled coupling element to have a torque capacity during the shifting action performed according to the presently generated shifting command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takaaki Tokura, Hideaki Otsubo