Having Fluid-pressure Operator Patents (Class 192/3.29)
  • Patent number: 11912131
    Abstract: A transmission module for a hybrid drive vehicle adapted to be interposed between an internal combustion engine and a vehicle transmission has a tray-like support structure defining a housing for a decoupling clutch and adapted to be fixed to the internal combustion engine. A module drive is carried by the support structure and has a first transmission member adapted to be connected to the decoupling clutch by means of a torsional vibration damper and has a second transmission member adapted to be connected to an electric machine. The torsional vibration damper has an actuator defining a centering with respect to the crankshaft and to a transmission torque converter and has a seat for a support bearing with respect to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: DAYCO EUROPE S.R.L.
    Inventors: Roberto Ronchetto, Alessio Courtial, Gregorio Luciani
  • Patent number: 11898627
    Abstract: A torque converter includes a front cover arranged to receive a torque and a lock-up clutch engaged with the front cover. The lock-up clutch includes a reaction plate, a clutch plate, and an anti-rattle plate. The reaction plate is fixed to the front cover and includes a plurality of windows circumferentially spaced from each other. The clutch plate includes a plurality of tabs each engaged with the reaction plate via one respective window. The anti-rattle plate is fixed relative to the front cover and engaged with each of the plurality of tabs in the corresponding windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Nicholas Wurst
  • Patent number: 11852227
    Abstract: A K0 clutch includes a housing, a piston, and an apply chamber. The housing includes an axial wall and a port extending radially outward from the axial wall. The piston includes a seal engaged with the axial wall. The piston is axially slidable relative to the axial wall. The apply chamber is disposed between the piston and the housing. The apply chamber is selectively fluidly communicable with the port based on a pressure in the apply chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Edward Goodwill, Brian Zaugg, Natalie Allen, Alfredo Perez Mitre Jimenez
  • Patent number: 11835131
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle provided with (i) a power source, (ii) drive wheels and (iii) a fluid transmission device disposed between the power source and the drive wheels and including a lockup clutch to which a fluid pressure is supplied. A feedback control is executed for correcting a command value of the fluid pressure by a correction amount such that an actual value of a slip amount of the lockup clutch becomes substantially equal to the target value of the slip amount in a slip control. When the actual value has been converged into a given range with respect to the target value, the correction amount is obtained, and the command value for a next execution of the slip control is corrected by learning with use of the obtained correction amount. The given range is set depending on the target value of the slip amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Aisin Corporation
    Inventors: Masahide Ichikawa, Kazumitsu Sugano, Shunsuke Yanagi, Yuji Imanaga, Yui Goto, Masatsugu Yoshimoto
  • Patent number: 11767899
    Abstract: In a power transmission device, a dynamic damper is provided in a power transmission path having at least one damper disposed therein, and has an inertial rotating body that can rotate relative to a transmission rotating member forming part of the power transmission path, and a dynamic damper spring that can provide connection between the transmission rotating member and the inertial rotating body. A preset load is applied to the dynamic damper spring in a non-transmitting state of the power transmission path. The dynamic damper spring is supported on either one of the transmission rotating member and the inertial rotating body so as to apply the preset load to the dynamic damper spring in the non-transmitting state, and a gap is set in a rotational direction in the non-transmitting state between the dynamic damper spring and an other one of the transmission rotating member and the inertial rotating body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Yutaka Giken Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro Watanabe, Kazuto Nagaishi, Makoto Hiruta, Tatsuya Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 11754160
    Abstract: A torque converter having a shell formed by a front cover assembly and a rear cover. The front cover assembly further includes a front cover and a front boss, with the front boss being fixedly mounted to the front cover. The torque converter further including an impeller, a turbine located within the shell, a lock-up clutch and a piston. The piston being axially moveable relative to the front cover assembly along a central axis of the torque converter. A leaf spring, positioned between the piston and the front cover assembly, connects the piston to the front cover assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Exedy GlobalParts Corporation
    Inventor: Hanjun He
  • Patent number: 11719318
    Abstract: A stator assembly for a torque converter includes a body and a washer. The body is rotatable about an axis and has a cavity defined by an axial wall radially spaced from the axis and a radial wall extending radially inward from the axial wall. The washer is disposed in the cavity and is configured to be compressed against the radial wall. The washer includes a base and a plurality of circumferentially spaced from each other and extending radially outward from the base. The plurality of tabs are configured to non-rotatably connect to the axial wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Juan Pablo Cazares, Alfredo Perez Mitre Jimenez
  • Patent number: 11649883
    Abstract: A torque converter assembly is disclosed herein. The assembly can include a torque converter cover having a first axially extending flange, a reaction plate having a second axially extending flange, and a torque converter pump having a third axially extending flange. The first axially extending flange, the second axially extending flange, and the third axially extending flange are connected to each other via a single connection. In one aspect, the single connection comprises a weld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kyle Nelson, Victor Norwich, Kyle Royer, Brian Zaugg
  • Patent number: 11628717
    Abstract: A hybrid drive train for a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, a first clutch, which is provided for coupling a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine to the rotor, and a second further clutch, which is designed as a wet clutch and which has a clutch cover. A screw connection is provided for non-rotatably connecting the rotor to the clutch cover, which screw connection includes a screw, which is substantially arranged in an axial direction and which at least partially penetrates a connecting piece non-rotatably fastened to the clutch cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: MERCEDES-BENZ GROUP AG
    Inventors: Jan Velthaus, Kai Heukelbach, Thomas Lechthaler, Lukas Rube, Bernhard Ziegler, Bernd Koppitz, Axel Lange, Alexander Baier, Daniel Hopp
  • Patent number: 11619276
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Austin Hoff, Kelly Gabor
  • Patent number: 11592092
    Abstract: A torque converter, including: a cover arranged to receive torque and supported for rotation around an axis of rotation; an impeller; a turbine in fluid communication with the impeller; a stator including a stator blade axially disposed between the turbine and the impeller; a vibration damper including a cover plate, an output flange arranged to non-rotatably connect to an input shaft of a transmission, and a spring engaged with the cover plate and the output flange; a hub non-rotatably connected to the cover; a lock-up clutch including a piston plate; and a first washer directly connected to the output flange, axially disposed between the hub and the output flange, and separated, in an axial direction parallel to the axis of rotation, from the hub by a first gap. A straight line, parallel to the axis of rotation, passes through, in sequence, the output flange, the first washer, and the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: John Volcansek
  • Patent number: 11575294
    Abstract: A rotor assembly for a hybrid module includes a rotor carrier, a rotor segment, an end ring, a first spacer, a second spacer, and a compressed spring. The rotor carrier includes a first outer cylindrical surface and a radial surface, and the rotor segment is installed on the first outer cylindrical surface. The end ring is fixed to the rotor carrier and arranged for fixing to an engine flexplate. The first spacer is disposed axially between the rotor segment and the radial surface, and the second spacer is disposed axially between the rotor segment and the end ring. The compressed spring is disposed axially between the end ring and the second spacer to press the first spacer, the second spacer, and the rotor segment against the radial surface for frictional torque transmission between the rotor segment and the rotor carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ayyalraju Satyaseelan
  • Patent number: 11519485
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lock-up clutch of a torque converter. A cover (10) is separated to a pilot (48) and includes an opening (10-1) for installing the pilot (48). Before assembling a clutch driving portion such as a piston, a separator, drive plates, a seal ring, and driven plates, to the pilot (48), rivets (53) are press-fitted into the pilot (48), the cover (10) is abutted to respective head portions of the rivets (53), and the pilot (48) is installed in the cover (10) and is fixed to the cover (10) by welding. Thereafter, the piston, the drive plates and the driven plates are disposed between the separator and the cover (10), the seal ring is contact with the separator, the separator is press-fitted into projection ends of the rivets (53), and then projection portions (53-2) of the rivets (53) are crimped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignees: UNIPRES CORPORATION, JATCO Ltd, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuhiko Furuya, Ryuta Mori, Mitsuyoshi Tako, Daisuke Nakahara, Koshi Asao, Daisuke Usui, Takumi Watanabe, Yasuhiro Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 11434986
    Abstract: A vehicle driveline component includes a torque converter including an actuator and a clutch. The actuator includes an actuator piston slidable within an actuator chamber and dividing the actuator chamber into loosening and tightening chambers. The actuator piston moves the stator blades between a plurality of pitch positions. The clutch selectively couples the turbine to the impeller. The clutch includes a spring and clutch piston. The clutch piston at least partially defines an apply chamber and a release chamber. The apply chamber is in fluid communication with the tightening chamber via a hydrodynamic chamber. The release chamber is in fluid communication with the loosening chamber. The clutch piston is movable between an engaged position which inhibits relative rotation between the housing and the turbine and a disengaged position permitting relative rotation. The clutch spring is supported by the turbine hub and biases the clutch piston toward the disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John Edward Brevick
  • Patent number: 11421767
    Abstract: A torque converter comprising a front cover, an impeller having an impeller shell connected to the front cover, a turbine having a turbine shell and at least one blade attached thereto, and a lock-up clutch configured to selectively couple the turbine shell to the impeller shell for torque transmission therebetween is provided. In embodiments, the lock-up clutch comprises a clutch plate connected to the turbine shell and extending radially outward therefrom. The clutch plate may include a first end, a second end, and a slot defined between the first and the second ends. The lock-up clutch further may include a piston connected to the front cover, and a piston actuation plate connected to the piston, wherein the piston is configured to actuate the piston actuation plate to close the lock-up clutch to connect the turbine shell to the impeller shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kyle Nelson, Victor Norwich
  • Patent number: 11408494
    Abstract: A clutch assembly is disclosed herein. The clutch assembly includes a joint balance chamber positioned between a disconnect apply chamber and a torque converter clutch apply chamber. A torque converter assembly includes a charge pressure fluid circuit. A hub defines a passage between the charge pressure fluid circuit and the joint balance chamber, such that fluid from the torque converter assembly is provided to the joint balance chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Matthew Payne, Kolstin Hartzler, John Ramsey, Markus Steinberger
  • Patent number: 11401980
    Abstract: Provided are a wet friction plate configured so that drag torque can be reduced while a manufacturing burden is reduced with a simple configuration, a wet multiplate clutch device including the wet friction plates, and a wet friction plate manufacturing method. A wet friction plate (200) includes friction members (210) provided on a flat plate annular core metal (201), having oil grooves (203), and made of a paper material. The friction members (210) include higher friction members (211) and lower friction members (212). The higher friction member (211) is formed such that the height thereof from a surface of the core metal (201) is higher than that of the lower friction member (212). In addition, the higher friction member (211) is formed with a less-elastically-deformable structure than that of the lower friction member (212). The lower friction member (212) is formed such that the height thereof from the surface of the core metal (201) is lower than that of the higher friction member (211).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha F.C.C.
    Inventors: Kenichiro Seki, Kazuhiro Ichihara, Akihiro Yamashita, Koji Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 11384833
    Abstract: An automatic transmission comprising a control valve body adapted to control oil flow within the transmission, a torque converter having a torque converter clutch operable in one of an open and an applied condition, a first control circuit between the control valve body and the torque converter and a second control circuit between the control valve body and the torque converter, a first oil path that provides a fluid connection between the first control circuit and the torque converter, a second oil path that provides a fluid connection between the second control circuit and the torque converter, a third oil path that provides a fluid connection between the second control circuit and the torque converter clutch, and an orifice that provides a fluid connection between the second control circuit and the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Edward W. Mellet, Leonid Basin, Clinton E. Carey
  • Patent number: 11339835
    Abstract: A drive force transfer device includes a multi-plate clutch that transfers a drive force using a friction force generated between a plurality of clutch plates; a housing that houses the multi-plate clutch; a piston that presses the multi-plate clutch using a hydraulic pressure of operating oil supplied to a hydraulic chamber provided in the housing; a hydraulic unit configured to supply the operating oil to the hydraulic chamber; and a control device configured to control the hydraulic unit, the control device being configured to correct a control amount for the hydraulic unit based on a result of a temperature estimation based on operation of the hydraulic unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koudai Sakazaki
  • Patent number: 11306804
    Abstract: A torque converter, including: a cover including a first surface facing in a first radial direction; an impeller; a stator; and a lock-up clutch including a piston plate and a seal plate including a second surface in a press fit with the first surface. The cover and the piston plate define at least a portion of a first pressure chamber. The piston plate and the seal plate define at least a portion of a second pressure chamber. The first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber are arranged to receive and expel a fluid to axially displace the piston plate to open and close the lock-up clutch. The cover and the seal plate define a through-bore with: an end terminating at the first pressure chamber; or an end terminating at the second pressure chamber. The cover includes an edge defining an end of the through-bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Justin Persinger
  • Patent number: 11287021
    Abstract: A torque converter, including: a cover arranged to receive a rotational torque; an impeller including an impeller shell connected to the cover; a turbine including a turbine shell; a lock-up clutch including a piston plate; an output element arranged to non-rotatably connect to an input shaft of a transmission; and a flow control assembly including a seal plate defining a through-bore. The cover, the flow control assembly, and the piston plate define, at least partly, a release pressure chamber. The cover, the impeller shell, the piston plate, and the flow control assembly define, at least partly, an apply pressure chamber. In a clutch closed mode of the two-pass torque converter: the lock-up clutch is arranged to transmit the rotational torque to the output element; and a fluid in the apply pressure chamber is arranged to flow through the through-bore and into the release pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Kyle Nelson
  • Patent number: 11193569
    Abstract: A two-pass torque converter, including: a cover arranged to receive torque; an impeder including an impeller shell connected to the cover and at least one impeller blade fixedly connected to the impeller shell; a turbine including a turbine shell and at least one turbine blade fixedly connected to the turbine shell; a lock-up clutch including a piston plate; and a flow control assembly including a first seal and a spring connected to the first seal and urging the first seal toward one of the cover or the piston plate. The cover, the piston plate, and the flow control assembly define, at least partly, a release pressure chamber. The cover, the impeller shell, the piston plate, and the flow control assembly define, at least partly, an apply pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Schaeffler Techologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kyle Nelson, Victor Norwich
  • Patent number: 11168744
    Abstract: A clutch arrangement has a first pressure chamber for exerting load clutch piston and a second pressure chamber for accommodating clutch elements and for feeding fluid for cooling the clutch elements. A first clutch element is connected to a first clutch element carrier and a second clutch element is connected to a second clutch element carrier. The first clutch element carrier accommodates the clutch piston and the second clutch element carrier exerts load on a torsional vibration damper and radially encloses the clutch unit over part of its axial extent length. The clutch piston is equipped with a flow passage for flow connection between the two pressure chambers, and the first clutch element carrier has a flow passage which interacts with a flow-guiding element provided on the second clutch element carrier, that is oriented relative to the flow passage of the first clutch element carrier at an angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Christian Schneider
  • Patent number: 11149831
    Abstract: A lock-up device for a torque converter is disclosed. The lock-up device includes a clutch part, first and second rotary members, a plurality of elastic members and a stopper mechanism. The clutch part is provided between a front cover and a turbine, and transmits the torque inputted to the front cover to the turbine. The first rotary member is disposed between the clutch part and the turbine. The second rotary member is rotatable relative to the first rotary member. The elastic members elastically couple an outer peripheral part of the first rotary member and an outer peripheral part of the second rotary member in a rotational direction. The stopper mechanism is disposed axially between the elastic members and an outer peripheral part of a turbine shell. The stopper mechanism includes an engaging portion restricting an angular range of relative rotation between the first rotary member and the second rotary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: EXEDY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Satoru Matsuda
  • Patent number: 11143279
    Abstract: A transmission includes: a torque converter; a transmission input shaft; a seal member sandwiched between the hollow shaft and the transmission input shaft; and a bush, the transmission input shaft including a large diameter portion abutted on the seal member, and a small diameter portion which is positioned on the tip end side of the large diameter portion, and which has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the large diameter portion, the seal member having a diameter larger than a diameter of the bush, and the small diameter portion having an axial length set to be longer than a length from an insertion inlet of the transmission input shaft of the bush to the seal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 11125311
    Abstract: A torque converter includes a cover having a first surface and an annular plate axially spaced from the cover and having a second surface facing the first surface. A disc of the torque converter is disposed between the cover and the plate and has opposing first and second faces adjacent to the first and second surfaces, respectfully. Each of the faces defines a projection joined to one of the first and second surfaces by at least one capacitive discharge weld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Justin Persinger
  • Patent number: 11118663
    Abstract: A clutch arrangement has a clutch housing and a clutch element carrier, one of which receives at least one clutch element and the other of which is configured as a friction area carrier for a friction area so that, to produce a frictional engagement connection, the clutch element can be brought into operative connection with the friction area or, to cancel the frictional engagement connection, the clutch element can be separated from the friction area. The clutch element has a support for a friction facing, and the clutch element has a holding device radially adjacent to the friction facing for receiving the support of the clutch element. The support has at its side opposite the friction facing a further friction facing acting as seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Thiede, Markus Walper, Daniel Pinke
  • Patent number: 11067157
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Felipe de Lima Zocca, Victor Norwich, Austin Hoff
  • Patent number: 11015674
    Abstract: The present device includes a mass body, a centrifugal element and a plurality of conversion mechanisms. The mass body is disposed to be rotatable with the rotor and be rotatable relative to the rotor. The centrifugal element is disposed to receive a centrifugal force to be generated by rotation of at least one of the rotor and the mass body. Each of the plurality of conversion mechanisms is configured to convert the centrifugal force into a circumferential force when a relative displacement is produced between the rotor and the mass body in a rotational direction. The circumferential force is directed to reduce the relative displacement. The respective plurality of conversion mechanisms are disposed at intervals in a circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: EXEDY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuki Kawahara
  • Patent number: 10975919
    Abstract: A method of etching a surface of a metal clutch part for bonding of friction includes etching, by a laser, a plurality of craters into a specified etching area of the surface of the metal clutch part. The specified etching area is defined by an outer circumference and an inner circumference. The craters define an etch pattern on the surface. The laser follows a predefined path during the etching to generate the etch pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rashid Farahati, Sharan Rudra, Olusanmi Adeniran, Maxim Schikowez
  • Patent number: 10955037
    Abstract: A torque converter includes first and second dampers disposed in a torque transmission path during lockup, and a dynamic damper attached to the torque transmission path between the first and second dampers. The dynamic damper includes an inertial rotating body having a weight member mounted on an outer peripheral part of an inertia plate sandwiched between a pair of retaining plates, and an elastic member provided between the inertia plate and the retaining plates. A claw part is provided on one of the retaining plates disposed on a side opposite to the clutch constituent member with respect to the inertia plate. The first damper spring is sandwiched between the claw part and the clutch constituent member, and an elongated hole is formed in the inertia plate, the elongated hole extending lengthwise in a peripheral direction of the inertia plate while the claw part is inserted through the elongated hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Yutaka Giken Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro Watanabe, Ayako Shibazaki, Kazuto Nagaishi, Jun Komori
  • Patent number: 10948062
    Abstract: A torque converter includes a cover, an impeller including an impeller engagement section, an axially movable turbine piston including a turbine engagement section configured for engaging the impeller engagement section to form a lockup clutch and a coast engagement structure configured for contacting the cover to limit axial movement of the turbine piston away from the impeller in a coast condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ayyalraju Satyaseelan, John Ramsey
  • Patent number: 10948030
    Abstract: Clutch arrangement provided with a housing and a clutch device, one of which serves as a clutch element carrier for a clutch element and the other serves as a friction region carrier. The clutch element has a carrier for a friction lining and a holding apparatus for receiving the carrier on the clutch element carrier, radially adjacently with respect to the friction lining. In a first radial region, the clutch housing has an axial projection at a first axial spacing from the clutch device and, with a radial offset with respect thereto, has an axial recess at a second axial spacing from the clutch device in a second radial region, and has a transition region radially between the axial projection and the axial recess, either the axial projection or the axial recess being intended to provide a bearing face for at least one component of the clutch device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Christian Schneider, Alessio Paone, Andreas Thiede, Troy Menebroker, Richard Wu, Jorge Cisneros
  • Patent number: 10941844
    Abstract: A torque converter comprises a cover arranged to receive torque, an impeller including an impeller shell fixed to the cover, and a turbine fluidly coupled to the impeller. A lock-up clutch is provided that includes a dam plate non-rotatably connected to the cover, and a piston plate disposed, at least partially, between the cover and the dam plate. A fluid diversion plate is disposed between the dam plate and the turbine, wherein the dam plate is connected to the piston plate on a first axial side and connected to the fluid diversion plate on a second axial side, opposite the first axial side, via a single connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Schaaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kyle Nelson, Victor Norwich
  • Patent number: 10895311
    Abstract: A torque converter includes a turbine disposed in a hydrodynamic chamber. A bypass clutch has an apply chamber fluidly isolated from the hydrodynamic chamber. A first hydraulic passage is in fluid communication with the apply chamber. A variable-pitch stator including blades controllable by an actuator that has a chamber in fluid communication with the first hydraulic passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Andrew Derhammer, Jeremy Vanni
  • Patent number: 10895312
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque-coupling device for a hybrid electric vehicle, comprising a casing rotatable about a rotational axis, a torque converter including an impeller wheel and a turbine wheel, a lockup clutch including a dual piston assembly, and a selective clutch disposed outside of the casing. The selective clutch includes an input member and an output member non-rotatably mounted to the casing. The dual piston assembly includes a main piston and at least one secondary piston mounted to the main piston and axially moveable relative thereto. The main piston is selectively axially moveable relative to the casing and the at least one secondary piston between a lockup position and a non-lockup position. The output member is selectively axially moveable relative to the input member between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The output member selectively is axially moveable by action of the at least one secondary piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Valeo Kapec Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xuexian Yin
  • Patent number: 10844940
    Abstract: A torque converter includes a front cover configured to receive an input torque, and an impeller having an outer shell coupled to the front cover. A clutch is selectively engageable by a piston. A cover compensator is located axially between the front cover and the piston. The cover compensator is configured to reduce deflection of the front cover in the event of high pressures when changing gears in the transmission. The cover compensator has a radially-innermost sealing surface configured to engage and seal with a transmission input shaft. The cover compensator may also has an aperture to fluidly couple fluid chambers located on either axial side of the cover compensator. This can allow fluid to be forced through the clutch to continuously lubricate the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Victor Norwich
  • Patent number: 10746291
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle includes, responsive to a command to launch the vehicle and while the vehicle is in a first gear, determining, at a controller, a feedforward component including a target engine torque and a target bypass clutch torque, and a feedback component that is based on an error between the target converter slip and a measured converter slip and between the target wheel torque and a measured wheel torque. The method further includes changing a commanded engine torque and a commanded bypass clutch torque based on the feedforward component and the feedback component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Yang Xu, Weitian Chen, Stuart N. Ford, Zhengyu Dai, Qi Wang, Hong Jiang
  • Patent number: 10677314
    Abstract: A power transmission apparatus with a centrifugal pendulum damper is realized, which can effectively suppress torque fluctuation and vibration noise of a vehicle while avoiding size increase of a centrifugal pendulum damper and deterioration of reliability of the centrifugal pendulum damper by high-speed rotation. A power transmission apparatus with a centrifugal pendulum damper includes: a centrifugal pendulum damper coupled to an input shaft through a speed-increasing mechanism configured to increase speed of rotation of the input shaft; and an engagement/disengagement mechanism capable of realizing and cutting off power transmission from the input shaft to the centrifugal pendulum damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kyosei Nakashima, Kazuhiro Tanaka, Norio Iwashita, Shinya Kamada, Hiroo Akagi, Tomokazu Kinoshita, Hiroyuki Okayama, Narihito Hongawara, Keiji Bouda
  • Patent number: 10677334
    Abstract: A torque converter for transmitting torque to an input shaft of a transmission includes a front cover, an impeller, a turbine disposed in opposition to the impeller, and a lock-up device. The lock-up device is for mechanically transmitting torque from the front cover to the turbine. The lock-up device includes a pressure receiving portion, a piston and an input part. The pressure receiving portion has an annular shape and is provided to protrude from an outer peripheral end of the turbine further radially outward. The piston is disposed between the front cover and the turbine so as to be axially movable, and includes a friction portion in an outer peripheral part thereof. The friction portion is capable of being engaged by friction with the pressure receiving portion of the turbine when pressed onto the pressure receiving portion. The input part transmits the torque from the front cover to the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: EXEDY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 10591054
    Abstract: A torque converter transmits a torque from a drive source to an input shaft of a transmission. The torque converter includes a front cover, an impeller, a turbine and a lock-up device. The torque is inputted to the front cover. The impeller is fixed to the front cover. The turbine is disposed in opposition to the impeller, and is coupled to the input shaft of the transmission. The lock-up device mechanically transmits the torque from the front cover to the turbine. The lock-up device includes a piston, a damper mechanism and a friction generating mechanism. The piston is disposed between the front cover and the turbine so as to be axially movable, and is capable of being engaged by friction with the turbine. The damper mechanism transmits the torque from the front cover to the piston. The friction generating mechanism generates a hysteresis torque on the piston by frictional resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: EXEDY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 10563743
    Abstract: A torque converter assembly that has a turbine assembly, a pump assembly, and a clutch assembly that selectively rotationally couples the turbine assembly to the pump assembly, the clutch assembly further having at least one clutch disk and a backing plate having at least one finger defined therefrom, the at least one finger rotationally coupled to the at least one clutch disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.
    Inventors: Jezrah Horen, Michael Rietdorf
  • Patent number: 10539212
    Abstract: A flange for a torque converter, comprising a first sub-assembly that includes a first hole and second hole located along the first sub-assembly and wherein the first and second hole are configured to facilitate movement of a first pressure path from a transmission input shaft to a piston. The flange for the torque converter also includes a second sub-assembly that includes one or more welds that join a first contact-side of the second sub-assembly to the first sub-assembly, wherein a gap is defined between an area where the second sub-assembly is joined to the first sub-assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Christopher Welch
  • Patent number: 10513254
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, and a transmission are described. In one example, torque output from the engine and the electric machine is adjusted to provide controlled vehicle side slip during cornering by a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Glenn Fodor, Kenneth James Miller, Kevin Ray Ruybal, Xiaoyong Wang, Jeffrey Allen Doering
  • Patent number: 10428925
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque-coupling device for coupling driving and driven shafts. The torque-coupling device includes a casing, an impeller wheel and a turbine wheel hydrodynamically drivable by the impeller wheel, and a lock-up clutch. The lock-up clutch includes a lockup piston axially movable toward and away from the casing, a first disc carrier non-movably secured to the casing, a second disc carrier radially offset from the first disc carrier and drivingly coupled to the turbine wheel, at least one drive disc non-rotatably and axially movably mounted to the first disc carrier, at least one driven disc non-rotatably and axially movably mounted to the second disc carrier and disposed adjacent to the at least one drive disc so as to define a clutch pack, and a clutch biasing spring disposed between the casing and the clutch pack so as to bias the clutch pack toward the lockup piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventors: Liguang Cai, Zane Yang
  • Patent number: 10428879
    Abstract: A friction clutch for coupling a drive shaft of a motor vehicle motor to a transmission input shaft has an input part coupled to the drive shaft to introduce a torque of the drive shaft, an output part coupled to the transmission input shaft to extract a torque, a pressing part movable axially relative to the input part and to the output part to press the output part together frictionally with the input part, and a return spring in the form of a leaf spring to position the pressing part in a defined initial position relative to the input part, at least a part of the torque transferred by the input part being transferable through the return spring, where the return spring runs between a torque introduction point and a torque extraction point in an essentially tangential direction and runs at an oblique angle of incidence relative to a radial plane of the friction clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marc Finkenzeller, Daniel Helmer, Martin Chambrion, Johannes Ruf
  • Patent number: 10415668
    Abstract: A lock-up device includes an input-side rotary member, an output-side rotary member, an outer peripheral side torsion spring, a restriction member and a float member. The restriction member is attached to the output-side rotary member. The restriction member includes a first restriction part. The first restriction part is disposed at an interval from the output-side rotary member in an axial direction. The float member is rotatable relatively to the input-side rotary member and the output-side rotary member. An inner peripheral end of the float member is disposed between the output-side rotary member and the first restriction part in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: EXEDY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomohiro Wada, Yuki Kawahara
  • Patent number: 10351140
    Abstract: A transmission gear control apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes an automatic transmission, a torque converter, and an accelerator operation amount sensor. The torque converter is disposed between the engine and the automatic transmission. The transmission gear control apparatus includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to: (i) control switching of a transmission gear stage of the automatic transmission at least on a basis of a change in vehicle speed of the vehicle; (ii) control lockup of a lock-up clutch of the torque converter on a basis of a state of the vehicle; and (iii) control the automatic transmission when the accelerator operation amount is equal to or larger than a specified value such that an upshift of the automatic transmission is performed at a higher vehicle speed as a rotation difference between input and output of the torque converter is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akio Sugawara, Keigo Matsubara, Akihito Hayasaka
  • Patent number: 10337596
    Abstract: A lock-up device includes a clutch part, an input plate, an outer peripheral side damper part, an output plate, an inner peripheral side damper part, and an intermediate member. The outer peripheral side damper part includes at least two outer peripheral side springs. The outer peripheral side springs are disposed in a circumferential alignment, act in series, and take circular-arc shapes when in a free state. The inner peripheral side damper part includes at least two inner peripheral side springs. The inner peripheral side springs are disposed in a circumferential alignment on an inner peripheral side of the outer peripheral side damper part, and act in series. The intermediate member is rotatable relatively to the input plate and the output plate, and makes the outer peripheral side damper part and the inner peripheral side damper part act in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: EXEDY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yukiyoshi Takada, Satoshi Osaki
  • Patent number: 10302170
    Abstract: A dynamic damper is coupled to an intermediate member of a damper device. A drive member of the damper device has additional abutment portions coupled to end portions of vibration absorption springs of the dynamic damper before both first and second inter-element stoppers operate. The second inter-element stoppers operate before the first inter-element stoppers operate and at least by the time when the additional coupling portions are coupled to end portions of the vibration absorption springs. Outer springs and the vibration absorption springs act in parallel to transfer torque after the additional coupling portions are coupled to end portions of the vibration absorption springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Ito, Keizo Araki, Yuichiro Hirai, Masaki Wajima, Makoto Ueno, Yuji Kanyama, Kotaro Tsuda