Vortex-flow Drive And Brake Patents (Class 192/3.34)
  • Patent number: 9587495
    Abstract: A method of assembling a blade array includes the step of inserting a blade having a platform into a rotor. The blade includes a pocket radially beneath the platform that includes an interference feature. The blade corresponds to one of first and second blades that are scaled versions of one another. The method includes the step of selecting a damper seal, and inserting the damper seal into the pocket. The damper seal corresponds to one of first and second damper seals. The first damper seal cooperates with the interference feature thereby permitting the first damper seal to fully seat within the pocket. The second damper seal is obstructed by the interference feature thereby preventing the second damper seal from fully seating within the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Beattie, Jeffrey Michael Jacques
  • Publication number: 20150053522
    Abstract: A start-up and retarder element having a hydrodynamic transfer element (5, 5?) and a planetary gear set (4). The hydrodynamic transfer element (5, 5?) has at least one first functional wheel (11, 11?) and one second functional wheel (12, 12?). The first functional wheel (11, 11?) can be fixed on a stationary component (14) by a single shift element (15). A start-up function or a driving function can be set in which the functional wheels (11, 11?; 12, 12?) of the hydrodynamic transfer element (5, 5?) function as an impeller and a turbine, respectively, of a hydrodynamic start-up element so that a retarder function can be set, or the functional wheels (11, 11?; 12, 12?) of the hydrodynamic transfer element (5, 5?) function as a rotor and a stator, respectively, of a hydrodynamic retarder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Kai Borntrager, Johannes Kaltenbach
  • Patent number: 8960395
    Abstract: A manifold for a torque converter assembly is disclosed. The manifold may have a base portion configured to be fixedly connected to a frame of a mobile machine. The base portion may have a first face, a second face, and an outer radial surface located between the first face and the second face. The manifold may also have a sleeve portion extending axially away from the second face of the base portion. The sleeve portion may have an outer radial surface. The base portion may further have a first passageway configured to receive hydraulic fluid. The first passageway may have an inlet in the outer radial surface of the base portion and an outlet in the outer radial surface of the sleeve portion. The manifold may also have a second passageway configured to receive hydraulic fluid. The second passageway may have an inlet in the first face and an outlet in the second face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Michael Waters, Timothy James May, Jason Ray Walker, Edward De Jesus Rivera
  • Publication number: 20130244829
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle during regenerative braking is provided. The system and method include a brake controller adapted to cause, for a selected transmission gear, a first torque ratio to be applied to a regenerative brake system during regenerative braking and a second torque ratio, different from the first torque ratio, to be applied when the vehicle is not regenerative braking. The first torque ratio results in an increased braking torque generated by the regenerative brake system compared with application of the second torque ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES,LLC
    Inventors: Bernard D. Nefcy, Daniel Scott Colvin, Marvin Paul Kraska, Walter Joseph Ortmann, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Fazal Urrahman Syed
  • Patent number: 8133156
    Abstract: The temperature of a machine component is controlled by transferring heat generated by a torque converter under restricted conditions to the component. The machine includes a circulating fluid system configured to transfer heat from the torque converter to the remotely positioned machine component. A controller is configured to sense the temperature of the component, and to restrict motion of the torque converter turbine when the sensed temperature is below a desired temperature. Heat generated by the torque converter under the restricted condition is transferred through the circulating fluid system to the remote component, such as the machine power source, to control the temperature thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis A. Barney, Charles W. Birchenough, James B. McKnight, Brian J. Oleson
  • Publication number: 20110132709
    Abstract: The present torque converter includes a front cover, an impeller, a turbine, a stator, a stator brake and thrust bearings. The stator brake brakes rotation of the stator and includes a brake case coupled to the stator, a brake fixation member coupled to a stationary shaft and a brake disc unit. One of the thrust bearings, disposed axially between the impeller and the brake case, supports the both members in a rotatable state. The other bearing supports the impeller and the brake fixation member in a rotatable state, while disposed between the members and axially closer to the engine than the thrust bearing is.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: EXEDY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takao Fukunaga, Kazutoshi Nakayama
  • Patent number: 7267633
    Abstract: The state of a fluid coupling in a motor vehicle powertrain is selectively controlled during neutral idle operation of the engine for increasing the engine temperature to a desired level. The fluid coupling includes an input member connected to the engine and an output member connected to the transmission, and the output member is selectively grounded under specified enable conditions to impose an engine load for raising the engine operating temperature. The output member is released to resume normal operation of the powertrain when the enable conditions are no longer met or an estimate of the fluid temperature in the coupling reaches or exceeds a predefined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald P. Hitch, Kevin L. Kluemper
  • Patent number: 6923301
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic brake, which comprises a stator and a rotor which are coaxial and have respective opposed annular recesses which open toward each other to form a toroid-shaped space. A first medium is supplied to the space for providing braking action during rotation of the rotor. At least one injection member is arranged to supply a second medium to the toroid-shaped space for reducing the circulation of air in the toroid-shaped space when no brake action is desired. The second medium is supplied at at least one location to the toroid-shaped space with a pressure and in a direction which at least partly is directed towards the principal flow direction of the circulating air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventors: Hans Jönsson, Johnny Arne, Torger Hagen, Anders Kjell
  • Patent number: 6527094
    Abstract: A freewheel arrangement, in particular for a guide wheel of a hydrodynamic torque converter, permits a relative rotation between two elements in essentially only one relative rotational direction with respect to one another about an axis of rotation. At least one pawl is pivotably supported on a first of the two elements and has a pawl section which can come into contact with a blocking surface of the second of the two elements. At least one pawl is formed by a plurality of pawl plate elements which can be stamped from sheet metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Edgar Reinhart, Dietrich Bechmann, André Meyer, Friedrich Schramm, Christoph Sasse, Erwin Wack
  • Publication number: 20010035322
    Abstract: A freewheel arrangement, in particular for a guide wheel of a hydrodynamic torque converter, permits a relative rotation between two elements in essentially only one relative rotational direction with respect to one another about an axis of rotation. At least one pawl is pivotably supported on a first of the two elements and has a pawl section which can come into contact with a blocking surface of the second of the two elements. At least one pawl is formed by a plurality of pawl plate elements which can be stamped from sheet metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Applicant: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Edgar Reinhart, Dietrich Bechmann, Andre Meyer, Friedrich Schramm, Christoph Sasse, Erwin Wack