With Means To Cool Or Lubricate Clutch Parts Patents (Class 192/70.12)
  • Patent number: 11898617
    Abstract: Vehicles that are relatively heavy and/or configured to transport heavy loads may utilize a powertrain comprising an electric machine capable of operating at high speeds and a multispeed transmission to propel the vehicle. An interface module is configured to modulate torque between the electric machine and the multispeed transmission allowing the electric machine to smoothly match speed as the multispeed transmission shifts between gears. The interface module facilitates efficient, predictable, and reliable modulation of torque between an input and an output of the powertrain of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventor: Shaun Mepham
  • Patent number: 11592091
    Abstract: A torque converter assembly is disclosed herein. The torque converter assembly includes a thrust washer having a radially inner surface configured to engage against a drive shaft. A first axial surface of the thrust washer is configured to contact a cover. A second axial surface of the thrust washer is configured to contact a damper flange. The second axial surface of the thrust washer partially defines a first flow path. The thrust washer further comprises a second flow path configured to direct fluid in a first direction and a third flow path configured to direct fluid in a second direction. The thrust washer disclosed herein both provides an axial thrust bearing feature, and also provides three distinct flow paths or passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Joshua Verdier
  • Patent number: 11585393
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a transmission are provided herein. In one example, a hydraulic system includes a lubrication valve included in a lubricant line and designed to adjust a flow of lubricant to a multi-disc wet clutch. The hydraulic system further includes a clutch line coupled to a clutch control valve, where the clutch line is in fluidic communication with a hydraulic fluid to a clutch actuator of the multi-disc wet clutch and a passive adjustment device of the lubrication valve and where the passive adjustment device transitions the lubrication valve between a limited flow state and an open flow state based on a pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the clutch line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: DANA ITALIA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Mario Gelmini, Giovanni Profumo
  • Patent number: 11441639
    Abstract: Vehicles that are relatively heavy and/or configured to transport heavy loads may utilize a powertrain comprising an electric machine capable of operating at high speeds and a multispeed transmission to propel the vehicle. An interface module is configured to modulate torque between the electric machine and the multispeed transmission allowing the electric machine to smoothly match speed as the multispeed transmission shifts between gears. The interface module facilitates efficient, predictable, and reliable modulation of torque between an input and an output of the powertrain of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.
    Inventor: Shaun Mepham
  • Patent number: 11428274
    Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a clutch housing, a clutch hub, a clutch pack and an oil deflector. The clutch pack includes at least one friction plate connected to one of the clutch housing and the clutch hub and at least one separator plate connected to the other of the clutch housing and the clutch hub. The oil deflector includes a circumferential wall and a flange. The circumferential wall includes a drain slot. The flange extends radially outwardly from an end of the circumferential wall and is mounted to one of the at least one separator plate and the at least one friction plate. The circumferential wall and the first flange cooperate to define a channel. Lubricant flowing along the clutch housing flows to the channel where the lubricant is directed away from the clutch pack and out of the drain slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dengfu Zhang, John Edsel Robarge, Chin-Yuan Perng, Samantha Hart
  • Patent number: 11428312
    Abstract: A hydraulic system (HY) for a motor vehicle transmission (G) includes at least one pump (P), two pump output lines (P1, P2) for supplying a first pressure circuit (1) and a second pressure circuit (2), and an electromagnetically actuated, first pressure control valve (EDS1), the inlet (EDS11) of which is connected to the first pressure circuit (1) and the outlet (EDS12) of which is connected to a first control surface (PVC) of a spring-loaded shut-off valve (PV). The shut-off valve (PV) is configured for connecting, in a non-actuated condition, the second pump output line (P2) to the second pressure circuit (2) and, in the condition actuated via the first control surface (PVC), disconnecting the second pump output line (P2) from the second pressure circuit (2). A motor vehicle transmission (G) including such a hydraulic system (HY) and a drive train including such a motor vehicle transmission (G) are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Rainer Novak, Tobias Pfleger
  • Patent number: 11326652
    Abstract: A friction clutch includes a housing, an axially displaceable pressure plate, a lever system for displacing the pressure plate, a ramp system arranged between the pressure plate and the lever system, a torsion device for rotating the ramp system, and a control device. The torsion device has a spindle to drive the ramp system and a drive gear with an external profile. The control device has a fastening portion fixed to the housing and a pawl with a plurality of tongues to forming a positive interlock. At least one tongue is arranged to engage the external profile. Each tongue is separated from another tongue by a gap extending in the axial direction. At least one gap, starting from a tip of the tongue, extends in the axial direction 30% or less of a minimum distance between the tip and the fastening portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Marc Finkenzeller
  • Patent number: 11300168
    Abstract: An automatic transmission includes: a multi-disc brake including first and second friction engagement elements which are alternately arranged in an axial direction, and a tube that supplies lubricating oil to the first friction engagement element and the second friction engagement element in a transmission case. Further, the tube has injection holes that inject the lubricating oil toward a spline groove, which is fitted with spline teeth of the first friction engagement element on an inner peripheral surface of the transmission case, and the injection holes open toward a gap, which is formed between the spline groove and the spline teeth, and inject the lubricating oil to cause the lubricating oil to contact a surface of the spline groove located above the spline teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Okubo, Kozo Yamamoto, Keisuke Ninomiya, Hironori Asaoka
  • Patent number: 11215238
    Abstract: A wet clutch assembly can include a clutch pack having a plurality of friction members attached to a first clutch housing and a plurality of separator members attached to a second clutch housing. The friction members and the separator members can be configured to be selectively contacted to each other to engage the first housing member to the second housing member. The clutch pack can be in fluid communication with a lubrication source such that a lubrication flow can flow to the friction members and the separator members to remove heat and/or debris therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Bortoli, Aaron M. Finke, Mark J. Franklin
  • Patent number: 11162541
    Abstract: A transmission including a rotating shaft, a planetary gear mechanism, a friction engagement device disposed on radial outside of a ring gear of the planetary gear mechanism, a plate attached to the ring gear so as to face an outer circumferential surface of the ring gears, and a restriction member attached to the ring gear to restrict a movement of the plate in an axial direction. A first oil hole is formed at the ring gear so as to lead an oil supplied from an oil passage inside the rotating shaft to an outside of the ring gear in the radial direction, and a second oil hole is formed at the plate so as to lead the oil led through the first oil hole to the friction engagement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Kasahara
  • Patent number: 11067135
    Abstract: An automatic transmission is provided, which includes a friction engaging element. The friction engaging element includes a plurality of friction plates disposed inside a transmission case, a piston configured to cause the plurality of friction plates to be engaged with each other, a spring configured to bias the piston, and a hydraulic chamber to which hydraulic fluid is supplied, the hydraulic fluid biasing the piston. The hydraulic chamber is disposed so as to overlap with the spring in a radially internal and external relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Shota Yamakawa, Tatsuhiko Iwasaki, Tomotaka Ishizaka
  • Patent number: 11009084
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses can be used to adjust the torque transfer capacity and improve the overall performance and longevity of a clutch assembly. Through the use of various improved clutch components disclosed herein, it is possible to: (1) increase clutch apply forces through an increase in the fluid pressure apply surface area, or piston reaction area, of a clutch piston, thereby increasing frictional forces generated within a clutch pack for transferring input torque from a drive shaft to a driven shaft; (2) improve clutch plate contact conditions through a more rigid clutch pressure plate configuration, thereby reducing clutch pack/plate distortion and supporting structure deformation and/or wear that can otherwise lead to excessive heat generation and overall clutch performance degradation and/or failure; and/or (3) improve the clutch assembly's ability to dissipate and/or tolerate heat generated through clutch plate friction by means of an improved clutch pack configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Sonnax Transmission Company
    Inventors: Brian T. Copeland, Gregg A. Nader
  • Patent number: 10920836
    Abstract: In a hydraulic clutch actuation system for controlling in particular a clutch-controlled compensation unit of a drivetrain of a motor vehicle, in which hydraulic clutch actuation system a hydraulic pump is used for generating hydraulic pressure in a hydraulic fluid for the purposes of clutch actuation by means of a hydraulic clutch actuation device, provision is made whereby the hydraulic fluid is supplied as clutch oil to the friction members of the friction clutch which are to be oiled with clutch oil (cooling and/or lubricating oil). In this way, improved and more reliable oiling of the clutch can be made possible even at low vehicle speeds and under heavy clutch load, wherein, despite this, very rapid dry-running of the cutches, and low power losses generated by the clutch oiling, are ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Ltd.
    Inventor: Reinhard Möhlmann
  • Patent number: 10843557
    Abstract: A hybrid module is for a motor vehicle and is configured for coupling an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dirk Reimnitz
  • Patent number: 10830286
    Abstract: A transmission includes a clutch configured to selectively couple a clutch hub to a clutch housing. The clutch hub includes a channel to provide oil from a central passageway to remove heat from a clutch pack. The oil runs along a disk of the clutch hub to a perforated annular ring of the clutch hub, then through the perforations to the clutch pack. An oil deflector limits the flow of oil at low clutch hub speeds. The deflector is mounted to the clutch hub disk to create a flow restriction. At low speeds, the oil builds up in a reservoir radially inside the restriction and then spills over a dam and is directed away from the clutch pack by a conical surface. The reduced oil flow at low speeds reduces parasitic loss. At higher speeds, centrifugal forces increase the flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dengfu Zhang, David Beck
  • Patent number: 10767708
    Abstract: Power transmission systems including clutch arrangement and control systems are adapted to be used in numerous different operational environments. Such power transmission systems may include clutch arrangements that provide more effective power transmission capabilities as well as greater durability and longer life. Control arrangements are provided to more effectively control and monitor clutch operation in ways that provide for greater system flexibility and drive options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: LOGAN CLUTCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: W. Andrew Logan, Scott W. Stevens, Robert P McClain, Stefan Vinca, Michael S. Vining
  • Patent number: 10753406
    Abstract: Provided is a frictional engagement device capable of preventing a momentum of oil supplied to a frictional engagement element from becoming excessive even when an outer diameter of the frictional engagement device (a clutch) is large or a rotation speed thereof becomes high due to a centrifugal force in accordance with rotation. When a piston moves toward the engagement position, a canceller spring cover is elastically deformed by a pressing force of the piston acting via a return spring, a contact portion of the canceller spring cover comes into contact with the contacted portion of a clutch hub, and thus an opening/closing portion of a first cooling oil path provided between the contact portion and the contacted portion is closed. Accordingly, the first cooling oil path can be closed through which the oil supplied to a frictional engagement portion flows in accordance with an engagement operation of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Kasahara
  • Patent number: 10697500
    Abstract: A clutch assembly and a torque converter assembly having a clutch assembly, for an automotive transmission, are provided. The clutch assembly includes a clutch plate and a piston or pressure plate configured to selectively engage the clutch plate, the piston being movable between an applied position and a released position. An annular seal is disposed adjacent to the piston, wherein movement of the piston and hydraulic pressure causes the annular seal to move between a sealed position and an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Victor M Roses, Edward J Billings
  • Patent number: 10458491
    Abstract: A clutch system includes a friction clutch, a ramp system, a pilot clutch, and an actuation element. The friction clutch is for transmitting torque between a torque-introducing element and a torque discharging element. The friction clutch includes a pressure plate. The system is for axially moving the pressure plate. The ramp system has an input ramp and an output ramp. The output ramp is rotatable relative to the input ramp to change an axial extent of the ramp system. The pilot clutch is for initiating rotation of the input ramp relative to the output ramp in response to a speed differential between the torque-introducing element and the torque-discharging element. The actuation element is arranged radially on the inside relative to the friction clutch and is at least partially covered by the friction clutch when viewed in a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Trinkenschuh, Dierk Reitz
  • Patent number: 10337566
    Abstract: An improved multi-disc wet clutch assembly. The improvements include an inner clutch hub having eighteen holes extending through a wall of the inner clutch hub, arranged in six series of three holes with each series being disposed approximately sixty degrees apart from each other and starting at a different position along the length of the inner clutch hub wall. The improvements further include a diaphragm plate disposed within a bore at the distal end of the inner clutch hub. Methods of retrofitting preexisting clutch assemblies are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: Jayson Miles
  • Patent number: 10221897
    Abstract: A clutch apparatus includes a clutch pack including a plurality of friction disks having friction surfaces. The clutch pack may include a plurality of cooling inlets. The clutch pack may selectively transfer torque from a torque supplying member to a torque receiving member. The clutch apparatus may include a rotating manifold having at least a first cooling port for directing a cooling fluid to the clutch pack and at least a portion of the rotating manifold may be coupled for rotation with at least a portion of the friction disks. A fluid-flow area of at least a subset of the plurality of cooling inlets may be dissimilar from other of the plurality of cooling inlets for enabling a desired fluid flow to the friction disks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Eaton Cummins Automated Transmission Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Martin E. Kummer, Graeme Andrew Jackson, Jeffrey Philip Hawarden
  • Patent number: 9951826
    Abstract: Segmented and laminated steel core plates (31,31?) having at least one groove or channel formed at the interface of the core plates for either double sided or single sided wet clutch friction plates or separator plates and a process for making the same are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Vogele, Michael Wagner, Martin P. Keating
  • Patent number: 9534639
    Abstract: A multi-plate friction clutch wherein lubrication sites of the clutch can be efficiently supplied with oil to be sufficiently lubricated. A multi-plate friction clutch includes a clutch outer, a clutch center, clutch plates, and a pressure plate. A center ring protrusion protruding into a cylindrical shape from the outer surface of a center bottom wall part is formed at substantially the same radial position as a plurality of communication holes. Furthermore, a ring recess opened toward the axial center is formed in the inner circumferential surface of the center ring protrusion and the communication holes are so opened as to face the ring recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tsuguto Inayama
  • Patent number: 9453540
    Abstract: A double clutch system for a drive train that includes a drive unit and a double clutch transmission. The double clutch system includes two wet-running, multi-plate clutches that include inner plate carrier components, each of which is non-rotatably connected to a respective transmission input shaft, and between which cooling oil is supplied to the multi-plate clutches. A pressure chamber is provided for the cooling oil radially inwardly of at least one of the multi-plate clutches and in an axial direction between the inner plate carrier components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ivo Agner, Oliver Nöhl
  • Patent number: 9388866
    Abstract: A clutch system comprises a hydraulic control circuit for controlling a hydraulic system. The hydraulic control circuit comprises processor-executable control instructions to perform a method for controlling hydraulic pressure. The method comprises receiving a target hydraulic pressure. The method generates and outputs pressure control valve commands based on a detected current hydraulic pressure, a detected temperature, and the target hydraulic pressure by implementing proportional integral derivative (PID) calculations and sliding mode calculations while carrying out a closed loop pressure control. The method converts the target hydraulic pressure into motor speed control commands and into motor direct current commands by implementing a linear quadratic regulator (LQR) calculation while carrying out a closed loop speed control. The method controls the electric motor using the motor direct current commands. And, the method controls the pressure control valve by using the pressure control valve commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Christian Thomas Chimner
  • Patent number: 9360054
    Abstract: A friction clutch including an input side and an output side arranged to rotate, a fluid chamber fillable with a cooling liquid including a first friction partner, a second friction partner, an inner disc carrier coupled to one of the two friction partners radially on the outside, and a compression device having a pressure chamber fillable with a pressure fluid to provide axial compression of the friction partners to generate a torque-locking engagement between the input side and the output side. A deflection device is provided in the fluid chamber wherein the inner disc carrier includes at least one first passage for the cooling liquid to pass through, and the deflection device feeds back at least a first portion of the cooling liquid flowing in a radially outward direction between the friction partners into a radially inward direction to the first passage of the inner disc carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Kuehnle, Toros Guellueck
  • Patent number: 9353803
    Abstract: A power transmitting apparatus comprising a switching device for switching an urging device between an urging force applying position wherein an abutment between the other end of the urging device and the pressure member is kept to apply the urging force of urging device to the pressure member when the intermediate member is moved toward the pressure member, and an urging force cutting-off position wherein the other end of the urging device is separated from the pressure member to cut-off the urging force of urging device to the pressure member when the intermediate member is moved toward the pressure member. In some embodiments, the urging device is set at the urging force applying position while the intermediate member is stopped when the vehicle is stopped and the urging device is set at the urging force cutting-off position while the intermediate member is rotated when the vehicle is running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA F.C.C.
    Inventors: Katsu Yoshimoto, Han Hiong Chen, Akira Kosaka
  • Patent number: 9212703
    Abstract: A clutch including a reaction plate configured to exert a compression force. The clutch further includes a friction plate having a surface opposing the reaction plate. A friction material layer has a first surface attached to the surface of the friction plate, and a second surface opposing the reaction plate. The second surface of the friction material layer has a plurality of dimples formed therein. Further, a lubrication fluid is disposed between the reaction plate and the friction material layer for transferring the compression force and providing a lubrication layer between the reaction plate and the friction plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Mordukhovich, Sergei Glavatskikh
  • Patent number: 9206860
    Abstract: A clutch plate in an annular shape, the clutch plate includes: a plurality of lubricating grooves on one end face and the other end face of the clutch plate in an axial direction; and a plurality of windows passing through the clutch plate in the axial direction. The lubricating grooves are formed with plastic deformation, in a same phase on both the end faces, and extended up to outer peripheral edges and inner peripheral edges of both the end faces. A plurality of intersection points where the lubricating grooves intersect with each other are positioned in other areas than at least one of the outer peripheral edges, radially outer edges of the windows, radially inner edges of the windows, and the inner peripheral edges, of both the end faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignees: JTEKT CORPORATION, NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ando, Kunihiko Suzuki, Junji Ando, Tatsuki Shimura
  • Patent number: 9140324
    Abstract: A coupling assembly for use in transmitting force includes a housing which at least partially encloses a rotatable disc. The housing has a plate portion with an annular force transmitting surface which is engagable with the rotatable disc. A cooling fluid channel is at least partially defined by a side of the plate portion opposite from the force transmitting surface. A plurality of indentations disposed in an inner surface 60b of the force transmitting surface of the plate portion create turbulent and secondary flow in a path of flow of cooling fluid through the cooling fluid channel. A cooling fluid inlet includes a passage having a portion with a large cross section connected in fluid communication with a radially outer portion of the cooling fluid channel. A portion of the inlet passage having a small cross section is connected in fluid communication with a radially inner portion of the cooling fluid channel. Optional ribs extend across the radially inner and outer portions of the cooling fluid channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Thaveesak Boonpongmanee
  • Patent number: 9140310
    Abstract: A disc carrier of a friction clutch is described and illustrated, and in some embodiments has a subassembly of a modular structure which is composed of interconnectable component parts. The component parts can include a holding ring, at least one web, and a base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: HOERBIGER ANTRIEBSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Ahmed Sahyoun, Falk Nickel, Georg Ruprecht
  • Patent number: 9080642
    Abstract: A reversing gear (13d) is disposed between a fifth fixed gear (13a) having a smallest outer diameter among respective gears provided in a first main shaft (4) and a second main shaft (5) and a sixth idling gear (13b) having a smallest outer diameter among respective gears provided in a first sub-shaft (6) to always mesh with the respective gears. A first synchronizing sleeve (21) is disposed to overlap a bearing (8a) of a third sub-shaft (8) in the axial direction of the second main shaft (5). A second synchronizing sleeve (22), a third synchronizing sleeve (23), and a fourth synchronizing sleeve (24) are disposed to overlap a bearing (8b) of the third sub-shaft (8) in the axial direction of the second main shaft (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuichi Ushiroda, Takuya Yamamura
  • Patent number: 9027724
    Abstract: A lockup clutch mechanism of a hydraulic transmission device includes a lockup piston that is capable of moving toward a front cover to press first and second friction plates, and a flange member that together with the lockup piston defines an engagement-side oil chamber. The front cover and the lockup piston define a first lubricant passage that supplies hydraulic oil to the first and second friction plates. A second lubricant passage communicating with the first lubricant passage is formed in a centerpiece of the front cover. A first shaft oil passage communicating with the engagement-side oil chamber and a second shaft oil passage communicating with the second lubricant passage are formed in an input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junji Tanaka, Yuito Abe, Kazuyoshi Ito, Koji Maeda, Naohisa Momiyama
  • Publication number: 20150114789
    Abstract: A wet clutch comprising a first plate carrier and a second plate carrier which have different diameters, as well as an oil bath in which the plate carriers are arranged concentrically and rotatable with respect to one another. Here, the first plate carrier includes on its circumference a deflection element, by means of which oil which is moving tangentially with respect to the first plate carrier is deflected radially in the direction of the second plate carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Kuehnle, Toros Guelluek
  • Patent number: 8997962
    Abstract: A clutch apparatus includes a clutch outer member for supporting friction discs, which are nonrotatable relative to the clutch outer member, and are axially slidable along a clutch axis; a clutch inner member for supporting clutch discs, which are nonrotatable relative to the clutch inner member, and are axially slidable along the clutch axis, and a pressure plate having a deep recess for accommodating a clutch spring engaged with the clutch inner member. The deep recess includes a bottom portion having a spring seat for receiving the clutch spring, and a partially cylindrical shape wall portion having an axis parallel to the clutch axis. The wall portion is oriented towards the clutch axis. The deep recess has a communicating portion formed therein for establishing the communication between the inner and outer surfaces of the wall portion so as to discharge oil towards the friction and clutch discs during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Yazaki, Atsushi Kobayashi, Akio Senda, Seiji Anzai
  • Patent number: 8967342
    Abstract: The invention relates to a brake mechanism (1) for agricultural utility vehicles. In the case of the brake mechanism (1), during a brake application an additional quantity of oil is supplied to a brake chamber (150) via an inlet manifold (180), which is fluidically connected to an oil chamber (130). The service brake is formed so that, when the service brake is operated, a first control element (120) is moved towards the brake elements (140, 141) in such a way that a brake chamber (150) is fluidically connected to the inlet manifold (180) and thus ensures an additional oil supply from the oil chamber (130).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: AGCO GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Brenninger, Klaus Bayer
  • Patent number: 8960380
    Abstract: A brake for a rotating member is disclosed. The brake is used with a liquid coolant, and includes a housing for containing the liquid, a stationary element disposed in the housing, a wear plate disposed on the stationary element, a friction element coupled to the rotating member for contacting the wear plate, and a removable heat transfer insert disposed adjacent the wear plate and in fluid communication with the coolant, the heat transfer insert consisting of a non-galvanic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Oil States Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry S. McClintic
  • Patent number: 8939269
    Abstract: A friction plate for a clutch assembly includes a core plate and a plurality of friction segments made of a friction material. A plurality of grooves are disposed between said plurality of friction segments. Each segment has tapered sides so that the grooves have a first width adjacent the outer diameter of the core plate and a smaller second width smaller adjacent the inner diameter of the core plate. This tapered groove structure directs oil from the outside the clutch assembly to the inside to improve cooling efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Bulent Chavdar, Scott T. Roth
  • Patent number: 8939268
    Abstract: A hydraulic actuating device for actuation of clutches in a multi-clutch transmission for motor vehicles is disclosed, comprising a multi-circuit pump having an electric pump drive, at least two pressure circuits hydraulically connected with the pump, and a reservoir for hydraulic fluid, from which the fluid can be conveyed by the pump to the pressure circuits. In this regard, each pressure circuit starting from the pump comprises a non-return valve blocking in the direction of the pump, an electromagnetically actuable proportional throttle valve, by way of which the respective pressure circuit can be the subject of defined hydraulic relief in direction towards the reservoir, and at the outlet side a slave cylinder operatively connected with an associated clutch. The pump drive and the proportional throttle valves are electrically connected with a control unit, which co-ordinates the electrical activation of the pump drive and the proportional throttle valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: FTE automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Wilhelm Heubner
  • Patent number: 8932169
    Abstract: A backing plate for a friction clutch pack includes a shoulder or flange through which a plurality of radial drain passageways extend. The radial drain passageways intersect a circumferential channel which collects hydraulic fluid from the friction clutch. The radial passageways, assisted by centrifugal force, direct hydraulic fluid flow radially outwardly, away from other friction pack clutches and thus prevent such fluid from creating drag and causing increased spin losses as it flows to and through disengaged clutch packs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Neil Paciotti
  • Patent number: 8925704
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a clutch device that keeps a half-clutch range wide for a long time. A clutch device 1 is arranged in such a manner that an intermediate ring 24 is disposed on the pressure plate 23 so as to be slightly movable in a direction of pressing by a diaphragm spring 21; air passageways 31 are radially disposed at regular circumferential intervals between the intermediate ring 24 and the pressure plate 23 so as to let the inner and outer peripheries communicate with each other; plate springs 25 are disposed in the air passageways 31 to bias constantly the intermediate ring 24 and the pressure plate 23 in a direction of separating from each other; and a force of the pressing operation by the diaphragm spring 21 is transferred to the pressure plate 23 via the intermediate ring 24 and the plate springs 25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: OS Giken Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaharu Okazaki
  • Patent number: 8919512
    Abstract: An arrangement of a dual clutch transmission that incorporates a positive pressure lubrication cooler heat exchanger that is integrated into a cover of a wet clutch module of the transmission is provided. Additionally, a method of assembling a wet dual clutch transmission assembly is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Larry A. Pritchard
  • Patent number: 8919520
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to durability enhancement techniques for a dry-clutch vehicle transmission. A cooling system that provides a direct convective cooling path to friction surfaces is disclosed. Also disclosed is a continuously variable clutch wear compensation assembly configured to adjust the position of clutch assembly components on-demand or as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eli Avny, Matthew John Shelton, Steven Gerald Thomas
  • Patent number: 8919509
    Abstract: A torque transfer device, in particular in the power train of a motor vehicle, for transferring torque between a drive unit and a shaft that is rotatable around an axis of rotation, in particular a transmission input shaft, having a hydrodynamic torque converter, which includes a converter cover that is connectable to or connected to the drive unit, which converter cover may be coupled via an impeller to a turbine wheel to transfer torque, which turbine wheel is bridgeable, to transfer torque, by a torque converter lockup clutch, which includes a piston that is movable to a limited extent in the axial direction and is constructed as a multi-plate clutch with a plate pack that includes outer plates which are connected to an outer plate carrier in a rotationally fixed connection, and inner plates which are connected to an inner plate carrier in a rotationally fixed connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Stephan Maienschein
  • Patent number: 8910766
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-disc clutch for the transfer of torque between a first clutch part and a second clutch part, having at least one first and at least one second disc that engage on another and that are movable parallel to a rotational axis of the multi-disc clutch, and having a reset device for the receiprocal ventilation of adjacent discs. The first clutch part is connected in a rotationally secure fashion to the first disc and the second clutch part is connected in a rotationally secure fashion to the second disc. The reset device has at least two reset elements that are disposed eccentrically relative to the rotational axis and distributed in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain AG & Co AG
    Inventors: August Kriebernegg, Alois Lafer, Robert Luef, Johannes Quenhenberger, Helmuth Sachsenmaier
  • Publication number: 20140326572
    Abstract: A friction clutch including an input side and an output side arranged to rotate, a fluid chamber fillable with a cooling liquid including a first friction partner, a second friction partner, an inner disc carrier coupled to one of the two friction partners radially on the outside, and a compression device having a pressure chamber fillable with a pressure fluid to provide axial compression of the friction partners to generate a torque-locking engagement between the input side and the output side. A deflection device is provided in the fluid chamber wherein the inner disc carrier includes at least one first passage for the cooling liquid to pass through, and the deflection device feeds back at least a first portion of the cooling liquid flowing in a radially outward direction between the friction partners into a radially inward direction to the first passage of the inner disc carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Kuehnle, Toros Guellueck
  • Patent number: 8863926
    Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting power to a transmission input includes first and second sources of rotary power, first and second transmission input shafts, a clutch hub driveably connected to the first and second power sources, and first and second clutches secured to the clutch hub, for alternately closing and opening a drive connection between the first and second transmission input shafts and the clutch hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Shaun G. Knowles
  • Patent number: 8844697
    Abstract: A clutch assembly is disclosed having a driving plate arranged in communication with a thermal transfer medium for use in cooling the driving plate. The disclosed thermal transfer medium can include at least one conductive brush that is mounted with the driving plate and arranged between the driving plate and a separate cooled part of the clutch assembly for cooling the driving plate. The brush may also be resiliently biased for contact with the cooled part of the clutch assembly so that it brushes against it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ricardo UK Ltd
    Inventors: Jonathan Charles Wheals, Lee Sykes
  • Patent number: 8821336
    Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, at least three planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes actuatable in combinations of two to establish at least ten forward gear ratios and one reverse gear ratio. At least one of the torque transmitting mechanisms includes a backing plate having an annular outlet for distributing cooling fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Daryl A. Wilton, James M. Hart, Edward W. Mellet, James B. Borgerson
  • Patent number: 8794414
    Abstract: A coupling assembly for use in transmitting force includes a housing which at least partially encloses a rotatable disc. The housing has a plate portion with an annular force transmitting surface which is engagable with the rotatable disc. A cooling fluid channel is at least partially defined by a side of the plate portion opposite from the force transmitting surface. A plurality of projections extend into a path of flow of cooling fluid through the cooling fluid channel. A cooling fluid inlet includes a passage having a portion with a large cross section connected in fluid communication with a radially outer portion of the cooling fluid channel. A portion of the inlet passage having a small cross section is connected in fluid communication with a radially inner portion of the cooling fluid channel. Ribs extend across the radially inner and outer portions of the cooling fluid channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Jeremy Steven Culmer