Cooling Or Lubricating Patents (Class 192/85.61)
  • Patent number: 11708888
    Abstract: A shaft (W) for a motor vehicle transmission (G) includes four axial bore holes (B1, B2, B3, B4) for conducting fluid within the shaft (W). A central axis of each of the four bore holes (B1, B2, B3, B4) is spaced apart from an axis of rotation (WA) of the shaft (W). A radial distance (r1) between the central axis of at least two of the four bore holes (B1, B2, B3, B4) and the axis of rotation (WA) differs from a radial distance (r2) between the central axis of one of the remaining bore holes and the axis of rotation (WA). A transmission (G) for a motor vehicle with a shaft (W) is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Christoph Margraf, Carl Schilling, Martin Brehmer, Oliver Angele, Manuel Steinmann, Sebastian Freis, Felix Fink, Tamas Gyarmati, Stefan Benz-Breitweg, Robert Reiser, Christian Staiger
  • Patent number: 11585396
    Abstract: A method for automatically warming up a clutch actuator for a clutch of a transmission in a vehicle, wherein the clutch actuator is operable by use of pressurized fluid and configured to actuate the clutch from an engaged to a disengaged state, and/or vice versa, the method including: identifying if a temperature is below a predetermined temperature value and if the clutch actuator is leaking, and if it is identified that the temperature is below the predetermined temperature value and that the clutch actuator is leaking; then repeatedly pressurizing the clutch actuator by use of the pressurized fluid until a state is reached indicative of the clutch actuator being functional, or until a maximum run out state is reached indicative of a faulty clutch actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Ödül Bilen, Magnus Blanckenfiell
  • Patent number: 11181153
    Abstract: A clutch device includes a case, a clutch housing, a multi-disc clutch, and a rolling bearing. The clutch housing is housed in the case. The clutch housing includes a cylindrical portion including a housing space defined in the cylindrical portion, and a wall extending radially inward from an end of the cylindrical portion. The multi-disc clutch is housed in the housing space and includes a plurality of clutch plates. The rolling bearing includes an inner ring, an outer ring, and a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the inner and outer rings. The inner ring of the rolling bearing is attached to an inner ring attachment portion of the case. The outer ring of the rolling bearing is attached to an outer ring attachment portion of the wall of the clutch housing. The rolling bearing supports the clutch housing such that the clutch housing is rotatable relative to the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koudai Sakazaki, Noriyuki Fujii
  • Patent number: 11143293
    Abstract: A power train device for a vehicle is provided with a selector valve that is switched between a first state in which oil discharged from an electric oil pump is able to be supplied as a hydraulic fluid to an engagement hydraulic chamber of a vehicle-starting frictional engagement element, and a second state in which the oil is able to be supplied as a lubricating oil to the vehicle-starting frictional engagement element through a first lubricating oil supply circuit, depending on a magnitude of a discharge pressure of a mechanical oil pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Keitaro Kageyama, Shotaro Nagai, Takashi Ishiyama, Takuya Sugisawa
  • Patent number: 10895320
    Abstract: A vehicle drive device including: a first rotary electric machine; a second rotary electric machine; a first coupler drivingly coupled to a first wheel; a second coupler drivingly coupled to a second wheel; a transmission device that transmits torque of the first rotary electric machine to at least the first coupler out of the first coupler and the second coupler, and transmits torque of the second rotary electric machine to at least the second coupler out of the first coupler and the second coupler; and a case that accommodates the first rotary electric machine, the second rotary electric machine, the first coupler, the second coupler, and the transmission device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daiki Suyama, Natsuki Sada, Jun Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9841020
    Abstract: A hydraulic feed device may include a pendulum-slide cell pump having an internal rotor drivingly connected to an external rotor via pendulum slides. A hydraulic positioning device may have a positioning element for changing an eccentricity between the internal rotor and the external rotor. The positioning element may be preloaded by a spring device for setting a maximum eccentricity. The positioning device may have a first pressure adjusting and a second pressure adjusting chamber for adjusting the positioning element. The first pressure adjusting chamber may be permanently hydraulically connected to a pressure side of the pendulum-slide cell pump and configured to hydraulically counteract the spring device. The second pressure adjusting chamber may be controlled via a control valve and hydraulically connected to the pressure side of the pendulum-slide cell pump and configured to hydraulically counteract the spring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Mahle International GmBH
    Inventors: Edgar Ammon, Ruediger Knauss, Mark Tepler, Christian Richter, Robert Ristovski
  • Patent number: 9016455
    Abstract: A lubrication structure of a driving force transmission apparatus includes a rotating shaft, a friction engagement device, a piston member, a piston housing, a component, a piston chamber, a moving member, a holding member, a rotation stopper, and a hydraulic oil path. The rotating shaft has a shaft direction and is rotatable around the shaft direction. The friction engagement device includes a friction engagement unit which is arranged around an outer circumference of the rotating shaft and in which a plurality of friction materials are alternately laminated along the shaft direction. The piston member is provided movably along the shaft direction to press the friction engagement unit so that the plurality of friction materials engage with each other. The piston housing houses the piston member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Niwata, Takeshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8997960
    Abstract: A cavity 135 having a closed end wall 135a facing an end of a rotational shaft 71 and receiving the end of the rotational shaft 71 therein is defined in an inner surface of a case cover 55 such that supply oil passages 125, 126 are open at inner circumferential surfaces of the cavity 135. At least one radial joint hole 138 is defined in an end portion of the rotational shaft 71 and extends radially of the rotational shaft 71, the radial joint hole 138 having an inner end connected to another oil passage 111 in the rotational shaft 71 than a particular oil passage 112 in the rotational shaft 71. The radial joint hole 138 is connected to a corresponding supply oil passage 125 of the supply oil passages 125, 126, in the cavity 135.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Fujimoto, Kinya Mizuno, Yoshiaki Tsukada
  • Patent number: 8997961
    Abstract: A dual clutch arrangement for a transmission that is provided with a first input shaft and a second input shaft has a clutch housing that is connectable to a drive train in a rotationally fixed fashion. The first and second friction clutches can transmit a torque between the clutch housing and the first and the second input shafts, respectively. The first and second friction clutches are nested in the radial direction with respect to each other and actuated by a first and a second actuating unit that have pistons for pressuring clutch disk packs. The compressive force exerted by the piston of the first actuating unit and the compressive force exerted by the piston of the second actuating unit are directed in axially opposite directions with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Getrag Ford Trasmissions GmbH
    Inventors: Marc Absenger, Friedel Lauscher, Matthias Doelling, Andreas Hegerath, Hansi Gremplini
  • Patent number: 8955661
    Abstract: A valve body assembly for a hybrid drive unit includes a pressure regulator valve, a first on/off shift valve for controlling a stationary clutch, a second on/off shift valve for controlling a rotating clutch, and a third on/off shift valve for controlling a damper bypass clutch. The control system controls the stationary clutch and the rotating clutch to operate the hybrid drive unit in four different modes. The first shift valve, the second shift valve and the third shift valve do not include a regulated pressure feedback port, nor a pressure switch for indicating a clutch fill level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Brian W. Whitmarsh, Tami A. Curtis, Denise Ann Miller
  • Patent number: 8939267
    Abstract: A torque converter includes, in a case coupled to an output shaft of an engine, a torus formed from a pump, a turbine and a stator having a one-way clutch on the inside thereof, and a lock-up clutch. In addition, in this torque converter, a fluid from a pump is introduced from a space between a stator shaft (F2) and a turbine shaft (F1), and discharged from a space between a pump sleeve (23) and the stator shaft (F2) through a space where the lock-up clutch is disposed and the torus. Moreover, this torque converter further includes a seal member (80) which is disposed at a side that is closer to the engine than a spline engagement part (P2) of an inner race (52) and the stator shaft (F2), and seals a space between an inner peripheral face of the inner race (52) and an outer peripheral face of the stator shaft (F2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Norio Iwashita, Tokimori Saka, Takashi Ishiyama, Hidetoshi Maeta
  • Patent number: 8910769
    Abstract: A lubricating structure of a transmission is capable of supplying a lubricating oil with respect to a clutch promptly and stably. The lubricating structure of the transmission includes a first oil passage 53 which extends in a second input shaft 18 from one end side thereof to a first position, and the lubricating oil is supplied from the one end side, a second oil passage 54 which connects to the first oil passage 53 at the first position and extends in the second input shaft 18 to a second position, a first lubrication hole 55 which distributes the lubricating oil to the second clutch 20 at the first position, and a second lubrication hole 56 which distributes the lubricating oil to a transmission mechanism 40 at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keita Yano, Shoji Machida
  • Patent number: 8899397
    Abstract: A clutch control system of a clutch apparatus for a vehicle, includes a regulator valve switchable between a first mode in which a fluid pressure of a hydraulic fluid to a pressurized chamber is regulated to a first predetermined fluid pressure and a second mode in which the fluid pressure to a canceller chamber is regulated to a second predetermined fluid pressure, the regulator valve discharging a portion of the hydraulic fluid as a drain lubricant to the clutch portion, a switching valve switchable between a supply mode in which the hydraulic fluid is supplied to the pressurized chamber and a discharge mode in which the pressurized chamber is connected to a reservoir, and a control valve controlling the regulator valve to be switched between the first mode and the second mode and controlling the switching valve to be switched between the supply mode and the discharge mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichi Ito, Minoru Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8900086
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a vehicle clutch assembly can include an on-demand variable displacement pump and a purge valve for regulating hydraulic pressure supplied to the clutch(es). The hydraulic pressure at the pump can have multiple displacement settings to compensate for variable changes in clutch pressure requirements. The purge valve can be configured to purge hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic system so that an optimum, controllable, and/or pre-determined operating pressure can be supplied to the clutch(es). The system can be configured to provide accurate control of clutch(es) when a drivetrain is being automatically controlled to switch between a low gear ratio and a high gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsushi Asano, Bobbie Burke, Andrew J. Fox
  • Patent number: 8851861
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a vehicle powertrain includes a module including a clutch, an electric machine and a first sump, a transmission including a line pressure source and a second sump, and a pump that supplies fluid from the first sump to the line pressure source when the source of line pressure is unavailable, and supplies fluid from the first sump to the second sump when fluid volume in the second sump is low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Frait, Steven G. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140284168
    Abstract: A lubrication structure of a driving force transmission apparatus includes a rotating shaft, a friction engagement device, a piston member, a piston housing, a component, a piston chamber, a moving member, a holding member, a rotation stopper, and a hydraulic oil path. The rotating shaft has a shaft direction and is rotatable around the shaft direction. The friction engagement device includes a friction engagement unit which is arranged around an outer circumference of the rotating shaft and in which a plurality of friction materials are alternately laminated along the shaft direction. The piston member is provided movably along the shaft direction to press the friction engagement unit so that the plurality of friction materials engage with each other. The piston housing houses the piston member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji NIWATA, Takeshi YOSHIDA
  • Patent number: 8812204
    Abstract: In an oil pump control apparatus of a vehicle includes a first driving power source for propelling the vehicle, a first oil pump driven by the first driving power source, a second oil pump driven by a second driving power source, and a hydraulically-operated portion supplied with working oil from the first and second pumps, a look-ahead vehicle speed estimation section is provided for estimating, based on a vehicle running condition, a look-ahead vehicle speed, which may occur a given elapsed time later. Also provided is a second-oil-pump control section configured to predict, based on the look-ahead vehicle speed, whether a lack in discharge pressure produced by the first pump from a required hydraulic pressure, and further configured to start up the second pump, when it is predicted that a lack in discharge pressure of the first pump from the required hydraulic pressure occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignees: JATCO Ltd, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takateru Kawaguchi, Shigeki Shimanaka
  • Patent number: 8726854
    Abstract: A fan drive system is provided having a housing connected with a pulley. A fan shaft is rotatably mounted to the housing by a clutch. A piston actuates the clutch. A pressure tube is provided for delivering pressure to the piston. A valve controls pressure against the piston. A fixed shaft rotatably supports the housing and the pulley and has passages extending through the pulley. A base connects the support shaft to a vehicle structure. An oil plate has inlets and outlets with the shaft passages. The oil plate circulates the hydraulic fluid. A coolant plate is juxtaposed between the oil plate and the structure supporting the support shaft. The coolant plate has inlets and outlets for coolant from a remote cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Dale M. Pickelman, Jr., Thomas Tembreull, Michael Cooper, Paul Crockett, Michael Hagedorn, Justin Rumao
  • Patent number: 8714331
    Abstract: The present invention provides a starting clutch disposed between a transmission and an engine and having a wet type multi-plate clutch for transmitting a power, in which the wet type multi-plate clutch includes a plurality of friction plates housed for an axial sliding movement, a clutch drum for housing the friction plates, and a piston for urging a radial central region or therearound of the friction plate to engage the friction plates, and oil which has lubricated the wet type multi-plate clutch is temporarily trapped within the clutch drum and then is discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: NSK-Warner K.K.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Miyazaki, Shun Kitahara, Manabu Sawayanagi, Masaki Sakai, Yosuke Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8714332
    Abstract: A main shaft has a shaft cylindrical portion extending from an outer periphery of a large-diameter portion. A drum has a drum cylindrical portion extending from an outer periphery of a drum plate portion. An axial forward end of the drum cylindrical portion is arranged in an inside of the shaft cylindrical portion. A frictional engagement unit of a clutch is provided in an inside of the shaft cylindrical portion. A motor generator has a rotor, which is firmly fitted to outer walls of the large-diameter portion and the shaft cylindrical portion and rotatable relative to a stator. A working-oil supply passage is formed in an inside of an input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Noguchi, Hiroshi Okada, Hiroyuki Usami, Yoshihiro Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8701849
    Abstract: A lubricating oil passage 113 includes an upstream oil passage 113a defined coaxially in a rotational shaft 71 for supplying lubricating oil to lubricated parts and a downstream oil passage 113b connected to the upstream oil passage 113a for supplying lubricating oil to canceler chambers 97, 107. The downstream oil passage 113b may be smaller in diameter than the upstream oil passage 113a and having at least a portion extending parallel to the axis of the rotational shaft 71. Control oil passages 111, 112 which have axes parallel to the axis of the rotational shaft 71 are defined in the rotational shaft 71 such that at least a portion of the control oil passages 111, 112 is disposed in a range wherein the downstream oil passage 113b is provided in a direction along the axis of the rotational shaft 71.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Fujimoto, Kinya Mizuno, Yoshiaki Tsukada
  • Publication number: 20140097060
    Abstract: A first electric motor cooling flow passage (120A) and a first electric motor lubrication flow passage (121A) supply oil from an electric oil pump (70) through the outer side of one end (E1) of the first electric motor (2A) to the portions (A1, A2) of the first electric motor (2A) which are to be cooled/lubricated. A second electric motor cooling flow passage (120B) and a second electric motor lubrication flow passage (121B) supply oil from the electric oil pump (70) through the outer side of the other end (E2) of the second electric motor (2B) to the portions (B1, B2) of the second electric motor (2B) which are to be cooled/lubricated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Hoshinoya, Keiichi Ooiso
  • Patent number: 8672113
    Abstract: Hydraulic fan drive system with oil flow system. A modular valve mechanism is provided with coaxial oil passages to circulating lubrication oil through the clutch and to and from a heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua L. Roby, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140054126
    Abstract: A valve body assembly for a hybrid drive unit includes a pressure regulator valve, a first on/off shift valve for controlling a stationary clutch, a second on/off shift valve for controlling a rotating clutch, and a third on/off shift valve for controlling a damper bypass clutch. The control system controls the stationary clutch and the rotating clutch to operate the hybrid drive unit in four different modes. The first shift valve, the second shift valve and the third shift valve do not include a regulated pressure feedback port, nor a pressure switch for indicating a clutch fill level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Brian W. Whitmarsh, Tami A. Curtis, Denise Ann Miller
  • Patent number: 8652005
    Abstract: A transmission configuration for a vehicle with at least a wet clutch (7) functioning as starting element. A coolant and a lubricant supply is provided via at least a pump device (5) which can be driven by a drive motor (1) of the vehicle. The pump device (5) can be driven in such a way that the conveyed flow volume of the pump device (5) is proportional to the rotational speed difference between the rotational speed of the drive motor (1) and the rotational speed of the clutch (7) which is designed and functions as the starting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Mark Mohr, Matthias Reisch, Jurgen Wafzig
  • Patent number: 8647078
    Abstract: A pumping system for an automatic transmission includes a valve body containing transmission fluid having an upper level, a hydraulic pump mounted on a wall of the valve body, and an electric motor driveably connected to the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Steven A. Frait
  • Patent number: 8640846
    Abstract: A wet clutch includes a rotatable hub and a rotatable drum having an aperture extending therethrough. A plurality of outer clutch plates are fixed for rotation with the drum. A plurality of inner clutch plates are fixed for rotation with the hub and interleaved with the outer clutch plates. A piston is moveable to apply a force to the inner and outer clutch plates to transfer torque between the hub and the drum. A cover is moveable relative to the drum between first and second positions. The cover selectively restricts a flow of fluid through the aperture in the drum when in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Muizelaar, Sean Steele, Jianwen Li, Andrew Kowalski
  • Patent number: 8636126
    Abstract: A hydraulic clutch for preventing a drag of a clutch at the time of disengaging the clutch by decreasing an oil supply quantity between a plurality of clutch plates and a plurality of clutch discs thus decreasing a change hitting sound at the time of shifting. A hydraulic clutch is configured such that the superposition between an oil supply hole formed in a clutch pressure plate and an oil supply hole formed in a clutch center becomes maximum when the clutch is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Fukaya, Kosaku Takahashi, Junya Watanabe, Dai Arai, Masataka Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8571772
    Abstract: A method and device are provided for securing lubrication of an automated manual transmission, AMT, in a vehicle, when towing the vehicle, and where a transmission lubrication system is drivingly connected to and driven by rotation of an intermediate shaft of the AMT. The following steps can be executed in mentioned order and starting from when ignition of the vehicle is switched on: registering a signal that towing of the vehicle is demanded, disengaging all gears that are arranged to drivingly engage or disengage an input shaft to the intermediate shaft of the automated manual transmission, and engaging one gear that is arranged to drivingly engage or disengage the intermediate shaft to an output shaft of the automated manual transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Johan Bjernetun, Anders Eriksson, Johnny Yngve
  • Patent number: 8561775
    Abstract: A vehicle drive device has an engine, a transmission, a clutch device and a clutch operating mechanism which operates the clutch device to drivingly connect the engine to the transmission. The clutch operating mechanism has a clutch drum secured to the outer circumferential surface of an input shaft of the transmission and holding a second clutch section which is engageable with a first clutch section held on an input member of the clutch device to which a driving power of the engine is transmitted. The clutch drum has a drum chamber, a fixed plate closing an opening of the drum chamber, a piston surrounded by the clutch drum and partitioning the drum chamber into a hydraulic chamber and a spring chamber, and an urging element provided inside the spring chamber to be surrounded by the clutch drum and urging the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masami Osawa, Shinichi Ito
  • Patent number: 8534440
    Abstract: A clutch arrangement includes a housing filled with fluid, a first friction surface formation rotatable with the housing around an axis of rotation, a second friction surface formation rotatable with a driven element around the axis of rotation, a pressing element rotatable with the housing around the axis of rotation and which divides an interior space of the housing into a first spatial area and a second spatial area. Depending on fluid pressure in the first and fluid pressure in the second spatial areas, the pressing element is movable with respect to the housing for producing and canceling a frictional engagement between the and the second friction surface formations. A fluid supply system for the first spatial area and/or the second spatial area includes at least a first fluid flow path. The fluid can be supplied to the associated spatial area via at least one fluid flow path and fluid can be removed from the associated spatial area via at least one fluid flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Jörg Sudau, Rüdiger Lotze, Arthur Schröder, Angelika Ebert, Michael Kneuer, Gregor Sueck
  • Publication number: 20130228411
    Abstract: Power takeoff lubrication devices and methods are disclosed. Embodiments include an accumulator connected to a power takeoff fluid supply line and storing fluid (which may be under pressure) for selective use independent of the fluid being supplied by the fluid supply line. In some embodiments, the fluid in the accumulator is supplied to various components within the power takeoff, including the clutch plates (which may have fluid supplied prior to and/or during engagement), which can decrease wear and/or clutch temperature. In some embodiments, the fluid in the accumulator is supplied to the clutch piston to actuate the clutch piston when the pressure in the supply line is less than optimal and/or to stabilize the pressures in the hydraulic lines connected to the clutch piston. In still further embodiments, the fluid in the accumulator is supplied to the clutch when the fluid supply line pressure is less than optimal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: Muncie Power Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Wesley, Brian Young
  • Patent number: 8522945
    Abstract: A failsafe system for a heavy-duty multi-speed clutch includes a thermal valve coupled within a clutch pressure tube orifice circuit protecting a clutch pack from heat degradation. When oil temperature of the clutch reaches a level where thermal degradation can occur, the thermal valve allows flow into a clutch piston system at a maximum operating pressure, thereby engaging a clutch drive and cooling the clutch to a safe condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Dale M. Pickelman, Theodore A. Malott
  • Patent number: 8485141
    Abstract: A fan drive system is provided having a housing connected with a pulley. A fan shaft is rotatably mounted to the housing by a clutch. A piston actuates the clutch. A pressure tube is provided for delivering pressure to the piston. A valve controls pressure against the piston. A fixed shaft rotatably supports the housing and the pulley and has passages extending through the pulley. A base connects the support shaft to a vehicle structure. An oil plate has inlets and outlets with the shaft passages. The oil plate circulates the hydraulic fluid. A coolant plate is juxtaposed between the oil plate and the structure supporting the support shaft. The coolant plate has inlets and outlets for coolant from a remote cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Dale M. Pickelman, Jr., Thomas Tembreull, Michael Cooper, Paul Crockett, Michael Hagedorn, Justin Rumao
  • Patent number: 8474589
    Abstract: A compact universal fluid-actuated clutch employs a pair of tapered roller bearings between a cover plate and output shaft, the roller bearings serving to not only rotationally maintain the output shaft, but receive and transfer clutch reactionary forces therethrough. Lubrication to the tapered roller bearings serves to lubricate not only a thrust bearing through which the actuation forces are transferred, but also to lubricate the clutch, as well, in the embodiment of a wet clutch. Also provided is an output shaft brake assembly, which is also lubricated through the tapered roller bearings, and which is of a small compact nature, consisting of a piston rotatably secured to the end cover, and a rotor operatively attached to the output shaft. The invention substantially eliminates the need for rotary unions and rifle boring of the output shaft, and allows for adaptation of the shaft to direct or belt drive equipment connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: EBO Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy A. Clapp
  • Patent number: 8474416
    Abstract: A hydraulically controlled fan drive system is provided including a housing containing a hydraulic fluid, a pulley connected to the housing a fan shaft rotatably mounted to the housing by a hydraulically actuated clutch, a piston mounted within a piston housing for actuating the clutch, a pitot tube for delivering pressurized hydraulic fluid from the housing to the piston housing, a valve for controlling the fluid pressure within the piston housing, a shaft rotationally supporting the housing having passages extending through the pulley, a base connected with the shaft connecting the shaft with a structure, the base having coolant inlet and outlet, and an oil cooler connected with the base on a side of said base generally axially opposite of the pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Dale M. Pickelman, Jr., Theodore A. Malott, Christopher D. Reniger
  • Patent number: 8459432
    Abstract: A wet clutch includes a rotatable hub and a rotatable drum having an aperture extending therethrough. A plurality of outer clutch plates are fixed for rotation with the drum. A plurality of inner clutch plates are fixed for rotation with the hub and interleaved with the outer clutch plates. A piston is moveable to apply a force to the inner and outer clutch plates to transfer torque between the hub and the drum. A cover is moveable relative to the drum between first and second positions. The cover selectively restricts a flow of fluid through the aperture in the drum when in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Muizelaar, Sean Steele, Jianwen Li, Andrew Kowalski
  • Patent number: 8453817
    Abstract: A hybrid drive train (1) has an electric machine (15) with a stator (16) fastened to a clutch housing (18) and a rotor (20) that can be rotated relative to the stator (16) with a radial gap (22) therebetween. The hybrid drive train (1) also has a wet-running multiple disk clutch device (8) with an outer multiple disk carrier (24) that has at least one oil passage opening (41). The radial gap (22) between the rotor (20) and the stator (16) is shielded from the oil passage opening (41) of the outer multiple disk carrier (24) by an oil shielding device (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. H.C. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Henrik Schrage
  • Patent number: 8443956
    Abstract: A dual clutch transmission having a hydraulic circuit for controlling and cooling the clutches of a dual clutch transmission having lube valves in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid and wherein the cooling flow is controlled by a solenoid which is adapted to move a valve member to produce a flow area through the valve that is an inverse function of the current delivered to the solenoid and so as to deliver a predetermined control solenoid pressure ultimately to each of the clutches of a dual clutch transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Bauer, Xiaoning Xiang, Melissa Koenig
  • Patent number: 8376111
    Abstract: A torque transmitting device having an apply/return plate or member is provided. The torque transmitting device includes a hydraulically actuated piston and a clutch pack. The plate includes an annular disc having an inner edge and an outer edge and having a first side and a second side. A plurality of tabs extend radially out from the outer edge. A plurality of drain holes are disposed through the annular disc extending between the first side and the second side and located between the outer edge and the inner edge. The plate contacts the clutch pack to engage the clutch pack when translated by the piston and hydraulic or lubrication fluid communicates through the drain holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Scott William Heitzenrater
  • Publication number: 20120241272
    Abstract: A hydraulic control device controls a hydraulic pressure in an engagement side oil chamber defined on one side of a piston that configures a hydraulic clutch, and a hydraulic pressure in a back-pressure side oil chamber defined on the other side of the piston. The hydraulic control device includes a line pressure generating valve that generates a line pressure by adjusting a hydraulic pressure from an oil pump; a secondary pressure generating valve that generates a secondary pressure, which is a hydraulic pressure supplied to the back-pressure side oil chamber, by adjusting a hydraulic pressure from the line pressure generating valve so as to be lower than the line pressure; and a clutch engagement pressure generating valve that generates a clutch engagement pressure, which is a hydraulic pressure supplied to the engagement side oil chamber, by adjusting the line pressure from the line pressure generating valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoya JINNO, Masamichi YAMAGUCHI, Tetsuya SHIMIZU, Kenichi TSUCHIDA, Kazunori ISHIKAWA
  • Patent number: 8267233
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for controlling a double-clutch transmission operating with wet clutches. A pump provides a system pressure in a supply line, and a control valve for applying to individual clutch actuators an actuation pressure that is derived from the system pressure and that is modulated in accordance with the operating conditions. A charging valve directs hydraulic fluid delivered by the pump into a return line when the system pressure is reached, wherein the hydraulic fluid flowing through the return line can be fed to the clutches to cool them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Marco Grethel
  • Patent number: 8245827
    Abstract: A clutch-brake assembly transmits force to rotate a shaft and to retain the shaft against rotation. The assembly includes a plurality of force transmitting members which transmit force between a piston and a base member. A plurality of springs urge the piston to move relative to the base member. A plurality of spring retainers are disposed between the base member and the piston. Each of the spring retainers includes a plurality of projecting portions extending from the base portion. Each of the springs is telescopically disposed on one of the projecting portions. Each of the force transmitting members is disposed between adjacent spring retainers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Steve Tekesky, James M. Latsko, Gerald Matthew Szpak
  • Patent number: 8215470
    Abstract: A starting device includes a housing; an output side member; a clutch mechanism; a working oil passage that supplies working oil to a hydraulic chamber of the clutch mechanism from an oil pressure source side; and a lubricating oil passage including a supply oil passage that supplies lubricating oil to the housing from the oil pressure source side and a return oil passage for returning the lubricating oil to the oil pressure source side from the housing, wherein the working oil passage and the lubricating oil passage are formed to overlap at least partially in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Ishikawa, Koji Maeda, Hiroshi Katou, Keizo Araki, Yuito Abe
  • Publication number: 20120048672
    Abstract: A fan drive system is provided having a housing connected with a pulley. A fan shaft is rotatably mounted to the housing by a clutch. A piston actuates the clutch. A pressure tube is provided for delivering pressure to the piston. A valve controls pressure against the piston. A fixed shaft rotatably supports the housing and the pulley and has passages extending through the pulley. A base connects the support shaft to a vehicle structure. An oil plate has inlets and outlets with the shaft passages. The oil plate circulates the hydraulic fluid. A coolant plate is juxtaposed between the oil plate and the structure supporting the support shaft. The coolant plate has inlets and outlets for coolant from a remote cooler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: BORGWARNER INC.
    Inventors: Dale M. Pickelman, JR., Thomas Tembreull, Michael Cooper, Paul Crockett, Michael Hagedorn, Justin Rumao
  • Publication number: 20120024655
    Abstract: A compact universal fluid-actuated clutch employs a pair of tapered roller bearings between a cover plate and output shaft, the roller bearings serving to not only rotationally maintain the output shaft, but receive and transfer clutch reactionary forces therethrough. Lubrication to the tapered roller bearings serves to lubricate not only a thrust bearing through which the actuation forces are transferred, but also to lubricate the clutch, as well, in the embodiment of a wet clutch. Also provided is an output shaft brake assembly, which is also lubricated through the tapered roller bearings, and which is of a small compact nature, consisting of a piston rotatably secured to the end cover, and a rotor operatively attached to the output shaft. The invention substantially eliminates the need for rotary unions and rifle boring of the output shaft, and allows for adaptation of the shaft to direct or belt drive equipment connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: Timothy A. Clapp
  • Patent number: 8087506
    Abstract: The invention concerns a multi-disk brake (1) in an automatic transmission, with an inner disk carrier (4) and an outer disk carrier (6), with inner disks (3) and outer disks (5) arranged axially in alternation on the disk carriers (4, 6), with friction linings (7) on the inner and/or outer disks (3, 5), with a piston (10) of a pressure-medium-actuated piston-cylinder arrangement such that the inner disks (3) and outer disks (5) can be acted upon by a force to close the multi-disk brake, with an end disk (9) or support disk (11) that forms an axial abutment for the disk set (14) formed by the disks (3, 5, 9, 11), and in which the disk brake (1) and/or the components around it are so configured that the disks (3, 5, 9, 11) can be wetted by a cooling oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Josef Haupt
  • Patent number: 8042672
    Abstract: A hydraulic arrangement for controlling a twin-clutch transmission of a motor vehicle. The hydraulic arrangement has a hydraulic energy source for supplying the hydraulic arrangement with hydraulic energy with a hydraulic medium; a pressure accumulator for storing the hydraulic energy; and a clutch cooling device for cooling clutches of the twin-clutch transmission with the hydraulic medium. A transmission lubrication process and/or a transmission cooling process for cooling and/or lubricating a transmission of the twin-clutch transmission with the hydraulic medium is/are carried out, in addition to a prioritization process for prioritizing the supply of the pressure accumulator before the clutch cooling, and the clutch cooling before the transmission lubrication and/or transmission cooling by means of the hydraulic medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marco Grethel, Martin Staudinger
  • Patent number: 8037990
    Abstract: A lubrication controlling method for a starting clutch including a wet type multi-plate clutch disposed between a transmission and an engine of a vehicle and adapted to transmit a power, the method including always supplying lubricant oil during an operation of the wet type multi-plate clutch, continuously changing a flow amount of the lubricant oil in accordance with a condition of the wet type multi-plate clutch, and controlling the amount of the lubricant oil so that a supplied amount of the lubricant oil during an idle rotation of the wet type multi-plate clutch is greater than a supplied amount of the lubricant oil during the complete engagement of the wet type multi-plate clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: NSK-Warner K.K.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Miyazaki, Shun Kitahara, Manabu Sawayanagi, Masaki Sakai, Yosuke Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8041483
    Abstract: Externally deployed airbag system for a vehicle including one or more inflatable airbags deployable outside of the vehicle, an anticipatory sensor system for assessing the probable severity of an impact involving the vehicle based on data obtained prior to the impact and initiating inflation of the airbag(s) in the event an impact above a threshold severity is assessed, and an inflator coupled to the anticipatory sensor system and the airbag for inflating the airbag when initiated by the anticipatory sensor system. The airbag may be housed in a module mounted along a side of the vehicle, in a side door of the vehicle (both for side impact protection), at a front of the vehicle (for frontal impact protection) or at a rear of the vehicle (for rear impact protection). Also, the externally deployed airbag can be deployed to cushion a pedestrian's impact against the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Automotive Technologies International, Inc.
    Inventor: David S. Breed