Input From Independent Power Sources Patents (Class 475/1)
  • Patent number: 10288094
    Abstract: A hydrostatic drive includes a diesel engine and a hydrostatic adjustable machine which supplies multiple consumers in normal operation as a pump. The machine has a pressure/flow regulator to which is communicated, according to the load-sensing principle, the highest load pressure of the consumers, in particular when the machine is operated as a pump. In order to realize a start/stop function of the diesel engine, a previously charged high-pressure reservoir supplies the hydrostatic machine, which then acts as a starter motor for the diesel engine. In order to switch from pump to starter motor, the hydro-machine is adjusted over zero. In order for this switch to take place quickly and reliably, the pressure/flow regulator is deactivated by means of a switching valve and the adjustment device is supplied with an adjustment pressure medium via the switching valve, which medium is taken from the high-pressure reservoir or from an auxiliary reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Carola Spielvogel, Michael Mast, Olivier Krajka, Paul Luis Hernandez Ladera, Dietmar Bantle
  • Patent number: 10150464
    Abstract: Disclosed in the present invention is a dual-structured power output apparatus of an electric drive and power system that provides a means for outputting both mechanical power and electrical power. It comprises dual motor/generators having two stator assemblies, two rotor assemblies and a power transmission unit all integrated into a single housing for easy mounting. The power transmission unit is disposed adjacent to the two motor/generators and coupled on both ends to rotating shafts mechanically linked to the rotor assemblies such that they are rotatable relative to each other. It function is to change the rotational speed and torque of at least one of the rotors in order to reduce weight and physical size of the apparatus, and thus significantly improving the power density and capability. The structure of the apparatus is well-suited to improve the performance and fuel efficiency of the prior art hybrid powertrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Altigreen Propulsion Labs Private Limited
    Inventors: John F. Bangura, Lasse Moklegaard, Amitabh Saran
  • Patent number: 9976639
    Abstract: An electric actuator to be mounted on an object having a stationary section and a movable section is provided. The electric actuator is configured to actuate the movable section of the object. The electric actuator is provided with a case fixedly attached to the stationary section, and includes a gear mechanism provided in the case. The gear mechanism includes a rotational member rotatable about a common axis and connected with a first motor, an internal gear formed in the rotational member, a sun gear rotatable about the common axis and connected with a second motor, and a planetary gear provided between the internal gear and the sun gear. The planetary gear is connected with an output section for actuating the movable section of the object. The rotational member is rotatably supported a bearing provided between an inner surface of the case and an outer surface of the rotational member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: NABTESCO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tsutomu Yasui
  • Patent number: 9835244
    Abstract: A planetary gear train for a wind power plant includes a planetary stage rotating in a gear train housing, a spur gear stage downstream of the planetary stage, a sun wheel shaft which is non-rotatably connected to a sun wheel of the planetary gear stage, and a hollow shaft which is coaxially surrounded by a spur gear of the spur gear stage and is non-rotatably connected to the spur gear. The sun wheel shaft and the hollow shaft are non-rotatably connected to each other by a toothed coupling, with an outer toothing of the sun wheel shaft meshing with an inner toothing of the hollow shaft. The planetary gear train includes oil-guide ducts which produce a connection between an oil inlet connected to the gear train housing, on the one hand, and the toothed coupling and the axial contact surface, on the other hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Deitmers, Ralf Möllendorf
  • Patent number: 9512906
    Abstract: A feature for joining gear wheels includes a disk portion 21 and external cogs 22 provided to an input means 12, a second cylindrical guiding portion 31 provided on one side of an internal/external gear wheel 15 and coaxial with a first cylindrical guiding portion 30, an external gear wheel 18 rotatably fit in and attached to the input means 12 and having external cogs 38 having a same shape as the external cogs 22 of the input means 12 and engaging with internal cogs 33 of the gear wheel 15, and an internal gear wheel 19 having the internal cogs 40 engaging with the external cogs 22 and the external cogs 38, having an annular guiding portion 39 to be guided by the second cylindrical guiding portion 31, arranged in between the disk portion 21 and the internal/external gear wheel 15, and revolving along with the gear wheel 15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Inventor: Masayuki Ikeda
  • Patent number: 9494218
    Abstract: In a power plant, the rotational speeds of four rotary elements, formed by a rotatable carrier that rotatably supports first and second pinion gears which are in mesh with each other, first and second gears which are in mesh with one of the two pinion gears, and a third gear, which is in mesh with the other of the two pinion gears, satisfy a collinear relationship in which the rotational speeds are aligned in a single straight line in a collinear chart. The first and second outer rotary elements, which are positioned at opposite outer sides of the straight line in the collinear chart, respectively, are connected to first and second energy input/output units, respectively. First and second quasi-outer rotary elements positioned adjacent to the first and second outer rotary elements, respectively, are connected to one and the other of two driven parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenji Honda
  • Patent number: 9493186
    Abstract: A gear assembly with two inputs and two outputs which can be used on zero turn riding mowers or similar vehicles. The first input is a propelling input and the second input is a steering input. The assembly contains a planet carrier, a first planetary gear assembly, and a second planetary gear assembly. The propelling input is engaged with the planet carrier. The first and second planetary gear assemblies contain a ring gear. The steering input is engaged with the ring gears. The steering input is either a helical bevel gear, straight bevel gear, or a gear train. In another version, the gear assembly can have two planet carriers connected externally to the planetary gear assemblies. In this instance, a central gear is used in between the first planetary gear assembly and the second planetary gear assembly to connect the sun gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Inventor: Gale Edward Maddy
  • Publication number: 20150111678
    Abstract: A drive system includes first and second power sources, a planetary gearset including an output, and first and second inputs driveably connected, respectively, to the first and second power sources, a pinion supported for rotation, and a synchronizer for alternately releasing a drive connection between the pinion and output and substantially synchronizing a speed of the pinion and a speed of the output before driveably connecting the pinion and the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: John E. Robarge, Craig M. Renneker, Brian R. Light, Norman J. Bird, Matthew S. Eiszler
  • Publication number: 20150105199
    Abstract: An actuator for an aircraft is provided. The actuator comprises a first motor, a second motor and an actuator output, which are interconnected by a gear assembly. The actuator output is driveable by the first motor independently of the second motor; the actuator output is driveable by the second motor independently of the first motor; and the actuator output is driveable by the first and second motors in combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Terence Ross Golding
  • Publication number: 20150098300
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for producing an orbital movement in a plane (20) is disclosed. The apparatus (10) comprises a lower shaft (40) and an upper shaft (30), being parallelly and eccentrically attached to one another, and a platform (50) mounted on the upper shaft (30). A ring gear (60) is attached to the platform (50) and coaxially rotatable about the upper shaft (30). A gear wheel (80) is coaxially rotatably mounted on the lower shaft (40) and engages with the ring gear (60).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventor: Niels Annau
  • Patent number: 8915813
    Abstract: A continuously variable hydrostatic transmission (10) having torque division for a vehicle comprises a first hydrostatic unit (H1) operating as a pump and a second hydrostatic unit (H2) operating as a motor, and further a planetary drive (12), a first shaft (W1) on the drive side and a summing means (W6). The power present at the first shaft (W1) is divided by way of the planetary drive (12) to a mechanical transmission branch (Z9, W2, Z1, Z2) and a hydraulic transmission branch (Z7, W3, Z4, Z5, Z6, H1, H2) formed by the two hydraulically coupled hydrostatic units (H1, H2) and is combined again at the summing means (W6). In such a transmission, a compact and simplified design and great flexibility in application are achieved in that the power transmission between the first shaft (W1) and summing means (W6) can be controlled exclusively by varying the displacements of the hydrostatic units (H1, H2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: MALI Holding AG
    Inventors: Markus Liebherr, Peter Dziuba, Josef Häglsperger
  • Patent number: 8915812
    Abstract: A hydrostatically power-splitting transmission (10), particularly for agricultural and construction equipment, comprises at least two hydrostats (H2), which are hydraulically connected to each other and operate as pumps or as motors, wherein at least one of the hydrostats (H2) can be adjusted or pivoted by means of a controller (16, 20, 21; SK1, . . . SK4), mechanical coupling means (K1, K2; Z1, . . . , Z12), which couple the hydrostats (H1, H2) to an inner drive shaft (W1) and an inner driven shaft (W7), a housing (14, 31) comprising a cover (14) and a housing bottom part (31), wherein the hydrostats (H1, H2), the inner drive and driven shafts (W1, W7), and the mechanical coupling means (Z7, Z9) are disposed and attached on the bottom of the cover (14), and in the lower housing part an outer drive shaft accessible from the outside and a driven shaft are supported, which are operatively connected to the inner drive shaft or driven shaft when the housing is assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: MALI Holding AG
    Inventors: Josef Häglsperger, Peter Dziuba, Josef Bauer, Katharina Liebherr
  • Publication number: 20140274521
    Abstract: A rotational power transmission apparatus is provided including an input coupler having first and second input shafts, a differential engine coupled to the first input shaft and transmitting power to a first output shaft. First and second one-way bearings are coupled to the first output shaft. A first torque converter is coupled to the first one-way bearing, and a second torque converter coupled to the second one-way bearing. An output coupler is coupled to output from the first torque converter, output from the second torque converter and a second output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Ervin Weisz
  • Publication number: 20140274523
    Abstract: A split-axis transmission hybrid system may include two planetary gear sets to provide two parallel torque paths from an input axis to an output axis. A secondary power source may be coupled to either the input axis or the output axis to provide torque to the system. Thus, the split-axis transmission hybrid system may provide the ratio preselection capability and the low power losses of a dual-clutch transmission and the ratio-changing control and smoothness of a traditional powershift automatic transmission, while also providing the improved efficiency and enhanced drivability of a hybrid power source arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: James Potter
  • Patent number: 8798838
    Abstract: A control device of a hybrid vehicle includes an engine, a motor/generator, a first clutch, an automatic transmission, a second clutch, and startup/shifting simultaneous processing section. When engine speed increase control for increasing the engine speed by the motor/generator in order to start up the engine during travel and downshifting control of the automatic transmission are processed in parallel, the startup/shifting simultaneous processing section uses the motor torque of the motor/generator to increase the increase of input speed by the downshifting control to a target input speed while engine speed increase control is being performed by the motor/generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., JATCO Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumihiro Yamanaka, Masami Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8798839
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle control device is provided with an engine, a motor/generator, a first clutch, an automatic transmission, a second clutch, and a controller having a simultaneous process selection control section. The simultaneous process selection control section performs engine startup control and downshift control in parallel in cases where the torque outputtable by the motor subsequent to downshifting during overlap of an engine startup request and a downshift request is equal to or greater than the engine startup torque, or performs engine startup control first then downshift control in cases where the torque outputtable by the motor subsequent to downshifting is less than the engine startup torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., JATCO Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumihiro Yamanaka, Masami Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20140179477
    Abstract: A vehicle using a first MG, a second MG, and an engine as drive sources includes an electric oil pump, a mechanical oil pump driven by power of the engine, and a hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic circuit includes first oil passages for supplying oil to the first MG, a second oil passage for supplying oil to the second MG, a switch-over valve capable of switching over states of communication of the first oil passage, and a switch control valve that outputs pilot hydraulic pressure to the switch-over valve. States of the switch-over valve are switched over in accordance with hydraulic pressure from the switch control valve and hydraulic pressure from the mechanical pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masafumi YAMAMOTO, Atsushi TABATA, Koichi OKUDA, Keita IMAI, Keisuke OMURO
  • Patent number: 8678967
    Abstract: A power split gearbox, in particular for a motor vehicle, includes a mechanical power branch and a hydrostatic power branch. The mechanical power branch and hydrostatic power branch, in a parallel arrangement with respect to one another, are in contact with a common drive shaft. The branched power from the mechanical power branch and hydrostatic power branch are combined in a gear drive arranged on an end side. The mechanical power branch has two planetary gear sets with sun gears, planet gears and internal gears. A clutch is arranged on a side of one of the two planetary gear sets. An internal gear is connected to a sun gear shaft by the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Mario Reimann, Alexander Baar, Andreas Meise, Stefan Frank, Manuel Matalla
  • Patent number: 8668610
    Abstract: An electro-hydraulic servo synchronizer for MW wind turbine generator system includes a 2K-H differential planetary drive mechanism and a direct drive volume control system. The 2K-H differential planetary drive mechanism comprises a planet carrier, a planet gear, a ring gear, a sun gear, and a control gear, the input end of the planet carrier is an input shaft I, the output end of the sun gear is an output shaft II, the central shaft of the control gear is a shaft III. The direct drive volume control system comprises a constant displacement motor, a two-way constant delivery pump and a servo motor, the servo motor is connected with the two-way constant delivery pump, the two-way constant delivery pump is connected with the constant displacement motor, and the constant displacement motor is connected with the shaft III, so as to drive the control gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Jinan Railway Vehicles Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chuanhai Zhou
  • Patent number: 8649950
    Abstract: A rotary power source directly drives an epicyclic gear set, or drives the epicyclic gear set through a transmission device, and a respective controllable multiple speed-ratio device is individually installed between two output shafts of the epicyclic gear set and the loads driven thereby, to enable the wheel sets of the driven loads to be differentially driven with a different driving speed ratio and driving torque while propelling a combined common load. A limited slip differential or stabilizer device may be connected between the output ends of the two controllable multiple speed-ratio devices, the limited slip differential or stabilizer providing a slip coupling torque to stabilize driving of the respective individual loads, as necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Patent number: 8622860
    Abstract: A vehicle driveline and a method for transferring energy from a flywheel is provided. The vehicle driveline includes a power source, a clutch drivingly engaged with the power source, a transmission drivingly engaged with the clutch, a power transmission device drivingly engaged with one of the power source, the clutch, and the transmission, a controller in communication with the power transmission device, and a flywheel drivingly engaged with the power transmission device. The power transmission device facilitates a transfer of energy from the flywheel to one of the clutch and the transmission. The power transmission device also facilitates a transfer of energy from one of the power source, the clutch, and the transmission to the flywheel. The controller directs the transfer of energy to and from the flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Spicer Off-Highway Belgium N.V.
    Inventors: Mark R. J. Versteyhe, Steven J. Wesolowski, Donald J. Remboski, Timothy J. Morscheck
  • Patent number: 8622859
    Abstract: A system for hydraulic hybridization of a motor vehicle according to embodiments of the present invention includes a planetary gear mechanism including a first, second, and third planetary member and planet gears, wherein one of the first, second, and third planetary members is a sun gear, one is a ring gear, and one is a carrier; an engine, the engine including a crank shaft; a transmission, the transmission including a transmission input shaft; and a hydraulic pump/motor, the pump/motor including a pump shaft; and wherein the first planetary member is mechanically coupled to the pump shaft, wherein the second planetary member is mechanically coupled to the crank shaft, wherein the third planetary member is mechanically coupled to the transmission input shaft, and wherein the hydraulic pump/motor is not part of a hydrostatic transmission system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Czero Holding Company, LLC
    Inventors: Guy Robert Babbitt, Christopher Wayne Turner, Nicholas Paul Echter, James William Howland, James Mathew Quinlan
  • Publication number: 20130217529
    Abstract: There are provided a hub bearing, a speed reduction mechanism, and an in-wheel motor, including an inner race portion which is fixed to a support mechanism, an outer race portion which is connected to a wheel, and a rolling element which is disposed between the inner race portion and the outer race portion, and the outer race portion includes an outer race member, a wheel flange, and a fixation mechanism. The end surface of the wheel flange away from the outer race member in a direction parallel to a rotation shaft extends to the rotation shaft in relation to the inner race portion in the radial direction of the rotation shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke Gunji, Yasuyuki Matsuda
  • Publication number: 20130196809
    Abstract: A transmission comprises an input shaft, an output shaft and at least two power paths between the input shaft and a driving gear set with a first, second, third and fourth shafts, wherein a first power paths has a first fixed gear ratio and a second of the power paths has a second fixed gear ratio smaller than the first fixed gear ratio. The first shaft can be fixed by a first gear-shifting element, and can be connected by a second-gear shifting element to the first power path. The second shaft can be connected by a third gear-shifting element to the first power path and by a fourth gear-shifting element to the second power path. The third shaft is permanently connected to the output shaft. The fourth shaft can be connected by a fifth gear-shifting element to the second power path and can be fixed by a sixth gear-shifting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventor: Peter Ziemer
  • Publication number: 20130172140
    Abstract: A split-axis transmission hybrid system may include two planetary gear sets to provide two parallel torque paths from an input axis to an output axis. A secondary power source may be coupled to either the input axis or the output axis to provide torque to the system. Thus, the split-axis transmission hybrid system may provide the ratio preselection capability and the low power losses of a dual-clutch transmission and the ratio-changing control and smoothness of a traditional powershift automatic transmission, while also providing the improved efficiency and enhanced drivability of a hybrid power source arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventor: James Potter
  • Publication number: 20130172139
    Abstract: By using a mechanical planetary differential as a multiple input, single output device, the speed of the single output can be controlled by the speed of one of the inputs while the other input may run at a constant speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: Robert H. Todd, Dax Wells, Benjamin Groen, John Wyall, Austin Randall, Michael Sanders
  • Publication number: 20130109522
    Abstract: The described system and method provide a continuously variable full range transmission having inputs for receiving rotational power from a primary power source and a secondary power source such as a hydraulic variator. A first planetary gear group contains first and second planetary gear sets, and the inputs for receiving rotational power are linked to one or more of the first planetary gear set and the second planetary gear set. A second planetary gear group includes a third planetary gear set and a fourth planetary gear set, with a nested clutch assembly having first and second selectable clutches being provided to link the first planetary gear group to the second planetary gear group. Activation of the first clutch fixes the continuously variable transmission in a first speed range, while activation of the second clutch fixes the continuously variable transmission in a second speed range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventor: Glen Calvert
  • Patent number: 8414435
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dual power driving system with epicycle gear sets transmitted in series, in which the input shaft, the output shaft and the controllable brake device of each epicycle gear set can be coaxially connected in series, or connected in parallel or not in parallel; the rotating shaft at the output end and the rotating shaft at the input end of each epicycle gear set can be directly connected, or an intermediate transmission device can be installed for connection, and through operating the controllable brake devices, the selections for the structural configurations of the dual power driving system are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Publication number: 20130023368
    Abstract: A clutch system for a transmission having a clutch assembly and a brake assembly. The clutch system includes a clutch assembly and a brake assembly coupled to a planetary gear set, engine and two electric motors to reduce transmission complexity, costs, and efficiency losses. The clutch assembly also includes a wear compensation mechanism and a clutch separator mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
    Inventors: Goro Tamai, Dumitru Puiu, Dale E. Martin
  • Patent number: 8342995
    Abstract: A drive arrangement suitable for driving a final drive comprises a first drive means and a power-splitting gear arrangement. A first hydraulic mechanism is operable either as a pump or a motor. The first hydraulic mechanism is capable of being driven from the first drive means or from the final drive or both concurrently, acting through the gear arrangement. The final drive is drivable through the gear arrangement from the first drive means or the first hydraulic mechanism or both concurrently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Ducere Holdings (PTY) Limited
    Inventor: Norman Grant
  • Publication number: 20120329593
    Abstract: Provided are alternative hybrid transmission systems for vehicles, as well as, propulsion systems and vehicles comprising such transmission systems, to improve various propulsion systems using a combination of at least two power sources with the option for simultaneous or alternating power input from two or more power sources, while providing desired characteristics or components. Such characteristics or components can include, but are not limited to: power, torque, acceleration, cruising speed or power, fuel efficiency, battery charging, endurance, power sizing, weight, capacity, efficiency, speed, mechanically and/or electrically added system requirements, design, fuel selection, functional design, structural design, lift to drag ratio, weight, and/or other desired characteristic or component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel Larrabee, Thomas Northrop Wormer, Matthew Rhoade, Eric Serani, Joshua B. Marshman, Cody Humbarger, Daniel Gaide, Derek Hillery, Alec Velazco, Eric Petersen, Jean Nicolas Koster
  • Publication number: 20120302386
    Abstract: A hybrid transmission system for providing a variable speed and torque output from a mechanical power source and a hydraulic power source. The hybrid transmission system includes a stationary housing, an input shaft and an output shaft. The input and the output shafts are mounted within the stationary housing for rotation about a central axis. The hybrid transmission system further includes a rotatable housing, a hydraulic rotor and an electric unit associated to the rotatable housing or the input shaft. The rotatable housing is connected to the input shaft to drive the output shaft. The hydraulic rotor is mounted within the rotatable housing and rotatably coupled to the output shaft. The hydraulic rotor is configured to be selectively engaged and disengaged to the rotatable housing. The hybrid transmission system provides an option to recover, store and discharge excess electrical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua Zulu
  • Patent number: 8285462
    Abstract: A hybrid transmission is operative to transfer torque between an input member and torque machines and an output member in one of a plurality of fixed gear and continuously variable operating range states through selective application of torque transfer clutches. The torque machines are operative to transfer power from an energy storage device. A method for controlling the hybrid transmission includes operating the hybrid transmission in one of the operating range states, determining a first set of internal system constraints on output torque transferred to the output member, determining a second set of internal system constraints on the output torque transferred to the output member, and determining an allowable output torque range that is achievable within the first set of internal system constraints and the second set of internal system constraints on the output torque transferred to the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anthony H. Heap, Tung-Ming Hsieh, Bin Wu
  • Publication number: 20120205167
    Abstract: A steering drive system includes a drive arrangement having a first drive and a second drive, a summing gear unit for summing driving torques of the drives on an output shaft of the summing gear unit, a first drive connection device by which the first drive is drivingly connected to a first input shaft of the summing gear unit, and a second drive connection device by which the second drive is drivingly connected to a second input shaft of the summing gear unit. The two drive connection devices are arranged in each instance such that no driving torque directed to the drives from the summing gear unit can be transmitted to the drives during a continuously produced drive connection between the drives and the summing gear unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: Renk Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jörg-Peter Karrie, Nikolaus Müller, Dieter Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20120202635
    Abstract: An apparatus transmitting torque among a first torque generative device, a second torque generative device and an output member includes a first planetary gear set including respective first, second and third members, a second planetary gear set including respective first, second and third members, the respective first member of the second planetary gear set mechanically coupled to the respective first member of the first planetary gear set. The first torque generative device is mechanically coupled to the respective second member of the first planetary gear set. The second torque generative device is mechanically coupled to the respective second member of the second planetary gear set, wherein the second torque generative device includes a grounding state wherein rotation of the respective second member of the second planetary gear set is prevented and a rotational state wherein rotation of the respective second member of the second planetary gear set is not prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Chunhao J. Lee, Farzad Samie, Norman K. Bucknor, Kumarswamy V. Hebbale, Anthony L. Smith
  • Publication number: 20120178566
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dual power driving system with epicycle gear sets transmitted in series, in which the input shaft, the output shaft and the controllable brake device of each epicycle gear set can be coaxially connected in series, or connected in parallel or not in parallel; the rotating shaft at the output end and the rotating shaft at the input end of each epicycle gear set can be directly connected, or an intermediate transmission device can be installed for connection, and through operating the controllable brake devices to choose the structural configurations of the dual power driving system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Publication number: 20120178564
    Abstract: A transmission includes an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The transmission input member is connected to a launch device that includes a planetary gear set connected with a pump or a pump having a rotatable housing connected to an engine and a rotor connected to the transmission input member. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices are for example clutches and brakes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Hamid Vahabzadeh, James B. Borgerson, James M. Hart, Scott H. Wittkopp
  • Publication number: 20120178565
    Abstract: A transmission with power branching, and the transmission, in a first drive range, transmits torque from the ring gear to a fixed wheel. In one branch, power is transmitted from a first to a second hydraulic unit which respectively operate as a pump and a motor. At one of the hydrostatic shafts, the mechanical and hydrostatic power are summed and transmitted to the drive output. In a second drive range, power coming from the planetary carrier is partially branched off to the ring gear and transmitted, via the gear wheels of the hydrostatic shaft, to the second hydraulic unit. From the second hydraulic unit, hydraulic power passes to the first hydraulic unit. In the process, the first hydraulic unit operates as a motor and the second hydraulic unit as a pump. From the second sun gear, power is transmitted to the double planetary gear and summed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Roland Fischer, Michael Siber, Robert Morrison
  • Publication number: 20120157253
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method for use in a machine having a transmission having an operational mode, and including first and second power source paths, and a combined power output. The first power source path includes a variator. The method of controlling the transmission includes operating the first power source path, providing a signal indicative of the operational mode of the transmission to a controller, and at least partially neutralizing the variator if the signal indicates that the transmission is in neutral for at least a preset period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventor: Brian D. Hoff
  • Publication number: 20120149516
    Abstract: Provided are alternative hybrid transmission systems for marine, or two wheeled land vehicles, as well as propulsion systems and vehicles comprising such transmission systems, to improve various propulsion systems using a combination of at least two power sources with the option for simultaneous or alternating power input from two or more power sources, while providing desired characteristics or components. Such characteristics or components can include, but are not limited to: power, torque, acceleration, cruising speed or power, fuel efficiency, battery charging, endurance, power sizing, weight, capacity, efficiency, speed, mechanically and/or electrically added system requirements, design, fuel selection, functional design, structural design, lift to drag ratio, weight, and/or other desired characteristic or component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate
    Inventors: Daniel Larrabee, Thomas Northrop Wormer, Matthew Rhode, Eric Serani, Josh Marshman, Cody Humbarger, Daniel Gaide, Derek Hillery, Alec Velazco, Eric Petersen, Jean Nicolas Koster
  • Publication number: 20120129648
    Abstract: A hybrid drivetrain for a motor vehicle includes an automated mechanical transmission (AMT) having an output shaft. The drivetrain includes an alternative energy source including a motor and an energy storage unit and two torque transfer arrangements. The first transfer arrangement is separate from engageable gear sets of the AMT for transferring torque from the output shaft to a motor when the energy storage unit is being charged and for transferring torque from the motor to the output shaft when the energy storage unit is being discharged. Additionally, an alternative energy source clutch for selectively coupling the first torque transfer arrangement to the output shaft is included. The second torque transfer arrangement is for transferring torque from the output shaft to a driven axle of the motor vehicle. At least one of the first and second torque transfer arrangements has different first and second torque transfer ratios.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Robert L. Isaacs, Benjamin M. Hoxie
  • Publication number: 20120108377
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an apparatus for continuous speed variation of an output member with respect to a primary input member. In particular, the present invention provides a device having an output that rotates at reduced speed and increased torque relative to its prime input through the low friction, rolling engagement of its members, or alternatively, at increased speed and reduced torque for overdrive applications. Furthermore, the speed of the output member may be varied continuously and infinitely between the apparatus's lowest and highest ratio via a secondary input member and its low friction, rolling engagement with the device's members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: Dan Jones
  • Patent number: 8170762
    Abstract: A method for controlling a hydraulic flow within a powertrain comprising an electromechanical transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an engine adapted to selectively transmit power to an output, wherein the transmission utilizes a hydraulic control system serving a number of hydraulic oil consuming functions includes monitoring minimum hydraulic pressure requirements for each of the functions, determining a requested hydraulic pressure based upon the monitoring minimum hydraulic pressure requirements and physical limits of the hydraulic control system including a maximum pressure, determining a desired flow utilizing a hydraulic control system flow model based upon the requested hydraulic pressure, and utilizing the desired flow to control an auxiliary hydraulic pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael D. Foster, Eric S. Tryon, Jy-Jen F. Sah, Ali K Naqvi
  • Publication number: 20120088620
    Abstract: A machine tool device, in particular a hand machine tool device, having a gear system that has a first input element. The gear system has at least one second input element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventor: Dietmar Saur
  • Publication number: 20120077632
    Abstract: A system for hydraulic hybridization of a motor vehicle according to embodiments of the present invention includes a planetary gear mechanism including a first, second, and third planetary member and planet gears, wherein one of the first, second, and third planetary members is a sun gear, one is a ring gear, and one is a carrier; an engine, the engine including a crank shaft; a transmission, the transmission including a transmission input shaft; and a hydraulic pump/motor, the pump/motor including a pump shaft; and wherein the first planetary member is mechanically coupled to the pump shaft, wherein the second planetary member is mechanically coupled to the crank shaft, wherein the third planetary member is mechanically coupled to the transmission input shaft, and wherein the hydraulic pump/motor is not part of a hydrostatic transmission system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: CZERO HOLDING COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Guy Robert Babbitt, Christopher Wayne Turner, Nicholas Paul Echter, James William Howland, James Mathew Quinlan
  • Publication number: 20120035013
    Abstract: In a hybrid drive arrangement having a power output, a primary drive machine with a primary drive shaft connecting the primary drive machine to a gear change set for establishing a form-fit connection between the primary drive machine and the power output, a secondary drive machine with a secondary drive shaft for permanently connecting the secondary drive machine to a planetary gear set which is coupled to the primary drive shaft and the secondary drive shaft, the planetary gear set is disposed in parallel to the gear change set in the power flow in at least one operating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Peter Appeltauer
  • Publication number: 20110281679
    Abstract: Provided are alternative hybrid transmission systems for marine, or two wheeled land vehicles, as well as propulsion systems and vehicles comprising such transmission systems, to improve various propulsion systems using a combination of at least two power sources with the option for simultaneous or alternating power input from two or more power sources, while providing desired characteristics or components. Such characteristics or components can include, but are not limited to: power, torque, acceleration, cruising speed or power, fuel efficiency, battery charging, endurance, power sizing, weight, capacity, efficiency, speed, mechanically and/or electrically added system requirements, design, fuel selection, functional design, structural design, lift to drag ratio, weight, and/or other desired characteristic or component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate
    Inventors: Daniel Larrabee, Thomas Northrop Wormer, Matt Rhode, Eric Serani, Josh Marshman, Cody Humbarger, Daniel Gaide, Derek Hillery, Alec Velazco, Eric Petersen, Jean Nicolas Koster
  • Publication number: 20110269592
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle is provided with a drive mechanism for transmitting torque to at least a first and a second output member as well as to such a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes, but is not limited to a torque generating drive member operably coupled to the first and second output members, a switching element operably coupled to the drive member for selectively coupling the drive member with the first and second output members either in a propulsion mode or in a vector mode. In the propulsion mode, the drive member's torque is inducted to first and second output members uni-directionally and in the vector mode, the drive member's torque is inducted to first and second output members in opposite directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Matthijs Klomp
  • Publication number: 20110256972
    Abstract: The invention concerns a kinetic energy recovery system for use in a vehicle driveline. The system has a flywheel (24) serving to store energy. A continuously variable transmission (32) serves to transfer drive between the flywheel and a drive-line of the vehicle at a steplessly variable CVT speed ratio. The continuously variable transmission has a variator (34) which has a rotary variator input (40) and a rotary variator output (42). The variator serves to transfer drive between its input and output at a continuously variable variator speed ratio. The continuously variable transmission further comprises a shunt gear arrangement (36) having a first rotary shunt input which is drivably coupled to the rotary variator input, a second rotary shunt input which is drivably coupled to the rotary variator output, and a shunt rotary output which is drivably coupled to the flywheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventor: Christopher John Greenwood
  • Publication number: 20110251007
    Abstract: For the dual gear train driving structure at input side of basin-type gear of the present invention, the differential gear set input rocker arm driven by the basin-type bevel gear in the differential gear set assembly is made to be driven by two sets of transmissions, in which the first transmission transmits the rotary kinetic energy between the differential gear set input rocker arm and the engine, the second transmission transmits the rotary kinetic energy between the differential gear set input rocker arm and the second driving unit, and one or both of the transmissions drives the differential gear set input rocker arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang