For Differential Planetary Gearing Patents (Class 475/160)
  • Patent number: 11867280
    Abstract: Systems and methods for selectively cooling a vehicle fluid are disclosed. Particularly, systems and methods for selectively cooling axle fluid of a vehicle are disclosed. By selectively cooling the axle fluid, energy is conserved by avoiding continuously circulating the axle fluid through a cooling system when a temperature of the axle fluid does not satisfy a selected criteria. The systems and methods also disclose selectively heating a fluid, such as an axle fluid, such as upon startup of the vehicle, and selectively cooling the axle fluid once operation of a power source of the vehicle, such as an engine of the vehicle, has ceased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Mahesh G Pandit, Bhushan A. Dandage
  • Patent number: 11852123
    Abstract: An oil bath geartrain for a powermill includes a gear casing defining an interior area having an oil reservoir that maintains a predetermined oil level and which includes structures for continuously distributing oil to gear teeth and babbitt bearings so that recurrent servicing of gear-related components is not necessary. The oil bath geartrain includes an oil lift gear having teeth that lift oil from the oil reservoir and then lubricates and input shaft bearing and communicates that oil via an oil ring so as to lubricate an intermediate shaft bearing. The oil ring acts as an oil scraper. The oil bath geartrain includes a main pinion gear, intermediate pinion gear, and accommodation of miter gears coupled to the output shaft. Another oil scraper plate communicates oil from the main pinion gear to the output shaft miter gear teeth. The gear casing includes passages for communicating oil to input shaft bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventor: Mark A. Henry, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11761429
    Abstract: A sliding bearing for a gearbox of a wind turbine, having a support body and a sliding layer which is applied on the support body, and on which a sliding surface is formed, wherein a lubricant distribution groove extending in an axial direction of the sliding surface is formed on the sliding surface. The support body is formed as a bush rolled from a support body strip, wherein a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end of the support body strip are connected to one another in a materially bonded manner, in particular by a welding connection, at a joint, wherein the joint is formed in the region of the lubricant distribution groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Miba Gleitlager Austria GmbH
    Inventors: Gunther Hager, Johannes Sebastian Hoelzl, Sigmar Dominic Josef Janisch
  • Patent number: 11655888
    Abstract: To maintain smooth rotation of a pinion gear, a differential device includes: a differential case including a case main body and a bearing boss protruding from the case main body and rotatably supported about a first rotation axis; a side gear; and a pinion gear. An introduction groove for introducing lubricating oil into the case main body is formed on the bearing boss. An inner surface groove communicating with the introduction groove and extending toward the pinion gear is formed on the case main body. The inner surface groove includes a first groove portion and a second groove portion positioned radially outward from the first groove portion in the radial direction. The shape of at least a part of the first groove portion is a shape over which the lubricating oil is hard to climb during vehicle forward movement as compared with the shape of the second groove portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Musashi Saimitsu Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akuto Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 11649884
    Abstract: A vehicle powertrain may include a differential assembly having a housing disposed partially in a lubrication reservoir. The differential assembly translates rotational motion of a pinion gear to a pair of axle shafts extending from the housing and permits different rotational speeds of the axle shafts. One or more components of the differential assembly, e.g., one or more side gears, may include a plurality of radial grooves configured to distribute a lubricant from the lubrication reservoir while the first side gear rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Mason Verbridge, Gary Allen Pinkley, Caleb Alex Morris, George Zalanca
  • Patent number: 11592101
    Abstract: A gear unit includes a housing, a trough for guiding oil and reducing losses due to splashing surrounding a circumferential section of a toothing part, the trough including at least three parts, e.g., at least one bottom plate and two side walls, the bottom plate being screw-connected to the two side walls, the trough being fastened to the housing, the trough having an opening, the bottom plate and the side walls being stamped bent parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: SEW-EURODRIVE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Zili Wu
  • Patent number: 11578798
    Abstract: A transmission mechanism device of an aspect of the present invention includes a motor, a transmission mechanism including a plurality of gears, a first shaft and a bearing supporting the first shaft and transmitting power of the motor, a housing that accommodates the transmission mechanism and holds the bearing on an inner face, oil that collects in a lower region inside the housing, a catch tank that is disposed inside the housing and opens upward, an oil passage through which the oil passes, and an oil pump provided in the oil passage. The oil passage has a first path connecting the oil pump and the catch tank and a scooping path for scooping the oil by rotation of the gear to guide the scooped oil to the catch tank. The catch tank includes a feed portion for supplying the oil to the gear or the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: NIDEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keisuke Nakata, Yuki Ishikawa, Sota Doi
  • Patent number: 11306805
    Abstract: A differential with a washer for a gear in a differential housing includes an outer edge at a maximum radial distance from an axis, and an inner edge defining an opening, the inner edge defined in part by an innermost portion at a minimum radial distance from the axis and the inner edge having an outward portion spaced radially outwardly from the innermost portion. The washer also includes an axially and radially inclined sidewall extending at least part of the way between the outer edge and the innermost portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: David E. Gall, Kevin J. Kaplan
  • Patent number: 11300189
    Abstract: In a differential device in which a working window is provided in a case main body of a differential case that can rotate around a first axis, when viewed on the projection plane, orthogonal to the first axis, among joining parts between a flange portion of the differential case and a ring gear, a specific joining part that is the closest to the working window is positioned further outward than an inner end part of the working window in a direction along a third axis orthogonal to the first axis and a pinion axis, and the working window is positioned further outward, in the direction along the third axis, than an imaginary straight line joining the specific joining part and the first axis. Accordingly, rigidity strength of the differential case is enhanced and concentration of stress is prevented from occurring in the working window of the case main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirohisa Oda
  • Patent number: 11279218
    Abstract: A transaxle includes a planetary gear reducer and a differential device. The planetary gear reducer includes a stepped pinion, a first needle bearing, a second needle bearing, and a carrier. The stepped pinion includes a pinion shaft with which a large diameter pinion and a small diameter pinion are integrated. The first needle bearing is fitted to a part of the pinion shaft outside the large diameter pinion. The second needle bearing is fitted to a part of the pinion shaft outside the small diameter pinion. The carrier is configured to support the stepped pinion via the first needle bearing and the second needle bearing such that the stepped pinion is rotatable with respect to the carrier, and to couple the stepped pinion and the differential device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akira Hibino, Takahiro Shiina
  • Patent number: 11255425
    Abstract: A rotary planet carrier for a mechanical reduction gear of a turbomachine having an annular row of tubular members for supporting bearings that are parallel to one another and to an axis of rotation (X) of the planet carrier. The tubular members include grooves for oil to flow through that are connected to oil ducts that extend from the grooves to an external peripheral surface. The grooves are rectilinear and parallel to one another and to an axis of revolution (Y) of an internal cylindrical surface of a corresponding tubular member. Some of the grooves have a width about the axis of revolution that is greater than the diameter of the ducts connected to this groove. Some of the ducts are connected to the corresponding groove that is closest to the axis of rotation (X) of the planet carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Serge Rene Morreale, Laurent Gille
  • Patent number: 11231098
    Abstract: An improved differential for a vehicle is provided which includes a disconnect assembly engaged between a ring gear and pinion gears and/or a gear nest associated with the pinion gears, wherein the disconnect assembly is able to disconnect torsional loading of torque between the ring gear and the pinon gears of the differential. The disconnect assembly selectively connects and disconnects the ring gear and pinon gears by preferably disconnecting from the gear nest disposed therebetween. Disconnection of the ring gear and pinion gears allows the ring gear, differential housing, bearings, and rest of the gear box to stop spinning while the wheels of the vehicle are spinning. The differential pinion gears are mechanically connected to the gear nest such that torque can be transferred from the differential gear nest to the differential pinion gears and then to the differential side gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Linamar Corporation
    Inventor: Evan Swinger
  • Patent number: 11193577
    Abstract: An epicyclic gear system, a fluid directing ring, and a method of directing a fluid to at least one fluid passage of a carrier in an epicyclic gear system are provided. The system includes a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears disposed around the sun gear, a carrier configured for rotation relative to the sun gear and having at least one fluid passage having a fluid passage inlet for supplying a fluid to at least one of the plurality of planet gears, and a plurality of fluid directors fixed for rotation with the carrier and disposed radially inward from the fluid passage inlet. Each of the plurality of fluid directors has a directing surface configured to receive the fluid conveyed radially outwardly and direct the fluid in a direction of rotation of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Kevin M. Allen
  • Patent number: 11125316
    Abstract: A drive unit assembly having a shroud for use in a vehicle. The drive unit assembly includes a ring gear having an outermost surface, an innermost surface, a first side and a second side. A plurality of ring gear teeth circumferentially extend from at least a portion of the second side of the ring gear of the drive unit assembly. The shroud of the drive unit assembly includes a first shroud member that is integrally connected to at least a portion of a second shroud member. At least a portion of the ring gear is disposed within at least a portion of the shroud of the drive unit assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel D. Carmean, Benjamin J. Passino, Shane T. Smith
  • Patent number: 11105410
    Abstract: A transmission device is provided having a transmission housing, a gear set received in the transmission device having a first gear wheel, which is rotatable about a first gear wheel axis, and a second gear wheel, which engages the first gear wheel and is rotatable abut a second gear wheel axis. In a lateral region of the first gear wheel, there is an oil guidance structure, which is designed as a component produced separately from the transmission housing, and comprises an orifice segment extending radially to the first gear wheel axis, and extends at least in part about the first transmission axis and forms a first lateral surface facing the gear wheel, leaving an intermediate space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Ronny Günnel, Andreas Grein, Zoltan Kalmar, Philip Wurzberger, Swen Dörrie
  • Patent number: 11047470
    Abstract: An axle assembly including a lubrication pump operably configured to distribute lubricating fluid within the axle assembly. The lubrication pump includes a fluid inlet port, a fluid outlet port, an air inlet port, and an air outlet valve; a pump housing interposed between the first end and the second end; a piston reservoir disposed in the pump housing, wherein the piston reservoir has a first side and a second side, wherein the second side is in fluid communication with the air inlet port; a piston disposed in the piston reservoir between the first side and the second side; a first check valve housed within the inlet port; a second check valve housed within the outlet port; and one or more biasing members interposed between the piston and the fluid inlet port and the fluid outlet port in the first side of the piston reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Jordan M. Houser, Mark W. Leber, Marcus W. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11028914
    Abstract: A vehicle differential device includes a plurality of pinion gear sets. Each of the pinion gear sets includes a first pinion gear configured to mesh with a first outer helical gear and a plurality of second pinion gears configured to mesh with a second outer helical gear. The first pinion gear integrally includes an axially one end side gear portion configured to mesh with the first outer helical gear and an axially other end side gear portion configured to mesh with the second pinion gears. The second pinion gears are configured to mesh with the second outer helical gear at positions separated from each other in a circumferential direction of the second outer helical gear, and the axially other end side gear portion of the first pinion gear is configured to mesh with the second pinion gears at positions radially outward of the second outer helical gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: He Jin, Tomoki Yoshihama, Kenji Asami, Songjie Li
  • Patent number: 10982717
    Abstract: An annular first thrust bearing (30) includes a first race (30a) which is in contact with a sun gear (Sb), a second race (30b) which is in contact with a ring gear side member (20a), and a rolling body (30c) disposed therebetween, and the second race has a flange portion protruding radially outward. A second connection member (21) is disposed on a radially outer side of the first thrust bearing (30) to face the second race (30b), and a restricting portion (21a) is disposed at a position facing the first race (30a) or the rolling body (30c) on the rolling element (30c) side of the second race (30b). A distal end of the restricting portion (21a) is located radially inward of a distal end of the flange portion (30d).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isamu Muramatsu, Mariko Shibamura
  • Patent number: 10981416
    Abstract: A track work vehicle includes an axle input shaft defining a first axis of rotation, and a differential gear case having at least one planetary gear set. The track work vehicle includes a track drive system contained, at least in part, in the differential gear case. The track drive system includes a first gear coupled to the axle input shaft and a second gear coupled to the first gear. The track drive system includes a bevel gear assembly coupled to the second gear and a bevel gear set coupled to the planetary gear set. The track work vehicle includes at least one drive axle coupled to the planetary gear set and a drive wheel for driving a continuous ground-engaging track. The drive axle has a second axis of rotation that is vertically offset from the first axis of rotation and substantially coaxial with a centerline of the drive wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Lubben, Mark W. Freudenberg
  • Patent number: 10967845
    Abstract: A vehicle drive-force transmitting apparatus including: a drive gear; a fluid pump that is to driven by rotation of the drive gear; and a casing that stores therein the drive gear and the fluid pump. The fluid pump includes: a pump body; a pump cover; a rotor; a driven gear that meshes with the drive gear; and a pump shaft on which the rotor and the driven gear are mounted. The pump shaft is rotatably supported at its supported portion by the pump body and/or the pump cover. The driven gear is mounted on a free end portion of the pump shaft. An outer peripheral portion of the pump body or an outer peripheral portion of the pump cover is supported by the casing, such that the other portion of the pump body and the other portion of the pump cover are spaced apart from the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuki Iwakura, Hiroaki Kiyokami
  • Patent number: 10808829
    Abstract: An axle assembly for a vehicle includes an axle housing having at least one axle shaft and a flow control member disposed therein. The flow control member is interposed between the at least one axle shaft and the axle housing. The flow control member includes a hollow cylindrical main body having at least one surface irregularity formed on an outer surface thereof that cooperates with the inner surface of the housing to form at least one fluid flow path configured to receive a fluid therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: DANA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas L. Nahrwold, Brian E. Sitterly
  • Patent number: 10612637
    Abstract: A driveline component with a differential having a differential gearset mounted in a differential case. The differential gearset has first and second side gears and one or more pinion gears that are meshed with the first and second side gears. The differential gearset is configured to limit inboard thrusting of the first and second side gears so that backlash will be always be present between the pinion gears and each of first and second side gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Chemelli, Jeffrey L. Kincaid, Stephen C. Doud, Derek C. Remillong, Joseph S. Balenda, II, Ramanand R. Shetty
  • Patent number: 10527150
    Abstract: A control device of a vehicle has a drive source, a power transmission device having a plurality of rotating elements coupled via a gear and a plurality of friction engagement elements selectively coupling the plurality of rotating elements for transmitting an output of the drive source, and a lubricating device supplying a lubrication oil to the friction engagement elements for lubrication, the control device comprising: a lubrication control portion configured to increase an amount of the lubrication oil to the friction engagement elements from the lubricating device in a booming sound generating region predefined with respect to a drive source rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yosuke Michikoshi, Satoshi Ito, Shintaro Goto, Masashi Ikemura
  • Patent number: 10527153
    Abstract: A vehicle differential device includes: a differential casing having a pair of axle supporting holes; a pinion gear; a pair of side gears; and a pair of washers each interposed between a contact surface of the differential casing and a back surface of each side gear. The differential casing defines first lubrication grooves provided in an inner circumferential surface of each axle supporting hole, and second lubrication grooves and third lubrication grooves provided in the contact surface. Each second lubrication groove communicates at its end with the corresponding first lubrication groove, and communicates at another end with a space. Each third lubrication groove communicates at its end with the corresponding first lubrication groove, and is closed at another end, without the third lubrication groove being in communication with the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kengo Okumoto, Osamu Shimizu, Takahide Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10502301
    Abstract: A differential includes a differential case; a side gear; a pinion configured for meshing engagement with the side gear; and a pinion housing configured to support the pinion. The pinion housing includes a first face; a second face opposing the first face; a first projection located on the first face; and a second projection located on the second face. The pinion housing also includes an aperture or hole extending radially inwardly from an outer radial surface of the generally annular ring; and a channel extending from the first face to the second face, wherein the channel is substantially radially aligned with the aperture or hole. In embodiments, the pinion housing includes one or more transfer formations configured to transfer torque from the differential case, and the pinion housing is configured to permit movement in an axial direction between a pair of side gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Paul N. Herrmann, Steven Cochren, Sandeep Kumar, Steven Rudko, Stephen P. Radzevich, Matthew Fox, Daniel P. Fisher
  • Patent number: 10458469
    Abstract: A large size bearing unit provides a rolling bearing having a first ring element and a second ring element and a plurality of rolling elements interposed radially in-between the first and the second ring elements. The first and the second ring elements rotate relative each other in relation to a rotational axle. The first ring element provides at least two separate ring elements located adjacently in a row along the rotational axle. At least one ring-formed support element is at least partly embedding the at least two separate ring elements and includes a seat surface onto which the at least two separate ring elements are located. The at least one ring-formed support element has two axially opposite surfaces extending radially from the seat surface to partly enclose the at least two separate ring elements. At least one of the axially opposite side surfaces is located on a separate ring-formed element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Christian Zang, Werner Horn
  • Patent number: 10422257
    Abstract: A vehicle engine pump assembly (100, 1000, 1100) has a gerotor pump (102), a mechanical drive (106) driven by the engine and an electrical drive (104). A controller (107) selectively engages the mechanical drive to boost pumping effort when required via a clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Concentric Birmingham Limited
    Inventors: Paul Shepherd, John Magee
  • Patent number: 10309521
    Abstract: A driving-force distribution device is provided that can supply lubricant to an above-positioned pinion gear among a pair of pinion gears even when rotation of a differential case of a differential mechanism stops in a two-wheel-drive mode of a four-wheel-drive vehicle. A driving-force distribution device mounted on a four-wheel-drive vehicle includes a differential mechanism and a clutch mechanism. The differential mechanism includes a differential case, a pinion shaft, a pair of pinion gears, and a pair of side gears. In the pinion shaft, a flow passage is formed through which a lubricant is allowed to flow from the below-positioned pinion gear among the pair of pinion gears toward the above-positioned pinion gear in the two-wheel-drive mode in which the pair of pinion gears rotate in opposite directions with the differential case not rotating. The lubricant is supplied to the flow passage by rotation of the below-positioned pinion gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takuno, Noriyuki Fujii, Yutaka Murakoshi, Yohei Fujii
  • Patent number: 10267407
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for lubricating a gear of a differential gear system is disclosed. A member or shaft rotates within a housing of the differential gear system. The shaft includes a chamber for receiving a lubricant from the exterior of the housing. A gear rotates relative to the shaft, and a hole in the shaft disperses the lubricant from the chamber to a selected gear location of the gear to lubricate the gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: David G. Hill, Michael Carbone
  • Patent number: 10190673
    Abstract: An apparatus for regulating lubricant having a carrier housing including a lubricant sump. A ring gear disposed within the carrier housing, wherein the ring gear is partially disposed in the lubricant sump. A lubricant catch is disposed in the carrier housing, and a reservoir is disposed outside of the carrier housing. A first conduit is disposed between the lubricant catch and the reservoir. A second conduit is disposed between the reservoir and the lubricant sump. A valve is in fluid communication with the reservoir and the lubricant sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Z. Creech, Marcus W. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10151381
    Abstract: A sector-shaped cutaway portion which exposes a portion of a differential ring gear from a tooth tip to a tooth root is formed in a flange portion of a reservoir plate to extend in the rotational direction of the differential ring gear from an opening initial-end portion which is provided at a location rotated from the vertically lower portion of the differential ring gear by 90 degrees in the rotational direction, and the helix of the differential ring gear is formed so as to provide a motion component directed toward a converter housing (toward a working oil storage chamber) to working oil raked up by the differential ring gear. Consequently, working oil raked up by the differential ring gear can be directly splattered from the cutaway portion toward the converter housing, which makes it possible to suppress a residence of working oil in a differential chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignees: AISIN AW CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mitsumasa Matsubara
  • Patent number: 9895931
    Abstract: A method for forming an axle shaft that includes friction welding a tubular shaft to a shaft portion of a wheel flange. Portions of the joint members on the tubular shaft and the wheel flange are extruded into an annular weld cavity in the wheel flange during the formation of the friction weld. A related axle shaft is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: John C. Hibbler
  • Patent number: 9897188
    Abstract: In a differential device distributing rotational force acting on a differential case to a pair of output shafts, the differential case including an input member and a cover portion, assembling precision of the differential device is enhanced by suppressing strain due to welding and press-fitting. The input member includes: a welded portion fitting the cover portion in axial direction and joined by welding; a press-fitted portion located inward of the welded portion in radial direction and axial direction and press-fitted to the cover portion; and a connecting surface connecting the welded portion and the press-fitted portion and forming a space between the connecting surface and the cover portion, the space allowing deformation of the press-fitted portion during press-fitting. The connecting surface includes one end portion continuous to the welded portion and extending outward from the welded portion in radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoichi Yanase, Hiroyuki Mori
  • Patent number: 9856972
    Abstract: A differential device includes pinion; pinion shaft; paired side gears connected to paired output shafts and having at outer peripheral portions gear portions meshing with the pinion; and oil introduction passage introducing lubricant oil to mutually-facing surfaces of the side gears. An oil reserving portion facing space adjacent to end surface of the pinion on radially inner side and capable of catching and holding lubricant oil splashed to the space is formed in portion where the pinion and the pinion shaft mutually face, so as to communicate with fitting portion between the pinion and the pinion shaft where they are relatively rotationally slidable. A step portion is formed in at least one of the mutually-facing surfaces, separates part of oil from lubricant flow flowing radially outward along the one surface by centrifugal force, and guides the oil into the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Mori
  • Patent number: 9772026
    Abstract: A differential is provided. The differential includes a housing that has a sump, an input shaft, a ring gear, a carrier that is affixed to the ring gear, and a diverter. The sump is configured to collect lubricating fluid. The ring gear is configured to transfer lubricating fluid out of the sump. The diverter is configured to direct the lubricating fluid to the input shaft and carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mathew John Fast, Danrich Henry Demitroff, Sunil Katragadda, Lawrence Marshall, W. Cary Cole, Michael Levin, Furqan Zafar Shaikh
  • Patent number: 9739364
    Abstract: In a differential device, even when tooth portions of side gears are placed farther from output shafts due to increase in diameter of the side gears or even when a pinion rotates at high speed, seizure in meshing portions of the pinion and the side gears and a sliding portion of the pinion is prevented effectively. The side gears each include a shaft portion connected to corresponding one of the output shafts, and a flat intermediate wall portion integrally connecting the shaft portion and the tooth portion of the side gear separated outward from the shaft portion in a radial direction of an input member. A through oil passage is formed in the intermediate wall portion of at least one side gear, both ends of the through oil passage being respectively opened in inner and outer side surfaces of the intermediate wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Mori, Naoya Nishimura
  • Patent number: 9731552
    Abstract: An axle assembly having a differential gear set is provided. The axle assembly includes a housing having an interior portion sized to receive the differential gear set. At least one axle tube extends from a side of the housing. At least one axle is coupled to the differential gear set and extending through the at least one axle tube. A lubrication control member is coupled between the axle and the housing, the lubrication control member having at least one orifice, the orifice defining a lubrication flow path between the interior portion and the at least axle tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Bhapinder Puri, William J. Wilson
  • Patent number: 9677661
    Abstract: An axle assembly having an axle housing, a differential, and a ballast insert. The ballast insert may be disposed in the axle housing below the differential. The differential may have a ring gear. The ring gear may be received in a trench that may be provided in the ballast insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Bodary
  • Patent number: 9587730
    Abstract: A differential device includes: an input member inputted with driving force; a differential gear supported in the input member and capable of rotating relative to the input member and revolving around rotation center of the input member with rotation of the input member; paired output gears each including a tooth portion meshing with the differential gear and a shaft portion located radially inward of the tooth portion; a washer interposed between the input member and back surface of the tooth portion; and an oil groove provided in a recess shape in surface of the input member facing back surface of each output gear and extending from periphery of the shaft portion to back surface of the washer. The oil groove is arranged offset in peripheral direction of the output gear from a meshing portion between the tooth portion and the differential gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Mori
  • Patent number: 9523424
    Abstract: An epyciclic transmission has a sun gear rotational about a transmission axis, a plurality of planet wheels meshing with the sun gear, and a carrier which supports the planet wheels and is rotational about the transmission axis; the transmission also has a lubricating system provided with at least one nozzle arranged in fixed position, with a collection channel fixed with respect to the carrier and configured to receive a jet of oil exiting from the nozzle, and with at least one pump having a casing fixed to the carrier; the pump is actuated by means of a transmission device in response to the rotation of the carrier to pump the oil from the collection channel to zones on the carrier which require lubrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: GE AVIO S.R.L.
    Inventor: Paolo Altamura
  • Patent number: 9518374
    Abstract: Provided is a shovel including a swiveling motor, and a swiveling speed reducer that reduces the rotational speed of an output shaft of the swiveling motor. The swiveling speed reducer includes a first gear mechanism; a first gear case that houses the first gear mechanism; a first oil check pipe that is disposed in the first gear case; a first communication portion that allows an inside of the first gear case and the first oil check pipe to communicate with each other; and a second communication portion that connects a position of the first gear case higher than a position where the first communication portion is connected, and a high position of the first oil check pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kentaro Furusho, Kazunori Hiranuma, Takeshi Okada, Yoshitaka Shizu
  • Patent number: 9382990
    Abstract: A helical LSD includes a case defining an inner cavity and a plurality of grooves disposed around the inner cavity. In addition to the case, the helical LSD includes a plurality of pinion gears. Each pinion gear is disposed in one of the grooves and includes a plurality of gear teeth. Each gear tooth has a top land. The helical LSD further includes at least one helical output gear disposed in the inner cavity of the case. The helical output gear meshes with the pinion gears, and the pinion gears are disposed around the helical output gear. The top land has a surface profile characterized by raised portions and indentations in order to minimize noise and vibration when the pinion gears rotate relative to the case. The surface profile can also be applied to contact surfaces of power transfer units and transfer cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jason J. Nolte, David P. Schankin
  • Patent number: 9278613
    Abstract: A power transmission system of a hybrid electric vehicle includes an input shaft configured to receive torque of an engine. A first motor/generator includes a first rotor directly connected to the input shaft and a first stator selectively connected to a first motor housing and the input shaft. An intermediate shaft is disposed in series with the input shaft and selectively connected to the first stator. A second motor/generator includes a second rotor directly connected to the intermediate shaft and a second stator directly connected to a second motor housing. A final reduction gear is configured to receive torque from the intermediate shaft and to output the torque. A battery supplies electricity to the first and second motor/generators or is charged by torque of the first and second motor/generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: You Kwang Jun
  • Patent number: 9249685
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a fan and a turbine section including a turbine rotor to drive the fan through a gear reduction module. An input shaft downstream of the turbine rotor includes a flexible mount driving the gear reduction. The input shaft is mounted within a bearing module. The gear reduction module has static structure mounted to an engine housing through a flexible mount. Oil is supplied into the gear reduction. An oil tube supplies oil from the gear reduction to the bearing module, and is received within openings in the static structure, and a housing for the bearing module. The oil tube extends through an assembly guide having a guide opening spaced away from an outer periphery of the oil tube. The guide opening is intermediate the openings. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: James B. Coffin
  • Patent number: 9103433
    Abstract: An axle assembly and a method of control. The axle assembly may include a lubrication pump that may be operated to distribute lubricant in the axle assembly based on ambient air temperature and lubricant temperature or when a spinout condition is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Dale L. Kwasniewski, Larry Wagle
  • Patent number: 9068645
    Abstract: A method of controlling a level of fluid in a main sump of a transmission includes opening an auxiliary reservoir with a first valve when fluid temperature in the main sump is at or below the predetermined temperature. The first valve is opened to increase the level of fluid in the main sump to at least a predetermined height so that transmission rotating components contact the fluid and generate splash lubrication. When the transmission is transmitting torque and the fluid is above the predetermined temperature, the level of fluid in the main sump is maintained below a predetermined height with closed first valve, such that the rotating components do not contact the fluid inside the main sump. A fluid pump alone is sufficient to lubricate the rotating components above the predetermined temperature and sufficient to lubricate the rotating components at or below the predetermined temperature only with splash lubrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Goro Tamai, Norman Schoenek, Anthony J. Corsetti
  • Publication number: 20150141192
    Abstract: A power transmitting device can include a clutch, filter and housing defining first and second sumps spaced apart by a first wall. First and second members can meshingly engage and rotate through the first sump. The clutch plates can rotate through the second sump. A third member can be drivingly coupled to the second member and clutch plates. An outer surface of the third member and the first wall can define an annular cavity that fluidly couples the sumps. The filter can be received in the annular cavity about the third member and can include a second wall, outer portion, inner portion, and a filter element. The second wall can define an aperture. The outer portion can seal with the first wall. The inner portion can seal with the outer surface. The filter element can span the aperture to permit fluid communication between the sumps and inhibit passage of solids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Paul J. Valente
  • Patent number: 8992369
    Abstract: An axial mounting of the planetary gearwheels of a planetary gearset having a sun gear that meshes with at least one planetary gearwheel mounted on a planetary bolt that is supported on the planetary carrier. The at least one planetary gearwheel meshes with a ring gear. At least one check-plate, which has a hole for the planetary bolt and which is positioned on one side of the planetary gearwheel between the planetary gearwheel and the planetary carrier, is associated with each planetary gearwheel. The check-plate is completely flat and is axially symmetrical relative to its longitudinal and transverse axes. The at least one check-plate has two wings that extend in the longitudinal direction, which are positioned in recesses formed in the planetary carrier, when the check-plate is in the installed condition, to secure the check-plate against rotation. The check-plate is fixed relative to the planetary carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Tobias Miller, Frank Paulitschke, Stefan Brom
  • Publication number: 20150087460
    Abstract: A lubricant pump assembly for use with a power distribution unit for a vehicle, comprising a pump, a first rotating component, a second rotating component, and a lubricant. The pump has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet and the outlet are in fluid communication with a housing of the power distribution unit. The first rotating component is disposed in the housing of the power distribution unit. The second rotating component is disposed in the housing of the power distribution unit adjacent the first rotating component. The lubricant is disposed within the housing of the power distribution unit. The pump transfers a portion of the lubricant from the inlet to the outlet. The outlet is disposed adjacent the first rotating component and the second rotating component to dispose a portion of the lubricant therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Gregory T. Dewald
  • Publication number: 20150087461
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a Banjo type axle assembly with a drop out third member carrier for the pinion shaft assembly, ring gear assembly, the rotatable differential house assembly and the differential bearing clamp assembly. Said drop out third member carrier and the rear axle housing are constructed sufficiently to house a 10.5 inch diameter ring gear. In one preferred embodiment the drive pinion assembly and the ring gear assembly exhibit a mild hypoid gear set orientation. In one preferred embodiment said drop out third member carrier has substantially uniform dimensions in thickness and has a symmetrical bolt pattern between a pinion shaft side and a non-pinion shaft side with a total of twelve bolts to affix said drop out third member to carrier to said rear axle housing. An oiling shelf has extra material to house pinion bolts as part of the pinion shaft assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: James D. Jackson, Phillip A. Rawlings