With Transmission Cooling Or Heating Means Patents (Class 475/161)
  • Patent number: 11292438
    Abstract: A vehicle-mounted apparatus includes: a motor unit configured to apply a rotational driving force to a wheel of a vehicle and including a drive motor and a speed reducer that reduces a speed of rotation of an output shaft of the drive motor; and a friction brake that reduces rotation of the wheel. The friction brake includes: at least one rotation disc provided so as to be rotatable integrally with the output shaft; a housing that is a non-rotatable member; at least one friction plate held by the housing so as to be movable relative to the housing in the axial direction such that rotation of the at least one friction plate relative to the housing about the axis is restricted; and a pressing device that presses the at least one friction plate against the at least one rotation disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomohiro Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 10511210
    Abstract: A device for the thermal management of a power train includes a main housing accommodating an electric motor and its cooling circuit and a speed reducer including a lubrication circuit. The main housing includes an oil sump arranged in the lower part of the main housing and a partition separating same into two parts, wherein there are arranged respectively, on the one hand, the motor and its cooling circuit, and on the other hand, the speed reducer and its lubrication circuit, while an oil channel extends in the oil sump through the partition in order to bring the two parts into communication and includes one end on the speed reducer side provided with a valve for regulating the oil flow, controlled by the oil temperature, so as to close the oil passage in the oil channel when the oil temperature on the speed reducer side reaches a predetermined temperature threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert Yu
  • Patent number: 10107382
    Abstract: A vehicular drive system includes an engine having a first oil, a transmission having a second oil, and a heat exchanger 4 that exchanges heat between the first oil and the second oil. The magnitude of the amount of reduction of loss torque in the transmission per unit amount of reduction of the kinetic viscosity of the second oil is larger than the magnitude of the amount of increase of loss torque in the engine per unit amount increase of the kinetic viscosity of the first oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daisuke Tokozakura, Kazuya Arakawa, Takahiro Shiina
  • Patent number: 9382996
    Abstract: A device and method for cooling an axle differential of a motor vehicle includes an air-guiding plate for guiding the air stream under the motor vehicle. An air-guiding plate is provided for guiding the air stream under the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Oliver Fischer
  • Patent number: 9109681
    Abstract: Technologies relating to differential output control are disclosed. A differential output control apparatus may be coupled between a rotating device output and a controlled rotating output. The differential output control apparatus may comprise an adjustable mechanical link coupling two linked differential inputs, and configured to adjust a relative rotation speed or relative torque of the linked differential inputs. The differential output control apparatus may receive the rotating device output and adjust the adjustable mechanical link to control the rotation speed and/or torque of the controlled rotating output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Inventor: Albert Six
  • Patent number: 8979696
    Abstract: A high-pressure homogenizer including: a fixed body (7) housing a rotating crankshaft (10); a motor (3) for driving the crankshaft (10); a reduction gear unit (4) interconnected between the crankshaft and transmission elements (5, 6), characterized in that the reduction gear unit (4) is an epicyclic reduction gear unit. Preferably there is provided a lubricant feed line (15) which passes through the fixed body and reaches the epicyclic reduction gear unit (4). Preferably the epicyclic reduction gear unit (4) is constructed integrally with the fixed body (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Gea Mechnical Equipment Italia S.p.A.
    Inventors: Luca Salvarani, Massimiliano Benassi, Michele Madureri
  • Patent number: 8951157
    Abstract: The cooling system of the present disclosure is configured to promote heat transfer in a gearbox. The system can include a container for housing a gas, the gas having a sufficient percentage of helium so that once the gas is introduced into the gearbox, the helium increases heat transfer from the heat generating components of the gearbox. The method of the present disclosure can include selectively introducing the helium gas into the gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Monte A. McGlaun, Walter W. Riley
  • Patent number: 8840509
    Abstract: A fluid supply system is provided for cooling and lubricating a transmission of an automobile, which includes, but is not limited to a cooling channel for cooling the transmission and a lubrication channel for lubricating the transmission. The lubrication channel communicates with the cooling channel via a shift valve. The shift valve is adapted to provide at least a first valve status, by which the cooling channel is connected to the lubrication channel via only one first valve path, and a second valve status, by which the cooling channel is connected to the lubrication channel via at least the first valve path and by which the cooling channel is connected in addition via a second valve path to a bypass channel bypassing the lubrication channel. Since at least two different valve statuses optimized for low and high power are provided, it is possible to reduce unnecessary spin losses over the whole range of applied powers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Frederic Pignard
  • Patent number: 8814737
    Abstract: A wheel driving device includes: a reduction mechanism of which at least a part is disposed on an inside of a wheel; a casing; a relative rotation member rotating relative to the casing; a bearing disposed between the casing and the relative rotation member; and an oil seal sealing a space where the reduction mechanism is present, wherein an outer race of the bearing includes a main body portion of which an outer periphery is disposed on an inside of the casing, and an extending portion which extends from the main body portion in an axial direction and of which an outer periphery is exposed from the casing, and the oil seal abuts on the extending portion and the relative rotation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Ishizuka
  • Patent number: 8784261
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission includes a continuously variable transmission mechanism that includes an input disk, an output disk, and planetary balls sandwiched between them and that steplessly changes a transmission ratio between the input disk and the output disk by tilting the planetary balls, wherein cooling performance of a cooling device for the continuously variable transmission mechanism is enhanced as the transmission ratio becomes larger than 1 or smaller than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ogawa, Akira Murakami
  • Patent number: 8740742
    Abstract: A dump truck has a flange on an inner peripheral wall of a spindle. The flange arranges a support bearing for supporting a shaft. The spindle is formed of a chassis-side member and a reduction gear unit-side member joined together by welding. The chassis-side member is fixed on a chassis of the dump truck, and the reduction gear unit-side member is located closer to a side of the reduction gear unit than the chassis-side member. The reduction gear unit-side member is located on a side of an outer periphery of the shaft portion, where a distance to a coupling between the motor and shaft and a distance to a first sun gear between the reduction gear unit and shaft are equal to each other. On an inner peripheral wall of the reduction gear unit-side member, the flange is cast together with the reduction gear unit-side member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Shibukawa, Hayato Masuda
  • Publication number: 20140135163
    Abstract: A device and method for cooling an axle differential of a motor vehicle includes an air-guiding plate for guiding the air stream under the motor vehicle. An air-guiding plate is provided for guiding the air stream under the motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Oliver Fischer
  • Patent number: 8715127
    Abstract: An axle assembly having a heat sink coupled to an axle housing assembly for ejecting heat from the axle assembly. The heat sink includes an air channel having a body coupled to the carrier housing assembly such that heat is conducted from the carrier housing assembly to the body of the air channel and an air passage formed in the body and having an open leading end and an open trailing end, the leading end being positioned relative to the carrier housing assembly to permit air flowing over the axle assembly when the axle assembly is in use to be received into the air passage such that heat is conducted from the body to the air flowing through the air passage, and the trailing end being positioned relative to the carrier housing assembly to permit air received in the air passage to be expelled through the trailing end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R Beutler, James P Borowiak, Gregory J Hilker, David C Johnson, Rajendra D Patil, Jeffrey E Rea
  • Patent number: 8678078
    Abstract: Transmission fluid is heated through a heat exchanger effective to transfer heat between transmission fluid of a transmission assembly and an exhaust gas feed stream of an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Farzad Samie, Richard W. Carlson, Thomas A. Robertson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8622040
    Abstract: A transmission fluid heater for a motor vehicle includes a fluid pan mounted on the transmission for storing a supply of transmission fluid. The fluid pan has an inner chamber storing the transmission fluid, and an outer chamber surrounding the inner chamber. An inlet to the outer chamber communicates with a source of engine exhaust gas and an outlet from the outer chamber exhausts the exhaust gas. An inlet valve opens and shuts the communication of engine exhaust gas to the inlet. A plurality of heat exchanger fins enhancing the transfer of heat from the engine exhaust gas within the outer chamber to the transmission fluid is stored within the inner chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Farzad Samie, James L Lanzon, Andrew L. Bartos
  • Patent number: 8585526
    Abstract: An axle assembly that includes an axle housing assembly, a differential disposed in the axle housing assembly, an input pinion, a pair of axle shafts and a heat sink. The input pinion is coupled to the axle housing assembly and is configured to transmit a rotary input to the differential. The axle shafts are coupled to the differential and housed in the axle housing assembly. The heat sink is coupled to the axle housing assembly and is formed of a material having a thermal conductivity that is greater than that of the axle housing assembly. The heat sink does not consist entirely of a chrome plating, a zinc plating or a cadmium plating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Beutler, James P. Borowiak, Gregory J. Hilker, Rajendra D. Patil, Jeffrey E. Rea
  • Patent number: 8485932
    Abstract: An axle system is provided that included an axle assembly having an axle member, a gear coupled with the axle member, and a housing encasing a lubrication fluid and at least a portion of the axle member and the gear therein. A device may selectively heat and/or cool the lubrication fluid at one or more regions of the axle system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Brian E. Beechie, John D. Mueller, Jeffrey M. Orzechowski, Anurag Peter Varma, Mary Gerber
  • Patent number: 8205709
    Abstract: A system for heating and cooling the transmission fluid including a heat exchanger adapted to transfer heat between an engine coolant and a transmission fluid and a controller for controlling a valve to place the system into a select one of three modes including a heater core priority mode wherein no engine coolant flows to the heat exchanger, a heating mode wherein hot engine coolant flows directly to the heat exchanger from the engine and a cooling mode wherein cool engine coolant flows directly to the heat exchanger from the radiator, whereby the transmission fluid is heated in an efficient manner with minimal impact on passenger compartment heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC.
    Inventors: James Thomas Gooden, Hamish Macwillson, Dragos Catalin Iliescu
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8128524
    Abstract: A gear train assembly includes a planetary gear set partially submerged in an oil bath and having a plurality of planetary gears mounted on a rotatable carrier. A plurality of sheaths having a hydrodynamic profile are mounted on the carrier to reduce the churning and turbulence created by the planetary gears as they enter the oil bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rick T. Lasko, Daniel J. Reed, Timothy F. Nusz, Christopher P. Braet, Keith A. Kabrick, John D. Zeirke
  • Patent number: 8069951
    Abstract: In an oil cooler installation structure for a vehicular transmission, an oil cooler by means of which oil is cooled is provided, oil being delivered between the oil cooler and an internal of a transmission housing, and an oil cooler installation portion is provided in the internal of the transmission housing and in which a first oil passage for supplying oil in the internal of the transmission housing to the oil cooler via a first opening portion opened at an external of the transmission housing and a second oil passage for supplying oil from the oil cooler to the internal of the transmission housing via a second opening portion opened at the external of the transmission housing are formed, the oil cooler being attached onto the oil cooler installation portion to enable a delivery of oil via the first opening portion and the second opening portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Taku Sugano, Tsutomu Saitou
  • Patent number: 8066605
    Abstract: A planetary transmission includes a sun gear, which constitutes an input drive to the planetary transmission, a ring gear arranged around the sun gear, and a planet carrier which is designed to rotate and which carries at least one planet wheel, which planet wheel meshes with the sun gear and the ring gear. The planet carrier constitutes an output drive from the planetary transmission. The planetary transmission further includes a wet disk brake, a first set of brake disks in the brake being rotationally locked to the planet carrier and thereby in operation rotating at the rotational speed of the planet carrier. The planetary transmission further comprises an arrangement for circulation of a cooling fluid through the brake which is rotationally locked to the sun gear and thereby in operation rotates at the rotational speed of the sun gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventors: Tim Kingston, Mats ā„«kerblom
  • Patent number: 8043186
    Abstract: The two stage check valve for the automatic transmission system provides a first member that opens in response to a first pressure and a second member which opens in response to a second pressure where the second pressure is higher than the first pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Ross Gresley, Eric Nelson
  • Patent number: 7976420
    Abstract: The present invention provides an eccentric oscillating type speed reducer that can more effectively be cooled with an extremely simple structure. An eccentric oscillating type speed reducer 1 includes a camshaft 11 having crank portions 11a and 11b, a plurality of externally toothed gear members 12 that respectively have holes, each of which accommodates an associated one of the crank portions, and that are eccentrically moved by rotation of the camshaft, an internally toothed gear member 13 having an inner peripheral surface in which internal teeth to be meshed with external teeth formed on external peripheral surfaces of the externally toothed gear members are formed so as to set the number of the internal teeth to be slightly larger than that of external teeth, and support members 14 respectively positioned at both ends of the externally toothed gear members so as to rotatably support both ends of the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Nabtesco Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20110082001
    Abstract: An axle assembly that includes an axle housing assembly, a differential disposed in the axle housing assembly, an input pinion, a pair of axle shafts and a heat sink. The input pinion is coupled to the axle housing assembly and is configured to transmit a rotary input to the differential. The axle shafts are coupled to the differential and housed in the axle housing assembly. The heat sink is coupled to the axle housing assembly and is formed of a material having a thermal conductivity that is greater than that of the axle housing assembly. The heat sink does not consist entirely of a chrome plating, a zinc plating or a cadmium plating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Beutler, James P. Borowiak, Gregory J. Hilker, Rajendra D. Patil, Jeffrey E. Rea
  • Publication number: 20110077117
    Abstract: The present invention provides an eccentric oscillating type speed reducer that can more effectively be cooled with an extremely simple structure. An eccentric oscillating type speed reducer 1 includes a camshaft 11 having crank portions 11a and 11b, a plurality of externally toothed gear members 12 that respectively have holes, each of which accommodates an associated one of the crank portions, and that are eccentrically moved by rotation of the camshaft, an internally toothed gear member 13 having an inner peripheral surface in which internal teeth to be meshed with external teeth formed on external peripheral surfaces of the externally toothed gear members are formed so as to set the number of the internal teeth to be slightly larger than that of external teeth, and support members 14 respectively positioned at both ends of the externally toothed gear members so as to rotatably support both ends of the camshaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: NABTESCO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koji Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20110039652
    Abstract: A vehicle drive train includes a first power disconnection device and a first driveline for transferring torque to a first set of wheels. A second driveline for transferring torque to a second set of wheels includes a differential gearset having an output coupled to a second power disconnection device. A hypoid gearset is positioned within the second driveline in a power path between the first and second power disconnection devices. The second power disconnection device includes a clutch having a first set of clutch plates fixed for rotation with the differential gearset output. The clutch further includes a second set of clutch plates fixed for rotation with a shaft adapted to transfer torque to one of the wheels of the second set of wheels. A valve limits a flow of coolant to the clutch when the second power disconnection device operates in a disconnected mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Todd Ekonen, Johannes Quehenberger
  • Patent number: 7883438
    Abstract: A support shaft provides lubrication to a journal bearing during windmilling operation of a gear set. A primary oil pump provides oil from an oil supply during driven operation of the fan, and a secondary oil pump provides oil from an internal sump during windmilling operation of the fan. During driven operation of the fan, oil is pumped with the primary oil pump through a primary oil flow path to an outer surface of the support shaft. During windmilling fan operation, oil is pumped from an internal sump with a secondary oil pump through the secondary oil flow path. The secondary oil flow path has a smaller flow capacity, and the secondary oil pump is a smaller capacity pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Michael E. McCune
  • Patent number: 7819769
    Abstract: An axle assembly that includes an axle housing assembly, a differential disposed in the axle housing assembly, an input pinion, a pair of axle shafts and a heat sink. The input pinion is coupled to the axle housing assembly and is configured to transmit a rotary input to the differential. The axle shafts are coupled to the differential and housed in the axle housing assembly. The heat sink is coupled to the axle housing assembly and is formed of a material having a thermal conductivity that is greater than that of the axle housing assembly. The heat sink does not consist entirely of a chrome plating, a zinc plating or a cadmium plating. A cover for an axle assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Beutler, James P. Borowiak, Gregory J. Hilker, Rajendra D. Patil, Jeffrey E. Rea
  • Publication number: 20100234160
    Abstract: A differential gear device includes a case that rotates around a rotation center line; a first protruding portion protruding from an inner surface of the case toward the rotation center line; a rotatable first gear provided around the first protruding portion; and a second gear including a ring-shaped base portion, and a connection portion formed on an inner peripheral surface of the base portion, and connected to an output shaft, wherein the second gear engages with the first gear. One end of the base portion, which is located in the case at a position inside an opposite end of the base portion in an axial direction of the output shaft, is located in a region that is located directly ahead of the first protruding portion in a direction in which the first protruding portion protrudes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichiro Ishikawa, Masato Kurosaki
  • Publication number: 20100197441
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for heating transmission fluid in a vehicle, the vehicle comprising an engine and a transmission, the engine including a heat exchanger. One example method comprises, during a first engine running condition, operating an auxiliary transmission fluid pump to generate pressure in the transmission fluid and pump transmission fluid to the heat exchanger, and during a second condition where the engine is not running, operating the auxiliary transmission fluid pump to generate pressure in the transmission fluid and pump transmission fluid to the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Publication number: 20100151981
    Abstract: A system for controlling a flow rate in a vehicle transmission includes a source of fluid exiting a torque converter, an oil cooler, a source of control pressure, and a valve for regulating a rate of fluid flow from the torque converter to the cooler in response to the control pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Chip Hartinger, Steve A. Frait, James T. Gooden
  • Publication number: 20100062890
    Abstract: A fluid supply apparatus includes a main passage through which fluid flows, a parallel passage section, and a pressure loss adjusting mechanism. The parallel passage section includes a plurality of passages connected in parallel to the main passage. The parallel passage section includes a selector valve, which changes the number of passages through which fluid passes among the plurality of passages. The pressure loss adjusting mechanism suppresses change in the pressure loss at the parallel passage section associated with change in an operating state of the selector valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Osamu Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20090253546
    Abstract: A fluid is supplied to a housing of a hybrid transmission. An overall system line pressure is elevated to induce leakage of the fluid through a control system. The leaked fluid is flowed through at least one backfill passage to the housing of the hybrid transmission. The leaked fluid is flowed over the motors disposed within the housing to cool the motors. The fluid that is flowed over the motors is collected to create a head pressure within the housing. The head pressure forces the collected fluid upwards within the transmission housing and into clutches that are disposed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Michael D. Foster
  • Publication number: 20090107755
    Abstract: A method for controlling a powertrain including an transmission coupled to an engine and an electric machine and a hydraulic control system providing hydraulic flow to a cooling circuit of the electric machine, wherein the transmission is adapted to selectively transmit mechanical power to an output membe, includes monitoring a temperature of the electric machine, determining a cooling flow requirement for the cooling circuit based upon the temperature of the electric machine, comparing the cooling flow requirement to a threshold cooling flow, and requesting active electric machine cooling of the electric machine based upon the comparing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicants: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC., Daimler AG, Chrysler LLC, Bayerishe Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Aniket Kothari, Jy-Jen F. Sah, Ali K. Naqvi, William Joseph Gourlay
  • Patent number: 7517296
    Abstract: The present invention provides a control system employing a single solenoid valve operable to provide a variable fluid flow to effect cooling if the motor/generator assemblies contained within an electrically variable hybrid transmission. The control system of the present invention selectively controls the cooling of at least one motor/generator assembly of an electronically variable hybrid transmission by selectively controlling valves of various types and configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Foster, Charles F. Long, Michael L. Duhaime
  • Publication number: 20080312023
    Abstract: An axle assembly that includes an axle housing assembly, a differential disposed in the axle housing assembly, an input pinion, a pair of axle shafts and a heat sink. The input pinion is coupled to the axle housing assembly and is configured to transmit a rotary input to the differential. The axle shafts are coupled to the differential and housed in the axle housing assembly. The heat sink is coupled to the axle housing assembly and is formed of a material having a thermal conductivity that is greater than that of the axle housing assembly. The heat sink does not consist entirely of a chrome plating, a zinc plating or a cadmium plating. A cover for an axle assembly is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Kevin R. Beutler, James P. Borowiak, Gregory J. Hilker, Rajendra D. Patil, Jeffrey E. Rea
  • Publication number: 20080268998
    Abstract: A planetary transmission includes a sun gear, which constitutes an input drive to the planetary transmission, a ring gear arranged around the sun gear, and a planet carrier which is designed to rotate and which carries at least one planet wheel, which planet wheel meshes with the sun gear and the ring gear. The planet carrier constitutes an output drive from the planetary transmission. The planetary transmission further includes a wet disk brake, a first set of brake disks in the brake being rotationally locked to the planet carrier and thereby in operation rotating at the rotational speed of the planet carrier. The planetary transmission further comprises an arrangement for circulation of a cooling fluid through the brake which is rotationally locked to the sun gear and thereby in operation rotates at the rotational speed of the sun gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT HOLDING SWEDEN AB
    Inventors: Tim Kingston, Mats Akerblom
  • Patent number: 7402923
    Abstract: A transmission includes a housing, an electric motor having a stator within the housing, and a member including a generally cylindrical portion that circumscribes at least part of the stator. The member cooperates with the housing to form an annular coolant flowpath therebetween, and the member includes a plurality of holes to provide radial inflow of coolant from the flowpath to the stator to provide significantly improved motor cooling compared to the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Klemen, Ahmed M. El-Antably, Michael R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7228928
    Abstract: An in-wheel motor includes a motor, a shaft, an oil pump and oil paths. The oil pump is provided on one end of the shaft. The motor includes a stator core, stator coils and a rotor. The oil pump pumps up an oil from an oil reservoir via an oil path to supply the pumped-up oil to another oil path. The another oil path supplies the oil from the oil pump to the outer periphery of the stator core of the motor from an opening end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: RyĆ³ji Mizutani, Yasuji Taketsuna, Yuki Tojima, Atsushi Torii, Shigetaka Isogai
  • Patent number: 7188699
    Abstract: An axle assembly with a cooling pump. The cooling pump includes a disk-shaped wheel with a plurality of radially-spaced ducts formed therein. The wheel is positioned in proximity to the axle assembly and rotated, allowing the ducts to draw air therethrough and direct the air to the axle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason E. Moore, Frederick E. Zink
  • Patent number: 7077776
    Abstract: A heat exchanger integrated into the transmission oil pan transfers heat from post-catalyst exhaust gases to the transmission oil. Inlet and outlet ducts route exhaust gas between the heat exchanger and an exhaust pipe located downstream of the catalyst. The exhaust pipe accommodates a control valve that diverts exhaust gas flow to the heat exchanger during the warm-up phase, or to the tailpipe during steady state operation. A control function is provided to monitor transmission oil temperature and engine operating conditions and to control actuation of the valve. The main input parameter to the control function is the transmission oil temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jagadish Sorab, Tom Tibbles, Michael Schroder, John Glidewell
  • Patent number: 7052429
    Abstract: An expansion chamber for a hydrostatic transaxle to provide for expansion of the hydraulic oil during operation of the transaxle, where the expansion chamber is formed as part of the housing inside the main sump by ribs or other members extending from the housing and is closed by a cap to form a sealed chamber. A siphon tube may be secured to the cap or integrally formed therein, or formed by additional cast ribs or similar features formed into the housing and also sealed by the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Eric S. Phanco, Kenneth J. Rawski, William H. Ward
  • Patent number: 7004871
    Abstract: An automatic transmission apparatus comprising, a first member rotating integrally with an input shaft and including a first cylindrical portion having an inner spline at an inner peripheral surface, a second member including a second cylindrical portion having an outer spline for engaging with the inner spline of the first member and a depressed portion formed on the second member and a clearance, which establishes a communication between an inner portion surrounded by the first and the second members and an outer portion of the first and the second members, is formed between the depressed portion of the second member and the inner surface of the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoya Tanikawa
  • Patent number: 6843747
    Abstract: An expansion chamber for a hydrostatic transaxle to provide for expansion of the hydraulic oil during operation of the transaxle, where the expansion chamber is formed as part of the housing inside the main sump by ribs or other members extending from the housing and is closed by a cap to form a sealed chamber. A siphon tube may be secured to the cap or integrally formed therein, or formed by additional cast ribs or similar features formed into the housing and also sealed by the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Eric S. Phanco, Kenneth J. Rawski, William H. Ward
  • Patent number: 6830527
    Abstract: In a transmission-fluid cooling system of an automatic transmission of an automotive vehicle equipped with a water-cooled oil cooler and an air-cooled oil cooler connected in series to each other, a first bypass valve is provided to permit working fluid to circulate therevia through oil passages in the transmission, bypassing the water-cooled oil cooler and the air-cooled oil cooler, only when a working-fluid temperature is less than or equal to a predetermined temperature and the line pressure is greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure. Also provided is a second bypass valve that opens to permit the working fluid to circulate via the water-cooled oil cooler and the second bypass valve through the oil passages in the transmission, bypassing only the air-cooled oil cooler, only when the working-fluid temperature is less than or equal to a preset temperature value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventor: Hideshi Wakayama
  • Publication number: 20040235602
    Abstract: A vehicle transmission (2) includes a transmission housing (4), a clutch bell housing (6), and lines (20, 22, 36, 38) for a liquid cooling medium and is connected at a junction point to a vehicle engine (26). In the area of the junction point two, first coupling flanges (16, 18) are provided on the clutch bell housing (6), and two second coupling flanges (30, 32) are provided on the vehicle engine (6), which flanges can be joined for the purpose of transferring the cooling medium between the vehicle engine (26) and the vehicle transmission (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventor: Ludger Ronge
  • Patent number: 6805025
    Abstract: The refinement of such harmonic drives according to German Patent 1 98 33 290 C1=European Patent Application 0 974 773 A concerns damping of the noise generation as a consequence of the revolving displacement of discrete tappets (instead of the rotating deformation of the closed hub of a spoked wheel) on the non-round wave generator. Since the feet of the individual—not guided in a cage, but rather connected to one another by a flexible ring band—tappets are no longer solid, but rather split, they are to be able to elastically bend so they may press continuously against the drive core of the wave generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Oechsler AG
    Inventor: Martin Ruttor
  • Publication number: 20040204281
    Abstract: In a transmission-fluid cooling system of an automatic transmission of an automotive vehicle equipped with a water-cooled oil cooler and an air-cooled oil cooler connected in series to each other, a first bypass valve is provided to permit working fluid to circulate therevia through oil passages in the transmission, bypassing the water-cooled oil cooler and the air-cooled oil cooler, only when a working-fluid temperature is less than or equal to a predetermined temperature and the line pressure is greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure. Also provided is a second bypass valve that opens to permit the working fluid to circulate via the water-cooled oil cooler and the second bypass valve through the oil passages in the transmission, bypassing only the air-cooled oil cooler, only when the working-fluid temperature is less than or equal to a preset temperature value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: JATCO Ltd
    Inventor: Hideshi Wakayama
  • Patent number: 6740000
    Abstract: In a transmission-fluid cooling system of an automatic transmission of an automotive vehicle equipped with a water-cooled oil cooler and an air-cooled oil cooler connected in series to each other, a first bypass valve is provided to permit working fluid to circulate therevia through oil passages in the transmission, bypassing the water-cooled oil cooler and the air-cooled oil cooler, only when a working-fluid temperature is less than or equal to a predetermined temperature and the line pressure is greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure. Also provided is a second bypass valve that opens to permit the working fluid to circulate via the water-cooled oil cooler and the second bypass valve through the oil passages in the transmission, bypassing only the air-cooled oil cooler, only when the working-fluid temperature is less than or equal to a preset temperature value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Jatco LTD
    Inventor: Hideshi Wakayama