Patents Represented by Attorney Davis & Bujold, P.L.L.C.
  • Patent number: 8262538
    Abstract: A transmission device with at least two multi-gear transmission groups. Torque is introduced via a input shaft into the transmission groups and into the other transmission group via a main shaft. The input shaft is directly connected with the main shaft via a shifting element during a gearshift to achieve an intermediate gear. When the intermediate gear is engaged, torque passes to the shafts connected to each other via the shifting element. A method for operating transmission, during the gearshift, includes introducing torque from the electric machine to the shafts connected via the shifting element and adjusting the rotational speed of the input shaft to the rotational speed of the target gear. A further shifting element is engaged in the first transmission group, the shifting element is disengaged, and torque of the electric machine is reduced, once the rotational speeds of the input shaft and the target gear match one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Kai Borntraeger
  • Patent number: 8262530
    Abstract: A power-branched transmission for an agricultural vehicle is configured as a power-branched transmission having a secondary coupling. The transmission comprises a summation planetary gear set (5), the planetary gear of which are configured as a double planetary gear (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Bailly, Thomas Ratzmann, Walter Fischer, Jurgen Pohlenz
  • Patent number: 8257223
    Abstract: A method of carrying out a shift with traction force interruption during hybrid operation in a parallel hybrid vehicle having an automated transmission. The method comprises the steps of maintaining the coupling between the internal combustion engine (1) and the electric machine (2), eliminating the load before disengaging the old gear, and synchronizing to the new gear by the operation of the electric machine (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Stefan Wallner
  • Patent number: 8258658
    Abstract: The electric motor (10) of the rotary type comprises a circular peripheral frame (11) inside of which a stator (12) is mounted, and the stator (12) comprises electrical coils (13) having each an armature (13a) and a winding of conductive wires (13b). The electric motor (10) comprises equipment (14) which is movable in relation to the stator, this mobile equipment is in this case a rotor (15) arranged coaxially in relation to the stator (12). The rotor (15) comprises a set of electric coils (16) which are electromagnets. The armatures (13a) of the electric coils (13) and those of the electric coils (16) comprise advantageously at least one element out of reverse magnetocaloric material arranged so as to contribute to cooling of the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Cooltech Applications
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Heitzler, Christian Muller
  • Patent number: 8257215
    Abstract: A multi-speed planetary coupling transmission (3) which includes a plurality of planetary gear sets (4, 5, 6) and a plurality of shifting elements (A, B, D, E). Depending on actuation of the shifting elements (A, B, D, E), various gear ratios can be achieved by the transmission. At least one provided electric machine (EM1) is functionally connected with one of the planetary gear sets (6). From the electric machine (EM1), a torque can be introduced, via a shaft (6B) of the planetary gear set (6) associated with the electric machine (EM1), in order to support torque acting on the associated planetary gear set (6) and achieve a gear ratio in the transmission (3) via the electric machine (EM1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Kai Borntraeger
  • Patent number: 8257218
    Abstract: A multi-speed automatic transmission of a planetary design for a motor vehicle, the transmission comprises an input shaft and an output shaft; first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets; and at least third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth rotatable shafts and first and second brakes and first, second and third clutches whose selective engagement defines different gear ratios between the input shaft and the output shaft such that at least eight forward gears and at least one reverse gear can be implemented. When shifting from one forward gear into one of a successive higher and a successive lower forward gear, only a single one of the first and second brakes and the first, second and third clutches is disengaged and only a single one of the first and second brakes and the first, second and third clutches is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Kamm, Gabor Diosi, Josef Haupt, Gerhard Gumpoltsberger, Peter Ziemer, Martin Brehmer
  • Patent number: 8251859
    Abstract: A multi step transmission, of a planetary design, which has an external housing and includes a transmission input shaft and a transmission output shaft. First, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets are each accommodated within the transmission housing along with third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth shafts, and at least six shift elements. The at least six shift elements comprises first and second brakes and first, second, third and fourth clutches, whose selected engagement produces different transmission ratios between the drive shaft and the output shaft such that nine separate forward gears and one reverse gear can be achieved. For each of the forward and reverse gears, only three of the six shift elements are engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Gumpoltsberger, Christian Sibla, Stefan Beck, Josef Haupt, Gert Bauknecht, Peter Ziemer
  • Patent number: 8253411
    Abstract: A configuration of a pair of inductor coils within a local measuring range which can comprise a position range or an angle range. For the coil configuration, a nominal distance to a damping part is predefined which comprises an eddy current damping part which covers the coils, to a certain degree. In the evaluation circuit, the coils are connected to a capacitor, forming an oscillator part, whose inductance and capacitance determine a resonant frequency. The characteristic curve, oscillator frequency as a function of the position or the angle is linear. The rectangular inductors of the pair of coils overlap within the measuring range. The linear characteristic curves have a common point of rotation, outside of the measuring range, which is independent from interferences by the measuring configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Andreas Schmitt
  • Patent number: 8251630
    Abstract: A grain bag handling assembly for a grain bag unloading apparatus having an auger assembly with an input end which is inserted into a mouth of an elongated grain bag and a remote output end. The grain bag handling assembly includes a rotatably mounted spool onto which the grain bag is rolled. The spool has a changeable diameter. A drive motor is provided for rotating the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Renn Mill Center Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Hilsabeck, Peter Verhoog
  • Patent number: 8251867
    Abstract: A method for operating a drive train of a vehicle in which the drive train has at least an internal combustion engine, an engine clutch, an electric machine, a single and a multi-group manual transmission with synchronized and/or unsynchronized shift elements for shifting gears, an axle transmission, as well as an associated control device for controlling the gear shifts. It is provided for the purpose of expanding the functional possibilities, that the electric machine is used, during gear shifts in the manual transmission, as a mode of synchronization, a synchronization aid, or at least as a shifting aid such that changes in the direction of rotation of the transmission shafts are taken into consideration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Reith, Mario Steinborn
  • Patent number: 8251852
    Abstract: An arrangement with at least one shifting element (2) arranged within a housing (1) of a transmission which can be hydraulically acted upon with a pressure medium from a pressure medium supply for the purpose of being coupled to and decoupled from at least one component of the transmission. The pressure medium supply to the shifting element (2) is additionally used for the continuous supply of at least one of lubricant and coolant to at least one other structural element arranged within the housing (1) of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Thore Bohnstedt
  • Patent number: 8251865
    Abstract: A method of carrying out a shift under load during hybrid operation in a parallel hybrid vehicle in which the speed adaptation of the electric machine and the internal combustion engine, required for synchronization to the new gear, is carried out by adapting the speed of the electric machine in a speed regulation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Stefan Wallner
  • Patent number: 8255102
    Abstract: A steering unit (1), for a steer-by-wire ship control system, comprises a steering wheel (3), a controller (11) that is connected to the electronic controller of the ship control system (ECU) via a CAN bus, a sensor (10) for detecting an angular position of the steering wheel (3), and a unit for generating mechanical resistance in the steering wheel (3), in which the unit for generating mechanical resistance in the steering wheel (3) is an electric motor (8) and the shaft (2) of the steering wheel (3), that is rotationally fixed to the steering wheel (3), is rotationally fixed to the rotor (7) of the electric motor (6), and the stator (8) of the electric motor (6) is rotationally fixed to the housing (5) of the electric motor (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Adriano Zanfei
  • Patent number: 8251866
    Abstract: A method for starting the internal combustion engine, in parallel hybrid vehicles, in which the internal combustion engine is started, during a shift under load in purely electric driving operation, by the electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Johannes Kaltenbach
  • Patent number: 8251873
    Abstract: A method for actuating a continuously variable clutch such that the torque to be transmitted by the clutch is continuously adjusted either electromechanically via an electromotive drive, hydraulically via a pressure actuator, or electromagnetically via an electromagnetic actuator. The torque transmitted by the clutch is adjusted by utilizing a position-dependent clutch torque specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Robert Zdych, Michael Gromus, Claus Granzow
  • Patent number: 8251855
    Abstract: A transmission which comprises an input shaft and an output shaft, first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth shafts, first, second, third, fourth and fifth gearshifting elements for achieving eight forward gears and one reverse gear. The first gearshifting element, when engaged, couples the third shaft with a housing of the transmission. The second gearshifting element, when engaged, couples the fourth shaft with the housing of the transmission. The third gearshifting element, when engaged, couples the input first shaft with the fifth shaft. The eighth shaft (8) is coupled with the fourth gearshifting element and the fifth gearshifting element (E), when engaged, couples the fifth shaft (5) and the seventh shaft (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Gabor Diosi, Josef Haupt, Gerhard Gumpoltsberger, Peter Ziemer, Martin Brehmer
  • Patent number: 8246504
    Abstract: The multi step transmission comprising gear sets (P1, P2, P3, P4), eight shafts and six shift elements. The sun gear of set (P1) couples the drive shaft, the carrier of set (P1) couples shaft (3) which couples a housing via brake (03), the drive shaft via clutch (13) and shaft (5) via clutch (35). Shaft (5) couples the ring gear of set (P2), to the sun gears of sets (P3, P4), and the drive shaft couples, via clutch (18), shaft (8) that couples the carrier of set (P4). Shaft (6) couples the ring gear of set (P1) and, via clutch (67), shaft (7) that couples the carrier of set (P2). The sun gear of set (P2) couples the housing. The ring gear of set (P3) couples shaft (4) that couples the housing via brake (04). The output shaft couples the ring gear and carrier of sets (P4, P3) respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Gumpoltsberger, Christian Sibla, Stefan Beck, Josef Haupt, Gert Bauknecht, Peter Ziemer
  • Patent number: 8245590
    Abstract: A device (1) for transmitting torque from a first shaft (2) to a second shaft (3) of a transmission device, in particular a counter shaft transmission. The device (1) has a first gear (5) supported on the first shaft (2) by a bearing device (4) and which, in an assembled state, engages a second gear (6) arranged on the second shaft (3). The first gear (5) can be shifted into an activated state in which the first gear is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the first shaft (2). A supporting mechanism (18) is associated with the first gear (5), next to the bearing device (4), via which tilting moments present and acting on the first gear (5), at least in a connected state, are transmitted to and supported by the first shaft (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Matthias Reisch, Mark Mohr, Ralf Dreibholz, Gerhard Gumpoltsberger
  • Patent number: 8246516
    Abstract: A method of operating a drive train of a motor vehicle that has at least an automatic transmission and a drive unit. A starting rotational speed is determined for starting the motor vehicle, and a starting process is initiated with the determined starting rotational speed by engaging a starting element, in particular a starting clutch. The starting rotational speed may be individually set by a driver in such a way that, when the automatic transmission is in the neutral position, the engine speed of the drive unit may be determined by the driver by actuating the accelerator pedal, and that once the automatic transmission is shifted from the neutral position to a either a forward gear or a reverse gear, the engine speed of the drive unit, prevailing during the shift of the automatic transmission, is used as the starting rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Roland Mair
  • Patent number: 8245828
    Abstract: A device for rotationally fixing a shaft to a component that is rotatably arranged on the shaft. The actuating element positively engages the components to rotationally fix the components to the shaft. The difference in rotational speeds, between the component and the shaft, can be at least approximately compensated for by the actuating element. The actuating element, for rotationally fixing the component to the shaft by the actuator, is operatively connected to at least one support body, which is rotationally fixed with respect to the shaft in such a manner that the actuating element can act upon the component with an actuating force that depends on the torque to be transmitted from the shaft to the component and which is independent of the actuation of the actuator in the state in which the actuating element can be rotated relative to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Matthias Reisch, Mark Mohr