Patents Assigned to Allison Transmission, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11512720
    Abstract: Transmissions, filter assemblies for transmissions, and valve assemblies for transmissions are disclosed herein. A transmission includes an input shaft, an output shaft, and a hydraulic system. The input shaft is configured to receive rotational power supplied by a drive unit. The output shaft is coupled to the input shaft and configured to provide rotational power supplied to the input shaft to a load. The hydraulic system is configured to supply fluid to one or more fluid demand devices coupled between the input shaft and the output shaft in one or more operating modes of the transmission. The hydraulic system includes a filter assembly having a filter element and a valve assembly fluidly coupled to the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Andrews
  • Patent number: 11505061
    Abstract: An axle assembly for a low floor vehicle is described herein. The axle assembly includes an axle housing and a drive unit for driving a wheel assembly. The axle housing including a first gearbox, a second gearbox and a cradle assembly coupling the first gear box to the second gear box. The axle assembly includes first and second hub assemblies that form a first axis of rotation. The first gearbox includes an electric motor that is coupled to a transmission used to rotate an output shaft. The first gearbox also includes a differential mounted for rotation with the transmission and a first drop box mounted for rotation with the differential. The axle assembly also includes a portal axle mounted for rotation with the first drop box and extends from the first gearbox to the second gearbox wherein the portal axle forms a second axis of rotation that is offset from the first axis of rotation of the hub assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Shaun Mepham, Christopher G. Baillie
  • Publication number: 20220364630
    Abstract: An electric powertrain includes a first electric motor that has an uninterrupted connection with a drive shaft of a vehicle. The electric powertrain further includes a second electric motor that has an interruptible connection with the drive shaft. In one form, this interruptible connection includes a clutch. The electric powertrain further includes a first gear train in the form of a first planetary gear and a second gear train in the form of a second planetary gear. The first gear train, second gear train, and clutch are arranged downstream from the first electric motor and second electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur L. McGrew, JR., Isaac Mock, George S. Pelton, James Allen Raszkowski
  • Patent number: 11498403
    Abstract: An electric powertrain includes a first electric motor that has an uninterrupted connection with a drive shaft of a vehicle. The electric powertrain further includes a second electric motor that has an interruptible connection with the drive shaft. In one form, this interruptible connection includes a clutch. The electric powertrain further includes a first gear train in the form of a first planetary gear and a second gear train in the form of a second planetary gear. To provide a compact configuration, the first electric motor and second electric motor are arranged in a centerline orientation with the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur L. McGrew, Jr., Isaac Mock, George S. Pelton, James Allen Raszkowski, John Andrew Byerly, John L. Saler
  • Patent number: 11486424
    Abstract: Valve assemblies, clips adapted for use in valve assemblies, and methods of assembling valve assemblies are disclosed herein. A valve assembly includes a solenoid, a valve body, and a clip. The valve body is coupled to the solenoid and extends along a valve body axis. The valve body includes a first inner surface that defines an interior passage, a second inner surface that defines a groove in fluid communication with the interior passage, and a shoulder defined at an interface between the first inner surface and the second inner surface. The clip is coupled to the solenoid and the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.
    Inventor: Mickey Hunt
  • Publication number: 20220307575
    Abstract: An electric powertrain includes a first electric motor that has an uninterrupted connection with a drive shaft of a vehicle. The electric powertrain further includes a second electric motor that has an interruptible connection with the drive shaft. In one form, this interruptible connection includes a clutch. The electric powertrain further includes a first gear train in the form of a first planetary gear and a second gear train in the form of a second planetary gear. The clutch in one variation includes a positive clutch in the form of a dog clutch. The dog clutch has a clutch suspension configured to deflect a clutch collar when gearing is misaligned during shifting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Isaac Mock, James Allen Raszkowski
  • Patent number: 11441639
    Abstract: Vehicles that are relatively heavy and/or configured to transport heavy loads may utilize a powertrain comprising an electric machine capable of operating at high speeds and a multispeed transmission to propel the vehicle. An interface module is configured to modulate torque between the electric machine and the multispeed transmission allowing the electric machine to smoothly match speed as the multispeed transmission shifts between gears. The interface module facilitates efficient, predictable, and reliable modulation of torque between an input and an output of the powertrain of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.
    Inventor: Shaun Mepham
  • Patent number: 11428275
    Abstract: A wet clutch system includes fluid-flow apertures in the clutch piston which allow for reduction of oil shear forces between rotating clutch plates and a stationary piston. In particular the apertures pass through the piston in the area of the piston's engagement with the clutch plates. When the piston is in its deactivated position and spaced from the clutch plates, the radially-outward position of these apertures allows high-pressure, centrifugally-driven clutch fluid to migrate away from the clutch plates through the piston to a backfill cavity on the opposite side of the piston. An air-inlet aperture may be provided in or near the clutch hub to facilitate this oil migration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Tysman, Debera Schroeder, Drew Nicholas
  • Patent number: 11428310
    Abstract: A rotatable transmission component rotatable about an axis of rotation includes a first mounting member spaced apart from a second mounting member and a spindle extending from the first mounting member to the second mounting member. An axial location of the spindle between the first and second mounting members is maintained by interference connections between the spindle and the first and second mounting members. An outer diameter of a first end of the spindle is larger than an outer diameter of a second end of the spindle. The rotatable transmission component may be a planet carrier, and a planet gear may be supported on the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Jorge F. Briceno, Isaac Mock, Douglas Burchett
  • Patent number: 11428311
    Abstract: Transmissions, control systems for transmissions, and methods of operating transmissions are disclosed herein. A transmission includes an input shaft, an output shaft, one or more clutches, and a control system. The input shaft is configured to receive rotational power supplied by a drive unit. The output shaft is coupled to the input shaft and configured to provide rotational power supplied to the input shaft to a load. The one or more clutches are coupled between the input shaft and the output shaft to selectively transmit rotational power between the input shaft and the output shaft in one or more operating modes of the transmission. Each of the one or more clutches is selectively engageable in response to one or more fluid pressures applied thereto. The control system is configured to control operation of the one or more clutches to select the one or more operating modes of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Shultz, Bruno Re, Scott Kluemper
  • Patent number: 11421759
    Abstract: An electric powertrain includes a first electric motor that has an uninterrupted connection with a drive shaft of a vehicle. The electric powertrain further includes a second electric motor that has an interruptible connection with the drive shaft. In one form, this interruptible connection includes a clutch. The electric powertrain further includes a first gear train in the form of a first planetary gear and a second gear train in the form of a second planetary gear. The first gear train, second gear train, and clutch are arranged downstream from the first electric motor and second electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur L. McGrew, Jr., Isaac Mock, George S. Pelton, James Allen Raszkowski
  • Patent number: 11420609
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling a transmission. An engine stop-start event may be allowed or denied based on one or more characteristics of the vehicle including the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Claire Etchason, Jacob Hoeschen, Charles F. Long
  • Patent number: 11420514
    Abstract: Vehicles, powertrains for vehicles, and methods of mounting powertrains to chassis of vehicles are disclosed herein. A vehicle includes a chassis, a plurality of wheels, and a powertrain. The chassis extends along a longitudinal axis from a first end to a second end arranged opposite the first end. The plurality of wheels are coupled to the chassis between the first end and the second end and configured for rotation about a rotational axis. The powertrain is mounted to the chassis transverse to the longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end. The powertrain is configured to drive rotation of the plurality of wheels about the rotational axis in use of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.
    Inventors: Jason Ellis, Kyle Mason, George Pelton, John Tysman
  • Publication number: 20220258583
    Abstract: An electric powertrain includes a first electric motor that has an uninterrupted connection with a drive shaft of a vehicle. The electric powertrain further includes a second electric motor that has an interruptible connection with the drive shaft. In one form, this interruptible connection includes a clutch. The electric powertrain further includes a first gear train in the form of a first planetary gear and a second gear train in the form of a second planetary gear. In one form, the first electric motor and second electric motor are the same type of electric motor, and in another form, the first electric motor and second electric motor are different types of electric motors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur L. McGrew, JR., Isaac Mock, George S. Pelton, James Allen Raszkowski
  • Patent number: 11400755
    Abstract: An axle assembly for frame rail vehicles is described herein. The axle assembly also includes a drive unit housing that includes an interior cavity enclosing first and second electric machines, a common gear reduction, a differential gear set, and a speed change mechanism with the first and second axle shafts partially disposed within the interior cavity and extending out of the drive unit housing. The drive unit housing includes a central cavity, a lower cavity, a first machine cavity, and a second machine cavity. The central cavity includes the common gear reduction and the axis of rotation of the first and second axle shafts. The lower cavity accumulates a volume of gearbox fluid with the speed change mechanism at least partially immersed in the lower cavity. The first machine cavity includes the first electric machine and the second machine cavity includes the second electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher G. Baillie, Vikram Chopra, Shaun Mepham, Siva Srinivas Rajeev Mupparti
  • Patent number: 11400807
    Abstract: An electric axle assembly includes a drive housing and a drive assembly. The drive assembly is housed in the drive housing and engages with wheels of a vehicle for rotating the wheels to move the vehicle along a ground surface. The drive assembly includes a drive input, one or more gearsets, and axle shafts. The one or more gearsets transfer motive force from the drive input to the axle shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Vikram Chopra, Christopher G. Baillie, Siva Srinivas Rajeev Mupparti
  • Patent number: 11378121
    Abstract: A thrust bearing has an outer race and an inner race arranged for rotation relative to the outer race about an axis of rotation. Multiple rolling elements are positioned between the inner and outer races. A cage is positioned between the inner and outer races and configured to engage with the rolling elements to align the rolling elements into multiple rows, with the rows circumferentially spaced apart from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.
    Inventors: Jorge F. Briceno, Burak A. Gecim
  • Patent number: 11371589
    Abstract: An electric powertrain includes a first electric motor that has an uninterrupted connection with a drive shaft of a vehicle. The electric powertrain further includes a second electric motor that has an interruptible connection with the drive shaft. In one form, this interruptible connection includes a clutch. The electric powertrain further includes a first gear train in the form of a first planetary gear and a second gear train in the form of a second planetary gear. The clutch in one variation includes a positive clutch in the form of a dog clutch. The dog clutch has a clutch suspension configured to deflect a clutch collar when gearing is misaligned during shifting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Isaac Mock, James Allen Raszkowski
  • Patent number: 11359701
    Abstract: A multiple speed transmission includes an input member, an output member, first, second, third and fourth planetary gearsets each having first, second and third members, and a plurality of interconnecting members each connected between at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gearsets and at least another of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gearsets. The transmission includes a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms between the input and output members, wherein the torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least four to establish at least ten forward speed ratios between the input member and the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventor: Rayman E. Bazilio
  • Patent number: 11332206
    Abstract: A vehicle drivetrain for a vehicle including a transmission configured to move the vehicle with a surface engaging traction member and a final drive assembly configured to drive the surface engaging traction member. The final drive assembly includes a drive assembly coupler. A transmission coupler is operatively connected to the transmission and disposed between the transmission and the drive assembly coupler. The transmission coupler includes a first position engaged with the drive assembly coupler and a second position disengaged from the drive assembly coupler. An actuator is operatively connected to the transmission coupler and is configured to move the transmission coupler between the first position and the second position. The actuator, in one embodiment, includes a worm drive having a worm gear configured to move the transmission coupler along a longitudinal direction of the transmission. The worm gear rotates about an axis inclined with the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.
    Inventors: Larry Boley, Rick Daugherty, James Priest, Michael R. Toole, Bruce E. Crum