Patents Assigned to AVL Powertrain Engineering, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11843097
    Abstract: A cell management module for a power supply module including a plurality of power cells includes at least one cell-sensing circuit and a current measurement circuit connected to the at least one cell-sensing circuit. The at least one cell-sensing circuit includes a transformer having a first winding and a second winding inductively coupled to the first winding. A first sub-circuit of the cell-sensing circuit includes the first winding of the transformer and is operable to selectively pulse a first signal through the first winding. A second sub-circuit of the cell-sensing circuit includes the second winding of the transformer and one of the power cells of the power supply module. The current measurement circuit is connected to the first sub-circuit of the at least one cell-sensing circuit and infers a voltage of the power cell based on a measured current of the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: AVL Powertrain Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Falls, Scott Kochan, Alwin Lutz, Brian Moran, Jeff Taberski
  • Patent number: 11682246
    Abstract: A system according to the present disclosure includes an identification module, a data recording module, and a data upload module. The identification module is configured to identify at least one of a vehicle and a user of the vehicle. The data recording module is configured to record a location of the vehicle, an acceleration of the vehicle, and data received from a controller area network (CAN) bus of the vehicle during a driving session. The data upload module is configured to upload the vehicle location, the vehicle acceleration, the CAN bus data, and at least one of the vehicle identification and the user identification to a remote server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: AVL POWERTRAIN ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Talus Park, Paul Bromnick, Martin Steinbacher, Xinwei Hu
  • Patent number: 11465445
    Abstract: An axle assembly for a vehicle includes a frame, a motor, and a pair of gear reduction subassemblies. The frame extends between a first distal end and a second distal end. The second distal end opposes the first distal end. The motor is secured to the frame between the first distal end and the second distal end. The pair of gear reduction subassemblies are rotatably coupled to the first distal end and the second distal end and configured to drive rotation from the motor to a pair of wheels. Each gear reduction subassembly includes a plurality of gears defining a plurality of gear ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: AVL POWERTRAIN ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Bruce Falls, Adrian Quintana
  • Publication number: 20220234433
    Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly includes a plurality of members, a tray, at least one insulation member, and at least one battery. The plurality of members define a first void. The tray is coupled to at least one member of the plurality of members. The tray defines a second void. The at least one insulation member is disposed within the first void or the second void. The at least one battery is disposed within the first void and the second void.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: AVL Powertrain Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce FALLS, Adrian QUINTANA
  • Patent number: 11346429
    Abstract: A two-speed transmission for an electric vehicle includes a planetary gear set selectively coupling an input shaft and an output shaft. The planetary gear set is configured to provide two forward gear ratios and neutral. The planetary gear set includes at least one sun gear, at least one pinion in meshing engagement with the at least one sun gear, at least one ring gear meshingly engaged with the at least one pinion, and a carrier. The carrier supports the at least one pinion and is connected to the output shaft such that rotation of the carrier drives the output shaft. The two-speed transmission also includes one or more elements that rotatably couple the at least sun gear, the at least one pinion, the at least one ring gear, the input shaft, and the carrier with one another and/or a ground. Examples of such elements include clutches, brakes, and mechanical diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: AVL POWERTRAIN ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory Mordukhovich, Hamid Vahabzadeh
  • Patent number: 11028694
    Abstract: An opposed-piston engine includes an engine block, at least two intake valves, and at least two exhaust valves. The engine block includes a first center section and a second center section. The first center section defines a first cylinder half bore having a first longitudinal axis and a first open end. The second center section defines a second cylinder half bore having a second longitudinal axis and a second open end. The second longitudinal axis is offset from the first longitudinal axis. The first and second open ends overlap to form and opening therebetween that places the first and second cylinder half bores in fluid communication with one another to form a single cylinder. The intake valves are arranged at the first open end of the first cylinder half bore. The exhaust valves are arranged at the second open end of the second cylinder half bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: AVL Powertrain Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Vasile Frasinel, Jennifer Weiche
  • Patent number: 10955030
    Abstract: A two-speed transmission for an electric vehicle includes a planetary gear set selectively coupling an input shaft and an output shaft. The planetary gear set is configured to provide two forward gear ratios and neutral. The planetary gear set includes at least one sun gear, at least one pinion in meshing engagement with the at least one sun gear, at least one ring gear meshingly engaged with the at least one pinion, and a carrier. The carrier supports the at least one pinion and is connected to the output shaft such that rotation of the carrier drives the output shaft. The two-speed transmission also includes one or more elements that rotatably couple the at least sun gear, the at least one pinion, the at least one ring gear, the input shaft, and the carrier with one another and/or a ground. Examples of such elements include clutches, brakes, and mechanical diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: AVL Powertrain Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Mordukhovich, Hamid Vahabzadeh
  • Patent number: 10830313
    Abstract: A dual-clutch transmission assembly where engine torque is split between first and second shafts. Torque is supplied to the first shaft by a first clutch and torque is supplied to the second shaft by a second clutch. A first gearset is carried on the first shaft and a second gearset is carried on the second shaft. The first gearset includes a primary first gear and the second gearset includes a duplicate first gear. The first and second shafts receive torque from a transmission input shaft in response to contemporaneous engagement of the primary first gear, the duplicate first gear, and the first and second clutches, which can be used during vehicle launch to split the torque applied to the first and second clutches. Both the primary first gear and duplicate first gear meshingly engage first and second counter shaft gearsets, which are rotatably coupled to a transmission output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: AVL POWERTRAIN ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory Mordukhovich, Michael Kozan
  • Patent number: 10810809
    Abstract: A system according to the present disclosure includes an identification module, a data recording module, and a data upload module. The identification module is configured to identify at least one of a vehicle and a user of the vehicle. The data recording module is configured to record a location of the vehicle, an acceleration of the vehicle, and data received from a controller area network (CAN) bus of the vehicle during a driving session. The data upload module is configured to upload the vehicle location, the vehicle acceleration, the CAN bus data, and at least one of the vehicle identification and the user identification to a remote server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: AVL POWERTRAIN ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Talus Park, Paul Bromnick, Martin Steinbacher, Xinwei Hu
  • Patent number: 10746023
    Abstract: An engine block for an opposed-piston engine includes a first center section and a second center section. The first center section defines a first cylinder half bore having a first longitudinal axis and a first plurality of fastener bores. The second center section defines a second cylinder half bore having a second longitudinal axis and a second plurality of fastener bores that extend from a first end thereof to a second end thereof. The second center section is configured to abut the first center section such that: the first and second cylinder half bores are in fluid communication with one another to collectively form a single cylinder; the first and second longitudinal axes are offset from one another; and the first and second pluralities of fastener bores are aligned with one another for receiving a first plurality of fasteners to join the first and second center sections to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: AVL Powertrain Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Vasile Frasinel
  • Patent number: 10711866
    Abstract: A two-speed transmission for a vehicle is provided including a planetary gear set selectively coupling an input shaft and an output shaft. The planetary gear set is configured to provide two forward gear ratios and neutral. The planetary gear set includes at least one sun gear, at least one pinion in meshing engagement with the sun gear, at least one ring gear meshingly engaged with the pinion, and a carrier. The carrier supports the pinion and is connected to the output shaft such that rotation of the carrier drives the output shaft. The two-speed transmission also includes one or more elements that rotatably couple different combinations of the sun gear, the pinion, the ring gear, the input shaft, and the carrier with one another or a ground. Such elements may include combinations of clutches, brakes, and dog clutches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: AVL Powertrain Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Mordukhovich, Hamid Vahabzadeh
  • Patent number: 10662903
    Abstract: A powertrain system is provided and may include a combustion engine, a crankshaft, and a turbo-compounding system. The combustion engine may include an intake manifold and an exhaust manifold. The crankshaft may be driven by the engine. The turbo-compounding system may be configured to drive the crankshaft and may include a first turbine and a drive system. The first turbine may include an inlet fluidly communicating with the exhaust manifold. The drive system may include an input shaft driven by the first turbine, and an output shaft engaged with the crankshaft. The drive system may be configured to drive the output shaft at more than one drive ratio relative to the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: AVL Powertrain Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Gustav R. Johnson, Gary L. Hunter, Julian Sherborne
  • Patent number: 10648540
    Abstract: A dual-clutch transmission assembly and method for controlling the same is provided where the torque generated by an engine is split between first and second shafts. Torque is supplied to the first shaft by a first clutch and torque is supplied to the second shaft by a second clutch. A first gearset is carried on the first shaft and a second gearset is carried on the second shaft. The first gearset includes a primary first gear and the second gearset includes a duplicate first gear. The first and second shafts receive torque from a transmission input shaft in response to contemporaneous engagement of the primary first gear, the duplicate first gear, and the first and second clutches, which can be used during vehicle launch to split the torque applied to the first and second clutches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: AVL Powertrain Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Mordukhovich, Michael Kozan
  • Patent number: 10619679
    Abstract: A method for reducing overheating in a clutch assembly having a clutch housing, a shaft, and a clutch pack. The clutch pack includes a backing plate, an applied plate, a plurality of friction plates, and a plurality of reaction plates. A primary actuator applies pressure to the applied plate to longitudinally compress the entire clutch pack and couple rotation of the clutch housing and the shaft. A secondary actuator applies pressure to at least one plate in the plurality of friction plates and the plurality of reaction plates to longitudinally move the at least one plates independently of the applied plate. This relieves some of the torque transmitted across the clutch pack adjacent the applied plate and reduces localized temperature spikes in the clutch pack adjacent to the applied plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: AVL Powertrain Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Mordukhovich
  • Patent number: 10584657
    Abstract: An oil cooled cylinder liner, a method for cooling the same, and an opposed piston engine using the oil cooled cylinder liner are described. The cylinder liner includes a liner wall that has an inner face adjacent a piston bore and an outer face including an oil gallery surface. A plurality of grooves are disposed along the oil gallery surface. The grooves run parallel to each other and are spaced apart by bridging portions of the liner wall. At least some of the grooves have at least one fin disposed therein that runs parallel with the grooves. The grooves in combination with the fins increase surface area of the oil gallery to improve heat transfer from the liner wall to oil disposed along the oil gallery surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: AVL Powertrain Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Hunter
  • Patent number: 10396414
    Abstract: A thermal management system for a battery pack having at least one battery cell is provided. The thermal management system may include a cooling plate disposed adjacent to the at least one battery cell. The cooling plate may include thermal pyrolytic graphite (TPG) to dissipate heat away from the at least one battery cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: AVL Powertrain Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Kim F. Yeow, Ho Teng
  • Patent number: 10288128
    Abstract: A clutch assembly that is less prone to overheating is disclosed. The clutch assembly includes a clutch housing, a shaft, and a clutch pack. The clutch pack includes a backing plate, an applied plate, a plurality of friction plates, and a plurality of reaction plates. A primary actuator applies pressure to the applied plate to longitudinally compress the entire clutch pack and couple rotation of the clutch housing and the shaft. A secondary actuator applies pressure to at least one plate in the plurality of friction plates and the plurality of reaction plates to longitudinally move the at least one plates independently of the applied plate. This relieves some of the torque transmitted across the clutch pack adjacent the applied plate and reduces localized temperature spikes in the clutch pack adjacent to the applied plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: AVL Powertrain Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Mordukhovich
  • Patent number: 10221921
    Abstract: A torque split dual-clutch transmission assembly is disclosed that splits the torque generated by an engine between at least two sets of transfer gears that are selectively coupled to first and second layshafts or intermediate shafts. A first input hub is connected to the first layshaft by a first clutch and a second input hub is connected to the second layshaft by a second clutch. A first gearset is carried on the first layshaft and a second gearset is carried on the second layshaft. Each set of transfer gears receives torque from either the transmission input shaft or the first and second layshafts in response to contemporaneous engagement of the first clutch and the second clutch, which can be used during vehicle launch to split the torque applied to the first and second clutches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: AVL POWERTRAIN ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: Gregory Mordukhovich
  • Patent number: 10208837
    Abstract: A two-speed transmission for a vehicle is provided including a planetary gear set selectively coupling an input shaft and an output shaft. The planetary gear set is configured to provide two forward gear ratios and neutral. The planetary gear set includes at least one sun gear, at least one pinion in meshing engagement with the sun gear, at least one ring gear meshingly engaged with the pinion, and a carrier. The carrier supports the pinion and is connected to the output shaft such that rotation of the carrier drives the output shaft. The two-speed transmission also includes one or more elements that rotatably couple different combinations of the sun gear, the pinion, the ring gear, the input shaft, and the carrier with one another or a ground. Such elements may include combinations of clutches, brakes, and dog clutches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: AVL POWERTRAIN ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory Mordukhovich, Hamid Vahabzadeh
  • Patent number: 10161371
    Abstract: A piston may include an outer peripheral surface and a crown. The outer peripheral surface may include first and second openings spaced about and extending through the outer peripheral surface. The crown may include a recess at least partially defined by a first lobe in fluid communication with the first opening and a second lobe in fluid communication with the second opening. Each of the first and second lobes may be recessed relative to an adjacent portion of the recess of the crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: AVL POWERTRAIN ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Gustav R. Johnson, Gary L. Hunter, Darrell Sparks