Patents Examined by Erin D Bishop
  • Patent number: 10458492
    Abstract: An electronic control unit executes gradual reduction control when a friction clutch is to be maintained in a fully engaged state such that an input rotary member and an output rotary member rotate integrally. As a result, a motor current supplied to a motor is adjusted to a lower current value. Thus, an average current value of the motor current supplied to the motor when the friction clutch is to be maintained in the fully engaged state is appropriately reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masayuki Arai, Satoshi Ishida, Shota Murai, Taito Goto
  • Patent number: 10458522
    Abstract: A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may include an input shaft for receiving an engine torque, an output shaft for outputting a shifted torque, a first planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, a third planetary gear set, a fourth planetary gear set, six control elements, a first connecting member directly connected with a transmission housing, a second connecting member selectively connectable with the transmission housing, a third connecting member selectively connectable with the input shaft, a fourth connecting member directly connected with the input shaft, a fifth connecting member selectively connectable with the transmission housing, a sixth connecting member selectively connectable with the input shaft, and selectively connectable with the transmission housing, a seventh connecting member directly connected with the output shaft, and an eighth connecting member selectively connectable with the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Wonmin Cho, Seong Wook Hwang, Hyun Sik Kwon, Jae Chang Kook, Seongwook Ji
  • Patent number: 10449964
    Abstract: Variator (20) and forward clutch (Fwd/C) disposed in series are provided between engine (1) having starter motor (15) and driving wheel (7). Sailing stop control that, on the basis of satisfaction of sailing entering condition, interrupts power transmission by frictional engagement element (Fwd/C), stops engine (1) and performs coast-travel is performed. When sailing entering condition is satisfied, coast-travel is started with rotation stop timing of variator (20) being delayed with respect to rotation stop timing of engine (1). When accelerator pedal depression operation intervenes after start of coast-travel, engine (1) is restarted by starter motor (15). When judged that input and output rotation speeds of frictional engagement element (Fwd/C) become synchronization rotation speed after restart of engine (1), frictional engagement element (Fwd/C) is reengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: JATCO LTD
    Inventors: Tadashi Iwamoto, Akira Takano, Masayoshi Nakasaki, Yoshimasa Nishihiro, Yukifumi Ootsuka
  • Patent number: 10451162
    Abstract: The torque transmission device includes side gears having a same axis of rotation coupled to rear wheels, a case disposed around the outer circumferential side of the side gears, and rotating around the axis of the side gears, and a pinion gear rotatably supported by the case and engaged with the side gears in a straddling manner. The side gears are spur gears having a different number of teeth, and the pinion gear is a spur gear driven by a motor and having an axis of rotation that is parallel to the axis of rotation of the side gears. Forming the side gears and pinion gear from spur gears advantageously allows the side gears to be compactly arranged along their axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: NITTAN VALVE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Furukawa, Michihiro Kameda
  • Patent number: 10443575
    Abstract: A wind turbine generator includes a gearbox, wherein the gearbox includes a planetary gear system, wherein the planetary gear system includes a carrier assembly, wherein the carrier assembly includes a carrier supporting at least one planetary gear that is rotatably mounted through a bearing on a shaft, wherein the shaft is fixed in a bore defined by the carrier. The carrier assembly includes interlocking means to prevent angular movement of the shaft relative to the bore. This improves the robustness of the coupling between the shaft and the bore of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Janne-Pekka Yrjönen
  • Patent number: 10436287
    Abstract: A multi speed transmission in planetary design for a vehicle, the transmission having a housing, a first shaft (1) as a drive (AN), a second shaft (2) as an output (Ab) axially parallel to the drive, three planetary gear sets (RS1, RS2, RS3), additional shafts (3-10), and six shifting elements (K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, B1) actuatable to realize several gear ratios. The transmission further includes machine elements (ST1, ST2) that transfer torque between the drive (AN) and the output (Ab). The first shaft (1) is connected to the planetary gear carrier (PT1) of the first planetary gear set (RS1) and is connectable at least to the sun gear (SR2) of the second planetary gear set (RS2) and to the ring gear (HR3) of the third planetary gear set (RS3). Additionally, the second shaft (2) is connected to the first machine element (ST1) and to the second machine element (ST2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Christian Sibla, Wolfgang Rieger
  • Patent number: 10436302
    Abstract: A torque vectoring device has a downsized brake device for stopping drive wheels. The torque vectoring device comprises: a drive motor; a differential unit including a first planetary gear unit connected to a right drive wheel, and a second planetary gear unit connected to a left drive wheel; a differential motor that applies torque to any one of reaction elements; a torque reversing mechanism that transmits torque between the reaction elements while reversing; a rotary shaft connecting input elements; a rotary member that transmits torque of an output shaft of the drive motor; and a brake device that is contacted frictionally to the rotary member to establish a braking force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, ALCHEMICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Isono, Nobuyoshi Sugitani, Aizoh Kubo
  • Patent number: 10436288
    Abstract: A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission including: input and output shafts, first to fifth planetary gear sets respectively having first to third, fourth to sixth, seventh to ninth, tenth to twelfth, and thirteenth to fifteenth rotational elements, a first shaft connected with the second rotational element and the input shaft, a second shaft connected with the fourteenth rotational element and the output shaft, a third shaft connected with the sixth and thirteenth rotational elements, a fourth shaft connected with the tenth and fifteenth rotational elements, a fifth shaft connected with the third, fourth, and seventh rotational elements, a sixth shaft connected with the eighth rotational element, a seventh shaft connected with the fifth, ninth, and eleventh rotational elements, an eighth shaft connected with the first rotational element, and a ninth shaft connected with the twelfth rotational element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, KIA Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jin Ho Kim, Dong Hwan Hwang, Jong Sool Park, Jong Soo Kim, Kyeong Hun Lee
  • Patent number: 10427516
    Abstract: A drive device for a motor vehicle. A first drive assembly, a second drive assembly, and an epicyclic gear train, via which the first drive assembly and the second drive assembly can be coupled to each other and to a driven shaft of the drive device. The first drive assembly is coupled to a first transmission element, the second drive assembly is coupled to a second transmission element, and the driven shaft is coupled to a third transmission element of the epicyclic gear train. The epicyclic gear train has a locking clutch for coupling of the second transmission element and the third transmission element to each other and the first transmission element can be braked by means of a braking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Thomas Hoffmann, Karl Jägle, Markus Störmer
  • Patent number: 10428910
    Abstract: A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may include a first planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, a third planetary gear set, a fourth planetary gear set, an input shaft mounted with the first, second, and third planetary gear sets, an output shaft mounted with the fourth planetary gear set, a first shaft, a second shaft directly connected with the input shaft, a third shaft, a fourth shaft, a fifth shaft, a sixth shaft selectively connectable with the fourth shaft, a seventh shaft selectively connectable with the input shaft, an eighth shaft gear-meshed with one shaft among the fourth and seventh shafts, a ninth shaft directly connected with the output shaft, a tenth shaft gear-meshed with a remaining shaft among the fourth and seventh shafts that is not gear-meshed with the eighth shaft, and transfer gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jong Soo Kim, Jong Sool Park, Kyeong Hun Lee, Dong Hwan Hwang
  • Patent number: 10421539
    Abstract: An actuator for a rotor blade adjustment having an electromechanical drive unit may be connected with an output drive via a gearbox. The drive unit may have at least two partial drives that can be operated independently from one another. The gearbox may be located at least partially between the at least two partial drives such that the at least two partial drives are spaced apart from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Götte, Uwe Arnold
  • Patent number: 10400885
    Abstract: A speed change ECU for a CVT sets a target input rotational speed (Nin*) such that the speed ratio of the CVT is varied stepwise a plurality of times consecutively to the downshift side in response to an operation to depress a brake pedal by a driver, and sets the target input rotational speed (Nin*) such that the time interval between consecutive downshifts becomes longer as the number of times of execution of downshifts is increased on the basis of intershifting times (tint(1)), (tint(2)), . . . while downshifts in which the speed ratio is varied stepwise are executed consecutively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masachika Kato, Akihiro Kikkawa, Kiyoshi Kurita
  • Patent number: 10400872
    Abstract: A balanced split sun assembly with an integrated differential mechanism allows power to be transferred from a sun assembly to a plurality of ball planets, or allows power to be transferred from a plurality of ball planets to a sun assembly, while minimizing sliding, spin, axial pull, or other unwanted effects on the sun assembly. A differential mechanism, including offset mechanisms, allows torque to be divided between multiple split sun rolling elements. Variations in design of a split sun assembly allow for ease of manufacture, ease of assembly, and ease of adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC
    Inventor: Charles B. Lohr
  • Patent number: 10393257
    Abstract: A control apparatus includes a select lever, an inhibitor switch, a manual valve, a first SOL, a second SOL, and a controller. The controller controls the first SOL and the second SOL such that a hydraulic pressure is supplied to a first friction element and a second friction element when the inhibitor switch detects a D range. The controller determines that an operation position is at an intermediate position when operations of the first friction element and the second friction element are not detected. The controller determines that the first SOL has a failure when the operation of the first friction element is not detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sadamu Fujiwara, Hideharu Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10393228
    Abstract: An epicyclic reduction unit for applications with an upward output, which comprises a casing for containing at least one first epicyclic reduction stage that is interposed between an input actuation unit and an output shaft that is arranged in an upper region, the first stage being composed of a driving sun gear that rotates about a main rotation axis that is vertical and a ring gear that is integral with the casing, between which a plurality of planet gears is engaged which are supported in rotation about their own longitudinal axis and about the rotation axis by a driven planet carrier, which in turn rotates about the rotation axis, means being provided for connecting by suspension at least the planet carrier of the first stage to the output shaft, the sun gear of the first stage resting on the input actuation unit, which actuates it in rotation about the rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: COMER INDUSTRIES S.P.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Gallo, Stefano Frascari
  • Patent number: 10392781
    Abstract: To improve working efficiency in an eco mode when a power mode and the eco mode have been set in a wheel loader, the wheel loader is provided with a controller having an eco mode characteristic line, a power mode characteristic line, and a lifting operation characteristic line having a matching point C located between a matching point A between a working device operating engine torque characteristic line and the eco mode characteristic line and a matching point B between the working device operating engine torque characteristic line and the power mode characteristic line. The controller includes a control portion, which controls a HST pump in accordance with the lifting operation characteristic line when lifting operation of a lift arm is detected while the eco mode has been selected by a work mode selecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: KCM Corporation
    Inventors: Kohtaroh Uno, Shoroku Kawahara, Keigo Kikuchi, Koji Hyodo, Atsushi Shimazu
  • Patent number: 10385967
    Abstract: Controlling a powertrain system including a continuously variable transmission (CVT) includes determining, employing a first controller, a first desired speed ratio in response to an output torque request. The first desired speed ratio is evaluated to determine if it is valid and achievable. A second controller is employed to determine a second desired speed ratio, and a final desired speed ratio is determined based upon the first and second desired speed ratios. The final desired speed ratio is evaluated, and the CVT is controlled based upon the final desired speed ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Artin Farahani
  • Patent number: 10378634
    Abstract: An axle assembly having a clutch collar actuator mechanism. The clutch collar actuator mechanism may have a piston housing and a yoke that may move with respect to the piston housing. The piston housing may extend around the input shaft and may receive at least one piston. The yoke may connect the piston to the clutch collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Robert D. Kluck, Nicholas S. Lakin, Kristen G. Byrd, Larry Wagle, Dale Kwasniewski
  • Patent number: 10378615
    Abstract: A clutch that includes a friction plate; a separator plate; a clutch hub; and a piston that presses the friction plate and the separator plate, wherein the clutch hub includes a hub on which an inner peripheral portion of the friction plate or the separator plate is fitted, a tubular shaft that movably supports the piston, and an engagement oil chamber defining wall that together with the piston defines an engagement oil chamber to which an engagement oil pressure is supplied, the hub is spline-fitted on a gear of a planetary gear so as to rotate with the gear, and the tubular shaft is rotatably supported by a central shaft and is fitted by a spigot joint in the gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoya Jinnai, Masahiro Otake, Shota Ikeda, Minoru Todo, Takuya Nakajima
  • Patent number: 10377221
    Abstract: A powertrain includes a drive unit that can be modular and is adaptable to be used as an all-electric drive unit, an input power-split drive unit, or an input and compound power-split drive unit. The drive unit includes a first planetary gear set that has a sun gear member, a ring gear member, and a carrier member all rotatable about a first axis of rotation. The drive unit includes a first electric machine operable as a motor and having a rotor connected to rotate in unison with the sun gear member about the first axis of rotation. A first brake is selectively engageable to ground the ring gear member, a first clutch is operatively connected to the ring gear member, and an output member is connected to rotate in unison with the carrier member about the first axis of rotation. Multiple drive units can be used on a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan G. Holmes, Joseph Ralph Littlefield