Patents Examined by Huan Le
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Patent number: 11060568Abstract: A return stop includes a rotational inner ring, a stationary, fixed outer ring, and a cage mounted radially between the inner ring and outer ring. The cage has at least two pairs of rollers each having a first and a second roller. A clamping rail is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the inner ring for each roller. A radial recess is formed on the inner ring in the peripheral direction directly adjacent to the respective clamping rail. Also, both of the clamping rails of the roller pairs are formed in the peripheral direction in opposite directions away from each other. In a free-running operation of the return stop, only one roller of each pair of rollers comes into position on the inner ring and the outer ring. The other roller of each pair of rollers does not come into position at least one the inner ring.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2018Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Alexander Reimchen, Frieder Altmann, Stefan Hofmann
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Patent number: 11053991Abstract: A work machine comprises an engine, a work unit configured to be driven by the engine, a clutch provided between an output shaft of the engine and a power shaft of the work unit, and configured to transmit or cut off power from the output shaft of the engine to the power shaft, a sensor configured to detect an engine speed of the engine; and a control unit configured to control the engine and the clutch based on the engine speed of the engine. The control unit predicts, based on the engine speed of the engine detected by the sensor, whether or not the work unit will become locked by a load, and control the clutch to switch over from a transmission state to a cut-off state upon predicting that the work unit will become locked.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2020Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Koji Kuriyagawa
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Patent number: 11047429Abstract: A four-wheel drive vehicle comprises: main drive wheels; sub-drive wheels; a power transmission path; a first connecting/disconnecting device; and a second connecting/disconnecting device, at least one connecting/disconnecting device of the first and second connecting/disconnecting devices including: a dog clutch; a synchronization mechanism; and an electromagnetic actuator. The four-wheel drive vehicle includes a control device providing the energization control of the electromagnetic coil based on a preliminarily stored current command value to engage the dog clutch of the one connecting/disconnecting device, and the control device learns a characteristic value indicative of an increasing characteristic of the rotation speed of the first rotating member with respect to the current command value and updates the current command value such that an increase rate of the rotation speed of the first rotating member becomes equal to a predetermined rate based on the learned characteristic value.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2019Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Mai Nose
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Patent number: 11046168Abstract: A powertrain for a vehicle includes a combustion engine and a drivetrain having a coupling with a first state of operation in which the input of the coupling is locked to the output of the coupling, and a second state of operation in which the input of the coupling is not locked to the output of the coupling for allowing slippage. The drivetrain also has a final drive configured for supplying torque to a drive wheel from the coupling, wherein the final drive is coupled to the coupling at a fixed gear ratio. The powertrain further includes one or more electric motors configured to supply torque to the drivetrain one or both of the input side and the output side of the coupling.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2020Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: ALPRAAZ ABInventor: Christian V. Koenigsegg
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Patent number: 11046177Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle including a main transmission and a hydraulic transmission, in which, in the absence of a setpoint on the brake, and when the hydraulic transmission is activated, a hydraulic pump of the hydraulic transmission is controlled in such a way as to establish a predetermined pressure inside a hydraulic circuit of the hydraulic transmission, and in the event of a setpoint applied to the brake, the hydraulic transmission is then controlled according to an acceleration setpoint applied to the vehicle. If the acceleration setpoint is greater than or equal to an acceleration threshold value, and the speed of travel of the vehicle is less than or equal to a speed threshold value, the hydraulic transmission is controlled in such a way as to apply a tractive force. If the acceleration setpoint is less than the first threshold value, the hydraulic transmission is disengaged.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2018Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: POCLAIN HYDRAULICS INDUSTRIEInventor: Claude Didierjean
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Patent number: 11041531Abstract: A self-contained switchable torque limited wedge clutch, consisting of a housing, a space enclosed by the housing, and a clutch assembly including: an input part with a first frusto-conical surface; an outer race in the space and including a second frusto-conical surface in contact with the first frusto-conical surface; an output hub in the space; circumferentially aligned wedge plate segments in the space; and an activation assembly arranged to displace the wedge plate segments to switch the clutch between: a locked mode and an unlocked mode. In the locked mode: for a first magnitude of the rotational torque, the first frusto-conical surface and the second frusto-conical surface are non-rotatably connected; and for a second magnitude of the rotational torque, greater than the first magnitude, the first frusto-conical surface rotates with respect to the second frusto-conical surface to switch the self-contained torque-limiting switchable wedge plate clutch to the unlocked mode.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2018Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Brian Lee
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Patent number: 11034232Abstract: A vehicle driveline system for a vehicle is provided. The system comprises a differential having a differential housing connectable to an engine via a pinion, and two output shafts being connectable with respective wheel axles, and an electrical motor being selectively connected to the differential housing. The differential housing extends into a hollow shaft having a radial protrusion provided with engagement means, such as splines, for connecting with a shifting sleeve, wherein said shifting sleeve is configured to be actuated for connecting the electrical motor to said differential housing.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2017Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Inventor: Kristoffer Nilsson
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Patent number: 11028922Abstract: The invention concerns a parking lock of a motor vehicle transmission with a ratchet wheel (1) and a ratchet (2), wherein the ratchet wheel (1) and the ratchet (2) consist of plastic, the ratchet (2) having a first ratchet tooth (6) and a further ratchet tooth (7), and the ratchet wheel (1) having a first tooth receiver (12) and a further tooth receiver (13), the first ratchet tooth (6) being hookable into the first tooth receiver (12) and the further ratchet tooth (7) being hookable into the further tooth receiver (13).Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2019Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: KOKI TECHNIK Transmission Systems GmbHInventor: Bernd Schulze
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Patent number: 11022209Abstract: A gear assembly including a first gear disposed at a centerline axis of the gear assembly; a second gear coupled to the first gear in adjacent radial arrangement; and a spraybar assembly disposed between a plurality of the second gear. The spraybar assembly defines an elongated neck extended between the plurality of second gear. A supply opening is defined through the elongated neck and the elongated neck defines a groove extended along a longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2019Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: GE Avio S.r.l.Inventors: Saypen Baraggia Au Yeung, Giulio Zagato
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Patent number: 11022218Abstract: A parking lock for a transmission of a motor vehicle having an interlocking element of a connecting rod that is biased against a parking lock disengagement direction to bring and keep a ratchet tooth of a locking pawl in engagement with a tooth space of a parking interlock gear during an engagement of the parking lock. The connecting rod is provided a spring force acting in a parking lock engagement direction from an inserting spring and a compressive force acting in the parking lock disengagement direction from a hydraulically actuatable actuator having first piston pressurizable to disengage the parking lock. A detent device actuatable by an electromagnet mechanically fixes the first piston in either a latched or unlatched piston position associated with an engaged or disengaged position of the parking lock, respectively. A system determines a current engagement position of the detent device by assessing an inductance at the electromagnet.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2019Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Thomas Schwegler, Florian Weinl, Michael Jud, Armin Haugg, Julia Klein
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Patent number: 11009085Abstract: A gearbox rigidly coupled to a static structure; a driven component rigidly coupled to another static structure; a clutch assembly floating between and coupled to the gearbox and driven component. The clutch may have aligned output and input shafts, defining an engagement surface, a bearing, and a magnetic friction plate coupled and rotating with the input shaft. The plate may have a friction-engagement face, and a magnetic flux generator. The magnetic flux generator may be rigidly coupled to a static housing and partially surrounded in the radial direction by a structure configured to reduce leakage of a magnetic flux, by defining a plurality of voids, which direct multiple passes of the magnetic flux through the engagement surface of the output shaft. The magnetic flux generator may create the magnetic flux that creates a magnetic force between the engagement face and the magnetic friction plate that causes them to engage.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2019Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: Donald Klemen, Brian S. Maners, Erik A. Munevar
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Patent number: 11009084Abstract: Methods and apparatuses can be used to adjust the torque transfer capacity and improve the overall performance and longevity of a clutch assembly. Through the use of various improved clutch components disclosed herein, it is possible to: (1) increase clutch apply forces through an increase in the fluid pressure apply surface area, or piston reaction area, of a clutch piston, thereby increasing frictional forces generated within a clutch pack for transferring input torque from a drive shaft to a driven shaft; (2) improve clutch plate contact conditions through a more rigid clutch pressure plate configuration, thereby reducing clutch pack/plate distortion and supporting structure deformation and/or wear that can otherwise lead to excessive heat generation and overall clutch performance degradation and/or failure; and/or (3) improve the clutch assembly's ability to dissipate and/or tolerate heat generated through clutch plate friction by means of an improved clutch pack configuration.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2019Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: Sonnax Transmission CompanyInventors: Brian T. Copeland, Gregg A. Nader
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Patent number: 11002320Abstract: A compressor includes a housing, a drive shaft rotatably engaged in the housing, a stator attached to the housing, a pulley rotatably attached to the housing and rotatable relative to the housing, a front plate attached to the drive shaft and rotated in concert with the drive shaft, and a lock device includes a lock member attached to the drive shaft and rotated in concert with the drive shaft, and the lock member is secured to the front plate for anchoring and securing the front plate and the lock member and the drive shaft together. The drive shaft includes a non-circular section, and the lock member includes a non-circular bore engaged with the drive shaft for preventing the lock member from being rotated relative to the drive shaft.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2019Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Inventor: Henry C. Chu
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Patent number: 10995676Abstract: A planetary gearbox device for a turbomachine, having a planet carrier and at least one planet gear arranged rotatably thereon, is described. The planet gear is arranged in the axial direction between two planet carrier regions, to each of which at least one carrier element, on which the planet gear is rotatably mounted, is connected for conjoint rotation therewith. A wedging sleeve is arranged between the carrier element and each of the planet carrier regions, by means of each of which wedging sleeves a press-fit joint is established between the carrier element and the planet carrier regions. A sleeve is provided radially between at least one of the wedging sleeves and a planet carrier region.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2019Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KGInventors: Christos Kallianteris, Jan Schwarze
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Patent number: 10981760Abstract: A centrifugal brake mechanism for a controlled descent device, and a drum device employing it. The brake mechanism comprises a circular wheel configured and operable to rotate about an axis of rotation, an axle extending along and rotatable about the axis inside a central cavity of the wheel and having two or more parallel shaft rods extending inside the cavity substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation, a gear system for transferring rotations of the wheel into counter-rotations of the axle, one or more brake elements each having two or more pass-through bores for slidably mounting over the two or more parallel shaft rods, two or more springs mounted over the parallel shaft rods between the brake element and the axle, and a friction enhancement mechanism for increasing friction forces between the brake elements and the inner wall the wheel responsive to increase in angular velocity of the wheel.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2018Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: SKYSAVER RESCUE LTD.Inventors: Avner Farkash, Eliezer Baruch Gross
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Patent number: 10982723Abstract: Friction clutch assemblies with low-drag clutch packs having cone-clutch synchronizers and dog-clutch bypass devices are presented. A friction clutch assembly includes a housing that drivingly couples to an output (or input) member, and a disc hub rotatably mounted inside the housing that drivingly couples to the input (or output) member. A disc carrier is rotatably and slidably mounted inside the housing coaxial with the disc hub. A clutch pack includes reaction plates secured to the housing (or disc carrier) for common rotation therewith, and friction plates interleaved with the reaction plates and secured to the disc carrier (or housing) for common rotation therewith. A cone clutch is interposed between the clutch pack and disc hub such that frictional engagement of the cone clutch with the disc hub allows for compression of the pack to carry torque from the input member, through the disc hub and housing, to the output member.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2019Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Ashwin A. Chacko, David S. Schulz
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Patent number: 10982563Abstract: Gearboxes for aircraft gas turbine engines, in particular to arrangements for journal bearings such gearboxes, and to related methods of operating such gearboxes and gas turbine engines. Example embodiments include a gearbox for an aircraft gas turbine engine, the gearbox including: a sun gear; a plurality of planet gears surrounding and engaged with the sun gear; and a ring gear surrounding and engaged with the plurality of planet gears, each of the plurality of planet gears being rotatably mounted around a pin of a planet gear carrier with a journal bearing having an internal sliding surface on the planet gear and an external sliding surface on the pin.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2020Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventor: Mark Spruce
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Patent number: 10975945Abstract: An axle assembly with a carrier housing, an input pinion and a ring gear. The input pinion includes pinion gear teeth and is supported for rotation about a first axis relative to the carrier housing via first and second bearings that are disposed along the first axis on opposite sides of the pinion gear teeth. The ring gear includes ring gear teeth that are meshed to the pinion gear teeth and a third bearing supports the ring gear for rotation about the second axis relative to the carrier housing. The third bearing is disposed along the second axis on a side of the ring gear that is opposite the first axis.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2016Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente
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Patent number: 10975944Abstract: A hybrid module includes a rotor carrier, a rotor, first and second pluralities of clutch plates, an input, a spring element, and first and second torsion dampers. The rotor carrier has a first outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface with a first spline. The rotor is fixed to the first outer circumferential surface. The first plurality of clutch plates is drivingly connected to the first spline. The input has a second outer circumferential surface with a second spline. The second plurality of clutch plates is drivingly connected to the second spline. The spring element is for compressing the clutch plates to transmit a clutch torque. The first torsion damper is arranged in a first torque path between the input and an engine. The second torsion damper is arranged in a second torque path between the rotor carrier and a multi-speed transmission.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2019Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Peter Rentfrow
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Patent number: 10967728Abstract: A vehicle includes a connecting shaft, a drive axle, a multi-mode transmission, and a controller. The multi-mode transmission includes a first gear set having a first planetary gear carrier and a second gear set having a second planetary gear carrier, a first motor/generator coupled to the first gear set, a second motor/generator electrically coupled to the first motor/generator and coupled to the second gear set, a brake selectively limiting movement of a portion of the second gear set, and a clutch selectively rotationally coupling the second motor/generator to the connecting shaft. The first gear set is coupled to the connecting shaft, and the planetary gear carriers are rotatably coupled. The controller is configured to selectively configure the multi-mode transmission into an active neutral startup mode of operation by engaging the clutch and the brake such that at least one of the first motor/generator and the second motor/generator produces a voltage.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Oshkosh CorporationInventors: Andrew J. Kotloski, Deepak Shukla