Patents Examined by Huan Le
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Patent number: 11592092Abstract: A torque converter, including: a cover arranged to receive torque and supported for rotation around an axis of rotation; an impeller; a turbine in fluid communication with the impeller; a stator including a stator blade axially disposed between the turbine and the impeller; a vibration damper including a cover plate, an output flange arranged to non-rotatably connect to an input shaft of a transmission, and a spring engaged with the cover plate and the output flange; a hub non-rotatably connected to the cover; a lock-up clutch including a piston plate; and a first washer directly connected to the output flange, axially disposed between the hub and the output flange, and separated, in an axial direction parallel to the axis of rotation, from the hub by a first gap. A straight line, parallel to the axis of rotation, passes through, in sequence, the output flange, the first washer, and the hub.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2021Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: John Volcansek
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Patent number: 11585412Abstract: A transmission includes an input assembly, an electric machine, a variator and a power shift assembly. The input assembly has directional clutches and is configured to receive rotational engine power. The variator has only a single planetary set configured to selectively receive rotational power from the electric machine and from the input assembly. The power shift assembly is configured to receive rotational power from the variator. Power shift clutches are configured to dissipate energy from asynchronous gear meshing and include a first power shift clutch carried by a first countershaft and a second power shift clutch carried by a second countershaft. The power shift assembly is configured to effect multiple different rotational power flows to effect unique gear ratios.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2021Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Thomas G. Ore, Clement V. Godbold
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Patent number: 11585419Abstract: An apparatus and methods for a double coast engagement diaphragm spring for a torque converter are provided. The double coast engagement diaphragm spring includes first and second coast engagement diaphragm springs. The first coast engagement diaphragm spring exerts a first, continuous axial thrust onto a turbine comprising the torque converter. The second coast engagement diaphragm spring applies a second axial thrust onto the turbine only during coasting conditions. A drive flange includes ramps for engaging the second coast engagement diaphragm spring during coasting conditions and causing the second coast engagement diaphragm spring to apply the second axial thrust onto the turbine. A retainer plate disengages the second coast engagement diaphragm spring during drive conditions. A spacer ring between the first coast engagement diaphragm spring and the second coast engagement diaphragm spring causes the first and second coast engagement diaphragm springs to operate in series.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2022Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KGInventors: Baylor Hartzler, David Avins, Franco Filice
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Patent number: 11578786Abstract: A hybrid power transmission apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The transmission includes an engine and first and second motor-generators as power sources. The transmission may include: a planetary gear set configured to include a first rotation element that is operatively connected to the first motor-generator, a second rotating element that is operatively connected to the engine and operatively connected to a first intermediate shaft, and a third rotation element to which a second intermediate shaft is operatively connected; a synchronizer configured to optionally operatively connect the second motor-generator to the first intermediate shaft, the second intermediate shaft, or both the first and second intermediate shafts; and an output shaft operatively connected to the second intermediate shaft to output power.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATIONInventor: Hyukjoon Kwon
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Patent number: 11571961Abstract: A transmission (G) for a motor vehicle includes an electric machine (EM1), a first input shaft (GW1), a second input shaft (GW2), an output shaft (GWA), two planetary gear sets (P1, P2, P3), and at least five shift elements (A, B, C, D, E). Different gears are implementable by selectively actuating the at least five shift elements (A, B, C, D, E) and, in addition, in interaction with the electric machine (EM1), different operating modes are implementable. A drive train for a motor vehicle with the transmission (G), and to a method for operating the transmission (G) are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2019Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Stefan Beck, Johannes Kaltenbach, Matthias Horn, Uwe Griesmeier, Thomas Martin, Fabian Kutter, Michael Wechs, Jens Moraw, Gerhard Niederbrucker
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Patent number: 11572924Abstract: A centrifugal mass assembly for a clutch includes a central axis, an arc-shaped centrifugal mass with a pair of radially offset apertures, and a guidance plate with a first annular ring. The first annular ring includes a pair of radially offset protrusions disposed in respective ones of the pair of radially offset apertures, or the first annular ring includes a radially extending slot and the arc-shaped centrifugal mass has a pair of pins fixed in respective ones of the pair of radially offset apertures and disposed in the radially extending slot. In an example embodiment, the first annular ring has a raised portion and the pair of radially offset protrusions or the radially extending slot is disposed on the raised portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2022Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Guilherme Camara, Alexandre Benedetti Rossi, Wellyngton Ferreira
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Patent number: 11560941Abstract: A reaction plate suitable for use in a torque converter is disclosed. The reaction plate has a main plate area and a webbing area at the perimeter of the main plate area, wherein the webbing area is curved out of the plane of the main plate area. The reaction plate has two sizes of coupling windows. The wider windows have both a drive torque transfer tooth and a coast torque transfer tooth. The narrower windows have only a drive torque transfer tooth. This allows for more material to be present in the webbing area, increasing its durability or allowing the use of lighter or less expensive materials in the construction of the reaction plate.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2022Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KGInventors: Nicholas Wurst, Brian Zaugg
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Patent number: 11555531Abstract: A cycloid speed reducer includes an input shaft, a rolling assembly, first and second cycloid discs, a crankshaft and an output disc. The first and second cycloid discs are disposed around the input shaft and driven by the input shaft. The first and second cycloid discs are located at two opposite sides of the rolling assembly, respectively. The crankshaft includes first and second eccentric ends and first and second concentric ends integrally formed as a one-piece structure and arranged sequentially. The first and second eccentric ends are linked with the first and second cycloid discs respectively. An eccentricity value is between any neighboring two of the concentric and eccentric ends. The diameters of all the concentric and eccentric ends are equal. The output disc is linked with the first or second concentric end. The output disc is a power output end of the cycloid speed reducer.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2022Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.Inventors: Chi-Wen Chung, Hung-Wei Lin, Wei-Ying Chu, Chin-Hsiang Chen
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Patent number: 11555538Abstract: The present invention provides a disconnector apparatus including: a support ring provided in a differential casing and configured to support a pinion gear mounted therein; a clutch ring having one end penetrating the differential casing, provided in the differential casing, and configured to be coupled to or decoupled from the support ring; an actuator configured to press the other end of the clutch ring to couple the support ring and the clutch ring; and an elastic member coupled to an exposed portion of the clutch ring positioned outside the differential casing, the elastic member having one end in contact with the differential casing and the other end in contact with the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2021Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: HYUNDAI TRANSYS INC.Inventors: Man Bok Lee, Jin Hwan Lee
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Patent number: 11549573Abstract: Methods and systems for an epicyclic gear mechanism that includes a primary differential assembly to selectively drive the fore secondary differential assembly and the aft secondary differential assembly. The fore secondary differential assembly selectively drives one or more fore interfaces (e.g., output gears), whereas the aft secondary differential assembly selectively drives one or more aft interfaces (e.g., output gears). Each of the primary differential assembly, the fore and aft secondary differential assemblies, and the interfaces rotate about a common central axis. The primary differential assembly drives the fore secondary differential assembly via a first sun gear, and drives the aft secondary differential assembly via a second sun gear, both of which rotate about the common central axis. Further, one or more actuators are to activate or deactivate in order to drive or be driven by a selected interface.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2021Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: Woodward, Inc.Inventors: Roy Romana, Charles A. Crouch, Mariusz Kuczaj, Paul J. Smith
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Patent number: 11549572Abstract: A torsional vibration damper having improved vibration damping performance. The torsional vibration damper comprising: a pendulum vibration damper that damps pulsation of engine torque by an oscillating motion of an inertia body in response to the pulsation of the torque; and an engagement device that damps the amplitude of the pulsation of the engine torque by a relative rotation of rotary members. The pendulum vibration damper and the engagement device are arranged in order on a transmission route of the torque of the engine from a side at which the engine is disposed.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2021Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yu Shiraishi, Masayuki Ishibashi, Hideyuki Nishida, Hiroyuki Amano
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Patent number: 11549567Abstract: A lock-up device for a torque converter is provided with a simple structure which reduces manufacturing costs, and which may reduce a size of the entire torque converter by minimizing an installation space of a dynamic damper.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2019Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: Valeo Kapec Co., Ltd.Inventors: Juseok Kang, Sangmin Yang, Eu Sub Kwon, Soon-Cheol Shin
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Patent number: 11525487Abstract: A clutch release bearing for a motor vehicle includes a thrust element having an axial axis, a guide element supporting said thrust element, and a self-aligning sleeve including an annular body and a plurality of radial ribs extending towards the guide element from the body with a free end of each of the ribs radially contacting the guide element. The guide element includes angular retaining members for limiting angular movement of at least one radial rib of the plurality of radial ribs, which members may be integrally formed with the guide element or formed as separate elements attached to the guide element.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2021Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKFInventors: Benoit Arnault, Mickael Chollet, Philippe Walter
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Patent number: 11519480Abstract: An electric actuator includes a motor, a speed reduction mechanism, and a bearing fixed to a motor shaft having an eccentric axis portion. The speed reduction mechanism has: an externally toothed gear, an internally toothed gear, a facing member arranged facing the externally toothed gear, and column members arranged to protrude from one member of the facing member and the externally toothed gear toward the other member and surround the motor axis. The other member has hole portions arranged to surround the motor axis. The column members are inserted into the hole portions respectively, and support the externally toothed gear to be swingable around the motor axis via an inner side surface of each of the hole portions. At least one of the column members is attached to the one member in a manner of being rotatable around a central axis of the at least one column member.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2021Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: NIDEC TOSOK CORPORATIONInventors: Hiroshi Shirai, Tomoki Sato
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Patent number: 11512776Abstract: A parking apparatus for a vehicle may include: a piston moved according to whether hydraulic pressure is introduced; a detent lever rotated by the movement of the piston; a sprag disposed on a rotation path of the detent lever, and locked to the detent lever so as to restrict the rotation of the detent lever; and a driver contacted with the sprag, and configured to transfer rotational power to the sprag.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2020Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Hyundai Transys Inc.Inventor: Jae Young Yoon
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Patent number: 11512648Abstract: An engine for an aircraft includes an engine core having a turbine, a compressor, and a core shaft connecting the turbine to the compressor; a fan located upstream of the engine core, the fan having a plurality of fan blades; and a gearbox. The gearbox is an epicyclic gearbox and comprises a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears, a ring gear, and a planet carrier on which the planet gears are mounted. The radial bending stiffness of the planet carrier is equal to or greater than 1.20×109 N/m, and/or the tilt stiffness of the planet carrier is greater than or equal to 6.00×108 Nm/rad. A method of operation of such an engine is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2021Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventor: Mark Spruce
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Patent number: 11506260Abstract: A planetary gear is disclosed that provides at least a first hollow wheel with a helical gearing and a second hollow wheel with a helical gearing are adapted to rotate in a first rotational direction and a second opposite rotational direction, and a first double planet having a first wheel with a helical gearing meshing with the helical gearing of the first hollow wheel and having a second wheel with a helical gearing meshing with the helical gearing of the second hollow wheel. The disclosed configuration minimizes backlash between the helical gearings.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2020Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKFInventor: Ingo Schulz
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Patent number: 11499622Abstract: A speed reducer casing of the present invention has inner teeth on an inner periphery thereof. The speed reducer casing includes an inner tooth portion and a casing body portion, the inner tooth portion including the inner teeth, the casing body portion supporting the inner tooth portion. The inner tooth portion is formed of a material having a higher slidability than the casing body portion. The casing body portion is formed of a material having a higher hardness than the inner tooth portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2021Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: NABTESCO CORPORATIONInventor: Kazuyoshi Makisumi
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Patent number: 11493100Abstract: An adjustable mass clutch weight for use in a CVT clutch is provided. The adjustable mass clutch weight may include an elongate body having a heel and a tip; a first protrusion having external threads extending from a first side of the elongate body at the heel. The adjustable mass clutch weight may also include a second protrusion having external threads extending from a second side of the elongate body at the heel. The adjustable mass clutch weight may also include a mounting aperture extending through the first protrusion, the elongate body and the second protrusion; and at least one mass adjustment weight with a threaded aperture extending through the at least one mass adjustment weight. The at least one mass adjustment weight may be coupled to the first threaded protrusion and/or the second threaded protrusion to adjust the mass of the adjustable mass clutch weight at the heel of the elongate body.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2021Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Inventor: Don Simpson
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Patent number: 11473661Abstract: An axle assembly with a housing, an annular gear, a bearing, a differential, and a pair of output shafts. The housing has an annular hub. The annular gear is received in the housing. The bearing, which is a four-point angular contact bearing, supports the gear for rotation about an axis relative to the housing and has an inner bearing race, which is mounted on the annular hub, and an outer bearing race that is fixedly coupled to the annular gear. The differential is received in the housing and includes an input member, which is coupled to the annular gear for rotation therewith, and a pair of output members that are rotatable relative to the input member about the output axis. Each of the output shafts is coupled to an associated one of the output members for rotation therewith. One of the output shafts extends through the annular hub.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2022Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: James P. Downs, Paul J. Valente