Patents Examined by Jude Agendia
  • Patent number: 8607666
    Abstract: A power transmission device for a four-wheel drive vehicle includes an input shaft adapted to be driven by a power source. A first output shaft is rotatable about a first axis and adapted to transmit torque to a first driveline. A second output shaft is adapted to transmit torque to a second driveline and is rotatable about a second axis. The first and second axes diverge from one another. A transfer unit includes a drive member rotatably supported on the first output shaft and a driven member coupled to the second output shaft. A joint is positioned within a cavity formed in the driven member and drivingly interconnects the driven member and the second output shaft. The driven member includes first and second portions separable from and re-mountable to each other to allow service to the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl F. Stephens, William A. Hellinger, Dale R. Fine
  • Patent number: 8596157
    Abstract: The powershift transmission comprises nine clutches and eighteen gears, not including the clutches and gears necessary for reverse modes. The powershift transmission provides twenty-four forward modes; a high total transmission ratio of 26.2; and smooth shift steps that are, generally, 15% or less. As such, the transmission utilizes a minimum number of components, while still being extremely functional and versatile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Thomas H. Vu
  • Patent number: 8584545
    Abstract: A drive train for a motor vehicle, including a drive unit having a drive shaft and a transmission having a transmission input shaft and a plurality of gears, of which at least one is used as a starting gear for the motor vehicle, and having a friction clutch, which is arranged between the crankshaft and the transmission input shaft and is actuated in an automated manner. In order to prevent start-up noise caused by backlashes in the motor vehicle, a backlash present in the transmission is compensated by applying a small compensating torque set at the friction clutch to the transmission input shaft while the starting gear is engaged before start up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Reuschel
  • Patent number: 8578801
    Abstract: A power shift parallel shift transmission with parallel torque transmission branches, the input sides of which have an intermediate element which can be connected by an associated power shift element to a common input element, and the output sides of which can be connected by drive output elements with a common output element and can be connected to the appropriate intermediate element by a transmission ratio step that is engaged by an associated clutch. The transmission ratio steps are sequentially distributed in alternation in the order of their transmission ratios across the intermediate elements and in groups of adjacent transmission ratios across the drive output elements. To simply increase the number of gear steps in a space-saving manner, at least one of the drive output elements is in driving connection with the common output element via at least two alternatively shiftable output transmission ratio steps that have different transmission ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Gumpoltsberger, Matthias Reisch, Ralf Dreibholz, Mark Mohr
  • Patent number: 8561772
    Abstract: A one-way clutch is provided that includes a first race, a second race having relative rotational movement with the first race, a locking mechanism to allow relative rotational movement between the races in one direction only and first and second backing plates connected with the first race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Papania, Craig S. Larson, Douglas J. Slager
  • Patent number: 8549940
    Abstract: In a drive system of a forming press for driving the plunger with a crank mechanism controllable by a servomotor, the torques of the servomotors that are required to achieve a high pressure force for the plunger by means of intermediate gearing, preferably with a double gear transmission, to the cam or crank mechanism, wherein the symmetrically configured drive arms of multipoint presses for the right and the left pressure points of two-point presses or the pressure point groups of four-point presses are optionally mechanically synchronized with one another in such a way that each of the intermediate gears of the first or of one of the first gear transmissions is effectively connected to the others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Mueller Weingarten AG
    Inventors: Uwe Darr, Steffen Schmidt, Edwin Goetz, Gerhard Voegel, Wolfgang Meinhardt
  • Patent number: 8544354
    Abstract: Monitoring means 46, 47 are provided to monitor working hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic engagement elements for the high gear range of a vehicle automatic transmission 2. Characteristic changing means 5 is provided to change, to a high vehicle speed side, a gear shifting characteristic when shifting from the middle gear position to the low gear position. According thereto, it is possible to quickly shift from a middle gear position to a low gear position without reducing the durability of hydraulic engagement elements for a high gear range, thereby, to achieve sufficient acceleration performance during climbing a slope, which improves driveability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryo Iitaka, Shiro Godai, Kohsaku Matsuo
  • Patent number: 8534151
    Abstract: A gear switching mechanism for a printing machine comprises at least one pair of input and driven gears, each pair rotationally mounted on a corresponding common axle. The input gear of each pair may be coupled to a common drive, while each driven gear is coupled to a separate output. A rotational gear coupling is mounted to translate along each axle to selectively engage and disengage the corresponding pair of input and driven gears. The rotational gear coupling includes a cam follower that slides along a cam profile of a cam shuttle. The shuttle defines a cam profile that is normal to the common axles. In one embodiment, the cam shuttle translates linearly, while in another embodiment, the shuttle rotates. The cam profile is configured to selectively engage and disengage the rotational couplings of each pair of input and driven gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David W. Johnson, Brent R. Jones
  • Patent number: 8534149
    Abstract: A six speed M/T includes four shafts, which are an input shaft A1, a first intermediate shaft A2, a second intermediate shaft A3, and an output shaft A4, those being parallel to one another. A single drive gear G45i is used as both a fourth-speed drive gear and a fifth-speed drive gear. The number of gear teeth of a second final drive gear Gfi2 is greater than that of a first final drive gear Gfi1. A fourth-speed driven gear G4o, a third-speed driven gear G3o, a first-speed driven gear G1o, and a second-speed driven gear G2o are arranged to the shaft A2 in this order from the side close to an engine E/G, and a fifth-speed driven gear G5o, a sixth-speed driven gear G6o, and a reverse driven gear GRo are arranged to the shaft A3 in this order from the side close to the engine E/G.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin AI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeto Nishimura, Hiroyuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8534150
    Abstract: A transmission includes an input member, an output member, first and second transmission input shafts, first and second countershafts, a plurality of co-planar gear sets and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The torque transmitting devices include a plurality of synchronizer assemblies and a dual clutch assembly. The transmission is operable to provide at least one reverse speed ratio and eight forward speed ratios between the input member and the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Edward W. Mellet, Scott H. Wittkopp, Craig S. Ross
  • Patent number: 8528434
    Abstract: A six speed M/T includes four shafts, which are an input shaft A1, a first intermediate shaft A2, a second intermediate shaft A3, and an output shaft A4, those being parallel to one another. A single drive gear G46i is used as both a fourth-speed drive gear and a sixth-speed drive gear. The number of gear teeth of a second final drive gear Gfi2 is greater than that of a first final drive gear Gfi1. A third-speed driven gear G3o, a fourth-speed driven gear G4o, a first-speed driven gear G1o, and a second-speed driven gear G2o are arranged to the shaft A2 in this order from the side close to an engine E/G, and a fifth-speed driven gear G5o, a sixth-speed driven gear G6o, and a reverse driven gear GRo are arranged to the shaft A3 in this order from the side close to the engine E/G.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin AI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeto Nishimura, Hiroyuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8511189
    Abstract: A transmission includes an input member, an output transfer gear, first and second interconnecting members, a layshaft, a reverse member, a plurality of co-planar gear sets, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The torque transmitting devices include a plurality of synchronizer assemblies and a dual clutch assembly. The transmission is operable to provide at least one reverse speed ratio and a plurality of forward speed ratios between the input member and the output transfer gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Craig S. Ross, Malcolm Kirkwood
  • Patent number: 8505401
    Abstract: A transmission is connectable to an input member and includes an output gear, first and second shaft members, first and second countershaft members, a reverse shaft, a plurality of co-planar gear sets, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The torque transmitting devices include a plurality of synchronizer assemblies and a dual clutch assembly. The transmission is operable to provide at least one reverse speed ratio and a plurality of forward speed ratios between the input member and the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Tejinder Singh, Patrick S. Portell, Henryk Sowul
  • Patent number: 8495926
    Abstract: A transmission includes an input member, an output member, first and second shafts, first and second countershafts, a plurality of co-planar gear sets, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The torque transmitting devices include a plurality of synchronizer assemblies and a dual clutch assembly. The transmission is operable to provide at least one reverse speed ratio and a plurality of forward speed ratios between the input member and the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Edward W. Mellet, Craig S. Ross, Scott H. Wittkopp
  • Patent number: 8495925
    Abstract: A gearbox includes two coaxial primary shafts carrying fixed gearwheels acting as driving gearwheels of the gear trains associated with the forward gears and with the reverse gear, a secondary shaft carrying idle gearwheels acting as driven or intermediate gearwheels of the gear trains associated with the forward gears and with the reverse gear and a lay shaft, and a lay shaft carrying a fixed gearwheel acting as parking gearwheel. The lay shaft is permanently cinematically connected to the secondary shaft via a gear train comprising a first fixed gearwheel carried by the lay shaft, a second idle gearwheel coaxial with the two primary shafts and a third fixed gearwheel carried by the secondary shaft, the first and third fixed gearwheels meshing permanently with the second idle gearwheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa' Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Fabio Pesola, Gianluigi Pregnolato, Andrea Piazza, Marco Garabello, Valter Pastorello
  • Patent number: 8485064
    Abstract: In a composite wave gear drive, a flexspline (having a number of teeth Nf) is disposed on the inner side of first and second circular splines (numbers of teeth Nc1 and Nc2, respectively). One side of the flexspline is bent into an elliptical shape by a first wave generator, the other side of the flexspline is bent into an elliptical shape by a second wave generator, and the flexspline meshes with the first and second circular splines. The first wave generator is a rotational input component, the second wave generator is a reduced-speed rotational output component, and the first and second circular splines are kept from rotating. The number of teeth is set such that Nc2=Nc1+2 and Nc1=Nf+2. A backlash-free gear drive having a low reduction ratio can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Harmonic Drive Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Satoru Kanai
  • Patent number: 8479604
    Abstract: A multiple-ratio transmission with countershaft gearing with dual power input clutches. Ratio changes are made from each of several ratios to a preselected ratio by alternately engaging and disengaging the power input clutches. A robust bearing arrangement provides high torque transmitting capacity. An optimum number of transmission ratios are available with a minimum number of gear meshes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Graeme A. Jackson
  • Patent number: 8479606
    Abstract: The present invention pertains generally to a self-locking gear that includes an input shaft, a collar, a locking mechanism, and an output member. The collar is positioned eccentrically about the input shaft, and the locking mechanism prevents the collar from rotating. As a result, rotation of the input shaft causes the collar to gyrate about the input shaft, and the gyrating collar engages with the output member to turn the output member in the same direction as the input shaft. Torque applied to the output member with cause the output member to attempt to rotate the collar. However, the locking mechanism prevents the collar from rotating, thus locking the output member from rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventor: Stanley Ackerman
  • Patent number: 8448541
    Abstract: To provide a hybrid drive speed change device in which a rotation sensor can be disposed appropriately from the viewpoint of reducing the axial dimension of the device. A rotary electric machine MG is disposed coaxially with an input shaft M, and includes a stator St and a rotor Ro provided radially inwardly of the stator St. An oil pump 18 includes a pump case 90, 91 in which a pump chamber 18a is formed, and a pump rotor 18b rotatably housed in the pump chamber 18a. The pump rotor 18b is disposed coaxially with the input shaft M. A rotation sensor 19 is disposed radially outwardly of the pump chamber 18a and radially inwardly of the stator St of the rotary electric machine MG, and disposed to overlap the oil pump 18 as seen from the radial direction of the input shaft M.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Kasuya, Hiroshi Katou, Masashi Kitou, Takayoshi Kato, Yuichi Seki
  • Patent number: 8443683
    Abstract: Provided is a control moment gyroscope, in which a pair of momentum wheels are symmetrically disposed, thereby reducing torque noise and vibration, increasing output torque, and reducing its size. The control moment gyroscope includes a gimbal rim, a wheel frame having a first wheel frame located inside the gimbal rim and a second wheel frame having the same structure as the first wheel frame and symmetrically coupled with the first wheel frame, a first momentum wheel coupled to the first wheel frame, a second momentum wheel coupled to the second wheel frame corresponding to the first momentum wheel, a gimbal motor installed on an outer circumference of the gimbal rim and connected with first ends of the first and second wheel frames, and an angular velocity sensor installed on the outer circumference of the gimbal rim, connected with second ends of the first and second wheel frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Korea Aerospace Research Institute
    Inventors: Seung-Wu Rhee, Jun-won Son, Seung Hyeon Kim