Patents Examined by Justin Holmes
  • Patent number: 11661892
    Abstract: A planetary gear box for a gas turbine engine, has a planet carrier with a carrier element and a planet gear. The planet gear is mounted rotatably via a plain bearing on the carrier element. An oil feed pocket is provided in the region of an outer side of the carrier element, via which feed pocket oil can be passed into a bearing gap between the outer side of the carrier element and an inner side of the planet gear. In the circumferential region of a main load direction of the plain bearing, the carrier element is formed with at least one channel carrying transmission oil. The channel extends in the carrier element radially inside the outer side of the carrier element, extending in the axial direction of the carrier element, and includes a cross section closed with respect to the bearing gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignees: ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG, ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Stephan Uhkötter, Rens Douma, Uwe Kracht, Mark Binnington
  • Patent number: 11655882
    Abstract: An electric drive module (e-drive module) for an electric motor vehicle and chain driven electric-drive (e-drive) gearbox therefor is provided. The e-drive gearbox has first and second chain members operably coupling an output shaft of an electric motor to a shaft of a driven output member. A first drive gear is rotatable with the output shaft of the electric motor. A first driven gear is coupled to the first drive gear via the first chain member. A second driven gear is coupled to the first driven gear via a common shaft and co-rotatable with the first driven gear. A second drive gear is coupled to the second driven gear via the second chain member. The respective rotational axes of the first and second drive gears and the first and second driven gears are parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Gerd Schlager
  • Patent number: 11655893
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising an interface and a processor. The interface may be configured to receive pixel data of an exterior environment of a vehicle. The processor may be configured to process the pixel data arranged as video frames, perform computer vision operations to detect objects in the video frames, extract characteristics about the objects detected, determine driving conditions in response to an analysis of the characteristics and generate a control signal. The control signal may be configured to perform a gear shift. The driving conditions may be used to predict a future drivetrain configuration of the vehicle. The gear shift may be performed if a comparison of the future drivetrain configuration with a current drivetrain configuration of the vehicle meets a threshold condition. The gear shift may not be performed if the comparison does not meet the threshold condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Ambarella International LP
    Inventor: Shimon Pertsel
  • Patent number: 11642959
    Abstract: A transfer for a four wheel drive vehicle includes first and second distribution mechanisms that respectively include first and second clutches configured to be controlled to a half-engaged state. The first and second distribution mechanisms distribute a portion of power outputted from a power source to a second transmission mechanism respectively through the first and second clutches. A first difference is different from a second difference. The first difference is a difference between a gear ratio from an input shaft of the first clutch to a first driving wheel and a gear ratio from an output shaft of the first clutch to a second driving wheel. The second difference is a difference between a gear ratio from an input shaft of the second clutch to the first driving wheel and a gear ratio from an output shaft of the second clutch to the second driving wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayuki Ushiki, Katsuya Higuchi
  • Patent number: 11639102
    Abstract: An axle including a housing having a first cavity and a second cavity formed therein. The first cavity is configured to receive at least a portion of an axle assembly therein, and the second cavity is configured to receive at least a portion of a power source assembly therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: DANA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Peter A. Beesley, Gerald L. Kinsey, Andy Perakes
  • Patent number: 11639752
    Abstract: Transmissions, control systems for transmissions, and methods of operating transmissions are disclosed herein. A transmission includes an input shaft, an output shaft, one or more clutches, and a control system. The input shaft is configured to receive rotational power supplied by a drive unit. The output shaft is coupled to the input shaft and configured to provide rotational power supplied to the input shaft to a load. The one or more clutches are coupled between the input shaft and the output shaft to selectively transmit rotational power between the input shaft and the output shaft in one or more operating modes of the transmission. Each of the one or more clutches is selectively engageable in response to one or more fluid pressures applied thereto. The control system is configured to control operation of the one or more clutches to select the one or more operating modes of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Shultz, Bruno Re, Scott Kluemper
  • Patent number: 11635131
    Abstract: A transmission having input and output shafts and planetary gear sets. Each planetary gear set has multiple elements. The input and output shafts and planetary gear sets are designed so torque introduced via the input shaft is distributed to the output shafts in a defined ratio and a sum torque is prevented. An element of a first planetary gear set is rotationally fixed to another element of a second planetary gear set and another element of the second planetary gear set is secured to a rotationally fixed component. A torque vectoring superposition unit has an epicyclic gearing and two switching elements. The epicyclic gearing has four connection shafts. A first connection shaft is rotationally fixed to the linking shaft. A second connection shaft is rotationally fixed to an output shaft of the first planetary gear set. The switching elements secure a third and fourth connection shaft to a fixed component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Matthias Reisch
  • Patent number: 11624433
    Abstract: A downsized differential assembly having a simple structure, which can be mounted easily on automobiles. The differential assembly comprises a set of first to third gears arranged coaxially while being allowed to rotate relatively to one another. A first eccentric gear meshes with the first gear, a second eccentric gear meshes with the second gear, and a third eccentric gear meshes with the third gear, while being supported by an eccentric member in such a manner as to rotate around an eccentric axis which is offset from a rotational axis. Gear ratios between the first to third gears and the first to third eccentric gears are set to different values so that rotational speeds of the first gear and the second gear are reduced slower than that of the eccentric member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroshi Isono
  • Patent number: 11618459
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain, an inertial measurement unit configured to measure inertial forces exerted onto the vehicle, and a controller. The controller is programmed to control the torque at the powertrain based on a mapped relationship between the inertial forces and a vehicle velocity, wherein the mapped relationship utilizes at least one mapping parameter. The controller is further programmed to estimate a mass of the vehicle based on the mapping parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yuji Fujii, Ankit Saini, Yijing Zhang, Weitian Chen, Akshay Bichkar, Conor Edward Sullivan, Hong Jiang, Thirumal Nagadi, Jose Velazquez Alcantar
  • Patent number: 11618318
    Abstract: A transmission having an input and first and second output shafts and first and second planetary gear sets. Torque introduced via the input shaft is distributed to the two output shafts in a defined ratio. An element of the first planetary gear set is connected to another element of the second planetary gear set and an element of the second planetary gear set is secured to a rotationally fixed component. A torque vectoring superposition unit has a third planetary gear set. A first element of the third planetary gear set is rotationally fixed to a linking shaft. A second element of the third planetary gear set is connected to a machine rotor. A third element of the third planetary gear set is rotationally fixed to an element of the second planetary gear set, which is fixed to the first output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Matthias Reisch
  • Patent number: 11614149
    Abstract: This gear speed change device is provided with an input unit 13 in which an eccentric guide portion 14 is formed centered about an eccentric position x1, on an input shaft 11 having an axial center x, an internal/external gear 20 which has external teeth 18 and internal teeth 19 having the center of rotation at the eccentric position x1, and one side of which is rotatably held by the eccentric guide portion 14, an output unit 24 which has an output shaft 12 on the axis x and on one side of which are formed internal teeth 22 that mesh with the external teeth 18 and that are centered about the axis x, and a rotation control unit 25 for controlling the rotational speed of the output unit 24.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Inventor: Masayuki Ikeda
  • Patent number: 11614151
    Abstract: A power split and power convergence combined hydro-mechanical hybrid transmission device includes an input member, a power split mechanism, a mechanical transmission mechanism, a power convergence mechanism, an output member, a hydraulic transmission mechanism, a clutch assembly, and a brake assembly. The input member is connected to the power split mechanism, the power convergence mechanism is connected to the output member, and the clutch assembly connects an output end of the power split mechanism to an input end of the mechanical transmission mechanism and an input end of the hydraulic transmission mechanism and connects an input end of the power convergence mechanism to an output end of the mechanical transmission mechanism and an output end of the hydraulic transmission mechanism. The clutch assembly and the brake assembly provide a continuous transmission ratio between the input member and the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: JIANGSU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Zhen Zhu, Yingfeng Cai, Long Chen, Xiang Tian, Juncheng Wang, Changgao Xia, Jiangyi Han, Feng Wang, Xing Xu, Dehua Shi
  • Patent number: 11614146
    Abstract: A planetary gear transmission has a sun gear, a ring gear, at least one first planet gear, and at least one second planet gear. The first planet gear and the second planet gear are arranged on a planet carrier, and the sun gear, the ring gear, the first planet gear, and the second planet gear mesh with one another. The planetary gear transmission is characterized in that the planet carrier has a first planet carrier part and a second planet carrier part. The first planet carrier part and the second planet carrier part are designed such that the planet carrier parts are rotated relative to each other starting from a base position and can be fixed in their respective rotated position relative to each other, wherein the at least one first planet gear is connected to the first planet carrier part, and the at least one second planet gear is connected to the second planet carrier part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Lettow, Sven Kirschbaum, Jens-Hauke Mueller
  • Patent number: 11608885
    Abstract: An arrangement includes a planet carrier. The planet carrier includes a web, a journal and a bushing. A first end of the journal is fixed in the web, at least a part of the journal projects into the bushing, and a second end of the journal is fixed in the bushing. The planet carrier further includes a stiffening element, an annular support ring, and a cap placed onto a first axial end of the bushing. An axis of symmetry of the annular support ring coincides with a center axis or axis of rotation of the planet carrier. The stiffening element is fixed in the bushing and in the support ring. The bushing and the stiffening element are connected to each other as two pieces. The stiffening element is joined to the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignees: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, ZF WIND POWER ANTWERPEN N.V.
    Inventor: Sven Moers
  • Patent number: 11597274
    Abstract: A transmission for an at least partially electrically driven vehicle includes two electric machines which are rotationally driveable in a first direction and in a second direction. The transmission further includes an output shaft at least indirectly operatively connected to the first and second electric machines, a first freewheel clutch that at least indirectly transmits a drive power of the first electric machine to the output shaft with a first ratio when the first electric machine rotates in the first direction, and a second freewheel clutch that at least indirectly transmits the drive power of the first electric machine to the output shaft with a second ratio when the first electric machine rotates in the second direction. Additionally, the transmission includes at least one first gear stage in power flow between the first or second freewheel clutch and the output shaft to rotate the output shaft in a third direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Peter Ziemer
  • Patent number: 11598409
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a lubrication system based on an axle configuration of a tandem axle with a disconnect feature. In one example, a method may include adjusting an oil level in an axle sump of a tandem axle based on an axle configuration of the tandem axle (e.g., whether the tandem axle is operating with one of a 6×4 axle configuration and a 6×2 axle configuration), the axle sump selectably coupled to an external reservoir via a first passage and a second passage, the first passage including an electric pump, the second passage including a valve, and the tandem axle coupled to a drivetrain of a motor vehicle. In this way, an amount of oil in the axle sump may be adjusted based on the tandem axle configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Lucas A. Balistreri, Shane T. Smith
  • Patent number: 11598406
    Abstract: A phase adjustment system 100 for a geared compressor 1 includes a phase adjustment jig 50 that is to be detachably provided in the geared compressor 1. The geared compressor 1 includes a drive gear 4 fixed to a drive shaft and having a largest outer diameter among a plurality of gears; a driven gear having a smaller diameter than a diameter of the drive gear 4 and meshing with the drive gear 4; and a gear casing accommodating the drive gear 4 and the driven gear. The phase adjustment jig 50 includes a fifth jig gear 66 that meshes with the drive gear 4 in a state where a frame 51 is fixed to the gear casing; and a manually rotatable handle 70 that is configured to rotate the fifth jig gear 66.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES COMPRESSOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Seiji Oohama
  • Patent number: 11592083
    Abstract: A method is provided for configuring different numbers of gearshift variants in a stepped powershift transmission for an agricultural working machine. The method includes providing a transmission unit, a front-mounted range unit, a gear reduction unit, a rear-mounted range unit, a housing, a drive shaft, a lay shaft, an output shaft, and a hydraulic control arrangement. The same transmission unit is used for all the numbers of gearshift variants while an identical spatial orientation of the shafts is maintained for all the numbers of gearshift variants. The method further includes adapting exclusively the gearshift variants by varying the front-mounted range unit or the rear-mounted range unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: David Müller, Rainer Gugel, Frank Buhrke, Michael Schumann
  • Patent number: 11584360
    Abstract: A traction control device and method for a four-wheel drive electric vehicle are disclosed. When the drive wheels of an electric vehicle spin, a drive force of the electric vehicle is controlled so as to restrain the spinning of the drive wheels and to secure the starting performance and acceleration performance of the electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gwi Chui Kim
  • Patent number: 11584224
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a rear axle having wheels, friction brakes associated with the wheels, and a driver-actuatable input. A vehicle controller is programmed to, in response to the vehicle being in drift mode and the driver-actuatable input being actuated: command zero torque to the wheels, regardless of a driver-demanded torque, for a duration of time; command engagement of the friction brakes responsive to the duration of time ending; and command torque to the wheels responsive to a speed of the wheels being less than a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan O'Rourke, Mark Thomas Weston, Keith Weston