Patents Examined by Lillian Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9970523
    Abstract: A torque converter includes a housing, and an impeller shell disposed within the housing. The impeller shell has a back wall, and a plurality of fins radially arranged and extending outwardly from the back wall. The torque converter further includes a backing hub rigidly coupled to the back wall of the impeller shell. The backing hub has a barrier element extending therefrom. A free end of the barrier element is disposed proximal to the housing to restrict a flow of fluid therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Valerie Annette Ross, Xuekui Lan, Jim Wu, Qinyang Rao, Timothy M. Waters, Weixue Tian
  • Patent number: 9964184
    Abstract: A variable state planetary shifting transmission can include an input shaft, an output shaft; and a planetary system having a sun gear associated with the input shaft, a planetary carrier, and a ring gear associated with a ring housing. The transmission can include an overrunning clutch operably coupled to the planetary carrier. The transmission can include a clutch assembly coupled to the planetary carrier. The transmission is capable of changing the speed ratio between the input shaft and the output shaft by selective engagement of the clutch assembly against the ring gear which can cause either the freeing or locking of the planetary carrier by the overrunning clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Stanley Modrzejewski, Russell Mueller, Doug Mueller, Ron Woods, Tim Cecil
  • Patent number: 9957943
    Abstract: A crank permission system includes first and second permission modules and a crank module. The first permission module selectively generates a first permission signal, based on a first gear range engaged within a transmission, when an ignition system transitions to crank. The second permission module selectively generates a second permission signal, based on (i) the first gear range stored when the ignition system last transitioned to off and (ii) a second gear range of the transmission requested by a driver using a transmission range selector, when the ignition system transitions to crank. The crank module begins cranking an engine via a starter, in response to the generation of at least one of the first and second permission signals, when the ignition system of the vehicle transitions to crank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Philip C. Lundberg, Dustin Nygaard, Brian Hanselman
  • Patent number: 9903421
    Abstract: An air clutch cover for an air clutch assembly of an agricultural planter is provided. The air clutch cover includes a shell which may be removably installed onto the air clutch assembly. The shell has an opening sized to sealingly receive an air cylinder of the air clutch assembly therethrough. Sidewalls of the shell include cut-outs for allowing portions of the air clutch assembly to protrude outwardly from the air clutch cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Ricardo Diaz, Marvin A. Prickel, Austin Eugene Bello
  • Patent number: 9896088
    Abstract: A drive control system for a hybrid vehicle is provided to shift an operating mode smoothly to an electric vehicle mode in which an engine is stopped. A controller is configured to select the electric vehicle mode to be established from the first electric vehicle mode and the second electric vehicle mode upon satisfaction of the determination to shift the operating mode to the electric vehicle mode, to select the clutch to be engaged from the first clutch and the second clutch to establish the selected electric vehicle mode, and to stop the engine while engaging the selected clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeshi Miyagawa, Atsushi Tabata, Tatsuya Imamura
  • Patent number: 9869376
    Abstract: A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may include an input shaft receiving torque of an engine, an output shaft outputting changed torque of the engine, a first planetary gear set including a first rotation element, a second rotation element, and a third rotation element, a second planetary gear set including a fourth rotation element, a fifth rotation element, and a sixth rotation element, a third planetary gear set including a seventh rotation element, an eighth rotation element, and a ninth rotation element, a fourth planetary gear set including a tenth rotation element, an eleventh rotation element, and a twelfth rotation element, and first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rotation shafts, each connected to at least one of the first to twelfth rotation elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Seong Wook Hwang, Hyun Sik Kwon, Wonmin Cho, Jae Chang Kook, Seongwook Ji
  • Patent number: 9863531
    Abstract: A hydraulic control device that includes a second switching valve that is switchable between a third position in which the forward range pressure input from the first switching valve is output to the shift controller and the reverse range pressure is blocked when the second signal pressure is off and a fourth position in which the reverse range pressure input from the first switching valve is output to the shift controller and the forward range pressure is blocked when the second signal pressure is on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kutsubo, Kazuki Kojima, Koji Makino, Yoshimitsu Hyodo, Kenichi Tsuchida
  • Patent number: 9856972
    Abstract: A differential device includes pinion; pinion shaft; paired side gears connected to paired output shafts and having at outer peripheral portions gear portions meshing with the pinion; and oil introduction passage introducing lubricant oil to mutually-facing surfaces of the side gears. An oil reserving portion facing space adjacent to end surface of the pinion on radially inner side and capable of catching and holding lubricant oil splashed to the space is formed in portion where the pinion and the pinion shaft mutually face, so as to communicate with fitting portion between the pinion and the pinion shaft where they are relatively rotationally slidable. A step portion is formed in at least one of the mutually-facing surfaces, separates part of oil from lubricant flow flowing radially outward along the one surface by centrifugal force, and guides the oil into the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Mori
  • Patent number: 9855795
    Abstract: A clutch assembly includes an axle, a gear seat, at least one one-way bearing, an outer limiting sleeve and a hub. The gear seat is rotatably positioned around the axle. The at least one one-way bearing includes an outer race and an inner race. The inner race is securely fitted around the gear seat. The outer race is rotatably positioned around the inner race. The outer race is rotatable relative to the inner race in only one direction. The outer limiting sleeve is securely fitted around the outer race. The hub is securely fitted around the outer limiting sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Tektro Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Szu-Fang Tsai
  • Patent number: 9850973
    Abstract: A tractor, including: a link mechanism fixation-member which regulates rotation of the HST trunnion shaft by abutting the link mechanism; a link mechanism fixation-member operation lever which makes the link mechanism fixation-member about the link mechanism, or makes the link mechanism fixation-member move in a direction so as to get apart from the link mechanism; a brake pedal which is provided at the other side of the left-and-right sides of the step floor; and a link mechanism joining-cancellation mechanism which makes, in a case where the link mechanism fixation-member is abutting the link mechanism, the link mechanism fixation-member move in a direction so as to get apart from the link mechanism when stepping-on of the brake pedal is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: ISEKI & CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Eiji Tomioka
  • Patent number: 9834080
    Abstract: A transmission structure of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) may include an engine connected to a front wheel of the hybrid vehicle, a planetary gear part connected to the engine, a first motor generator connected to the planetary gear part, an overdrive brake connected to the first motor generator, and a second motor generator connected to a rear wheel of the hybrid vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Chul Min Ahn, Seok Joon Kim, Jun Young Ha, Baek Yu Kim, Sung Gon Byun
  • Patent number: 9821796
    Abstract: When reproduction of a filter is required, and a filter temperature is within a first temperature range, an ECU executes a control process including the steps of executing a successive motoring control, determining an intermittent motoring period, an intermittent stopping period, and an intermittence number when the filter temperature is within a second temperature range, and executing an intermittent motoring control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Inoue, Tsukasa Abe, Tomoaki Honda, Keita Fukui, Hidekazu Nawata, Taichi Ohsawa, Yuta Niwa
  • Patent number: 9815551
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for aircraft braking and taxiing systems for use in, for example, an aircraft. In this regard, a system may comprise an electric motor and a clutch. The electric motor may include a first output shaft and a second output shaft. The clutch may selectively engaging the motor to at least one of a driver transmission and a brake transmission, wherein, in response to engagement with the driver transmission, the electric motor drives, exclusively, an aircraft wheel via the first output shaft, wherein, in response to engagement with the brake transmission, the electric motor drives, exclusively, a brake clamping system via the second output shaft to apply force to an aircraft brake disk stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Drennen, Kevin Rehfus
  • Patent number: 9816588
    Abstract: The present invention is a mechanical power transmission system without the use of a clutch. The system comprises of input planetary gear systems, output planetary gear systems, a stabilizing structure disposed between the input planetary gear systems and output planetary gear systems, and connecting shafts which transfer the mechanical power between the input planetary gears within the input planetary gear systems and the output planetary gears within the output planetary gear systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventor: Wei Guo Ong
  • Patent number: 9816570
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes an electromagnetic coil, fixed portions placed around the electromagnetic coil, and a movable portion including a magnetic circuit of the electromagnetic coil together with the fixed portions. The movable portion is configured to operate an operated member by moving in a predetermined direction due to an electromagnetic force generated in the magnetic circuit. The movable portion includes a first member and a second member. The first member and the second member are supported respectively by the fixed portions. The first member and the second member are incorporated to each other by sandwiching the operated member from both sides in the predetermined direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroaki Ebuchi, Yuji Iwase, Shotaro Kato, Hidekazu Nagai, Hiroto Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9816592
    Abstract: Devices and methods for operating a linear actuator, optionally for use in controlling a choke valve as part of a managed pressure drilling operation. Such a device may include a motor, a transmission, a linear actuator and an override mechanism selectively engageable with the transmission to enable operation of the linear actuator independently of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Tol-O-Matic, Inc.
    Inventors: Igor Glikin, Ryan T. Klemetson, Gary W. Rosengren
  • Patent number: 9810304
    Abstract: A torque converter, including: a cover; an impeller including an impeller blade, and an impeller shell with a first surface extending beyond the impeller blade in a radial direction and at an acute angle with respect to a first line in the radial direction; a turbine including a turbine blade, and a turbine shell with a second surface axially aligned with the first surface and at the acute angle with respect to the first line; a turbine clutch including the first and second surfaces and friction material disposed between the first and second surfaces; a torus at least partially enclosed by the impeller and turbine shells; and a pressure chamber at least partially formed by the turbine shell and the cover. For torque converter mode, the turbine and the impeller are independently rotatably with respect to each other. For lock-up mode, the first and second surfaces are non-rotatably connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Patrick M. Lindemann, Matthew Payne
  • Patent number: 9803699
    Abstract: A slip clutch assembly includes a clutch carrier, a one-way clutch assembly, and a preloaded clutch assembly. The one-way clutch assembly has a portion fixed to the clutch carrier. The preloaded clutch assembly has a first clutch plate, a second clutch plate, and a resilient element. The first clutch plate is drivingly engaged with the carrier. The second clutch plate is arranged for driving engagement with a first portion of a transmission. The resilient element is for compressing the first and second clutch plates. In some example embodiments, the one-way clutch assembly has an outer race, an inner race, and a plurality of blocking elements. The outer race is fixed to the clutch carrier. The inner race is arranged to engage a second portion of the transmission. The blocking elements are selected from the group of rollers or sprags for selectively locking the outer race to the inner race and are disposed radially between the outer race and inner race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Todd Sturgin
  • Patent number: 9797503
    Abstract: A differential is disclosed for use with a drivetrain of a mobile machine. The differential may have an input gear, a first side gear, a second side gear, and a side pinion disposed between and intermeshed with the first and second side gears. The differential may also have a carrier connected to the input gear and surrounding the first side gear, the second side gear, and the side pinion. The carrier may have a first orifice located in an annular wall at a base end of the side pinion, and a second orifice located in an axial wall. All lubrication passing through the first orifice may flow around an external surface of the side pinion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Omar Jose Adragna, David Owen Thompson
  • Patent number: 9791030
    Abstract: A circuit for controlling hydraulic pressure of a torque converter that includes an engagement hydraulic pressure chamber independently installed in a fluid operation chamber enclosed by a front cover and an impeller and having engagement hydraulic pressure supplied to engage a lock-up clutch may include a torque converter control valve stably decreasing line pressure and supplying the decreased line pressure as operation hydraulic pressure of the torque converter, a torque converter pressure control valve controlled by a linear solenoid valve to control D range pressure and supply the controlled D range pressure to the engagement hydraulic pressure chamber, and a lock-up switch valve controlled by the linear solenoid valve to supply the hydraulic pressure supplied from the torque converter control valve as control pressure of the torque converter pressure control valve and supply exhaust hydraulic pressure of the torque converter as control pressure of the torque converter control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Hyunjun Son, Joohang Lee, Sunghoon Park