Patents Examined by Lillian T Nguyen
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Patent number: 11346406Abstract: A centrifugal clutch (1) for a drive train of a motor vehicle, has an input component (2) which serves for the introduction of torque, an output component (3) which serves for the discharge of torque. The clutch includes an engine-side centrifugal mass (5) and a transmission-side centrifugal mass (6) for actuating the friction unit (4), which centrifugal masses (5; 6) are operatively connected to an engine-side and transmission-side bent sheet metal piece (7, 8). At least one of the centrifugal masses (5; 6) has a cut-out (9) which is such that at least one device (10) which is fixed to the input component has an arm (11) which engages into the cut-out (9) in such a way that guidance of the radial displacement of at least one of the centrifugal masses (5; 6) is ensured.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2018Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Roman Heck
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Patent number: 11331991Abstract: An electric powertrain includes a first electric motor that has an uninterrupted connection with a drive shaft of a vehicle. The electric powertrain further includes a second electric motor that has an interruptible connection with the drive shaft. In one form, this interruptible connection includes a clutch. The electric powertrain further includes a first gear train in the form of a first planetary gear and a second gear train in the form of a second planetary gear. In one form, the first electric motor and second electric motor are the same type of electric motor, and in another form, the first electric motor and second electric motor are different types of electric motors.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2019Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.Inventors: Arthur L. McGrew, Jr., Isaac Mock, George S. Pelton, James Allen Raszkowski
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Patent number: 11333204Abstract: Provided are a wet friction plate and a wet multiplate clutch device including the wet friction plates capable of improving the performance for discharging lubricant oil adhering to surfaces of friction members. A wet friction plate includes oil grooves and friction members on a flat plate annular core metal. At a surface of a porous layer of the friction member, a friction slide surface and lubricant oil recessed portions are formed. The lubricant oil recessed portion has no sharp portion in a pointed shape, such as a corner portion, and is formed with a smooth continuous surface. The multiple lubricant oil recessed portions depressed in a recessed shape with respect to the friction slide surface are formed. In the porous layer, hollow portions are formed to have the same formation rate between a portion forming the friction slide surface and a portion forming the lubricant oil recessed portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2019Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha F.C.C.Inventors: Kazuya Uehara, Masatoshi Miyagawa, Nobuyuki Katayama
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Patent number: 11326570Abstract: A combination starter-generator device includes a power transmission assembly with first and second planetary gear set stages. One or more of the planetary gear set stages includes an idler gear and a ring gear. A clutch arrangement is coupled to effect a delivery mode in which power flows in a first power flow direction and a generation mode in which power flows in a second power flow direction. In delivery mode, input power is received in the first rotational direction from the electric machine and output power is provided in the first rotational direction to the engine as the first power flow direction. In generation mode, one or more of the planetary gear set stages receives input power in the first rotational direction and outputs power in the first rotational direction to the electric machine as the second power flow direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2020Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Lisa R. Lloyd, Jeffrey S. Turner, Douglas S. Base
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Patent number: 11325459Abstract: A transmission assembly includes a transmission assembly housing; a continuously variable power source (CVP) configured to generate CVP power; an input arrangement selectively coupled to receive the engine power from the input shaft and the CVP power from the CVP; a variator configured to receive the engine power and the CVP power through the input arrangement; and an output arrangement including an output shaft defining an output axis and at least one output component connected to the output shaft. A transmission gear arrangement is configured to provide a selective gear reduction for transmission of selected output power of the CVP power or combined power of the CVP power and the engine power. The transmission gear arrangement includes a plurality of range clutches supported about the output shaft and configured to be selectively engaged to transfer the selected output power from the variator shaft to the output shaft.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2020Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventor: Thomas G. Ore
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Patent number: 11305635Abstract: 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), three planetary gear sets (P1, P2, P3), and at least six shift elements (A, B, C, D, E, F). Different gears are implementable by selectively actuating the at least six shift elements (A, B, C, D, E, F) and, in addition, in interaction with the electric machine (EM1), different operating modes are implementable. A drive train for a motor vehicle with such a transmission (G) and to a method for operating same are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2019Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Stefan Beck, Matthias Horn, Johannes Kaltenbach, Uwe Griesmeier, Fabian Kutter, Thomas Martin, Michael Wechs, Gerhard Niederbrucker, Jens Moraw
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Patent number: 11300183Abstract: A speed changer includes a transmitting mechanism and at least one speed-increasing mechanism. The transmitting mechanism includes a primary sun gear mounted by a one-way bearing a fixed shaft. The primary sun gear is in mesh engagement with primary planetary gears rotatably mounted to an output frame and in mesh engagement with an inner circumference of a toothed ring. The speed-increasing mechanism is rotatably mounted by a tubular shaft to the fixed shaft. The tubular shaft is provided with a sun gear having a diameter smaller than the primary sun gear. Planetary gears in mesh engagement with the sun gear are rotatably mounted on the output frame and are combined with and synchronously rotatable with the primary planetary gears. The tubular shaft of the speed-increasing mechanism is provided with an arresting assembly to selectively stop rotation of the tubular shaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2021Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Inventor: Li-Ho Yao
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Patent number: 11299027Abstract: The present invention provides a power system for a hybrid vehicle, relating to the field of hybrid vehicles. The power system for a hybrid vehicle adopts a first planetary gear mechanism with two sun gears, the first sun gear rotates with an input shaft, the second sun gear and the input shaft are independent of each other, and the second sun gear achieves different motion states through a second brake or/and a second clutch, and cooperates with a first brake to provide different transmission ratios of four to six gears when an engine and motors are in driving, so that the power system is simple in structure and low in cost, and the fuel economy and acceleration dynamic performance of the power system are improved.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2019Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: NINGBO UMD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CO., LTD.Inventors: Zhiling Qiu, Tejinder Singh, Jun Fu, Choonghyeo Kim, Daguo Luo, Xiaozhe Lin, Ruiping Wang
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Patent number: 11274718Abstract: An active transfer case is equipped with a multi-plate clutch assembly, a clutch actuation mechanism configured to selectively engage the clutch assembly, a power-operated clutch actuator configured to control actuation of the clutch actuation mechanism, a power-operated actuator brake associated with the power-operated clutch actuator, and a control system configured to control actuation of the clutch actuator and the actuator brake while employing a preemptive check of the functionality of the actuator brake.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2019Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Benjamin Northrup, Opinder Sharma
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Patent number: 11274741Abstract: A pumpless lubrication system for a power transfer assembly equipped with a hypoid gearset having a ring gear and a hollow pinion unit. Lubricant splashed from one of the ring gear and the pinion unit is collected in a collection reservoir and directed through a conduit unit into the hollow pinion unit. The lubricant is delivered to a torque transfer coupling for lubricating and cooling a multi-plate clutch pack.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2018Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Bradley Ketchel, Wade Smith, Ryan Strand, Ryan Shaw
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Patent number: 11274719Abstract: A pumping device for a seat of a vehicle is proposed. In the pumping device, a plurality of pressure members is provided along an outer circumferential surface of a brake drum, and braking operation is performed through the pressure members moved when the brake drum rotates, so that friction between the brake drum and a housing can be avoided and thus deterioration of operational performance is prevented. In addition, the shape of the brake drum is simplified and the number of components is reduced, so that weight and size of the pumping device, and production cost are reduced, and fuel efficiency increases.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2020Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: HYUNDAI TRANSYS INCORPORATEDInventor: Young Sun Lee
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Patent number: 11268597Abstract: An automatic transmission for a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine includes at least two fixed gear ratios, a transmission shaft, a planetary gearbox, a shaft, two shift elements, and a variator. A first side of the variator can be coupled to the transmission shaft for torque transmission and a second side of the variator can be coupled to the planetary gearbox via the shaft in order to adjust the gear ratio.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2020Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Benjamin Kluge, Sebastian Liebert
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Patent number: 11267331Abstract: A hybrid module for a powertrain of a motor vehicle includes an electric machine, a clutch device, and a frictionally-engaging separating clutch. The separating clutch is arranged between a dual-mass flywheel and an intermediate shaft. The separating clutch includes a counter-plate, an outer lamella carrier rigidly connected to the counter-plate, a pressure plate, axially movable relative to the outer lamella carrier, an intermediate plate, axially movable relative to the outer lamella carrier, a first clutch disk, axially movable and extending between the pressure plate and the intermediate plate, and a second clutch disk, axially movable and extending between the counter-plate and the intermediate plate. The pressure plate or the intermediate plate is connected to the outer lamella carrier for conjoint rotation therewith via a leaf spring, or the pressure plate or the intermediate plate is connected to the counter-plate for conjoint rotation therewith via a leaf spring.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2018Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Dirk Reimnitz
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Patent number: 11242915Abstract: A two-speed drive unit of an electric vehicle includes a planetary gear set transmission having multiple elements including a first element, a second element and a third element. A motor generator unit supplies a motive force to the planetary gear set transmission. A first stage gear transfers the motive force to the planetary gear set transmission from the motor generator unit. A second stage gear is connected through the second element to a final drive. A first torque transmitting device defining a selectable one-way clutch (SOWC) is connected to the third element.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2020Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Chunhao J Lee, Farzad Samie, Chi-Kuan Kao, Norman K Bucknor
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Patent number: 11235660Abstract: Methods and systems for an electric drive axle of a vehicle are provided. An electric drive axle system includes, in one example, an electric motor-generator rotationally coupled to a gear train. The gear train includes an output shaft rotationally coupled to a gear assembly axially offset from an input shaft rotationally coupled to the electric motor-generator, where the gear assembly is rotationally coupled to a differential and the differential is rotationally coupled to an axle, a first clutch assembly is configured to rotationally couple and decouple a first gear set from the output shaft, and a second clutch assembly is configured to rotationally couple and decouple a second gear set from the output shaft, the second gear set having a different gear ratio than the first gear set.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2020Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLCInventor: Eric M. Engerman
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Patent number: 11236804Abstract: Methods and systems for an electric drive axle of a vehicle are provided. An electric drive axle system includes, in one example, a gear train configured to rotationally attach to an electric motor-generator. The gear train includes an output shaft rotationally coupled to a first planetary gear assembly axially offset from an input shaft rotationally coupled to the electric motor-generator, the first planetary gear assembly configured to removably couple to a differential arranged co-axial with an axle.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2020Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLCInventors: Eric M. Engerman, Mitchell R. Lawson
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Patent number: 11230182Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes a power source, a clutch arrangement and a housing, the clutch arrangement arranged between the power source and a transmission. The clutch arrangement includes: a first clutch arranged to couple the power source to a first input shaft of the transmission and a second clutch arranged to couple the power source to a second input shaft of the transmission; and a torque transmission member having an extension in a radial direction and adapted to transmit torque from the power source to one of the first or second input shafts. The torque transmission member includes clutch lamellae carriers for the first and second clutches. The torque transmission member is journaled at a radially inner portion against the housing via one or more first bearings, and an output rotor shaft of the power source is journaled against the housing via one or more second bearings.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2021Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: NINGBO GEELY AUTOMOBILE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Markus Kifeldt, Pär Bergström, Johannes Larsson
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Patent number: 11230180Abstract: A transfer includes: an input shaft; a motor; first and second output shafts; first and second planetary gear devices; an input switching unit; a transmission switching unit; and a distribution switching unit. Further, connection states of the input shaft, the first and the second planetary gear devices, the first and the second output shafts can be switched to a plurality of modes including first, second, and third modes by the input switching unit, the transmission switching unit, and the distribution switching unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2020Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yosuke Akiyama, Yohei Habata, Hideaki Komada
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Patent number: 11226012Abstract: A driving force transmission device includes a clutch housing configured to be connected to a propeller shaft; a shaft including a weakened portion that is a portion in an axial direction of the shaft; a multi-plate clutch disposed between the clutch housing and the shaft; a case member including a housing portion having a cylindrical shape, the housing portion being configured to house at least a part of the clutch housing; and a falling-off preventing member configured to, when the shaft is broken at the weakened portion, allow rotation of the clutch housing while restraining the clutch housing from falling off the housing portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2020Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATIONInventor: Takao Kimura
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Patent number: 11209051Abstract: A pack includes a set of first friction disks interleaved with a set of second friction disks to form a stack. An annular pressure plate has an engagement side disposed against the stack. The engagement side includes an outer circumferential edge, an inner circumferential edge, a flat face extending radially inward from the outer edge, a step axially recessed into the engagement side relative to the face, and a tapered face extending from the step to the inner circumferential edge. The tapered face is disposed against an end one of the first friction disks, and the flat face is radially outboard of the first friction disks.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2020Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Yasser Hindi, Carl Garbacik