Patents Examined by Mark A Manley
  • Patent number: 10030739
    Abstract: A damper device includes a dynamic damper that has third springs coupled to an intermediate member and that also has, as a mass body coupled to the third springs, a turbine runner and a coupling member etc. The third springs of the dynamic damper are disposed so as to overlap both in the axial and radial directions of the damper device second springs that have higher rigidity than first springs and that are disposed inward of the first springs to transfer torque between a drive member and a driven member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignees: AISIN AW CO., LTD., AISIN AW INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Takikawa, Yoichi Oi, Takayuki Miyaoka, Yuichiro Hirai, Makoto Yamaguchi, Takuya Yoshikawa, Tomonori Kinoshita, Aki Ogawa, Masahiro Hata
  • Patent number: 10024369
    Abstract: A clutch disc, including: an axis of rotation; an annular core ring; a first plurality of spline teeth forming a first radially outermost portion of the clutch disc; and a second plurality of spline teeth forming a second radially outermost portion of the clutch disc, respective spline teeth in the second plurality of spline teeth alternating, in a circumferential direction, with respective teeth in the first plurality of spline teeth. A circle passing through the first plurality of spline teeth does not pass through the second plurality of spline teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: David Smith, Michael Hodge
  • Patent number: 10024368
    Abstract: A multi-plate clutch for coupling a drive shaft of a motor vehicle engine in a drive train having at least one transmission input shaft. The clutch includes a counter plate for introducing torque from the drive shaft and a clutch plate for conveying the torque to the transmission input shaft and having a first lining ring for torque transmission and a second lining ring that is movable axially relative to the first lining ring for torque transmission. A separator plate is movable axially relative to the counter plate and is positioned between the lining rings. A contact plate is movable axially relative to the counter plate by an actuating element to frictionally compress the clutch plate. The first lining ring is positioned between the contact plate and the separator plate in the axial direction, and the second lining ring is positioned between the separator plate and the counter plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dirk Reimnitz
  • Patent number: 10024385
    Abstract: A damper device has a dynamic damper that includes a mass body and vibration absorption springs that couple the mass body and an intermediate member to each other. The vibration absorption springs are arranged side by side with outer springs in the circumferential direction. The mass body has spring abutment portions that abut against end portions of the vibration absorption springs. The intermediate member has first outer spring abutment portions that abut against end portions of the outer springs and second outer spring abutment portions that abut against end portions of the vibration absorption springs on the radially inner side with respect to the spring abutment portions. The first outer spring abutment portions extend toward the radially outer side with respect to the second outer spring abutment portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Ito, Keizo Araki, Makoto Ueno, Yuichiro Hirai, Masaki Wajima, Yuji Kanyama, Kotaro Tsuda
  • Patent number: 10006510
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic machine comprising a housing, arranged within said housing: at least one shaft; a toroidal working chamber that can be filled with a working medium, the toroidal working chamber including a first housing with a first bladed wheel and a second housing with a second bladed wheel; a step-up gear arranged with the first bladed wheel about a common rotational axis and mounted such that they can rotate independently of one another; and a coupling device operable to transfer torque between the step-up gear and the first bladed wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Achim Menne, Dieter Laukemann, Ravi Schade, Werner Adams
  • Patent number: 10006495
    Abstract: A reducer with a double-clutch structure includes a source power input shaft and a power output shaft. A speed reduction mechanism includes a driving device and a driven device installed on the output shaft. A first clutch device is arranged on the output shaft and is driven by the driven device thereby driving the output shaft. A second clutch device is arranged on the output shaft and is meshed with the driven device to drive the output shaft. A clutch control device operates the first clutch device and the second clutch device simultaneously to move between the engaging position and the disengaging position. The first clutch device engages earlier than the second clutch device and disengages later than the second clutch device. When the clutch control device operates the second clutch device to move axially to an engaging position from a disengaging position, the first clutch device is axially pushed to the engaging position from the disengaging position by the second clutch device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Suzhou Cleva Electric Appliance Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Tiancai Zhang, Honglei An, Yanqing Lei
  • Patent number: 10001179
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a power transmission system is provided. The control apparatus includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to, when a discharge flow rate of a mechanical oil pump is smaller than a predetermined flow rate and an electric oil pump is being driven while a vehicle is traveling, determine whether a decrease in the operating hydraulic pressure has occurred. The electronic control unit is configured to, when a first engagement device is controlled from a released state toward an engaged state, control a first control pressure such that the first control pressure in a case where a decrease in a operating hydraulic pressure has occurred is lower than the first control pressure in a case where a decrease in the operating hydraulic pressure does not occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Motonori Kimura, Akihide Itoh, Kazuya Sakamoto, Hiroki Kondo, Mitsuhiro Fukao, Kazuya Ishiizumi
  • Patent number: 9995350
    Abstract: A selector bracket assembly for a one way clutch assembly comprising an annular body portion having: first and second radial surfaces; an inner circumferential surface, connecting the first and second radial surfaces; at least one cutout portion; at least one axially extending post adjacent to the at least one cutout portion; and, an outer circumferential surface including a plurality of radially outward extending tabs; and, at least one actuator pin disposed radially outward of the inner circumferential surface and arranged for engagement with the selector bracket assembly to lock a one way clutch. A switchable one way clutch assembly having said selector bracket, or at least two selector brackets for making selectable the following states: free wheel or locked in both the first and second opposing circumferential directions; locked in first and free wheel in second circumferential direction; and, free wheel in first and locked in second circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Brian Peet
  • Patent number: 9995280
    Abstract: A joint structure includes a clutch unit interposed between a shaft joint and a shaft body which is one of an output shaft of a speed increaser and an input shaft of a power generator. The clutch unit includes: a shaft coupling portion rotating integrally with the shaft body; a joint coupling portion rotating integrally with the shaft joint; and a one-way clutch provided between the shaft coupling portion and the joint coupling portion. The one-way clutch makes a connection integrally rotatably between the shaft coupling portion and the joint coupling portion in a state in which a rotation speed of the output shaft is higher than that of the input shaft, and releases the connection between the shaft coupling portion and the joint coupling portion in a state in which the rotation speed of the output shaft is lower than that of the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 9976606
    Abstract: A mechanical combustion-engine-driven fluid pump includes an input shaft driven by a combustion engine, a pumping unit comprising a pump rotor, and a clutch arranged between the input shaft and the pump rotor. The clutch comprises an input clutch body, an output clutch body, an electroconductive element, a permanent magnet element, and an actuator. The clutch transfers a rotation of the input clutch body to the output clutch body in an engaged clutch state. The closed clutch liquid gap is formed between the input clutch body and the output clutch body, and is filled with a magneto-rheological clutch liquid. The electroconductive element co-rotates with the output clutch body. The permanent magnet element co-rotates with the input clutch body and is shiftable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The actuator moves the permanent magnet element between the engaged position and the disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: PIERBURG PUMP TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Raffaele Squarcini, Elisa Bartalesi, Giacomo Armenio, Francesco Bucchi, Rocco Rizzo, Antonio Musolino, Paola Forte, Francesco Frendo, Alessandro Franceschini
  • Patent number: 9976642
    Abstract: An improved torque converter and lock-up clutch assembly includes a sleeve fixed on the sidewall of the lock-up clutch to extend the depth of the clutch, and thereby allow additional clutch packs to be mounted in the cover. The additional clutch packs increase the torque capacity of the assembly. The sleeve includes an annular groove with a snap ring to retain the clutch packs and backing plate in the lock-up clutch cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Inventor: David J. Goerend
  • Patent number: 9970488
    Abstract: A friction disc. The friction disc includes a plate having a forward facing plate surface, a rearward facing plate surface, an inward facing plate surface, and an outward facing plate surface. An inward facing plate surface has a plate lug extending radially inwardly. The friction disc includes a hub having an inward facing hub surface and an outward facing hub surface. The outward facing hub surface has a hub lug extending radially outwardly. The friction disc includes a damping web connecting the plate to the hub to transmit torque between the plate and the hub to rotate the plate and the hub mutually. The damping web includes a resiliently deformable material that limits transmission of shock between the plate and the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: ACE Manufacturing and Parts Co.
    Inventor: Kevin M. Ijames, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9945430
    Abstract: A thermal fuse is covered with a case that has a slit. A capacity of the case is larger than a volume of the thermal fuse, and the case has a space that is formed between an inner wall surface of the case and the thermal fuse. The slit is formed in the case introduce radiant heat, which is generated at a friction surface of a rotor, into an inside of the case. Thereby, the radiant heat, which is inputted into the inside of the case through the slit, can be reflected by the inner wall surface of the case and thereafter can be absorbed by the thermal fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshinori Fukumura
  • Patent number: 9945460
    Abstract: A torque limiter comprising: a ramp roller, said ramp roller comprising: an input ramp roller element arranged to be driven by an input torque and having a first ramp surface; an output ramp roller element arranged to drive an output torque shaft and having a second ramp surface; ramp roller balls disposed between the first ramp surface and the second ramp surface; wherein said output ramp roller element is axially and resiliently compressible and wherein an overtorque condition causes axial compression of said output ramp roller element. This arrangement removes all axially sliding friction surfaces from the torque limiter so that the torque bandwidth is reduced, allowing manufacturers to design structures more optimally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventor: Stephen H. Davies
  • Patent number: 9909658
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque coupling device for a motor vehicle comprises an impeller wheel intended to be coupled to a crankshaft and adapted to hydrokinetically rotate a turbine wheel. The impeller wheel rotationally coupled to a cover at least partially accommodating the impeller wheel, the turbine wheel and the reactor. The turbine wheel is axially moves between an engaged position in which the turbine wheel and the impeller wheel are axially moved closer to each other and rotationally coupled together, and a disengaged position in which the turbine wheel and the impeller wheel are axially moved away from each other and rotationally uncoupled. The device comprises a bracing member axially extending between the turbine wheel and a part of the cover, with the bracing member being adapted to limit the axial motion of the turbine wheel toward the above-mentioned part of the cover, opposite the turbine wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventor: Alexandre Depraete
  • Patent number: 9902386
    Abstract: A system and method for conserving vacuum within a vehicle is described. In one example, vacuum is conserved via limiting volume expansion of a brake booster working chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 9897149
    Abstract: A backing plate assembly includes a front cover and a rear cover. The front cover defines an inner surface and a front plane, and the rear cover terminates at a lip. A backing plate forms a body having an outer surface that terminates at a base portion. When the outer surface is coupled to the inner surface, the backing plate is rotationally but not axially coupled to the front cover. The lip contacts the base portion to define a maximum axial distance between the backing plate and the front plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Allison Transmissions, Inc.
    Inventors: Jezrah Horen, Michael Rietdorf, Thinh Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9879776
    Abstract: When an oil temperature Toil is equal to or lower than a threshold Toref, and when a vehicle is predicted to stop while traveling (a shift position is predicted to be operated to a parking position), restricted discharge processing is executed in which a magnetic lock device is turned ON and an on-off solenoid valve is turned OFF. Thus, discharge of hydraulic oil in an oil chamber is started while movement of a piston rod is restricted by the magnetic lock device. Then, when the vehicle stops and the shift position is changed to a parking position, the restriction on the movement of the piston rod is removed by turning OFF the magnetic lock device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tadamasa Takei, Tomonari Okamoto, Takahiro Kokubu
  • Patent number: 9873287
    Abstract: A bicycle hub assembly comprises a hub axle, a hub shell, a sprocket support body, and a clutch. The sprocket support body is rotatably mounted on the hub axle to rotate about a rotational axis. The sprocket support body is rotatable relative to the hub axle and the hub shell about the rotational axis. The clutch has a first coupling state where a pedaling rotational force is transmitted from the sprocket support body to the hub shell in a first rotational direction during pedaling, a first release state where the hub shell is rotatable relative to the sprocket support body in the first rotational direction during coasting, and a second coupling state where a coasting rotational force is transmitted from the hub shell to the sprocket support body in the first rotational direction during coasting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Emura, Toshinari Oishi, Yusuke Nishimoto, Sota Yamaguchi, Kohei Obuchi
  • Patent number: 9874250
    Abstract: A rotation transmission device includes an electromagnetic clutch which selectively engages and disengages a two-way clutch configured to selectively perform and stop transmission of torque between an input shaft and an output shaft. A spring holder fitted on the input shaft prevents rollers from axially moving. Spring holding pieces mounted to the spring holder are formed with respective engagement surfaces engaging with cam surfaces of an outer periphery of an inner ring such that the spring holder is rotationally fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naotsugu Kitayama, Shintaro Ishikawa, Koji Sato, Takahide Saito