Patents Examined by Mark A Manley
  • Patent number: 10677294
    Abstract: A decoupler assembly comprises a torque equalizer and a one-way clutch bearing. The torque equalizer comprises an inner member having a rotational axis, an outer member disposed concentrically and surrounding the inner member, and two arcuate spring elements arranged between the inner member and the outer member, and configured to transmit torque between the inner and outer members. The inner member is rotationally displaceable relative to the outer member at least 30 degrees upon compression of the two arcuate spring elements. The one-way clutch bearing is located in the same radial plane as torque equalizer and rotationally connected to the inner member or the outer member. The one-way clutch bearing comprises an outer race, an inner race, and a plurality of individual wedging locking elements that are disposed between the inner and outer races. The decoupler assembly may comprise a single spiral spring element or a rubber-based spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventor: Hayder Al-Kattan
  • Patent number: 10670087
    Abstract: A power transmitting apparatus has a clutch member and a pressure member. The cam surfaces of the pressure-contact assist cam face each other. The cam surfaces of the back torque limiter cam face each other. A receiving portion for a clutch spring (10) on the pressure member (5) side has a receiving member (11) separate from the pressure member (5). A first cam surface (C1) and a second cam surface (C2), constituting the back torque limiter cam, are, respectively, formed on the receiving member (11) and the clutch member (4). A third cam surface (C3) and a fourth cam surface (C4), constituting the pressure-contact assist cam, are, respectively, formed on the pressure member (5) and the clutch member (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha F.C.C.
    Inventors: Makoto Kataoka, Han Hiong Chen, Kaoru Aono
  • Patent number: 10663018
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system of double piston clutch device configured for an automatic transmission, which includes clutch drum connected to one rotation element, a clutch configured in the clutch drum and configured to transmit rotation power in connection with another rotation element through a clutch hub, and a double piston in which first and second pistons are disposed in series to operate the clutch by hydraulic pressure while a front end is disposed to correspond to the clutch, may include a first hydraulic chamber formed between the first piston and the clutch drum to receive the hydraulic pressure through a first passage hole in a sealed state; and a second hydraulic chamber formed between the first and second pistons to receive the hydraulic pressure through a second passage hole in the sealed state and the hydraulic pressure separately controlled is supplied to the first and second hydraulic chambers, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Yong Uk Shin, Minho Chae, Chon Ok Kim
  • Patent number: 10655688
    Abstract: A fan-coupling device with a unitary magnetic pole is disclosed. The magnetic pole is of a unitary, ring-shaped construction and includes a choke space and a ridge that promote an increased amount of magnetic flux generated by an electromagnet to travel to a magnetic armature on a fluid flow valve, resulting an increase in the amount of magnetic force that acts upon the valve. This is an improvement over the prior art two-piece magnetic pole structure and over a unitary magnetic pole without the choke space and ridge. The magnetic pole also includes apertures in which protrusions on a sound dampening gasket are inserted to reduce the noise resulting from the armature striking the magnetic pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Standard Motor Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Archibald E. Pinto, Santiago Yepes, Conrado Vargas Cardenas
  • Patent number: 10648532
    Abstract: A damper device is capable of attenuating fluctuations in torque. The damper device includes a first rotor and a second rotor rotatable relatively to the first rotor. The damper device also includes a plurality of elastic members elastically coupling the first rotor and the second rotor. The second rotor is rotatable relatively to the first rotor while held by the first rotor with use of the plurality of elastic members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: EXEDY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yusuke Tomita
  • Patent number: 10648515
    Abstract: A pressure plate assembly for a motor vehicle with a wear compensation mechanism which comprises a sensor element for sensing wear, wherein the sensor element has an angle lever or is constructed as an angle lever; and a motor vehicle, including such wear compensation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Schömig, Christian Schmedding, Michael Göb
  • Patent number: 10641344
    Abstract: A disconnect plunger for use in an integrated drive generator includes a plunger body extending between a first end and a second end. A cam surface is formed on the second end, and has a cylindrical cam portion extending across the second end. The cylindrical cam portion has a location formed at a radius about a point spaced beyond the second end relative to the first end. A first distance is defined from a second end facing surface of a cylindrical guide portion positioned intermediate first and second end. A ratio of the first radius to the first distance is between 0.15 and 0.30. The point is spaced in a direction perpendicular to a center axis of the plunger body, and measured from the center axis by a second distance. A ratio of the second distance to the first radius is between 0.25 and 0.40. An integrated drive generator and a method of replacing a disconnect shaft are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Derek R. Hochstetler, Ted A. Martin, Duane C. Johnson, Glenn C. Lemmers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10626928
    Abstract: Assembly for a synchronization unit of a variable ratio gear transmission. Assembly has a synchronizer ring and a friction ring. The friction ring has a friction surface and an installation surface and the synchronizer ring has a contact surface directed toward the installation surface. To allow a high efficiency of the synchronizing unit and simultaneously a functionally safe and comfortable operation of the variable ratio gear transmission, the synchronizer ring and the friction ring are configured and arranged such that the geometrical shape of the installation surface of the friction ring differs from the geometrical shape of the contact surface of the synchronizer ring in a relief state of a synchronizing process; and that the geometrical shape of the installation surface of the friction ring corresponds to the geometrical shape of the contact surface of the synchronizer ring in a load state of the synchronizing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: OERLIKON FRICTION SYSTEMS (GERMANY) GMBH
    Inventors: Ulf Christoffer, Ralf Frede, Marcus Spreckels
  • Patent number: 10619702
    Abstract: A torque fluctuation inhibiting device inhibits torque fluctuations in a rotor to which a torque is inputted. The torque fluctuation inhibiting device includes a mass body, a centrifugal element and a cam mechanism. The mass body is disposed to be rotatable with a rotor and be rotatable relatively to the rotor. The centrifugal element is disposed to receive a centrifugal force to be generated by rotation of the rotor and the mass body. The cam mechanism converts the centrifugal force acting on the centrifugal element into a circumferential force when a relative displacement is produced between the rotor and the mass body in a rotational direction. The circumferential force is directed to reduce the relative displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: EXEDY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoki Tomiyama, Yoshiyuki Hagihara, Koichi Higuchi
  • Patent number: 10612603
    Abstract: Synchronizing device (1) of a gear changing transmission for a vehicle. The synchronizing device includes an inner synchronizer ring (2), a middle synchronizer ring (3) and an outer synchronizer ring (4), wherein in the operating mode the outer synchronizer ring (4). The inner synchronizer ring (2) includes a first conical inner ring body (201) with a first inner surface of the inner ring (2011) and a first outer surface of the inner ring (2012), which each bound the first inner ring body (201) in a radial direction extending to an axial ring axis (8), wherein the first inner surface of the inner ring (2011) extends at a first inner angle (?2011) of the inner ring and the first outer surface of the inner ring (2012) at a first outer angle (?2012) of the inner ring to the ring axis (8). In order to further increase the synchronizing moment to be transmitted the first inner angle (?2011) of the inner ring is smaller than the first outer angle (?2012) of the inner ring according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: OERLIKON FRICTION SYSTEMS (GERMANY) GMBH
    Inventors: Ulf Christoffer, Nils Weber, Marcus Spreckels
  • Patent number: 10591054
    Abstract: A torque converter transmits a torque from a drive source to an input shaft of a transmission. The torque converter includes a front cover, an impeller, a turbine and a lock-up device. The torque is inputted to the front cover. The impeller is fixed to the front cover. The turbine is disposed in opposition to the impeller, and is coupled to the input shaft of the transmission. The lock-up device mechanically transmits the torque from the front cover to the turbine. The lock-up device includes a piston, a damper mechanism and a friction generating mechanism. The piston is disposed between the front cover and the turbine so as to be axially movable, and is capable of being engaged by friction with the turbine. The damper mechanism transmits the torque from the front cover to the piston. The friction generating mechanism generates a hysteresis torque on the piston by frictional resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: EXEDY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 10583729
    Abstract: A selectable one-way clutch includes: a pocket plate including a plurality of accommodating recess portions formed in one surface; a plurality of engaging pieces accommodated in the respective accommodating recess portions; a notch plate relatively rotatable with respect to the pocket plate, and including a plurality of engaging recess portions formed in a surface facing the one surface of the pocket plate; and a selector plate positioned between the pocket plate and the notch plate, and configured to be coaxially rotated with the notch plate to switch between: a state in which the engaging pieces rise toward the engaging recess portions; and a state in which the engaging pieces are accommodated in the respective accommodating recess portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Shioiri, Hiroyuki Shibata, Shotaro Kato, Mitsuaki Tomita, Yuki Kurosaki, Brice Pawley
  • Patent number: 10578175
    Abstract: A radial wedge clutch, including: an axis of rotation; a shaft; an outer ring located radially outward of the shaft; a cage radially disposed between the shaft and the outer ring; a plurality of circumferentially aligned wedge plate segments radially disposed between the shaft and the outer ring; at least one resilient element urging the plurality of circumferentially aligned wedge plate segments radially outwardly; and an actuation plate axially displaceable in a first axial direction to engage the cage and rotate the cage and the plurality of circumferentially aligned wedge plate segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marion Jack Ince, Guihui Zhong
  • Patent number: 10571005
    Abstract: A lock-up device transmits a torque and includes a clutch disc, a piston, a cover plate and a support boss. The clutch disc is disposed between a front cover and a turbine. The piston is disposed between the front cover and the turbine. The piston is movable in an axial direction. The cover plate is disposed between the piston and the turbine, and includes a torque transmission part in an outer peripheral part thereof so as to transmit the torque to the clutch disc. The support boss has an annular shape. The support boss is fixed to an inner peripheral part of the front cover and includes a piston support part and a coupling part. The piston support part supports an inner peripheral end surface of the piston such that the piston is slidable thereon. The coupling part receives an inner peripheral part of the cover plate coupled thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: EXEDY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhito Maeda, Keiichi Yasuda
  • Patent number: 10571017
    Abstract: A gear-shifting control system of an automatic transmission includes a main pump, four gear-shifting cylinders, a gear-shifting control valve, a first gear switching valve, a second gear switching valve, a first gear on-off valve, and a second gear on-off valve. The gear-shifting control valve has an inlet and two outlets, the first gear switching valve has two inlets and four outlets, the second gear switching valve has two inlets and four outlets. The first gear on-off valve is connected between the first gear switching valve and the gear-shifting control valve, to disconnect or connect the gear-shifting control valve and the first gear switching valve. The second gear on-off valve is connected between the second gear switching valve and the gear-shifting control valve, to disconnect or connect the gear-shifting control valve and the second gear switching valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: GUANGZHOU AUTOMOBILE GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jian Wu, Fan Mo, Xinzhi Huang, Xuewu Liu, Anwei Zhang
  • Patent number: 10563709
    Abstract: A wedge plate for a wedge plate clutch, including: a radially inner surface with a plurality of ramps, each ramp sloping radially inwardly in a first circumferential direction; a radially outer surface; a first circumferential end; a second circumferential end; a gap separating the first circumferential end from the second circumferential end in the first circumferential direction; a first slot open to the radially inner surface and extending radially outwardly; a second slot open to the radially outer surface and extending radially inwardly; and a portion circumferentially located between the first slot and the second slot. a first line passes through the axis of rotation and the portion. A second line passes through the radially inner surface, the portion and the radially outer surface without passing through the first slot or the second slot. An acute angle is formed between the first line and the second line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: John Ramsey
  • Patent number: 10557506
    Abstract: A dog clutch includes a rotating member including first dog teeth, an annular dog ring including second dog teeth, and an annular dog sleeve. The rotating member includes first protrusions protruding radially outwardly from the outer circumferences of crests or troughs of the first dog teeth, the dog sleeve includes second protrusions that are configured to come into contact with the first protrusions in a circumferential direction when the dog sleeve moves toward the rotating member in an axial direction, and the first dog teeth and the second dog teeth are disposed at positions at which the first dog teeth and the second dog teeth are able to be engaged with each other in the circumferential direction in a state in which the first protrusions and the second protrusions are in contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Tomohiro Yoshimura, Akihiko Ichikawa, Shinichi Takeuchi, Jun Yabuta, Isamu Shiotsu
  • Patent number: 10557508
    Abstract: A viscous clutch includes an input member, an output member, a working chamber defined between the input member and the output member, a reservoir to hold a supply of a shear fluid fluidically connected to the working chamber by a fluid circuit, a valve that is electromagnetically actuatable to selectively control a flow of the shear fluid along the fluid circuit, a control coil assembly, and a securing mechanism. The control coil assembly includes a modular center hub removably attached to the input member, an electromagnetic coil and a coil bearing rotatably supporting the electromagnetic coil on the modular center hub. The securing mechanism is removably attached to the input member radially inward of the working chamber and the reservoir, and includes a radially outwardly extending flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Horton, Inc.
    Inventor: David R. Hennessy
  • Patent number: 10533617
    Abstract: A one-way clutch having an anti-deployment feature operable to counteract hydraulic forces acting on the strut so as to assist in maintaining the strut in a non-deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN INC.
    Inventors: Ranjit Uppal, Sean Steele, Alberto Passos, Dusan Milacic
  • Patent number: 10525588
    Abstract: A tensioning set comprises an output member. A magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus is configured to receive a degree of actuation (DOA) and connected to the output member, the magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus being actuatable to selectively transmit the received DOA through the output member by controlled slippage. A tensioning member is connected to the output member so as to be pulled by the output member upon actuation of the magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus, a free end of the tensioning member adapted to exert a pulling action transmitted to an output when being pulled by the output member. The tensioning set, or a comparable compressing set, may be used in systems and robotic arms. A method for controlling movements of an output driven by the tensioning set or compressing set is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: SOCIETE DE COMMERCIALISATION DES PRODUITS DE LA RECHERCHE APPLIQUEE SOCPRA SCIENCES ET GENIE S.E.C.
    Inventors: Jean-Sebastien Plante, Marc Denninger, Patrick Chouinard, Guifre Julio, Joel Viau, Pascal Larose