Patents Examined by Ramya Burgess
  • Patent number: 9074684
    Abstract: Transmission gear shift control techniques can include calculating, at a controller of a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, the controller including one or more processors, brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) for each of: (i) a current gear of a transmission of the vehicle, (ii) a lower gear than the current gear of the transmission, and (iii) a higher gear than the current gear of the transmission, wherein the transmission is one of a manual transmission and an automatic transmission operating in a manual mode. The techniques can include determining, at the controller, which of the current gear, the lower gear, and the higher gear has a smallest BSFC to obtain a desired gear of the transmission. The techniques can also include outputting, from the controller, an indication to shift the transmission to the desired gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Songping Yu, Mohamed Othman, Ryan B McNamara, Sean King
  • Patent number: 9067485
    Abstract: A drive device 1A includes: electric motors 2A and 2B that outputs drive powers; and planetary gear reducers 12A and 12B disposed between axles 10A and 10B connected to cylindrical shafts 16A and 16B serving as the output shafts of the electric motors 2A and 2B and to rear wheels LWr and RWr. The drive device 1A further includes: a one-way power transmission device that transmits the one-way rotation power of the electric motors 2A and 2B to the axles 10A and 10B; and a two-way power transmission device that transmits the two-way rotation power of the electric motors 2A and 2B to the axles 10A and 10B. The one-way power transmission device and the two-way power transmission device are disposed on transmission passages from the electric motors 2A and 2B to the axles 10A and 10B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Kira, Keiichi Ooiso, Takeshi Hoshinoya, Hideki Morita, Koichi Ono
  • Patent number: 9068603
    Abstract: A clutched driven device (10) having a clutch assembly (16) with a first rotary clutch portion (50), a second rotary clutch portion (52), a bearing (54), a wrap spring (56) and an actuator (60). The first rotary clutch portion has an interior clutch surface (76). The first and second rotary clutch portions are rotatably disposed about a rotary axis (70) of the clutched driven device. The bearing is received between the first and second rotary clutch portions and supports the first rotary clutch portion for rotation on the second rotary clutch portion. The wrap spring is disposed radially inwardly of the bearing and has a plurality of helical coils (114) that are received against the interior clutch surface. The actuator is configured to selectively initiate coiling of the wrap spring to cause the helical coils of the wrap spring to disengage the interior clutch surface to a predetermined extent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: Andrew Boyes, Gary J. Spicer
  • Patent number: 9068605
    Abstract: A clutch member of a torque converter of an automatic transmission fitted slidingly with a splined connection between a number of extending teeth of the clutch member and channels of a torque converter housing configured to slidingly engage the teeth. At least two of the teeth are elongated for a distance beyond engagement with a base of the respective engaging channels and bent at right angles to the original tooth extension direction. The extent of parallel engagement of the bent tooth and base of the channel of the splined connection is significantly increased and fretting wear between the teeth and the channels of the housing is reduced or eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: TRI COMPONENT PROD. CORP.
    Inventor: Michael Ratner
  • Patent number: 9068639
    Abstract: An arrangement for supporting an input gear of a transmission in a motor vehicle, in particular a ring gear, characterized in that a pot-shaped support element (1) is provided, whereby a drive gear to drive the input gear engages into a recess (2) of the support element (1), and, for purposes of bearing the input gear, the support element (1) extends at least partially underneath the input gear radially on the inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Techmologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thorsten Biermann, Fritz Wiesinger, Markus Klinger
  • Patent number: 9062755
    Abstract: A transmission planetary gear assembly, having: a carrier housing with axial orifice; a pinion shaft fitted through the axial orifice; a first fastener configured to axially secure the pinion shaft with respect to the carrier housing at one end of the shaft; and a second fastener configured to axially secure the pinion shaft with respect to the carrier housing at another end of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Bradley Ronald Heuver
  • Patent number: 9062756
    Abstract: A planetary gear system having at least one planet carrier which comprises a planet carrier plate which is produced from plastic in one pieces together with at least one bearing pin for a planetary gear and which, on the output side, is rotationally fixed connected to a sun gear. According to the invention, a thrust collar that is connected to the planet carrier plate in one piece is provided between the planetary gear and the planet carrier plate of the planet carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: IMS GEAR GMBH
    Inventor: Heinz Hagedorn
  • Patent number: 9057439
    Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission includes an input assembly, an output assembly, an input/output planetary ratio assembly and a torque feedback control is provided. The input assembly is coupled to receive input rotational motion. The output assembly provides a rotational output. The output assembly is configured to be rotationally coupled to a load. The input/output planetary ratio assembly sets an input to output speed ratio. The input/output ratio assembly includes a first and a second stator. The torque feedback control assembly provides torque feedback to the input/output planetary ratio assembly to at least in part control the input to output speed ratio of the input/output planetary ratio assembly. The torque feedback control assembly includes a phase relation system operationally coupled to the first and second stator and a torque system operationally coupled to the output assembly. The phase relation system further is in operational communication with the torque system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: TEAM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce H. Younggren, John E. Hamrin, Joel Dunlap
  • Patent number: 9057474
    Abstract: A robot uses a multi-output differential gear to generate outputs. The robot includes a driver; a differential gear configured to receive a driving power from the driver, and to drive in an interlocked manner with the driving power to generate at least three outputs differentiated from the driving power; and a motion section configured to drive in an interlocked manner with an output generated from the differential gear, and to apply an external resistance to the differential gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Research & Business Foundation SUNGKYUNKWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hyouk Ryeol Choi, Homoon Kim, Jung Seok Suh, Yun Seok Choi
  • Patent number: 9051995
    Abstract: A gear unit has a washer which is provided at a position where the washer is able to come into contact with a retainer of roller bearings provided to each of adjacent eccentric parts in a crank shaft, and which regulates a movement of the roller bearing in an axial direction. A housing recess which houses the washer is formed on at least one face of the faces of adjacent oscillating gears facing each other. The housing recess includes an axial direction regulating surface which regulates movement of the washer in the axial direction, and a radial direction regulating surface which regulates movement of the washer in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Nabtesco Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 9051977
    Abstract: The lock-up device includes: a clutch part disposed between a front cover and a turbine; and a damper mechanism for transmitting torque from the clutch part to the turbine and for absorbing and attenuating a torsional vibration. The damper mechanism includes: an input plate into which torque is inputted from the clutch part; an output plate connected to the turbine; a plurality of torsion springs; an intermediate member; and a restriction member. The intermediate member is rotatable relatively to the input plate and the output plate, and causes two torsion springs to act in series. The restriction member is mounted to the input plate, and restricts the intermediate member from moving in both of an axial direction and a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: EXEDY Corporation
    Inventors: Yuki Kawahara, Yoshihiro Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 9051980
    Abstract: A torque transmitting device for use in an automotive transmission is provided. The device includes an inner annular race and an outer annular race disposed concentrically around the inner annular race. A selector plate is disposed adjacent to the inner and outer annular races, the selector plate being movable with respect to the inner and outer races. Multiple control elements are pivotally connected to the selector plate. The control elements are disposed between the inner and outer races. A plurality of sprag elements is disposed between the inner and outer races. Each sprag element is disposed adjacent to a control element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Randal William Arndt, Douglas John Dwenger
  • Patent number: 9046139
    Abstract: A transmission clutch cooling system includes a clutch housing defined between a drive hub of a drive member and a clutch hub of a driven member and a clutch assembly housed in the clutch housing. The clutch hub includes a hub deck having a plurality of bores therethrough, an inner annulus extending axially from the hub deck, and an outer annulus extending axially from the hub deck, the outer annulus including a plurality of radial orifices therethrough and a lip flange extending from a distal end towards the inner annulus. The clutch assembly includes a plurality of clutch plates secured to the drive hub and a plurality of friction plates secured to the driven member. A piston assembly is provided for engaging or disengaging the plurality of friction plates against the plurality of clutch plates to cause or release integrated rotation of the drive member and the driven member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Gerard Meyer, Jason Robert Allen, James Hill, William McClure
  • Patent number: 9039559
    Abstract: An electric drive for a motor vehicle comprising an electric motor and a drive unit is disclosed. The drive unit has a first gear stage, driveable by the electric motor, a second gear stage, driveable by the first gear stage, and a differential drive, driveable by the second gear stage. The first gear stage has a driving wheel and an output wheel, wherein the driving wheel is arranged coaxially to the output shaft of the electric motor and is rotatingly driveable by the electric motor around a first rotational axis A. The output wheel is drivingly connected to the driving wheel and is rotatingly driveable around a second rotational axis B, wherein the second rotational axis B is arranged parallel off-set to the first rotational axis A. The second gear stage and the differential drive are arranged coaxially to the second rotational axis B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventor: Theodor Gassmann
  • Patent number: 9039563
    Abstract: A speed changing apparatus includes a planet gear set having a sun gear, planet pinions, a planet pinion carrier and a ring gear mounted inside a rotary sleeve. The sun gear is driven by a D.C. motor to rotate in either of two opposed rotary directions. Clutch arrangements are operative to lock one of either the carrier arm or the ring gear to a rotationally fixed component and to drivingly couple the other of the carrier arm and the ring gear to the sleeve ring depending on the direction of rotation of the motor. Different gear ratios are selected by reversing the direction of rotation of the motor whilst the sleeve ring is always driven in same direction. The speed change apparatus may be part of a hub of an electric vehicle in which the sleeve ring is a hub shell and the apparatus is mounted about an axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: SUN RACE STURMEY-ARCHER, INC.
    Inventors: Shih-Liang Lin, Hsin-Yang Su, Ming-Chih Tsai
  • Patent number: 9038799
    Abstract: A component, such as an engine accessory for an automotive engine, that has clutch with a helical clutch coil and an axially movable armature. The helical clutch coil is normally engaged so as to transmit rotary power between a driving member and a driven member. The armature can be moved to apply a force to a tang of the helical clutch coil that causes the helical clutch coil to disengage to an extent where full rotary power is not passed through the clutch to drive the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventors: Pierre A. Mevissen, Jacek Stepniak, Roman Tracz, John Danciu, Scott Parsons
  • Patent number: 9038801
    Abstract: An assembly includes an output shaft, an input shaft with an internal reservoir, and a clutch. The clutch is adapted to selectively engage and couple the input shaft to the output shaft. The clutch has a pressure chamber that communicates with the reservoir of the input shaft. The reservoir has a sufficient volume to provide the pressure chamber with a fluid pressure adequate to maintain engagement of the clutch during an interruption of a fluid supply to the input shaft and clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Dean A. Norem, Alex Rak, Timothy P. Walgren, Raymond N. Weyl, Ricky D. Reimers, Charles E. Long
  • Patent number: 9033851
    Abstract: A motor drive assembly can prevent a two-way roller clutch of the current speed ratio and a two-way roller clutch of the next speed ratio from engaging simultaneously, and includes a first-speed friction plate formed with engaging protrusions on the first-speed side, and a shift ring formed with engaging recesses. While the shift ring is in a first-speed shift position SP1f, the engaging protrusions are adapted to be engaged in the engaging recesses, thereby preventing rotation of the shift ring relative to the first-speed friction plate. The shift ring is provided with projections on its inner periphery. The drive assembly further includes an annular protrusion formed with cutouts. When the projections are axially and circumferentially displaced from the respective cutouts, the projections are adapted to interfere with the annular protrusion, thereby preventing axial movement of the shift ring between the first-speed shift position SP1f and a second-speed shift position SP2f.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Itakura, Guodong Li
  • Patent number: 9028366
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle in which at least two shift ranges can be selected for a single running direction includes an engine, a motor generator, an EHC raising the temperature of a catalyst for cleaning up an exhaust gas from the engine, and an ECU. While the vehicle is running, if the engine is stopped and, of the two shift ranges, a shift range where larger decelerating force is produced by regenerative braking of the motor generator has been selected, the ECU causes the EHC to raise the temperature of the catalyst using electric power generated by the motor generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keita Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9027724
    Abstract: A lockup clutch mechanism of a hydraulic transmission device includes a lockup piston that is capable of moving toward a front cover to press first and second friction plates, and a flange member that together with the lockup piston defines an engagement-side oil chamber. The front cover and the lockup piston define a first lubricant passage that supplies hydraulic oil to the first and second friction plates. A second lubricant passage communicating with the first lubricant passage is formed in a centerpiece of the front cover. A first shaft oil passage communicating with the engagement-side oil chamber and a second shaft oil passage communicating with the second lubricant passage are formed in an input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junji Tanaka, Yuito Abe, Kazuyoshi Ito, Koji Maeda, Naohisa Momiyama