Patents Examined by Ramya P Burgess
  • Patent number: 10295049
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling automatic transmission includes: an automatic gear-shift mode for automatically selecting a gear position based on a driving condition of a vehicle; and a manual gear-shift mode for selecting the gear position based on an output of an up-shift instructing unit or a down-shift instructing unit, and sets a predetermined time period for maintaining the manual gear-shift mode when the up-shift instructing unit is operated, to be shorter than the predetermined time period when the down-shift instructing unit is operated, when the gear position is at or higher than a predetermined gear position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Michio Kojima, Yuichiro Takemori
  • Patent number: 10252613
    Abstract: A dual clutch transaxle is provided that includes a dual clutch assembly, an input shaft assembly, a counter shaft assembly, a shift assembly and at least one output assembly. The dual clutch assembly has a dual clutch axis and includes a first clutch shaft and a second clutch shaft. The input shaft assembly includes a nested first inner input shaft and a second outer input shaft that are operationally coupled to the first clutch shaft and a second clutch shaft. An input shaft axis is offset from the dual clutch axis of the dual clutch assembly. A plurality of drive gears of the input shaft assembly are operationally coupled to a plurality of driven gears of the counter shaft assembly. The shift assembly is operationally coupled to select. The at least one output assembly is operationally coupled to the counter shaft assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: TEAM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce H. Younggren, Brandon P. Lenk, Thomas Richard Rosenbush, Ronald Joseph Wendt, Michael Allen Mueller
  • Patent number: 10247264
    Abstract: A selectable one-way clutch includes a fixed plate, a rotatable plate, a switching plate, an arm member, and an actuator including an operating shaft member for moving the arm member. Lubricating oil is interposed between any adjacent two of the fixed plate, the switching plate and the rotatable plate. Where a first distance is a distance from a rotation center of the switching plate to a contact point of an operating portion of the arm member and a first contact portion of the operating shaft member in normal switching operation from a disengaged state to an engaged state and a second distance is a distance from the rotation center of the switching plate to a contact point of the operating portion of the arm member and a second contact portion of the operating shaft member in switching plate erroneous operation, the second distance is larger than the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki Kurosaki, Hiroyuki Shioiri, Hiroyuki Shibata, Shotaro Kato, Mitsuaki Tomita
  • Patent number: 10240646
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system (21) for a dual wet clutch (1)has two clutches (4, 5). The hydraulic control system (21) includes a housing (41) having an internal tube (42) extending axially around the axis X and configuring an internal space intended for passage of the two input shafts (2, 3) of a gearbox, and first and second annular chambers (43, 44) concentric around the axis X and disposed radially around the internal tube (42). The hydraulic control system (21) further includes first and second annular pistons (45, 46), which are respectively mounted axially slidingly inside the first and second annular chambers (43, 44). Each of the first and second annular pistons (45, 46) carrying a rotating stop (49, 50). The internal tube (42) has at least one flow conduit (55) for a cooling fluid, intended to direct the cooling fluid to the clutches (4, 5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventors: Arnaud Dole, Francois Thibaut
  • Patent number: 10234010
    Abstract: An axle carrier includes a housing having an outer surface, an inner surface defining an interior portion, a first axle support member, and a second axle support member. The body is formed from a first material. A gear carrier is arranged within the interior portion. The gear carrier is formed from a second material. The first material comprises a metal matrix composite having a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) that substantially matches a CTE of the second material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: William J. Wilson
  • Patent number: 10228027
    Abstract: A hydraulic power take-off, PTO, is provided for use with industrial drives. The hydraulic power take-off has a multi-position adapter that allows the PTO to be attached to a prime mover in a multitude of angularly indexed positions while maintaining a gravity-assisted drain and sump for the hydraulic fluid. The multi-position adapter is indexable to selectively block and allow for passage of oil from a tower housing to a clutch housing thus ensuring the hydraulic oil properly drains. As a result, the tower housing is also indexable which allows the PTO unit to be installed in a number of different configurations to meet the demands of the prime mover and the final application of the industrial machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Twin Disc, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrel A. Jones, Andrew D. Van Hoorn
  • Patent number: 10227942
    Abstract: An agricultural vehicle includes an engine, a transmission driven by the engine, and a controller. The controller, in operation, adjusts a gear ratio of the transmission using an algorithm. The algorithm, in operation, performs the following steps: reduce a torque capacity of a first offgoing clutch of the transmission to a first torque target, reduce the torque capacity of the first offgoing clutch to a second torque target while adjusting the torque capacity of a first oncoming clutch of the transmission to a third torque target, such that the gear ratio of the transmission is modified in a first direction, and increase the torque capacity of the first oncoming clutch to a desired torque capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Garth Harvey Bulgrien, Brent Lynn Gustafson, Kushan Vora
  • Patent number: 10221899
    Abstract: A multiple-stage ball ramp actuator includes an axially movable outer ring having at least one outer groove and an outer ball disposed in the outer groove. The multiple-stage ball ramp actuator further includes an axially movable inner ring rotatably fixed relative to the outer ring. The inner ring has at least one inner groove and an inner ball disposed in the inner groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Moubarak, William David Guarino
  • Patent number: 10208811
    Abstract: A selectable one-way clutch includes a clutch module and at least one electromagnetic actuator module. Each electromagnetic actuator module includes at least one electromagnetic actuator assembly having a coil assembly, a locking strut, and a connection member mechanically interconnected to the locking strut for moving it between released and deployed positions in response to energization of the coil assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN INC.
    Inventors: Darrell F. Greene, Adrian C. Cioc
  • Patent number: 10208835
    Abstract: A speed reducer includes: a case; an input shaft rotationally driven by an electric motor and having an eccentric shaft portion; an externally toothed gear wheel rotatably supported on the eccentric shaft portion; an output shaft rotatably supported on the case coaxially with the input shaft and having an internally toothed gear wheel; a guide plate formed with a guide recess recessed parallel to the input shaft, and disposed between the input shaft and the externally toothed gear wheel; a guide protrusion provided in the case to protrude parallel to the input shaft to guide sliding of the recess; and a guide portion provided between the externally toothed gear wheel and the guide plate to guide movement of the externally toothed gear wheel relative to the guide plate, thereby guiding the externally toothed gear wheel so as to be revolvable but non-rotatable in cooperation with the recess and the protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masao Noguchi, Toshiaki Nagata
  • Patent number: 10196066
    Abstract: A system includes an engine, a transmission driven by the engine, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a speed input, receive feedback indicative of a load of the engine at a current engine speed, compare the load to a predetermined load threshold at the current engine speed, determine an expected engine speed based at least on the current engine speed, a current gear ratio, and an expected gear ratio, determine an estimated engine power at the expected engine speed and a current engine power at the current engine speed, and command a gear downshift when the load is greater than or equal to the predetermined load threshold and when the estimated engine power is greater than the current engine power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Ashraf Mohammed Kandeel Omran, Garth Harvey Bulgrien, Brian Allen Hartman
  • Patent number: 10196062
    Abstract: A method for stopping of a motor vehicle including providing a creep torque via a drive train of the motor vehicle and then increasing, independently of the driver, engine speed of a drive engine of the drive train to increase a drive torque of the drive engine and simultaneously increasing, independently of the driver, a braking torque of a brake system of the motor vehicle to balance the drive torque and the braking torque of the motor wherein the maximum braking torque is as great as the creep torque during a standstill of the motor vehicle. The method then maintains the braking torque and simultaneously reduces the engine speed of the drive engine to point at which the motor vehicle comes to a standstill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ashrit Das, Thomas Svensson
  • Patent number: 10189475
    Abstract: Provided is a control apparatus of a vehicle, which includes a transmission mode switching control program for controlling the automatic transmission to switch between an automatic transmission mode and a manual transmission mode, a coast idle stop control program for performing a coast idle stop control in which the engine is stopped automatically and the automatic transmission is changed into a neutral position while the vehicle is traveling, and a coast idle control program for performing a coast idle control in which the engine is made running idle and the automatic transmission is changed into the neutral position while the vehicle is traveling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Daisaku Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 10190665
    Abstract: A drive system for a vehicle has a drive motor and an axle. A driving torque generated by the drive motor is transmitted via a gear chain and a planetary transmission to the axle. The drive system can be assembled modularly, and wherein the planetary transmission is coordinated with the drive motor to determine an overall transmission ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Falk Heilfort, Axel Heitmann, Wael Mohamed
  • Patent number: 10189306
    Abstract: A rear hub for mountain bikes includes a hub body and a sprocket carrier rotatably provided on a hub axle. The hub body is coupled with the sprocket carrier via a freewheel mechanism. By providing a decoupling mechanism, it is possible to decouple the sprocket carrier from the hub body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Canyon Bicycles GmbH
    Inventors: Vincenz Thoma, Lutz Scheffer, Lorenz Lay
  • Patent number: 10179506
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, a motor, and a belt stepless speed changer device having a driving rotary body, a driven rotary body, a first shaft member supporting the driving rotary body with allowing rotation thereof in unison, a second shaft member supporting the driven rotary body with allowing rotation thereof in unison, and an endless belt wound around the driving rotary body and the driven rotary body. The vehicle further includes a transmission case configured to receive the powers from the engine and the motor via the belt stepless speed changer device and a centrifugal clutch incorporated in a power transmission line extending form the engine to the first shaft member. The motor is disposed on the side opposite the engine across the driving rotary body, and the driving power of the motor is inputted to the first shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Sumio Yagyu, Go Takaki, Shinichi Kawabata, Shigeki Hayashi, Shohei Nakai, Hiroki Bessho
  • Patent number: 10175713
    Abstract: An accelerating and braking device is disclosed for a vehicle. The accelerating and braking device includes a support tube pivotably coupled adjacent to the steering column. A brake tube links the control tube with the brake pedal for activating and deactivating the brake pedal. A position sensor is coupled to the control tube. A control engaging the position sensor for producing a variable signal output from the position sensor during rotation of the control. The position sensor electrically coupled to the electronic control module. A first rotational displacement of the position sensor causing an increase in velocity of the vehicle. A second rotational displacement of the position sensor causing a decrease in velocity of the vehicle. A first spring and a second spring engaging the control for causing the second rotational displacement and the decrease in velocity of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: HOWELL VENTURES LTD.
    Inventors: Keith Howell, Timothy E. Smith, Dane N. Millar
  • Patent number: 10174795
    Abstract: A speed change device that includes a first clutch that has a first piston, a first engagement oil chamber, and a first centrifugal hydraulic pressure cancellation chamber configured to cancel a centrifugal hydraulic pressure generated in the first engagement oil chamber; a second clutch that has a second piston, a second engagement oil chamber, and a second centrifugal hydraulic pressure cancellation chamber configured to cancel a centrifugal hydraulic pressure generated in the second engagement oil chamber and that is disposed around the first clutch; and a drum member that defines the first engagement oil chamber together with the first piston and that defines the second engagement oil chamber together with the second piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takahiro Azumai
  • Patent number: 10173665
    Abstract: A method for operating a drive train of a motor vehicle is provided, the drive train featuring a first drive assembly formed as an internal combustion engine a second drive assembly formed as an electric motor, a start-up element and a transmission). The start-up element features a converter and a lock-up clutch and is connected between the electric motor and the transmission. The electric motor is connected between the internal combustion engine and the start-up element. If a decoupling of the lock-up clutch is requested, the lock-up clutch of the start-up element is initially brought into slip. If the slip at the lock-up clutch of the start-up element reaches a threshold or is greater than the threshold, a target rotational speed is subsequently predetermined for the electric motor and the rotational speed of the electric motor is adjusted to such target rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Thomas Lemp, Christoph Hess, Falko Platzer
  • Patent number: 10174828
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a transmission housing for a transmission with a flexible drive having a housing section with at least one curved wall surface (70; 74; 80) facing an accommodation space for a wheel of the flexible drive, wherein the wall surface can be changed in a radial direction, thereby offsetting and/or enlarging the accommodation space. A number of variations may include a transmission and to a method for producing transmissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Francis Keller, Michael Schwekutsch