Patents Examined by Richard Lorence
  • Patent number: 9702416
    Abstract: The present invention uses a sensor to determine when a pressure plate and a clutch plate of a dual clutch transmission system are in contact with one another. The assembly includes a housing having a plurality of pistons connected to both the clutch plate and pressure plate. The pistons contain either magnets or couplers and are positioned adjacent one another separated by either a Hall effect sensor or an inductive sensor. As the pressure plates and clutch plates come into contact with one another the pistons move within the housing and said movement is detected by the sensor. The sensor determines if the pressure plate is in contact with the clutch plate and if the clutch plate or the pressure plate has traveled any linear distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: KSR IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Lingmin Shao, Jim Hartford
  • Patent number: 9702412
    Abstract: In an aspect, the invention is directed to a clutched device that includes a clutch input member, a clutch output member, and a wrap spring clutch. The wrap spring clutch is engageable with the clutch input member and the clutch output member and has a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface. One of the radially outer and inner surfaces is engageable with a clutch engagement surface on one of the clutch input member and the clutch output member. The clutch engagement surface has a surface finish that includes a plurality of peaks and valleys, wherein the peaks engage the wrap spring clutch and each have a selected width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventor: Evan J. Hurry
  • Patent number: 9695886
    Abstract: A clutch housing for a clutch assembly of a vehicle, the clutch housing comprising a fluid pathway at least partially disposed within a wall of the clutch housing, the fluid pathway forming at least a portion of a fluid line between a clutch slave cylinder and a clutch master cylinder, the fluid line being configured to transfer hydraulic fluid between the clutch slave cylinder and the clutch master cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ashok Swaminathan, Martin J. Raper, Stephen K. Miles, Duncan Metcalfe, Burcu Guleryuz
  • Patent number: 9689462
    Abstract: A centrifugal pendulum device for vibration isolation of a power take-off system of a drive unit, having a first pendulum element with a first mass and a second pendulum element with a second mass, which are set up to counteract vibrations of the drive unit in a resonance range. The first pendulum element has a first resonance range and the second pendulum element has a second resonance range, where the first and the second resonance ranges differ. Using the centrifugal pendulum device it is possible in a small construction space using efficient means to isolate an extended frequency range of vibrations from the drivetrain. In particular, with drive units which are designed as internal combustion engines having activatable cylinders, it is possible, using the centrifugal pendulum device proposed here to achieve a vibration isolation for many states of the drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stephan Maienschein, Thorsten Krause
  • Patent number: 9689439
    Abstract: A clutch device includes a slipper cam mechanism which releases a back torque by moving a clutch center in an axial direction, and a plunger mechanism provided to the clutch center. The plunger mechanism engages with a movement restricting portion until a rotational speed of the clutch center reaches a threshold value thus restricting the movement of the clutch center in the clutch axial direction, and the plunger mechanism is operated by a centrifugal force when the rotational speed of the clutch center exceeds the threshold value such that it disengages from the movement restricting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Miyazaki, Hisashi Sakuyama, Hideo Senmyo, Akira Tokito
  • Patent number: 9689483
    Abstract: A torque converter including a stator, a one way clutch permitting rotation of the stator in a first direction and preventing rotation of the stator in a second opposite direction, and an adapter device including a first adapter portion connected to the stator and a second adapter portion connected to the one way clutch, so that the one way clutch is positioned offset and remote from the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Edward De Jesus Rivera
  • Patent number: 9689442
    Abstract: A selectable one-way clutch that can prevent unintentional rotation of a selector plate by a drag torque is provided. In the selectable one-way clutch, a selector plate having a first aperture for letting through a strut is interposed between a fixed plate and a rotary plate while being allowed to rotate between an engagement position and a disengagement position. The selectable one-way clutch comprises: a protector plate interposed between the rotary plate and the selector plate; and a second aperture formed on the protector plate to let through the strut when the selector plate is rotated to the engagement position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Shioiri, Hideaki Komada, Hiroyuki Shibata, Yuki Kurosaki, Hiroki Yasui
  • Patent number: 9677654
    Abstract: A torque converter including: a cover arranged to receive torque from an engine; an impeller; a turbine; an output hub arranged to non-rotatably connect to an input shaft for a transmission; a lockup clutch including an axially displaceable piston plate and arranged to directly connect the cover to the output hub; and a seal system including a pilot portion including first and second channels and a secondary hub non-rotatably connected to the output hub and axially displaceable with respect to the output hub to control flow of pressurized fluid through the first and second channels, or non-rotatably connected to the pilot portion and axially displaceable with respect to the pilot portion to control flow of pressurized fluid through the first and second channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Jeremy Jewell
  • Patent number: 9670969
    Abstract: A drive assembly for a motor vehicle drive train is provided. The drive assembly includes a clutch pack, a hub, a main piston axially movable with respect to the hub to engage the clutch pack and a clutch control assembly nonrotatably fixed to the hub. The clutch control assembly forms a pressure chamber with the main piston. Rotation of the hub causes the clutch control assembly to close an engagement gap of the clutch pack. Pressure in the pressure chamber moves the main piston to engage the clutch pack after the engagement gap is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Vural Ari
  • Patent number: 9664238
    Abstract: Viscous fan drive systems with wiper members positioned on the OD of the clutch disks, and which rotate at high speed. The fluid reservoir also rotates at input speed. The wiper member directs viscous fluid radially back to the fluid reservoir. The valves in the viscous fan drive systems can be activated by a bimetal mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Darin Lee Gwin
  • Patent number: 9657783
    Abstract: A clutch module for a dual clutch transmission (DCT) is designed to improve circumferential fluid distribution to reduce or eliminate an unpleasant noise during engagement. In some embodiments, the reaction plate is restrained in a position offset 1-3 degrees from perpendicular to the housing axis. Consequently, 0.2-0.7 mm of clearance remains on one radial side of the clutch when all clearance has been removed on the other radial side of the clutch. Relative rotation between the hub and the housing pushes fluid from the tight side toward the loose side. In an alternative embodiment, the piston is designed to orient the pressure plate non-perpendicular to the housing axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Thomas Trent, George Frederick MacDonald, Bryant David Grytzelius
  • Patent number: 9657785
    Abstract: A rolling bearing including an inner ring, an outer ring, at least one row of rolling elements disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring, and (a) at least one seal fixed to one of the inner ring and the outer ring as well as (b) at least one internal sealing lip cooperating with a first portion of the other of the inner ring and the outer ring. The seal further includes at least one external sealing lip offset axially relative to the internal sealing lip on the exterior side of the bearing. The external sealing lip cooperates with a second portion of the other ring, wherein the second portion of the seal is separate from the first portion and situated axially facing the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Benoit Arnault, Eric Baudez, Mickael Chollet, Philippe Walter
  • Patent number: 9649933
    Abstract: A vehicle power transfer unit (PTU) disconnect assembly can include a first shaft, a second shaft, and a collar assembly. The first shaft has a first split-spline at its exterior surface. The second shaft is telescoped over the first shaft and has a set of splines at its exterior surface. A helical gear is carried by the second shaft. The collar assembly is situated around both of the first and second shafts. The collar assembly has a second split-spline at its interior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: GKN DRIVELINE NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Samuel J. Oram, Tony N. Arden, Daniel S. Engerer, Austin R. Gerding, Robert E. Toaso, Rick Ohsiek
  • Patent number: 9651097
    Abstract: A friction clutch having first and second clutch members, a plurality of first clutch plates, a plurality of second clutch plates and a first electromagnet. The first clutch member is formed of a first magnetically susceptible material. The first clutch plates are axially slidably and non-rotatably coupled to the first clutch member and are formed of a second magnetically susceptible material. The second clutch plates are axially slidably and non-rotatably coupled to the second clutch member. The second clutch plates are interleaved with the first clutch plates. The first electromagnet has a first pole that is magnetically coupled to the first clutch member. The first clutch plates are driven apart from one another when the first electromagnet is operated to generate a magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Curt D. Gilmore
  • Patent number: 9644691
    Abstract: A fluid fan clutch according to the present invention comprises: a fan housing provided with a housing main body having a concave fluid operating chamber formed at a center part thereof, and a housing cover, which has a concave fluid storing chamber formed at the center part thereof and is laminated to cover an opening of the fluid operating chamber, and having a fluid collecting hole and a fluid outlet respectively formed on a bottom plate and a side wall of the fluid storing chamber; a rotor rotation shaft provided so as to penetrate the bottom plate of the housing main body; a rotor fixed and coupled to the rotor rotation shaft in the fluid operating chamber; a valve ring formed in a ring-shape to be adhered to an inner wall of the fluid storing chamber and having a penetration hole formed at a point corresponding with the fluid outlet; and a check valve provided inside the fluid storing chamber as a rotatable structure to seal one of the fluid collecting hole and the penetration hole according to the rota
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Inventor: Jung Ok Cha
  • Patent number: 9638268
    Abstract: The present teachings provide for a clutch including a hub, a rotor, and an electromagnet. The hub can be rotatable about a central axis. The rotor can be rotatable about the central axis and can be rotatable relative to the hub. The rotor can define an annular cavity that can be disposed about the central axis. A surface of the annular cavity can define at least one groove that can extend helically about the central axis. The electromagnet can be received in the annular cavity. When the electromagnet is energized, the hub can engage the rotor to transmit torque between the hub and rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Denso International America, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Bartholomew, Tomoyuki Mizuguchi
  • Patent number: 9624989
    Abstract: A freewheel (4) having a first running ring (28), a second running ring (30), a clamping gap (32) formed between the first and second running rings (28, 30), and at least one clamping element (34) in the clamping gap (32), the clamping gap (32) being assigned a side wall (40; 52) on which the at least one clamping element (34) can be or is supported. A side (60; 64) of the clamping element (34) which faces toward the side wall (40; 52) and/or that side (68; 72) of the side wall (40; 52) which faces toward the clamping element (34) is provided with a friction-reducing, wear-reducing and/or corrosion-reducing coating (62, 66; 70, 74) or surface treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Baeumler, Erwin Josef Lipp, Dirk Achim Schmitt
  • Patent number: 9618105
    Abstract: A torque converter includes a torque converter body, a lock-up device, and a dynamic damper. The lock-up device includes an output plate coupled to a turbine. The dynamic damper is fixed to the output plate of the lock-up device, and is configured to attenuate variation in speed of rotation from the engine. The dynamic damper includes a base plate, an inertia unit, and an elastic unit. The base plate is fixed to the output plate. The inertia unit is movable relative to the base plate in a rotational direction. The elastic unit exerts nonlinear torsional characteristics, and elastically couples the base plate and the inertia unit in the rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: EXEDY Corporation
    Inventors: Yuki Kawahara, Yusuke Okamoto, Yusuke Okamachi
  • Patent number: 9618062
    Abstract: A clutch unit includes a lever-side clutch portion for controlling transmission and interruption of rotational torque to an output side through lever operation, and a brake-side clutch portion for transmitting torque input from the lever-side clutch portion to the output side and for interrupting torque reversely input from the output side. The lever-side clutch portion has an outer centering spring provided between a lever-side outer ring to be rotated through the lever operation and a cover restricted in rotation, for accumulating an elastic force obtained by torque input from the lever-side outer ring and for restoring the lever-side outer ring to a neutral state with the accumulated elastic force through releasing of the torque input from the lever-side outer ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Sato, Takahide Saito, Masahiro Kawai, Kouji Isoda, Naochika Kubota, Yumiko Mineno, Hiromitsu Hamazaki
  • Patent number: 9618061
    Abstract: There is provided a clutch mechanism that allows easy downsizing and produces favorable productivity. Output rotator has on the outer circumferential surface thereof cam surfaces and configured to gradually reduce the space from a housing chamber inner circumferential surface toward one side and recesses adjacent to the one side of the cam surfaces. Input rotator has pressure transmission portions that are fitted with circumferential play to the recesses and are protruded from the insides of the recesses in a centrifugal direction. Engagement pieces are disposed in contact with the cam surfaces and the housing chamber inner circumferential surface. When the input rotator rotates toward the other side relative to the one side, the pressure transmission portions abut against the engagement pieces and then abut against circumferential end surfaces in the recesses to press and move the output rotator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: NAMIKI SEIMITSU HOUSEKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Kobayashi, Kinya Odagiri