Patents Examined by Richard Lorence
  • Patent number: 9458898
    Abstract: An over-running clutch couples a motor driven shaft to a driven element in which the element can freely rotate when the motor is switched off. The driven shaft of the clutch includes a flattened portion with two flat surfaces. A wall of a coupling member engages one of the surfaces when the driven shaft stands still. The coupling member includes an outwardly extending cam which is received in a sleeve of a cylindrical collar positioned on a disk which is rotatably mounted on the driven shaft. When the shaft is rotated, the coupling member is pressed outward over a limited distance and the cam enters a recess provided in the inner wall of a cylindrical drive portion forming part of the driven element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Forest Group Nederland B.V.
    Inventor: Henricus Wilhelmus Frederikus Bosgoed
  • Patent number: 9458918
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic coupling arrangement, particularly hydrodynamic torque converter, comprises a housing arrangement filled with fluid, an impeller rotatable with the housing arrangement around an axis of rotation (A), a turbine arranged in the housing arrangement, and a torsional vibration damper arrangement with an input area which can be coupled to the housing arrangement by a lockup clutch. The driven hub comprises an inner circumferential toothing for coupling to an outer circumferential toothing of a driven member, such that it is fixed with respect to rotation relative to it. The turbine has a turbine hub with an inner circumferential toothing for coupling in a fixed manner with respect to relative rotation to an outer circumferential toothing at the driven hub and/or the outer circumferential toothing of the driven member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Monika Rössner
  • Patent number: 9453565
    Abstract: Disclosed is a torque converter in a vehicle, which permits putting a lock-up clutch into operation while sufficiently attenuating vibration at all rotation speed ranges of a low rotation speed range to a high rotation speed range of an engine. The torque converter in a vehicle includes a lock-up clutch and a torsional damper, wherein the torsional damper has one side with a first centrifugal absorbing unit provided thereto for absorbing vibration and impact by centrifugal force, and a spline hub has one side with a second centrifugal absorbing unit for absorbing vibration and impact by centrifugal force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Korea Powertrain Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Soo Lee, Jin-Moon Kim
  • Patent number: 9441681
    Abstract: A decoupler that includes a hub, a drive member and a one-way clutch and torsionally resilient coupling. The drive member is configured to engage an endless power transmitting element. The one-way clutch and torsionally resilient coupling is disposed in series in a torque path and has a carrier and a wrap spring. The carrier defines a groove. The wrap spring is formed of wire and has an engagement end and a plurality of helical coils. The engagement end is being shorter in overall length than a length of one of the helical coils. The engagement end is received in the groove. The carrier is received in a pocket formed in a rotary member that can be the hub, the drive member, or a component in a torque path between the hub and the drive member. An axial end face of the wire that forms the wrap spring is abutted against an edge of the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventor: Warren Williams
  • Patent number: 9441680
    Abstract: A driven accessory comprising a first rotary clutch portion, a second rotary clutch portion, a wrap spring and an actuator. The actuator is selectively operable for generating a force that is applied to a second end of the wrap spring. The actuator includes an actuator input member that is rotatable about a rotary axis relative to the first rotary clutch portion. The actuator input member is axially movable along the rotary axis between a first position, in which the actuator input member is drivingly engaged to the first rotary clutch portion to cause the wrap spring to uncoil against a clutch surface on the first rotary clutch portion such that rotary power is transmitted between the first rotary clutch portion and the second rotary clutch portion, and a second position in which the actuator input member is disengaged from first rotary clutch portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Litens Automotive Partnership
    Inventor: Andrew M. Boyes
  • Patent number: 9440532
    Abstract: A lubrication system (300) for a transfer case (200) includes a shaft (302) having a lubricant inlet port (306) and a hollow bore (304) for transporting lubricant within the shaft (302), a pump (310) having a pump housing (312) and one or more pumping elements (318) that are disposed in the pump housing (312), and a clutch assembly (330). The clutch assembly 330 has an engaged position in which rotational force from the shaft (302) is transferred to the one or more pumping elements (318) to cause operation of the pump (310), and a disengaged position in which rotational force from the shaft (302) is not transferred to the one or more pumping elements (318). An actuator (370, 410) is operable to cause the clutch assembly (330) to move between the engaged position and the disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse Jongebloed, Michael Palazzolo
  • Patent number: 9435387
    Abstract: Device and apparatus for controlling the operating mode of a coupling assembly, coupling and control assembly and electric motor disconnect and pass through assemblies are provided. The device is a switchable linear actuator device to control the operating mode of a coupling assembly. A plurality of magnetic sources produce corresponding magnetic fields to create a net translational force. A stator structure includes at least one electromagnetic source and a translator structure includes a permanent magnet source magnetically coupled to the stator structure across a radial air gap. The translator structure is supported for translational movement relative to the stator structure along an axis between first and second stable axial end positions which correspond to first and second operating modes of the coupling assembly and an unstable axial equilibrium position between the end positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Kimes, Patrick J. McCleer, Terry O. Hendrick
  • Patent number: 9423017
    Abstract: A transfer case and hydraulic clutch assembly for a motor vehicle driveline include a hydraulic fluid circuit in communication with a cavity disposed opposite a piston from a clutch pack for delivering pressurized fluid to the cavity for biasing the piston towards the clutch pack thereby activating the clutch. The transfer case and hydraulic clutch assembly also include a lubricant fluid circuit that is in communication with the chain that links the input sprocket to the output sprocket during use, as the chain rotates around the input sprocket and output sprocket, the lubricant fluid drips from or is sprayed from the chain. At least part of this released fluid is captured by a screen disposed above the hydraulic fluid reservoir. The screen removes any metal particles or debris and then passes the screen fluid into the hydraulic fluid reservoir thereby replenishing the hydraulic fluid reservoir without resorting to a time consuming and costly maintenance procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Philip John Francis, Thomas Patrick Knox, Hans Jacobsson, Michael Palazzolo, Stephanie Paul
  • Patent number: 9422990
    Abstract: Drive devices for coupling a drive mechanism to an input shaft and methods of providing coupling control through an electromagnet are described herein. The drive devices include a driven member operatively coupled to a clutch assembly engageable with an input shaft. The clutch assembly includes an electromagnet, an actuator activated by the electromagnet, and a clutch pack that is biased into increased frictional engagement by the actuator to transfer the torque from the driven member to the input shaft. The methods include providing such a drive device and activating the electromagnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Paul T. McCrary
  • Patent number: 9400018
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved clutch plates for use in wet friction pack clutches and brakes which exhibit greatly reduced flutter particularly at high rotational speeds. Friction clutches and brakes include a first plurality of circular clutch plates or discs coupled to a first member comprising a metal core plate having bands of friction material affixed to both faces. These clutch plates are interleaved with a second plurality of circular metal reaction plates which are coupled to a second member. The metal core plate of the first plurality of clutch plates includes a plurality of radial slots spaced about the core plate which extend inwardly a portion of the radial width of the clutch core plate. Different numbers of slots, different spacings and different configurations of slots provide reduced plate flutter with varying thicknesses of core plates and ranges of rotational speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Kremer, Larry D. Diemer
  • Patent number: 9400019
    Abstract: The invention relates to a friction ring for a synchronizer unit (2) of a gear changing transmission, which friction ring includes a conical friction ring body (3) having an inner friction surface (301) and an outer installation surface (302) preferably configured as a further friction surface which friction surface (301) and installation surface (302) respectively bound the friction ring body (3) in a radial circumferential direction (U) extending perpendicular to a axial friction ring axis (4) in which the inner friction surface (301) conically extends along the friction ring axis (4) at a pre-determinable friction angle (?1) and the outer installation surface (302) also conically extends along the friction ring axis (4) at a pre-determinable installation angle (?2) respectively. In accordance with the invention the friction angle (?1) is different from the installation angle (?2). Furthermore, the invention relates to a synchronizer unit (2), as well as to a gear changing transmission for a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: OERLIKON FRICTION SYSTEMS (GERMANY) GMBH
    Inventors: Gary I. Skipper, Marcus Spreckels, Ulf Christoffer, Sebastian Augustin
  • Patent number: 9394981
    Abstract: A torque converter, including: a cover; an impeller including an impeller blade, and an impeller shell with a first surface extending beyond the impeller blade in a radial direction and at an acute angle with respect to a first line in the radial direction; a turbine including a turbine blade, and a turbine shell with a second surface axially aligned with the first surface and at the acute angle with respect to the first line; a turbine clutch including the first and second surfaces and friction material disposed between the first and second surfaces; a torus at least partially enclosed by the impeller and turbine shells; and a pressure chamber at least partially formed by the turbine shell and the cover. For torque converter mode, the turbine and the impeller are independently rotatably with respect to each other. For lock-up mode, the first and second surfaces are non-rotatably connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Patrick M. Lindemann, Matthew Payne
  • Patent number: 9394993
    Abstract: A park lock having a cam that is movable along a movement axis to cause corresponding pivotable movement of a pawl relative to a dog ring. The park lock mechanism includes a first actuator assembly and a second actuator assembly. The first actuator assembly has a first output member on which the cam is slidably mounted. The second actuator assembly includes a detent mechanism, which is configured to resist movement of the cam relative to the first output member, and a biasing element that is configured to store energy. Operation of the detent mechanism to permit movement of the cam relative to the first output member employs the stored energy in the biasing element to translate the cam on the first output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: e-AAM Driveline Systems AB
    Inventors: Martin Persson, Lars U. Larsson, Gabriel Trönnberg
  • Patent number: 9383005
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a clutch of a transmission having a plurality of torque transmitting mechanisms and includes a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, a clutch pressure regulating valve, a clutch pump valve, a first and a second fluid flow check valve, a pressure valve, a first torque transmitting mechanism actuation device, and a pressure control solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Joel H. Gunderson
  • Patent number: 9382952
    Abstract: A balancing element for balancing a clutch, including a shaft for inserting into a housing opening of a clutch cover, a head axially protruding from the shaft for limiting an insertion depth, and cutting edges radially protruding from the shaft for plastically deforming a wall surrounding the housing opening. A deforming stop is arranged at a distance from the cutting edges between the cutting edges and the head in order to plastically deform a part of the wall between the cutting edges and the deforming stop. By the plastic deformation of the wall into an area between the cutting edges and the deforming stop, the balancing element can be accommodated captively even under operating conditions without additional tools, whereby simple and economical production of an operationally reliable clutch is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Mario Hauss, Stefan Steiger, Holger Lietzenmaier
  • Patent number: 9377066
    Abstract: A method of operating a hydraulic retarder including directing fluid from a retarder pump to the retarder when the retarder is turned on. Fluid from a main pump is directed to a torque converter, which fluid is directed to at least one of a lube operation, a tank or a cooler when the retarder is turned off. Fluid from the main pump by way of the torque converter is directed to the retarder when the retarder is on, but not filled, and to the tank or the lube operation when the retarder is filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew R. Guillotte, Travis Miller, Don Wilbur, Mark Batdorff
  • Patent number: 9377065
    Abstract: A method of operating a hydraulic retarder includes directing fluid from a retarder pump to the retarder when the retarder is turned on, directing fluid from a main pump by way of a torque converter to the retarder when the retarder is on, but not filled. When the retarder is off or is on and filled, the method includes directing fluid from the main pump by way of the torque converter to at least one of a lube operation, the tank or a cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew R. Guillotte, Travis Miller, Don Wilbur, Mark Batdorff
  • Patent number: 9365399
    Abstract: The invention relates to a concealing device for the separable connection of the at least one loose drum rotatably mounted on the main shaft (11) of a conveyor machine to the main shaft (11), wherein the separable connection of the loose drum to the main shaft (11) is positively realized by means of a guided coupling wheel (3a, 3b) that is engageable and disengageable by actuating devices (7). The guidance of the coupling wheel (3a, 3b) is arranged on the sides of the loose drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMAG Tecberg GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Hofmann, Dennis Heisinger, Matthias Koch, Karol Nyga
  • Patent number: 9366297
    Abstract: A system for transmitting power from a drive shaft to a seed meter shaft of a seeder is disclosed. The system comprises a first transmission that connects to one of the drive shaft and the seed meter shaft. The first transmission also connects to a clutch assembly. The clutch assembly connects to a flexible drive shaft assembly, and the flexible drive shaft assembly connects to a second transmission. The second transmission connects to the other of the drive shaft and the seed meter shaft. The clutch assembly is detachable from the first transmission and the flexible drive shaft assembly and the flexible drive shaft assembly is directly connectable to the first transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Actuant Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin M. Hause
  • Patent number: 9365286
    Abstract: A reversible decoupling device is connected to an electromechanical actuator. The reversible decoupling device has an energy storage element configured to store the energy required for a decoupling in the decoupling device. The decoupling device can be re-coupled again after a completed test run so that the decoupling functionality can be easily tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Naubert, Markus Christmann