Patents Examined by Richard Lorence
  • Patent number: 9366312
    Abstract: A torsion damping device (10) of an automotive temporary coupling system, comprising: a torque input element (12A, 12B) and a torque output element (18); an upstream circumferentially acting elastic member (36A) capable of being loaded by or of loading the input element (12A, 12B); a downstream circumferentially acting elastic member (36B) capable of loading or of being loaded by the output element (18); a radial phase washer (40A, 40B) arranged so that the two elastic members (36A, 36B) are mounted in series; each elastic member (36A, 36B) is received circumferentially between a phasing face (50A, 50B) and an oppositely located radial retention face (52B, 52A) of the phase washer (40A, 40B), the circumferential distance (D) between said faces (50A, 50B, 52B, 52A) being equal at most to the circumferential length of the elastic member at rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventors: Giovanni Grieco, Norberto Termenon
  • Patent number: 9360057
    Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch can be manufactured with reduced steps and cost. In the electromagnetic clutch, an electromagnetic coil unit 4 for causing a rotor and an armature to magnetically adhere to each other to enable power transmission from a drive source to a driven device includes: a bobbin 42 around which an electromagnetic coil 41 is wound; a power supply connector 43 attached to a connector mounting portion 424 formed in the bobbin 42, to supply external power to the electromagnetic coil 41; and a field core 44 in which a through hole 443a is formed. In the field core 44, a proximal part of the power supply connector 43 and the bobbin 42 are stored in a storage portion in a state where a distal part of the power supply connector 43 is exposed to outside from the through hole 443a, and the storage portion is filled with resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: SANDEN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masanori Mogi
  • Patent number: 9360061
    Abstract: The invention relates to a prime mover arrangement comprising an internal combustion engine (1) for driving a first shaft (2) and comprising a steam engine (4), which is connected to the first shaft by means of a clutch arrangement (3), for driving a second shaft (5). Furthermore, a freewheel (6) which interacts with the clutch arrangement (3) is arranged between the first shaft (2) and the second shaft (5) in order to transmit a rotational movement of the second shaft (5) to the first shaft (2) in a first operating mode and to allow the first shaft (2) to freewheel relative to the second shaft (5) in a second operating mode. The clutch arrangement (3) is designed as a fluid-actuated clutch arrangement (3) which can be operated with positive pressure or negative pressure and bridges the freewheel (6) in a friction-fitted or form-fitted manner in order to transmit the rotational movement of the internal combustion engine (1) to the second shaft (5) via a flange (7) arranged on the first shaft (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Felix Wiedmann, Andreas Wengert, Nadja Eisenmenger
  • Patent number: 9360107
    Abstract: A transmission and control method are disclosed which ensure proper stroke pressure and minimize torque transients during a shift event. The transmission includes a clutch having a torque capacity based on a fluid pressure, a torque sensor adapted to measure a torque value that varies in relationship to the torque capacity, and a controller. The method includes varying the fluid pressure around a predetermined value, measuring a resulting torque difference with the torque sensor, and adjusting a clutch control parameter if the resulting torque difference is less than a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Michael Pietron, Yuji Fujii, Joseph F. Kucharski, Nicholas Joseph Witte, Stephen Michael Cicala, Bradley Dean Riedle, Diana Yanakiev, Nimrod Kapas, Davorin David Hrovat
  • Patent number: 9347501
    Abstract: A drive power transmission system includes-a clutch hub, a clutch drum and a dry clutch. The dry clutch includes-first and second clutch plates, a friction facing and a cover member. The first clutch plate is joined to the clutch hub. The second clutch plate is joined to the clutch drum. The cover member has an external air intake hole and an external air discharge hole. These holes of the cover member are positioned such that, due to rotation of at least one of the clutch hub and the clutch drum, an air flow is generated that draws external air is through the external air intake hole and along the clutch hub to a radially inward location of reduced air pressure, then passes radially outward to a radially outward location of increased air pressure, and then passes along the clutch drum and out the external air discharge hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Akimoto, Shigeru Ishii, Tsuyoshi Yamanaka, Tomoharu Fujii
  • Patent number: 9341250
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque coupling device includes an impeller, a casing having a first engagement surface, a turbine-piston hydrodynamically drivable by the impeller, and a bearing device. The turbine-piston is axially displaceable into and out of a lockup mode. The bearing device includes a non-axially oriented spring and a substantially incompressible rolling member urged by the spring against an oblique contact surface associated with the turbine-piston to thereby exert a variable axial force against the turbine-piston shell for biasing the turbine-piston out of the lockup mode. The variable axial force exerted by the bearing device against the turbine-piston shell decreases as the turbine-piston is axially displaced towards the lockup mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayges
    Inventors: Alexandre Depraete, Zane Yang
  • Patent number: 9341261
    Abstract: A torque converter clutch (TCC) control valve system for a motor vehicle transmission includes a dual valve assembly with a first exhaust line that opens to air and a TCC control valve assembly with a second exhaust line that opens to air. The TCC control valve assembly communicates with the dual valve assembly through a fluid line, and the TCC control valve assembly further communicates with a torque converter having a lockup clutch. When the lockup clutch is in a faulted open state, air is drawn into the dual valve assembly through the first exhaust line. The air flows through the dual valve assembly and from the dual valve assembly though the fluid line to portions of the TCC control valve assembly, and from the TCC control valve assembly to the torque converter. The air replaces hydraulic fluid in the torque converter, and the displaced hydraulic fluid from the torque converter exits through the second exhaust line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Joel H. Gunderson, Derek Kinch
  • Patent number: 9328777
    Abstract: A clutch, in particular for a motor vehicle, for transmitting torque from an input shaft to an output shaft, includes a wet chamber which is at least partially filled with a cooling medium, and at least one piston, the piston and a component located opposite the piston being rotatable around an axis, and the piston being movable in the direction of the axis to disengage and engage the clutch, is characterized in that on at least one of the following elements: a) the piston and b) the component located opposite the piston on a side facing the other element, at least one web is formed, which extends in the direction of the axis in the direction of the other component, and whose path has at least one radial part in reference to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Kuehnle
  • Patent number: 9328776
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a dry-clutch transmission having various cooling techniques. Some techniques include forming different structural features on transmission components so as to create an organized air flow. The disclosed techniques are applicable to both opened and closed transmission housings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: John Edward Brevick
  • Patent number: 9327690
    Abstract: A parking lock device includes: a transmission shaft supported by a first case and a second case and connected to drive wheels; a parking gear fixed to the transmission shaft; and a parking pole engageable with the parking gear. A cover member is fixed to an inner wall surface of the second case. The cover member covers at least an outer peripheral surface of the parking gear with a predetermined clearance therebetween in a state where the second case is joined to the first case. When the second case to which the cover member is attached in advance is joined to the first case to which the parking gear is attached in advance, the cover member is guided by the outer peripheral surface of the parking gear. Thus, the second case 13 can be joined to the first case easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Yokomachi, Noriaki Imaoka, Masashi Ohnuma
  • Patent number: 9328780
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid friction clutch (1) having a housing (2, 3) and a clutch disk (4), which is rotatable relative to the housing (2, 3), and which is rotatably arranged at one end (5) of a shaft (6) centrally supported inside the housing (2, 3), having a working chamber (9) between the housing (2, 3) and the clutch disk (4), having a storage chamber (10) for clutch fluid; and having a feed duct (11a, 11b), which leads from the storage chamber (10) to the working chamber (9), characterized by a supply pump element (14), which is rotatable relative to the housing (2, 3) and which is arranged, rotationally fixed, on the shaft (6), and which defines a shear gap (12) with the housing (2, 3); and by a valve (17), which is arranged in the feed duct (11), characterized in that an operative element (7) is arranged on the housing (2, 3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Borg Warner Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Buchholz, Frank Gerber
  • Patent number: 9316326
    Abstract: A hydraulic valve assembly for controlling a clutch in a vehicle transmission. The valve assembly includes a housing with a first port for connection to a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, a displaceable sealing piston disposed within the housing, a valve spring for displacing the sealing piston, a snap-spring having first and second equilibrium positions, and an overstroke spring. In the first equilibrium position a spring force displaces the sealing piston to uncover the first port to enable fluid flow through the valve, and in the second equilibrium position the valve spring displaces the sealing piston to block the first port to block fluid flow through the valve. Moving from the first equilibrium position to the second equilibrium position includes displacing the overstroke spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Vural Ari, William Brees
  • Patent number: 9316270
    Abstract: A solenoid body is attached to an outer surface side of a clutch cover attached to an engine main body so as to cover a pair of hydraulic clutches. A hydraulic control solenoid valve for controlling pressure of a hydraulic oil from an oil pump, a single switching valve for alternatively selecting hydraulic chambers of the pair of hydraulic clutches to be supplied with the hydraulic oil from the hydraulic control solenoid valve, and a shift solenoid valve for controlling operation of the switching valve are attached to the solenoid body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshimasa Mitsubori, Takamori Shirasuna, Eiji Kittaka
  • Patent number: 9309931
    Abstract: A connect-disconnect assembly for a vehicle drivetrain configured to drive a vehicle with a surface engaging traction member. The connect-disconnect assembly includes a coupler located within a final drive element or gear of a final drive assembly wherein in a first position the coupler does not span a gap between the gear and a transmission drive element of a transmission. In a second position, the coupler does span the gap between the gear and the transmission drive element such that the gear and the transmission drive element are connected. The final drive assembly includes an access port to provide access to a user accessible drive actuator to move the coupler between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Hartz, Rick K. Daugherty, Rick L. Platt, Brian L. Pannell
  • Patent number: 9303747
    Abstract: A lock-up device includes a clutch portion and a damper mechanism. The clutch portion includes a clutch output member, a clutch plate, an oil chamber plate having a disc shape and a piston. The oil chamber plate is disposed between a front cover and an inner peripheral part of a turbine, while being axially immovable with respect to the front cover. The piston is disposed between the front cover and the oil chamber plate while being axially movable. The piston forms a first oil chamber for lock-up actuation together with the oil chamber plate, and forms a second oil chamber for lock-up releasing together with the front cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: EXEDY Corporation
    Inventors: Ken Mototsune, Kazuhito Maeda
  • Patent number: 9297448
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque coupling device includes a casing having opposite sidewalls and an outer wall extending between and connecting the opposite sidewalls, an impeller coaxial aligned with the rotational axis, a piston engagement member extending substantially radially inward from and non-moveable relative to the outer wall of the casing, and a turbine-piston coaxially aligned with and hydrodynamically drivable by the impeller. The turbine-piston includes a turbine-piston shell having a turbine-piston flange with an engagement surface that is movable axially toward and away from an engagement surface of the piston engagement member to position the hydrokinetic torque coupling device into and out of a lockup mode in which the turbine-piston is mechanically locked to and non-rotatable relative to the piston engagement member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventors: Alexandre Depraete, Michel Bacher, Gyubong Jeon, Zane Yang
  • Patent number: 9297427
    Abstract: A hydraulic shaft coupling apparatus transfers power from a rotating drive shaft to a driven load shaft, where the apparatus has a self-contained internal fluid flow path having a fluid control valve that controls the flow of hydraulic fluid through the flow path to allow fluid flow when there is a substantial difference between drive shaft and driven shaft rotational speeds, and to gradually restrict the fluid flow as the difference between drive shaft and driven shaft speeds decrease to the point where fluid flow through the fluid passage is substantially stopped by the control valve resulting in the one-to-one transfer of rotational power from the drive shaft to the driven shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Taylor Cable Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Percival
  • Patent number: 9291211
    Abstract: In a wet friction material, a plurality of segment pieces is disposed at both sides of inter-segment grooves. The segment pieces are composed of first segment pieces and second segment pieces. The first segment piece has at least two inner peripheral recesses formed on an inner periphery thereof and at least two outer peripheral recesses formed on an outer periphery thereof. The outer periphery of the first segment piece has a short dimension. The second segment piece has at least two inner peripheral recesses formed on an inner periphery thereof and at least two outer peripheral recesses formed on an outer periphery thereof. The outer periphery of the second segment piece has a long dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: AISIN KAKO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroki Okamura
  • Patent number: 9290049
    Abstract: A bicycle hub assembly includes a hub shell defining a toothed drive member mounting hole and a locating groove, a locating member having a positioning portion accommodated in the locating groove of the hub shell, and a toothed drive member having a first locating portion fastened to the positioning portion of the locating member and a plurality of teeth. In an alternate form of the invention, the bicycle hub assembly includes a hub shell defining therein a toothed drive member mounting hole and a plug hole; a locating member having a positioning portion and a plug portion that is plugged into the plug hole of the hub shell, and a toothed drive member having a first locating portion fastened to the positioning portion of the locating member and a plurality of teeth formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: CHOSEN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ching-Shu Chen
  • Patent number: 9291209
    Abstract: A rotation clamping mechanism includes a rotating member and at least two engagement members that are attached to the rotating member and transmit rotational power. The engagement members engage a rotated object placed in a predetermined positional relationship with the engagement members. The rotated object is rotated by rotating the rotating member. The engagement members are supported on the rotating member so as to swing to an engagement position where power is transmitted to the rotated object and to a release position where engagement is released. The rotation clamping mechanism further includes: an opening/closing mechanism that moves the engagement members between the engagement position and the release position; and a biasing member that biases the engagement members toward the engagement position. At the engagement position, the engagement members clamp the rotated object in a floating state with the engagement members pressed onto the rotated object by the biasing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hisayuki Sueoka, Yasuhiko Wakatsuki, Hideto Maeda, Hiroaki Matsumoto