Patents Examined by Robert A. Hodges
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Patent number: 9382951Abstract: A locking hub system in a vehicle is provided. The locking hub system includes an inner drive gear assembly including a drive gear having a drive gear interior splined surface configured to attach to a vehicle axle and a bearing housing rotationally coupled to the drive gear having a bearing housing exterior splined surface configured to mate with a wheel attachment interface and a clutch ring assembly including a pin ring having a plurality of cantilevered pins extending from a support ring, partially enclosing a clutch ring, and unsupported at one end, the clutch ring including a clutch ring splined interior surface slidably moveable to mate with an drive gear splined exterior surface of the drive gear in an engaged configuration and slidably moveable to decouple from the drive gear splined exterior surface in a disengaged configuration.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2014Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: Warn Industries, Inc.Inventors: Adam K. Reiner, Kip E. Clohessy, Michael L. Bowers
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Patent number: 9377095Abstract: In a differential device, an outer tube portion is formed in one of a side gear and a sleeve, and an inner tube portion fitted to an inner periphery of the outer tube portion is formed in the other. An engagement portion is provided in the outer tube portion. A key member movable between a first position where the member is detached from the engagement portion to allow withdrawal of the sleeve and a second position where the member is engaged with the engagement portion, is attached to the inner tube portion. The member is forcibly held at the second position by a drive shaft when the shaft is fitted and inserted into the sleeve to be spline-fitted to the gear. Accordingly, a differential gear mechanism is disassembled by removing the sleeves from the gears and when the shafts are attached, connection between the sleeves and the gears is ensured.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2015Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yoichi Yanase
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Patent number: 9371065Abstract: A method of controlling a transmission includes determining if the transmission is currently executing a first torque controlled shift from a first gear ratio to a second gear ratio. A torque controlled shift is defined as a shift control operation in which the speed of the engine is controlled to perform a shift operation. When a second torque controlled shift is detected while the transmission is currently executing the first torque controlled shift, a dual torque controlled shift strategy is executed, which merges a first shift control strategy for executing the first torque controlled shift with a second shift control strategy for executing the second torque controlled shift. The dual torque controlled shift strategy seamlessly executes the first torque controlled shift and the second torque controlled shift without a time delay and engine torque disruption therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2014Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Harinath Atmaram, Brian H Fiore, David Szpara
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Patent number: 9371866Abstract: A wet clutch for a motorcycle having an outer basket having a first toothing as the input side of the wet clutch, an inner basket which is coaxial to the outer basket having a second toothing as the output side of the wet clutch, first frictional elements which are torsionally connected to the outer basket, second frictional elements which are torsionally connected to the inner basket, the first and second frictional elements being situated axially alternating between the inner basket and the outer basket, and a clamping element to compress the first and second frictional elements axially in order to produce a torsional connection between the input side and the output side. The inner basket and/or the outer basket can essentially be produced from one or more sheet metal parts.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2013Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Christoph Raber, Rainer Ganter, Martin Chambrion, Marion Keller, Florian Decker, Raimund Ritter, Juergen Stoelze, Matthias Sperber, Frank Kozlowski, Joachim Raatz
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Patent number: 9366298Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a first clutch including a cam plate, a pocket plate and axially pivoting struts that driveably connect the plates for rotation in a first rotary direction, and disconnect the plates when the cam plate rotates in a second direction relative to the pocket plate, and a second clutch including a first cam plate, a first pocket plate, a coil and first struts that driveably connect the first cam plate and the first pocket plate for rotation in the second direction and disconnect the first cam plate and the first pocket plate when the coil is energized and the first cam plate rotates in the first direction relative to the first pocket plate.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2010Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Norman J. Bird
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Patent number: 9353802Abstract: A wedge clutch, including: an inner hub; an outer race; and a conical outer race: including a first portion aligned with the outer race in a radial direction orthogonal to an axis of rotation for the wedge clutch and in an axial direction, and a second portion aligned with the outer race in an axial direction parallel to the axis. The conical outer race is axially displaceable with respect to the outer race to bring the first and second portions into contact with the outer race to non-rotatably connect the inner hub and the outer race and to separate the first and second portions from the outer race to enable relative rotation of the inner hub and the outer race. The wedge clutch includes a wedge plate radially located between the inner hub and the conical outer race and engaged with the inner hub and the conical outer race.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2014Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Brian Lee, Carsten Ohr
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Patent number: 9346354Abstract: A driveline component that includes an input member, a differential case, a differential gearset housed in the differential case, a first clutch and a second clutch. The first clutch is configured to selectively transmit rotary power between the input member and the differential case. The second clutch is configured to selectively transmit rotary power between the input member and the differential case. The first clutch has a first engagement time and that is less than a second engagement time of the second clutch.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: Paul J. Valente
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Patent number: 9346469Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for expediting updating a vehicle's powertrain calibration table. The table is updated with data generated on-board a given vehicle while being matured with data downloaded from a cloud-based network, the downloaded data generated on-board one or more other vehicles having matching powertrain characteristics. Regions of a vehicle's calibration table where sufficient data is not generated on-board a given vehicle is populated with data from one or more other vehicles having sufficient data for those corresponding regions.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Michael Damian Czekala, Garlan J. Huberts, Douglas James McEwan
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Patent number: 9333858Abstract: A PTO transmission system in a vehicle for transmitting power to a PTO shaft driving an implement comprises a planetary drive unit having first and second input and output coupled to the PTO shaft. The first and second input means are coupled to an output shaft of the vehicle engine and to an output shaft of a drive motor, respectively. A control system controls the transfer of power from a power source to the drive motor. The power source is a variable power generating source driven by the PTO shaft. The drive motor is configured and adapted to decrease or increase the rotational speed of the output of the planetary drive unit on an increase or decrease of the power transferred to it, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2012Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Christian Huber, Riccardo Morselli, John Posselius
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Patent number: 9334905Abstract: A clutch for selective transmission of torque and power, utilizing pairs of coded arrays of permanent magnets affixed respectively to the driving member and the driven member. A shape memory alloy actuator brings to driving member and the driven member into proximity to engage the clutch via a higher-order mutual magnetic correspondence between the coded magnetic regions of the permanent magnet arrays. Also provided is a clutch having a magnetorheological fluid between the driving member and the driven member, to increase the torque and power transfer through the fluid when its viscosity is increased by the magnetic field of the arrays in proximity. Sets of corresponding teeth on the driving member and driven member mesh when the rotation of the members is synchronized, providing positive direct drive to prolong the service life of the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2012Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, Shivaram Ac, John C. Ulicny
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Patent number: 9328802Abstract: Planetary gear set with several gear stages, comprising an annular ring with which the planet gears are in engagement with at least one gear stage; according to the invention it is provided that at least one circular insert part with external and internal gearing is arranged in an annular ring, whereby the external gearing is in engagement with the annular ring and the internal gearing meshes with planet gears of another gear stage.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: IMS GEAR GMBHInventor: Markus Kruselburger
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Patent number: 9328822Abstract: A parking brake system for a work vehicle may include an internal braking mechanism and an external brake actuator. The brake actuator may generally include a housing at least partially defining a rod-side chamber, a secondary chamber and a piston-side chamber extending between the rod-side and secondary chambers. The brake actuator may also include a primary piston movable between a first position at which the braking mechanism is actuated to an engaged state and a second position at which the braking mechanism is actuated to a disengaged state. In addition, the brake actuator may include a secondary piston at least partially housed within the secondary chamber that is configured to apply a force against the primary piston when fluid is supplied within the secondary chamber in order to move the primary piston from the first position to the second position.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Christopher Hill, Michael Tyler, William H. Adamson, Jerry L. Brinkley
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Patent number: 9331545Abstract: In a rotation apparatus including a motor and a speed reducer, the speed reducer includes a casing, an internal gear integrated with the casing, a planetary gear internally engaged with the internal gear, and a carrier body arranged in an axial side portion of the planetary gear, the motor and the speed reducer are connected with each other via an adapter, the adapter includes a motor-fixed surface fixed to the motor, a carrier-fixed surface fixed to the carrier body, and an externally fixed surface that is not parallel with the carrier-fixed surface and is fixed to an external member, a driven member is connected to the casing, the driven member, the speed reducer, and the externally fixed surface are overlapped with each other when viewed from a radial direction, and the driven member is rotated within a range of 180 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Sakae Mitsufuji, Shinichi Nishibe, Yuichi Nishitani, Tetsuzo Ishikawa
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Patent number: 9322441Abstract: A clamping element freewheel including an inner ring and an outer ring that can be rotated relative to the inner ring in at least one rotational direction. A cage for clamping elements is between the inner ring and the outer ring, with a plurality of clamping elements. The clamping elements are pivotable between a clamping position, in which they prevent relative rotation between the inner and outer rings, and a release position, in which they enable relative rotation between the inner and outer rings. A clamping element preload is provided to preload the clamping element radially inwardly and in the clamping position direction. The clamping element preloading is provided by springs that are configured separately for each clamping element.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2011Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Oswald Friedmann
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Patent number: 9321485Abstract: A smart parking assistant system and a method of controlling parking alignment are provided. The smart parking assistant system includes a determination controller configured to confirm a driver intention of whether to perform an automatic parking alignment function. A parking alignment controller is configured to perform the automatic parking alignment function when the driver intention is confirmed.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Jin Ho Park, Gilwon Seo, Joo Woong Yang
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Patent number: 9313955Abstract: A safety device for agricultural machines is provided. The safety device includes a stop element, which can be associated functionally with a kinematic transmission chain interposed between a motor assembly of a working shaft and the working shaft itself to control the working shaft with the complementary stop element. The stop element is movable on command from a passive configuration to an active configuration, in which the stop element is arranged so as to interfere with the trajectory of the complementary stop element, for the forced locking of the latter and of the working shaft, and vice versa. Moreover, either or both of the stop element and the complementary stop element are associated with a unit for damping the forced locking, which can be actuated automatically upon impact of the stop element against the complementary stop element.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2012Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: KVERNELAND GROUP RAVENNA S.R.L.Inventor: Paolo Ravaglia
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Patent number: 9303730Abstract: A twin clutch type transmission connected to an engine of a vehicle and the like in which an end portion of the main shaft is held in the secure and compact manner to contribute to efficient operation of the transmission. In the twin clutch type transmission, the first and second hydraulic disk clutches are coaxially provided to be adjacent with each other, and the inner and outer shafts of the main shaft as a coaxial dual structure are connected to the respective disk clutches coaxially. The ball bearing fixed to the transmission case with the holder plate pierces the left end portion of the inner shaft so as to be supported, and further to be tightened and fixed to the ball bearing with the locknut screwed with the leading end of the left end portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2007Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Tomoo Shiozaki
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Patent number: 9302419Abstract: An extruder having an operative unit composed of a cylinder and at least two screw shafts which are rotatably accommodated therein, a gear unit having at least two output shafts, wherein each output shaft, via a connecting element, is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to one screw shaft, a motor which drives the gear unit and is coupled to the gear unit via a clutch, and a controller installation, wherein each connecting element or each output shaft is assigned a separate measuring installation for determining the applied torque, wherein the measuring installations communicate with the controller installation which, depending on the individual determined torques, controls the clutch which is implemented as a switchable clutch, wherein the controller installation is configured for opening the clutch both when a determined torque exceeds a torque limit value and also when the difference between the two determined torques exceeds a limit value.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2014Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: LEISTRITZ EXTRUSIONSTECHNIK GMBHInventors: Frank Rechter, Sven Wolf
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Patent number: 9303749Abstract: A power switching device includes a power transmission unit and a driving unit. The transmission unit includes a differential, an axle aligned with the differential, and a coupler sleeved movably on one of the differential and the axle. The driving unit includes a controller, a first transmission mechanism driven by the controller, and a second transmission mechanism driven by the first transmission mechanism. The controller is a solenoid or an electric actuator, and is operable to activate the second transmission mechanism. The coupler can be moved by the second transmission mechanism to interconnect the differential and the axle, so as to allow for co-rotation of the axle with the differential.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2014Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: KWANG YANG MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Chi-Han Chang, Chao-Chang Ho
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Patent number: 9303728Abstract: A rotary actuator includes a rotation shaft rotatably driven by a motor, an internal gear provided on an outer side of the rotation shaft in a radial direction of the rotation shaft, a rotation output section provided between the rotation shaft and the internal gear in the radial direction to reduce a rotation speed outputted from the rotation shaft and to output a power in conjunction with the internal gear, a cylindrical housing portion fixed to the internal gear, and an attachment member integrated with an outer wall of the housing portion. The internal gear has a protrusion protruding from an outer wall of the internal gear, and the housing portion has a recess into which the protrusion is inserted. The attachment member has an attachment hole that is different from the recess in position in a circumferential direction of the housing portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2013Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Mikine Kume, Seiji Nakayama, Taku Itoh