Patents Examined by Robert A. Hodges
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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
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Patent number: 9303700Abstract: A torque converter includes a torus with an impeller and a turbine having respective shells, a cover shell, and a first damper plate. The impeller shell has a radial wall disposed radially outside of the torus and the turbine shell has a radial wall arranged for frictionally engaging the impeller shell radial wall. The cover shell has a radial wall and the first damper plate has a radial wall for transmitting a turbine shell thrust force to the cover shell radial wall. In an example embodiment, the torque converter includes a friction material ring fixedly attached to the turbine shell radial wall or the impeller shell radial wall. In some example embodiments, the torque converter includes a friction material ring fixedly attached to the cover shell radial wall or the first damper plate radial wall.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2013Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Patrick Lindemann, Markus Steinberger
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Patent number: 9297426Abstract: A power take-off includes an input mechanism that is disposed within an input mechanism housing and is adapted to be connected to a source of rotational energy. A clutch assembly is disposed within a driveshaft housing and is adapted to be connected to a rotatably driven accessory. A driveshaft connects the input mechanism to the clutch assembly. The driveshaft may be disposed within the driveshaft housing, which also forms a housing for the clutch assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2009Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Parker-Hannifin CorporationInventors: Damon B. Graves, John M. Loeffler, James E. Bohn
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Patent number: 9290882Abstract: The present invention relates to a clutch for a laundry appliance. The clutch selectively connects a laundry vessel to a variable speed drive. A driven member is rotationally coupled to the variable speed drive and a driven member is rotationably coupled to the laundry vessel. The driven member is at least partially rotationally coupled to the driven member by friction. At least one locking element is moveable from an unlocked position to a locking position. The driven member and the driven member are rotationally coupled together once the driven member accelerates to a rotational speed above a first rotational speed, connecting the laundry vessel to the variable speed drive.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2010Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances LimitedInventors: Geoffrey Paul Batt, Sophie Elizabeth Lane, David Charles Rhodes, Ian Campbell McGill
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Patent number: 9285024Abstract: A torque transmission device comprising a torque converter disposed in a drive train of a motor vehicle, in particular a hydrodynamic torque converter or a fluid clutch, wherein the converter or the fluid clutch comprises a turbine shell and a pump shell which can be coupled through a pump clutch and at least one pump damper with a converter cover, and comprising at least one converter damper and at least one converter lock up clutch.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2010Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Eugen Kombowski, Dominique Engelmann, Bruno Mueller, Thorsten Krause, Ralf Stopp
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Patent number: 9279460Abstract: A friction clutch assembly for a vehicle accessory, particularly to drive a vehicle cooling pump, and more particularly as part of a dual mode drive for a cooling pump, together with an electric motor. The friction clutch assembly includes a friction plate member connected to a central rotatable shaft member used for operating the vehicle accessory. A biased armature member is adapted to force a friction plate member with friction linings thereon against a housing or cover which is rotating at input speed. A solenoid assembly is used to overcome the spring bias and pull the armature and friction plate member away from the housing.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2014Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventor: Shiwei Qin
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Patent number: 9273735Abstract: The invention relates to a clutch disk (1) having a ring-shaped base body (2) having at least one tooth (3) protruding beyond the base body (2) radially inward or radially outward, which tooth has at least one lateral face (9) formed from a lug (8) extending in axial direction and has a first surface (12) as seen in axial direction, and a second surface (13) lying opposite the latter in axial direction, characterized in that the lug (8) is embodied to protrude beyond the first as well as the second surface (9, 11) in axial direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2013Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Miba Frictec GmbHInventors: Gerald Schachinger, Andreas Dopf
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Patent number: 9260116Abstract: A target drive force is computed according to an accelerator pedal opening. A target input rotation speed lower limit basic value to an automatic transmission is computed based on a vehicle speed and a shift range of the automatic transmission. A target drive force lower limit correction value is computed based on the target input rotation speed lower limit basic value. The target drive force is corrected based on the target drive force lower limit correction value. A target input torque of the automatic transmission is computed based on the target drive force after correction. An input torque to the automatic transmission is controlled to the target input torque. By this control, an arbitrary drive force characteristic can be obtained in a PTD control.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Takahiro Yoshino, Masahiro Iriyama
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Patent number: 9261186Abstract: A transmission having a rotating clutch pack assembly is provided, the rotating clutch pack having an interconnecting member, a plurality of friction discs, a rotating member, a first and a second axial bearing, and a biasing member. The interconnecting member is connected for common rotation with a member of the planetary gear set. The rotating member is connected to the second set of friction discs for common rotation. The first axial bearing is disposed between the clutch piston and the plurality of friction discs and the second axial bearing is disposed between the plurality of friction discs and the transmission housing. The biasing member is disposed between the interconnecting member and the rotating member. A clutch piston selectively applies an axial force through the first axial bearing, the plurality of friction discs, and the second axial bearing to the transmission housing.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2014Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, LLCInventors: Tejinder Singh, Boris Burgman, John A. Diemer
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Patent number: 9261183Abstract: 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. A falling-off prevention device for preventing axial relative movement of the outer and inner tube portions is provided between the outer and inner tube portions. A seal member for shutting off communication between the falling-off prevention device and an inside of a differential case is set in a fitting portion between the outer and inner tube portions. Accordingly, lubricating oil in the differential case is prevented from leaking out of a space between the side gear and the sleeve without performing a special process such as pressure welding or adhesive bonding during assembly and which has good ease of assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2015Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoichi Yanase, Tsunefumi Niiyama
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Patent number: 9255633Abstract: In a drive arrangement for wheels of a motor vehicle which are driven by an electric machine via a differential, an electric machine which has a ring shaped rotor drives a drive element of the differential, whose output shafts output to the wheels of the motor vehicle. The ring shaped rotor of the electric machine outputs to the input element of the differential via a gear mechanism and the differential is integrated in the rotor thereby allowing for a structurally compact construction and enabling favorable transmission ratios.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2012Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: AUDI AGInventor: Johann Märkl
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Patent number: 9249840Abstract: The invention relates to a drive assembly on a twin-clutch transmission for motor vehicles, including two clutches which are axially connected in succession in a transmission housing and are positioned between spaced-apart end walls of the transmission housing and which have each a preferably drum-shaped drive element which is driven by an input shaft of the transmission, with the clutches being in driving relationship, preferably alternatingly, via two preferably pot-shaped output elements with two output shafts in coaxial arrangement to the input shafts. According to the invention, the input shaft (14) which is rotatably mounted in the region of a first end wall (12a) is guided up to the second end wall (10a) located in opposition to the first end wall (12a) and is rotatably mounted there indirectly via the output shafts (24, 26) which are also rotatably mounted in the region of the second end wall (10a).Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2011Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: AUDI AGInventors: Hans-Peter Fleischmann, Rupert Wagner
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Patent number: 9249839Abstract: A shifting device of a motor vehicle transmission having a driveshaft (2) in the form of a hollow shaft with radial bores (5, 6, 7, 8). At least one drive output element (3) is arranged on the driveshaft (2), a shifting element (4) is arranged to move axially within the hollow shaft (2), and coupling elements, in the form of balls (9, 10, 11, 12), move radially within the radial bores (5, 6, 7, 8; 24). The drive output element (3) can be coupled to and decoupled from the driveshaft (2) by axial displacement of the shifting element (4) and radial displacement of the balls (9, 10, 11, 12). The shifting element is in the form of a shifting piston (4) and the hollow shaft (2) is in the form of a shifting cylinder (2aa).Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2014Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Georg Ege, Rainer Novak
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Patent number: 9249865Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, at least three planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes actuatable in combinations of three to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and at least one reverse gear ratio.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2013Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLCInventors: Edward W. Mellet, James M. Hart, Andrew W. Phillips
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Patent number: 9249838Abstract: A clutch for a manual or automatic transmission according to the present invention includes an axial fan or turbine disposed on a shaft extending between the clutch and the transmission. Air is supplied to the turbine through one or more radial passageways between the clutch and transmission housings and is provided through an annular passageway around the shaft. Air from the annular passageway is then dispersed generally radially between the clutch plates or disks and other clutch components to absorb and carry away heat generated during clutch operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2012Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLCInventors: Greg Alan Weeter, William L. Cousins, Shachindra Dongaonkar
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Patent number: 9249864Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, at least four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes actuatable in combinations of two to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and one reverse gear ratio.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2013Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLCInventors: Edward W. Mellet, James M. Hart, James B. Borgerson
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Patent number: 9234551Abstract: A transmission and a clutch assembly for a vehicle are disclosed. The clutch assembly includes a housing defining a cavity presenting an interior surface. The interior surface defines a pocket along a longitudinal axis. The clutch assembly further includes a piston disposed in the pocket and movable between an initial position and a final position relative to the pocket along the longitudinal axis. The piston includes a plurality of flanges extending outwardly away from the longitudinal axis. The clutch assembly also includes a biasing member attached to the interior surface of the housing and engaging the piston to continuously bias the piston toward the initial position. The biasing member abuts the flanges of the piston to prevent rotation of the piston about the longitudinal axis as the piston moves between the initial and final positions along the longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Scott William Heitzenrater, Robert Neil Paciotti, Douglas John Dwenger, Larry D. Diemer, John A. Diemer
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Patent number: 9234583Abstract: A hydraulic system for supplying fluid to a torque converter of an automatic transmission for a vehicle driven by a power source includes a torque converter including an impeller, a turbine, and an impeller clutch for alternately engaging and disengaging a drive connection between the impeller and the power source, a hydraulic control system producing line pressure and converter charge pressure that communicates with the impeller clutch, a discharge line communicating with the impeller clutch and through which hydraulic fluid discharges from the torque converter at a discharge pressure similar to the first pressure, thereby minimizing a pressure differential across the impeller clutch tending to disengage the impeller clutch, and an oil cooler to which fluid is supplied from at least one of the source of line pressure and the converter discharge line and from which fluid returns to the control system.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2007Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: James T. Gooden, Jacob M. Povirk, William R. Simpson
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Patent number: 9234550Abstract: An actuator apparatus for a clutch that operates the clutch of a transmission according to operation of a motor, may include the motor including a stator and a rotator, wherein the rotator has a drive shaft and a rotator core receiving the drive shaft therein, a lead screw engaged to the drive shaft of the motor and movable in a length direction thereof according to the operation of the drive shaft in the motor, a rod disposed apart from the lead screw, a slider connecting the lead screw with the rod, and a guide rail disposed to contact with the slider and guiding a linear motion of the slider.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2012Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Keyang Electric Machinery CO., LTD., Pyeong Hwa Valeo CO., LTD.Inventors: Hee Ra Lee, Baekyu Kim, Yeonho Kim, Man-Dae Hur, Hongchcol Moon, Jinho Jang, Wookyo Jang, Jungchul Kim, Namhun Lee
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Patent number: 9228640Abstract: A transmission assembly comprises: a motor; a shift actuator mechanism coupled to the motor; a sun gear coupled to an output shaft of the motor; a first magnet assembly coupled to the sun gear; a ring gear assembly coupled to a shift coupler, the shift coupler being configured to engage via the shift actuator mechanism; a second magnet assembly coupled to a housing face plate, the housing face plate being coupled to an output gear box; and a planet carrier coupled to an output pinion in communication with the output gearbox. The planet carrier comprises at least one planet gear. In a first mode, the ring gear is locked to the first magnet assembly and configured to rotate with the sun gear, the ring gear being configured to prevent the rotation of the at least one planet gear about its own axis causing the planet carrier to rotate at the same speed as the sun gear.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2011Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Timothy R. Ohm, Mark Robert Claffee, Martin Buehler, David Brancazio