Patents Examined by Rodney H. Bonck
  • Patent number: 9115767
    Abstract: A clutch cover assembly is equipped with a clutch cover that is fixed to a flywheel, a pressure plate, a diaphragm spring, an wear-amount detecting mechanism, and a wear tracking mechanism. The wear-amount detecting mechanism has a contact member, an opposing member, and a wedge member. The contact member is attached to the pressure plate and is in contact with the flywheel. The opposing member is attached to the contact member and opposes the pressure plate. The wedge member fits between the opposing member and the pressure plate and moves in a circumferential direction in accordance with the wear-amount of a friction member. The wear tracking mechanism moves the pressing member to an initial posture side in accordance with the amount of movement of the wedge member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: EXEDY Corporation
    Inventors: Hirokazu Wakabayashi, Norihiko Tanigawa, Nobuhiko Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9109639
    Abstract: A clutch device is provided which facilitates an operation of checking whether or not spring seats have been properly disposed and effectively prevents falling off or a change in attitude of the spring seats, thereby reducing the labor required for manufacture. A clutch device 100 includes a pressure plate 110 which presses friction plates 103 which are rotationally driven by a drive shaft against clutch plates 107. The pressure plate 110 includes clutch springs 112 and spring seats 113 disposed in receiving portions 111 having a concave shape. Each spring seat 113 has two plate-shaped arms 113a and 113b extending along the bottom 111a of the receiving portion 111 and has a C-like shape. Protrusions 114a and 114b project from the peripheries of the arms 113a and 113b. Recesses 111b into which the protrusions 114a and 114b fit are formed in an inner wall portion of each receiving portion 111 at a position near the bottom 111a of the receiving portion 111.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha F.C.C.
    Inventors: Tomoyasu Satou, Shinji Furuhashi, Norikazu Takeda, Kenichirou Isobe
  • Patent number: 9109646
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a transfer case comprising: a clutch pack, wherein the clutch pack includes a first plurality of clutch plates rotatably coupled with an output member, a second plurality of clutch plates interleaved with the first plurality of clutch plates and rotatably coupled with an input member, and an apply plate; a solenoid operably associated with the friction clutch pack, wherein the solenoid includes a coil and an armature; at least one lever mechanism, wherein a first end of the at least one lever mechanism is stationary and a second end is attached to and moves with the armature; and wherein when the solenoid is deenergized there is an air gap between the armature and the coil and when the solenoid is energized the armature moves toward the coil causing the first end of the lever component to engage the clutch pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Pritchard, Thaddeus Kopp
  • Patent number: 9103387
    Abstract: A readjustment device for travel-controlled wear readjustment for a friction clutch includes a spindle with a spindle nut for rotating a pressure plate relative to a counter plate via a ramp system having a ramp ring for axial displacement of the pressure plate relative to the counter plate as a function of a relative rotation. The ramp ring has a first engagement device that is connected in a positively locking manner to the spindle nut. The first engagement device is designed such that, in an assembled state, the first engagement device is detachably connected to the spindle nut. This allows an inspection of the function of the readjustment device, in particular of the ramp system, in an assembled state of the readjustment device to be performed with little expenditure of time and without the risk of damage to a component, for example to the blocking elements on the pinion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gerd Ahnert, Ute Sabine Linden
  • Patent number: 9103386
    Abstract: A clutch plate includes an annular body and an integral resilient portion connected to the annular body by a first circumferentially extending tab. The annular body has inner and outer diameters and first and second parallel surfaces extending therebetween. The resilient portion has third and fourth parallel surfaces extending at respective acute angles to the first and second parallel surfaces. In some example embodiments, the clutch plate includes a wet friction material affixed to the first and third surfaces. In an example embodiment, the clutch plate has a wet friction material affixed to the second and fourth surfaces. In an example embodiment, the clutch plate has first and second circumferential slots respectively disposed radially inside and outside of the first circumferentially extending tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Patrick Lindemann
  • Patent number: 9103384
    Abstract: A rotation transmission device includes an outer ring having an inner cylindrical surface, and an inner ring having outer cam surfaces. A pair of rollers and an elastic member biasing the rollers away from each other are mounted between the cylindrical surface and each adjacent pair of the cam surfaces. The rollers and the elastic members are retained by a control retainer and a rotary retainer each having a flange and crossbars extending from the flange and circumferentially alternating with the crossbars of the other retainer. The respective opposed pairs of rollers are pushed by the respective crossbars to a disengaged position when the retainers rotate relative to each other. The crossbars of the retainers are disposed between the outer ring and the inner ring and the flanges are provided outside the outer ring to minimize the axial length of the outer ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Akiyoshi, Takahide Saito
  • Patent number: 9097293
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanical system with a one-way clutch, for example a pulley for a motor vehicle alternator, comprising a first element and a second element which are able to move one with respect to the other in rotation about a central axis and delimit an annular housing radially to the central axis, a one-way clutch device arranged in the annular housing, and at least one rolling bearing arranged in the annular housing. The mechanical system is characterized in that the rolling bearing is an angular-contact bearing and comprises at least one pressed ring comprising means of attachment of the rolling bearing to the first element or the second element. The invention also relates to an alternator comprising such a mechanical system configured as a pulley with a one-way clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Ludovic Fenayon, Alain Gezault, Jean-Marie Guegan, Torbjorn Hedman, Jean-Luc Jadeau, Romuald Lescorail, Yves-André Liverato, Herve Maury
  • Patent number: 9097290
    Abstract: A friction plate for a clutch is provided. The friction plate includes a first core plate including at least one first radial extension, a second core plate including at least one second radial extension and friction material held axially between the at least one first radial extension and the at least one second radial extension. The at least one first radial extension and the at least one second radial extension are imbedded axially into opposite sides of the friction material and joined together. A method of forming a friction plate for a clutch is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Chris Luipold, Scott Strong
  • Patent number: 9097298
    Abstract: A roller clutch includes an outer race, an inner race, a first engagement member situated between the outer race and the inner race, a second engagement member situated between the outer race and the inner race, and an electromagnetic mover to be energized or de-energized. The first engagement member is configured to engage the outer race and the inner race to transmit torque between the outer race and the inner race in response to the electromagnetic mover being energized and the inner race applying negative torque to the second engagement member while the outer race applies positive torque to the second engagement member. The second engagement member is configured to engage the outer race and the inner race to transmit torque between the outer race and the inner race in response to the inner race applying positive torque to the second engagement member while the outer race applies negative torque to the second engagement member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Schoolcraft
  • Patent number: 9091306
    Abstract: A power transmission device 1 includes a variable stiffness unit 41, which has variable stiffness, receives a torque from a motor A2, and transmits the torque to an output unit B, a variable viscosity coefficient unit 42, which has variable viscosity, receives the torque from the motor A2, and transmits the torque to the output unit B, and a controller A4 which modifies the stiffness of the variable stiffness unit 41 and the viscosity of the variable viscosity coefficient unit 42.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Atsuo Orita
  • Patent number: 9091309
    Abstract: Magnetorheological transmission device and method for influencing the coupling intensity of two components, which can be coupled and whose coupling intensity can be influenced. A channel is provided, which contains a magnetorheological medium with magnetically polarizable particles, which can be influenced by a magnetic field. A magnetic field generating unit generates a magnetic field in the channel in order to influence the magnetorheological medium in the channel. A body is disposed in the channel. A free distance between the body and the component is at least ten times greater than a typical mean diameter of the magnetically polarizable particles in the magnetorheological medium. A space with magnetorheological medium is disposed between the body and a component. The magnetic field is applied to the region in order to optionally chain together the particles and/or wedge or release them with the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Inventus Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Battlogg
  • Patent number: 9091312
    Abstract: A one-way clutch, including: an outer race including a pocket and a strut. The strut includes a body and a retention segment. The body is at least partially locatable in the pocket. The retention segment includes a neck portion and a spring retention portion. The neck portion is directly connected to the body and extends from the body in a first direction. The spring retention portion extends from the neck portion in the first direction and includes first and second segments extending in second and third opposite directions, orthogonal to the first direction, from the neck portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Scaheffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Patrick M. Lindemann, Markus Steinberger, Jacob Rufener
  • Patent number: 9080615
    Abstract: A fastening portion is formed from a rivet hole of a first side wall portion of a clutch drum, a rivet hole of a second side wall portion of a clutch drum, and a rivet that is inserted into the rivet hole and the rivet hole to hold together the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion. The fastening portion is provided between a first engagement side oil chamber enclosed by the clutch drum and a clutch piston, and a second engagement side oil chamber enclosed by the clutch drum and a clutch piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kato, Takuya Ishii, Norihiro Tokunaga, Satoru Kasuya, Kenta Tamabayashi
  • Patent number: 9080612
    Abstract: Provided are devices and methods to minimize drag caused by abrasion powder between clutch plates and to prevent a faulty engagement or release of a dry clutch. A hybrid driving force transmission device is provided, wherein a multi-plate dry clutch is arranged in a sealed space and used for connecting/disconnecting transmission of a driving force is provided with drive plates, driven plates, friction facings, and a housing cover. The drive plates are splined to a clutch hub, and have, in the sections thereof that are splined to the clutch hub, vent holes for channeling the air flowing in the axial direction. The driven plates are splined to a clutch drum. The housing cover has an external air intake hole for drawing external air into the sealed space, and an external air discharge hole for discharging the airflow from the sealed space to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoharu Fujii, Tsuyoshi Yamanaka, Shigeru Ishii
  • Patent number: 9074641
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a coupling assembly for connecting an optionally drivable secondary driveline to a permanently driven primary driveline, comprising a friction coupling and an axial setting device. The friction coupling has a first coupling part and a second coupling part which are rotatable around an axis of rotation A and which, by axial forces, can be coupled to one another for transmitting torque. The axial setting device is configured for actuating the friction coupling, wherein the axial setting device comprises a first ring which is at least indirectly axially supported relative to a fixed component and a second ring which is supported at least indirectly relative to the first ring and which, when at least one of the first and second rings; is rotated around the axis A, is axially displaceable, wherein, for rotating the at least one of the first and second rings there is provided a linear driving mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Adrian Chludek, Mark Schmidt, Andreas Baer
  • Patent number: 9074642
    Abstract: A hydraulic fluid filler for a motor vehicle transmission includes a set of holes through which respective springs of a spring pack extend. The filler is generally positioned adjacent to a single retainer ring or between two retainer rings associated with the spring pack. In some implementations, the filler floats between the two retainer rings, while, in other implementations, the filler is securely attached to one or both of the retainer rings. The filler reduces the volume of one of two cavities, chambers, or cylinders positioned on opposite sides of a piston that selectively interacts with a clutch assembly to engage or disengage the clutch assembly. Reducing the volume of one of the cavities, chambers or cylinders effectively reduces the time period the spring pack is then able to apply a restoring force to the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. McFarland, Chinar S. Ghike, Caleb G. Harmon, Vasanthakumar Chinnusamy
  • Patent number: 9074635
    Abstract: A yaw drive for a wind turbine includes a motor, a gear assembly connected to the motor, and a torque limiter. The torque limiter is arranged between the motor and the gear assembly and is capable of transferring torque between the motor and the gear assembly, and capable of limiting torque transfer between the motor and the gear assembly when the torque applied to the torque limiter exceeds a threshold value. A torque transferring part of the torque limiter includes a first set of discs connected to the motor and a second set of discs connected to the gear assembly, the discs of the first set being arranged interleaved with the discs of the second set, thereby forming a stack of discs. A friction between the discs provides torque transfer between the discs. The discs rotate relative to each other when an applied torque overcomes the friction between the discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventor: Lars Vermund Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 9073522
    Abstract: A parking lock control element has an actuator coupled to a parking lock pawl, and a retaining device which works with the actuator to secure the parking lock pawl in the disengaged position. The connecting device is characterized in that the retaining device has a blocking slide connected to the actuator, and a blocking actuator having a slider gap, the width of the slider gap being modified in an actuating manner, wherein the blocking slide can move into the slider gap—when the slider gap is open—releasing the actuator. The connecting device reduces structural complexity and related costs. At the same time, the control element is comparatively robust with respect to manufacturing tolerances, acceleration forces, vibrations, and temperature stress. With minimal auxiliary energy, high holding forces can be achieved to secure the parking lock pawl. An emergency unlocking actuation can also be integrated in a simple manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Carsten Weifels
  • Patent number: 9062720
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transmitter (18) for a synchronizing assembly of a manual transmission, having a thrust piece (42), a spring (44; 84) that cooperates with the thrust piece (42), and at least one synchronizer ring (30), the thrust piece (42) being acted upon by the spring (44) such that the transmitter (18) can transmit a pre-synchronizing force to the synchronizer ring (30) in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: HOERBIGER ANTRIEBSTECHNIK HOLDING GMBH
    Inventors: Juergen Binder, Thomas Schnelzer, Peter Echtler, Michael Koelzer, Peter Kramer
  • Patent number: 9062719
    Abstract: A torque transmitting mechanism includes a drum attached to one of a first member and a second member, and a shell attached to another of the first member and the second member. The drum and the shell are concentrically disposed about a longitudinal axis, with the shell concentrically disposed about the drum. An electric motor includes a stator, and a first rotor rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the stator. A band is coupled to the shell, wrapped around the drum between four and twelve complete revolutions, and includes a first end attached to the first rotor for rotation with the first rotor. The band includes a second end attached to a reaction member. Rotation of the first rotor tightens the band against the drum to bias the drum against the shell, to transmit torque between the first member and the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan G. Holmes, Anthony L. Smith, Scott H. Wittkopp, Anthony J. Corsetti, Scott William Heitzenrater