Patents Examined by Ryan Dodd
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Patent number: 9638302Abstract: An axle drive system for a motor vehicle, having a dynamoelectric drive motor (1), a shiftable superimposing transmission having a first and a second gear stage (3, 4), a shift actuator system (5) for shifting the superimposing transmission, as well as a power divider (8) driving two output shafts (10, 12). The drive motor (1), power divider shafts (9, 11), output shafts (10, 12) and dynamoelectric drive motor (1) are arranged coaxially to each other and perpendicular to the direction of travel of the motor vehicle. A particularly compact design is achieved for the axle drive system of the aforementioned type in that the shift actuator system (5) having an electric motor (14) provided for actuation purposes is in its entirety disposed in a space bounded by the first gear stage (3) on one side and the second gear stage (4) on the other side in the axial direction of the drive system.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2013Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Tomas Smetana, Philip Wurzberger
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Patent number: 9631705Abstract: A multi-stages automatic transmission for vehicle may include first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets each including first, second and third rotation elements, friction members including first, second, third and fourth clutches and first and second brakes, in which an input shaft may be connected to the first rotation element of the second planetary gear set and the third rotation element of the fourth planetary gear set, and an output shaft may be connected to the second rotation element of the fourth planetary gear set.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Seong-Wook Ji, Jae-Chang Kook, Won-Min Cho, Myeong-Hoon Noh, Kang-Soo Seo, Seong-Wook Hwang
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Patent number: 9611918Abstract: An automatic transmission includes nine rotatable shafts and four planetary gear sets, each with a first, second and third element. For the shifting of multiple forward gears and one reverse gear, seven shift elements are provided. The second element of the fourth planetary gear set forms the first shaft designed as a drive shaft, the second element of the third planetary gear set forms the second shaft designed as an output shaft, the first element of the fourth planetary gear set forms the third shaft, one element of the planetary gear set forms the fourth shaft, the third element of the third planetary gear set forms the sixth shaft, the second element of the second planetary gear set forms the eighth shaft. The third element of the second planetary gear set and the first element of the third planetary gear set are connected to each other as the fifth shaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2015Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Stefan Beck, Christian Sibla, Josef Haupt, Martin Brehmer
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Patent number: 9611906Abstract: A hydraulic system for a vehicle clutch assembly can include a pump and a purge valve for regulating hydraulic pressure supplied to the clutch. The hydraulic pressure at the pump can be set to a value higher than the operating pressure for the clutch. The purge valve can be configured to purge hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic system so that an optimum, controllable, and/or pre-determined operating pressure can be supplied to the clutch. The system can be configured to provide accurate control of the clutch(es), continuous cooling capacity to the hydraulic system components, lateral torque control when two separate hydraulic circuits are used, weight and cost reduction of the vehicle clutch, as well as other vehicle functions and characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2007Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Tetsushi Asano
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Patent number: 9605717Abstract: A synchronizer ring for a synchronization unit of a manual transmission has a ring axis and is formed of a ring-shaped sheet-metal cone with a substantially constant sheet thickness. The ring-shaped sheet-metal cone has a cone-shaped radial outer side and an opposite radial inner side with a cone-shaped friction surface, wherein on its radial outer side the sheet-metal cone includes an integrally molded centering collar for radially centering the synchronizer ring relative to a synchronizer hub of the synchronization unit. The sheet-metal cone is deformed in the region of the centering collar and includes a first sheet portion with a residual thickness reduced as compared to the sheet thickness and axially adjacent a second sheet portion with a collar thickness which at least corresponds to the sheet thickness. The residual thickness of the sheet-metal cone is substantially constant in the first sheet portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2015Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: HOERBIGER Antriebstechnik Holding GmbHInventor: Berthold Negele
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Patent number: 9574615Abstract: A centrifugal pendulum and a clutch disk with a pendulum flange provided thereon, rotational about an axis of rotation, and several pendulum weights distributed over the circumference and received on the pendulum flange in a pivotal fashion. In order to at least reduce noise development due to mass momentum of inertia acting here caused by the centrifugal pendulum, the pendulum flange is received on a rotational part, rotating on an axis of rotation, and a friction clutch is effectively arranged between the pendulum flange and said part.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Alain Rusch, Steffen Lehmann, Walter Hepperle
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Patent number: 9555826Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety apparatus for a steer-by-wire. The present invention can ensure the safety of a steer-by-wire using a simple and compact structure and achieve a manufacturing-cost reduction effect.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2015Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: MANDO CORPORATIONInventor: Kwon Ho Lee
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Patent number: 9546698Abstract: A dual clutch for coupling an engine drive shaft with a transmission shaft and/or an auxiliary power take-off. A first friction clutch presses a first clutch plate that is couplable with the transmission shaft between a first contact plate, displaceable in an axial direction to engage the first friction clutch and a first counter plate. A second friction clutch presses a second clutch plate that is couplable with the auxiliary power take-off between a second contact plate, displaceable in the axial direction to engage the second friction clutch and a second counter plate. First and second actuating elements move the first and second contact plates; respectively. The second contact plate is connected to a thrust ring connected to the second actuating element to transfer displacing movement.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2013Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KGInventors: Simon Sebastian Fünfgeld, Patrick Weydmann, Gerhard Gander, Alexander Obitz
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Patent number: 9546720Abstract: A transmission includes a first drive secured to an input, producing a fixed drive ratio; a second drive secured to an input, producing a variable drive ratio; a planetary gearset including a member connected to the second drive, and a second member; a brake releasably holding the second member rotatably fixed; a first clutch releasably connecting the first member and an output; and a second clutch releasably connecting the second member and the first drive.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2013Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: David A. Janson
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Patent number: 9541139Abstract: A clutch comprises an input side and an output side, which are disposed rotatably. First frictional partners are non-rotatably connected with the input side and axially movable and second frictional partners are non-rotatably connected with the output side and axially movable. Furthermore, a compression device is provided to compress the frictional partners axially, in order to provide a torsional connection between the input side and the output side. Both sides are decoupled axially from the respective frictional partners with which they are engaged.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2013Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Andreas Goetz
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Patent number: 9534640Abstract: A gas turbine engine clutch includes a dry clutch assembly, forward and aft working areas, and a shaft. The dry clutch assembly is operative to receive power from a gas turbine engine. The dry clutch assembly is configured to selectively engage the gas turbine engine with a driven source, and has an axial opening extending therethrough. The forward and aft working areas are disposed at axially opposite ends of the dry clutch assembly. The shaft extends axially through the axial opening of the dry clutch assembly, and defines an axial fluid flow passage therethrough in liquid fluid communication with the forward and aft working areas.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2013Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: Matthew T. Bouton, Doug M. Schwerin
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Patent number: 9528556Abstract: A multiple natural frequency coupling apparatus for connecting a rotatable driving member to a rotatable driven member of a drive line. The coupling apparatus of the present invention provides a substantially cylindrical housing having a longitudinal axis with a substantially cylindrical outer shaft coaxially aligned with and connected to the housing. A substantially cylindrical inner shaft is coaxially aligned with the outer shaft and the housing. A substantially cylindrical chuck housing is coaxially aligned with the housing, the outer shaft, and the inner shaft wherein the fluid chuck housing is connected to the inner shaft.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2014Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Comau LLCInventor: Robert M. Kerchen
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Patent number: 9523416Abstract: An actuator arrangement comprises an epicyclic gear set 4a, 4b including a sun gear 7, at least one planet gear 9 in meshing engagement with the sun gear 7, and a ring gear 3 in meshing engagement with the planet gear 9, the planet gear 9 being carried by a rotatable support 5, wherein one of the sun gear 7 and the support 5 is arranged to be driven by a motor 2 and the other of the sun gear 7 and the support 5 is arranged to drive an actuator 18, and a clutch arrangement 6 operable to resist rotation of the ring gear 3.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2013Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS LIMITEDInventors: Tim Hudson, Tony Jones, Nicholas Sloane
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Patent number: 9506547Abstract: It is intended to inhibit variation in output-side rotation in a wide rotational speed range even when a lock-up rotational speed is set to be low. The present lock-up device includes: a piston configured to be pressed onto a front cover; an output-side unit disposed to be unitarily rotatable with a turbine; and a first torsion spring elastically coupling the piston and the output-side unit. The output-side unit includes: an output member fixed to the turbine; an inertia member disposed to be rotatable relatively to the output member; a second torsion spring elastically coupling the inertia member and the output member; and a hysteresis torque generating mechanism. The hysteresis torque generating mechanism is configured to generate variable hysteresis torque while being disposed between the inertia member and the output member.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2011Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: EXEDY CorporationInventor: Naoki Tomiyama
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Patent number: 9494200Abstract: A clutch for a power tool includes an adjustment ring configured to move axially relative to the housing while being rotated relative to the housing. A spring retainer is disposed axially rearward of the adjustment ring. The spring retainer is coupled for rotation together with the adjustment ring and configured to remain substantially axially stationary relative to the housing when rotated. A spring is disposed between the adjustment ring and the spring retainer. A clutch face is coupled to a portion of the transmission. A locking member is disposed between the spring retainer and the clutch face. The locking member is configured to transfer a holding force exerted by the spring to the clutch face. Rotation and axial movement of the adjustment ring alters the holding force exerted by the spring. When an amount of output torque exceeds the holding force, torque transmission to the output spindle is effectively interrupted.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.Inventors: Joseph P. Kelleher, Daniel L. Krout, David C. Tomayko
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Patent number: 9441709Abstract: An automatic transmission includes plural planetary gear mechanisms rotatably supported by a housing to be coaxial to a rotation axis, a ring gear of the foremost planetary gear mechanism being connected to a sun gear of the rearmost planetary gear mechanism, an input shaft being connected to a carrier of the foremost planetary gear mechanism, an output shaft being connected to a carrier of the rearmost planetary gear mechanism, a rotation member positioned at a radially outward of the ring gear of the rearmost planetary gear mechanism to be rotatable coaxially to the ring gear of the rearmost planetary gear mechanism, a brake selectively fixing the rotation member to the housing, a clutch selectively connecting the rotation member and a carrier of the planetary gear mechanism positioned at front relative to the rearmost planetary gear mechanism by one, and a dog clutch selectively connecting the ring gear of the rearmost planetary gear mechanism and the rotation member.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2014Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hideki Nakamura, Kiyoharu Takagi, Atsuhiro Mase
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Patent number: 9421855Abstract: A powertrain system for a vehicle is provided. The powertrain system includes an internal combustion engine, a first gearset connected to the internal combustion engine, a first electric machine connected to the first gearset, a drivetrain gear for connection to a drivetrain of the vehicle, a second gearset connecting the first gearset to the drivetrain gear, a second electric machine, and at least one dynamic clutch selectively coupling the second electric machine to the first electric machine, the first gearset, and the second gearset. In a first mode of operation, the at least one dynamic clutch couples the second electric machine and the first electric machine. In a second mode of operation, the at least one dynamic clutch couples the second electric machine and the first gearset. In a third mode of operation, the at least one dynamic clutch couples the second electric machine and the second gearset.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2013Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: McMaster UniversityInventors: Piranavan Suntharalingam, Ali Emadi
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Patent number: 9388864Abstract: Provided is a roller type one-way clutch that can prevent rollers from coming off at the time of conveyance and assembling of an outer race without increasing a cost and a weight. The roller type one-way clutch includes: an outer race having pockets that have a cam surface formed on an inner surface thereof; an inner race that is apart on an inner diameter side in a radial direction from the outer race, concentrically arranged to allow its relative rotation, and has an annular outer peripheral raceway surface; a plurality of rollers each of which is arranged in each pocket, engaged with the cam surface, and transmits torque between the outer race and the inner race; and springs each of which is arranged in each pocket and energizes each roller by one end portion thereof in an engaging direction with respect to the cam surface, the other end portion of each spring is fixed to the outer race, and a support portion that supports each roller in a radial direction is provided at the other end portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2013Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: NSK-Warner K.K.Inventor: Tomoharu Ando
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Patent number: 9383012Abstract: A device for actuating a locking mechanism, in particular for actuating a parking lock of a vehicle having an automatic transmission. The device comprises a piston which axially moves, a retaining device which is self-activating when the piston is in an axial position in which the locking mechanism is open to hold the piston in the axial position in which the locking mechanism is open, and an actuating device for actuating a release element, which deactivates the retaining device. To hold the piston in an axial position in which the locking mechanism is closed, the retaining device is self-activating, and can be deactivated to enable the piston to move, starting from the axial position in which the locking mechanism is closed, to the axial position in which the locking mechanism is open.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2013Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Christian Popp, Stefan Meschenmoser, Thilo Schmidt
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Patent number: 9381799Abstract: An internal combustion engine for a hybrid vehicle includes an engine block, a flywheel, and a grounding clutch coupled to the block. The block defines a bore along a first longitudinal axis. The flywheel is rotatable about the axis and includes a spline. The spline has a first tooth and a second tooth spaced apart from the first tooth to define a gap therebetween. The clutch is configured for preventing rotation of the flywheel about the first axis and includes a locking pin. The pin is transitionable between a locked position in which the pin is disposed within the gap and abuts the first and second teeth such that the flywheel does not rotate, and an unlocked position in which the pin does not abut the first and second teeth such that the flywheel rotates. A hybrid vehicle is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2014Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Arthur L. McGrew, Jr., Gary R. Valler