Patents Examined by Ryan Dodd
  • Method of controlling a dual clutch transmission
    Patent number: 8915343
    Abstract: A method of controlling a hydraulic control system for a dual clutch transmission includes controlling a plurality of pressure and flow control devices in fluid communication with a plurality of clutch actuators and with a plurality of synchronizer actuators. The clutch actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of torque transmitting devices and the synchronizer actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of synchronizer assemblies. Selective activation of combinations of the pressure control solenoids and the flow control solenoids allows for a pressurized fluid to activate at least one of the clutch actuators and synchronizer actuators in order to shift the transmission into a desired gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Steven P. Moorman, Philip C. Lundberg, John R. Czoykowski, Bret M. Olson, Chinar S. Ghike, James D. Hendrickson, Christopher Jay Weingartz
  • Multi-disc clutch
    Patent number: 8910766
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-disc clutch for the transfer of torque between a first clutch part and a second clutch part, having at least one first and at least one second disc that engage on another and that are movable parallel to a rotational axis of the multi-disc clutch, and having a reset device for the receiprocal ventilation of adjacent discs. The first clutch part is connected in a rotationally secure fashion to the first disc and the second clutch part is connected in a rotationally secure fashion to the second disc. The reset device has at least two reset elements that are disposed eccentrically relative to the rotational axis and distributed in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain AG & Co AG
    Inventors: August Kriebernegg, Alois Lafer, Robert Luef, Johannes Quenhenberger, Helmuth Sachsenmaier
  • Torque split type automatic transmission
    Patent number: 8905883
    Abstract: A torque split type automatic transmission which transmits the torque output from an engine through two paths, adds the torque passing through and increased in each path, and outputs a final torque, wherein the torque of the engine is divided into two portions by a torque split device and each portion of the torque is transmitted respectively to first and second power delivery paths and wherein the first power delivery path is connected to a launching device, the second power delivery path is connected to a transmission device, and outputs of the launching device and the transmission device meet such that the torques increased at each power delivery path is added to each other and the final torque is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Duk Hwan Sung
  • Hydraulic vehicle clutch system, drivetrain for a vehicle including same, and method
    Patent number: 8900086
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a vehicle clutch assembly can include an on-demand variable displacement pump and a purge valve for regulating hydraulic pressure supplied to the clutch(es). The hydraulic pressure at the pump can have multiple displacement settings to compensate for variable changes in clutch pressure requirements. 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(es). The system can be configured to provide accurate control of clutch(es) when a drivetrain is being automatically controlled to switch between a low gear ratio and a high gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsushi Asano, Bobbie Burke, Andrew J. Fox
  • Vehicle power switching device
    Patent number: 8900081
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Kw Ang Yang Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Han Chang, Chao-Chang Ho
  • Arrangement comprising at least one dog clutch
    Patent number: 8894532
    Abstract: An arrangement comprising at least one dog clutch which is shiftable for coupling and decoupling a shaft and a component at a transmission. An actuating piston (5) is disposed axially movable, at least to some extent, within the shaft for moving a shifting claw (9) of the dog clutch into a disengaged state and an engaged state. The actuating piston (5) can be pressurized, on both sides, with a pressurizing medium so that the actuating piston (5) can be hydraulically actuated in both directions of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Peter Ziemer
  • Torque split type automatic transmission
    Patent number: 8888640
    Abstract: A torque split type automatic transmission which transmits the torque output from an engine through two paths, adds the torque passing through and increased in each path, and outputs a final torque is provided, wherein the torque of the engine is divided into two portions by a torque split device and each portion of the torque is transmitted respectively to first and second power delivery paths, wherein the first power delivery path is directly connected to a driving wheel, and wherein the second power delivery path is provided with a launching device and a transmission device disposed in series so as to increase the torque, and output of the second power delivery path is added to the torque of the first power delivery path to output the final torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Duk Hwan Sung
  • Arrangement for shifting a gearbox
    Patent number: 8869963
    Abstract: An arrangement for shifting a gearbox. The arrangement having first and second transmission components (14) and an axially movable shifting sleeve (17) such that the shifting sleeve (17) and the second transmission component (14) each have respective drive teeth (14a, 17a) that can be brought into engagement with one another. The drive teeth are in the form of beveloid teeth (14a, 17a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Schiffhauer, Jörg Börner, Gabor Diosi
  • Integrated starter generator and input clutch assembly for hybrid electric vehicle
    Patent number: 8863926
    Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting power to a transmission input includes first and second sources of rotary power, first and second transmission input shafts, a clutch hub driveably connected to the first and second power sources, and first and second clutches secured to the clutch hub, for alternately closing and opening a drive connection between the first and second transmission input shafts and the clutch hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Shaun G. Knowles
  • Multi-stage transmission
    Patent number: 8858387
    Abstract: A transmission with nine forward and one reverse gear comprises planetary gearsets, shafts and shift elements. A sun gear of a first gearset (P1) is connectable to a housing via a first brake (03) and couples the sun gear of the second gearset (P2). A carrier of the first gearset (P1) couples the ring gear of the fourth gearset (P4). A ring gear of first gearset (P1) is connectable to the housing by a second brake (04). The carrier of the second gearset (P2) couples the input which is connectable by clutch (15) to the fifth shaft (5). The fifth shaft (5) respectively couples the sun and ring gears of the fourth and third gearsets (P4, P3) and is connectable to a seventh shaft (7) by clutch (57). The seventh shaft (7) respectively couples the sun and ring gears of the third and the second gearsets (P3, P2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Josef Haupt, Martin Brehmer, Gabor Diosi
  • Electro-hydraulic control system for a dual clutch transmission
    Patent number: 8839928
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a dual clutch transmission includes a plurality of pressure and flow control devices and logic valve assemblies in fluid communication with a plurality of clutch actuators and with a plurality of synchronizer actuators. The clutch actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of torque transmitting devices and the synchronizer actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of synchronizer assemblies. Selective activation of combinations of the pressure control solenoids and the flow control solenoids allows for a pressurized fluid to activate at least one of the clutch actuators and synchronizer actuators in order to shift the transmission into a desired gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Philip C. Lundberg, Steven P. Moorman, Bret M. Olson, John R. Czoykowski, Jonathan Hottenstein
  • Multi-speed transmission having stacked planetary gear sets
    Patent number: 8801565
    Abstract: A transmission is has an input member, an output member, a first planetary gear set assembly, a second planetary gear set assembly, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The second planetary gear set assembly is a stacked planetary gear set having a first, a second, a third, a fourth and a fifth member and the first planetary gear set assembly has a first, a second, a third and a fourth member. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: James M. Hart, Scott H. Wittkopp, James B. Borgerson
  • Drive mechanism for selectively switching a drive between propulsion and torque vectoring mode
    Patent number: 8795121
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle is provided with a drive mechanism for transmitting torque to at least a first and a second output member as well as to such a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes, but is not limited to a torque generating drive member operably coupled to the first and second output members, a switching element operably coupled to the drive member for selectively coupling the drive member with the first and second output members either in a propulsion mode or in a vector mode. In the propulsion mode, the drive member's torque is inducted to first and second output members uni-directionally and in the vector mode, the drive member's torque is inducted to first and second output members in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Matthijs Klomp
  • Positively engaging shifting element which can be hydraulically or pneumatically actuated
    Patent number: 8794415
    Abstract: The invention relates to a positively engaging shifting element which can be hydraulically or pneumatically actuated, comprising a hydraulically or pneumatically actuatable piston (I) having a piston compartment (2) containing a hydraulic medium or pressure medium, a pressure medium supply (6) for the piston (I), a jaw (3) and a mating jaw (4) with which the jaw (3) meshes when engaged. The engaging speed of the jaw (3) can be increased by decoupling the jaw (3) from the hydraulic or pneumatic volume flow when the jaws (3) and (4) are in a tooth butt position in relation to each other and by pretensioning the jaw (3) by means of a hydraulic or pneumatic pressure reservoir (7) that is actively connected to the piston (I) and that is connected to the pressure medium supply (6). The gap between the jaws, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Matthias Reisch, Ralf Dreibholz, Gerhard Gumpoltsberger, Peter Ziemer, Mark Mohr, Manuel Götz
  • Clutch with adjusting device
    Patent number: 8776978
    Abstract: A friction clutch for a motor vehicle is provided. The friction clutch is disengaged when unpowered and engaged by axial movement of an actuating lever operated by an actuating device via a further lever. In the event of overtravel traversed beyond the unpowered state the friction clutch compensates for an incorrect axial gap between the friction surfaces provided in a friction clutch caused by wear. The friction clutch includes a switchable stop provided on the actuating device. The switchable stop releases an overtravel path for the further lever when a detected engagement path of the further lever exceeds a predefined length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Marco Becht
  • Passive mechanical launch device
    Patent number: 8770367
    Abstract: A device is provided that includes a torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable by radially-outward force to transfer torque between a rotatable input member and a rotatable output member. A mass is connected for rotation with the output member and is configured to move radially outward as the output member rotates to reduce torque transfer from the input member to the output member as the speed of the output member approaches the speed of the input member. Furthermore, the mass connected for rotation with the output member may create a force that causes torque transfer between the input member and the output member when the output member rotates faster than the input member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Andrew W. Phillips
  • Wet type friction plate
    Patent number: 8770368
    Abstract: A wet friction plate is constructed such that a carbon based friction material is placed on an outer peripheral side of a friction plate and a paper based friction material is placed on an inside of a carbon based friction material. A transmission torque occupied by the paper based friction material is smaller than that occupied by the carbon based friction material. The wet friction plate can prevent a sudden unexpected slip at low temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Kito Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsu Hiroshima
  • Friction clutch unit
    Patent number: 8770366
    Abstract: A clutch unit which has a friction clutch, that includes a pressure plate, which is rotationally fixed to the housing, yet displaceable to a limited extent in the axial direction. The housing can be connected to a counter-pressure disk, and lever elements which are positioned in an annular arrangement and which are disposed between the housing and the pressure plate. The elements are supported on a rolling support carried by the housing and to which pressure can be applied at the radially inner lever tips thereof in order to close the friction clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Dussel, Goetz Rathke, Dirk Reimnitz
  • Hydraulic coupling
    Patent number: 8763777
    Abstract: A torque transfer coupling includes first and second rotary members. A transfer clutch operatively connects the first and second rotary members. A piston, disposed in a piston chamber, is actuable to engage the transfer clutch. A hydraulic pump in fluid communication with a sump containing hydraulic fluid has a first pump member fixed for rotation with the first rotary member and a second pump member fixed for rotation with the second rotary member such that relative rotation between the first and the second pump members generates a fluid pumping action. A first flow path supplies hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump to the piston chamber. A second flow path supplies hydraulic fluid from the piston chamber to a control valve for regulating the pressure of the hydraulic fluid supplied to the piston chamber. The second flow path includes an aperture extending through the second pump member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: MAGNA Powertrain USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Burns, Todd Ekonen
  • Friction lamella
    Patent number: 8746427
    Abstract: The invention relates to a friction lamella (1) comprising a disk-shaped carrier element (2) having a first surface (3) and a second surface (4) opposite thereto, a first friction lining (5) being situated on the first surface (3) and a second friction lining (6) being situated on the second surface (4), which are formed from a composite material, comprising a resin and a fibrous material, and grooves (9, 10) being situated in the first and in the second friction linings (5, 6), which divide the friction linings (5, 6) into segments (7, 8) at least in surface-proximal areas. The segments (7) of the first friction lining (5) are implemented offset by a defined offset angle (11) to the segments (8) of the second friction lining (6). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method and a device for producing the friction lamella and the use of the friction lamella.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Miba Frictec GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Foege, Gerhard Hartner