Patents Examined by Sherry Estremsky
  • Patent number: 8083631
    Abstract: A planetary gear type gearbox includes a front-stage transmission section and rear-stage transmission section. The front-stage transmission section is for transmitting power from an input shaft to an intermediate shaft. The front-stage transmission section includes first, second and third clutches, two sets of planetary gear trains axially adjoining to each other. The first planetary gear train includes a sun gear, a carrier, a ring gear and planet gears. The second planetary gear train includes a sun gear, a carrier, a ring gear and two sets of planet gears. In the activation of second and third clutches, power is inputted into the carrier from the input shaft and is then outputted from the ring gear of the first planetary gear train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaki Shiohara
  • Patent number: 8075440
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power train of an automatic transmission that realizes eight forward speeds and one reverse speed by using two double pinion planetary gear sets, one single pinion planetary gear set, four clutches, and two brakes wherein the friction members are selectively connected to the operating members of the pinion planetary gear sets to the input shaft, other operating members, or the transmission case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Wookjin Jang, Ho Rim Yang
  • Patent number: 8070651
    Abstract: A work machine includes an IC engine having an output, an IVT having an input coupled with the IC engine output, and a ground speed actuator. A desired speed sensor associated with the ground speed actuator provides an output signal indicating a slower ground speed. At least one electrical processing circuit is configured for increasing an input/output (I/O) ratio of the IVT, dependent upon the sensor output signal, such that a net torque transfer back-driven from the IVT input to the IC engine output is substantially zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Briton T. Eastman, Christopher J. Maifield
  • Patent number: 8070636
    Abstract: An electrohydraulic control device (1) of an 8-speed transmission having several electrically controllable pressure control valves (6-12) for hydraulically actuating five switching elements (A-E) and an electric gear control unit via which different operating states of the transmission may be adjusted. Three of the switching elements are connected in the force flow of the transmission for representing a gear ratio (“1” to “R”) of the transmission. When the gear control unit is de-activated and the power supply to the solenoid valve and pressure control valves is interrupted, and when the transmission is in the operating state, in which a gear ratio (“1”; “2”; “3”; “4”; “5”; “6”; “7”; “8”; “R”) is engaged, a predefined emergency transmission (“6”; “R”) is represented by three simultaneously hydraulically connected switching elements (C, D, E, A, B, D).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Georg Gierer, Thilo Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8066605
    Abstract: A planetary transmission includes a sun gear, which constitutes an input drive to the planetary transmission, a ring gear arranged around the sun gear, and a planet carrier which is designed to rotate and which carries at least one planet wheel, which planet wheel meshes with the sun gear and the ring gear. The planet carrier constitutes an output drive from the planetary transmission. The planetary transmission further includes a wet disk brake, a first set of brake disks in the brake being rotationally locked to the planet carrier and thereby in operation rotating at the rotational speed of the planet carrier. The planetary transmission further comprises an arrangement for circulation of a cooling fluid through the brake which is rotationally locked to the sun gear and thereby in operation rotates at the rotational speed of the sun gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventors: Tim Kingston, Mats Åkerblom
  • Patent number: 8062172
    Abstract: A hybrid-electric powertrain and control method for a vehicle having forward traction wheels and rearward traction wheels in an all-wheel drive configuration. An engine and an electric motor deliver power through delivery paths to the traction wheels. The power delivery paths may have multiple ratio gearing so that more power can be delivered mechanically to improve powertrain performance and to allow the electric motor size to be reduced. The powertrain includes a controller for automatically balancing power distribution to the forward and rearward traction wheels to avoid wheel slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Gerald Supina, Shailesh Shrikant Kozarekar, Stefan Paul Pototschnik
  • Patent number: 8062179
    Abstract: Method for exiting an engine-idle driving mode in a heavy land vehicle having an automatic transmission. The engine-idle driving mode is established in the vehicle when the engine is running substantially constantly at idle speed and a gear is engaged propelling the vehicle at a corresponding substantially constant, relatively slow vehicle speed. The method includes receiving a driver request, when in engine-idle driving mode, to accelerate from the prevailing substantially constant, relatively slow vehicle speed. The engine torque requirement is assessed for delivering the requested acceleration that can be developed from the engine while maintaining the automatic transmission in the same gear in which engine-idle driving is taking place. The requested acceleration is delivered by increasing the engine's torque output and without downshifting the automatic transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Anders Eriksson, Sixten Berglund
  • Patent number: 8047091
    Abstract: A method of controlling an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle having clutches controlled by an electronic control unit. A transmission rotational speed in an initial transmission stage is determined. If a first transmission shifting rotational speed is reached, the transmission is shifted from the initial transmission stage to a target transmission stage. A target transmission rotational speed of the target transmission stage is then ascertained. A difference is next ascertained between the target transmission rotational speed and a second shifting transmission rotational speed. An initial counter value, of a counter, is determined, which depends on the transmission rotational speed difference. The counter is next caused to carry out counting, from the initial counter value, as time progresses. If and when the counter value reaches zero, the transmission is shifted from the target transmission stage toward the initial transmission stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Werner Wolfgang, Maik Würthner, Ingo Sauter, Achim Tegen
  • Patent number: 8043186
    Abstract: The two stage check valve for the automatic transmission system provides a first member that opens in response to a first pressure and a second member which opens in response to a second pressure where the second pressure is higher than the first pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Ross Gresley, Eric Nelson
  • Patent number: 8042419
    Abstract: An outer circumference of a shift drum of a vehicle transmission is provided with at least one particular lead groove among multiple lead grooves which continuously extends beyond one circle of the shift drum. Two ends of the particular lead groove are arranged so as to be out of alignment with each other in the axial direction of the shift drum. A common shift position adapted to establish gear trains with two shift stages different from each other is set at one position corresponding to the two ends of the particular lead groove along the circumferential direction of the shift drum. The resulting configuration prevents an increase in the diameter of a shift drum and eliminates the significant change of the shape of a lead groove, even as the number of shift positions set on the shift drum is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kinya Mizuno, Hiromi Sumi, Masako Takahashi, Masaki Kobayashi, Eiji Kittaka
  • Patent number: 8033957
    Abstract: Appropriate torque is transmitted via a clutch that does not spend too much time on its engaging operation. A clutch controller controls a degree of engagement of the clutch by actuating a clutch actuator based on a difference between actual transmission torque that is transmitted from a drive-side member of a clutch to a driven-side member of the clutch, and target transmission torque that is supposed to be transmitted from the drive-side member to the driven-side member. The clutch controller also determines whether or not a difference in rotational speed between the drive-side member and the driven-side member of the clutch is reduced at an appropriate rate, and depending on the determination result, corrects the target transmission torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kengo Minami
  • Patent number: 8011489
    Abstract: An automatic change gear control device for a motorcycle having a manually operated clutch operation member achieves both easy clutch operation and secure freedom of drive. A clutch is connected and disconnected to change gears in a transmission capable of freely changing gears in plural stages. A clutch actuator drives the clutch. A clutch operation unit has a manually-operated clutch lever. An ECU controls the clutch actuator based on driver operation of the clutch lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8012057
    Abstract: A drive assembly for a motor vehicle generally consisting of a first planetary gear set including a rim gear drivingly connected to an input shaft, a planetary gear carrier mounted on a first output shaft and a sun gear mounted on a second output shaft; a second planetary gear set including a planetary gear carrier mounted on the second output shaft and a planetary gear set drivingly connected to the planetary gear carrier of the first planetary gear set; and a selectively engergizabe electric motor including a rotor mounted on the sun gear of the second planetary gear set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Christian Meixner
  • Patent number: 8011261
    Abstract: A transmission is provided having a dual clutch to achieve torque flow through a countershaft gearing arrangement. The countershaft gearing arrangement includes a plurality of co-planar gear sets having gears that are selectively connectable to a countershaft. A transfer gear set transfers torque from the countershaft to an output shaft. The output shaft is connected to a final drive unit that has a final drive unit output shaft that is transverse to an input member connected at one end to a torque converter and at the other end to the dual clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: John A. Diemer, James D. Hendrickson, Patrick S. Portell, Henryk Sowul
  • Patent number: 7998026
    Abstract: A method for controlling a transmission input clutch during a vehicle launch includes selecting a subject device that transmits torque between an input and an output, a providing a mathematical model of the subject device, such that the model employing only static relationships of engine speed and transmission input speed to a desired magnitude of torque produced by the subject device, using the model, the current engine speed and the current engine speed to determine the desired torque produced by the subject device, and adjusting the torque capacity of the clutch to the desired torque of the subject device determined from the model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Fodor, Davor D. Hrovat, Hong Jiang, Ian Oldknow, Jahan Asgari
  • Patent number: 7993243
    Abstract: In a vehicle that includes an engine driveably connected to the vehicle wheels, an accelerator pedal, and an electric motor for transmitting power to at least some of the vehicle wheels, a method for indicating that the vehicle is operating on a grade having positive slope includes determining that displacement of the accelerator pedal is greater than a reference displacement, determining that a rate of change of the accelerator pedal displacement is greater than a reference rate of change of displacement, determining that vehicle deceleration is greater than a reference vehicle deceleration, and producing a signal representing that the vehicle is operating on a grade having positive slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew J. Silveri, Ihab S. Soliman
  • Patent number: 7985153
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system of an eight-speed automatic transmission includes a first clutch/second clutch control portion controlled by a first proportional control solenoid valve and selectively supplying hydraulic pressure of a first pressure control valve to the first clutch or the second clutch; a third clutch control portion controlled by a second proportional control solenoid valve and supplying hydraulic pressure of a second pressure control valve to the third clutch; a fourth clutch/first brake control portion controlled by a third proportional control solenoid valve and selectively supplying hydraulic pressure of a third pressure control valve to the fourth clutch or the first brake, the fourth clutch/first brake control portion supplying reverse range pressure to the first brake at the reverse speed; and a second brake control portion controlled by a fourth proportional control solenoid valve and directly supplying hydraulic pressure of a fourth pressure control valve to the second brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Hyun Goo Kang, Jin Soo Lee
  • Patent number: 7985163
    Abstract: A method for controlling an input clutch of a vehicle transmission that includes an output driveably connected to the input clutch includes increasing the torque capacity of the input clutch, determining a reference acceleration of the output, determining a current acceleration of the output after the reference acceleration is determined, if a difference between the reference acceleration of the output and the current acceleration of the output is equal to or greater than a reference change in acceleration of the output, determining a desired input clutch torque, and adjusting the input clutch to produce the desired input clutch torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Hong Jiang
  • Patent number: 7972243
    Abstract: A control device for propulsion units is adapted to synchronize the engine rotational speeds of a plurality of propulsion units arranged in a row on a vessel and operatively and electrically connected to two control levers that are positioned adjacent to each other. The control device synchronizes the engine rotational speeds by correcting the throttle opening of a target propulsion unit or units based on a deviation between the engine rotational speed of a reference propulsion unit and the engine rotational speed of the target propulsion unit. Upon cancellation of synchronization, the throttle opening correction is reduced stepwise from its corrected throttle opening to its natural throttle opening based on the position of the corresponding control lever. As such, large fluctuations in engine speeds are avoided upon cancellation of synchronization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takuya Kado, Shu Akuzawa
  • Patent number: 7972240
    Abstract: A work machine includes an internal combustion (IC) engine, and an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) coupled with the IC engine. The IVT includes an adjustable module and a mechanical module, with an adjustable input/output (I/O) ratio. A clutch is coupled with the mechanical module and has an output. An adjustable operator input device provides an output signal representing a power limit control. At least one electrical processing circuit is coupled with the operator input device and configured for controlling a selected combination of the I/O ratio and the clutch output, dependent upon the output signal from the operator input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Clayton George Janasek