Patents Examined by Sherry Estremsky
  • Patent number: 7549946
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shift control apparatus for an automatic transmission, that executes a torque reduction control when the transmission executes a second downshift in response to a second downshift determination made during first downshift. The shift control apparatus includes a multiple shift execution unit that starts the second downshift operation in response to the second downshift determination, and a torque reduction control execution unit that executes a torque reduction control when the rotational speed of the input member is increased to at least a predetermined first determination speed, which is determined in accordance with a shift ratio of a gear stage after the second downshift operation, after the second downshift starts. This allows the rotational speed of the input shaft to be quickly changed to the appropriate synchronous rotational speed. Thus, the desired driving force is provided upon completion of the second downshift without overspeeding the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Ayabe, Ayumu Sagawa, Toshio Sugimura, Toshinari Suzuki, Hisashi Ishihara
  • Patent number: 7549357
    Abstract: A ratio changing method and apparatus includes, in a hypocycle arrangement, an input drive wheel (2), an output drive wheel (3) and a transfer ring (1). The input drive wheel (2) drives around the exterior of the transfer ring (1). The transfer ring (1) is constrained against rotation about its own axis but oscillates about the outward drive wheel (3), in parting rotation to the output drive wheel (3) as a result a simple and effective ratio changing apparatus is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Inventor: John P. R. Hammerbeck
  • Patent number: 7547265
    Abstract: A variable biasing differential provides an adjustable torque bias between two outputs. An input shaft provides drive torque to a carrier which receives a plurality of stub shafts and a like plurality of planet gears. A first set of planet gears drives a first sun gear and first output and a second set of planet gears, which, in turn, drives additional planet gears which drive a second sun gear and second output. Secured to both ends of the carrier are first and second ring gears which each mesh with an eccentric gear which in turn includes an eccentric second ring gear which meshes with an internal gear disposed about the first and second outputs. These gears are coupled to respective first and second friction clutches which can be independently activated to adjust the torque bias of the differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan J. Showalter
  • Patent number: 7534184
    Abstract: An oscillating inner gearing planetary gear system is provided which does not need to occupy a large space even in a state where a driving source is joined. In particular, the axial length thereof can be shortened, and a large diameter hollow shaft therethrough can be formed. The oscillating inner gearing planetary gear system (100) is configured in such a manner that rotation of an input shaft (104) is reduced by internal oscillating bodies (116A,116B) oscillatingly rotating relative to an external gear (118), and the reduced output is delivered by the external gear (118) also serving as an output shaft. A middle shaft (108) is located parallel to the external gear (118) at a position more radially outward than the internal oscillating bodies (116A,116B). An orthogonal gearset (106) connects the middle shaft (108) and the input shaft (104) at a right angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yo Tsurumi
  • Patent number: 7527575
    Abstract: A lockable differential has one positive-fit clutch (12) actuatable in the opening and closing directions by displacement of a sliding sleeve (4), the sliding sleeve (4) being actuatable by a co-axially disposed piston (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ditmar Salg, Stefan Reicheneder
  • Patent number: 7524260
    Abstract: An air actuated shift mechanism is housed within a drive axle housing and can be used to actuate a two-speed shifter, or it can be used to actuate a differential locking mechanism. The air actuated shift mechanism includes a lock member and an engageable member that is selectively engaged by the lock member. When the lock member and engageable member are in an engaged position, a first axle function is provided such as a low speed or a locked differential condition. When the lock member and the engageable member are in a disengaged position, a second axle function is provided such as a high speed or an unlocked differential condition. A shift member moves one of the lock member and the engageable member to provide the engaged position, and an air actuated piston controls movement of the shift member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Egidio Miguel Gomes Correia, Jose Gumercindo Furtado, Juscelino Dos Reis, Jose Francivaldo Pereira Lemos, Fernando Gregorato Martinez, Jose Renan da Silva
  • Patent number: 7506737
    Abstract: A self-contained marine reversing gear assembly is provided with a locking device for an internal combustion engine in which introduction of the working oil from the lubricating oil circuit is unnecessary. The locking device includes an input shaft driven by an internal combustion engine; an output shaft connected to a propeller shaft; a hydraulic pump driven by the input shaft; a hydraulic forward and reverse clutch; a directional control valve for switching the forward and reverse clutch by the supply of working oil from the hydraulic pump; and a locking device provided with a locking mechanism member for locking the output shaft. The locking device includes a hydraulic actuator for unlocking the output shaft by operating on the locking mechanism member due to the supply of working oil from the hydraulic pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Okanishi, Shigeaki Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 7497799
    Abstract: A control system operable to engage a torque transmitting mechanism, the control system having at least one variable bleed solenoid valve operable to selectively provide pressurized fluid to selectively engage at least one torque transmitting mechanism. An electronic control unit is also provided to provide control to the at least one variable bleed solenoid valve. The electronic control unit commands the variable bleed solenoid valve to provide the pressurized fluid to the at least one torque transmitting mechanism for a first predetermined time and to subsequently substantially disallow the pressurized fluid to the at least one torque transmitting mechanism for a second predetermined time subsequent to the first predetermined time. The electronic control unit subsequently commands an intermediate pressure level to trim the torque transmitting mechanism into engagement. A method for providing engagement to the torque transmitting mechanism is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Bryan H. Hagelskamp, Jeffrey E Shultz
  • Patent number: 7488273
    Abstract: A method of reducing heat produced by an internal combustion engine in a motorcycle. The method includes supplying fuel pulses to a combustion chamber at least once per engine cycle (consecutive engine cycles defining a series of consecutive fuel pulses), operating the motorcycle at a low speed condition, and withholding at least a portion of at least one fuel pulse from at least one subsequent engine cycle to the combustion chamber when operating the motorcycle at the low speed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Carl, Earnest Metz, Matthew Peller, Benjamin Wright, Kyle G. Wick, William P. Pari, David L. Zwart
  • Patent number: 7485068
    Abstract: In an automatic transmission (AT) in which an input shaft (Input) and an output gear (Output) are disposed on the same axis and three clutches (C1-C3) and two brakes (B1, B2) are selectively operated to provide six forward speeds, first and second planetary gear sets (GS1, GS2) are configured to consistently reduce the speed of input rotation and output the speed-reduced rotation, thereby enabling downsizing of them. The first and second planetary gear sets (GS1, GS2) are arranged in a transmission case at both the axial ends thereof. Third and fourth planetary gear sets (GS3, GS4) are connected to each other to have four rotation elements in combination, thereby constituting a Simpson planetary gear train. One of the four rotation elements (a fourth carrier (PC4) in an illustrated example) is connected to the output gear (Output).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Shinya Kamada, Junichi Doi, Takamichi Teraoka, Tokimori Saka, Tatsutoshi Mizobe, Naohiro Sakaue, Yoshihiko Fujita, Norio Iwashita, Satoshi Komori, Kazuhiko Ueda, Seiji Esaki
  • Patent number: 7479089
    Abstract: A differential gear apparatus according to the present invention comprises a first sun gear coupled to a first shaft to be rotated in conjunction with the first shaft, a second sun gear coupled to a second shaft to be rotated in conjunction with the second shaft, a first planetary gear meshed with the first sun gear, a second planetary gear rotated with the first planetary gear and meshed with the second sun gear, a carrier supporting the first and second planetary gears, and a housing supporting the second shaft upon rotation, wherein the sun gears and the planetary gears have profile shifted teeth of which addendum modifications are different at the positions in a flank width direction and a nut screwed on the mid way of the second shaft, and a through hole disposed at a position facing the nut are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Kosuke Yamanaka, Shiro Nakano, Kenji Higashi, Atsushi Ishihara, Daisuke Maeda
  • Patent number: 7469609
    Abstract: A multiple speed power transmission includes an input, first and second input shafts, first and second clutches for releasably coupling the input to the input shafts, and a set of selectable power paths connecting the first and second input shafts to the output, the power paths having at least one power path that includes both the first and second input shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Reid A. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 7468017
    Abstract: An ECT_ECU of the present invention executes a program including the step of setting a determination time T for determining the completion of an upshift in an accelerator off mode to a short determination time T (X) when a slip value NS (NS=NE?NT) between an engine revolution NE and a turbine revolution NT is smaller than a predetermined slip value NS (0) (when the difference between NT and NE is large, and the step of setting the determination time T to a long determination time T (Y) when the slip value NS (NS=NE?NT) is larger than the predetermined slip value NS (0) (when the difference between NT and NE is small).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Sugimura, Toshinari Suzuki, Tatsuya Kawamura, Atsushi Ayabe
  • Patent number: 7465252
    Abstract: A hydraulic actuation system, especially for actuating the clutch of a vehicle, containing a master cylinder unit, a slave cylinder unit, a hydraulic medium line connecting the two cylinder units and a throttle valve which is used to alter the flow resistance between the cylinders of the master cylinder unit and the slave cylinder unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Inventors: Roland Welter, Matthias Zink, Henry Hahn, Udo Popp, Markus Hausner
  • Patent number: 7464801
    Abstract: The present invention provides a selectable one-way clutch including a generally annular race and a generally annular cam disposed radially about the race. The cam has a radially internal surface defining a first plurality of tapered face portions and a second plurality of tapered face portions. A first plurality of rollers are disposed radially between the race and the cam. A second plurality of rollers are disposed radially between the race and the cam, and are interposed between the first plurality of rollers. The first plurality of rollers are selectively engageable with the first plurality of tapered face portions to lock-up the selectable one-way clutch in a first direction, and the second plurality of rollers are selectively engageable with the second plurality of tapered face portions to lock-up the selectable one-way clutch in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott H. Wittkopp
  • Patent number: 7462124
    Abstract: Variable motion control devices and methods of use. The devices and methods relate to providing an output, such as a rotational shaft output, transmitted from a rotational shaft input, with the output varying based on a control input. The devices and methods are used, for example, to provide a variable output for use with a compressor, power take off, or transmission or differential application. To provide the variable output, the devices and methods include use of mechanical component systems, such as spur gear planetary systems, ring gear planetary systems, bevel gear arrangements, or combinations of such features. The control input is implemented, for example, by arrangements of bindably meshed gears, tension between pulleys joined by belts or similar arrangements of sprockets and chains, use of magnetic clutches, hydraulic or pneumatic controls, or braking devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Differential Dynamics Corporation
    Inventor: Kyung Soo Han
  • Patent number: 7452305
    Abstract: A vehicular powertrain system includes a prime mover having an output, a multi-ratio transmission having an input, and a torque reduction coupling system coupling the prime mover output and the multi-ratio transmission input. The exemplary torque reduction coupling system includes a clutch and a planetary gear set selectively coupling the prime mover output to the multi-ratio transmission input. The exemplary planetary gear set includes one components of the planetary gear set being selectively coupled to the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Oliver, Craig S. Jacobs, David M. Preston, Timothy J. Morscheck, Jeff H. Skorupski, Thomas A. Genise
  • Patent number: 7452306
    Abstract: A drive system for a work machine is disclosed. The drive system has at least one driven traction device and a transmission operatively connected to the at least one driven traction device. The transmission is configured to drive the at least one driven traction device. The drive system further has a controller configured to determine a ground tractive capacity associated with the at least one driven traction device and to limit an amount of torque transmitted from the transmission to the at least one driven traction device when the amount of torque to be transmitted will exceed the ground tractive capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Kent A. Casey
  • Patent number: 7448983
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine of a vehicle operated by a driver may comprise detecting actuation of a braking device of the vehicle by the driver; calculating a parameter indicative of an actual amount of braking effort by said driver based on vehicle conditions; and adjusting an engine operating parameter based on said parameter. The method can adjust a number of cylinders carrying out combustion, fuel cut operation, a level of powertrain output torque (positive, and/or negative), and/or other engine parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Ford GLobal Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeff Doering, David Bidner, Shane Elwart, Gopichandra Surnilla, Yonghua Li
  • Patent number: 7445579
    Abstract: A system for compensating a heating performance a motor vehicle with a CVT, wherein the system includes a coolant-temperature sensor for sensing an engine-coolant temperature, and a transmission ECU electronically linked to the CVT and the coolant-temperature sensor, wherein the transmission ECU is so programmed as to: determine whether or not heating-performance compensation is required in accordance with at least the engine-coolant temperature; obtain, if it is determined that heating-performance compensation is required, a target input rotation of the CVT in such a way as to avoid input rotation of the CVT from being below a lower limit value determined to restrain degradation of the drivability and shift quality while compensating the heating performance every vehicle speed; and shift-control the CVT in accordance with the target input rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventor: Atsufumi Kobayashi