Patents Examined by Sherry Estremsky
  • Patent number: 7384374
    Abstract: A method for shifting a transmission from a current gear to a target gear following release of an accelerator pedal, the transmission having first and second clutches for alternately connecting and disconnecting a power source and first and second input shafts, respectively, first couplers for alternately connecting and disconnecting a transmission output and a first set of gears driveably connected to the first clutch, and second couplers for alternately connecting and disconnecting the output and a second set of gears driveably connected to the second clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Hong Jiang
  • Patent number: 7381148
    Abstract: A system for ensuring the ability to start an internal combustion engine contained within a drive train of a vehicle includes, in addition to an actuation device, a torque transmission device contained in the drive train between the internal combustion engine and driven vehicle wheels, an enabling device that is operable by a person operating the vehicle and by means of which the operability of the starter is enabled for starting the internal combustion engine when the torque transmission between the internal combustion engine and the driven wheels of the vehicle is interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Betelligungs KG
    Inventors: Behzad Nazari, Jens Martin, Matthias Ehrlich, Joachim Hirt, Frank Stengel, Martin Fuss, Alexander Schweizer, Martin Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 7381146
    Abstract: A controller (10) of a hybrid vehicle determines an engine torque at a point on an engine torque high efficiency line at the current engine rotation speed as a target engine torque, and determines the current engine torque from the current engine rotation speed and current accelerator depression amount. Then, when the gear position of a transmission (2) is neutral, the vehicle is stationary and a storage device (9) requires charging, the controller (10) sets the difference between the target engine torque and the current engine torque as a target power generation torque of a motor generator (4), sets a transitional time period corresponding to the target power generation torque, and performs control over the transitional time period to raise the power generation torque of the motor generator gradually to the target power generation torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Nissan Diesel Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Gouda, Mitsuhiro Nishina, Yuji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7374509
    Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid drive of a vehicle is described, the hybrid drive including as propulsion motors an internal combustion engine and at least one electric motor/generator, and the output shafts of the propulsion motors being operatively linkable to a power train of the vehicle. The propulsion motors and an electrically activatable braking system of the vehicle are activated in a coordinated manner as a function of a negative torque request, taking this negative torque request into account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Loeffler, Dieter Hoetzer
  • Patent number: 7367438
    Abstract: An external-control-type fan coupling device is provided and has no restriction on the layout or positional relationship of an electromagnetic coil and a valve element of the device. As a result, the casing and the valve structure of the device can be simplified. Additionally, the design prevents leaking of oil and leaking of magnetism without adversely affecting performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Usui Kokusai Sangyo Kaisha Limited
    Inventors: Ken Shiozaki, Shigeyuki Serizawa
  • Patent number: 7367915
    Abstract: A planetary gear unit PR and a clutch C3 for outputting reduced speed rotation and a clutch C1 for connecting and disconnecting input of rotation of an input shaft to a sun gear S2 are located on one axial side of a planetary gear unit PU, and a clutch C2 for connecting and disconnecting input of rotation of the input shaft to the carrier CR2 is located on the axially opposite of the planetary gear unit PU. By doing so, as compared to a case wherein, for example, a clutch C1 and clutch C2 are both located between a pair of planetary gear units PR and PU, the planetary gear units PR and PU can be located more closely together, and the member that transmits the reduced speed rotation from planetary gear unit PR to planetary gear unit PU can be made shorter. Further, compared to the case wherein, for example, the clutches C1, C2, C3 are located on one axial side of the planetary gear units, the construction of the oil lines is simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumichi Kayama, Nobutada Sugiura, Shundo Yamaguchi, Kazuhisa Ozaki, Tomochika Inagaki
  • Patent number: 7364526
    Abstract: A compound planetary gear set converts engine power into four forward-speeds and one reverse-speed, and the gear train provides eight forward-speeds and two reverse-speeds by utilizing the compound planetary gear set. The compound planetary gear set includes a first sun gear, first planetary gears engaged with the first sun gear, a first ring gear engaged with the first planetary gears, a second sun gear, second planetary gears engaged with the second sun gear and integrally formed with the first planetary gears, third planetary gears engaged with the second planetary gears, a second ring gear engaged with the third planetary gears, and a compound planet carrier for supporting the first to third planetary gears. The compound planetary gear set can be controlled by four frictional elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Inventor: Moon-Haeng Cho
  • Patent number: 7361112
    Abstract: A transmission mechanism utilizing a source of power which includes a main input shaft that turns upon receipt of power from said source. An auxiliary shaft is turned by the main input shaft through a link that turns the auxiliary shaft at a variable rate relative to the main shaft. A ring gear rotating with the main shaft includes a spur gear in meshing engagement with the same. A gear wheel rotating with the auxiliary shaft connects to the spur gear, via a bearing, for rotation along the ring gear. An output shaft is linked to the spur gear such that the output shaft turns according to the relative turning between the ring gear and the spur gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Inventor: William S. Knudsen
  • Patent number: 7360466
    Abstract: In a double clutch transmission, the number of components of the transmission may be reduced and the gear train optimally arranged with a plurality of gears for two clutches and six-stage gear ratios. Such an arrangement proves for smooth shifting of gears to the range R and compacting of the structure of the transmission to facilitate positioning and assembly of the transmission in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jin-Beom Seo
  • Patent number: 7357755
    Abstract: In an engine speed control system mounted on a walk-behind truck having a bed that carries cargo, to power driven wheels through a clutch such that the truck runs and the engine speed is controlled to a desired engine speed, it is detected whether the operator performs operation for disengaging the clutch or for turning the truck, and the desired engine speed is determined to a first value when the operator does not perform any of the operations, while determining it to a second value (lower than the first value) when the operator performs the clutch disengaging or truck turning operation, thereby preventing lurching and sharp turning, protecting cargo against being damaged and falling off, and minimizing fuel consumption and noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoki Fukushima, Hayato Matsuda, Shinichi Katsuragawa
  • Patent number: 7357751
    Abstract: A drive for pivoting a flap on a body of a vehicle about a pivot axis, with a drive motor, by means of which an output driving the flap pivotably can be driven rotatably via a drive train having an epicyclic gear. The epicyclic gear has a sun gear, an internally toothed rim, a planet gear which is in engagement with the sun gear and the internally toothed rim, and a planet carrier which carries the planet gear and which is connected fixedly in terms of rotation to a shaft coaxial with respect to the axis of rotation of the planet carrier. The rotational movement of a component of the epicyclic gear can be braked by a brake. In particular, the brake can stop the rotational movement of the internally toothed rim, the sun gear can be driven rotatably by the drive motor, and the shaft of the planet carrier can form the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Kleinmann, Andreas Ritter
  • Patent number: 7354368
    Abstract: A method for achieving high quality shifts with one hydraulic unit near zero displacement when using dog clutches. This method includes selecting the proper displacement and vocation (whether the hydrostatic unit works as a pump or motor) of a low displacement hydraulic unit during the shift, selecting the appropriate speed differential between the clutch elements, selecting the proper vehicle speed at which to make the shift, and sequencing the displacement changes of the hydraulic units with a controller in order to achieve the desired shift conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Sauer-Danfoss Inc.
    Inventor: Frederic W Pollman
  • Patent number: 7354376
    Abstract: A transmission is provided having a planetary gearset having respective first, second, and third members, and a compound gearset having respective first, second, third, and fourth members. The transmission also includes a plurality of selectively engageable torque transmitting devices configured to selectively interconnect selected members of the planetary gearset and the compound gearset for unitary rotation thereby to provide a plurality of forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between an input member and an output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthieu Rihn, Herve Schreiber
  • Patent number: 7350431
    Abstract: A design for a device for the reduction of movement of the main shaft (6) in the disengaged position in a transmission with at least two countershafts in which there is an axial transfer of forces between the drive shaft (7) and the main shaft (6) which is coaxially arranged through a connection of the main shaft (6) with a part of the axial bearing (13) on the drive shaft (7). There is a device (2) which is used to load the main shaft (6) against the drive shaft (7) through a loading of the part of the axial bearing (13) connected to the main shaft (6) against other parts or against the axial bearing (4) on the drive shaft (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Stefan Renner
  • Patent number: 7351182
    Abstract: A drive apparatus includes a motor, a first clutch that transmits and cuts off driving force between the motor and an engine, a second clutch that transmits and cuts off driving force to a wheel side from either or both of the motor and the engine, and a control device that performs operation control for the motor, the first clutch and the second clutch. If there is an engine start request during driving of the wheel by the motor, the control device starts the engine by performing the operation control for the motor, the first clutch and the second clutch based upon control patterns that differ depending on a rotational speed of the motor that is directly or indirectly detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7347803
    Abstract: A drive apparatus for a hybrid vehicle is provided with a motor, a clutch that transmits and cuts off a driving force between the motor and an engine, and a control device that performs an operation control for the motor and the clutch. If there is an engine start request during driving of a wheel by the motor, the control device increases an operating pressure of the clutch to start the transmission of torque from the motor to the engine side, and detects a transmission torque to be transmitted via the clutch. The control device also performs a control that sets an output torque of the motor as equal to a torque that is the sum of the transmission torque and a request torque for wheel driving, which is determined based upon an accelerator opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Kobayashi, Yasuo Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7347797
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical transmission is provided having an input member for receiving power from an engine and output member. A plurality of gear members is operable for changing speed ratio between the input member and the output member. The input is connected with one of the gear members and the output member is connected with another of the gear members. A motor/generator is continuously operatively connected with the output member (via a planetary gear set) in parallel with the gear member that is continuously connected with the output member. The motor/generator is packaged axially between the input member and the plurality of gear members. The motor/generator is packaged in a packaging space typically utilized for a torque converter in a nonelectro-mechanical transmission. Thus, redesign of the nonelectro-mechanical transmission to achieve the electro-mechanical transmission involves a minimal number of steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Henryk Sowul, James D. Hendrickson
  • Patent number: 7344466
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system of a seven-speed automatic transmission that provides enhanced overall performance by achieving precise and effective control by providing a fail-safe function in at least two ways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jin Mo Park
  • Patent number: 7344479
    Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch selectively transferring engine power for a manual transmission includes a stator fixedly connected to an engine crankshaft via a flywheel, having an electromagnet and a lining drum, a clutch rotor for transmitting the engine power to a transmission power shaft by means of the magnetic force of the stator, a lining selectively contacting or releasing the lining drum of the stator, and a lining arm being rotated so that an end portion thereof presses the lining to the lining drum for physical contact between the lining and the lining drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Inventor: Jung Ho Baek
  • Patent number: 7344465
    Abstract: A machine, including a hydraulic pump and one or more hydraulic implements connected to the hydraulic pump. The machine may also include a hydraulic motor connected to the hydraulic pump and one or more propulsion devices. Additionally, the machine may include drive-system controls operable to selectively cause the hydraulic motor to supply power to one or more of the propulsion devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: William Christopher Swick, Jerry Dwight Marr, Friedrich Konrad Diecke