Patents Examined by Sherry Estremsky
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Patent number: 9487930Abstract: A drive device for a construction machine includes a speed reducer and a brake mechanism. The speed reducer includes a rotating shaft disposed in a casing, and a planetary gear type speed reducing unit disposed in the casing. The speed reducing unit includes a sun gear, a ring gear, a planetary gear which is meshed with the sun gear and the ring gear, and a spider member which supports the planetary gear so that the planetary gear is rotatable. The brake mechanism includes a rotating-shaft-side brake plate provided on an outer periphery of the spider member in a state that the rotating-shaft-side brake plate is integrally rotated with the spider member, a casing-side brake plate provided on the casing, and a brake piston which generates the braking force by bringing the rotating-shaft-side brake plate and the casing-side brake plate to press contact with each other.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2013Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.Inventors: Masatsugu Hamasaki, Koji Yamashita, Shoji Yoichi, Ryo Uchiyama
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Patent number: 9482316Abstract: A compound planetary gear unit comprising a first planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, a planet carrier for both planetary gear sets together, a first sun gear and a second sun gear as well as comprising a first ring gear and a second ring gear, wherein the first planetary gear set is formed by first planetary gears, which are carried by the planet carrier at a radial distance from a central axis of the compound planetary gear unit in such a way that each of said first planetary gears can be rotated about its own first axis of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2014Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Franz Kurth
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Patent number: 9481372Abstract: After a speed change operation mechanism has changed gear position during a shift in a vehicle, a controller operates an actuator to put a clutch into a partial clutch engagement state, thereby reducing difference rotation Nd of the clutch, and temporarily lowers an output of an engine below a normal-time output. After the difference rotation of the clutch is reduced, the controller returns the engine output to the normal-time output, and operates the actuator to bring the clutch into a full capacity state. The standard difference rotational speed Nds is variable according to the throttle position Th detected by the engine load detection means.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2016Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Junya Ono, Yoshiaki Nedachi, Tatsuya Ryuzaki
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Patent number: 9482338Abstract: When a user performs an operation to switch from a forward range to a reverse range, an ECU switches an oil passage (referred to hereafter as a “B2 pressure supply source oil passage”), through which oil pressure is supplied to a brake, from a first oil passage to a second oil passage while engaging the same brake. At this time, in consideration of a response delay in the oil pressure in the second oil passage, the ECU switches the B2 pressure supply source oil passage from the first oil passage to the second oil passage after a predetermined time ? elapses from the point at which the user performs the forward-reverse switch operation (in other words, after waiting for the oil pressure in the second oil passage to reach a threshold pressure) rather than at the point at which the user performs the forward-reverse switch operation.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2015Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN AW CO., LTD.Inventors: Hideharu Nohara, Toshio Sugimura, Tooru Matsubara, Koichi Okuda, Kota Fujii, Kazuyuki Noda, Kousuke Tanaka
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Patent number: 9447845Abstract: An actuator assembly may include a drive, a gear set coupled with the drive, an interface member coupled to the gear set, and an output coupled to the interface member. In at least one position of the interface member the gear set binds to prevent backdrive of the output.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2014Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: Dura Operating, LLCInventor: Jinseok Jeon
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Patent number: 9440640Abstract: A number of variation may include a method that may include providing a drive system that may deliver a torque supply to a vehicle. An electric unit may be provided. The torque supply may be reduced. A torque fill may be initiated when the torque supply is reduced. The torque fill may be supplied from the electric unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2015Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Thaddeus R. Kopp
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Patent number: 9434374Abstract: An apparatus includes a vehicle configured to support the user. The apparatus also includes an operation-switch assembly configured to be supported by the vehicle. The operation-switch assembly is also configured to switch propulsion operation of the vehicle between a first propulsion-operation mode and a second propulsion-operation mode. In the first propulsion-operation mode, the operation-switch assembly is also configured to permit propulsion of the vehicle to be influenced by a power-train assembly being configured to generate a power-train force. In the second propulsion-operation mode, the operation-switch assembly is also being configured to: (A) permit propulsion of the vehicle to be influenced by a non power-train force, and (B) permit propulsion of the vehicle to be not influenced by the power-train force of the power-train assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2014Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Inventor: Che Hang Cliff Chan
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Patent number: 9435415Abstract: An electric drive for a motor vehicle comprises a first gear stage, driveable by the electric motor, a second gear stage, driveable by the first gear stage, and a differential drive, driveable by the second gear stage. The first gear stage has a driving wheel and an output wheel, wherein the driving wheel is arranged coaxially to the output shaft of the electric motor and is rotatingly driveable by the electric motor around a first rotational axis A. The output wheel is drivingly connected to the driving wheel and is rotatingly driveable around a second rotational axis B, wherein the second rotational axis B is arranged parallel off-set to the first rotational axis A. The second gear stage and the differential drive are arranged coaxially to the second rotational axis B.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2015Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbHInventor: Theodor Gassmann
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Patent number: 9429226Abstract: A carrier having short pinion gears and long pinion gears is made compact, and the mountability of the carrier on vehicles is improved. In a structure of the carrier, short pinion gear housing spaces are formed between thick-walled portions of a carrier body and a carrier cover, and long pinion gear housing spaces are formed between flange portions and the carrier cover. Bridge portions are provided on the radially outer side of the short pinion gear housing spaces, and fixed to the carrier cover. Openings are provided on the radially outer side of the long pinion gear housing spaces. Splines to be engaged with a friction member of a clutch are formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the bridge portions.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2013Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.Inventors: Nobukazu Ike, Takeshi Torii, Hiroaki Sanji, Tsubasa Deguchi
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Patent number: 9429230Abstract: Provided is a range change device which includes a main motor and an auxiliary motor, a sun gear which is joined to a motor shaft of the main motor, an auxiliary gear which is joined to a motor shaft of the auxiliary motor, a plurality of planetary gears which are engaged with the sun gear, an annular gear in which internal teeth engaged with the planetary gears and external teeth engaged with the auxiliary gear are formed, a carrier which supports the planetary gears in a state where the carrier allows the planetary gears to rotate and revolve and is rotatable on an external circumference of the motor shaft, a small gear which is mounted on the carrier and rotates about an axis of the motor shaft, and a large gear which is engaged with the small gear.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2015Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Takuya Uryu, Kazuhisa Kurita, Yoshiki Saiki, Chiaki Sugano, Masayuki Aota
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Patent number: 9429266Abstract: A brake mechanism of a robot using a multi-output differential gear, capable of selectively blocking or applying driving force as needed, the brake mechanism including, a differential gear unit receiving driving force and generating at least three outputs differentiated from the driving force while being linked with the driving force, a driving unit transferring the driving force to the differential gear unit and moving in a direction away from or approaching the differential gear unit to thereby be detachably provided in the differential gear unit, and a rescuing unit controlling a spaced distance between the driving unit and the differential gear unit to attach and detach the driving unit to and from the differential gear unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2014Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: RESEARCH & BUSINESS FOUNDATION SUNGKYUNKWAN UNIVERSITYInventors: Hyouk Ryeol Choi, Hyungpil Moon, Jachoon Koo, Homoon Kim, Jung Seok Suh, Yun Seok Choi
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Patent number: 9428042Abstract: A drive train for a vehicle includes an engine having an output shaft, a first gear set, a second gear set, a first motor/generator coupled to the first gear set, a second motor/generator coupled to the second gear set and electrically coupled to the first motor/generator, a first clutch, and a second clutch. Planetary gears of both sets are rotatably supported by respective planetary gear carriers that are coupled to each other. The first clutch selectively engages the output shaft of the engine with the second motor/generator, and the second clutch and a third gear set operate to selectively engage at least one of the sun gear and the ring gear of the second gear set with the planetary gear carriers of the first and second gear sets.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2014Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLCInventors: Jon Morrow, Dave Steinberger, Eric Braun, Andrew Kotloski, Nader Nasr
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Patent number: 9415764Abstract: Systems and methods for improving hybrid vehicle performance and efficiency attributes are presented. In one example, an electric machine maximum available torque is controller limited so as to improve conservation of battery charge and driveline performance consistency. The electric machine torque may be limited as a function of driveline speed, battery discharge limit, and other parameters.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2014Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Chen Zhang, Xiaoyong Wang, Mark Steven Yamazaki
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Patent number: 9416852Abstract: An automatic transmission for a vehicle includes a housing, three single pinion type planetary gear mechanisms being supported by the housing, an input shaft supported by the housing and connected to a first carrier, an output shaft connected to a third carrier, a brake, a first clutch selectively connecting the first carrier and a second sun gear, a second clutch, a third clutch, a fourth clutch, and a switching clutch. The switching clutch selectively switches positions to a position where a third ring gear is fixed to the housing, a position where a second carrier is fixed to the housing, or a position where the third ring gear and the second carrier are released relative to the housing. The first clutch connects the first carrier and the second sun gear, and the switching clutch fixes the second carrier to the housing when establishing a reverse speed.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2015Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kiyoharu Takagi, Atsuhiro Mase, Hideki Nakamura
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Patent number: 9410621Abstract: The present subject matter provides a method for operating an automatic transmission in a limp mode. The method includes actuating a first non-positive shifting element to an engaged configuration and actuating a second non-positive shifting element to the engaged configuration. A positive shifting element is substantially synchronized after actuating the second non-positive shifting element. The method also includes commanding the positive shifting element to actuate from a disengaged configuration to the engaged configuration.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2014Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Andreas Schmidt, Ruben Cueppers, Max Trautwein
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Patent number: 9399458Abstract: A method of operating a drive train of a motor vehicle comprising a drive assembly which has at least a combustion engine and an automatic transmission with frictional shift elements positioned between the drive assembly and an output. When executing a traction downshift in which at least one frictional shift element of the automatic transmission is engaged and at least one shift element of the automatic transmission is disengaged, the method comprising the steps of engaging at least a first frictional shift element of the automatic transmission, disengaging at least a second frictional shift element of the automatic transmission, and reducing torque, provided by the combustion engine, while reducing the transfer ability of the second frictional shift element for executing the traction downshift.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2014Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventor: Johannes Kaltenbach
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Patent number: 9400044Abstract: A differential comprises a first side gear and a second side gear facing the first side gear. A pinion gear set can be between the first side gear and the second side gear. A cam plate comprises a ramped side facing a ramped side of the first side gear. A first lock plate comprises a first side abutting a second side of the cam plate. The first lock plate further comprises a toothed side. A second lock plate comprises a toothed side facing the toothed side of the first lock plate.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2014Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Ashish Wadhva, Andrew Nathan Edler, Patrick John McMillan
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Patent number: 9393964Abstract: In response to a transmission upshift command and a transmission element speed being greater than a threshold, a controller may reduce a rate of engine air intake prior to initial engagement of an oncoming shift element, at least until a target speed ratio is achieved. This reduction may reduce a transmission input torque such that upshift driveline disturbances are reduced.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2014Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Bernard D. Nefcy, Matthew John Shelton, Daniel Scott Colvin, Marvin Paul Kraska
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Patent number: 9393965Abstract: A method for operating a drive train of a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine, automatic transmission and at least one drive axle, is disclosed wherein in order to save fuel during the driving mode when the accelerator pedal is not activated a clutch device which is associated with the automatic transmission is opened and subsequently the internal combustion engine is shut down. When the accelerator pedal is activated again the internal combustion engine is started and in the automatic transmission the highest possible gear speed for the reconnection is firstly selected and so that the revving up time of the engine rotational speed is as short as possible, with the result that the necessary drive torque which is generated by the internal combustion engine can be made available at the drive axle as quickly as possible.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2013Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: AUDI AGInventor: Andreas Schiergl
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Patent number: 9387756Abstract: A hybrid drive arrangement for a motor vehicle comprising two close-coupled electric traction motors/generators on the output of the vehicle differential. A constant velocity joint coupling device is incorporated into the central axis of the traction motors between the differential output shafts and the independent articulated axle shafts for the drive wheels. One embodiment comprises a kit for retrofitting an existing vehicle. The kit comprises two electric traction motors/generators incorporating the constant velocity joint coupling devices, two devices for mounting the traction motors to each side of the differential case between the differential and the independent, articulated axle shafts of the existing vehicle, a battery system electrically coupled to the traction motors, two traction motor controllers, and a vehicle sensing and control system. The arrangement provides for improved acceleration, deceleration, cornering, ease of parking, and fuel economy.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2014Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: Quanta Products LLCInventors: Gary Ken Whiting, Hilary Paige Whiting