Patents Examined by Sherry Estremsky
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Patent number: 8684876Abstract: A power transmitting component includes a housing having an interior cavity with a sump, a lubricant disposed in the sump, and a component mounted in the housing assembly for rotation about a first axis. The component rotates through the lubricant in the sump to generate a stream of lubricant that is slung from the component as it rotates at a speed in excess of a predetermined speed. The housing includes a deflector that extends into the interior cavity and has a first face having an impingement portion and a first edge adjacent the impingement portion. The impingement portion extends into the stream and deflects a portion of the stream towards the first edge. The first edge disperses the portion of the stream toward selected areas in the interior cavity.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2013Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Daniel G. Corless, Mark A. Harnden, Mark S. Waack
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Patent number: 8678972Abstract: A transmission of the present invention has an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes. The torque transmitting devices are each selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least nine forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2011Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Scott H. Wittkopp, James M. Hart
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Patent number: 8668620Abstract: During a caulking process, a pressure is applied to a pressure receiving shoulder portion in the same direction as a direction of a clamping force generated by a caulking portion. The clamping force for holding an outer race can thereby be increased. Also, a pressure receiving surface of the pressure receiving shoulder portion is set higher than an end face. Thus, no pressure resulting from plastic deformation in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the clamping force of the caulking portion is generated. In addition, a groove is formed between the pressure receiving shoulder portion and an end serving as the caulking portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2010Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takeshi Ishida, Taro Furukubo
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Patent number: 8668615Abstract: A drive assembly for a motor vehicle driven by a plurality of axles includes a differential unit, an externally controllable hang-on coupling, an externally controllable locking coupling, a first hydraulic actuating unit, and a second hydraulic actuating unit. The differential unit includes an input part that is rotatably drivable around an axis of rotation, and two output parts drivingly connected to the input part. The hang-on coupling drivingly connects the differential unit and a driveshaft. The locking coupling locks the differential movement between the two output parts of the differential assembly. The first hydraulic actuating unit actuates the hang-on coupling and the second hydraulic actuating unit actuates the locking coupling. The first hydraulic actuating unit, the hang-on coupling, the second hydraulic actuating unit and the locking coupling are arranged coaxially relative to the axis of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2009Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbHInventors: Mark Schmidt, Michael Schwekutsch, Colin Zaers, Artur Grunwald
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Patent number: 8647230Abstract: A moving apparatus that is capable of properly driving an accessory while preventing driven parts from being driven when the accessory is driven in a state where the driven parts are at rest. In the moving apparatus VE1, out of first to third elements S, C, and R configured such that they rotate during transmission of motive power therebetween while maintaining a collinear relationship in rotational speed, the first element S is mechanically connected to a first rotor 13 of a first rotating machine 11, one of the second and third elements C and R is mechanically connected to an output portion 3a of a prime mover 3 and an input portion 32 of an accessory 31, and the other of the second and third elements C and R is mechanically connected to driven parts DW and DW.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2010Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shigemitsu Akutsu, Shinji Fujimoto, Mitsuhiro Takeda, Noriyuki Abe
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Patent number: 8647237Abstract: A method for selectively coupling a motor to a drive train of a motor vehicle using a clutch having a first clutch part driven by the motor, a second clutch part associated with the drive train and an actuator, the method includes the steps of: accelerating the first clutch part while simultaneously activating the actuator during a first actuation phase without engaging the first and second clutch parts; suspending activation of the actuator until a predefined rotational speed difference is reached between the first and second clutch parts; and engaging the first and second clutch parts during a second actuation phase upon reaching the predefined speed difference.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2011Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: MAGNA Powertrain AG & Co KGInventors: Daniel Prix, Rene Scheucher
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Patent number: 8636619Abstract: A drive train component includes a housing having a plurality inner surfaces that collectively define an interior portion. A gear set is arranged within the interior portion. The gear set includes a first side and a second side. A gear shock control member is positioned between one of the first and second sides of the gear set and an adjacent component. The gear shock control member includes a plurality of pre-loaded biasing members that direct an axial force onto the gear set.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2010Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Remy Technologies, L.L.C.Inventors: Balazs Palfai, Attila Nagy, Andrew Meyer
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Patent number: 8632433Abstract: Provided is an automatic transmission hydraulic control system with a first friction engagement element engaged at a first forward gear and establishment of a reverse gear, and a second friction engagement element to be engaged at least at establishment of a second forward gear different from the first forward gear. Also included is a range pressure output unit outputting a reverse range pressure, a first switching valve having a reverse range pressure input port receiving reverse range pressure, a control pressure input port receiving a control pressure from a linear solenoid valve, and first, second and third output ports. The system also includes a second switching valve having a first input port connected to the first output port, a second input port connected to the second output port, and a fourth output port connected to a hydraulic servo of the first friction engagement element.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2011Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tetsuya Shimizu, Kenichi Tsuchida, Yoshimitsu Hyodo, Kazunori Ishikawa
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Patent number: 8628441Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter assembly includes an internal planetary gear assembly that splits torque between a torque converter and a direct path to the transmission input as well as a damper and a torque converter clutch. The torque converter assembly includes an input shaft that is driven by the engine output shaft and is coupled to both the planetary gear carrier of the planetary gear assembly and the transmission hydraulic pump. The sun gear of the planetary gear assembly is coupled to the torque converter output shaft through a spring damper. The ring gear of the planetary gear assembly is coupled to one side of the torque converter clutch and the pump of the torque converter. The other side of the torque converter clutch is coupled to both the turbine of the torque converter and the spring damper. The stator of the torque converter is grounded. An alternate embodiment replaces the torque converter with a fluid coupling.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2011Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Darrell Lee Robinette, Victor M. Roses
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Patent number: 8613686Abstract: A drive system includes a planetary gear system. An input is affixed to a sun gear of the planetary gear system to rotate therewith and an output is affixed to the output ring gear to rotate therewith. A first brake system is selectively operable to rotationally lock an output ring gear of the planetary gear system, and a second brake system is selectively operable to rotationally lock the planet carrier of the planetary gear system. Rotary-wing aircraft implementations of the drive system are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2013Date of Patent: December 24, 2013Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft CorporationInventor: Brandon L. Stille
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Patent number: 8608611Abstract: A vehicle drive train for transferring torque to first and second sets of wheels includes a first driveline adapted to transfer torque to the first set of wheels and a synchronizing clutch. A second driveline is adapted to transfer torque to the second set of wheels and includes a power disconnection device and a friction clutch. A hypoid gearset is positioned within the second driveline in a power path between the synchronizing clutch and the power disconnection device. The friction clutch and the power disconnection device are positioned on opposite sides of the hypoid gearset. The hypoid gearset is selectively disconnected from being driven by the first driveline, the second driveline or the wheels when the synchronizing clutch and the power disconnection device are operated in disconnected, non-torque transferring, modes.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2010Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Magna Powertrain of America, Inc.Inventors: Todd Ekonen, Bradley Larkin, Douglas Bradley
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Patent number: 8608613Abstract: Double shock-absorbing steering wheel, in particular for automobile vehicles, comprising a primary inertia mass connected to an engine shaft (12), a secondary inertia mass (14) connected by clutch E to a gearbox BV, and a torsion damper (18) rotatably connecting the two inertia masses (10, 14), this torsion damper including an epicycloidal gear train whose outer crown wheel (22) engages with a spring (28) for absorption of vibrations and rotation acyclisms, said spring being mounted around the crown wheel (22) in a fixed frame (26).Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Valeo EmbrayagesInventor: Patrick Le Moal
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Patent number: 8602939Abstract: A method for controlling vehicle creep includes controlling motor speed to produce the desired creep speed, if desired creep speed exceeds vehicle speed; controlling motor torque to produce the desired wheel torque, if desired wheel torque exceeds actual wheel torque; and controlling motor torque to decelerate the vehicle to creep speed, if vehicle speed is decreasing and exceeds the desired speed.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2011Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark S. Yamazaki, Marvin P. Kraska, Dan Colvin, Fazal U. Syed, Brandon R. Masterson
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Patent number: 8591382Abstract: A method for controlling a friction clutch operatively arranged between a drive unit and a gearbox. The method includes the steps of detecting torque transmitted by the friction clutch, determining a coefficient of friction between friction linings of a clutch disk and antifriction surfaces of the friction clutch, and evaluating the functional capability based on the determined coefficient of friction. In order to avoid an evaluation of a friction clutch that has not yet been broken-in as a worn friction clutch, the evaluation is postponed during a specified breaking-in phase of the friction clutch.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2012Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Michael Reuschel, Christian Eberle, Lutz Helmbrecht
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Patent number: 8591379Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for restarting an engine in response to a driver's change-of-mind. In one embodiment, the engine is shutdown during an idle stop with the transmission in a higher gear or with the transmission tied-up to a transmission case. In response to a driver change-of-mind restart request, the transmission is downshifted, or released from the tie-up, to return driveline torque.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2011Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Felix Nedorezov, Chad Everette Griffin
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Patent number: 8574115Abstract: An electric power tool includes a cylindrical reducer case accommodating the speed reduction mechanism. The speed reduction mechanism includes a planetary gear train and a movable member which is axially slidable to be engaged with or disengaged from the planetary gear train. The electric power tool includes the reducer case including a slide hole formed through a sidewall of the reducer case and axially extended and a rotary plate which is rotatable around a periphery of the reducer case about the axis, the rotary plate including an operation slot formed axially obliquely and overlapped with the slide hole; a supporting member radially outwardly protruded from the movable member and extended through the slide hole and the operation slot; and a biasing unit for applying a pressing force to the supporting member in a moving direction of the supporting member when the rotary plate is rotated to a position.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2011Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Masatoshi Atsumi, Yutaka Yamada, Kenichiro Inagaki
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Patent number: 8562477Abstract: A differential gear is structured such that a first differential case and a second differential case overlap one another in the radial direction such that a first joining portion of the first differential case, i.e., a portion of an outward flange that is on the outer peripheral side of a through-hole, is positioned on the outer peripheral side of a second joining portion of the second differential case, i.e., a joining protrusion that is inserted in the through-hole. In addition, the ring gear is arranged facing those joining portions in the direction of the axis, and laser beam welded from the outer peripheral side at the portion where the ring gear faces both of those joining portions. Accordingly, the three members, i.e., the first differential case, the second differential case, and the ring gear, are all integrally joined together by a single welding operation, and manufacturing costs can be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2010Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Norihiro Mizoguchi
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Patent number: 8545363Abstract: A switchable planetary gearbox in a hand-held power tool includes multiple planet carriers having associated planet wheels, and is to be displaced between at least two gear ratios, such that the gear ratios are to be engaged via a displaceable switching ring gear. At least three planet carriers having associated planet wheels are provided axially behind one another, such that in a position fixed with respect to the housing, the switching ring gear is rotationally coupled to the planet wheels on the second-stage planet carrier and simultaneously to the planet wheels on the third-stage planet carrier.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2009Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Heiko Roehm, Dietmar Saur
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Patent number: 8540605Abstract: A system for controlling a transfer of torque from an engine to a manual transmission having a plurality of shiftable gears includes a selectively releasable and re-engageable clutch. The clutch is arranged inside the transmission and configured to transmit torque of the engine to the transmission when the clutch is in an engaged state. The system also includes a lever operatively connected to the transmission and movable to shift the gears. Additionally, the system includes an input device arranged on the lever and operable to selectively release and re-engage the clutch. A vehicle employing such a system is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2010Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Prabhakar R. Marur
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Patent number: 8535197Abstract: A speed changer assembly for changing the rotational speed of an engine's (or other prime mover's) output to that required by the input of a process machine. In operation, a first gear is in meshing engagement with an idler gear, which in turn, is in meshing engagement with a second gear. When operation of the speed changer assembly is halted, the idler gear is pivotable about one of the first and second gears. A center distance between the idler gear and the gear about which the idler gear is pivoted remains constant while the center distance between the idler gear and the other gear is varied. The idler gear is taken out of meshing engagement with the other gear, permitting replacement of said other gear. The idler gear is then pivoted to establish meshing engagement with the replacement gear and the speed changer is configured with a new speed ratio.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2010Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Enerflex Ltd.Inventor: Vladimir Scekic