Patents Examined by Terry Chau
  • Patent number: 9447872
    Abstract: A controller is provided with a lock-up capacity control means for controlling a lock-up capacity to a predetermined target capacity when a transition to a coast running state occurs, a timing means for measuring a time during which a slippage, which is a difference between a revolution speed (engine speed) of an input element and a revolution speed (turbine speed) of an output element, is within a predetermined range when the lock-up capacity is controlled to the predetermined target capacity, and a capacity learning means for making a learning-correction to the predetermined target capacity such that the time measured by the timing means is brought to a predetermined target time. By virtue of the learning-correction, it is possible to accurately control the lock-up capacity when the transition to the coast running state has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: JATCO LTD
    Inventor: Osamu Sato
  • Patent number: 9322441
    Abstract: A clamping element freewheel including an inner ring and an outer ring that can be rotated relative to the inner ring in at least one rotational direction. A cage for clamping elements is between the inner ring and the outer ring, with a plurality of clamping elements. The clamping elements are pivotable between a clamping position, in which they prevent relative rotation between the inner and outer rings, and a release position, in which they enable relative rotation between the inner and outer rings. A clamping element preload is provided to preload the clamping element radially inwardly and in the clamping position direction. The clamping element preloading is provided by springs that are configured separately for each clamping element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Oswald Friedmann
  • Patent number: 9297426
    Abstract: A power take-off includes an input mechanism that is disposed within an input mechanism housing and is adapted to be connected to a source of rotational energy. A clutch assembly is disposed within a driveshaft housing and is adapted to be connected to a rotatably driven accessory. A driveshaft connects the input mechanism to the clutch assembly. The driveshaft may be disposed within the driveshaft housing, which also forms a housing for the clutch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Damon B. Graves, John M. Loeffler, James E. Bohn
  • Patent number: 9285024
    Abstract: A torque transmission device comprising a torque converter disposed in a drive train of a motor vehicle, in particular a hydrodynamic torque converter or a fluid clutch, wherein the converter or the fluid clutch comprises a turbine shell and a pump shell which can be coupled through a pump clutch and at least one pump damper with a converter cover, and comprising at least one converter damper and at least one converter lock up clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Eugen Kombowski, Dominique Engelmann, Bruno Mueller, Thorsten Krause, Ralf Stopp
  • Patent number: 9273735
    Abstract: The invention relates to a clutch disk (1) having a ring-shaped base body (2) having at least one tooth (3) protruding beyond the base body (2) radially inward or radially outward, which tooth has at least one lateral face (9) formed from a lug (8) extending in axial direction and has a first surface (12) as seen in axial direction, and a second surface (13) lying opposite the latter in axial direction, characterized in that the lug (8) is embodied to protrude beyond the first as well as the second surface (9, 11) in axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Miba Frictec GmbH
    Inventors: Gerald Schachinger, Andreas Dopf
  • Patent number: 9249839
    Abstract: A shifting device of a motor vehicle transmission having a driveshaft (2) in the form of a hollow shaft with radial bores (5, 6, 7, 8). At least one drive output element (3) is arranged on the driveshaft (2), a shifting element (4) is arranged to move axially within the hollow shaft (2), and coupling elements, in the form of balls (9, 10, 11, 12), move radially within the radial bores (5, 6, 7, 8; 24). The drive output element (3) can be coupled to and decoupled from the driveshaft (2) by axial displacement of the shifting element (4) and radial displacement of the balls (9, 10, 11, 12). The shifting element is in the form of a shifting piston (4) and the hollow shaft (2) is in the form of a shifting cylinder (2aa).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Georg Ege, Rainer Novak
  • Patent number: 9249838
    Abstract: A clutch for a manual or automatic transmission according to the present invention includes an axial fan or turbine disposed on a shaft extending between the clutch and the transmission. Air is supplied to the turbine through one or more radial passageways between the clutch and transmission housings and is provided through an annular passageway around the shaft. Air from the annular passageway is then dispersed generally radially between the clutch plates or disks and other clutch components to absorb and carry away heat generated during clutch operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Greg Alan Weeter, William L. Cousins, Shachindra Dongaonkar
  • Patent number: 9228640
    Abstract: A transmission assembly comprises: a motor; a shift actuator mechanism coupled to the motor; a sun gear coupled to an output shaft of the motor; a first magnet assembly coupled to the sun gear; a ring gear assembly coupled to a shift coupler, the shift coupler being configured to engage via the shift actuator mechanism; a second magnet assembly coupled to a housing face plate, the housing face plate being coupled to an output gear box; and a planet carrier coupled to an output pinion in communication with the output gearbox. The planet carrier comprises at least one planet gear. In a first mode, the ring gear is locked to the first magnet assembly and configured to rotate with the sun gear, the ring gear being configured to prevent the rotation of the at least one planet gear about its own axis causing the planet carrier to rotate at the same speed as the sun gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy R. Ohm, Mark Robert Claffee, Martin Buehler, David Brancazio
  • Patent number: 9217498
    Abstract: A torque converter including: a sealed liquid-tight fluid-containing chamber; an impeller clutch; and at least one piston for the clutch forming a part of the chamber. A torque converter including: first and second fluid-containing chambers; a torque converter clutch; a piston plate for the clutch having a one-way opening and forming part of the first chamber. The first chamber is liquid-tight for pressure levels greater than in the second chamber. During torque converter mode, fluid flows from a torus through the second chamber and one-way opening into the first chamber. A multi-function torque converter including: an impeller clutch; at least one impeller piston plate; a plate; and a fluid-containing chamber. The chamber is at least partially formed by a combination of one or more of the impeller plates and the plate and the combination is at least indirectly connected to balance axial forces generated by pressurization of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co., KG
    Inventors: Todd Sturgin, Vural Ari
  • Patent number: 9212704
    Abstract: A clutch mechanism includes a coil of wire for producing an electromagnetic field, a locking ring secured against rotation within a case or housing, a gear engageable with the locking ring, and a lever that pivots in response to the electromagnetic field produced by energizing the coil causing the locking ring to engage the gear and hold the gear against rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Andonian, Jihong Guo, Yasser Hindi, Dennis W. Isken, II, Jacob M. Povirk
  • Patent number: 9212703
    Abstract: A clutch including a reaction plate configured to exert a compression force. The clutch further includes a friction plate having a surface opposing the reaction plate. A friction material layer has a first surface attached to the surface of the friction plate, and a second surface opposing the reaction plate. The second surface of the friction material layer has a plurality of dimples formed therein. Further, a lubrication fluid is disposed between the reaction plate and the friction material layer for transferring the compression force and providing a lubrication layer between the reaction plate and the friction plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Mordukhovich, Sergei Glavatskikh
  • Patent number: 9193255
    Abstract: A hybrid module for a drive train of a vehicle, including a first disconnect clutch (2), an electric motor (4), and a second disconnect clutch (1). The first disconnect clutch (2) is disposed in the torque flow path between a combustion engine (3) in the drive train and the electric motor (4), while the second disconnect clutch (1) is disposed in the torque flow path between the electric motor (4) and a transmission (6, 7) in the drive train. The first disconnect clutch (2) and the second disconnect clutch (1) are disposed in a joint wet chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Johannes Arnold, Ivo Agner
  • Patent number: 9194486
    Abstract: A method for actuating a shift element of an automatic transmission having a start-stop function and a pressure medium pump driven by an internal combustion engine. The shifting elements are clutches or brakes that can be actuated by a piston which is actuated for engagement via pressure supplied to a pressure space. The pressure space is depressurized when the engine stops. To enhance start-stop operation, the shifting elements comprise an additional pressure space that acts, in opposition to the pressure space acting in the engaging direction, as a controllable restoring mechanism which can be rendered inactive, if desired. If the engine stops and the automatic start-stop function is activated, the additional pressure spaces, acting in the restoring direction, are depressurized before the pressure drop in the pressure spaces, acting in the engaging direction, of the pistons, but are otherwise permanently pressurized during driving operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Horst Rogner, Josef Haupt
  • Patent number: 9188167
    Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a spring-retaining clutch housing including a housing wall and at least one opening in the wall. The opening is arranged to accept at least a portion of a lever spring for a clutch assembly. The lever spring includes at least one protrusion, extending from an outer circumference of the spring, with top and bottom sides. The opening defines edges in the housing wall axially displaced one to the other. The edges are arranged to be contacted by the top and bottom sides, respectively. In some aspects, contact with edges is arranged to provide forces in two, opposite axial directions. In some aspects, the housing is arranged for installation in a clutch assembly with a bearing and a clutch and the forces are for a pre-load force for the assembly bearing or with respect to an axial force generated during operation of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Todd Sturgin, Adam Uhler
  • Patent number: 9188212
    Abstract: A flow separation hub including a first hub component, a second hub component affixed to the first hub component, a first passage arranged through the first and second hub components for enabling a first fluid to flow through the flow separation hub, a second passage arranged through the first and second hub components for enabling a second fluid to flow through the hub, wherein the hub prohibits fluid communication between the first and second fluids when the first and second fluids flow through the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jeremy Vanni, Steven Olsen
  • Patent number: 9182036
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a transmission having a friction clutch and a binary clutch assembly, and a controller. The controller executes a method to detect the requested shift of the transmission to neutral, and when a set of conditions are satisfied during the requested shift, to automatically decrease a pressure command to the friction clutch such that torque capacity of the friction clutch decreases from a full torque capacity and begins to slip. The controller holds the binary clutch assembly at a calibrated pressure while the friction clutch slips, disengages the binary clutch assembly only when the binary clutch assembly is released and not loaded, and increases the pressure command to the friction clutch to restore full torque capacity to the friction clutch and complete the requested shift to neutral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Nathaniel E. Wilke
  • Patent number: 9175732
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to clutch arm and release devices and methods such as for a variable speed transmission. A clutch linkage can include a control shaft pivotable about an axis, a substantially U-shaped arm connected at two points to the shaft, and a plurality of projections positioned on the arm. The arm can be moved between positions in response to rotational movement of the control shaft, and the projections can thereby engage and exert a force on a movable sleeve to move the sleeve, such as for causing a clutch bearing to move between an engaged and a disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Kurt Zingelmann, Christopher Todd Walker, Tsuyoshi Yoshigasaki, Brian Bender, Yasumi Fukuzumi
  • Patent number: 9175734
    Abstract: A dual clutch which is particularly used in trucks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Christophe Acker
  • Patent number: 9156344
    Abstract: A powertrain has an engine with a crankshaft. The powertrain includes a planetary gear set having a first, a second, and a third member. The first member is connected for common rotation with an input member. A first clutch is selectively engageable to operatively connect the crankshaft with the input member. A second clutch is selectively engageable to ground the input member with a stationary member. An electric motor/generator has a rotor operatively connected for common rotation with the second member. An output member is provided, with a set of intermeshing gears configured to transfer torque from the third member to the output member. A first gear pair and a second gear pair are operable by engagement of a first synchronizer and a second synchronizer, respectively, to provide two different fixed ratios between the input member and the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Awadesh Tiwari, Ravikanth G V, Atul Kumar Agrawal, Madhukar Kumar, Vikas Bhu Sharma
  • Patent number: 9145929
    Abstract: A piston subassembly for operating a clutch of a transmission including a piston, a compensation dam, wherein the piston is axially moveable with respect to the compensation dam, and a clip operatively affixed to the piston, the clip operatively arranged between the piston and the compensation dam, the clip including at least one spring element for exerting a force between the dam and the piston to pull the piston axially away from the compensation dam, wherein the compensation dam is included on a transmission shaft, the compensation dam including a radially inner flange having a slot, wherein the slot is operatively arranged to engage with a radial protrusion on the transmission shaft for forming a twist-lock between the compensation dam and the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Philip George