Patents Examined by Terry Chau
  • Patent number: 8522926
    Abstract: A lubricant applicator unit for pressure relief valves for a system for applying pressure relief valves to packaging during a packaging process, including a vacuum applicator for temporarily separating layers of the valve when the lubricant is applied. A pressurized nozzle sprays or atomizes the lubricant into the valve opening. Graphite suspended in liquid silicone is used as the lubricant; it is recirculated in a reservoir to keep the graphite in suspension. Optical sensors check for valves before the entrance to, and after exit from, the vacuum applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Plitek, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Karl K. Hoffman, Steve Kaganovich, Thomas J. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8491439
    Abstract: An overrunning clutch assembly includes a first ring having pockets spaced mutually about an axis, rockers each located in a pocket, springs each urging a rocker to pivot in a respective pocket, and first notches arranged around the axis. A second ring includes second pockets spaced mutually about the axis, second rockers each located in a second pocket such that at least one second rocker is engageable with a notch, second springs each urging a second rocker toward engagement with a notch, and second notches around the axis, at least one rocker being engageable with at least one second notch. A control member moves about the axis alternately to prevent the first rockers from engaging the second notches and to permit the first rockers to engage the second notches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John W. Kimes
  • Patent number: 8479905
    Abstract: A clutch apparatus includes a first clutch pack having a plurality of first friction disks. The first clutch pack will selectively transfer torque from a torque supplying member to a first torque receiving member. The apparatus also includes a second clutch pack having a plurality of second friction disks. The second clutch pack will selectively transfer torque from a torque supplying member to a second torque receiving member. The apparatus also includes a first rotating manifold having a first cooling inlet for directing a cooling fluid to the first clutch pack. At least a portion of the first rotating manifold is coupled for rotation with at least a portion of the first friction disks. The apparatus also includes a second rotating manifold having a second cooling inlet for directing a cooling fluid to the second clutch pack. At least a portion of the second rotating manifold is coupled for rotation with at least a portion of the second friction disks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Martin E. Kummer, Graeme A. Jackson, Jeffrey P. Hawarden
  • Patent number: 8408373
    Abstract: The invention relates to a clutch unit, which has two subunits. One subunit is connected to the output shaft of an engine, and the other subunit is pre-mounted on the side of the transmission. Both subunits are coupled to one another via an axial plug-type connection, which includes meshing first profiles and second profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Philippe Mih, Bin Zhou, Matthias Zink
  • Patent number: 8403118
    Abstract: A torque converter, including: turbine and pump shells; a turbine hub; a drive hub including a first orifice; and a lock-up clutch. The clutch includes: a clutch plate directly engaged with the turbine hub, fixed with respect to rotation to the turbine hub, and sealed with respect to the turbine hub; an apply plate the rotation of which is fixed to the rotation of the pump shell; and a piston plate. The converter includes a first fluid chamber at least partially formed by the piston, clutch and apply plates; and a second fluid chamber partially formed by the clutch and apply plates and the turbine and pump shells. When the lock-up clutch is closed, the first chamber is sealed except for the first orifice and one of a second orifice through the apply plate or a first fluid flow path through the lock-up clutch to the second fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael G. Swank, Steven Olsen, Jonathan Jameson
  • Patent number: 8371426
    Abstract: A power transmission mechanism that permits power to be transmitted from an external driving source to a rotary shaft of a rotating machine includes a first rotating body, a second rotating body, an armature, and a spring clutch. The spring clutch is wound about an outer circumference of the first rotating body and an outer circumference thereof is surrounded by the extended portion of the second rotating body. The spring clutch has a first end connected to the first rotating body, and the second end is connected to the armature. Supply of current to the electromagnetic coil causes the armature to adhere to the second rotating body. When the armature rotates, the diameter of the spring clutch is increased such that the spring clutch is pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the extended portion and the first rotating body and the second rotating body are coupled to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Nobuaki Hoshino, Masaki Ota, Xiaoliang Wang
  • Patent number: 8360933
    Abstract: A method of operating a drivetrain of a motor vehicle such that the drivetrain comprises a drive aggregate (1), an accelerator pedal (5) and a brake pedal (6). According to the invention, when the accelerator pedal (5) and the brake pedal (6) are not actuated and the drivetrain is operated in a crawling mode, thereafter if actuation of the brake pedal (6) is then detected and such actuation is by less than a defined limit amount, a crawling torque supplied for crawling operation is reduced without calling for any auxiliary braking energy to assist with braking. In contrast, if during the crawling operation, the brake pedal (6) is actuated by more than the defined limit amount, a crawling torque supplied for crawling operation is reduced and auxiliary braking energy is also called for to assist with braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichschafen AG
    Inventor: Johannes Kaltenbach
  • Patent number: 8322503
    Abstract: The inventive double-clutch transmission element for a hybrid pull chain of a motor vehicle comprises a motion input shaft (37), a motion output shaft (39), an electrical machine (31) comprising a stator (61) and a rotor (63), a first clutch (33) providing a connection between the input shaft (37) and an intermediate member (73), and a second clutch (35) providing a connection between the intermediate member (73) and the output shaft (39), the intermediate member (73) being coupled in rotation to the rotor (63). A casing comprising a first half-shell (51) rotatably supporting the input shaft (37) and a second half-shell (52) rotatably supporting the output shaft (39) defines a housing in which the two clutches (33, 35) and the electrical machine (31) are mounted in a co-axial manner. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle equipped with such transmission element and to a method of mounting same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventors: Emmanuel Combes, Herve Focqueur, Johannes Heinrich, Hans Jurgen Hauck
  • Patent number: 8302755
    Abstract: A clutch hydraulic mechanism wherein the positional relationship between two cylinders is not varied, and a compact structure can be achieved. A see-saw member for transmitting motive power is provided between a second release cylinder and a first master cylinder and the first master cylinder and the second release cylinder are formed in the same cylinder block. This eliminates the need for adjusting the positions of the first master cylinder and the second release cylinder. In addition, it is possible to dispose the first master cylinder and the second release cylinder close to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koshi Hayakawa, Kanau Iwashita, Yoshihisa Ieda, Katsumi Sahoda, Akihiko Tomoda
  • Patent number: 8276730
    Abstract: A clutch of hydraulic-pressure type comprising a linearly controlled piston (300) that is movable in a channel in the clutch and that carries a pivotally mounted support leg (208) that is spring biased into axial alignment with the piston, the side of which facing away from the support leg is loaded by the hydraulic pressure. The clutch is annular and co-operates with a shaft shank (1), and the free end of the support leg rests against a support surface carried by the shaft shank (1) upon rotation between the shaft shank (1) and the clutch (4), the support leg is turned away, whereby the piston (300) is displaced and opens a valve through which the hydraulic pressure is evacuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Hudiksvalls Teknik Centrum AB
    Inventor: Curt Falk
  • Patent number: 8256598
    Abstract: A permanent magnet activated wrap spring clutch (10). A coil spring (32) surrounds an input hub (14) and an output hub (22) and is selectively engaged to wrap down upon the hubs for the transmittal of torque. In an unpowered, engaged condition of the clutch, a permanent magnet (40) attracts a control collar (38) attached to the spring into frictional engagement with a rotating input element (20). Rotation of the control collar causes the spring to wrap down from its somewhat oversized diameter at rest to grip the hubs. In a powered, disengaged condition of the clutch, an energized coil (44) causes the magnetic field of the permanent magnet to move away from the control collar, thereby removing the frictional engagement and allowing the spring to unwrap. The clutch provides torque transmittal without electrical power and ensures complete disengagement regardless of a low momentum or high drag on the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: American Precision Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian W. Buzzard
  • Patent number: 8240445
    Abstract: A multiplate clutch includes at least one driving friction plate configured to be rotated by a driving portion, at least one driven friction plate provided to face the at least one driving friction plate and configured to rotate the driven portion, a pressure applying unit configured to apply a pressing force to the at least one driving friction plate and the at least one driven friction plate to transmit the driving force from the driving portion to the driven portion via the at least one driving friction plate and the at least one driven friction plate, a first cam unit including first concave-convex cams and configured to increase the pressing force in accordance with an increase of the driving force, and a second cam unit configured to function as a back torque limiter mechanism and including second concave-convex cams which are different from the first concave-convex cams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitsugu Gokan, Yoshinobu Shiomi
  • Patent number: 8234945
    Abstract: A transmission is provided in which gear trains for multiple shift stages are provided between a countershaft and a first main shaft and second main shaft running coaxially and relatively rotatably through the first main shaft so that the gear trains can be alternatively established, wherein a plurality of odd number stage gear trains (G1, G3, G5) are provided between the second main shaft (27) and the countershaft (28) so that the first speed gear train (G1) is disposed on the opposite side to the first and second clutches (37, 38), an end part of the second main shaft (27) on the first speed gear train (G1) side is rotatably supported on an engine main body via a main shaft side ball bearing (31) having a larger diameter than an outer diameter of a first speed drive gear (89) provided integrally with the second main shaft (27), and an outer race (31a) of the main shaft side ball bearing (31) is fixed to the engine main body via a fixing plate (95) engaging with an outer peripheral part of the outer race (31
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoo Shiozaki, Yoshihisa Kanno, Yoshiaki Tsukada
  • Patent number: 8225921
    Abstract: A transmission parking lock with a ramp (10) for pressing against an actuating element. The ramp (10) defines an actuation direction (11) in which the actuating element can be moved and the ramp (10) has a ramp gradient in the actuation direction (11). The ramp gradient varies transversely with respect to the actuation direction (11) such that the load between a pawl (1) and of the actuating element can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Heinz Reichert
  • Patent number: 8210333
    Abstract: A clutch structure, constructed without a one-way clutch, remains engaged until the input side rotational speed becomes relatively low. A pressure plate presses a group of plates directly or indirectly by moving in the direction of an axis, bringing the group of plates into a press contact state. An input side press body turns around the axis with the rotation of a clutch housing, presses the pressure plate to the side of the group of plates by centrifugal force generated during the turning, and moves in a direction away from the axis. A roller retainer presses the group of plates directly or indirectly by moving in the direction of the axis, bringing the group of plates into a press contact state. An output side press body turns around the axis with the rotation of an output side clutch member, presses the roller retainer to the side of the group of plates by centrifugal force generated during the turning, and moves in a direction away from the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshinori Inomori, Yousuke Ishida
  • Patent number: 8109366
    Abstract: A lubricating structure for a static hydraulic continuously variable transmission includes a central oil path axially formed at a center of a shaft of the transmission. A circumferential oil path is arranged at an inner circumferential part of a retainer between the retainer and an outer circumferential part of the transmission shaft. A diametrical oil path is in communication with the circumferential oil path and the central oil path of the shaft of said transmission. The diametrical oil path is provided with an orifice. A lubricant oil ejection hole is arranged at the retainer to eject lubricant oil from the circumferential oil path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Yoshida, Toshimasa Mitsubori, Nobuyuki Yakigaya
  • Patent number: 8109376
    Abstract: A device for operating a shifting element of a drive mechanism, having a piston positioned in a piston space to slide between first and second end positions. The piston is operated hydraulically and depends on the hydraulic pressure in the piston space and a force of a resetting mechanism acting on the piston, which opposes the activating force that is equivalent to the hydraulic pressure in the piston space. The transmission capacity of the shifting element is reduced by a force acting on the piston in the direction of the first end position and is increased by a force acting on the piston in the direction of its second end position. The piston is held by a mechanical holder against a force acting on the piston in the direction of the first end position in at least one preset position which is different from the first end position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Manfred Bek
  • Patent number: 8091696
    Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a first race and a second race that is selectively rotatable with respect to the first race about an axis of rotation. A plurality of rockers is operatively connected to the first race and spring biased into engagement with the second race to transmit torque between the first and second races. A member is selectively translatable between first and second positions to control the ability of the rockers to transmit torque between the first and second rockers, and thereby to control the ability of the races to rotate relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott H. Wittkopp, James M. Hart, Clinton E. Carey
  • Patent number: 8062162
    Abstract: A differential gear unit for motor vehicles for the controllable distribution of the driving power comprises a housing and a differential gear (4) disposed therein, the gear having two speed-changing transmissions (5) drivingly connected to the output shafts (7, 8) and to the input member (14) of the differential gear, and two hydraulically controllable clutches (24, 25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Franz Zöhrer
  • Patent number: 8056696
    Abstract: A control element for opening and closing a drive connection between a first member and a second member includes a first ring engaged with the first member, displaceable among a disengaged position, a stroked position and an engaged position and formed with first serrations, a second ring engaged with the first member and including second serrations, a third ring engaged with the second member and including third serrations for alternately engaging with and disengaging from the first and second serrations, and a detent for resisting displacement of the first ring relative to the second ring when the first ring is in the stroked position and permitting displacement of the first ring relative to the second ring when the first ring moves from the stroked position to the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David A. Janson