Patents Examined by Timothy Hannon
  • Patent number: 11940023
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a driveline disconnect clutch of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a driveline disconnect clutch is de-stroked in a particular way so that the driveline disconnect clutch may be de-stroked more consistently. The de-stroking process may be followed by boosting and stroking the driveline disconnect clutch so as to preposition the driveline disconnect clutch or holding the clutch at an offset below stroke pressure to minimize drag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Akshay Bichkar, Corey James Blue, Jason Meyer, Maruthi Ravichandran, Bradley Dean Riedle
  • Patent number: 11940014
    Abstract: A vehicle driveline component with a ball-ramp mechanism that includes a first ball-ramp ring, a second ball-ramp ring and a plurality of balls. Each of the first and second ball-ramp rings have a plurality of ball supports that define ball tracks that receive the balls. Each of the ball supports has a first radial width at a first location and a second radial width at a second location. The first and second widths are different to minimize the amount of material that forms the first and second ball-ramp rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick E. Zink, Robert S. Kleinhardt
  • Patent number: 11927252
    Abstract: A transmission for a vehicle includes an input shaft, a planetary gearset comprising a sun gearwheel, one or more planet gearwheels, a planet gearwheel holder and a planet ring gearwheel, a first gearwheel, a second gearwheel, a third gearwheel, a fourth gearwheel and a fifth gearwheel, an output shaft, and at least two gear engaging devices which are configured to provide at least four selectable gear connections. The planet ring gearwheel is rotatably connected or connectable to the first gearwheel. A first gear engaging device is configured to be provided in a first state where it rotationally connects the second gearwheel to the fourth gearwheel and in a second state where it rotationally disconnects the second gearwheel from the fourth gearwheel. The third selectable gear connection is provided by at least setting the first gear engaging device in the first gear engaging device first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Johan Folkesson
  • Patent number: 11919412
    Abstract: This application is directed to a bearing support. The bearing support comprises an enclosure, a rotating shaft, first and second bearings installed on the shaft, and a bearing spacer separating the first and second bearings. The first and second bearings comprise an inner ring configured to rotate with the shaft, an outer ring configured to rotate with the enclosure, and a rolling cage configured to enable the inner ring to rotate relative to the outer ring. The bearing spacer comprises lips that create gaps between the bearing spacer and the first and second bearings. Keys can lock the inner rings of the first and second bearings to the shaft and causes the inner rings to rotate with the shaft. The gaps cool the first and second bearings as the shaft rotates. The enclosure houses the first and second bearings, the bearing spacer, and at least a portion of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Inventor: Anthony Macaluso
  • Patent number: 11920639
    Abstract: A vehicle clutch, comprising a primary clutch (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: TAIAN SHENGTAI AUTO PARTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiaoqin Wu, Chuanchang Zhao, Hsingchang Kuo, Defu Xue
  • Patent number: 11913503
    Abstract: To provide a simple-structured cam clutch that does not require precise control and is operable with a smaller drive force and less prone to damage on cam surfaces or inner and outer raceways. The cam clutch includes a plurality of cams circumferentially arranged between an inner race and an outer race and supported by a cage member, and a selector capable of changing an orientation of the cams. The selector includes a driven part allowing a rotation angle thereof to be controlled relative to the inner race or outer race to which the cage member is fixedly attached, and a selector body circumferentially displaceable relative to the driven part in a resilient manner by a spring-loaded mechanism. The selector body includes a cam orientation control protrusion capable of changing the orientation of the cams by making contact with the cams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventors: Eiichi Nakagawa, Tsubasa Sugiya, Yuji Kurematsu
  • Patent number: 11913502
    Abstract: A torque limiter device includes an input shaft having a first contact surface and an output shaft having a second contact surface. The input and output shafts are operable in an engaged position and a disengaged position A biasing mechanism provides a bias force that mechanically biases the input and output shafts in one of the positions and sets a threshold torque. An electromagnet is arranged to selectively provide an electromagnetic force that opposes the bias force when an activation current is supplied. A controller determines a difference in rotations of the shafts and selectively supply the activation current to the electromagnet so as to disengage the input and output shafts when the rotation difference exceeds a threshold. Each of the contact surfaces comprises one or more grooves, wherein at least one rotatable member is disposed in at least one of said grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: RATIER-FIGEAC SAS
    Inventor: Bruno Seminel
  • Patent number: 11904836
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an eco-friendly vehicle in which powertrain noise may be controlled such that voice command recognition of the vehicle control system may be improved and also audio guidance therefrom may be better recognized by a driver, and a method for supporting audio input/output for the same. A method of supporting audio input/output for an eco-friendly vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes determining whether a first condition for audio input/output function and a second condition for inside noise level are satisfied; and performing a noise reduction control by changing an operating point of a driving power source based on a current drive mode, in case where the first and the second conditions are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Jin Kyeom Cho
  • Patent number: 11898633
    Abstract: Methods and systems for generating control instructions for a plurality of transmissions having dissimilar gear configurations via a common software framework are described. In one example, the common software framework provides a graphic interface whereby a user/implementer describes configurations of different transmissions. The software framework generates instructions for different transmission controllers that shift the transmissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: VOCIS LIMITED
    Inventor: Kevin Fan
  • Patent number: 11891042
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a clutch of an axle are provided. In one example, the clutch may be characterized in static or dynamic conditions. The clutch characterization may be a basis for subsequently operating the clutch during gearbox shifting. In particular, an amount of torque that is transferred via the clutch may be controlled or adjusted according to the clutch characterization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: DANA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Wesolowski, Amar Nivarthi
  • Patent number: 11879537
    Abstract: A transmission gear assembly including a housing with an axial center line, having a front wall and a circumferential wall with a breather opening. The front wall includes an annular groove in fluid communication with the breather opening and covered by a substantially circular plate having a perimeter at a first distance (r) from the axial center line and with a predetermined length (L). On each transverse side in at least the lower part, an air/oil inlet and outlet is defined by a recess of the perimeter at a distance (r3,r4) from the axial center line smaller than the first distance (r), each recess being in fluid communication with the annular groove. On each transverse side in the upper part, an air/oil inlet is formed by a recess of the perimeter at a distance (r1,r2) from the axial center line smaller than the first distance (r) and having a circumferential length (l1,l2) shorter than a circumferential length (l3,l4) of the inlet/outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Denise Tell, Emil â„«berg
  • Patent number: 11878577
    Abstract: An electric drive axle including a first shaft in driving engagement with an electric motor. A first gear and a second gear are coupled with the first shaft. A second shaft is disposed offset from the first shaft. A third gear is selectively coupled with the second shaft, and the third gear is meshed with the first gear. A fourth gear is selectively coupled with the second shaft, and the fourth gear is meshed with the second gear. A fifth gear is coupled with the second shaft and meshed with a sixth gear coupled with a differential case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: DANA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
    Inventor: Eric M. Engerman
  • Patent number: 11879509
    Abstract: Proposed is a system for operating and lubricating a clutch of a work vehicle. The system includes a forward-backward switching clutch portion connected to a first transmission hydraulic line, a main transmission clutch portion connected to the first transmission hydraulic line so as to be disposed in parallel with the forward-backward switching clutch portion, an auxiliary transmission clutch portion connected to a second transmission hydraulic line disposed in parallel with the first transmission hydraulic line, and a lubricating oil supply portion configured to supply oil as a lubricant to each clutch friction element. The lubricating oil supply portion includes a clutch lubrication valve unit, and is configured to always allow oil supply to the clutch friction elements of each of the main transmission clutch portion and the auxiliary transmission clutch portion, and is configured to intermittently allow oil supply to the clutch friction element of the forward-backward switching clutch portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Daedong Corporation
    Inventors: Bong Jae Kim, Gi Sun Shim
  • Patent number: 11879544
    Abstract: A transmission system avoids activation of a sailing functionality in a vehicle. The transmission system is configured for automatic gear-shifting in an automatic mode and manual gear-shifting by a user in a manual mode. The transmission system includes a user input device configured for manually changing the operational mode between the automatic and manual modes. The transmission system includes a transmission control unit for determining a recommended gear in the automatic and manual modes. In the manual mode, an operating gear of the transmission system is detected by the transmission control unit. A change of the operational mode from manual to automatic by means of the user input device is detected, and if the detected operating gear in the manual mode when changing to automatic mode is lower than the recommended gear, the sailing functionality in the automatic mode is deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignees: NINGBO GEELY AUTOMOBILE RESEARCH & DEV. CO., LTD., ZHEJIANG GEELY HOLDING GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Johan Ekelund, Farshid Shafiabady
  • Patent number: 11878677
    Abstract: A method includes estimating a first pressure at a first location of a clutch based on a flow rate of a fluid in the clutch, computing a first torque lead value based on the first pressure, computing a second torque lead value based on a second pressure, computing a third torque lead value by combining the first torque lead value and the second torque lead value, and applying torque from a motor of the vehicle based on the third torque lead value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yang Xu, Akshay Bichkar, Zhengyu Dai, Hiral Jayantilal Haria, Hong Jiang, Jason Meyer
  • Patent number: 11873870
    Abstract: A method for controlling a friction clutch actuated by an actuation system using an actuation pressure ambiguously applied along an actuation path includes providing the friction clutch and the actuation system, detecting a time curve of an actuation processes of the friction clutch, and comparing the time curve with the actuation pressure to ascertain an unambiguous friction clutch actuation path. The method may also include using the time curve to determine whether the friction clutch is in an opening state or a closing state and whether the actuation pressure is applied to an opened friction clutch actuation path or a closed friction clutch actuation path, and starting from a set actuation pressure, carrying out a directional control of the friction clutch by specifying the actuation pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Carsten Mayer, Marco Grethei, Yunfan Wei
  • Patent number: 11873895
    Abstract: A method for controlling a powertrain of a vehicle having a dual-clutch transmission (DCT) includes: operating the DCT while the vehicle is in motion with a high or low transmission gear drivingly engaged; receiving a shift request to engage an other one of the high and low transmission gears; reducing an engine torque output and first and second clutch torques; shifting a subtransmission to a neutral gear setting; selecting a first gear or a second gear to drive the subtransmission; shifting the main transmission to engage the selected first or second gear; after shifting the main transmission, shifting the subtransmission to the other one of the high and low transmission gears; and after shifting the subtransmission, controlling the engine torque output and the first and second clutch torques according to a driver request at an accelerator of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: BRP-ROTAX GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Robert Ebner, Verena Wolfsegger, Petra Wiesinger, Roman Schmied, Alexander Tausch
  • Patent number: 11859679
    Abstract: A control device controls a torque transmission device. The torque transmission device includes an actuator that operates by being energized and a torque transmission portion that is switched to a transmission state or a non-transmission state by the actuator operating, and transmits a torque between a first transmission portion and a second transmission portion when the torque transmission portion is in the transmission state. The control device includes a target calculation unit, a mode determination unit, and a control unit. The target calculation unit calculates a target transmission torque that is a torque to be transmitted between the first transmission portion and the second transmission portion. The mode determination unit determines an operating mode among an engagement mode, a release mode, and a steady mode. The control unit controls the actuator based on the operating mode determined by the mode determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masashi Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 11859699
    Abstract: A system for stopping rotation of a first gear and a second gear on a shaft, The first gear and second gear are concentric and rotatable about said shaft. The first gear and the second gear are driven by the same input system and the first gear and the second gear are configured to rotate at differential speeds and independently to each other. The first gear comprises a first end stop and the second gear comprises a second end stop and the first end stop and the second end stop are configured to engage each other when the first gear and the second gear have each rotated a predetermined number of turns. Engagement of the first end stop with the second end stop is configured to prevent rotation of the first gear and the second gear and cause a stall in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventors: Jack Timms, Lee Slater
  • Patent number: 11858481
    Abstract: A lock module assembly controls hill hold, park, and neutral states of a vehicle. The lock module assembly does all of this by controlling rotation of a wheel hub (or a shaft that rotates the wheel hub) of the vehicle. The lock module assembly includes a pocket plate fixedly secured to a rotating shaft. The pocket plate includes a locking element housed therein. A notch plate has first and second sets of notches with the first set complementing the pocket plate secured to the rotating shaft. A second set of notches complements a static pocket plate that houses at least clockwise actuator and at least one counterclockwise actuator. The actuators are used to control hill holds and park, whereas the locking element of the pocket plate disengages the wheel hub from the rotating shaft (neutral).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Sigma Powertrain, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Kimes