Patents Examined by Timothy Hannon
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Patent number: 12253165Abstract: A method for controlling a powertrain of a vehicle, the powertrain a dual-clutch transmission including a first clutch and a second clutch selectively actuated to transmit motion from the engine to a first shaft and a second shaft respectively. The method includes producing a first shift request for shifting from an initial gear to a different gear; in response to the first shift request, executing a first shift sequence to shift from the initial gear to the different gear; during execution of the first shift sequence, producing a second shift request for shifting from the different gear to the initial gear; in response to the second shift request: interrupting the first shift sequence prior to the first shift sequence having finished; and executing a second shift sequence to reverse the first shift sequence such that the transmission engages the initial gear for driving on the first shaft.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2023Date of Patent: March 18, 2025Assignee: BRP-ROTAX GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Roman Schmied, Robert Ebner, Verena Wolfsegger, Petra Wiesinger
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Patent number: 12253123Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a cam clutch that biases cams with a stable force and enables improvement in durability and operational stability. The biasing means for biasing the cams to contact the inner race and outer race is formed by a ribbon spring, with a base part shaped into a ring and having cam-receiving portions and cam-biasing portions. The ribbon spring has an end structure configured to allow both ends of the base part to push each other in a circumferential direction. The end structure is configured to include a contact portion that extends in a radial direction and makes surface-contact with any of the inner race, the outer race, and the cage ring that holds the cams.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2024Date of Patent: March 18, 2025Assignee: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.Inventors: Yuto Hanawa, Masahiro Kobayashi
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Patent number: 12233987Abstract: A human-powered vehicle control system includes a transmission device and a transmission operation device configured to operate the transmission device. The transmission operation device includes transmission operation controller circuitry configured to transmit a first command to an assist operation device of a human-powered vehicle through wireless communication. The transmission device includes first communicator circuitry, an actuator, and transmission controller circuitry. The first communicator circuitry is configured to receive a first shift command transmitted from the assist operation device in a case where the assist operation device receives the first command. The actuator is configured to perform a shifting action. The transmission controller circuitry is configured to control the actuator so that the actuator performs the shifting action in response to the first shift command.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2024Date of Patent: February 25, 2025Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Akihiro Nozaki, Hiroko Matsubayashi
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Patent number: 12234869Abstract: A clutch control system for a vehicle includes: a reset module configured to selectively start a reset operation of a clutch actuator of a clutch that engages and disengages an electric propulsion motor to and from a gearset; a target position module configured to perform the reset operation by setting a target position of the clutch actuator to follow a predetermined position profile for the reset operation, the reset operation including (a) opening an orifice between a hydraulic fluid reservoir and an pressure chamber of the clutch actuator (b) closing the orifice after the opening; and a clutch control module configured to actuate the clutch actuator based on the target position thereby performing the reset operation.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2024Date of Patent: February 25, 2025Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Dongxu Li, Edward W. Mellet, Matthew Pruski, John Jancowski-Walsh
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Patent number: 12234868Abstract: A ratchet type one-way clutch apparatus in which all pawl members are engageable with tooth portions stably, is provided. The one-way clutch 1 comprises an outer race 2, an inner race 3 and a first to nth pawl members 4a to 4c. A plurality of tooth portions 5 are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the inner race 3, and engageable with the first to nth pawl members 4a to 4c. A first to nth pawl member holding portions 12a to 12c are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the outer race 2 for holding the first to nth pawl members 4a to 4c. Biasing members 15a to 15c are held in the first to nth pawl member holding portions 12a to 12c for urging the first to nth pawl members 4a to 4c.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2024Date of Patent: February 25, 2025Assignee: NSK-WARNER K.K.Inventor: Shoma Ishigami
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Patent number: 12228206Abstract: Vehicles, transmissions, and methods of dampening oscillations at an output shaft of a transmission are disclosed. A vehicle includes a chassis, a plurality of wheels coupled to the chassis, and a powertrain mounted to the chassis that includes a transmission. The transmission includes an input shaft to receive torque from a drive unit, an output shaft to transmit torque to a load, at least one torque-transmitting mechanism coupled between the input shaft and the output shaft, and a control system having an output speed sensor to provide an input signal indicative of a rotational speed of the output shaft and a controller communicatively coupled to the output speed sensor.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2024Date of Patent: February 18, 2025Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.Inventors: Jeff Runde, Doug Hansel, Tyler Swedes
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Patent number: 12228178Abstract: A vehicle includes a drive source, driving wheels driven by a driving force output from the drive source, and a clutch disposed between the drive source and the driving wheels. The clutch is switchable to an arbitrary fastening position between a connection state enabling transmission of the driving force between the drive source and the driving wheels, and a disconnection state disconnecting the transmission. A clutch actuator applies a fastening load to the clutch and provides a torque transmission capacity corresponding to the fastening load to the clutch. A controller controls operation of the drive source and operation of the clutch actuator. The controller includes a clutch temperature estimation circuit estimating the temperature of the clutch, and a driving force adjustment circuit performing driving force adjustment control to adjust the driving force transmitted to the downstream side of the clutch based on the estimated temperature of the clutch.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2022Date of Patent: February 18, 2025Assignee: KAWASAKI MOTORS, LTD.Inventors: Katsuya Takagi, Shohei Mizuishi
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Patent number: 12220943Abstract: A driving mechanism of a bicycle free-coaster hub includes a driving assembly, a clutch assembly, an epicyclic gear assembly, a resisting member, and forward drag and reverse drag members. The clutch assembly includes an output clutch unit disposed inner the hub and an input clutch unit disposed with the driving assembly to form a clutching or engaging state with the output clutch unit. The epicyclic gear assembly includes a sun gear coupled with the input clutch unit, a ring gear mounted on the hub, a planet gear carrier having a plurality of planet gears engaged with the ring gear and the gear portion of the sun gear. The resisting member is disposed between the sun gear and the hub axle. The forward drag member is disposed between the ring gear and the sun gear. The reverse drag member is disposed between the planet gear carrier and the hub axel.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2022Date of Patent: February 11, 2025Assignees: TEDDY FORMOSA CO., LTD., BEAR CORPORATIONInventor: George French
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Patent number: 12222009Abstract: In some implementations, the device may include stationary and rotatable members. A locking element supported on the stationary member moves between an engaged, torque hold or transfer position where the locking element holds or transfers torque between the stationary member and the rotatable member and a disengaged, torque-free position where the locking element holds or transfers no torque between the stationary member and the rotatable member. The device may include a threaded shaft, with the locking element threadably received on the threaded shaft.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2022Date of Patent: February 11, 2025Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.Inventors: Todd M Andrzejewski, Joshua D Hand
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Patent number: 12221088Abstract: A method for controlling propulsion of a heavy-duty vehicle includes. configuring a nominal shaft slip of the drive shaft in dependence of a desired longitudinal wheel force to be generated by the driven axle, wherein a shaft slip is indicative of a difference between a current vehicle velocity and a vehicle velocity corresponding to the rotation speed of the drive shaft, obtaining a rotation speed of the left wheel and a rotation speed of the right wheel, as function of a current shaft slip of the driven axle, estimating a peak shaft slip value associated with an open differential peak longitudinal force of the driven axle, based on the current shaft slip and on the corresponding obtained speeds of the left and right wheels, and controlling propulsion of the heavy-duty vehicle unit by setting the current shaft slip of the drive shaft based on the configured nominal shaft slip adjusted in dependence of the estimated peak shaft slip value.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2022Date of Patent: February 11, 2025Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventors: Leon Henderson, Ramadan Salif
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Patent number: 12215746Abstract: A ratchet type one-way clutch apparatus in which all pawl members are engageable with tooth portions stably, is provided. The one-way clutch 1 comprises an outer race 2, an inner race 3 and a first to nth pawl members 4a to 4c. A plurality of tooth portions 5 are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the inner race 3, and engageable with the first to nth pawl members 4a to 4c. A first to nth pawl member holding portions 12a to 12c are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the outer race 2 for holding the first to nth pawl members 4a to 4c. Biassing members 15a to 15c are held in the first to nth pawl member holding portions 12a to 12c for urging the first to nth pawl members 4a to 4c.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2024Date of Patent: February 4, 2025Assignee: NSK-WARNER K.K.Inventor: Shoma Ishigami
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Patent number: 12209623Abstract: A method for power transmission method includes providing first and second shafts, first and second gear assemblies between the first and second shafts, and first and second coupling assemblies. The first coupling assembly coupling the first shaft to the first gear assembly, and the second coupling assembly coupling the first shaft to the second gear assembly. The speed of the first shaft varies, wherein the deployment of a locking element of the second coupling assembly is based on the speed of the first shaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2024Date of Patent: January 28, 2025Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.Inventors: Dustin Finn, John Jennings
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Patent number: 12208799Abstract: A method for controlling propulsion of a heavy-duty vehicle, where the heavy-duty vehicle comprises a differential drive arrangement arranged in connection to a drive axle with a left wheel and a right wheel is provided. The method includes determining a nominal shaft slip corresponding to a desired wheel force to be generated by the drive axle wheels, wherein the nominal shaft slip is indicative of a difference between a current vehicle velocity and a vehicle velocity corresponding to the shaft speed, determining a difference between a speed of the left wheel and a speed of the right wheel, adjusting the nominal shaft slip in dependence of a magnitude of the wheel speed difference to a target shaft slip, and controlling the shaft speed based on the target shaft slip.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2021Date of Patent: January 28, 2025Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventors: Ramadan Salif, Viktor Lägnert, Teodoro Bora
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Patent number: 12203513Abstract: Systems and methods which provide motive forces with respect to various apparatuses using self-engaging/disengaging transmission configurations are described. An autonomous-state transmission may comprise a transmission unit configured to autonomously engage and disengage transmission of power from a driving input member to a driven output member without utilization of external gearing or additional mechanical feedback. Embodiments of an autonomous-state transmission may utilize various roller-ramp clutch configurations in communication with override control for disengaging the roller-ramp clutch. The override control may implement various configurations of a skidding mechanism for facilitating engaging and/or disengaging the roller-ramp clutch. According to some examples, motion of the driving input member and/or driven output member is utilized for override force detection and providing override control with respect to the autonomous-state transmission.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2021Date of Patent: January 21, 2025Assignee: TECHTRONIC CORDLESS GPInventor: Xiaodi Lan
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Patent number: 12194984Abstract: A drive control apparatus for an electric vehicle includes a controller that controls an engine, a traveling motor, a transmission, and an output clutch. The controller estimates the rotation angle of the motor by a first estimation method and controls the motor on the basis of the estimated angle. The estimation method is executable when the rotation speed of the motor is a threshold or higher. When a rotation angle sensor for the motor is in an abnormal state and a specific driving state is present, the controller controls one or more of the engine, the transmission, and the output clutch differently from when the sensor is in a normal state, and thereby maintains the rotation speed at the threshold or higher. The specific driving state is a state in which the rotation speed is lower than the threshold under the control when the sensor is in the normal state.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2021Date of Patent: January 14, 2025Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventors: Naoto Chiba, Atsushi Doki, Keigo Yamada, Yuichiro Higashiji, Takuya Yano
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Patent number: 12196271Abstract: A method of preventing damage to a clutch housing includes removing material such that the castellations that are adjacent to each other are separated by second distances that are greater than first distances therebetween before removing the material, where the first distances are sufficient for positioning splines of a clutch plate therein. The method further includes positioning wear inserts where the material was removed from the castellations. The wear inserts positioned with castellations that are adjacent to each other are separated by third distances that are less than the second distances between the castellations that are adjacent to each other. The third widths are sufficient for positioning the splines of the clutch plate therein. The wear inserts prevent the splines of the clutch plate from damaging the clutch housing in use.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2024Date of Patent: January 14, 2025Assignee: Sonnax Transmission CompanyInventors: Nathan Bierman, Gregg Nader
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Patent number: 12188554Abstract: Provided is a control apparatus for vehicle that enables a driver to activate and deactivate a freewheeling mode at his/her discretion. A control apparatus 1 for vehicle switches the vehicle to a freewheeling mode in which power generated by an engine 2 of the vehicle is not transmitted to drive shafts 7 of the vehicle. The control apparatus 1 for vehicle includes: a decelerator having a plurality of deceleration gear stages for changing deceleration of the vehicle; and a manipulator 10 provided on steering 11 of the vehicle and configured to allow selection of the freewheeling mode in accordance with an operation performed by a driver. The vehicle transitions to the freewheeling mode upon the freewheeling mode being selected through an operation of the manipulator 10.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2024Date of Patent: January 7, 2025Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Masaki Morikawa, Kazuya Sakurai, Noriaki Suzuki, Natsuki Ito
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Patent number: 12188530Abstract: A hydraulic piston position determination system for a vehicle includes a hydraulic piston actuator configured to move a piston member in response to a hydraulic fluid pressure to engage/disengage a friction member, a hydraulic solenoid valve configured to control the hydraulic fluid pressure at the hydraulic piston actuator by regulating a flow of hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic fluid supply system, and a controller configured to control the hydraulic piston actuator by controlling the hydraulic solenoid valve according to an actual duty cycle based on a flow demand change associated with the hydraulic piston actuator, and determine a position of the hydraulic piston actuator based on (i) a magnetic reluctance change and (ii) a difference between the actual duty cycle and a steady-state duty cycle for the hydraulic solenoid valve.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2023Date of Patent: January 7, 2025Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: William R Mayhew, Steven B Christ, Niranjan Das
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Patent number: 12181043Abstract: Methods and systems for a hydromechanical transmission are provided. In one example, the method includes responsive to rotation of a portion of a mechanical assembly induced by cranking of an engine, blocking an output shaft of the hydromechanical transmission via joint engagement of a forward drive clutch and a reverse drive clutch. The method further includes pressurizing a hydrostatic assembly while the forward drive clutch and the reverse drive clutch remain jointly engaged, where the mechanical assembly is coupled in parallel with the hydrostatic assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2023Date of Patent: December 31, 2024Assignee: DANA ITALIA S.R.L.Inventors: Giacomo Faggiani, Mario Gelmini
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Patent number: 12172629Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, a disconnect clutch, a starter motor, and a controller. The engine and electric machine are each configured to generate power to propel the vehicle. The disconnect clutch is disposed between the engine and the electric machine. The controller is programmed to, in response to a command to start the engine, operate either the disconnect clutch or the starter motor to start the engine based on a level of adaptive learning of previous disconnect clutch engagements.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2023Date of Patent: December 24, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Marin Assaliyski, Corey James Blue, Samuel Melville Glauber, Bradley D Riedle, Timothy Baxendale