Patents Examined by Timothy Hannon
  • 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: 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
  • 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: 11859557
    Abstract: A generator drive disconnect device comprising a drive transfer means (100) having a connected configuration, and a disconnected configuration. The disconnect device further comprises a disconnect mechanism, configured to move the drive transfer means from the connected configuration to the disconnected configuration, and a latch mechanism configured to the hold the drive transfer means in the disconnected configuration. The latch mechanism includes a latch member, which is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, and a biasing mechanism. The biasing mechanism is configured to generate a biasing force to bias the latch member towards the extended position and to apply a reaction force to the latch member to resist movement of the latch member towards the retracted position, the reaction force having a magnitude which increases as a function of the distance of the latch member from the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: SAFRAN ELECTRICAL & POWER
    Inventor: John Nixon
  • Patent number: 11859677
    Abstract: A cage freewheel for installation into the clamping gap of a shaft/hub connection, in particular in an e-bike drive, includes an annular cage with, following one another in the circumferential direction, bearing rollers for mounting the hub and the shaft together, and clamping bodies arranged pivotably in the cage. The clamping bodies block a relative movement between the shaft and the hub in a frictionally locking manner in one rotational direction, and allow rotation in the other rotational direction, and are spring-loaded in the coupling direction by an annular spring which extends around the row of the clamping bodies in a slot in the radially outer surface of the clamping bodies. The bearing rollers are arranged in each case in pairs in associated pockets of the cage on both sides of the annular spring. Here, the bearing rollers are received in a positively locking manner in the associated pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: RINGSPANN GmbH
    Inventor: Augustyn Brzus
  • Patent number: 11858343
    Abstract: A lubricant supported electric motor assembly includes an electric motor module, a shifting and first stage module, and a final drive module sequentially operably interconnected with one another for producing drive torque that is ultimately conducted to a wheel of a vehicle. The electric motor module includes a stator and a rotor defining an internal rotor cavity. The shifting and first stage module is disposed within the internal rotor cavity and includes a first planetary gear reducer assembly and an output gear selectively coupleable to said first planetary gear reducer assembly. The final drive module is disposed adjacent the shifting and first stage module and includes a second planetary gear reducer assembly operably coupled with the output gear. A shifting mechanism establishes selective coupling between the first planetary gear assembly and the output gear to transfer adjustable torque from the shifting and first stage module to the final drive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: ELECTRIC PROPULSION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Remboski, Mark Versteyhe, Gary Rogers, Gorazd Gotovac, Marko Podgorelec, Sebastjan Er{hacek over (c)}ulj, Bla{hacek over (z)} Grafenauer, Ga{hacek over (s)}per {hacek over (S)}u{hacek over (s)}ter{hacek over (s)}i{hacek over (c)}, Martin Strojnik
  • Patent number: 11852228
    Abstract: A differential device includes: an input member; a case member arranged coaxially with the input member; a one-way clutch arranged between the input member and the case member and transmitting torque therebetween only when the input member attempts to rotate in a normal rotation direction; a pinion gear supported by the case member to rotate about the axis perpendicular to the center axis of the case member; and a pair of side gears supported coaxially with the input member to rotate relative to the input member and the case member and meshing with the pinion gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Akihiro Yamamoto, Eiji Inoue
  • Patent number: 11846330
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for defining a clutch slipping point position (Xsp) of a clutch in a gearbox comprising an input shaft arranged to be braked by a braking means. The method includes determining if the clutch is dragging when the clutch is fully disengaged. The method includes when it is determined that the clutch is dragging, applying the braking means with a predetermined brake torque (Tb) and so that the input shaft is not rotating; and thereafter: moving the clutch from the fully disengaged position towards an engaged position; determining when the input shaft starts to rotate with a predetermined rotation value indicative of a rotational speed of the input shaft; registering a clutch position (Xb) in which the clutch is positioned when the predetermined rotation value is reached; using a clutch transfer characteristics of the clutch, Tb, and Xb to define the clutch slipping point position (Xsp).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Magnus Blanckenfiell, Fredrik Karpenman
  • Patent number: 11841056
    Abstract: A clutch control system includes a clutch, and a control unit. The control unit includes one or more processors, and one or more memories configured to store an executable instruction(s). The one or more processors are configured, in accordance with the instruction, to: acquire an engine torque; based on the engine torque, calculate a base transmission torque of the clutch; calculate a first transmission torque of the clutch by limiting, based on a first limiting condition, an amount of change of the base transmission torque; based on the first transmission torque, control the clutch; during return from a fuel cut, calculate a second transmission torque of the clutch by limiting the amount of change of the base transmission torque based on a second limiting condition that is more limiting than the first limiting condition; and, during return from the fuel cut, control the clutch based on the second transmission torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koichi Hirao
  • Patent number: 11841077
    Abstract: A motor vehicle has a control element for selecting a vehicle operating mode from a plurality of defined vehicle operating modes. Furthermore, the motor vehicle has at least one drive motor and an electronically controllable, automated transmission, which is operable in at least one automatic program and in at least one manual program. The motor vehicle also has an electric control arrangement and at least one button for triggering a changeover from an automatic program to a manual program. The electronic control arrangement is configured such that, upon activation of the button for triggering a manual program for a predefined minimum duration by the driver, an operating mode, which is not selectable via the control element based on dynamics, independent of the activation of the control element, is automatically activatable and displayable on the display instead of a selectable operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Joerg Bartels, Johannes Elflein, Stefan Erschen, Fabian Herbst, Michael Marks, Christian Molitor, Jens Adrian Roeth
  • Patent number: 11825770
    Abstract: A clutch assembly includes: a drive hub having a spline configured to couple to a gearbox; a clutch housing coupled to the drive hub and having an end face defining an opening therein; a clutch hub disposed within the clutch housing and having a portion that extends out of the opening, the clutch hub being rotatable with respect to the clutch housing during a slip condition; a primary seal disposed between the clutch housing and the clutch hub; a quantity of purging compound disposed between the clutch housing and the clutch hub; and an end washer coupled to the clutch hub and facing the end face, the end washer and the end face defining a purge gap therebetween such that rotation of the clutch hub relative to the clutch housing causes some of the purging compound to eject from the clutch housing through the purge gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: James M. Gessel, Thamilselvan Karuppannan, Dan L. Garland, Jonathan E. Ricketts, Brian P. Crow
  • Patent number: 11831221
    Abstract: A drive device includes a fluid coupling, a transmission shaft, and a rotary electrical machine. The fluid coupling includes a cover, a turbine, and an impeller. The turbine is fixed to the cover. The impeller is disposed inside an outer shell formed by the cover and the turbine. The impeller is opposed to the turbine. The transmission shaft extends to penetrate the outer shell of the fluid coupling. The transmission shaft is connected to the impeller. The rotary electrical machine includes a first stator and a rotor. The first stator is disposed in a non-rotatable manner. The rotor is attached to the outer shell of the fluid coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: EXEDY Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Kitada, Yuki Kawahara, Tomohiro Wada, Takuma Shimada, Yukiyoshi Takada
  • Patent number: 11828335
    Abstract: A driveline disconnect assembly disconnects a wheel hub from a drive shaft supported by a grounding component, such as a suspension knuckle. The driveline disconnect assembly includes a support frame that is fixedly secured to the grounding component. The support frame extends around at least a portion of the drive shaft and extends between first and second support frame sides. The support frame defines a central axis. A linear actuator is fixedly secured to the support frame and extends around at least a portion of the drive shaft. The linear actuator includes a shift sleeve moving axially relative to the support frame. The shift sleeve extends around at least a portion of the drive shaft to selectively engage and disengage the wheel hub to connect and disconnect the wheel hub from the drive shaft, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Sigma Powertrain, Inc.
    Inventors: John W Kimes, Jeffrey L Viola
  • Patent number: 11821502
    Abstract: A torque converter includes a front cover, an impeller assembly, a turbine assembly, a lock-up clutch, a backing plate, and a flow plate. The front cover is arranged to receive a torque. The lock-up clutch includes a piston and a seal plate disposed axially between the piston and a turbine shell. The backing plate is non-rotatably connected to the seal plate and is sealed to the piston. The flow plate is disposed axially between the backing plate and the front cover. The flow plate is non-rotatably connected to the backing plate and the front cover. A through-bore extends axially through the backing plate and the flow plate. A first chamber is bounded at least in part by the piston, the seal plate, and the backing plate, and a second chamber is bounded at least in part by the front cover, the piston, the backing plate, and the flow plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ricardo Humberto Garcia, Jose Manuel Alvarez
  • Patent number: 11807331
    Abstract: A human-powered vehicle control device includes an electronic controller configured to control a transmission that changes a transmission ratio of a rotational speed of a wheel of a human-powered vehicle to a rotational speed of a crank of the human-powered vehicle. The electronic controller is configured to control the transmission to change the transmission ratio in accordance with a comparison of a parameter related to at least one of a traveling environment and a traveling state of the human-powered vehicle with a predetermined determination value. The electronic controller is configured to change the predetermined determination value in accordance with a change in the parameter during a single rotation of the crank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Hayato Shimazu
  • Patent number: 11808314
    Abstract: The present document relates to a method of disengaging a clutching device. The method comprises sweeping an output torque of an electric motor drivingly connected to the clutching device such that a torque transmitted by the clutching device vanishes at least temporarily during the sweep, and disengaging the clutching device during the sweep. The present document further relates to an electric driveline for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Belgium N.V.
    Inventor: Fabrice Boon
  • Patent number: 11808325
    Abstract: A travel limiter for a rotatable steering column of a vehicle comprises: a housing; an elongate threaded member rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis within the housing; a nut member threadedly mounted on the elongate threaded member, the exterior of the nut member comprising a toothed gear; connector for connection of a rotatable steering column of a vehicle to the elongate threaded member, whereby the steering column and the threaded member are constrained to rotate together; end stops which engage with the nut member to define the maximum axial displacement of the nut member along the elongate threaded member in both directions; a drive motor having an output shaft configured to rotate an output gear member meshed with the gear on the exterior of the nut member; and a controller configured to control the operation of the drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Inventors: Mark Anthony Wilkes, Russell Wilson-Jones
  • Patent number: 11802596
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for wet clutch pressure control to reduce drag and degradation of rotary seals in a transmission. In one example, a method may include determining an upper threshold pressure based on a rotational speed of a shaft of the transmission, determining a lower threshold pressure based on the rotational speed of the shaft, and adjusting a pressure of hydraulic fluid applied to the clutch to be between the upper threshold pressure and the lower threshold pressure. In this way, the pressure of the hydraulic fluid applied to the clutch may be maintained at a level that allows full torque transfer by the wet clutch while reducing drag on the rotary seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: DANA BELGIUM N.V.
    Inventors: Kurt Cattoor, Filip D. Schacht, Joachim Van Dingenen, Tommy Van Acker
  • Patent number: 11802595
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a cam clutch that has a simple structure and is capable of preventing the occurrence of cam jamming and that can be reduced in size while realizing improved functionality. The cam clutch according to the present invention includes an operating mode switching mechanism that includes an outer ring-side cage ring provided to be capable of moving in the axial direction and configured to be capable of modifying the attitude of first cams, an inner ring-side cage ring provided to be capable of moving in the axial direction and configured to be capable of modifying the attitude of second cams having different meshing direction from the first cams, and a position regulating cage ring for regulating the freedom of movement of the outer ring-side cage ring and the inner ring-side cage ring in the circumferential direction are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventor: Sota Kusunoki
  • Patent number: 11801747
    Abstract: Provided is a powertrain of a vehicle comprising an electric motor, a final drive, a gearing system with two-degrees-of-freedom configured to transfer power from the electric motor to the final drive, the gearing system comprising a one-way mechanism, and a mechanical friction brake connected to the gearing system. The powertrain further comprises a control system. The powertrain enables power driving, coasting without motor drag and braking with regenerative braking. Further provided is a method for controlling braking mode in a vehicle that comprises such a powertrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Inventors: Alon Goldman, Michael Nenner Weil