Patents Examined by Timothy Hannon
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Patent number: 11940014Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 1, 2022Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Frederick E. Zink, Robert S. Kleinhardt
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Patent number: 11940023Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 31, 2022Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Akshay Bichkar, Corey James Blue, Jason Meyer, Maruthi Ravichandran, Bradley Dean Riedle
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Patent number: 11927252Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 20, 2022Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventor: Johan Folkesson
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Patent number: 11919412Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 29, 2020Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Inventor: Anthony Macaluso
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Patent number: 11920639Abstract: A vehicle clutch, comprising a primary clutch (1).Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: TAIAN SHENGTAI AUTO PARTS CO., LTD.Inventors: Xiaoqin Wu, Chuanchang Zhao, Hsingchang Kuo, Defu Xue
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Patent number: 11913503Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 18, 2023Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.Inventors: Eiichi Nakagawa, Tsubasa Sugiya, Yuji Kurematsu
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Patent number: 11913502Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 22, 2023Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: RATIER-FIGEAC SASInventor: Bruno Seminel
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Patent number: 11904836Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 11, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia CorporationInventor: Jin Kyeom Cho
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Patent number: 11898633Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 25, 2020Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: VOCIS LIMITEDInventor: Kevin Fan
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Patent number: 11891042Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 19, 2020Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: DANA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLCInventors: Steven J. Wesolowski, Amar Nivarthi
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Patent number: 11878677Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 30, 2023Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Yang Xu, Akshay Bichkar, Zhengyu Dai, Hiral Jayantilal Haria, Hong Jiang, Jason Meyer
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Patent number: 11879509Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 19, 2023Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Daedong CorporationInventors: Bong Jae Kim, Gi Sun Shim
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Patent number: 11879544Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 29, 2023Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignees: NINGBO GEELY AUTOMOBILE RESEARCH & DEV. CO., LTD., ZHEJIANG GEELY HOLDING GROUP CO., LTD.Inventors: Johan Ekelund, Farshid Shafiabady
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Patent number: 11878577Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 19, 2021Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: DANA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLCInventor: Eric M. Engerman
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Patent number: 11879537Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 18, 2022Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Volvo Car CorporationInventors: Denise Tell, Emil â„«berg
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Patent number: 11873870Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 26, 2020Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Carsten Mayer, Marco Grethei, Yunfan Wei
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Patent number: 11873895Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 31, 2023Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: BRP-ROTAX GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Robert Ebner, Verena Wolfsegger, Petra Wiesinger, Roman Schmied, Alexander Tausch
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Patent number: 11858343Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 24, 2023Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: ELECTRIC PROPULSION TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: 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
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Patent number: 11859677Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 17, 2023Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: RINGSPANN GmbHInventor: Augustyn Brzus
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Patent number: 11858481Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 15, 2021Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Sigma Powertrain, Inc.Inventor: John W. Kimes