Patents Examined by Timothy Hannon
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Patent number: 11543027Abstract: A line pressure control method for a double clutch transmission (DCT) includes estimating a line pressure, which decreases with stoppage of an electric oil pump, based on a linear regression model using state variables of the DCT that are related to a line pressure change, and driving the electric oil pump when the line pressure estimated based on the linear regression model reaches a predetermined lower limit.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2022Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia CorporationInventors: Ki Hyung Joo, Young Ho Ko
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Patent number: 11536327Abstract: The present disclosure describes a hydraulic control system comprising a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber, each pressure chamber configured to receive a hydraulic fluid, a first movable member configured to assume a position depending on a hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the first pressure chamber and a second movable member configured to assume a position depending on a hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the second pressure chamber, a hydraulic command circuit configured to provide the hydraulic fluid and to control the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the first pressure chamber and/or the second pressure chamber, having a switchable valve in fluid communication with the first pressure chamber, wherein the switchable valve is configured to be pilotable depending on the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the second pressure chamber.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2021Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: Dana Motion Systems Italia S.R.LInventors: Stefano Fasano, Daniele Dodi
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Patent number: 11536324Abstract: A lubricated rotational connection system provided with a free-wheel having a driving part and a driven part as well as at least one rotational link member arranged in a linking space, the linking space being located radially between a driving linking section and a driven linking section. A lubrication device comprises a fluid circulation device constrained to rotate with a driven pumping section of the driven part. The fluid circulation device is set in rotation with respect to a driving pumping section when the driving speed of rotation of the driving pumping section is lower than the driven speed of rotation of the driven pumping section about the axis of rotation in order to generate a forced circulation of the lubricating fluid within the linking space.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2021Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERSInventors: Laurent Zamponi, John Le Ru
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Patent number: 11536328Abstract: A method ascertains a characteristic variable of a clutch installed into the powertrain of a vehicle for transmitting torque between a clutch input and a clutch output. A first electric motor is connected to the clutch input to introduce a first drive torque into the clutch. The torque is ascertained when the vehicle is at a standstill in that the clutch is first opened; the first electric motor is regulated at a first rotational speed; the clutch output is regulated at a second rotational speed; a counter torque which counteracts the transmission torque is applied to the clutch output; the clutch is then closed in order to assume a slipping state in which a specific differential rotational speed between the clutch input and the clutch output is present; the first drive torque is then ascertained; and the transmission torque is determined on the basis of the first drive torque.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2022Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Timo Enders, Ralf Mannsperger
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Patent number: 11530725Abstract: A power transmission device includes a friction clutch, an actuator with an output member, and a controller. The friction clutch is lubricated with a lubricant. The controller is configured to determine a current power state of the friction clutch and determine values for a plurality of thermal coefficients based on the current power state, a set of operation variables, and one or more multi-variable correlation data. The controller is further configured to determine an approximated temperature change of the lubricant based on the values of the plurality of thermal coefficients and a lubricant temperature model. The controller is further configured to determine an approximated lubricant temperature based on the approximated temperature change and a device ambient temperature, and to control operation of the actuator based at least on the approximated lubricant temperature.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2022Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: Syeda F. Mahmud
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Patent number: 11524566Abstract: A transfer case having, a transmission mount, an input shaft received through the transmission mount, an electric propulsion motor, a transfer case portion and a transmission portion. The transfer case portion has a transfer case portion input, a first transfer case portion output, a second transfer case portion output, and a power transfer mechanism, the first transfer case portion output being drivingly coupled to the transfer case input portion, the power transfer mechanism drivingly coupling the second transfer case portion output to the first transfer case output portion. the transmission portion has a first coupling, which is selectively operable for drivingly connecting the input shaft to the transfer case portion input, and a second coupling that is selectively operable for drivingly connecting a rotor of the electric propulsion motor to the transfer case portion input.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2020Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Philip J. Francis
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Patent number: 11525489Abstract: A clutch assembly is provided including a ring rotatable about a center axis defining an axial direction. The ring includes a profile facing the axial direction. The clutch assembly also includes a rocker including an engagement section that is movable in the axial direction toward and away from the profile; a strut configured for being rotated to move the engagement section of the rocker in the axial direction toward the profile; and an actuator configured to move the strut in an engagement direction to move the engagement section of the rocker in the axial direction into engagement with the profile to prevent the ring from rotating about the center axis in a first rotational direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2022Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Kenneth Hunt, Michael Hodge
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Patent number: 11525490Abstract: A power transmission device includes a friction clutch, an actuator, and a controller configured to determine an approximated temperature change of the friction clutch. The controller is configured to determine a current power state of the friction clutch, determine a desired power state change based on the current power state and a previous power state, determine a plurality of thermal coefficients based on a thermal coefficient model, the desired power state change, and a set of operation variables, determine an approximated temperature change of the friction clutch based on the thermal coefficients and a friction clutch temperature model, determine an approximated clutch temperature based on the approximated temperature change and a contemporaneous value of an device ambient temperature, and control operation of the actuator based at least on the approximated clutch temperature.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2022Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: Syeda F. Mahmud
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Patent number: 11524670Abstract: The controller forms a control device for a vehicle with which torque generated in an engine and a motor generator is transmissible to a continuously variable transmission in accordance with a driving force request from a driver. The controller includes an engine controller forming a motor control unit adapted to control an output of the motor generator in accordance with the driving force request, and a transmission controller forming a transmission capacity control unit adapted to control a transmitted torque capacity of the continuously variable transmission, and, in a case where motor assistance is performed and when stability of the transmitted torque capacity of the continuously variable transmission is detected, performs the motor assistance.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2018Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Jonghwan Lee
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Patent number: 11518225Abstract: Methods and systems for an electric drive axle of a vehicle are provided. An electric drive axle system includes, in one example a gear train configured to rotationally attach to an electric motor-generator, the gear train includes an output shaft having a clutch arranged thereon and configured to selectively rotationally couple a gear to the output shaft. The gear train further includes a lubrication channel extending between an output shaft and an axle shaft and including an outlet extending through the output shaft and opening into the clutch.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2020Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLCInventor: Eric M. Engerman
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Patent number: 11519467Abstract: An electric drive for a vehicle implements a disconnect feature to reduce parasitic losses when the electric drive is not necessary for propulsion. The disconnect feature utilizes a slipper clutch which is disengaged by holding a slipper ring in a predefined circumferential position relative to an outer ring using a set of pins that move radially. A lever spring biases the pins to the outward radial position. A solenoid moves a plunger axially which pushes the pins radially inward.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2021Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Brian Lee, Jordan Geiser
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Patent number: 11511616Abstract: A transmission arrangement for a hybrid drive of a motor vehicle, in particular a utility vehicle, having change-speed transmission (G) with a drive output shaft (AW), a retarder (RE) with a retarder shaft (RW), an electric machine (EM) with a rotor shaft (RO) and a first gear ratio step (Ü1) between the drive output shaft (AW) and the retarder shaft (RW). The retarder (RE) is driven by way of the first gear ratio step (Ü1). The electric machine (EM) is arranged with its axis parallel to the retarder (RE) and can be coupled to the retarder shaft (RW) by way of a second gear ratio step (Ü2).Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2021Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Bernard Hunold, Michael Preuß
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Patent number: 11506250Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling a clutch in a vehicle are provided. With the goal of enabling autonomous/assisted control of the clutch by an electronic control unit while preserving the familiar mechanical feeling at the clutch pedal that driving enthusiasts prefer, embodiments of the disclosed technology use a shuttle valve to blend control of clutch engagement between a driver and an ECU. In these embodiments, a clutch pedal in the vehicle may be mechanically connected to a piston in a first hydraulic cylinder (just like in a traditional mechanical/hydraulic clutch actuation system), and an ECU may actuate a second hydraulic cylinder. Accordingly, a shuttle valve may be used to route the fluid coming from the cylinder with the greater pressure (i.e. the driver actuated cylinder or the ECU actuated cylinder), to a third hydraulic cylinder which adjusts engagement of a clutch by a mechanical linkage.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2021Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.Inventors: Alexander R. Green, Michael Thompson, Yan Ming Jonathan Goh, John Subosits, Avinash Balachandran
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Patent number: 11499625Abstract: A cooling system for a power transmission unit that can supply oil properly to a differential mechanism and motors. The cooling system comprises: a first branch passage to supply the oil to the differential mechanism; a second branch passage to supply the oil to the first motor; and a third branch passage to supply the oil to the second motor. The second branch passage includes a first oil feeding section that supplies the oil to a coil of the first motor, and a second oil feeding section that supplies the oil f to a core of the first motor. The third branch passage includes a third oil feeding section that supplies the oil to a coil of the second motor, and a fourth oil feeding section that supplies the oil to a core of the second motor.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2019Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kensei Hata, Akiko Nishimine, Shotaro Kato, Masashi Shinoda, So Okita
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Patent number: 11499593Abstract: Various clutch adjusting assemblies for incorporating in drain cleaning machines are described. The assemblies enable adjustment or setting of a clutch in a drain cleaning machine without the use of tools.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2018Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Ridge Tool CompanyInventors: Robert Skrjanc, Glen R. Chartier, Scott Kruepke, James E. Hamm, Harald Krondorfer
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Patent number: 11499358Abstract: In one form, the invention relates to a door drive for a door, the door drive comprising: a drive motor, a drive shaft drivable and thereby rotatable by the drive motor, a clutch, and a threaded spindle which is drivable and thereby rotatable by the drive shaft via the clutch, wherein the clutch comprises: a catch element, an actuating element which, by rotating the drive shaft, is drivable and thereby rotatable around an actuation rotational axis by the drive shaft, the actuating element comprising at least one first actuation area, and a clutch element which comprises at least one second actuation area corresponding to the first actuation area, wherein the clutch element is translationally movable along the actuation rotational axis relative to the catch element between at least one decoupling position in which the clutch element is decoupled from the catch element, and at least one coupling position in which the clutch element is coupled to the catch element, and wherein a relative rotation between the actType: GrantFiled: July 6, 2020Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: APPARATEBAU GRONBACH S.R.L.Inventors: Gerold Meurer, Massimiliano Margonari
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Patent number: 11491868Abstract: An axle assembly having a gear reduction unit that is configured to operatively connect an electric motor to a drive pinion. The gear reduction unit includes at least two gear sets. A shift collar is rotatable with the drive pinion and moveable along the drive pinion to couple a gear set to the drive pinion.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2021Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLCInventors: Jeremy Cradit, Nick Bofferding, David Zueski, Robert Martin, Eric LaMothe, Christopher Keeney, Brian Hayes
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Patent number: 11493124Abstract: A transmission includes at least one planetary gear stage with a planet carrier having a first toothing. The transmission further includes at least one lubricant line having a first outlet opening and a second outlet opening. The first toothing, together with a second toothing, forms a spline. The first outlet opening is configured to lubricate the spline, and the second outlet opening is configured to lubricate a sun gear of the planetary gear stage.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2019Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignees: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, ZF WIND POWER ANTWERPEN N.V.Inventors: Wim De Laet, Pieter Uytterhoeven, Maarten Gernaey
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Patent number: 11486453Abstract: An automatic transmission includes a clutch having a drum section, a hub, a friction plate, a piston that presses the friction plate, a hydraulic chamber to which hydraulic oil is supplied to urge the piston in a direction toward the friction plate, and a cancellation chamber to which hydraulic oil is supplied to cancel a centrifugal hydraulic pressure applied to the hydraulic oil in the hydraulic chamber, and the piston is interposed between the hydraulic chamber and the cancellation chamber. The drum section includes communication passages that extend in a radial direction and respectively communicate with the hydraulic chamber and the cancellation chamber. Of the communication passages, in the communication passage that communicates with the cancellation chamber, an adjustment member is provided at an end portion on a radially inner side, and can adjust an atmospheric air release position of the communication passage in the radial direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2021Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Tatsuhiko Iwasaki, Keiichi Nakamura
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Patent number: 11479105Abstract: A transmission (G) for a motor vehicle includes an electric machine (EM1), a first input shaft (GW1), a second input shaft (GW2), an output shaft (GWA), three planetary gear sets (P1, P2, P3), and at least six shift elements (A, B, C, D, E, F). Different gears are implementable by selectively actuating the at least six shift elements (A, B, C, D, E, F), and different operating modes are implementable by selectively actuating the at least six shift elements (A, B, C, D, E, F) in interaction with the electric machine (EM1). A drive train for a motor vehicle with the transmission (G) and a method for operating the transmission (G) are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2019Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Stefan Beck, Matthias Horn, Johannes Kaltenbach, Uwe Griesmeier, Fabian Kutter, Thomas Martin, Michael Wechs, Jens Moraw, Gerhard Niederbrucker