Patents Examined by Tisha D Lewis
  • Patent number: 11850943
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain apparatus for a vehicle includes an engine, a first input shaft mounted to receive power from the engine, a first motor directly connected to the first input shaft, a second input shaft disposed concentrically with the first input shaft, a second motor directly connected to the second input shaft, a planetary gear set including three rotation elements, two of which are respectively connected to the first input shaft and the second input shaft and the remaining one of which is mounted to be selectively stationary, and an output gear integrally formed with the second input shaft to draw power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Cheol Ho Jang, Hae Seung Lee, Dong Hwan Kwak, Gi Young Kwon, Jeong Soo Park
  • Patent number: 11845340
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain having an internal combustion engine (ICE), a transmission (2), a first electric motor (4a) and a second electric motor (4b), where the transmission has an input shaft (1) to which the ICE is connected via a main clutch (3), an output shaft (6) and a gear assembly providing at least two different gear ratios that may be selected for transfer of mechanical power from the input shaft (1) to the output shaft (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Brudeli Green Mobility AS
    Inventor: Geir Brudeli
  • Patent number: 11845337
    Abstract: An electric hybrid transmission architecture for a work vehicle includes a first and a second electric motor, each of which is electrically connected to a source of electric power. The first electric motor is configured to provide a torque to a first input shaft by converting electric power received from the source of electric power. The second electric motor is configured to provide a torque to a second input shaft by converting electric power received from the source of electric power. The electric hybrid transmission architecture also includes an output shaft which is mechanically connected to at least one of the first and second input shafts by means of controllable engaging means. The source of electric power is a generator carried by an internal combustion engine of the work vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Michelantonio Forte, Alberto Borghi
  • Patent number: 11828362
    Abstract: A shift range control device switches a shift range by controlling driving of a motor. The shift range control device calculate an actual rotation position of the motor. The shift range control device sets a target range according to a required range and a target rotation position according to the target range. The shift range control device controls the driving of the motor such that the actual rotation position reaches the target rotation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Haruka Miyano, Kouji Sakaguchi, Jun Yamada, Seiji Nakayama
  • Patent number: 11827103
    Abstract: A transmission assembly may include a first transmission input shaft and a second transmission input shaft. The first transmission input shaft and the second transmission input shaft are torque-transmittingly coupled to a first planetary transmission. A transmission output shaft of the transmission assembly is also torque-transmittingly coupled to a second planetary transmission. In the power flow, a first spur gear is arranged between the first planetary transmission and the second planetary transmission. In addition, a drive unit for driving a first vehicle axle is proposed, which has a transmission assembly of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ulrich Ohnemus
  • Patent number: 11828361
    Abstract: A method for determining a drag torque coefficient of a transmission includes performing rotational speed synchronisation involving application of synchronisation torque to a first transmission component, and obtaining an initial rotational speed of the first transmission component before the rotational speed synchronisation, and a final rotational speed of the first transmission component after the rotational speed synchronisation, and time period for performing the rotational speed synchronisation. Also, obtaining information relating to a level of the synchronisation torque applied to the first transmission component during the rotational speed synchronisation, and information relating to a total moment of inertia associated with the first transmission component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventor: Muddassar Piracha
  • Patent number: 11820361
    Abstract: A transmission assembly for a work vehicle having an engine includes a variator operably connected to the engine, a gear arrangement configured to provide a selective gear reduction for transmission of output power from the variator to an output shaft, and an electrical machine unit. The electrical machine unit further includes a main shaft operably connected to the variator, a first rotor configured to rotatably drive a first shaft, a second rotor configured to rotatably drive a second shaft, and a clutch configured to selectively couple the first shaft or the second shaft, or both the first shaft and the second shaft, to the main shaft. The clutch, the first rotor, and the second rotor are operable to control a speed and rotational direction of the main shaft in providing rotational power to the variator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: David S. Black, Stacy K. Worley, Clayton G. Janasek
  • Patent number: 11821509
    Abstract: A transmission includes an input shaft coupled to a prime mover, a countershaft, main shaft, and an output shaft, with gears between the countershaft and the main shaft. A shift actuator selectively couples the input shaft to the main shaft by rotatably coupling gears between the countershaft and the main shaft. The shift actuator is mounted on an exterior wall of a housing including the countershaft and the main shaft. A controller controls the shift actuator utilizing an actuating pulse and an opposing pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Eaton Cummins Automated Transmission Technologies
    Inventors: Thomas Connolly, Joseph Paul Furner, Sipei Chen, Jeff Hawarden, Ian Daniel McKenzie, Christopher DeBoer
  • Patent number: 11820382
    Abstract: Systems and methods for transitioning a hybrid vehicle from park or neutral to drive or reverse are presented. In one example, a requested engine speed is adjusted in response to a transmission disengaging indication and a transmission disengaging timer when a transmission is being disengaged from a gear. In another example, the requested engine speed is adjusted in response to a transmission engaging indication and a transmission engaging timer when the transmission is being engaged to a gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Fazal U. Syed, Zachary Sinisi, Douglas Michael Smith, Sassan Farahmand
  • Patent number: 11815171
    Abstract: A differential device is provided with: an input case having an axially directed end face; a differential gear set with side gears allowing a differential motion therebetween; dog teeth toothed toward the end face on an output case; a clutch structure engageable with the dog teeth and so structured as to couple the output case or the second side gear with the input case when engaged; an axially movable clutch member including an internal end and an external end exposed to the exterior; an axially movable armature including a magnetic material and in contact with the external end; a solenoid supported away from the end face, the solenoid generating a magnetic flux to attract the armature and, via the clutch member, set the clutch structure in mesh with the dog teeth; and a spring biasing the clutch member in a contrary direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Masashi Aikawa, Ken Tsuchino, Masahiko Asahi
  • Patent number: 11813944
    Abstract: An electrified tractor includes a vehicle body, an electric motor, a battery, an inverter configured to control input-output electric power of the battery, a wheel for traveling, and a control device. On condition that the electrified tractor travels inside a restriction area determined in advance as one condition, the control device controls the inverter such that the input-output electric power of the battery falls within a specific electric power range determined in advance. The control device determines whether or not there is a possibility that the electrified tractor moves from the restriction area to outside the restriction area. In a case where an affirmative determination is made in a determination process during a restriction process, the control device expands the specific electric power range as compared with a case where a negative determination is made in the determination process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuki Sugo
  • Patent number: 11807102
    Abstract: A gear unit for a powertrain and a powertrain including a stepped planetary gearset, a first gear shifting element and a second gear shifting element. The stepped planetary gearset has a first sun gear, a first ring gear, a second ring gear, and stepped planet gears rotatably mounted at a first planet carrier. The first ring gear is fixed with respect to rotation to an output shaft of the gear unit. The second ring gear is fixed with respect to rotation to a housing. The first gear shifting element drivingly connects the first sun gear to an electric machine in a closed state, and the second gear shifting element drivingly connects the first planet carrier to the electric machine in a closed state, and one of the two gear shifting elements is in the closed state for driving the output shaft in rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Michael Wechs, Fabian Kutter, Thomas Martin, Oliver Schaudt
  • Patent number: 11807104
    Abstract: A vehicle drive device includes a first drive unit that drives first wheels; a second drive unit that drives second wheels; and a control device. When the state of charge of an electrical storage device is less than a first threshold value and a vehicle speed is less than a second threshold value, the control device performs control such that when the vehicle speed is greater than or equal to zero and required drive power is greater than or equal to zero, the operating mode of the first drive unit is set to a second mode to output the required drive power from the second drive unit, and when the vehicle speed is greater than zero and the required drive power is less than zero, the operating mode of the first drive unit is set to a first mode so the first drive power source can generate electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: AISIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kohei Tsuda, Keiichirou Kusabe, Bumpei Nakaya, Yasuhiro Matsumura
  • Patent number: 11794714
    Abstract: A sensorless clutch state feedback method is provided including a driveline disconnect. To engage the sensorless disconnect, respective speeds of a motor assembly and the sensorless disconnect are synchronized to within a speed delta threshold of each other, a control system facilitates the engagement of the motor assembly and the sensorless disconnect, and the control system determines the success of the engagement by the motor speed response of the motor assembly (e.g., whether the presence of a load is detected).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Aravind Arun
  • Patent number: 11787281
    Abstract: An electric powertrain includes a first electric motor that has an uninterrupted connection with a drive shaft of a vehicle. The electric powertrain further includes a second electric motor that has an interruptible connection with the drive shaft. In one form, this interruptible connection includes a clutch. The electric powertrain further includes a first gear train in the form of a first planetary gear and a second gear train in the form of a second planetary gear. To provide a compact configuration, the first electric motor and second electric motor are arranged in a longitudinal orientation with the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Isaac Mock, James Allen Raszkowski, Jeremy Turner
  • Patent number: 11787411
    Abstract: A shift mode control system includes a control apparatus that controls a shift mode of a vehicle, a first operation device that receives a first operation to switch an automatic mode to a manual mode, and a second operation device that receives a second operation to switch the manual mode to the automatic mode. The control apparatus includes a processor that calculates a speed ratio change amount that is a difference between a first speed ratio set when the automatic mode is switched to the manual mode in accordance with the first operation and a second speed ratio set when the manual mode is switched to the automatic mode in accordance with the second operation. The processor updates the speed ratio change amount set as a switching condition for automatically switching the manual mode to the automatic mode to the speed ratio change amount calculated by the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koichiro Terai
  • Patent number: 11773964
    Abstract: A transmission includes an input shaft coupled to a prime mover, a countershaft, main shaft, and an output shaft, with gears between the countershaft and the main shaft. A shift actuator selectively couples the input shaft to the main shaft by rotatably coupling gears between the countershaft and the main shaft. The shift actuator is mounted on an exterior wall of a housing including the countershaft and the main shaft. A controller controls the shift actuator utilizing an actuating pulse and an opposing pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Eaton Cummins Automated Transmission Technologies
    Inventors: Thomas Connolly, Joseph Paul Furner, Sipei Chen, Jeff Hawarden, Ian Daniel McKenzie, Christopher DeBoer
  • Patent number: 11773970
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a hydromechanical transmission in a vehicle are provided herein. In one example, the transmission system includes a hydrostatic assembly with a hydraulic pump in fluidic communication with a hydraulic motor. The transmission system further includes a controller configured to selectively transition between a torque control mode and a speed control mode of the hydrostatic assembly while the vehicle is on a slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: DANA ITALIA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Lorenzo Dalla Palma, Claudio Angeloni
  • Patent number: 11772628
    Abstract: Examples of hybrid powertrain systems are provided herein. The system includes: an engine; a motor/generator (“MG”); a clutch coupled to the engine and the MG; a transmission coupled to the MG; an energy storage system connected to the MG; and a controller coupled to the engine, the MG, the clutch, the transmission and the energy storage system. The controller is configured to initiate an engine stop, allow engine torque and MG torque to reduce to zero or near zero, shift the transmission to a neutral gear, cause the MG to operate in a generator mode, thereby loading the engine to recover kinetic energy from the engine, disengage the clutch to decouple the MG from the engine, increase the speed of the MG to a target speed, and shift the transmission into gear in response to the MG reaching the target speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: CUMMINS INC.
    Inventors: David B. Snyder, Ming-Feng Hsieh
  • Patent number: 11767082
    Abstract: An automatic bicycle shifter making use of a global positioning system (GPS) altimeter for sensing road inclination, an accelerometer for sensing bicycle acceleration and a hot wire anemometer for sensing wind load, and through application of classical law of conservation of energy attenuates or appreciate automatic shifting speeds in real time to maintain a rider standard shifting torque. Automatic bicycle shifter is additionally provided with capability to sense, record, and interpret rider automatic shift override commands and further adjust automatic shift criteria to rider preference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Inventor: Hazem Nihad Hamed