Patents by Inventor Gianluigi Pregnolato

Gianluigi Pregnolato has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11739828
    Abstract: A gear transmission unit, particularly for a motor-vehicle, is provided with a forced lubrication system for lubricating rolling bearings and/or further inner components of the transmission unit. The unit is provided with one or more accessory elements in the form of lubricant distribution boxes. Each distribution box has a hollow body rigidly connected to the casing of the unit adjacent to a respective channel outlet which supplies a flow of lubricant under pressure. The hollow body defines an inner lubricant distribution chamber and has an inlet connected to the channel outlet and two or more outlets connected to further conduits for channels or chambers, for supplying the flow of lubricant under pressure in parallel to various components to be lubricated inside the transmission casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: FCA Italy S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marco Consani, Gianluigi Pregnolato
  • Patent number: 11339874
    Abstract: Described herein is a system for operating a gearbox that includes: a first shaft having a first longitudinal axis; a first actuator assembly operatively connected to the first shaft; a second shaft having a second longitudinal axis; a second actuator assembly operatively connected to the second shaft; and a plurality of engagement elements connected in rotation to the second shaft. The first shaft is hollow, is fitted on the second shaft, and is axially movable relative to the second shaft. The plurality of engagement elements are moreover connected in translation to the first shaft and are axially movable therewith along the first longitudinal axis and relative to the second shaft. The first and second shafts can be operated independently of one another for execution of the movements of selection and engagement of the gears of the gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: FCA Italy S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianluigi Pregnolato, Marco Consani
  • Publication number: 20210180683
    Abstract: A gear transmission unit, particularly for a motor-vehicle, is provided with a forced lubrication system for lubricating rolling bearings and/or further inner components of the transmission unit. The unit is provided with one or more accessory elements in the form of lubricant distribution boxes. Each distribution box has a hollow body rigidly connected to the casing of the unit adjacent to a respective channel outlet which supplies a flow of lubricant under pressure. The hollow body defines an inner lubricant distribution chamber and has an inlet connected to the channel outlet and two or more outlets connected to further conduits for channels or chambers, for supplying the flow of lubricant under pressure in parallel to various components to be lubricated inside the transmission casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Marco CONSANI, Gianluigi PREGNOLATO
  • Publication number: 20210148462
    Abstract: Described herein is a system for operating a gearbox that includes: a first shaft having a first longitudinal axis; a first actuator assembly operatively connected to the first shaft; a second shaft having a second longitudinal axis; a second actuator assembly operatively connected to the second shaft; and a plurality of engagement elements connected in rotation to the second shaft. The first shaft is hollow, is fitted on the second shaft, and is axially movable relative to the second shaft. The plurality of engagement elements are moreover connected in translation to the first shaft and are axially movable therewith along the first longitudinal axis and relative to the second shaft. The first and second shafts can be operated independently of one another for execution of the movements of selection and engagement of the gears of the gearbox.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Gianluigi PREGNOLATO, Marco CONSANI
  • Patent number: 10711892
    Abstract: Described herein is a gearbox for a motor vehicle including a plurality of forward gear ratios and a reverse gear ratio, the gearbox further including: a control device (configured for controlling the selection and the engagement of said forward gear ratios and of said reverse gear ratio; and a plurality of engagement devices that can be controlled by means of said control device for engaging the forward gear ratios or reverse gear ratio (RM) of the gearbox that are operatively associated to said devices. The gearbox includes a locking device, which is electrically controlled and configured for preventing actuation of the engagement device associated to a predetermined forward gear ratio, said locking device being configured for being actuated above a threshold speed of the motor vehicle on which said gearbox is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societá Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Andrea Piazza, Gianluigi Pregnolato, Lawrence Laba
  • Patent number: 9649927
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain unit comprises an engine and a gearbox device with a primary shaft connectable to a shaft of the engine via a clutch device. The gearbox device comprises a secondary shaft with an output pinion meshing with a first crown wheel of a differential, the casing of which is rigidly connected to a casing of the gearbox device. The unit comprises an electric machine configured to operate as an electric motor and as an electric generator, and having a shaft connected by a transmission to a second crown wheel of the differential. In the transmission, arranged between the electric machine shaft and the second crown wheel is an engagement device that can be operated via an electronically controlled actuator. The transmission that connects the electric machine shaft to said second crown wheel includes an auxiliary shift device configured for providing at least two different selectable transmission ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Andrea Piazza, Marco Garabello, Gianluigi Pregnolato, Fabio Pesola
  • Publication number: 20170108120
    Abstract: Described herein is a gearbox for a motor vehicle including a plurality of forward gear ratios and a reverse gear ratio, the gearbox further including: a control device (configured for controlling the selection and the engagement of said forward gear ratios and of said reverse gear ratio; and a plurality of engagement devices that can be controlled by means of said control device for engaging the forward gear ratios or reverse gear ratio (RM) of the gearbox that are operatively associated to said devices. The gearbox includes a locking device, which is electrically controlled and configured for preventing actuation of the engagement device associated to a predetermined forward gear ratio, said locking device being configured for being actuated above a threshold speed of the motor vehicle on which said gearbox is installed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Applicant: C.R.F. SOCIETA CONSORTILE per AZIONI
    Inventors: ANDREA PIAZZA, GIANLUIGI PREGNOLATO, LAWRENCE LABA
  • Patent number: 9579964
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain unit comprises an engine and a gearbox device with a primary shaft that can be connected to a shaft of the engine via a clutch. The gearbox device comprises a secondary shaft with an output pinion meshing with a first crown wheel of a differential, the casing of which is rigidly connected to a casing of the gearbox device. An electric machine of the unit is configured to function as electric motor and an electric generator, having a shaft connected by a transmission to a second crown wheel of the differential. In the transmission, which is arranged between the electric machine shaft and the second crown wheel is an engagement device that can be driven via an actuator. The electric machine shaft is connected to the engine shaft on a side opposite of the gearbox device. The transmission includes a gear-reduction jump constituted by a belt transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: C.R.F. Società Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Andrea Piazza, Marco Garabello, Gianluigi Pregnolato, Fabio Pesola
  • Patent number: 9573457
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain unit comprises an engine and a gearbox with a primary shaft connectable to an engine shaft via a clutch and a secondary shaft with an output pinion meshing with a first differential crown wheel. An electric machine is configured to function as an electric motor and generator, having a shaft connected by a transmission to a second differential crown wheel. The transmission, arranged between the electric machine shaft and the second crown wheel includes a first engagement device. The electric machine shaft is connected to the engine shaft by a belt transmission including a belt engaged on a first pulley connected to the electric machine shaft and a second pulley connected to the engine shaft. Between the electric machine shaft and said first pulley is a second engagement device. The engagement devices are arranged coaxially with the electric machine shaft on opposite sides of the electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: C.R.F. Società Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Andrea Piazza, Marco Garabello, Gianluigi Pregnolato, Fabio Pesola
  • Patent number: 9551417
    Abstract: Described herein is a gearbox for a motor vehicle including a plurality of forward gear ratios and a reverse gear ratio, the gearbox further including: a control device (configured for controlling the selection and the engagement of said forward gear ratios and of said reverse gear ratio; and a plurality of engagement devices that can be controlled by means of said control device for engaging the forward gear ratios or reverse gear ratio (RM) of the gearbox that are operatively associated to said devices. The gearbox includes a locking device, which is electrically controlled and configured for preventing actuation of the engagement device associated to a predetermined forward gear ratio, said locking device being configured for being actuated above a threshold speed of the motor vehicle on which said gearbox is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: C.R.F. SOCIETÀ CONSORTILE PER AZIONI
    Inventors: Andrea Piazza, Gianluigi Pregnolato, Lawrence Laba
  • Patent number: 9545841
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain unit comprises an engine, and a gearbox device with a primary shaft connectable to a shaft of the engine via a clutch. The gearbox device comprises a secondary shaft with an output pinion meshing with a first crown wheel of a differential, the casing of which is rigidly connected to a casing of the gearbox device. An electric machine is configured to function as an electric motor and an electric generator, having a shaft connected by a transmission to a second crown wheel of the differential. In the transmission, arranged between the electric machine shaft and the second crown wheel is an engagement device that can be actuator driven. The electric machine shaft is connected to the engine shaft, on a side opposite to the gearbox device by a belt transmission that controls vehicle auxiliary devices, which are mounted coaxially with respect to the electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: C.R.F. Società Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Andrea Piazza, Marco Garabello, Gianluigi Pregnolato, Fabio Pesola
  • Patent number: 9517689
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain unit comprises an engine, and a gearbox device with a primary shaft connectable to an engine shaft via a clutch. The gearbox device comprises a secondary shaft with an output pinion meshing with a first crown wheel of a differential, the casing of which is rigidly connected to the casing of the gearbox device. The unit comprises an electric machine configured to function as an electric motor and an electric generator, having a shaft connected by a transmission to a second crown wheel of the differential. In the transmission, arranged between the electric machine shaft and the second crown wheel is an engagement device that can be driven via an actuator. The electric machine shaft is connected to the engine shaft, on a side opposite to the gearbox device. The transmission includes a gear for driving a transmission shaft connected to a further axle of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: C.R.F. Società Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Andrea Piazza, Marco Garabello, Gianluigi Pregnolato, Fabio Pesola
  • Publication number: 20160031309
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain unit comprises an engine and a gearbox device with a primary shaft connectable to a shaft of the engine via a clutch device. The gearbox device comprises a secondary shaft with an output pinion meshing with a first crown wheel of a differential, the casing of which is rigidly connected to a casing of the gearbox device. The unit comprises an electric machine configured to operate as an electric motor and as an electric generator, and having a shaft connected by transmission to a second crown wheel of the differential. In the transmission, arranged between the electric machine shaft of and the second crown wheel is an engagement device that can be operated via an electronically controlled actuator. The transmission that connects the electric machine shaft to said second crown wheel includes an auxiliary shift device configured for providing at least two different selectable transmission ratios.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Andrea Piazza, Marco Garabello, Gianluigi Pregnolato, Fabio Pesola
  • Patent number: 9234574
    Abstract: A device for selection and engagement of the gears of a gearbox for motor vehicles has a control shaft mounted rotatable and axially movable with respect to the casing. Mounted on the shaft is a hub having an engagement finger for controlling gear engagement devices, which is configured to oscillate in the space between two fingers of a selection mask, which is mounted on the shaft axially movable therewith and is guided with respect to the casing so as not to follow rotation of the shaft and the hub when a gear is engaged. During displacement of the engagement finger towards an extreme position preliminary to the engagement of the reverse gear, the selection mask is forced to move temporarily into a rotated position, wherein it actuates one or more of the selector devices of the forward gears to enable silent engagement of the reverse gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: C.R.F. SOCIETA CONSORTILE PER AZIONI
    Inventors: Marco Garabello, Gianluigi Pregnolato, Valter Pastorello, Andrea Piazza
  • Publication number: 20150360555
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain unit comprises an engine and a gearbox with a primary shaft connectable to an engine shaft via a clutch and a secondary shaft with an output pinion meshing with a first differential crown wheel. An electric machine is configured to function as an electric motor and generator, having a shaft connected by a transmission to a second differential crown wheel. The transmission, arranged between the electric machine shaft and the second crown wheel includes a first engagement device. The electric machine shaft is connected to the engine shaft by a belt transmission including a belt engaged on a first pulley connected to the electric machine shaft and a second pulley connected to the engine shaft. Between the electric machine shaft and said first pulley is a second engagement device. The engagement devices are arranged coaxially with the electric machine shaft on opposite sides of the electric machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Andrea Piazza, Marco Garabello, Gianluigi Pregnolato, Fabio Pesola
  • Publication number: 20150360556
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain unit comprises an engine, and a gearbox device with a primary shaft connectable to an engine shaft via a clutch. The gearbox device comprises a secondary shaft with an output pinion meshing with a first crown wheel of a differential, the casing of which is rigidly connected to the casing of the gearbox device. The unit comprises an electric machine configured to function as an electric motor and an electric generator, having a shaft connected by a transmission to a second crown wheel of the differential. In the transmission, arranged between the electric machine shaft and the second crown wheel is an engagement device that can be driven via an actuator. The electric machine shaft is connected to the engine shaft, on a side opposite to the gearbox device. The transmission includes a gear for driving a transmission shaft connected to a further axle of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Andrea Piazza, Marco Garabello, Gianluigi Pregnolato, Fabio Pesola
  • Publication number: 20150360554
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain unit comprises an engine and a gearbox device with a primary shaft that can be connected to a shaft of the engine via a clutch. The gearbox device comprises a secondary shaft with an output pinion meshing with a first crown wheel of a differential, the casing of which is rigidly connected to a casing of the gearbox device. An electric machine of the unit is configured to function as electric motor and an electric generator, having a shaft connected by a transmission to a second crown wheel of the differential. In the transmission, which is arranged between the electric machine shaft and the second crown wheel is an engagement device that can be driven via an actuator. The electric machine shaft is connected to the engine shaft on a side opposite of the gearbox device. The transmission includes a gear-reduction jump constituted by a belt transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Andrea Piazza, Marco Garabello, Gianluigi Pregnolato, Fabio Pesola
  • Publication number: 20150360557
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain unit comprises an internal combustion engine, and a gearbox device with a primary shaft connectable to the a shaft of the engine via a clutch. The gearbox device comprises a secondary shaft with an output pinion meshing with a first crown wheel of a differential, the casing of which is rigidly connected to a casing of the gearbox device. An electric machine is configured to function as an electric motor and an electric generator, having a shaft connected by a transmission to a second crown wheel of the differential. In the transmission, arranged between the electric machine shaft and the second crown wheel of is an engagement device that can be actuator driven. The electric machine shaft is connected to the engine shaft, on a side opposite to the gearbox device by a belt transmission that controls vehicle auxiliary devices, which are mounted coaxially with respect to the electric machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Andrea Piazza, Marco Garabello, Gianluigi Pregnolato, Fabio Pesola
  • Patent number: 9016154
    Abstract: A gear change device for including a first and a second primary shaft, selectively connectable to a driving shaft of a motor vehicle by a double clutch engagement device, and a first and a second secondary shaft. A plurality of gear selector devices rotatably couples each of the freely rotatable gear wheels with the shaft on which it is mounted, and, at least one rotatable actuator drum, for controlling the selector devices, having a plurality of cam tracks. The selector devices include respective fork-like actuator members and each has a cam follower element engaged in a respective cam track of the respective actuator drum. Each pair of cam tracks adjacent to each other provided on an actuator drum controls fork-like actuator members which are associated to different secondary shafts and which have the can follower elements thereof engaged on the drum in positions angularly spaced with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: C.R.F. Società Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Gianluigi Pregnolato, Gianni Piacenza, Andrea Piazza
  • Patent number: 8978499
    Abstract: A gear change device includes a first and a second primary shaft, selectively connectable to the driving shaft of a motor vehicle, and first second secondary shafts, The device includes pairs of gear wheels, corresponding to forward gear ratios and to at least one reverse gear ratio. The reverse gear ratio is defined by a first reverse gear wheel mounted freely rotatable on the first secondary shaft and connectable in rotation with the latter by one of the selector devices. A parking gear wheel is rigidly mounted on the first secondary shaft The parking gear wheel is mounted adjacent to a roller bearing which rotatably supports the first secondary shaft within the casing and which is axially interposed between the parking gear wheel and the first reverse gear wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: C.R.F. Società Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Gianluigi Pregnolato, Andrea Piazza