Simultaneously Operative Clutches Patents (Class 192/3.26)
  • Patent number: 10465782
    Abstract: A torque converter comprising: a damper assembly including a spring retainer; and, a turbine assembly connected to the damper assembly, the turbine assembly including: a turbine shell including an axially movable turbine piston; a drive plate fixed to the turbine piston; and a diaphragm spring, the drive plate having openings for receiving the diaphragm spring; the diaphragm spring acting on the turbine piston with a preload force. In an example aspect, the diaphragm spring includes a plurality of radially inward tabs and the drive plate includes a plurality of openings for receiving the radially inward tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jeremy Vanni, Matthew Payne, Markus Steinberger
  • Patent number: 10458540
    Abstract: Methods of repairing a torque converter that enable the continued use of a torque converter and result in a repaired torque converter with a higher-strength and more durable construction. In some examples, a backing ring can be replaced with a replacement backing ring that includes a spline ring for replacing the function of a cover spline ring. In some examples, a method of repairing a torque converter can be improved by providing a replacement backing ring with a radial protrusion for locating the backing ring on the cover, and a method of determining an axial location of the radial protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Sonnax Transmission Company
    Inventor: Michael G. Morin
  • Patent number: 10451158
    Abstract: A torque converter, including: a cover; a lock-up clutch with a piston plate; an output hub; a first hub including a through-bore; a chamber bounded by the turbine; an apply chamber bounded by the piston plate; a release chamber bounded by the cover, the first hub, and the piston plate; a first flow path; a through-bore through the first hub; and a second flow path. The second flow path: is sealed from the first chamber; passes through the through-bore; and includes a portion circumferentially aligned with the first flow path. A line in an axial direction passes through the through-bore without intersecting the first hub. For a lock-up mode, pressurized fluid in the apply chamber displaces the piston plate in a first axial direction. For a torque converter mode, pressurized fluid in the release chamber displaces the piston plate in a second axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jeremy Vanni, Drew Hilty, Justin Clark
  • Patent number: 10131342
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes an engine having a crankshaft and a throttle body, and an electric machine having a rotor selectively coupled to the crankshaft via a disconnect clutch. A transmission of the powertrain includes a torque converter having an impeller fixed to the rotor, a turbine disposed on an input shaft of the transmission, and a bypass clutch configured to selectively transmit torque from the impeller to the turbine. A vehicle controller is programmed to, in response to the bypass clutch being open or slipping and the disconnect clutch being closed, command a throttle position of the throttle body based on an error between measured and estimated speeds of the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Meyer, Rajit Johri
  • Patent number: 9709146
    Abstract: A lock-up device for a torque converter includes a piston, a clutch part, a first hydraulic chamber, a second hydraulic chamber, a first hydraulic port and a second hydraulic port. The first hydraulic chamber is formed on a piston side of the front cover. The second hydraulic chamber is formed independently from the first hydraulic chamber. The first hydraulic port is in communication with the first hydraulic chamber. The second hydraulic port is formed independently from the first hydraulic port, and a portion of the second hydraulic chamber is in communication with the second hydraulic port. The first hydraulic chamber is sealed with the exception of a portion of the first hydraulic chamber that is in communication with the first hydraulic port. The second hydraulic chamber is sealed with the exception of the portion of the second hydraulic chamber that is in communication with the second hydraulic port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: EXEDY Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 9677654
    Abstract: A torque converter including: a cover arranged to receive torque from an engine; an impeller; a turbine; an output hub arranged to non-rotatably connect to an input shaft for a transmission; a lockup clutch including an axially displaceable piston plate and arranged to directly connect the cover to the output hub; and a seal system including a pilot portion including first and second channels and a secondary hub non-rotatably connected to the output hub and axially displaceable with respect to the output hub to control flow of pressurized fluid through the first and second channels, or non-rotatably connected to the pilot portion and axially displaceable with respect to the pilot portion to control flow of pressurized fluid through the first and second channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Jeremy Jewell
  • Patent number: 9599205
    Abstract: A torque converter for a motor vehicle drive train is provided. The torque converter includes a damper including a first cover plate and a drive flange; and a stator assembly. The first cover plate is sealingly rotatable with respect to the stator assembly at a sealed interface and the first cover plate and the drive flange form a fluid flow gap therebetween. Fluid flows through the fluid flow gap during operation of the torque converter. The sealed interface prevents the fluid from flowing therethrough. A method of forming a torque converter is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Brian Zaugg
  • Patent number: 9541181
    Abstract: A torque converter features an impeller including an impeller shell and impeller blades, a turbine-piston including a turbine-piston shell and turbine blades, and a restrictor. The turbine-piston shell is axially displaceable relative to the impeller shell to position the torque converter (or a hydrokinetic torque coupling device containing the torque converter) into and out of lockup mode. The restrictor positioned radially outward of the impeller blades and the turbine blades at an opening of a fluid passage connecting the torus chamber to an environment outside the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventor: Alexandre Depraete
  • Patent number: 9163767
    Abstract: In one example embodiment, a fluid transfer coupling arrangement includes a hollow shaft that is arranged in a housing and rotatable about an axis. The hollow shaft is provided by a wall having radially spaced interior and exterior surfaces. A first passage extends through the wall and is configured to communicate fluid between the interior and exterior surfaces. A fluid coupling is located mid-shaft, sealed about the exterior surface, and aligns to the first passage. The fluid coupling provides a second passage that is in fluid communication with the first passage. The fluid coupling includes a locating feature configured to permit radial movement of the fluid coupling relative to the housing and allowing the fluid coupling to track subtle shaft movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dean A. Norem, Timothy P. Walgren
  • Patent number: 8997956
    Abstract: A rotary electric drive device for a vehicle configured to couple a combustion engine to a wheel. The drive device includes an engagement device selectively drivingly connecting the input member with the rotary electric machine and a fluid coupling. The engagement device includes a differential pressure generating chamber that receives oil supply so as to apply hydraulic pressure to a side of the pressing member opposite to a side to which hydraulic pressure for operation is applied. A body portion housing chamber housing a body portion of the fluid coupling and the differential pressure generating chamber are structured as oil chambers independent of each other. The drive device includes a coupling supply oil passage supplying oil to the body portion housing chamber and a differential pressure supply oil passage supplying the oil to the differential pressure generating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignees: Aisin AW Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mikio Iwase, Tomohide Suzuki, Naoya Jinnai, Tatsuya Okishima, Toshihiko Kamiya, Terufumi Miyazaki, Yukihiko Ideshio
  • Patent number: 8991576
    Abstract: In a torque converter device for a motor vehicle having a single-piece housing element which, for drivingly interconnecting a torque converter and an internal combustion engine, wherein the housing element forms a disk carrier accommodating at least one disk of a separating clutch which is provided for mechanically connecting and disconnecting the internal combustion engine to and from the torque converter device, the housing element is provided with at least one actuating piston receptacle forming a pressure chamber with an actuating piston disposed therein for actuating the separating clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Stefan Sperrfechter, Tobias Haerter, Heinrich Straub, Bernhard Ziegler, Tobias Schuster
  • Patent number: 8955658
    Abstract: It is provided a vehicle power transmission device having a torque converter and a power transmission mechanism in a power transmission path between an engine and drive wheels, the torque converter including an input-side rotating member disposed with a plurality of pump blades, an output-side rotating member disposed with a plurality of turbine blades receiving a fluid flow from the pump blades, and a stator disposed with a stator blade disposed between the pump blades and the turbine blades, the power transmission mechanism transmitting power input to an input shaft from the torque converter to a subsequent stage, within a circulation flow passage allowing circulation of fluid in the torque converter, a circulation outward passage allowing the fluid to flow toward the inside of the torque converter at the time of the circulation being made up of a gap between the input shaft of the power transmission mechanism and a tubular stator shaft coupled via a one way clutch to the stator, and the stator shaft being
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukihiko Ideshio, Terufumi Miyazaki, Toshihiko Kamiya, Shingo Eto, Hironori Asaoka, Yasuyuki Kato
  • Patent number: 8640839
    Abstract: A control device for a vehicular power transmitting system including a torque converter (6) having a pump impeller (6p), a turbine wheel (6t), a stator wheel (6s) rotatably disposed between the turbine wheel and the pump impeller, and a lock-up clutch (L/U) includes a capacity coefficient control unit (126) that controls a capacity coefficient of the torque converter by controlling rotation of the stator wheel, and the capacity coefficient control unit increases the capacity coefficient of the torque converter based on an amount of heat generated during slip control of the lock-up clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Fujikane, Kazuyuki Shiiba, Hiromitsu Metsugi, Hiroki Takeda
  • Patent number: 8631918
    Abstract: A torque transmission assembly is disposed between a power source and a vehicle transmission and includes an annular housing, a pump member of a fluid coupling, a turbine member of the fluid coupling, a lockup clutch, a first shaft, a first selectable clutch, a second shaft, and a second selectable clutch. The turbine member opposes the pump member and the lockup clutch is selectively engaged between the pump member and the turbine member. The first selectable clutch is selectively engaged between the turbine member and the first shaft. The second selectable clutch is selectively engaged between the turbine member and the second shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Darrell Lee Robinette, Victor M. Roses
  • Patent number: 8627934
    Abstract: A fluid transmission device includes a pre-damper (10) that transmits driving force received from a crankshaft (100) to a front cover (20) via first damper springs (14), a mechanism (30) that transmits the driving force transmitted to a pump (31) to a turbine (32) via hydraulic fluid, a piston member (40) that is disposed between the front cover (20) and the mechanism (30) and delivers the driving force to an output shaft (200), a dynamic damper (60) that connects the piston member (40) and the turbine (32) via second damper springs (63), a lock-up clutch (50) that enables the front cover (20) and the piston member (40) to engage with each other, a turbine clutch (70) that enables the turbine (32) and the piston member (40) to engage with each other, and a control device (80) that controls the lock-up clutch (50) and the turbine clutch (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Toyta Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyohito Murata, Takuya Okada
  • Patent number: 8545367
    Abstract: A hybrid system includes a hybrid module that is located between an engine and a transmission. The hybrid system includes an energy storage system for storing energy from and supplying energy to the hybrid module. An inverter transfers power between the energy storage system and the hybrid module. The hybrid system also includes a cooling system, a DC-DC converter, and a high voltage tap. The hybrid module is designed to recover energy, such as during braking, as well as power the vehicle. The hybrid module includes an electrical machine (eMachine) along with electrical and mechanical pumps for circulating fluid. A clutch provides the sole operative connection between the engine and the eMachine. The hybrid system further incorporates a power take off (PTO) unit that is configured to be powered by the engine and/or the eMachine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Hartz, Nayan V. Patel, Vernon D. Thompson, Paul A. Richardson, Christopher A. Baker, George S. Pelton
  • Patent number: 8540602
    Abstract: A drive device for a hybrid vehicle is provided with an engine and a motor generator. A one-way clutch is provided between the engine and the motor generator. Power is transmitted from the engine to the motor generator, while power from the motor generator to the engine is blocked. As a result, the electric motor can be operated without operating the engine. Furthermore, a torque converter is connected to the motor generator, and the engine is connected to the torque converter via a starting clutch. As a result, if a one-way clutch is provided, the motor generator can serve as a starter motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masatoshi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8327986
    Abstract: A force transmission device having a hydrodynamic component, disposed between an input and an output, comprising at least a pump shell and a turbine shell, forming an operating cavity in combination, with an actuatable clutch device for at least partially bridging the hydrodynamic component, comprising a clutch component for at least partially bridging the hydrodynamic component, comprising a first clutch component connected with the input and a second clutch component at least indirectly connected to the output, which can be brought into operative engagement with one another through an actuation device, with a vibration absorber disposed in the force flow at least subsequent to the actuatable clutch device, with a housing coupled with the input or with an element coupled non-rotatably to the input and coupled with the pump shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dominique Engelmann, Mario Degler, Bruno Mueller
  • Patent number: 8245826
    Abstract: A power transmitting apparatus for transmitting power from a driving source of a vehicle to its wheels can be adapted to properly select transmitting or cutting-off of the driving force of the driving source to or from the wheels. The apparatus can comprise a torque converter having a torque amplifying function; a clutch mechanism including a first clutch device operable on advancement of the vehicle and adapted to transmit the driving force of the driving source to the wheels through a power transmitting system of the torque converter and a second clutch device adapted to transmit the driving force of the driving source to the wheels without the power transmitting system of the torque converter. A selecting device can be configured to operate the first clutch device and/or the second clutch device in accordance with operation modes of the vehicle, including starting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha F.C.C.
    Inventors: Tatsuyuki Ohashi, Shouji Asatsuke, Akio Oishi, Ryouhei Chiba, Jun Ishimura, Keiichi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8235191
    Abstract: A force transfer device with an input and an output, a hydrodynamic component, disposed between input and output, comprising at least one pump shell and one turbine shell and a device for bridging the power transfer through the hydrodynamic component, and a device for damping vibrations. The invention further relates to a drive train with such force transfer device and to a process for controlling the operation of a force transfer device in a drive train, comprising a first drive engine and an electrical machine, which can be operated at least as a generator. The invention is characterized in that an actuatable clutch device is disposed between the turbine shell and the output for decoupling the turbine shell from the output, and said clutch device is disposed in parallel with the lockup clutch. During braking operations through the electrical machine the lockup clutch and the turbine clutch are being deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Gregory Heeke
  • Patent number: 8042665
    Abstract: A torque converter including an impeller clutch with a first portion connected to a cover for the torque converter and a second portion connected to an impeller; and a lever element in contact with the clutch and displaceable to multiply a first force applied to the lever element for operation of the clutch. In some aspects, the converter includes an impeller piston plate engaged with the lever element and displaceable to apply the force to the lever element. In some aspects, the torque converter includes a torus and a charge chamber for the impeller clutch, a second force is associated with a hydraulic pressure to prevent cavitation in the torus, a third force is required to operate the impeller clutch to transmit a desired torque across the impeller clutch, and the multiplied force is at least equal to a sum of the second force and a third forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Todd J. Sturgin
  • Publication number: 20110233019
    Abstract: A power transmitting apparatus for transmitting power from a driving source of a vehicle to its wheels can be adapted to properly select transmitting or cutting-off of the driving force of the driving source to or from the wheels. The apparatus can comprise a torque converter having a torque amplifying function; a clutch mechanism including a first clutch device operable on advancement of the vehicle and adapted to transmit the driving force of the driving source to the wheels through a power transmitting system of the torque converter and a second clutch device adapted to transmit the driving force of the driving source to the wheels without the power transmitting system of the torque converter. A selecting device can be configured to operate the first clutch device and/or the second clutch device in accordance with operation modes of the vehicle, including starting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA F.C.C.
    Inventors: Tatsuyuki Ohashi, Shouji Asatsuke, Akio Oishi, Ryouhei Chiba, Jun Ishimura, Keiichi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7980992
    Abstract: A torque converter including a damper assembly connected to a hub for the torque converter; a turbine clutch connected to a turbine and the damper assembly; and a torque converter clutch connected to a cover for the torque converter and the damper assembly. In an idle mode, the turbine clutch and the torque converter clutch are disengaged and the torque converter cover is rotationally disconnected from the hub. In a torque converter mode, the turbine clutch is engaged, the torque converter clutch is disengaged, and the turbine clutch rotationally locks the turbine and the damper assembly. In a lock-up mode, the torque converter clutch is engaged and the torque converter clutch rotationally connects the torque converter cover and the damper assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Todd Sturgin
  • Patent number: 7926635
    Abstract: A piston assembly for arrangement in a pressure cavity in a force transfer device for operating a first and a second actuatable clutch device, comprising a piston element associated respectively with an actuatable clutch device. The invention is characterized in that the piston element of the second clutch device is guided at the piston element of the first clutch device movable against a stop, forming an additional second cavity, loadable with pressure medium, wherein the first piston element is movable in an axial direction, relative to the piston element of the second clutch device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Eugen Kombowski
  • Patent number: 7815026
    Abstract: A system for controlling a torque converter of an automatic transmission driven by a power source, the system including a torque converter an impeller, a turbine driveably connected to a transmission input and able to be driven hydrokinetically by the impeller, a stator, an impeller clutch for alternately engaging and disengaging a drive connection between the impeller and the power source, a source of converter charge pressure communicating with the impeller clutch, a source of converter discharge pressure communicating with the impeller clutch, a magnitude of differential force due to charge pressure and discharge pressure across the impeller clutch alternately producing operating multiple operating states of the impeller clutch, and a orifice having a variable fluid flow area for changing a magnitude of converter discharge pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jacob M. Povirk, William R. Simpson
  • Patent number: 7717243
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a torque converter is provided with a fluid coupling and a viscous coupling. The viscous coupling includes a plurality of closely-spaced surfaces, wherein facing ones of the closely-spaced surfaces are alternately splined to rotate with driving or driven elements of the torque converter, and wherein the closely-spaced surfaces have an average spacing that causes ones of the surfaces rotating with the driving elements to exert a viscous pull on ones of the surfaces rotating with the driven elements when the torque converter is filled with a viscous fluid. A fluid receiving portion of the torque converter receives a viscous fluid into the torque converter, and a fluid return portion expels the viscous fluid from the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Inventor: Clint D. Cannon
  • Patent number: 7644812
    Abstract: A method for controlling an impeller clutch of a torque converter includes determining a function relating a K-factor of the torque, determining a current engine torque, determining a desired impeller clutch slip, using the function determine the actual impeller speed and thus actual clutch slip, and adjusting the operating state of the impeller clutch to produce the desired impeller clutch slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William R. Simpson, Jacob M. Povirk, Christopher G. Garbacz, David B. Plasencia
  • Patent number: 7445099
    Abstract: A torque transmission device includes a torque converter, a pump impeller, a turbine wheel and optionally a stator. The device also includes a converter bypass coupling having a flange which is connected to the housing or the pump impeller in a force-locking manner. The flange is arranged between the pump impeller and the turbine wheel and can be connected to the turbine wheel in a frictionally engaged manner by means of a first coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Edmund Maucher, William Brees
  • Publication number: 20080149442
    Abstract: A torque converter including an impeller clutch connected to an impeller; a torque converter clutch connected to an output hub for the torque converter; and a same plate included in the impeller clutch and in the torque converter clutch and at least indirectly connected to a cover for the torque converter. The impeller clutch includes a first portion exclusive of the same plate, the torque converter clutch includes a second portion exclusive of the same plate, and in some aspects, the same plate is axially disposed between the first and second portions. In some aspects, the torque converter includes a damper assembly rotationally connected to the same plate and the cover. In torque converter mode, an impeller clutch release chamber and the torus are hydraulically isolated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventor: Todd J. Sturgin
  • Patent number: 7287629
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic actuating device has one prime mover, one torque converter and one rear-mounted transmission and is especially adequate for construction machines of wide range of motion such as wheel loaders. For limiting the maximum traction, one primary clutch (16) and one converter bridging clutch (WK) are both coordinated with the torque converter, which are disposed in series so as to be switchable via a single valve controlled by the transmission control with only a control pressure so that in all driving situations, first, the primary clutch (16) and thereafter the converter bridging clutch (WK) are closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Jürgen Legner
  • Patent number: 7225907
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure control system for an automatic transmission is comprised of an engagement element engaged when the vehicle runs and a first engagement control actuator controlling the engagement element by supplying the controlled hydraulic pressure to the engagement element when the vehicle starts running. An effective cross sectional area of the engagement element is set at a minimum area which has an engagement capacity capable of transmitting a maximum torque inputted from the engine when the engagement element receives a maximum pressure controlled by the first engagement control actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Katou, Isamu Ohtake
  • Patent number: 7028820
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic clutch arrangement is provided with at least a pump wheel and a turbine wheel to form a hydrodynamic circuit in a clutch housing, the drive-side wall of the housing being connected on the side facing the drive unit, such as an internal combustion engine, to the drive unit, a clutch device being provided to bring the housing into or out of working connection with the pump wheel. The clutch device is located inside the clutch housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Herbert Johann, Herbert Schmid, Fritz Leber
  • Patent number: 6889804
    Abstract: The present invention provides a clutch connection method which controls the disconnection/connection of a wet friction clutch on the basis of a duty pulse outputted from an electronic control unit. When the clutch is connected, the electronic control unit initially outputs a start duty (Dst) for largely connecting the clutch as far as the vicinity of a torque point, and, thereafter, outputs, at prescribed time intervals (?t), a gradual connection duty (Dk) for gradually connecting the clutch, and determines a gradual connection duty value on the basis of a clutch input/output side revolution difference ?N. Since the clutch is gradually connected while monitoring the clutch connection state, variations between connection times and connection shock, resulting from individual clutch differences or the like, can be eliminated, whereby it is possible to achieve a stable feel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Eiji Inoue, Takumi Shinojima
  • Publication number: 20040216971
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic clutch arrangement is provided with at least a pump wheel and a turbine wheel to form a hydrodynamic circuit in a clutch housing, the drive-side wall of the housing being connected on the side facing the drive unit, such as an internal combustion engine, to the drive unit, a clutch device being provided to bring the housing into or out of working connection with the pump wheel. The clutch device is located inside the clutch housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Herbert Johann, Herbert Schmid, Fritz Leber
  • Publication number: 20030000789
    Abstract: The present invention provides a clutch connection method which controls the disconnection/connection of a wet friction clutch on the basis of a duty pulse outputted from an electronic control unit. When the clutch is connected, the electronic control unit initially outputs a start duty (Dst) for largely connecting the clutch as far as the vicinity of a torque point, and, thereafter, outputs, at prescribed time intervals (&Dgr;t), a gradual connection duty (Dk) for gradually connecting the clutch, and determines a gradual connection duty value on the basis of a clutch input/output side revolution difference &Dgr;N. Since the clutch is gradually connected while monitoring the clutch connection state, variations between connection times and connection shock, resulting from individual clutch differences or the like, can be eliminated, whereby it is possible to achieve a stable feel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Eiji Inoue, Takumi Shinojima
  • Patent number: 6405844
    Abstract: A working vehicle including a power transmission system capable of surely preventing a slip is provided. For this purpose, the working vehicle is a working vehicle having a modulating clutch (2) which flexibly changes traveling power transmitted from an engine (1) to a torque converter (3), and a controller (8) which controls a degree of engagement of the modulating clutch (2), characterized by including rotational frequency detectors (21, 21) which detect the rotational frequencies of right and left driving wheels (7, 7) of the vehicle, respectively, and characterized in that the controller (8) controls the degree of engagement of the modulating clutch (2) by detecting a sign of a wheel slip based on a difference in the rotational frequency between the right and left driving wheels (7, 7) detected by the rotational frequency detectors (21, 21), to prevent a slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobumasa Takamatsu
  • Publication number: 20010025754
    Abstract: In a transmitting system for a small-sized vehicle in which a crankshaft of an engine and an input shaft of a multi-stage transmission are connected to each other through a fluid transmitting device, the fluid transmitting device and a shifting clutch being mounted on the crankshaft and connected in series to each other. One of the fluid transmitting device and the shifting clutch is connected to the crankshaft, and the other is connected to the input shaft of the multi-stage transmission through a primary reducing device. Thus, when the multi-stage transmission is to be shifted, the shifting operation of the multi-stage transmission can be carried out lightly, irrespective of a creep phenomenon of the fluid transmitting device, by bringing the shifting clutch into its OFF state. Moreover, the burden of torque by the fluid transmitting device and the shifting clutch mounted on the crankshaft which is rotated at a higher speed than that of the input shaft of the transmission is relatively small.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Applicant: ARENT FOX KINTNER PLOTKIN & KAHN, PLLC
    Inventors: Tokuji Yoshimoto, Tadashi Nagao, Teruo Kihara
  • Patent number: RE48872
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrodynamic torque converter having an impeller wheel, a turbine wheel and an oscillation damper which is accommodated in the converter housing, and a converter lockup clutch. Two damper stages are arranged here as a serial damper between the output hub of the torque converter and the converter lockup clutch, and a damper stage is arranged between the turbine wheel and the output hub. In order to improve the damping properties, a rotary oscillation absorber is additionally provided which is arranged between the dampers and is also connected to the turbine wheel in a rotationally fixed fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Heiko Magerkurth, Christian Huegel, Andreas Meissner