With Auxiliary Source Of Pressure Patents (Class 192/3.3)
  • Patent number: 8919509
    Abstract: A torque transfer device, in particular in the power train of a motor vehicle, for transferring torque between a drive unit and a shaft that is rotatable around an axis of rotation, in particular a transmission input shaft, having a hydrodynamic torque converter, which includes a converter cover that is connectable to or connected to the drive unit, which converter cover may be coupled via an impeller to a turbine wheel to transfer torque, which turbine wheel is bridgeable, to transfer torque, by a torque converter lockup clutch, which includes a piston that is movable to a limited extent in the axial direction and is constructed as a multi-plate clutch with a plate pack that includes outer plates which are connected to an outer plate carrier in a rotationally fixed connection, and inner plates which are connected to an inner plate carrier in a rotationally fixed connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Stephan Maienschein
  • Patent number: 8924112
    Abstract: A start control device and a start control method of a vehicular power transmission system including a lock-up clutch and a start clutch are provided in which start-time lock-up slip control is performed, and neutral control is performed. When the start-time lock-up slip control is additionally executed during cancellation of the neutral control, the gradient of an output rotational speed of the hydraulic power transmission which is changed, through engagement of the start clutch, toward an input rotational speed of the automatic transmission at the time of completion of engagement of the start clutch is controlled, using at least one of a start clutch pressure that is increased so as to engage the start clutch, and a lock-up clutch pressure that is increased so as to bring the lock-up clutch into slip engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Ayabe, Tomohiro Asami, Hidenori Saito
  • Patent number: 8893867
    Abstract: A wet clutch arrangement, particularly starting clutch for a vehicle, including a housing arrangement which is filled or fillable with fluid, a friction coupling region having a first friction surface formation rotating with the housing arrangement around an axis of rotation and a second friction surface formation that rotates with a driven element around the axis of rotation and which can be brought into frictional engagement with the first friction surface formation, a fluid coupling region with an impeller rotating with the housing arrangement around the axis of rotation and with a turbine that rotates with the driven element around the axis of rotation and which, along with the impeller, defines a toroidal fluid circulation space. The fluid coupling region is arranged radially outside the friction coupling region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Jörg Sudau, Arthur Schröder
  • Patent number: 8887884
    Abstract: An assembly for a torque converter including a first component, a second component non-rotatably secured to the first component by a connection member, wherein a seal is arranged between the first and second components, and the connect member extends through the seal, and wherein the seal is made from a cellulose-based material, wherein the first and second components at least partially define a first chamber and a second chamber, and wherein the seal separates the first chamber from the second chamber in a substantially fluid-tight seal manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: David C. Avins
  • Patent number: 8863923
    Abstract: A fluid transmission device comprises: a cover member coupled to a drive shaft; a converter mechanism constituted by a pump impeller coupled to the cover member, a turbine runner connected to a driven shaft, and a stator disposed between the pump impeller and the turbine runner, a converter chamber through which a working fluid flows being formed in the interior thereof; a lockup mechanism having a clutch piston provided in a lockup chamber that is surrounded by the cover member and the turbine runner, which engages and disengages the drive shaft and driven shaft by supplying a control fluid to a clutch oil chamber surrounded by a back surface of the clutch piston and the cover member; an inlet passage for leading the working fluid into the lockup chamber from the outside; a communicating passage for leading the working fluid into the converter chamber from the lockup chamber; and an outlet passage for leading the working fluid to the outside from the converter chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Toshimi Kaneko, Yasuhiro Morimoto, Yoshimichi Tsubata, Shoji Nomura, Yoshinori Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8857587
    Abstract: A method for operating an open 3-line type hydrodynamic coupling device, in which a fluid pressure displacing a clutch piston in an engaging direction is provided in the first space area for engaging the lockup clutch, and a fluid pressure displacing the clutch piston in the disengaging direction is provided in a second space area for disengaging the lockup clutch. A fluid supply pressure for the first space area and/or a fluid supply pressure for the second space area are/is adjusted depending on at least one operating variable in the engaged state of the lockup clutch and/or in the disengaged state of the lockup clutch and/or for engaging the lockup clutch and/or for disengaging the lockup clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Riess, Christian Selinka, Stefan Pümmler, Günter Grau
  • Patent number: 8857588
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic coupling device includes a lock-up clutch having at least one friction disc mounted such that it can slide axially with respect to a first rotary shaft, at least one first backing disc rotating as one with a secondary rotary shaft and a support ring to support the backing disc. The support ring has at least one axial groove circumferentially delineated by an upstream face and by a downstream face. A radial guide tooth of each backing disc is housed such that it can slide axially in the groove. Elastic preload elements are provided which are able to exert a preload torque to clamp the guide tooth of each braking disc circumferentially against one of either the upstream or downstream faces of the guide groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventors: Rabah Arhab, Norberto Termenon
  • Patent number: 8844692
    Abstract: A fluid pressure control device controls input and output of a fluid pressure to and from a fluid chamber in a device that transfers power from a motor via working fluid in the chamber, the chamber being partitioned into engagement and disengagement oil chambers by a lock-up clutch. A signal pressure output valve performs pressure regulation to output a signal pressure. The control device includes a control valve connected to an output source flow passage leading to an output source of the fluid pressure, and a control unit controlling the signal pressure output valve so the control valve establishes a first state when the lock-up clutch is turned off, establishes a third state when the lock-up clutch is turned on, and establishes a second state so the working fluid can be confined in the disengagement oil chamber when the lock-up clutch is switched on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Fukatsu, Hiroshi Tanaka, Toshiaki Hayashi, Toshihiro Aoyama
  • Patent number: 8845484
    Abstract: Mutual interference between a hydraulic pressure of a first engagement device and a hydraulic pressure of a second engagement device is suppressed even in the case where operation of the first engagement device and operation of the second engagement device coincide with each other. A vehicle drive device includes a first engagement device that selectively couples a rotary electric machine to an internal combustion engine, and a fluid coupling. The first engagement device includes a first oil chamber that is formed to apply a back pressure to a first piston. The fluid coupling includes a second oil chamber configured to control an engagement state of a second engagement device. The vehicle drive device includes a first control valve that controls a first oil chamber hydraulic pressure, and a second control valve that controls a second oil chamber hydraulic pressure independently of the first oil chamber hydraulic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiko Kamiya, Terufumi Miyazaki, Mikio Iwase, Tetsuya Yamaguchi, Yuhei Yoshioka, Keisuke Kawamoto
  • Patent number: 8844691
    Abstract: A torque converter includes a cover for receiving torque from a prime mover, an impeller fixed to the cover to form a housing for the torque converter, a turbine disposed in the housing for receiving torque from the impeller, and a clutch backing plate fixed to the housing and arranged to receive a force, in an axial direction, from the turbine during operation of the torque converter. In some example embodiments, the turbine includes a thrust plate for thrust engagement with the clutch backing plate. In an example embodiment, the turbine includes a turbine shell and the thrust plate is attached to the turbine shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jonathan Jameson, Brian Zaugg, Daniel Sayre, Markus Steinberger
  • Patent number: 8789674
    Abstract: A torque transmission system, particularly for a vehicle, includes a housing arrangement (26) with a hub region (36) which engages in a shaft opening (22) of the gearbox housing (16) and is rotatably supported so as to be substantially fluid-tight with respect to the gearbox housing (16) by means of a bearing/seal arrangement (42); at least one first fluid port (97) which opens toward an intermediate space region (98) formed between the housing arrangement (26) and the gearbox housing (16) is provided in the housing arrangement (26) in or in the vicinity of the hub region (36), and at least one second fluid port (104) which bypasses the bearing/seal arrangement (42) and opens toward the intermediate space region (98) is provided in the gearbox housing (16) and/or in the bearing/seal arrangement (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Jörg Sudau, Gregor Sueck, Arthur Schröder
  • Patent number: 8727087
    Abstract: A torque transmission includes a housing arrangement drivable around an axis of rotation and filled with fluid and a clutch arrangement between the housing arrangement and a driven member. The clutch arrangement has a first friction surface formation rotatable with the housing arrangement and a second friction surface formation rotatable with the driven member. A clutch piston is movable axially for producing and canceling frictional engagement of the first and the second friction surface formation. A piston carrying element is connected to the clutch piston on the radially inner side for axial movement of the clutch piston. The piston carrying element has in its radially inner end region a first axial supporting area for axially supporting the driven member at the piston carrying element and a second axial supporting area for supporting the piston carrying element at the housing arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ralf Fambach, Georg Mencher, Gregor Sueck, Andreas Grell, Michael Heuler
  • Patent number: 8727088
    Abstract: A work vehicle has a hydraulic pump and a transmission. The transmission includes a transmission body having a cylindrical input shaft, a torque converter body, a lock-up clutch device, a pump drive shaft, and an oil channel. The lock-up clutch device includes a piston, an oil chamber formed at a back surface of the piston, and a clutch portion. The pump drive shaft penetrates the input shaft and is disposed coaxially to the input shaft. The pump drive shaft transmits driving power to the hydraulic pump. The oil channel is formed between an inner circumference surface of the input shaft and an outer circumference surface of the pump drive shaft, and communicates with the oil chamber in the lock-up clutch device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Takeshima, Yoshito Komatsu
  • Patent number: 8725373
    Abstract: A control apparatus of an automatic transmission including a start intended operation detecting unit detecting a vehicle starting operation; and a clutch control unit engaging the clutch from the clutch disengaged state and the automatic speed change mechanism is placed in a neutral state, when the vehicle starting operation is detected. The clutch control unit includes an initial engagement control unit performing initial engagement control that starts frictional contact of the clutch by supplying hydraulic pressure to a hydraulic servo of the clutch, and a slip start control unit establishing a speed ratio of the automatic speed change mechanism at the start by slip-controlling the clutch after the initial engagement control is terminated, thereby increasing output shaft rotational speed of the automatic speed change mechanism without reducing the input shaft rotational speed of the automatic speed change mechanism to less than the input shaft rotational speed at the end of initial engagement control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tsutsui, Yutaka Teraoka, Masatake Ichikawa, Shoji Omitsu
  • Patent number: 8708118
    Abstract: A clutch and damper assembly for a torque converter includes a clutch piston with a piston friction surface for engaging the clutch and an outer sealing diameter, and a damper. The piston friction surface is disposed radially inward of the damper and the outer sealing diameter is disposed radially outward of the damper. In an example embodiment, the clutch piston includes an inner sealing diameter disposed radially inward of the piston friction surface. In some example embodiments, the damper includes a resilient element and a drive plate. The drive plate is drivingly engaged with the resilient element and frictionally engageable with the clutch piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Steinberger, Patrick Lindemann, Craig Kneidel
  • Patent number: 8695772
    Abstract: A torque converter apparatus includes a torque converter, a lock-up clutch arranged between the torque converter and an engine, and a lock-up damper arranged between the torque converter and the lock-up clutch and connected to the lock-up clutch, the lock-up damper including a plurality of springs arranged at multiple stages and separated from each other in a radial direction of the torque converter, the lock-up clutch including an outer hub and an inner hub, the outer hub extending toward the lock-up damper and supporting one of first and second frictional engagement members engageable with each other, the outer hub extending toward a first space formed between the plurality of springs in the radial direction, the inner hub extending toward the engine and supporting the other of the first and second frictional engagement members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukihisa Tsuzuki, Yosuke Makino, Tomoko Yamamoto, Tomoyuki Kitagawa
  • 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: 8620544
    Abstract: A transmission includes a plurality of clutches that are selectively engageable alone or in combination with each other to establish a plurality of forward drive modes, wherein one of the clutches is configured as a neutral idle (NI) clutch that is selectively actuated to shift the transmission into an NI state, and a controller. The controller is adapted to shift the transmission from a forward drive mode into the NI state during a coast-down maneuver prior to the transmission reaching a zero output speed. A method of shifting the transmission into the NI state includes determining the presence of a predetermined one of the forward drive modes using the controller, and using the controller to actuate a designated one of the clutches as an NI clutch to enter the NI state during the forward drive mode, during a coast-down maneuver, and prior to the transmission reaching a zero output speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ronald F. Lochocki, Jr., Sindu Sebastian, David W. Wright
  • Patent number: 8579094
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a transmission includes a first source of pressurized hydraulic fluid for providing a first flow of hydraulic fluid, a second source of pressurized hydraulic fluid for providing a second flow of hydraulic fluid, and a torque converter control subsystem for controlling a torque converter and a torque converter clutch. The torque converter control subsystem includes a torque converter control valve and a solenoid. The solenoid is multiplexed to the torque converter control valve and the torque converter clutch. The torque converter control valve is operable to control a flow of hydraulic fluid to the torque converter and to other subsystems within the hydraulic control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Steven P. Moorman, John R. Czoykowski, Chinar S. Ghike
  • Patent number: 8567579
    Abstract: A clutch apparatus includes an input shaft having a bore portion extending in an axial direction thereof, a stator shaft formed in a cylindrical shape and provided so as to surround an outer circumferential surface of the input shaft, and a sleeve formed in a cylindrical shape and provided so as to surround an outer circumferential surface of the stator shaft, wherein the stator shaft includes an internal hydraulic passage, a clearance formed between an inner circumferential surface of the sleeve and the outer circumferential surface of the stator shaft serves as a first hydraulic passage, the internal hydraulic passage serves as a second hydraulic passage, a clearance formed between an inner circumferential surface of the stator shaft and the outer circumferential surface of the input shaft serves as a third hydraulic passage, and the bore portion of the input shaft serves as a fourth hydraulic passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinobu Nakamura, Masahiro Tomida
  • Publication number: 20130264164
    Abstract: A method of operating a torque converter clutch in an engine start-stop vehicle improves launch after an auto stop event. During the autostop event, hydraulic fluid is supplied to the torque converter clutch operator through one or more solenoid valves by an auxiliary electric pump. When the prime mover is started at the conclusion of the autostop event, the torque converter clutch is thus locked, assuring rapid and sufficient torque transfer through the torque converter to the transmission and improved acceleration during vehicle launch. As the vehicle accelerates, the hydraulic pressure in the clutch operator is reduced and slip through the clutch increased to achieve a smooth launch and return to conventional torque converter operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Paul G. Otanez, Zhen J. Zhang, Robert L. Moses, Gary E. McGee
  • Publication number: 20130256074
    Abstract: A turbine assembly for a torque converter includes a turbine wheel, including vanes configured to receive fluid flow and cause the turbine wheel to rotate. The turbine assembly further includes a turbine hub coupled to the turbine wheel, wherein the turbine hub is configured to transmit torque from the turbine wheel to an output shaft of the torque converter. The turbine hub and the turbine wheel are coupled to one another via a plurality of fasteners and a plurality of drive pins, such that relative circumferential displacement between the turbine hub and the turbine wheel is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Jason R. Walker, Arthur J. Bland
  • Patent number: 8527168
    Abstract: A method for ascertaining a rotational speed parameter for determining a setpoint torque for driving a drivetrain. The drivetrain comprises a first and at least one second drive assembly for driving a hybrid vehicle. The first drive assembly can be coupled to the drivetrain by means of a clutch. The second drive assembly is mechanically coupled to the drivetrain. When the hybrid vehicle is being driven by means of at least the first drive assembly, the rotational speed parameter corresponds to the value of a shaft rotational speed. When the hybrid vehicle is being driven only by means of the second drive assembly, the rotational speed parameter corresponds to the value of a determined rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Maass, Christian Vienken, Manfred Hellmann, Kai Moegle
  • Patent number: 8499912
    Abstract: A torque converter for an automatic transmission includes a first fluid flow path for supplying a fluid to a pump cavity, a second fluid flow path for removing the fluid from the pump cavity, and a third fluid flow path for supplying a hydraulic signal to a lock-up clutch. The third fluid flow path is separate and distinct from the first fluid flow path and the second fluid flow path. A sleeve divides a stepped axial bore in the turbine output shaft into an inner stepped axial bore cavity, which is part of the third fluid flow path, and an outer stepped axial bore cavity, which is part of the first fluid flow path. The torque converter further includes an isolator assembly having a twenty degree rotational travel dampening distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Farzad Samie, Andrew L. Bartos, Chunhao J. Lee
  • Patent number: 8479902
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic coupling device includes a lock-up clutch having at least one friction disc mounted such that it can slide axially with respect to a first rotary shaft, at least one first backing disc rotating as one with a secondary rotary shaft and a support ring to support the backing disc. The support ring has at least one axial groove circumferentially delineated by an upstream face and by a downstream face. A radial guide tooth of each backing disc is housed such that it can glide axially in the groove. Elastic preload elements are provided which are able to exert a preload torque to clamp the guide tooth of each braking disc circumferentially against one of either the upstream or downstream faces of the guide groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventors: Rabah Arhab, Norberto Termenon
  • Patent number: 8464851
    Abstract: An electro-hydraulic control system for a multiple speed automatic motor vehicle transmission includes main and auxiliary hydraulic pumps, a line pressure regulator, a lubrication pressure regulator, a lubrication override control valve and a torque converter control valve which is controlled by a variable force solenoid (VFS). Driver commands are provided to the system through a manual logic or spool valve which functions in conjunction with a spool or logic default valve and a default solenoid. Five solenoid valves receive various flows of hydraulic fluid and supply them to hydraulic actuators that engage and disengage four friction clutches and a selectable one-way clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Steven P. Moorman
  • Patent number: 8447508
    Abstract: A method for controlling torque converter slip includes operating the torque converter in a controlled slip mode, monitoring slip in the torque converter, statistically analyzing the monitored slip to determine a likely condition of the torque converter, and utilizing the likely condition of the torque converter to control the torque converter slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Paul G. Otanez, Chunhao J. Lee, Farzad Samie
  • Patent number: 8403118
    Abstract: A torque converter, including: turbine and pump shells; a turbine hub; a drive hub including a first orifice; and a lock-up clutch. The clutch includes: a clutch plate directly engaged with the turbine hub, fixed with respect to rotation to the turbine hub, and sealed with respect to the turbine hub; an apply plate the rotation of which is fixed to the rotation of the pump shell; and a piston plate. The converter includes a first fluid chamber at least partially formed by the piston, clutch and apply plates; and a second fluid chamber partially formed by the clutch and apply plates and the turbine and pump shells. When the lock-up clutch is closed, the first chamber is sealed except for the first orifice and one of a second orifice through the apply plate or a first fluid flow path through the lock-up clutch to the second fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael G. Swank, Steven Olsen, Jonathan Jameson
  • Patent number: 8387766
    Abstract: A wet clutch arrangement, particularly a wet plate clutch or lockup clutch including a first friction face formation coupled with a housing arrangement for rotation around an axis of rotation and a second friction face formation coupled with an output member for rotation around the axis of rotation, and a preferably ring-shaped pressing piston. The pressing piston, together with the housing arrangement, defines a pressure fluid space and is movable in direction of the axis of rotation through a change in fluid pressure in the pressure fluid space for influencing the frictional interaction between the friction face formations. An operant fluid application surface of the pressing piston is in the range of 15000 mm2 to 25000 mm2 for generating a force acting upon the pressing piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Gregor Sueck, Jürgen Dacho, Thomas Adelmann
  • Patent number: 8381888
    Abstract: A power transmission device for power transmission between an engine and a power output, comprising at least an input and an output, a hydrodynamic component with an impeller and a turbine wheel and a device for partially bypassing at least the hydrodynamic component with a servo unit featuring a piston element that can be pressurized with hydraulic medium and able to influence the circulation rate difference of flow media on both sides of the piston element, wherein the influence comprises rotary synchronism with the piston element of the servo unit, a further rotatable piston element disposed in axial direction with a spacing from the piston element of the servo unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bruno Mueller, Thorsten Krause, Christian Huegel
  • Patent number: 8380411
    Abstract: A clutch control device for vehicle equipped with a clutch actuator driven by a working fluid, wherein secular change in the flow rate control valve for controlling the working fluid is compensated, and the rate of connection of the clutch is correctly controlled by a simple means. To control the stroke of a clutch actuator 110, the clutch control device is provided with a single flow rate control valve 1 that controls the feed and discharge of the working fluid by using an electromagnetic solenoid. A flow rate control valve control device 9 is provided with a learning device 91 that learns the neutral position of the flow rate control valve 1 which shuts off the flow of the working fluid, separately detects the amounts of electric current to a coil 8 of when the rate of change in the stroke becomes zero depending upon the directions in which the valve body of the flow control valve 1 moves, and learns the central point at the neutral position by averaging the detected values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Takei, Yasushi Yamamoto, Hiroyuki Kawanishi
  • Patent number: 8348036
    Abstract: A multi-function torque converter including: an apply pressure chamber for a torque converter clutch; a first pressure chamber including a torus; and a resilient flow control element in fluid communication with the apply chamber and the first pressure chamber and arranged to control fluid flow to the apply pressure chamber. The resilient flow element is displaceable to block fluid flow to the apply pressure chamber in torque converter mode for the torque converter and to enable fluid flow to the apply chamber in lock-up mode. The torque converter includes a second pressure chamber and the clutch includes a piston plate at least partially bounding the apply pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Vural Ari, Todd J. Sturgin, Kevin Parks
  • Patent number: 8348037
    Abstract: A torque converter having three sealed chambers in which a piston for engaging and disengaging a lock-up clutch is attached to the torque converter using a plurality of leaf springs. The assembly includes a plurality of access or pass-through holes for effecting the attachment of the leaf spring to the cover using rivets. Also included is plurality of plugs to seal the pass-through holes. A method of using the plugs to prevent uncontrolled leakage from one sealed chamber to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: John Carrier, Nathan Yensho
  • Patent number: 8342306
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter (1), comprising a turbine wheel (9) driven by an impeller (8) and connected to an output part, and comprising a housing (34), in which a torsional vibration damper (19) having several damper stages (17, 20) and a centrifugal force pendulum (11), and also a converter lockup clutch (18) connecting a housing and an output part (3), are accommodated. In order to avoid any striking of the pendulum masses of the centrifugal force pendulum in internal combustion engines having large oscillating angles driving the torque converter, a turbine damper is connected in the power flow upstream of the centrifugal force pendulum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Werner, Jan Loxtermann
  • Patent number: 8322501
    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: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Toros Guelluek, Bruno Mueller, Stephan Maienschein, Thorsten Krause, Mario Degler
  • Patent number: 8321176
    Abstract: A method for determining an angle between a first shaft section and a second shaft section is provided. The 0° position of the first shaft section is determined by a first shaft signal, and the 0° position of the second shaft section is determined by a second shaft signal. The first shaft signal and the second shaft signal are subsequently each decomposed using Fourier analysis into frequency components of harmonic oscillations, wherein frequencies are calculated for the first shaft signal, and frequencies are calculated for the second shaft signal. The frequencies are each calculated as complex pointers from absolute value and phase of the order thereof wherein each pointer describes the angular velocity of the particular frequency. For each frequency, the particular angle of the complex number is then divided by the order, wherein standardized complex pointers are calculated. The standardized complex pointers are added complexly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Martin Hempl
  • Publication number: 20120247899
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure controller, which controls hydraulic pressure supplied to a torque converter including a lock-up clutch that is engageable using a hydraulic pressure from a mechanical pump, including a first pressure regulation valve that regulates pressure in a first passage connected to the pump while discharging oil in the first passage to a discharge passage; a bypass passage branched from the first passage bypassing the first pressure regulation valve; a first switching valve selectively switchable between a first state in which the bypass passage and a second passage are connected to each other and a second state in which the discharge passage and the second passage are connected to each other; and a second pressure regulation valve that regulates a hydraulic pressure in the second passage. The first switching valve is switchable into the first state to engage the clutch and into the second state to disengage the clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoya JINNO, Tetsuya SHIMIZU, Kazunori ISHIKAWA
  • Patent number: 8272486
    Abstract: A control section determines a driving state of a vehicle and controls first and second solenoid valves on the basis of the determined driving state. An oil passage length of a second oil discharge passage is shorter than that of a first oil discharge passage and a discharge end of the second oil discharge passage is opened at a lower position than that of the first oil discharge passage. The control section derives hydraulic oil, discharged from an oil chamber via a first shift valve, to the first oil discharge passage by means of a second shift valve when it is determined that the driving state is one during normal driving. The control section derives the hydraulic oil to the second oil discharge passage by means of the second shift valve when it is determined that the driving state is one required for rapid lock-up off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takei, Yutaka Ishikawa, Yoshimichi Tsubata, Motoo Takeda
  • Patent number: 8272485
    Abstract: A hydraulic control unit provided with oil pumps includes a first oil discharging outlet and a second oil discharging outlet, a high pressure route connected with the first oil discharging outlet, a medium pressure route with an oil pressure therein being lower than that in the high pressure route, a low pressure route with an oil pressure therein being lower than that in the medium pressure route, and a connection mode switching mechanism for selectively connecting a second oil discharging outlet with the high pressure route, the medium pressure route or the low pressure route. The connection mode switching mechanism includes a changeover valve selectively connecting the second oil discharging outlet with the medium pressure route or the low pressure route; and a changeover valve controlling device connecting the second oil discharging outlet with any of the medium pressure route and the low pressure route. The hydraulic control unit can minimize drive loss of an oil pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Michio Yoshida, Yuji Hattori, Toshiya Yamashita, Kenta Kimura
  • Patent number: 8275530
    Abstract: A transmission system that includes a transmission, a pressure sensor, a pressure booster, and a controller. The pressure booster being capable of raising the pressure of transmission fluid inside a closed-loop transmission by lowering the sensed pressure coming from the pressures sensor and being sent to the controller, thereby initiating a response from the controller that results in higher fluid pressures. The pressure booster does not lower the sensed pressure when the vehicle, and therefore, the transmission, is not in operation. Additionally, the pressure booster also does not increase the electric current through the electrical components of the fluid control system. The result is a transmission with a “firmer” feel between shifts and the correction of weak shifting problems such as gear slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Sonnax Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregg A. Nader
  • Patent number: 8272985
    Abstract: A power transmission mechanism for transmitting power between a driving engine and an output drive, including: an input and an output; a hydrodynamic component with a pump wheel and a turbine wheel; an apparatus for at least partially bridging over the hydrodynamic component, the apparatus including a control device with a piston element that is chargeable with pressurizing agent; an influencing element for influencing a difference in speeds of rotation of moving fluids on both sides of the piston element, the influencing element rotatable in rotational synchronicity with the piston element, which extends outward in the radial direction free of any direct connection with the piston element, and which is situated in the radial direction at least in the range of the outside diameter, forming at least part of an axial space with the piston element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Benjamin Daniel, Thorsten Krause
  • Patent number: 8265844
    Abstract: A clutch control device for vehicle is equipped with a clutch actuator driven by a working fluid, and works to correctly control the rate of connection of the clutch by a simple means compensating secular change of a flow rate control valve that controls the working fluid. The clutch control device has a single flow rate control valve 1 for controlling the feed and discharge of the working fluid to change the stroke of the clutch actuator 110. The flow rate control valve 1 has a neutral position at where feed and discharge of the working fluid is stopped. A flow rate control valve control device 9 is provided with a learning device 91 for learning the neutral position. To control the stroke, the flow rate control valve control device 9 corrects the amount of electric current to a coil 8 of an electromagnetic solenoid based on a value learned by the learning device 91 and compensates a change in the flow rate characteristics caused by secular change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Takei, Yasushi Yamamoto, Hiroyuki Kawanishi
  • Patent number: 8261900
    Abstract: A wet clutch comprising at least one friction disk (10) which is loaded by a piston (5) against an end disk (4). In order to run a forced pressure medium flow over the friction surfaces (11, 12) of the wet clutch, two pressures cavities (7, 8) having a connection in the region of the friction surfaces, are loaded with varying pressures. In order to improve such arrangements, the invention proposes that the leakage flow flowing over the supports of the friction disks is limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Mario Degler, Stephan Maienschein
  • 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: 8240443
    Abstract: A powertrain is provided that has an engine and a torque converter. The engine is configured to provide oil to the torque converter for operation of the torque converter. The engine oil may provide both the fluid coupling and torque converter clutch apply and release functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Hamid Vahabzadeh, Scott H. Wittkopp, Edwin T. Grochowski
  • Patent number: 8225915
    Abstract: A system for controlling a dual clutch torque converter that allows for independent control of the dual clutches includes a first valve assembly, a second valve assembly, a first solenoid, and a second solenoid. The first valve assembly is operable to control whether the dual clutches are released, trimmed, or engaged. The second valve assembly is operable to control which of the dual clutches are released, trimmed, or engaged. The first solenoid is operable to control the position of the first valve assembly and the second solenoid is operable to control the position of the second valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: David C. Ames, Charles F. Long
  • Patent number: 8220605
    Abstract: A power transmission mechanism including at least one hydrodynamic component and a device for at least partially bridging over the transmission of power through the hydrodynamic component by means of a control device, having an actuating mechanism that can be charged by way of a chamber that is chargeable with a pressurizing agent, and at least one spring unit is interposed between the actuating mechanism and the device for at least partially bridging over the hydrodynamic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thorsten Krause, Benjamin Daniel
  • Patent number: 8215470
    Abstract: A starting device includes a housing; an output side member; a clutch mechanism; a working oil passage that supplies working oil to a hydraulic chamber of the clutch mechanism from an oil pressure source side; and a lubricating oil passage including a supply oil passage that supplies lubricating oil to the housing from the oil pressure source side and a return oil passage for returning the lubricating oil to the oil pressure source side from the housing, wherein the working oil passage and the lubricating oil passage are formed to overlap at least partially in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Ishikawa, Koji Maeda, Hiroshi Katou, Keizo Araki, Yuito Abe
  • Publication number: 20120152678
    Abstract: A torque converter for an automatic transmission includes a first fluid flow path for supplying a fluid to a pump cavity, a second fluid flow path for removing the fluid from the pump cavity, and a third fluid flow path for supplying a hydraulic signal to a lock-up clutch. The third fluid flow path is separate and distinct from the first fluid flow path and the second fluid flow path. A sleeve divides a stepped axial bore in the turbine output shaft into an inner stepped axial bore cavity, which is part of the third fluid flow path, and an outer stepped axial bore cavity, which is part of the first fluid flow path. The torque converter further includes an isolator assembly having a twenty degree rotational travel dampening distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Farzad Samie, Andrew L. Bartos, Chunhao J. Lee
  • Patent number: 8191694
    Abstract: A lock-up control valve (550) selectively applies secondary pressure P (L/U) to the apply side hydraulic chamber of a torque converter (200) or to the release side hydraulic chamber thereof. The lock-up control valve (550) has a valve element (600), a first port (611), a second port (612), a third port (613), a fourth port (614), and a drain port (616). The valve element (600) has a first land (601) and a second land (602). The diameter of the second land (602) is larger than that of the first land (601).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshinobu Soga