With Auxiliary Source Of Pressure Patents (Class 192/3.3)
  • Publication number: 20080245634
    Abstract: The invention relates to a high output machine unit; with a drive system provided with an output shaft; with a machine provided with a drive shaft; with a fillable and dischargeable hydrodynamic coupling arranged between the drive system and the machine; with a mechanical coupling arranged parallel to the hydrodynamic coupling; one half of the mechanical coupling can be connected non-rotationally to the output shaft of the drive system; the other half of the mechanical coupling can be connected non-rotationally to the drive shaft of the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Basteck, Hans Schirle, Harald Hoffeld
  • Publication number: 20080216477
    Abstract: “The invention concerns a turbo compound system, including a crankshaft driven by an internal combustion engine; a blowdown turbine arranged in the exhaust line of the internal combustion engine; a hydrodynamic clutch, comprising a driving torus and a driven torus, which form with each other a working chamber that is fillable or filled with working fluid; where the driven torus of the hydrodynamic clutch is arranged on a shaft on the crankshaft side, which is in drive connection with the crankshaft and is geared up relative to the crankshaft; and where the driving torus of the hydrodynamic clutch is arranged on a shaft on the blowdown turbine side, which is in drive connection with the blowdown turbine, and where—a rotary pump is arranged on the shaft on the crankshaft side or on the shaft on the blowdown turbine side, whose impeller is driven by this shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2005
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: VOITH TURBO GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Markus Kley, Kai Kamossa
  • Publication number: 20080173508
    Abstract: Description of a hydraulic control system (1A) for a hydrodynamic torque converter (1) with a controlled torque converter lockup clutch (2) of an automatic transmission for controlling a supply pressure (p_WD_zu) of the torque converter (2) and a supply pressure (p_WK_zu) of the torque converter lockup clutch (2). The torque converter lockup clutch (2) is engaged when the supply pressure (p_WD_zu) of the torque converter (1) is lower than a predefined pressure level of the supply pressure (p_WK_zu) of the torque converter lockup clutch. A converter pressure valve (WDV) is provided for controlling the supply pressure (p_WD_zu) of the torque converter (1), and a converter coupling valve (WKV) for controlling the supply pressure (p_WK_zu) of the torque converter lockup clutch, where their valve slides (WDV_S, WKV_S) can be acted upon by at least one pre-control pressure (p_VS) and one system pressure (p_sys).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Georg Gierer, Thilo Schmidt, Tobias Rolser
  • Patent number: 7389861
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic clutch device includes a clutch housing connected to a drive, a pump wheel connected to the clutch housing, and a turbine wheel connected to a takeoff, the turbine wheel and the pump wheel forming a hydrodynamic circuit. A bridging clutch which is essentially surrounded by the hydrodynamic circuit includes a piston and at least one friction surface which can be acted on by the piston to connect the drive to the takeoff independently of the hydrodynamic circuit, the piston having one surface facing the hydrodynamic circuit and an opposite surface facing a pressure space. A pressure circuit includes a first pressure medium line to supply the hydrodynamic circuit with clutch fluid and a second pressure medium line to supply the pressure space with clutch fluid. A seal at least reduces the exchange of fluid between the hydrodynamic circuit and the pressure space, and a throttle allows a defined exchange of fluid between the hydrodynamic circuit and the pressure space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Jürgen Ackermann
  • Publication number: 20080121483
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter includes a housing with an interior space and a pump wheel; a turbine wheel installed in the interior space and rotatable about an axis with respect to the housing; and a bridging clutch including a first friction surface formation connected essentially nonrotatably to the converter housing, and a second friction surface formation connected essentially nonrotatably to the turbine wheel. A piston element divides the interior space into a first space containing the turbine wheel and a second space facing away from the first space, wherein a pressure increase in the second space brings the first and second friction formations into frictional engagement to connect the housing to the turbine wheel for rotation in common. Fluid flow openings in the piston element connect the second space to the first space in the radial area of the friction surface formations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Christoph Sasse, Bernd Reinhardt
  • Patent number: 7377373
    Abstract: Engagement, disengagement, and slip of a lock-up clutch can be controlled using two valves that are a lock-up relay valve and a linear solenoid valve. A lock-up control valve employed in a conventional hydraulic control apparatus can be eliminated, which simplifies the configuration, and reduces the size of a hydraulic control apparatus for a torque converter with a lock-up clutch. When the lock-up clutch is engaged, hydraulic pressure output from the linear solenoid valve is supplied to a disengagement-side oil chamber of the torque converter, and a pressure difference between the engagement-side oil chamber and the disengagement-side oil chamber is applied to a spool valve element of the linear solenoid valve. Therefore, the spool valve element is driven such that an electromagnetic force applied from a linear solenoid becomes equal to the pressure difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Nozaki, Atsushi Tabata, Atsushi Honda, Akiharu Abe, Yuji Inoue, Hirofumi Ota, Atsushi Kamada
  • Patent number: 7361120
    Abstract: A lock-up clutch control device which controls a lock-up clutch (6) provided in a torque converter (5) interposed between an engine (3) and a transmission (4) used with a vehicle, is disclosed. The lock-up clutch control device has a differential pressure generating device (7,8), a vehicle speed sensor (13), a throttle valve opening sensor (14), an transmission input shaft rotation speed sensor (16), engine torque detection means (2), and a controller (1). The controller (1) determines, based on the detected vehicle speed (VSP) and the detected throttle valve opening (TVO), whether or not a control region of a torque converter is a converter region wherein control is performed to disengage the lock-up clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Toshiji Iida, Hiroshi Sekiya, Morimasa Yamawaki, Tatsuya Imamura, Koji Dohi, Kouji Saitou
  • Publication number: 20080087514
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter including a housing connectable to a drive element for rotation in common around an axis of rotation, the housing being fillable with a fluid; a pump wheel in the housing; a turbine wheel in the housing and connected to a takeoff element; and a supporting/sealing hub area on an axial side of the housing and facing away from the drive element, the supporting/sealing hub area comprising a first hub element permanently connected to the housing; and a second hub element connected to the first hub element for rotation in common around the axis of rotation, the second hub element being axially movable relative to the first hub element, the second hub element comprising an outside circumference, a sealing surface on the outside circumference, a first axial end facing away from the drive element, and a rotational driver formation at the first axial end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Michael Heuler
  • Publication number: 20080078638
    Abstract: A power transmission device, in particular for use in vehicles, having one input and at least one output, comprising a hydrodynamic component and a lockup clutch. The lockup clutch includes at least one friction surface arrangement which is coupled at least indirectly in a rotationally fixed manner with the input of the power transmission device, or is coupled in a rotationally fixed manner with the pump wheel, and can be brought into an operative connection with a second frictional surface arrangement which is connected to the output in a rotationally fixed manner. An actuating mechanism is assigned to the lockup clutch. The actuating mechanism forms one structural unit with a friction surface carrying element of the first friction surface arrangement, and is coupled in an axially movable and rotationally fixed manner with the input of the power transmission device, or with the connection between the input and the pump wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Mario Degler, Bruno Mueller
  • Patent number: 7341133
    Abstract: A hydraulic power transmission is provided with a frictional engagement element as a lock-up clutch between a hydraulic power transmission chamber, housing a pump impeller and a turbine runner, and a servo oil chamber of the lock-up clutch. A lock-up oil passage that supplies lock-up hydraulic pressure to the servo oil chamber is connected to a hydraulic pressure supply circuit that is used in common with a circulation oil passage that supplies hydraulic pressure for circulation to the hydraulic power transmission chamber. An orifice is disposed in the circulation oil passage. It is thus possible to perform lock-up with different supply pressures. A common oil supply for the lock-up oil passage and the circulation oil passage is provided, for example, by disposing a converting circuit that adapts an oil passage connection to hydraulic transmissions with different types of lock-up clutches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Aisin A W Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Ando, Hideyuki Aoki, Hiroyuki Tsukamoto, Akira Fukatsu, Atsushi Mori, Akira Matsuo, Hideaki Furuta
  • Publication number: 20080047794
    Abstract: A clutch apply control valve switches between a first position and a second position based on a control pressure PDS1, and a control pressure PDS2. When both the control pressure PDS1, and the control pressure PDS2 are output, the clutch apply control valve switches from the first position to the second position and outputs the control pressure PDS2. As a result, a lockup control valve switches to an OFF position. Accordingly, a dedicated solenoid valve for controlling operation of the clutch apply control valve can be eliminated, thus reducing both size and cost while enabling a lockup clutch to be released even if there is an ON failure of a solenoid valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yusuke Ogata, Yoshinobu Soga
  • Publication number: 20080023285
    Abstract: A lockup clutch control apparatus includes a power unit, an automatic transmission, a torque converter, a lockup clutch, an input shaft connected to the power unit, a first output shaft for transmitting the driving force to the automatic transmission; and a second output shaft for transmitting the driving force from the automatic transmission. When a power unit rotation speed or a first output shaft rotation speed becomes equal to, or lower than a first rotation speed, the lockup pressure supplied to the lockup clutch is controlled at a first pressure reduction speed to a target reduced pressure value which is obtained within a range at which the lockup pressure can be controlled. When the lockup pressure becomes the target reduced pressure value, the lockup pressure is reduced at a second pressure reduction speed, which is lower than the first pressure reduction speed, until the lockup clutch starts slipping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Tsunekawa
  • Publication number: 20070295572
    Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention provides a torque converter for an automatic transmission. The torque converter includes an electronically controlled converter clutch disposed within a torque converter housing. A release passage in fluid communication with the electronically controlled converter clutch is defined between standard functional torque converter components. The release passage is configured to transfer hydraulic fluid to release the electronically controlled converter clutch. An apply passage in fluid communication with the electronically controlled converter clutch is also defined between standard functional torque converter components. The apply passage is configured to transfer hydraulic fluid to engage the electronically controlled converter clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Farzad Samie, Richard W. Carlson, Andrew L. Bartos
  • Patent number: 7296667
    Abstract: A torque converter with a rotary oscillation damper has two or more rotary damper components that are rotatable in relation to each other. A friction-reducing component is arranged between the rotary damper components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Stephan Maienschein, Rudolf Hönemann
  • Publication number: 20070251788
    Abstract: A clutch assembly in a torque converter including a piston plate operatively arranged to apply axial pressure to a clutch in the clutch assembly. An annular member can be rotationally connected to a cover of the torque converter and rotationally connected to an outer circumference of the clutch. A first seal can be disposed between the piston plate and an inner circumference of the drive plate to form a seal between the piston plate and the inner circumference. In some aspects, the annular member is a drive plate arranged to transmit torque from said cover to said clutch and the annular member is fixedly secured to said cover by a weld. In other aspects, the first clutch plate is axially displaceable with respect to the annular member and the piston plate is axially displaceable with respect to the annular member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Thomas Heck, Scott Schrader
  • 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: 7287631
    Abstract: A lock-up clutch control device controls a lock-up clutch provided in a torque converter mounted between an engine and a transmission of a vehicle. The lock-up clutch control device switches between a converter state and a lock-up state by controlling a differential pressure supplied to the lock-up clutch. The lock-up clutch control device has a controller and a differential pressure generator for generating the differential pressure in response to a differential pressure command value. The controller calculates a first differential pressure command value which decreases at a predetermined rate, after the vehicle speed becomes a first predetermined speed; sets the differential pressure command value to a second differential pressure command value, before the vehicle speed becomes a second predetermined speed; and sets the differential pressure command value to a value at which the lock-up clutch is immediately released, when the vehicle speed becomes the second predetermined speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignees: JATCO Ltd, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Imamura, Hiroshi Sekiya, Toshiji Iida, Koji Dohi, Nobuo Kurogo
  • Publication number: 20070235277
    Abstract: A fluid-filled clutch arrangement includes a housing; a piston mounted with freedom of axial movement in the housing, the piston being sealed against the housing, the piston having a drive side bounding a drive side pressure space from a takeoff side bounding a takeoff side pressure space; a clutch which can establish and release a working connection between a drive and a takeoff as a function of the position of the piston relative to the clutch; and a partition wall bounding the takeoff side pressure space opposite the piston, the partition wall being active between the takeoff side pressure space and a cooling space. At least one supply line connects a fluid supply source to at least one of the drive-side pressure space, the takeoff side pressure space, and the cooling space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Heuler, Jurgen Dacho
  • Publication number: 20070205067
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic clutch includes a housing which can be brought into working connection with a drive; a hydrodynamic circuit formed by a pump wheel and a turbine wheel; a torsional vibration damper having a drive side transmission element, a takeoff side transmission element, and at least one energy storage group between the transmission elements; and a bridging clutch including first friction elements connected to the housing and second friction elements connected to the drive side transmission element. A first flow route extends from a first flow passage to the friction elements, and a second flow route extends from the hydrodynamic circuit to a second flow passage. A sealing arrangement cooperates with the drive side transmission element to separate the first flow route from the second flow route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Frey, Michael Heuler, Edgar Reinhart, Bernd Reinhardt, Stefan Mundt, Thomas Baier, Frank Zerner
  • Patent number: 7243767
    Abstract: A hydraulic system of a transmission, for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, having several pressure circuits which can be loaded with hydraulic fluid from a pressure source and in relation to the supply of different areas of the transmission are differently prioritized. The pressure in the pressure circuits is adjustable according to a system valve and one of the pressure circuits comprises a cooling device for the hydraulic fluid and a lubrication circuit located downstream of the cooling device. Between the cooling device and the lubrication circuit is provided a bypass pipe, blockable via a valve unit, which can be controlled via the valve unit so that the hydraulic fluid flow rate to be passed via the cooling device can be adjusted without changing the hydraulic fluid flow rate to be fed to the lubrication circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Georg Gierer, Thilo Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7234577
    Abstract: A torque converter, which can prevent an oil pressure required for shifting a lock-up clutch from being made high, is provided. A converter chamber is formed between an outside circular-plate portion of a front cover and an impeller shell. A lock-up clutch constituted by a drive plate and a driven plate is accommodated in a clutch chamber. A lock-up piston is attached to the front cover so as to be movable axially, and partitions the converter chamber and the clutch chamber. In engaging the lock-up clutch, the pressure in the clutch chamber is made lower than that in the converter chamber; and in releasing engagement of the lock-up clutch, operating oil having approximately the same pressure is supplied into the converter chamber and the clutch chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kouichi Masuya
  • Patent number: 7234578
    Abstract: A lock-up clutch controlling device includes a three-dimensional back pressure map, a sensor, and a lock-up pressure controlling unit. The map allows a back pressure of a lock-up piston to be determined from a rotational speed of an engine, an oil temperature, and a speed ratio. The sensor is provided for a parameter influencing the back pressure of the piston. The lock-up pressure controlling unit determines a value equivalent to the back pressure of the lock-up piston from an input value of the sensor and the hydraulic pressure map, and outputs a lock-up pressure to be applied to a lock-up clutch by using the value equivalent to the back pressure of the lock-up piston. When the controlling device operates, it outputs the lock-up pressure by using the value equivalent to the back pressure of the lock-up piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Tsunekawa
  • Patent number: 7225908
    Abstract: The hydrokinetic torque converter between the prime mover and the transmission in the power train of a motor vehicle is designed to promote and/or otherwise regulate the flow of hydraulic fluid therethrough. The fluid is circulated between the friction linings on the laminations of the bypass clutch in the housing of the torque converter. In a first embodiment of the method, the flow of fluid in certain parts of the torque converter is opposed or interfered with in such a way that a larger quantity of fluid flows between the laminations of the bypass clutch. In a second embodiment, the resistance to fluid flow through the bypass clutch of the torque converter is reduced. It is also possible to resort to both solutions in one and the same torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Gunnar Back, Rudolf Honemann, Stephan Maienschein
  • Patent number: 7198142
    Abstract: The invention relates to a high power machine unit. Said invention is characterized by the following features: a drive which has an output shaft; a machine which has a drive shaft; a converter (3) which is connected between drive and machine and can be filled and emptied; having a toothed clutch (4) which can be engaged and disengaged and is connected in parallel with the converter (3); one half (4.1) is firmly connected to the output shaft of the drive so as to rotate with it; the other half (4.2) of the clutch is firmly connected to the drive shaft of the machine so as to rotate with it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Voith Turbo GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Georg Wahl, Hans Schirle, Wolfgang Sautter
  • Patent number: 7143880
    Abstract: A torque converter includes a front cover connected to an engine with a set block, a pump impeller integrally connected to the front cover, a turbine runner facing to the pump impeller and connected to an input shaft of a transmission, a lock-up clutch for engaging/disengaging the front cover relative to the input shaft through a damper, an engaging hydraulic pressure chamber separated from a power transmission hydraulic chamber surrounded by the pump impeller and the front cover, and that engaging pressure of the lock-up clutch is provided into the engaging hydraulic pressure chamber, a front cover hub, a piston inserted so as to slide in the engaging hydraulic pressure chamber, a clutch engaging portion operated to be engaged/disengaged by the piston, plural projection portions being projecting by stamping and welded to the front cover, and an oil path formed between the front cover and the front cover hub among the projection portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukihisa Tsuzuki, Kuniaki Kuwahara
  • Patent number: 7114604
    Abstract: A torque converter which can prevent an engagement pressure of a lockup clutch from becoming very high. A converter chamber is formed between an outer disc portion of a front cover and an impeller shell. A partition wall separating a clutch chamber and a converter chamber is provided in the outer disc portion. A clutch chamber has a drive plate serving as an input side of an engine output, a driven plate serving as an output side, and a lockup piston forming an engagement oil chamber along with an inner disc portion of the front cover. Since the partition wall is provided, the lockup clutch can be engaged without being affected by the hydraulic pressure within the converter chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kouichi Masuya
  • Patent number: 7104273
    Abstract: A replacement torque converter clutch regulator valve assembly for use within an automatic transmission including two cooperating valves, namely a regulator apply valve and an isolator valve, disposed in fluid communication with a line pressure circuit and a torque converter clutch apply circuit is disclosed. In one embodiment the regulator apply valve employs a regulator apply valve sleeve, which provides support to the regulator apply valve to prevent side loading. Modified control lands on the regulator apply valve have a reduced cross-sectional area calculated to increase the influence of the pulse width modulated solenoid, which provides an output pressure in response to the duty cycle imposed on the solenoid coil in pulse width modulated converter systems. In an alternative embodiment an isolator valve sleeve is utilized for instances wherein the isolator valve bore has extreme wear that cannot be corrected solely by the installation of the replacement isolator valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Sonnax Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Maura Jane Stafford
  • Patent number: 7100753
    Abstract: A replacement torque converter clutch (TCC) apply valve for regulating the application of the torque converter clutch within an automatic transmission. The present TCC apply valve includes a valve piston having an expandable seal located at the primary wear location within the valve body to reduce hydraulic leakage. The valve piston also includes an internal fluid gallery formed therein in fluid communication with an annular groove wherein the expandable seal resides. Whenever the present TCC apply valve is actuated, TCC signal pressure enters the fluid gallery in the valve piston under pressure and urges the expandable seal in a radially outward direction into contact with the mating bore to minimize hydraulic fluid leakage during the apply cycle of the torque converter clutch. The valve piston also includes a control land having a substantially increased axial length with annular lubrication grooves, which improves stability and accuracy in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Sonnax Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Maura Jane Stafford
  • Patent number: 7085640
    Abstract: A tightening force of a lockup clutch (2) exerted between a pump impeller (1a) connected to an engine (21) and a turbine runner (1b) connected to an automatic transmission (23) is controlled by a controller (5). The controller (5) determines a target relative rotation speed of the pump impeller (1a) and the turbine runner (1b), and performs feedback control of the tightening force such that the difference between the target relative rotation speed and the real relative rotation speed is decreased. The controller (5) also performs feedforward control of the tightening force. When the variation of the relative rotation speed due to the feedforward control has exceeded the predetermined value, the controller (5) corrects the feedback control amount to moderate the effect of the variation, thereby suppressing sudden change in the tightening force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Segawa, Kazutaka Adachi
  • Patent number: 7077253
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter, particularly for use in the power train of a motor vehicle, has a housing which can receive torque from the prime mover of the vehicle and drives a pump adapted to rotate a turbine on the input shaft of the change-speed transmission. The turbine can also receive torque from the housing by way of a bypass clutch and a damper borne by a hub which is mounted on the input shaft. A feature of the invention resides in the simplicity of design and low cost of several component parts of the torque converter and in a novel mode of assembling the component parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventor: Stephan Maienschein
  • Patent number: 7036643
    Abstract: The hydrokinetic torque converter between the prime mover and the transmission in the power train of a motor vehicle is designed to promote and/or otherwise regulate the flow of hydraulic fluid therethrough. The fluid is circulated between the friction linings on the laminations of the bypass clutch in the housing of the torque converter. In a first embodiment of the method, the flow of fluid in certain parts of the torque converter is opposed or interfered with in such a way that a larger quantity of fluid flows between the laminations of the bypass clutch. In a second embodiment, the resistance to fluid flow through the bypass clutch of the torque converter is reduced. It is also possible to resort to both solutions in one and the same torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Gunnar Back, Rudolf Honemann, Stephan Maienschein
  • Patent number: 7028821
    Abstract: A system for controlling a hydraulic pressure of an automatic transmission includes a torque converter having a lockup clutch for direct coupling between an engine and the transmission, a lockup solenoid valve for providing a signal pressure for controlling engagement of the lockup clutch, a lockup control valve for providing an engagement pressure to the lockup clutch in accordance with the signal pressure, and a CVT control unit for controlling the lockup solenoid valve. The CVT control unit is programmed to determine torque provided to the torque converter and control the signal pressure in accordance with the torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventor: Hideshi Wakayama
  • 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: 7017722
    Abstract: To control one clutch (2) in a hydrodynamic torque converter, the pressure acting upon one first piston area (4) is supplied to a control unit which, depending on the pressure, adjusts the pressure acting upon a second piston area (5). It is possible to exactly adjust the piston force acting upon a clutch (2) even in the presence of changing pressure ratios within the hydrodynamic torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Fritz Leber
  • Patent number: 7011603
    Abstract: A fluid pressure control device including a torque converter that is placed between a output shaft of an engine and an input shaft of a transmission, a mechanical oil pump that is driven by the output shaft, a clutch that directly engages the output shaft and the input shaft by employing an engagement pressure based on a fluid pressure that is generated by the mechanical oil pump, an electric oil pump that can supply a fluid pressure to the clutch, and a control unit for controlling the electric oil pump, wherein when the engagement pressure based on the fluid pressure that is generated by the mechanical oil pump is an amount below a necessary engagement pressure that is necessary to engage the clutch, the control unit drives the electric oil pump so as to supply a fluid pressure by at least the amount to the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Kobayashi, Takeshi Inuzuka, Shigeki Takami, Yoshitaka Murase, Yoichi Tajima, Takayuki Kubo, Takahiro Kido
  • Patent number: 7000747
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter with a built-in bypass clutch is provided with an arrangement which regulates the cooling of the clutch at a rate dependent upon the slip between the coaxial driving and driven parts of the clutch, and hence upon the quantity of generated friction heat. The cooling unit for the driving and/or driven part of the clutch can employ, for example, one or more pumps; a supply of a substance which changes its aggregate state from liquid to gaseous or from solid to flowable in response to heating, and vice versa in response to cooling; one or more porous washers in the path for the flow of hydraulic fluid between the customary plenum chambers provided in the housing of the torque converter to move a piston of the driven part of the clutch into and from frictional engagement with the housing; and/or a system of recesses, grooves, channels and/or other passages serving to convey fluid between the chambers at a rate which is higher or highest when the clutch operates with maximum slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Gunnar Back, Hubert Friedmann, Paul Granderath, Jean-Francois Heller, Stephan Maienschein, Marc Meisner, Bruno Müller, Wolfgang Reik
  • Patent number: 6990996
    Abstract: A replacement torque converter clutch regulator valve assembly for use within an automatic transmission including two cooperating valves, namely a regulator apply valve and an isolator valve, disposed in fluid communication with a line pressure circuit and a torque converter clutch apply circuit is disclosed. In one embodiment the regulator apply valve employs a regulator apply valve sleeve, which provides support to the regulator apply valve to prevent side loading. Modified control lands on the regulator apply valve have a reduced cross-sectional area calculated to increase the influence of the pulse width modulated solenoid, which provides an output pressure in response to the duty cycle imposed on the solenoid coil in pulse width modulated converter systems. In an alternative embodiment an isolator valve sleeve is utilized for instances wherein the isolator valve bore has extreme wear that cannot be corrected solely by the installation of the replacement isolator valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Sonnax Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Maura Jane Stafford
  • Patent number: 6974008
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic converter (1) for the drive train of a motor vehicle is proposed, which comprises a pump (2), a turbine (3) which is connected to a transmission input shaft (4), a stator (5), a primary clutch (PK) which connects a drive (6) detachably to the pump (pump impeller) (2) and a converter bridging clutch (WK), which connects the drive (6) detachably to the transmission input shaft (4), in which the primary clutch (PK) and the converter bridging clutch (WK) can be actuated by a common piston (8) via a common oil supply (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Fritz Leber
  • Patent number: 6932203
    Abstract: A torque converter comprises a pump rotor, a turbine rotor, and a stator. The turbine rotor is fixed to a gearbox input shaft. The gearbox input shaft forms an axial duct with an initial zone and an end zone for a hydraulic fluid. The gearbox input shaft further comprises a shaft core and a shaft sleeve, surrounding the shaft core, fixed against rotation to each other. The shaft core and shaft sleeve are matched to each other in such a manner that the shaft core runs radially in the shaft sleeve with no play and the shaft core and the shaft sleeve together form the axial duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventor: Herbert Schmid
  • Patent number: 6899209
    Abstract: The invention relates to a starter unit (1) comprising an input (E) which may be coupled to a drive input, an output (A) which may he coupled to a drive output, a starter element (2) in the form of a hydrodynamic coupling (3), a switchable clutch (7), comprising at least two clutch elements, which may be brought into frictional engagement, either directly or indirectly, by means of further transfer agents, being a first clutch element (10) and a second clutch element (11) each rotationally fixed to the input (E) and the output (A) respectively. The hydrodynamic coupling (3) and the switchable clutch (7) are arranged in a parallel fashion in two power branches (8,9) and may be activated individually or in common.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Voith Turbo GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Heinz Holler, Reinhard Kernchen, Achim Menne, Werner Klement
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6851532
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter with a built-in bypass clutch is provided with an arrangement which regulates the cooling of the clutch at a rate dependent upon the slip between the coaxial driving and driven parts of the clutch, and hence upon the quantity of generated friction heat. The cooling unit for the driving and/or driven part of the clutch can employ, for example, one or more pumps; a supply of a substance which changes its aggregate state from liquid to gaseous or from solid to flowable in response to heating, and vice versa in response to cooling; one or more porous washers in the path for the flow of hydraulic fluid between the customary plenum chambers provided in the housing of the torque converter to move a piston of the driven part of the clutch into and from frictional engagement with the housing; and/or a system of recesses, grooves, channels and/or other passages serving to convey fluid between the chambers at a rate which is higher or highest when the clutch operates with maximum slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Gunnar Back, Hubert Friedmann, Paul Granderath, Jean-Francois Heller, Stephan Maienschein, Marc Meisner, Bruno Müller, Wolfgang Reik
  • Patent number: 6848548
    Abstract: Hydraulic control system for a vehicle transmission connected to an output shaft from a hydraulic torque converter (1) with a hydraulically operated disc clutch for locking the torque converter and which has two hydraulically operated disc clutches for shifting. The control system has a low pressure circuit (30) with a low-pressure pump feeding fluid through the torque converter, and a high pressure circuit (34) with a high-pressure pump (35), which feeds fluid via valves (38) to the disc clutches. The high-pressure pump has variable displacement, which is regulated by the operating pressure of the disc clutch of the torque converter, so that the high-pressure pump is set to a lower displacement when this last-mentioned clutch is engaged than when it is disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventor: Sverker Alfredsson
  • Patent number: 6840361
    Abstract: A torque converter clutch solenoid assembly for controlling the converter clutch apply cycle of a General Motors 4L60-E transmission. The present solenoid assembly includes a solenoid snout having a longitudinal bore terminating in a fluid orifice wherein a one-way check valve has been installed to prevent transmission fluid backflow from the torque converter when not operating. The present check valve effectively replaces and performs the function of the original equipment converter clutch signal orifice check valve located in the converter clutch signal circuit, which actuates the torque converter clutch apply valve. The present solenoid assembly precludes the malfunction of the original equipment torque converter clutch apply valve resulting from physical displacement of the original equipment signal orifice check valve under fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Sonnax Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott C. Jackson
  • Patent number: 6837349
    Abstract: In a hydrodynamic clutch with a lockup clutch, a hydraulic fluid is in operative connection with a piston space outside of a driven shaft constructed as a hollow shaft by means of a plurality of fluid channels. The piston space adjoins an actuation piston by means of which the lockup clutch can be actuated. The fluid channels extend substantially axially in a partial portion. In the partial portion, the fluid channels are surrounded on the radial inside by the driven shaft and are surrounded on the radial outer side and in circumferential direction by a hub part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Thomas Bauer, Peter Frey
  • Patent number: 6832671
    Abstract: A replacement torque converter clutch (TCC) apply valve for regulating the application of the torque converter clutch within an automatic transmission is disclosed. The TCC apply valve includes a valve piston having an expandable seal installed thereon at the primary wear location within a mating bore in the valve body to reduce hydraulic leakage. The valve piston also includes an internal fluid gallery formed therein in fluid communication with an annular groove wherein the expandable seal resides. Whenever the present TCC apply valve is actuated, TCC signal pressure enters the fluid gallery in the valve piston under pressure and simultaneously urges the expandable seal in a radially outward direction into contact with the mating bore to minimize hydraulic fluid leakage during the apply cycle of the torque converter clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Sonnax Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Maura Jane Stafford
  • Patent number: 6814202
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter is provided with a converter housing to hold at least one pump wheel, one turbine wheel, and one stator to form a hydrodynamic circuit and with at least one axial bearing arrangement for supporting the stator. At least one support element has a bearing side which rests against the axial bearing arrangement, and a stator side which rests against a component of the stator and is designed with at least one flow passage for viscous medium, which forms a connection between at least one flow conduit and the hydrodynamic circuit. The flow passage has a flow bed and, contiguous with that, at least one boundary wall, which leads from the flow bed to the axial level of the corresponding support element side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Herbert Johann, Roman Vesper, Petra Dahl
  • Patent number: 6814195
    Abstract: A lockup clutch for a torque converter includes a pump extension, a receiving plate connected to the pump extension defining a hydraulic pressure chamber communicating with a portion between a pump impeller and a turbine impeller, a pressing plate opposed to the receiving plate for movement toward and away from the receiving plate, an annular friction clutch plate interposed between the receiving plate and the pressing plate and connected to the turbine impeller, a return spring for biasing the pressing plate in a retracting direction, and an escape bore permitting the inside and outside of the receiving plate to communicate with each other on the side of an inner periphery of the friction clutch plate. When the rotational speed of the pump impeller is increased to a value equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the pressing plate clamps the friction clutch plate in cooperation with the receiving plate under the action of a centrifugal hydraulic pressure within the hydraulic pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Yutaka Giken Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tokuji Yoshimoto, Koji Inoue
  • 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: 20040206592
    Abstract: A hydraulic transmission apparatus with a lockup clutch has a pump impeller, a turbine runner, a side cover, a lockup clutch, a clutch piston, a lockup control unit, a frictional engagement unit and a resilient member, a backward movement stopping unit, wherein a transmission capacity of the lockup clutch by virtue of a biasing force of the resilient member is set smaller than a torque absorption capacity of the pump impeller when the engine is in an idle state so that the clutch piston is held at the predetermined backward position by virtue of the pressure difference when the engine is in the idle state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroya Abe, Tetsurou Maruyama, Toshitaka Imai