Alternatively Operative Assemblages Patents (Class 192/48.9)
  • Patent number: 10850863
    Abstract: At least a selected one of a first and second engine are connected to a drive train for driving an aircraft accessory. A gearbox is connected to a primer mover propulsor and an actuator operatively associated with the selected engine is moveable between a position in which the selected engine drivingly engages the gearbox for driving the propulsor and a position in which the selected engine disengages from the gearbox. A position signal, a status signal, and a request signal respectively indicative of a present position of the actuator, a governing state and present speed of each engine, and a request for movement of the actuator from the present position to the other position are received. If the selected engine's speed differs from a predetermined threshold, a control signal is output for causing the engine's speed to be adjusted towards the threshold. A control signal indicating that movement of the actuator is permitted is then output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Bisson, Carmine Lisio, Romain Chevalier, Dave Sellors, Yusuf Syed, Guy Riverin, Matthew Chiasson
  • Patent number: 10493618
    Abstract: A multi-axis mechanical gripper includes a bottom moving mechanism, a vertical moving mechanism slidably connected to the bottom moving mechanism, horizontal moving mechanisms slidably connected to the vertical moving mechanism, and clamping devices slidably connected to the horizontal moving mechanisms and used for clamping materials. The clamping devices can be adjusted to the position of to-be-clamped materials through the cooperation of the bottom moving mechanism, the vertical moving mechanism and the horizontal moving mechanisms. The mechanical gripper is able to move along multiple axes, thereby being high in transfer efficiency, simple in structure, high in automation degree and capable of effectively relieving the labor intensity of workers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Jiangsu Fine Storage Information Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yilin Liu, Hui Luo
  • Patent number: 10227986
    Abstract: A pumping system for use in moving a fluid present within a well casing and through a production tubing is provided. The pumping system includes a housing coupled to the production tubing. The pumping system further includes a first pump coupled to the housing and having a first flow capacity and a second pump coupled to the housing and having a second flow capacity. The second flow capacity is different than the first flow capacity. A motor is coupled to the first pump and the second pump, wherein the motor is configured to selectively operate at least one of the first pump and the second pump based on a flow capacity of the fluid present within the well casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeremy Daniel Van Dam, Scott Mordin Hoyte
  • Patent number: 9809301
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator (4) for controlling a flight control surface (3) of an aircraft, comprising:—a primary route (5) comprising a first member (8) for generating a first torque, and a first drive shaft (10) having an end (18) able to be connected to the first member (8) and an end (19) able to be connected to the control surface (3),—a secondary route (6) comprising a second member (24) for generating a second torque and a second drive shaft (26) having an end (45) able to be connected to the second member (24) and an end (46) able to be connected to the control surface (3), in which actuator the second drive shaft (10) is hollow and extends around the first drive shaft (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: SAFRAN ELECTRONICS & DEFENSE
    Inventors: Louis Chavignier, Marc Lebrun, Severin Viennot
  • Patent number: 9765867
    Abstract: An electromechanical actuator includes a first electric motor, a first motion conversion mechanism, a second motion conversion mechanism, and a rotation restriction mechanism for the second motion conversion mechanism. The first motion conversion mechanism includes a first member that is rotated by an output of the first electric motor and a second member that is fastened to the first member. The second motion conversion mechanism includes a third member that is movable integrally with the first member and a fourth member that is fastened to the third member. The rotation restriction mechanism is configured to be capable of selectively restricting and allowing rotation of the fourth member in accordance with movement of the third member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: NABTESCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanori Hirai, Masayoshi Ueyama
  • Patent number: 9726263
    Abstract: An example variable transmission system is provided. As an example, a variable transmission system may include a frame, an output hub coupled to the frame, a first linear actuator coupled to the frame, and a second linear actuator coupled to the frame. The variable transmission system may also include a tension-bearing element positioned around the output hub. A first end of the tension-bearing element may be coupled to the first linear actuator, and a second end of the tension-bearing element may be coupled to the second linear actuator. The tension-bearing element may include a variable stiffness profile such that a transmission ratio of the output hub may be adjusted based on a position of the second linear actuator relative to the output hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventor: Robert Wilson
  • Patent number: 9702420
    Abstract: A diagnostic method of determining clutch failure of a dual clutch transmission (DCT) includes comparing, by a controller, a wheel torque of a vehicle with a driving load torque of the vehicle, confirming, by the controller, whether or not the vehicle is driving, if, as a result of comparing step, the wheel torque is greater than the driving load torque, releasing, by the controller, a gear engaged with a non-drive shaft, if, as a result of the confirming step, the vehicle is in a stopped state, reconfirming, by the controller, whether or not the vehicle is driving, after the releasing step, and judging, by the controller, that a transmission clutch of the non-drive shaft fails, if, as a result of the reconfirming step, the vehicle is driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Young Min Yoon
  • Patent number: 9400019
    Abstract: The invention relates to a friction ring for a synchronizer unit (2) of a gear changing transmission, which friction ring includes a conical friction ring body (3) having an inner friction surface (301) and an outer installation surface (302) preferably configured as a further friction surface which friction surface (301) and installation surface (302) respectively bound the friction ring body (3) in a radial circumferential direction (U) extending perpendicular to a axial friction ring axis (4) in which the inner friction surface (301) conically extends along the friction ring axis (4) at a pre-determinable friction angle (?1) and the outer installation surface (302) also conically extends along the friction ring axis (4) at a pre-determinable installation angle (?2) respectively. In accordance with the invention the friction angle (?1) is different from the installation angle (?2). Furthermore, the invention relates to a synchronizer unit (2), as well as to a gear changing transmission for a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: OERLIKON FRICTION SYSTEMS (GERMANY) GMBH
    Inventors: Gary I. Skipper, Marcus Spreckels, Ulf Christoffer, Sebastian Augustin
  • Patent number: 9366323
    Abstract: An example variable transmission system is provided. As an example, a variable transmission system may include a frame, an output hub coupled to the frame, a first linear actuator coupled to the frame, and a second linear actuator coupled to the frame. The variable transmission system may also include a tension-bearing element positioned around the output hub. A first end of the tension-bearing element may be coupled to the first linear actuator, and a second end of the tension-bearing element may be coupled to the second linear actuator. The tension-bearing element may include a variable stiffness profile such that a transmission ratio of the output hub may be adjusted based on a position of the second linear actuator relative to the output hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Wilson
  • Patent number: 9303698
    Abstract: A vehicular electric drive system includes: an electric motor operatively connected to drive wheels; a hydraulically operated clutch disposed in a power transmitting path between the electric motor and the drive wheels; a gear mechanism disposed between the hydraulically operated clutch and the drive wheels; a first chamber accommodating the electric motor and the hydraulically operated clutch; a second chamber accommodating the gear mechanism; a partition wall disposed so as to isolate the first chamber and the second chamber from each other; a connecting hole formed on the partition wall; an oil seal fitted in the connecting hole; an oil pump provided to deliver the oil required within the first chamber; and a splash type lubricating mechanism provided to supply the oil to the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masataka Sugiyama, Hiroaki Kimura
  • Patent number: 9182775
    Abstract: Foot-operated assemblies and methods of using the foot-operated assemblies to control a motorcycle. A foot-operated assembly includes a shaft that defines a pivot axis, a device for mounting the shaft to the motorcycle, a rocker arm coupled to the shaft so that the rocker arm is rotatable about the pivot axis, a second arm interconnected with the rocker arm so that rotation of the rocker arm causes the second arm to rotate about the pivot axis, a feature for coupling the second arm to a gear shifter linkage or a brake cylinder rod of the motorcycle, and a foot board attached to the rocker arm so that rotation of the foot board causes the rocker arm and the second arm to rotate about the pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Inventor: David Gibson Perry
  • Patent number: 9010510
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dual clutch for a dual clutch transmission for transmitting a torque from a drive shaft to at least one drive shaft, which comprises a first clutch, a second clutch, and an electrical actuating device. The actuating device comprises a coupling slide, wherein a first slide of the coupling slide acts on the first clutch, and a second slide of the coupling slide acts on the second clutch, and the two slides are movable in such a way that by displacing the slides a recoupling process is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Gerundt, Uwe Bauer, Bernhard Schlagmueller, Ulrich Kappenstein, Stefan Tumback, Yang Shen, Carolin Scholler
  • Publication number: 20150024903
    Abstract: A double clutch system may include a connecting shaft that is continuously connected to a motor/generator and is selectively connected to an engine and may transmit torque transmitted to the connecting shaft selectively to two input shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Eui Hee Jeong, Jinwoo Lee, Jeong Heon Kam, Jong Min Kim
  • Patent number: 8905724
    Abstract: An oil supply apparatus for a vehicle may include an oil pump, a first rotary member provided to the oil pump such that the oil pump may be rotatably operated by the first rotary member, a second rotary member restricted from rotating with respect to the first rotary member in a first direction, the second rotary member being allowed to rotate with respect to the first rotary member in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a third rotary member allowed to rotate in the first direction with respect to the first rotary member, the third rotary member being restricted from rotating with respect to the first rotary member in the second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the second rotary member and the third rotary member may be respectively connected to power sources providing drive forces in directions opposite to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jin Young Hwang
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20130220762
    Abstract: A dual-clutch transmission with individual clutches, which are axially arranged one behind the other and are hydraulically actuated, with one drive-side individual clutch, one gearbox-side individual clutch, one drive-side clutch housing and two cylinder/piston pairs, whereby the first of the individual clutches connects by switch the clutch housing with one of the first gearbox input shafts and the second of the individual clutches connects by switch the clutch housing with one of the second gearbox input shafts, whereby the clutch housing is connected drive-side with a drive shaft and gearbox-side with internally arranged input lamellae supports relating to the single clutches and torque conducted to the dual-clutch transmission via the clutch housing can be conducted to both individual clutches, whereby the clutch housing supports an actuating force from the gearbox-side single clutch and a second support area supports the actuating force from the drive side clutch is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventor: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
  • Publication number: 20130220761
    Abstract: A dual shift coupling including two operatively connected coupling units mounted on a shared, integrally formed inner body in a rotationally fixed and axially movable manner. Further, a multi-part pressure disk is arranged between the coupling units in an axially fixed manner and is supported by the inner body, and has two axially movable pressure pistons ventilated by respective pressure spring assemblies arranged in the inner body. A radial notch for accommodating the pressure disk is provided in the inner body, wherein the radial depth of the notch extends at least to radial inner wall segments of recesses for the pressure spring assemblies. Each pressure spring assembly has a plurality of pressure springs which rest on the inner side of the pressure disk relative to the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Robert Rank, Matthias Glomm, Christian Hampel, Thomas Haeseker
  • Publication number: 20130153356
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive assembly on a twin-clutch transmission for motor vehicles, including two clutches which are axially connected in succession in a transmission housing and are positioned between spaced-apart end walls of the transmission housing and which have each a preferably drum-shaped drive element which is driven by an input shaft of the transmission, with the clutches being in driving relationship, preferably alternatingly, via two preferably pot-shaped output elements with two output shafts in coaxial arrangement to the input shafts. According to the invention, the input shaft (14) which is rotatably mounted in the region of a first end wall (12a) is guided up to the second end wall (10a) located in opposition to the first end wall (12a) and is rotatably mounted there indirectly via the output shafts (24, 26) which are also rotatably mounted in the region of the second end wall (10a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Fleischmann, Rupert Wagner
  • Publication number: 20130036862
    Abstract: A driveline product including first and second inputs having input rotational axes, first and second outputs having output rotational axes, a transfer coupling between at least one of the input rotational axes and at least one of the output rotational axes, and at least two selective couplings operatively coupled between the inputs and the outputs for operation selective between at least two drives powered by at least one of two prime movers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Francis Keller
  • Patent number: 8235160
    Abstract: A power unit for a small type vehicle wherein a speed change mechanism is disposed on a lateral side of a crankcase on the side of one end of a crankshaft. A valve operation controller for controlling the operations of valve operation mode change mechanisms and a speed change controller for controlling a speed change operation of a speed change mechanism are attached to an engine body, to lay out the valve operation controller and the speed change controller in good balance of center of gravity so as to prevent the center of gravity of the power unit from being deviated to one side. The valve operation controller and the speed change controller being attached to the engine body on the opposite side of the clutch device with respect to a vehicle body center line in a direction along the axis of the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Ogasawara, Hayato Maehara, Toshiyuki Sato, Yasushi Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20120160044
    Abstract: A multi clutch transmission includes a first clutch plate mounted on a first input shaft, a second clutch plate mounted on a second input shaft arranged concentrically around the first input shaft, a third clutch plate mounted on a third input shaft arranged concentrically around the second input shaft, and a clutch housing comprising a plurality of reaction plates, the first, second, and third clutch plates being individually and selectively engageable and disengageable with reaction plates in the clutch housing. A multi clutch transmission can also include at least three countershafts arranged around the input shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: MACK TRUCKS, INC.
    Inventor: Michael E. Kahl
  • Patent number: 8113327
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multiple clutch assembly comprising: first (5, 9) and second (7, 11) friction elements; first (15) and second (17) plates for applying pressure to said respective friction elements; first (21) and second (25) diaphragms for actuating said respective plates, each diaphragm being mobile between a disengaged position (21a, 25a or 25b) and an engaged position (21b or 21c, 25c), said first diaphragm (21) approaching the second diaphragm (25) when it passes from the disengaged position thereof to the engaged position thereof; and first (23) and second (27) means for actuating said respective diaphragms. Said second actuating means (27) comprise means for renewing the course of the second diaphragm (25), in such a way that the second diaphragm (25) follows a pre-determined course between the disengaged position (25a or 25b) and the engaged position (25c) thereof, independently of the degree of wear of the second friction element (7, 11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventors: Ivan Dutier, Francois Thibaut
  • Publication number: 20110297501
    Abstract: A dual clutch and a method for controlling the same in a drive train of a motor vehicle which has two friction clutches that transmit a torque from an internal combustion engine to respective transmission input shafts of a dual clutch transmission and which have a common counterpressure plate firmly connected to a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine and two contact plates that are fixed in terms of rotation relative to the counterpressure plate and can be moved axially by respective lever springs supported on a housing part firmly connected to the counterpressure plate. To limit the axial installation space for the dual clutch, the lever springs for actuating the friction clutches are actuated radially on the inside in the same direction by respective actuating systems in the case of a change from one friction clutch to the other of a torque to be transmitted via the friction clutches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventor: Marcus HOPPE
  • Patent number: 7900760
    Abstract: A multi-position clutch allows selectively coupling at least two of at least three rotatable shafts is described herein. The clutch comprises at least three cooperation elements respectively associated to one of the at least three rotatable shafts for selective engagement therebetween; the at least three cooperation elements are mounted to the at least three rotatable shafts so as to be sequentially positioned for selective coupling of at least two adjacent cooperation elements. An actuating mechanism is provided for selectively coupling at least two adjacent cooperation elements from the at least three cooperation elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: TM4 Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Houle, Pierre Blouin, Louis-Philippe Bibeau, Jianhong Xu
  • Patent number: 7630811
    Abstract: The present invention relates to launch control of a vehicle having an automated manual transmission and an automated clutch selectively engaging an output of an engine to an input of the transmission. When a request for vehicle launch is detected, an output speed of the automated clutch and a desired clutch output torque are obtained. The automated clutch is partially engaged to allow for slip between an input to the clutch and an output from the clutch, and a desired amount of the slip between the input to the clutch and the output from the clutch is determined. A desired engine speed is calculated based on the desired amount of slip, with the engine torque automatically adjusted to obtain the desired engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Hong Jiang
  • Patent number: 7467564
    Abstract: A system for actuating gear changes in a motor vehicle transmission includes an electric motor including a motor shaft supported for rotation about an axis, first and second actuator drums supported for rotation substantially parallel to the axis, and a drive mechanism including a first power path driveably connecting the motor shaft and the first drum, and a second power path driveably connecting the motor shaft and the second drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Reid Baldwin, David Janson
  • Patent number: 7428852
    Abstract: A system for actuating couplers to produce gear changes in a motor vehicle transmission includes first and second actuator drums supported for rotation, and first and second shift forks. Each first shift fork is driveably connected to a first actuator drum, secured to a first coupler, and displaced in response to rotation of a first actuator drum between a neutral state, wherein no gear is engaged, and at least one first drive state, wherein a gear of a first gear group is engaged. Each second shift fork is driveably connected to a second actuator drum, secured to a second coupler, and displaced in response to rotation of a second actuator drum between a neutral state, wherein no gear is engaged, and at least one second drive state, wherein a gear of the second gear group is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Reid Baldwin, David Janson
  • Patent number: 7322455
    Abstract: A torque transmitting unit in the power train of a motor vehicle for transmitting torque between a drive unit having an output shaft and a transmission having at least one input shaft. At least one clutch unit is positioned between the drive unit and the transmission, and at least one vibration damping unit having an input part and an output part is provided and is connected between the drive unit output shaft and the clutch unit. The clutch unit includes a clutch cover that defines a clutch-containing volume and that is supported by a transmission housing section. The vibration damping unit is positioned with in the clutch-containing volume defined by the clutch cover. For optimization of structural space, both the input part and the output part of the vibration damping unit are supported in the radial direction by the clutch cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Christoph Vetter, Norbert Indlekofer, Bernhard Walter
  • Patent number: 7231845
    Abstract: A multi cone selector in a transmission employs sandwiched cone friction surfaces 19A, 20A and 21A and these are shown in free or unengaged state while the corresponding friction surfaces as numerals 19, 20 and 21 are shown as engaged. This comparative illustration shows the relative positions of the surfaces at different times since the “A” surfaces and the non “A” surfaces are the same circumferential surfaces. The cone selector is used to engage free rotating gear a female part 22 of a multi-cone selector. A hydraulic actuator 23 is received by internal gear case wall 24 formed so as to prevent any radial or axial movement of the actuator itself. A hydraulic coupling, in this case the hydraulic coupling is formed as hydraulic springs or bags illustrated at 26. The crown of hydraulic spring outlet piston is formed so as to clip in a housing of a thrust bearing 29.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Select Design Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Boris Klaricic
  • Patent number: 7044280
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adapting the clutch characteristics in a twin-clutch system (PSG) which comprises in a first train a first clutch (A) and a first partial transmission (iA) mounted downstream thereof, and in a second train a second clutch (B) and a partial transmission (iB) mounted downstream thereof. The first and the second train can be linked on the input side with a driving engine (M) and on the output side with the wheels of a vehicle. The first clutch (A) is actuated by a first clutch actuating mechanism (KA) and the second clutch (B) is actuated by a second clutch actuating mechanism (KB). A zero adjustment of the hodometry of the first and/or second clutch actuating mechanism (KA; KB) is carried out according to a predetermined strategy subject to predetermined criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Lidvar Budal, Dietmar Lang, Alexander Schweizer, Brad Shellhammer, Jeremy Whitmer
  • Patent number: 7017438
    Abstract: In a transmission of the constant mesh type a number of gear selectors are driven by using a hydraulic coupling between input and output pistons. The hydraulic coupling functions as a hydraulic spring and force multiplier. A hydraulic actuator (23) is received by internal gear case wall (24) formed so as to prevent any radial or axial movement of the actuator itself. A hydraulic coupling, in this case the hydraulic coupling is formed as hydraulic springs or bags illustrated at (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Select Design Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Boris Klaricic
  • Patent number: 6851328
    Abstract: A transmission control apparatus includes transmission lines disposed between a pair of transmission shafts and a hydraulic multiple disc transmission clutch disposed on one side of the transmission lines. Power from an engine is transmitted via one of the transmission lines to a traveling unit. Each of the transmission lines has a friction clutch. A first gear mechanism operated by a first actuator is disposed between one of the transmission shafts and the first transmission line. A second gear mechanism operated by a second actuator is disposed between one of the transmission shafts and the second transmission line. When the first transmission line is powered, a first system operates the second gear mechanism into a speed position; the first clutch to a non-transmitting state and the second clutch to a transmitting state, thereby providing a progressive shifting of the transmission clutch from a transmitting state to a semi-transmitting state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Susumu Umemoto, Tetsuo Yamaguchi, Hidetoshi Hana, Isamu Kawai, Takashi Yasumi, Yoshifumi Horiuchi, Tetsu Fukui
  • Patent number: 6830140
    Abstract: A motor vehicle drive train with a clutch device installed between a drive unit and a transmission having at least one transmission input shaft to transmit torque between the drive unit and the transmission. The clutch device comprises at least one clutch arrangement assigned to a respective transmission input shaft, where an input side of the clutch device is connected directly or indirectly by way of a torque-transmitting arrangement to a connecting end of a power takeoff shaft of the drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Georg Zink, Andreas Orlamünder, Olaf Pagels, Sebastian Vogt, Markus Heiartz
  • Patent number: 6826974
    Abstract: An automatic transmission having gear trains provided between an input shaft and an output shaft, the gear trains including drive gears mounted on the input shaft and driven gears mounted on the output shaft, includes a start clutch provided between a crankshaft of an engine and the input shaft for transmitting or shutting off an engine power from a crankshaft of the engine to the input shaft, a changeover mechanism for selecting a desired gear train through which power is transmitted from a plurality of gear trains, two bypass clutches, one is provided between third gear transmission gear trains and another is provided between sixth gear transmission gear trains for transmitting a different torque from the input shaft to the output shaft respectively, on gearshiftings and a bypass clutch control means for selecting at least one desired bypass clutch through which power is transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshio Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6814205
    Abstract: A dual clutch arrangement including two clutch areas, each with a pressure plate connected to a housing arrangement for rotation in common around an axis of rotation (A) and which can be shifted in the axial direction with respect to the housing; and a clutch disk, the friction surface areas of which can be clamped between the respective pressure plate and an opposing support arrangement. Each of the clutch disks is designed to be connected nonrotatably to a different power takeoff element. In addition a clutch cooling arrangement, through which a coolant can flow, is installed adjacent to the clutch areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Reinhard Feldhaus, Markus Heiartz, Andreas Orlamünder, Jochen Kuhstrebe, Wolfgang Reisser, Thomas Wirth, Michael Peterseim, Jürgen Dudenhöffer, Manfred Zimmer
  • Patent number: 6786315
    Abstract: An aircraft thrust reverser system that includes a power drive unit operable to supply a drive force. The power drive unit includes a motor and a torque decoupler that sequentially decouples the power drive unit from a plurality of loads. The torque decoupler includes at least two output sections, each of which is coupled to the motor, and are not coupled to one another under normal operating circumstances. The output sections are each operable to decouple the motor from associated thrust reverser moveable components upon a torque magnitude being reached in the output section. The torque decoupler is configured so that the first and second output sections are coupled together a deadband time period after the torque magnitude is reached in on of the output sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald J. Christensen
  • Patent number: 6742639
    Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling a shift operation sets an output Mout from a reference model M(s), which is ideally changed, as a target slip amount of a feedback controller Cpi(s). The controller Cpi(s) controls torque transmitted to an off-going friction engagement element for matching a control slip amount sp with the target slip amount. The characteristics of the controller Cpi(s) is determined for optimally performing a clutch-to-clutch shift operation during a lock-up clutch being engaged. When the lock-up clutch has been disengaged, an input shaft rotation speed is filtered by a notch filter NF for removing a frequency component in a predetermined frequency domain, wherein the control slip amount sp is obtained based upon the filtered input shaft rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Aikawa, Hiroaki Kato, Katsutoshi Sato, Yasuo Shirai, Atsumi Ohara
  • Patent number: 6742641
    Abstract: A rotational driving apparatus of a magnetic device, a clutch mechanism or a speed change clutch mechanism is provided selectively in a path for transmitting a rotation from a capstan motor to a feed reel or a take-up reel. The clutch mechanism decelerates the rotation of the motor at a first reduction ratio, and transmits the resultant rotation to a change-over gear. The speed change clutch mechanism has a first transmission shaft, a pulley gear, a constant torque transmission member, a speed change output gear, speed change intermediate gear and a speed change movable gear. The speed change intermediate gear and speed change movable gear are mounted on a second transmission shaft provided close to a first transmission shaft, and transmit the rotation of the pulley gear to the speed change output gear via a constant torque transmission member, or directly with the speed of the rotation changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Daisuke Takasaka
  • Publication number: 20040045782
    Abstract: A dual clutch transmission unit for a motor vehicle is adapted to transmit the movement to an automatic gear change provided with two ranks of gears; the transmission unit has a rotary movement input member adapted to be driven in rotation by the engine of the motor vehicle and two output shafts which are adapted to be rigidly connected to respective input shafts of the gear change and bear respective clutch devices which are adapted to receive the movement from the rotary member and are each associated with a relative rank of gears of the gear change; one of the clutch devices is disengaged and the other is engaged in sequence by an actuator device provided with a single actuator and a movement sleeve coaxial with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Giovanni Tornatore, Cesare Sola, Fabrizio Girola
  • Patent number: 6622839
    Abstract: A multiple clutch arrangement includes a drive member, first and second output members, a first clutch arrangement for selective activation of a first torque transmission path between the drive member and the first output member, and a second clutch arrangement for selective activation of a second torque transmission path between the drive member and the second output member. A torsional vibration damper arrangement is arranged in at least one of the first and second clutch arrangements in the associated torque transmission path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Kundermann, Jörg Sudau
  • Publication number: 20030164275
    Abstract: A dual clutch arrangement including two clutch areas, each with a pressure plate connected to a housing arrangement for rotation in common around an axis of rotation (A) and which can be shifted in the axial direction with respect to the housing; and a clutch disk, the friction surface areas of which can be clamped between the respective pressure plate and an opposing support arrangement. Each of the clutch disks is designed to be connected nonrotatably to a different power takeoff element. In addition a clutch cooling arrangement, through which a coolant can flow, is installed adjacent to the clutch areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Applicant: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Reinhard Feldhaus, Markus Heiartz, Andreas Orlamunder, Jochen Kuhstrebe, Wolfgang Reisser, Thomas Wirth, Michael Peterseim, Jurgen Dudenhoffer, Manfred Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20030141162
    Abstract: A rotational driving apparatus of a magnetic device. a clutch mechanism or a speed change clutch mechanism is provided selectively in a path for transmitting a rotation from a capstan motor to a feed reel or a take-up reel. The clutch mechanism decelerates the rotation of the motor at a first reduction ratio, and transmits the resultant rotation to a change-over gear. The speed change clutch mechanism has a first transmission shaft, a pulley gear, a constant torque transmission member, a speed change output gear, speed change intermediate gear and a speed change movable gear. The speed change intermediate gear and speed change movable gear are mounted on a second transmission shaft provided close to a first transmission shaft, and transmit the rotation of the pulley gear to the speed change output gear via a constant torque transmission member, or directly with the speed of the rotation changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Daisuke Takasaka
  • Publication number: 20030130078
    Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling a shift operation sets an output Mout from a reference model M(s), which is ideally changed, as a target slip amount of a feedback controller Cpi(s). The controller Cpi(s) controls torque transmitted to an off-going friction engagement element for matching a control slip amount sp with the target slip amount. The characteristics of the controller Cpi(s) is determined for optimally performing a clutch-to-clutch shift operation during a lock-up clutch being engaged. When the lock-up clutch has been disengaged, an input shaft rotation speed is filtered by a notch filter NF for removing a frequency component in a predetermined frequency domain, wherein the control slip amount sp is obtained based upon the filtered input shaft rotation speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Akira Aikawa, Hiroaki Kato, Katsutoshi Sato, Yasuo Shirai, Atsumi Ohara
  • Publication number: 20030116396
    Abstract: A control unit associated with the operating fluid supply switches the flow of operating fluid on or off by controlling the operating fluid supply in the course of a respective shifting process in which the transmission is shifted up from a lower gear to a higher gear or in down from a higher gear to a lower gear to deliberately exert inertial forces on at least one of the plate carriers by means of the flow of operating fluid and, therefore, to act on this plate carrier in an accelerating or decelerating manner or in order to deliberately prevent inertial forces of this type being exerted on at least one of the plate carriers by the flow of operating fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventor: Jochen Kuhstrebe
  • Publication number: 20030106767
    Abstract: First and second automatically operable friction clutches in the power train of a motor vehicle are connected between a rotary output element of the prime mover and first and second input elements of a change-speed gearbox. The wear upon the friction linings on the clutch disc of one of the clutches is frequently different from the wear upon the friction linings, on the clutch disc of the other clutch. This is compensated for by automatically ascertaining the extent of wear upon the friction linings of the two clutches and by carrying out remedial undertakings such as temporarily reducing or interrupting the wear upon the friction linings which were subjected to more pronounced wear and/or increasing the wear upon the other friction linings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: LUK LAMELLEN UND KUPPLUNGSBAU BETEILIGUNGS KG
    Inventors: Sebastien Beneton, Christopher Raber, Rolf Meinhard, Reinhard Berger
  • Publication number: 20030089569
    Abstract: The epicyclic train is able to operate as a speed reducing gear when sun-wheel (5) is stuck by a one-way clutch (8), and in direct drive when clutch (10) is engaged. The whole coupling and control structure for the ratio change is essentially grouped on the sun-wheel element (5) which is slidingly movable and integral with an inverter control means (111) which engages brake (9) when disengaging clutch (10), and conversely. The brake (9) is mounted mechanically in parallel with a one way clutch (8), and allows speed reducing operation when the torque applied to the input shaft (31) is a retarding torque. The one-way clutch is mounted in parallel with an axially unslidable bearing (54) between a stator shaft (21) and a support (51) coupled for common rotation with and mutual slidability with respect to the sun-wheel element (5). For actuation of the control member (111) there is provide an hydraulic actuator (116), spring (114), and involvement of the helical teeth axial thrust (F1, F2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Roumen Antonov, Frederic Morant
  • Patent number: 6557678
    Abstract: A transmission assembly comprising an overrunning clutch assembly comprising a race having an inner annular contact surface, a plurality of sprags provided along the inner annular contact surface of the race, and defining a drive space, means for retaining the plurality of sprags along the inner annular contact surface of the race, a shaft having a drive portion with a drive diameter sufficient to cause rotation of the shaft in response to a rotation of the race when the drive portion is positioned at least partially within the drive space and means for moving the drive portion of the shaft at least partially into and out of the drive space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Thermal Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward L. Simonds
  • Publication number: 20030066730
    Abstract: A motor vehicle drive train with a clutch device installed between a drive unit and a transmission having at least one transmission input shaft to transmit torque between the drive unit and the transmission. The clutch device comprises at least one clutch arrangement assigned to a respective transmission input shaft, where an input side of the clutch device is connected directly or indirectly by way of a torque-transmitting arrangement to a connecting end of a power takeoff shaft of the drive unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Applicant: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Georg Zink, Andreas Orlamunder, Olaf Pagels, Sebastian Vogt, Markus Heiartz
  • Patent number: 6543593
    Abstract: If, in a gear shift from one-way clutch involved gear speed to another gear speed, the inertia phase control time) is less than a predetermined time length, or the effective gear ratio on the inertia phase end detection instant is out of a range between before-shift gear ratio and after-shift gear ratio, a transmission control system controls the operating fluid pressure in a time management mode to prevent a shift shock by increasing the fluid pressure) at a gradual rate &Dgr;PC1 during a longer time interval TMC1 after an end of the inertia phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventor: Yuji Saito
  • Patent number: 6491149
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a multiple-clutch device, such as a double-clutch device, for arranging in a drivetrain of a motor vehicle between a drive unit and a transmission, wherein the clutch device has a first clutch arrangement associated with a first transmission input shaft of the transmission and a second clutch arrangement associated with a second transmission input shaft of the transmission for transmitting torque between the drive unit and the transmission. According to one aspect of the invention, it is suggested that a bearing arrangement is associated with at least one of the clutch arrangements, wherein the latter is supported or can be supported so as to be relatively rotatable by means of the bearing arrangement on at least one of the transmission input shafts, at least one of which is constructed as a hollow shaft and a shaft constructed as a hollow shaft encloses the other shaft, preferably at least at the radial outer transmission input shaft which is constructed as a hollow shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Kundermann, Jörg Sudau