Separate Resilient Member Between Clutch Element And Its Shaft Patents (Class 192/55.3)
  • Patent number: 8899201
    Abstract: A starting system for a hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft rotatably supported within an engine block. The starting system includes a pinion gear driven by a starter motor, a drive plate having a set of teeth in constant meshed engagement with the pinion gear, and a one-way clutch. The one-way clutch is adapted to selectively drivingly interconnect the drive plate and the crankshaft. The clutch includes an inner race adapted to be fixed for rotation with the crankshaft, an outer race coupled for rotation with the drive plate, and a plurality of roller elements positioned radially therebetween. A fastener couples the drive plate to the outer race and compresses an elastomeric damper between the drive plate and the outer race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Steele, Adrian Cioc
  • Patent number: 8900094
    Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine having a crankshaft, a transmission having an input member, and a damper operatively interconnecting the input member and the crankshaft to transmit torque from the crankshaft to the input member. An electric motor/generator is operatively connected to the transmission input member to selectively transmit torque thereto. A damper bypass system is operatively connected to the crankshaft and the input member. The damper bypass system is configured not to transfer torque from the crankshaft to the input member, but transmits torque from the input member to the crankshaft in response to input member torque exceeding crankshaft torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Norman Schoenek, Min-Joong Kim
  • Publication number: 20130153357
    Abstract: A damper is provided which includes a primary damper and a secondary damper connected for series. The damper is utilized for damping torsional vibrations in a clutch assembly and is particularly useful for connecting reciprocating piston engines with a vehicle transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Prashant Ashok Kulkarni, Deevakar Kuppuswamy
  • Publication number: 20130118859
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an input damper for coupling to a torque-generating mechanism. The damper includes an outer cover, a hub, and a carrier assembly coupled to the hub. The carrier assembly is movably disposed within the cover. A clutch assembly moves between an engaged position and a disengaged position and is biased towards the engaged position. The input damper further includes an angular displacement mechanism operably coupled to the clutch assembly for moving the clutch assembly between the engaged position and disengaged position. The outer cover is coupled to the carrier assembly in the engaged position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventor: Allison Transmission, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8297423
    Abstract: This twin-clutch apparatus for use in a transmission of an engine, including: a hydraulic first disk clutch and second disk clutch that exert a predetermined engagement force by pressure members displaced in an axial direction by the pressure of a supply oil from outside, the first disk clutch and the second disk clutch being coaxially arranged adjacent to each other, in which: clutch plates of the first disk clutch and clutch plates of the second disk clutch are different in thickness from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Tsukada, Tomoo Shiozaki, Atsushi Ogasawara
  • Patent number: 8172055
    Abstract: A one-way clutch is proposed which includes an outer race having a radially inner surface in which a plurality of pockets are formed. Rollers are each received in one of the pockets. Wedge-shaped spaces are defined between respective cam surfaces of the pockets and a shaft inserted through the outer race. When the shaft rotates in one direction, the rollers are wedged into the narrow ends of the respective wedge-shaped spaces, thereby locking the clutch. When the shaft rotates in the opposite direction, the rollers move toward the wide ends of the wedge-shaped spaces, thereby unlocking the clutch. The casing includes a main body and a cylindrical member fitted in the main body and made of an elastic synthetic resin. The outer race is fitted in the cylindrical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Chiyori Satou
  • Patent number: 7980369
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a lash prevention spring of unique design having a plurality of spring legs shaped into an s-curve and an inner circumference formed into at least one spline. The invention also comprises a lash prevention assembly in which the disclosed lash spring is attached to a damper hub and is biased against the several teeth from a turbine hub that extend through the damper hub from its opposite side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Craig Kneidel, Jens Schroeter
  • Patent number: 7891475
    Abstract: An isolator decoupler comprising a first tapered portion for connecting to a driving shaft, a second tapered portion cooperatively engaging the first tapered portion, the second tapered portion having a frictional engagement with a pulley, and an elastomeric member operatingly disposed between the second tapered portion and the pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Lin Zhu, Marc R. Cadarette, Yahya Hodjat
  • Patent number: 7784393
    Abstract: A drive unit with a radial interior drive element and a radial exterior drive element as well as a free-wheel arranged between the interior drive element and the exterior drive element. The interior drive element and the exterior drive element are axially displaceable in reference to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventor: Steffen Lehmann
  • Patent number: 7770706
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include strut based overrunning pulleys that provide one or more of greater durability, lower heat generation, high torque loads carrying capability, potentially tunable vibration dampening, tunable to maximum permissible torque loads before elastic (repeatable) slippage, and/or ease of end of life assessment. In some embodiments, a pulley assembly includes a shaft; a pocket plate having a plurality of pockets; a notch plate adjacent the pocket plate and having a plurality of notches facing the pockets of the pocket plate; a plurality struts disposed in the pockets; a resilient member disposed within the pockets and biasing the struts towards the notches; and a body disposed about the shaft, pocket plate, and notch plate; wherein one of the pocket plate or the notch plate is rotationally coupled to the shaft and the other of the pocket plate or the notch plate is rotationally coupled to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Conntechnical Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Connard Cali, Carlos Ferreira
  • Patent number: 7717249
    Abstract: An electromagnetic gear-clutch assembly (1) is disclosed. The device comprises a gear (10) having grooves (10c) that open inwardly toward the axis and extend axially. A hub (12) is located within the gear (10) where it is capable of rotating within the gear (10). The hub (12) has grooves (12k) that open outwardly away from the axis and extend axially. Keys (17) are located within the grooves (12k) of the hub (12) and are capable of moving radially toward and away from the axis, the arrangement being such that when the keys (17) are permitted to move away from the axis, at least one will enter one of the grooves (10c) in the gear (10) to couple the gear (10) and huh (12) so that they will rotate in unison. The device also comprises an actuator assembly (3) for effecting radial displacement of the keys (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: The Timken Company
    Inventor: Xiaolan Ai
  • Publication number: 20100018824
    Abstract: One embodiment includes a flexplate coupling for a wet clutch transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: BORGWARNER INC.
    Inventors: Paul T. McCrary, Thomas E. Braford
  • Patent number: 6578688
    Abstract: An automotive air conditioning compressor clutch eliminates all rivets and utilizes only one return spring. A hub with multiple radial teeth closely fitting into armature openings supports the armature plate concentric and parallel to a pulley friction disk. The armature is free to slide relative to the hub as the return spring is compressed. The thrust areas between the hub teeth and armature are large, which reduces compressive stress. The lower stress reduces the wear rate for both the all-metal and rubber torque cushion versions of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: North Coast Clutch Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Hugh James Muirhead, Frank Joseph Mastromatteo
  • Patent number: 6449798
    Abstract: A multi-function apparatus for controlling various functions of a liftgate of an automotive vehicle. The apparatus includes an elastomeric member which is operably disposed in connection with a gear which imparts a driving force to a drive shaft of a window wiper member. The elastomeric member, in one embodiment, is a coiled spring which allows movement between the drive shaft and the gear driving the drive shaft in the event the wiper becomes frozen to the window of the vehicle or otherwise immovable. In this manner various other functions can be carried out by the apparatus regardless if the wiper becomes temporarily immobilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Evgeny I. Rivin, Victor R. Fey
  • Patent number: 6216837
    Abstract: The rotary housing of a hydrokinetic torque converter, which can be utilized in the power train of a motor vehicle—for example, in conjunction with a continuously variable transmission—contains a torque monitoring device which is installed in such a way that it does not take up any, or any appreciable, additional space, especially in the axial direction of the housing. The torque monitoring device can serve to transmit torque between the lockup clutch and the output element of the torque converter. Additional features reside in the provision, configuration and manner of mounting of an auxiliary mass, and in the provision of a member for centering the piston of the lockup clutch in the housing as well as a member for centering the housing on the output element of a prime mover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: LuK Getriebe-Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Maienschein, Uwe Wagner, Hartmut Faust, Marc Meisner, Steven Olsen