Electric Or Magnetic Drive Or Control Patents (Class 475/149)
  • Patent number: 7494437
    Abstract: An impact power tool includes a motor, a first planetary gear set, a clutch having a sun gear, a second planetary gear set, a transmission shaft, an intermediate shaft, an impact seat and an output shaft. When the clutch moves to a first position, the transmission shaft engages with a second planet carrier of the second planetary gear set and the output shaft. The power of the motor is transmitted to the output shaft via the first planetary gear set, the second planetary gear set, and the transmission shaft in low-speed mode. When the clutch moves to a second position, the transmission shaft disengages from the second planet carrier and the output shaft. The power of the motor is output to the output shaft via the first planetary gear set, the second planetary gear set, the transmission shaft, the intermediate shaft, and the impact seat in high-speed-with-impact mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Inventor: Ting Kuang Chen
  • Publication number: 20090033160
    Abstract: A motor includes a stator, a rotor supported by a rotor hub for rotation relative to the stator, and a housing fixedly supporting the stator. The housing rotatably supports the rotor and includes a first end enclosing the stator, the rotor, and the rotor hub and a second end exposing the stator, the rotor, and the rotor hub to define an opening between the rotor and within the rotor hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Daniel Mueller
  • Publication number: 20090036246
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes a hybrid electromechanical transmission and a power source. A planetary gear set having a first, a second, and a third member connects the power source with a first and a second motor/generator. A battery is operatively connected to the motor/generators for receiving power therefrom and delivering power thereto. An input member rotates with the first member, the first motor/generator rotates with the second member, and the second motor/generator rotates with the output member. A first torque-transmitting mechanism is engagable to connect the second motor/generator for rotation with the third member. The battery and the second motor/generator provide an electric-only operating mode to power the output member when the first torque-transmitting mechanism is not engaged; the power source, planetary gear set and first motor/generator thereby being disconnected from the output member during the electric-only operating mode to prevent parasitic drag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Norman K. Bucknor, Alan G. Holmes
  • Patent number: 7481737
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicular drive system including a first transmission portion having a differential mechanism operable to distribute an engine output to a first electric motor and a power transmitting member, and a second electric motor disposed in a power transmitting path between the power transmitting member and a drive wheel; and a second transmission portion constituting a part of the power transmitting path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Yutaka Taga, Yuji Inoue, Atsushi Kamada
  • Patent number: 7479082
    Abstract: The electrically variable transmission family of the present invention provides low-content, electrically variable transmission mechanisms including first, second and third differential gear sets, a battery, three electric machines serving interchangeably as motors or generators and at least one brake. The three motor/generators are operable in a coordinated fashion to yield an EVT with a continuously variable range of speed ratios (including reverse). One of the brakes enables series hybrid operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick B. Usoro
  • Publication number: 20090017953
    Abstract: A rotary drive device includes a motor including a rotary shaft, a planetary gear mechanism, and a rotation position detector. The planetary gear mechanism decelerates a rotation output of the motor at a reference reduction ratio and includes an outer gear, multistage gears, and an output shaft. The outer gear is fixed to a housing of the motor. The multistage gears are provided inside the outer gear. The output shaft transmits the decelerated rotation output of the motor to an outside of the rotary drive device. The rotation position detector detects a rotation position of the output shaft to control rotation of the motor. The motor, the planetary gear mechanism, and the rotation position detector are combined into a single integrated unit and aligned in an axial direction of the rotary shaft of the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Takuya Uehara, Joh Ebara, Yohei Miura, Takuya Murata
  • Publication number: 20080318724
    Abstract: Proposed is an integrated drive element (110) which is particularly suitable for use in an automatic shift transmission of a motor vehicle. The integrated drive element (110) has at least one electric motor (112), with preferably precisely two electric motors (112) being provided which can be used for example for a dual-clutch transmission. Also provided is at least one electronic engine control unit (114) which is designed for controlling the functionality of the at least one electric motor (112). Said electronic engine control unit (114) in turn has a housing (116). The at least one electric motor (112) spatially directly adjoins the housing (116) and/or is at least partially integrated into the at least one housing (116).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas Lott, Joerg Moessner, Christian Breuning, Wolfgang Jacob
  • Publication number: 20080300083
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator (10) for units comprising a planetary gear (14), especially a planetary differential gear, whose radially inward region is embodied as a hollow shaft and which is equipped with a drive unit and a driven shaft that cooperates with the unit to be operated. A drive shaft of the planetary gear (14) is connected to the drive unit and can be driven by the same. Said drive shaft is configured as a first hollow shaft (16) while the driven shaft is embodied as a second hollow shaft (40). A planet carrier (28) is provided that is connected to the first hollow shaft (16) or is embodied with the radially inward region thereof as a first hollow shaft (16) in such a way that a rotary movement is also performed by the planet carrier (28) when the first hollow shaft (16) rotates while the drive unit as well as the first (16) and the second hollow shaft (40) encompass a common axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: PS Automation GmbH
    Inventors: Schmidhuber Max, Wolfgang Hoedl
  • Publication number: 20080300084
    Abstract: An electric drive transmission for a skid steered vehicle has a central casing housing a pair of propulsion motors comprising respective stators and rotors, each rotor being coupled to drive a respective through shaft via a respective epicyclic gear change mechanism. The through shafts are coupled at their inboard ends to a controlled differential with an input from a steer motor, and are coupled at their outboard ends to respective epicyclic gear reduction mechanisms. The through shafts are supported in the casing by respective bearings and the propulsion motor rotors are supported on the through shafts by respective bearings. By supporting the rotors on the through shafts rather than in separate bearings to the casing the diameter and speed rating of the requisite rotor bearings can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Robert Willam Thompson
  • Patent number: 7451668
    Abstract: A starter for cranking an internal combustion engine includes an electric motor, a planetary gear speed reduction device for reducing a rotational speed of the electric motor and an excessive-torque-absorbing device. The excessive-torque-absorbing device is composed of plural rotatable disks that form an internal gear of the speed reduction device, plural fixed disks and a disk spring. Both disks are alternately laminated and pressed in the laminated direction by the disk spring. When a rotational torque of the electric motor to be transmitted to a pinion gear of the starter exceeds a predetermined level, slippage occurs between the rotatable disks and the fixed disks, and thereby the excessive torque is absorbed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Youichi Hasegawa, Sadayoshi Kajino
  • Patent number: 7452298
    Abstract: A compact drive includes at least an electric motor, a transmission, and a frequency converter, the output shaft of the transmission and the rotor shaft being parallel to each other, and the shaft-center distance at least being determined by a spur-gear stage of the transmission or by the design of a variable transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Sew-Eurodrive GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Leichter, Jochen Mahlein, Josef Schmidt, Bernhard Köhler
  • Patent number: 7441613
    Abstract: An electric drive system is provided. The electric drive system includes a first output member, a second output member, and an electric motor that includes an output shaft having an axis of rotation. The output shaft is operatively engaged with the first and second output members to rotate the first and second output members. A differential steering system is disposed between the electric motor and the first and second output members. The differential steering system includes at least one planetary gear assembly that has an axis of rotation that substantially aligns with the axis of rotation of the output shaft. A steering motor is operatively engaged with the at least one planetary gear assembly and is operable to modify the rotational speed of the at least one planetary gear assembly to thereby adjust the rotational speed of one of the first and second output members relative to the other of the first and second output members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald P. Simmons, Michael E. Vanderham
  • Publication number: 20080236908
    Abstract: An electric drive unit for a vehicle wheel includes an electric motor that powers a planetary drive having a first stage gear set and a second stage gear set. Each of the first and second stage gear sets includes a sun gear that is driven by a motor output shaft. Each of the first and second stage gear sets also includes a plurality of planet gears that are in meshing engagement with a respective one of the sun gears. The first and second stage gear sets share a common ring gear. A planet carrier of the second stage gear set provides driving output to a wheel shaft that drives the vehicle wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Lon Cooper, Wagner Yukio Hirao, Mark C. Smith, Adam Ritchie
  • Publication number: 20080234090
    Abstract: A multiple gear transmission with magnetic control for vehicles or for use in drive technology includes an input shaft supported on a frame and an output shaft. The input shaft protrudes from the frame at least one end and the output shaft protrudes from the frame at one end. Transmission gear ratios with transmission wheels are embodied as gear trains or belt and chain drives and are located between the input shaft and the output shaft. Transmission wheels are supported in a rotatable manner on the input shaft or on the output shaft. The transmission wheels are connected to the input shaft or the output shaft in a torsionally fixed manner by a clutch mechanism. The transmission wheels are constantly in rotation during operation. At least one component is supported in a rotatable or displaceable manner relative to a toothing within the clutch mechanism. At t least one component adopts a positive position in the toothing within the clutch mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: Karlheinz NICOLAI
  • Patent number: 7416501
    Abstract: A single range, electrically variable transmission (EVT) is provided with a lockup clutch that reduces motor power requirements. When applied, the lockup clutch allows engine torque to be transmitted directly to the output without the necessity of a motor/generator supplying reaction torque. With the lockup clutch applied, the transmission operates with zero electro-mechanical power flow at a fixed mechanical ratio, thus mitigating the power peak which occurs through the motor/generators. Input-split, output-split, and compound-split transmissions are disclosed. A method of operating an EVT with a lockup clutch is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Alan G. Holmes, Michael R. Schmidt, Donald Klemen, Larry T. Nitz
  • Publication number: 20080190239
    Abstract: A multi-group transmission (1) is proposed, comprising a gearbox actuator, in which an exhaust channel (3) is provided in the gearbox housing (2), said channel extending from a gearbox compartment (4) provided on the gearbox housing (2) for the installation of the gearbox actuator, to the output sensor (5), whereby the gearbox compartment (4) also serves as a collecting chamber for exhaust air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Josef Bader, Stefan Renner
  • Publication number: 20080188339
    Abstract: A multi-group transmission is proposed, said transmission comprising a gearbox actuator, in which the working cylinder of the activating devices of the gearbox actuator, the required air channels (2), and the clutch actuator (4) are integrated into the gearbox housing (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Josef Bader, Stefan Renner, Reiner Keller
  • Publication number: 20080182693
    Abstract: A torque-transmitting assembly is provided that includes a dog clutch isolated by a device such as a rotary hydrostatic damper from relative loading on the torque input member and torque output member that it is to connect for common rotation and torque transmission. Although its use is not limited to electrically-variable transmissions, the torque transmitting assembly is able to function even with the large inertia and potentially random torque inputs associated with theses types of transmissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventor: Alan G. Holmes
  • Patent number: 7399248
    Abstract: A differential mechanism for transmitting power from an input to an output includes a case containing a side gear, a locking member rotatably secured to the case and axially displaceable relative to the case. The locking member alternately engages the side gear to limit rotation of the side gear relative to the case, and disengages the side gear to permit rotation of the side gear relative to the case. An electromagnetic coil assembly is supported on the case for movement toward and away from the locking member. A first actuator including an electromagnetic coil is supported on the case for moving the locking member toward engagement with the side gear in response to energizing the coil. A second actuator urges the locking member away from engagement with the side gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Aaron Kleinhans, Xiaohong Duan, Zhesheng Li, Clive McKenzie, Brian Andonian
  • Publication number: 20080167156
    Abstract: An electric variable inertia apparatus uses a servo drive device to drive a planetary gear mechanism to which a load assembly is attached to provide variable and wide-ranging rotational inertia. A planetary frame and a ring gear of the planetary gear mechanism act as two input ends of the electric variable inertia apparatus, and a rotated shaft of a sun gear assembly of the planetary gear mechanism acts as a load terminal. The load assembly is rotated at a controlled rotational velocity with the ring gear to generate a widely ranging rotational inertia to change a dissipating degree of an input energy from the planetary frame. The electric variable inertia apparatus can be used in different fields such as shock absorbers, stabilizers, dampers or vibrators in the automotive field, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Bor-Jeng Lin, Mi-Ching Tsai, Cheng-Chi Huang, Li-Jung Tu
  • Patent number: 7396307
    Abstract: A motor-incorporated hypocycloid-type speed reducer includes: an eccentric portion configured to rotate in response to rotation of a rotor secured to a casing; an internal ring gear fixed to the casing and including a first internal gear coaxial with the rotor; an output shaft including a second internal gear coaxial with the rotor; an external gear including a first external gear and a second external gear and rotatably supported by the eccentric portion so as to rotate in an eccentric manner; a first sliding member held tight in the axial direction between one end surface of the output shaft and the end plate; and a second sliding member held tight in the axial direction between an other end surface of the output shaft and the supporting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichiro Hazama, Akinori Hoshino
  • Publication number: 20080153650
    Abstract: In the basic embodiment, the transmission includes (a) a minimal-orbiter gear complex having only a control gear and an output gear interconnected by the gearing portions of at least one cluster gear supported by an orbiting web responsive to an input drive provided by a primary engine and (b) a single, infinitely-variable rotary control device providing resistance torque to counter engine torque to slow and stop the control gear of the orbital complex. The rotary control device, which may be a hydraulic jack or an electrically braked magnetic wheel, provides no propelling motion but rather only provides a resistive torque. In a preferred embodiment for automotive use, the engine torque is split at all times between two mechanical paths. One path drives the web of a minimal orbiter gear set, and the other drives the sun gear of a single, standard planetary gear set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: TORVEC, INC.
    Inventors: James Y. Gleasman, Keith E. Gleasman, Donald Gabel
  • Patent number: 7384357
    Abstract: An electric drive unit for a vehicle includes an electric motor, two output shafts, a first speed reduction planetary gearset driven by the motor, a second speed reduction gearset driven by an output of the first gearset, and a compound planetary differential gearset including an input driveably connected to the output of the second gearset, a first differential output driveably connected to the first output shaft, and a second differential output driveably connected to the second output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven G. Thomas, David A. Janson, Matthew D. Hammond
  • Publication number: 20080132371
    Abstract: A motor vehicle transmission actuator for operation of a motor vehicle transmission, including gearsets which form different ratios, whereby the transmission actuator has a threaded shaft with at least one first threaded section, embodied as a right-handed thread and at least one second threaded section, embodied as a left-hand thread with just one electric motor for driving in the selection direction and the switching direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2005
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs
    Inventors: Matthias Ehrlich, Norbert Esly
  • Patent number: 7381145
    Abstract: An activating device for a cover has: a shaft unit having a rotary shaft; an arm unit which is coupled to the cover and the rotary shaft; and an actuator which drives the rotary shaft. The actuator has: a motor having a first output portion; a first reducer having an input portion and an output portion; and a second reducer having an input portion and an output portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: TS Corporation
    Inventors: Kouji Watanabe, Toshihiro Yudate
  • Publication number: 20080113840
    Abstract: An electrically driven power system includes a carrier structure rotatably supporting a power output. A plurality of individually electrically powered primary drive units are also mounted in the carrier structure. Each of the power units are in driving engagement with the power output for driving said power output in a rotating manner. The electric motors driving the power units are interchangeable thus eliminating a single point motor failure and their smaller size facilitates ease of replacement and repair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: Robert N. Batistic
  • Publication number: 20080103014
    Abstract: A multi-speed transmission with reverse and forward gears has input and output shafts, planetary gearsets, six shafts and six shifting elements. The input shaft couples the sun gear of gearset (P2) and detachably couples, via clutches (13, 14), respective shafts (3, 4). Shaft (3) couples the carrier of gearset (P1), and detachably couples, via brake (03), the housing and, via clutch (36), shaft (6). Shaft (6) couples the ring gear of gearset (P2). Shaft (4) couples the sun gear of gearset (P1) and detachably couples, via brake (04), the housing. Shaft (5) couples the ring gear and the carrier of respective gearsets (P1, P3). The output shaft couples the carrier and the ring gear of respective gearsets (P2, P3). The sun gear of gearset (P3) is rotationally fixed to the housing. Either shaft (5) is connectable to shaft (6) or shaft (3), or shaft (3) is connectable to shaft (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Gerhard Gumpoltsberger
  • Patent number: 7364524
    Abstract: A module with an axle assembly, which has a housing, a differential, an input shaft, a pair of shafts and a pair of wheel hubs, and an auxiliary drive unit that includes an electric motor and an overrunning clutch. The differential and the input shaft are disposed in the housing for rotation therein. The differential includes a case and a ring gear that is coupled to the case. The input shaft has a pinion that is meshingly engaged to the ring gear. Each shaft couples the differential to one of the wheel hubs. The overrunning clutch includes an input portion, which is coupled to the output shaft of the electric motor, and an output portion, which is coupled to the input shaft. The output portion is de-coupled from the input portion when a rotational speed of the input portion is not greater than a rotational speed of the output portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: American Axel & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Marsh, Robert J. Degowske, Zugang Huang
  • Publication number: 20080095599
    Abstract: A transfer vehicle is pulled by a towing vehicle. The transfer vehicle comprises a container and an unloading conveyor. The container serves to receive bulk goods. The unloading conveyor serves to unload the bulk goods located in the container. In order to allow a simple technical construction and a variable drive of the unloading conveyor, an electrical drive is coupled to the unloading conveyor and serves exclusively for driving the unloading conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventor: Klaus Hahn
  • Patent number: 7354370
    Abstract: A drive system for regulating devices in motor vehicles comprising a housing containing a drive element of the regulating device, a disk armature motor provided with an armature disk, and a planet wheel transmission. The planet wheel transmission comprises an internal geared wheel fixed to the housing and provided with an internal gear, an output internal geared wheel connected to the drive element of the regulating device and provided with an internal gear, and a radially flexible ring, the external gear thereof partially meshing with the inner gears of the internal geared wheel fixed to the housing and of the output internal geared wheel, and the inner envelope surface thereof rolling on rollers arranged on a drive hub connected to the armature disk. A journal pertaining to the output internal geared wheel is centred between the fixed drive axle and a cylinder of the drive hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Coburg
    Inventor: Helmut Sesselmann
  • Patent number: 7354371
    Abstract: A motor-incorporated hypocycloid-type speed reducer includes: a motor housed in a case; a first larger internal gear; a second smaller internal gear coaxial with a motor shaft; an output shaft coaxial with the motor shaft, the output shaft being provided with the second internal gear; and an external gear. A motor core of the motor is provided with an eccentric portion eccentric to the motor shaft at a predetermined degree. The external gear, which has a first external gear engaged with the first internal gear and a second external gear engaged with the second internal gear, is further provided with a rotor-receiving portion rotatable integrally with the eccentric portion of the motor core. The rotor-receiving portion is coaxial with the first external gear and the second external gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichiro Hazama, Haruo Suzuki, Akinori Hoshino
  • Patent number: 7354372
    Abstract: An electric actuator for an automatic transmission includes an adapter to transmit rotary motion between the adapter and the automatic transmission. An electric motor has an output shaft operably connected to the adapter by a gear set which includes a ring gear. The gear set reduces speed and increases torque supplied by the output shaft of the electric motor and applied to the adapter. A release mechanism is operably connected to the gear set and includes a lock member movable between a first position wherein the lock member is in engagement with the ring gear to lock the ring gear against rotary motion in both directions and a second position wherein the lock member is out of engagement with the ring gear to permit rotary motion of the ring gear in both directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Yong Qiang Wang
  • Patent number: 7347797
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical transmission is provided having an input member for receiving power from an engine and output member. A plurality of gear members is operable for changing speed ratio between the input member and the output member. The input is connected with one of the gear members and the output member is connected with another of the gear members. A motor/generator is continuously operatively connected with the output member (via a planetary gear set) in parallel with the gear member that is continuously connected with the output member. The motor/generator is packaged axially between the input member and the plurality of gear members. The motor/generator is packaged in a packaging space typically utilized for a torque converter in a nonelectro-mechanical transmission. Thus, redesign of the nonelectro-mechanical transmission to achieve the electro-mechanical transmission involves a minimal number of steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Henryk Sowul, James D. Hendrickson
  • Patent number: 7338401
    Abstract: An electrically variable transmission includes a power source, three differential gear sets, first and second motor/generators each connected to at least one of the gear sets, and torque-transmitting mechanisms. An input member transfers power from the power source through the differential gear sets to an output member. The torque-transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable to provide an input-split first electrically variable mode having equal forward and reverse speed ratios for given input speeds and to provide substantially equal fixed forward and reverse speed ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Klemen, Michael R. Schmidt, Brendan M. Conlon
  • Patent number: 7326143
    Abstract: A radial inner portion of a rotor core, where a rotor core and a rotor shaft are connected, has an electromagnetically excessive capacity. A recess is provided at the radial inner portion of the rotor core. The recess is a cylindrical bore retracting in the axial direction from the front surface of the rotor core, facing to a reduction gear unit, toward the rear surface of the rotor core. A sun gear bearing, supporting a sun gear of the reduction gear unit, is disposed at least partly in the recess. Extending the sun gear bearing in the axial direction brings the effects of preventing inclination of the sun gear, improving transmission efficiency of the reduction gear unit, and producing a large output torque without increasing the overall size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Kimura, Taku Itoh, Shigeru Yoshiyama
  • Patent number: 7316627
    Abstract: A vehicle drive assembly includes an integrated two-speed motor that can selectively drive an output at a high operating speed or a low operating speed. The two-speed motor includes a stator mounted to a non-rotating outer housing, and a rotor that is mounted for rotation relative to the stator. The rotor is supported an inner rotor support that defines an inner cavity. A two-speed shifting mechanism is incorporated into the inner cavity and is used to drive an output. The two-speed shifting mechanism includes a gear assembly and first and second clutch assemblies that cooperate with each other to provide low and high speed output capability as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventor: John L. Bennett
  • Publication number: 20080004147
    Abstract: The starter includes a motor generating a rotational torque, an output shaft disposed on the same axis with the motor and having a collar section at one end portion thereof on a side of the motor, a planetary gear reduction device operating to reduce the rotation of the motor and transmitting the reduced rotation to the collar section of the output shaft, a center case constituting a part of a housing rotatably supporting the output shaft thereinside, and a cushion member held between an internal gear of the planetary gear reduction device and the center case. The internal gear is formed with a insertion hole through which the output shaft passes, and is shaped to have a planar section axially opposed to the collar section of the output shaft, the planar section being formed with a step-like portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Satoshi Okada
  • Patent number: 7306534
    Abstract: The electrically variable transmission family of the present invention provides low-content, low-cost electrically variable transmission mechanisms including first, second and third differential gear sets, a battery, two electric machines serving interchangeably as motors or generators, four or five selectable torque-transfer devices (two clutches and two or three brakes), and possibly a dog clutch. The selectable torque transfer devices are engaged to yield an EVT with a continuously variable range of speeds (including reverse) and mechanically fixed forward speed ratios. The torque transfer devices and the first and second motor/generators are operable to provide five operating modes in the electrically variable transmission, including battery reverse mode, EVT reverse mode, reverse and forward launch modes, continuously variable transmission range mode, and fixed ratio mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman K. Bucknor, Madhusudan Raghavan
  • Patent number: 7294081
    Abstract: In a drive unit (10) for vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, having at least one motor (12) and at least one gear stage (14) provided on the output side of the motor (12), the gear stage (14) is designed as a switch gear, so that two different directions of rotation of the output (54) can be provided/selected between, while retaining one sole permanent direction of rotation of the motor (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rolf Schüler, Michael Berres, Bernd Bossmanns, Karsten Kalmus, Christoph Schuhn, Heinz Voss
  • Patent number: 7294080
    Abstract: A rotational drive device includes a drive motor and a drive transmission mechanism that are coupled together via an input coupling. The input coupling includes a coupling body that is coupled and fixed to an output shaft of the drive motor. A vibration damper that projects outward and damps vibration from the drive motor is disposed at an outer peripheral portion of the coupling body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Hoshino
  • Patent number: 7276009
    Abstract: The invention relates to a servo drive comprising an electromechanical energy converter, which has a rotatably mounted disc rotor for generating a torque and a stepping up mechanism that is connected downstream of the disc rotor, for coupling the disc rotor to an output element and for stepping up the torque that acts on the disc rotor and comprising a locking mechanism that locks a rotational displacement of the output element, when a torque is introduced on the output side. According to the invention, the locking mechanism comprises a coil spring which can be radially expanded and compressed and which extends around the outer periphery of the stepping up mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co Kg, Coburg
    Inventors: Thomas Börnchen, Michael Eisentraudt, Uwe Klippert, Thomas Salhoff, Helmut Sesselmann, Uwe Sommer, Werner Stammberger, Manfred Stenzel, Joachim Müller
  • Patent number: 7261660
    Abstract: An electrically variable transmission is provided including an input member to receive power from an engine about a primary axis; an output member connected to a transfer member for transmitting power to a secondary axis; first and second motor/generators; and first and second simple planetary gear sets each having first, second and third members. The input member is continuously connected to the first member of the first gear set, and the output member is continuously connected to the first member of the second gear set. The first motor/generator is continuously connected to the second member of the first gear set. The second motor/generator is continuously connected with the third member of the first or second gear set. First and second torque transfer devices are positioned on one side of the transfer member, and the first and second gear sets are positioned on an opposite side of the transfer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Henryk Sowul, Alan G. Holmes, Michael R. Schmidt, Donald Klemen, James D. Hendrickson
  • Patent number: 7241244
    Abstract: An electric actuator for an automatic transmission includes an adapter to transmit rotary motion between the adapter and the transmission. An electric motor has an output shaft operably connected the adapter by a gear set which includes a ring gear. A release mechanism includes a solenoid which selectively moves a lock member. In a first position, the lock member engages the ring gear to lock the ring gear so that the adapter is rotated by rotary motion of the output shaft and the adapter rotates to a predetermined zone about a desired gear position. In a second position, the lock member is out of engagement with the ring gear to permit rotation of the ring gear so that the adapter is rotated by internal forces of the transmission and the adapter automatically self-aligns to the exact desired gear position when the adapter is within the predetermined zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Yong Qiang Wang
  • Patent number: 7239055
    Abstract: The invention provides a structural member for a vehicle transmission formed with an annular recess in fluid communication with a fluid source and at least partially enclosing and defining an interior space of the transmission. An interior component, such as a motor/generator, is located in the interior space. The annular recess directs cooling fluid provided from the fluid source onto the interior component. The end cover includes structure defining a flow passage in fluid communication with a fluid source and also defining an annular recess in fluid communication with the flow passage. The flow passage and the annular recess are cooperatively configured for directing fluid provided from the fluid source onto an interior component in the interior space for cooling the interior component. Preferably, the interior component is an electric motor/generator that includes a stator having electric windings. The fluid is directed from the annulus onto the electric windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., DaimlerChrysler AG, DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Boris I. Burgman, Richard A. Pashnik, Henryk Sowul
  • Patent number: 7232393
    Abstract: The electrically variable transmission family of the present invention provides low-content, low-cost electrically variable transmission mechanisms including first and second differential gear sets, a battery, two electric machines serving interchangeably as motors or generators, and two or three selectable torque-transfer devices. The selectable torque transfer devices are engaged singly to yield an EVT with a continuously variable range of speeds (including reverse) and two or three mechanically fixed forward speed ratios. The torque transfer devices and the first and second motor/generators are operable to provide five operating modes in the electrically variable transmission, including battery reverse mode, EVT reverse mode, reverse and forward launch modes, continuously variable transmission range mode, and fixed ratio mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman K. Bucknor, James D. Hendrickson, Madhusudan Raghavan
  • Patent number: 7195575
    Abstract: This invention relates to a sun gear member and sun gear shaft providing improved manufacturing time and material cost savings. This invention further relates to the packaging of a compact electro-mechanical transmission specifically as it pertains to the redesign of the planetary gear arrangement to compensate for the new design of the sun gear member and sun gear shaft. Several design modifications are disclosed in order to reduce the diameter of the planetary gear arrangement and its inclusive members. For example, the ring gear is chamfered to allow for additional clearance so that the planetary gear arrangement and the electronic motor package can be more compact when sun gear has separable sun gear members. In addition to packaging considerations, material costs, fatigue life requirements, and manufacturability of relevant transmission components were governing concerns in the redesign of the sun gear member and sun gear shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignees: General Motors Corporation, DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory W. Kempf
  • Patent number: 7122926
    Abstract: A fault-tolerant actuator module, in a single containment shell, containing two actuator subsystems that are either asymmetrically or symmetrically laid out is provided. Fault tolerance in the actuators of the present invention is achieved by the employment of dual sets of equal resources. Dual resources are integrated into single modules, with each having the external appearance and functionality of a single set of resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Inventor: Delbert Tesar
  • Patent number: 7101299
    Abstract: In a planetary reduction gear device of a starter, a planet carrier forms gear shafts and planetary gears are rotatably supported by the gear shafts through bearings. The planet carrier further forms waste shafts projecting in a direction same as that of the gear shafts. The waste shafts are arranged on a circle having a center coincident with a rotation axis of the clutch outer portion at regular intervals in a circumferential direction. The circle on which the waste shafts are arranged has a diameter different from that of a circle on which the gear shafts are arranged. A speed reduction ratio can be changed by mounting planetary. gears having a gear specification different from that of the planetary gears supported on the gear shafts on the waste shafts. The planet carrier can be integrally formed with a clutch outer portion of a one-way clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Murata, Tsutomu Shiga, Masanori Ohmi, Masahiro Morita
  • Patent number: 7083538
    Abstract: An automotive transmission is equipped with a variety of gears that may be combined to yield one or more output speeds as compared to an input speed. One or more electromechanical actuators is used to engage or disengage a particular desired mix of gears. The electromechanical actuator engages one mix of gears or another to set the desired ratio of input speed to output speed. The transmission may be used to provide a straight-through, an underdrive speed range, or an overdrive speed range in an automotive transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Norman Szalony, James Foukes
  • Patent number: RE39179
    Abstract: An electromechanical drive for track-laying vehicles in which the two drive sides have no mechanical coupling and permits smaller overall lengths and overall diameters. As a result, the flexibility of the arrangement of the drive components compared is further increased. The drive includes an electric traction motor, at least one variable-speed mechanical gear unit, and at least one brake. At least one of these components is arranged inside the rotor of the electric motor, and the remaining components are arranged laterally at the electric motor in such a way as to lie coaxially in approximately one plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Renk Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Harald Naunheimer, Anton Huf