Transmission Patents (Class 73/115.02)
  • Patent number: 11428605
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an experimental system and method capable of simulating a non-inertial system of gear transmission, and relates to the field of aviation power transmission. The experimental system includes a gear transmission experiment table, a linear motion platform and an electric vibration table. The linear motion platform drives the gear transmission experiment table to perform horizontal linear acceleration motion to simulate a non-inertial system for linear acceleration of gear transmission. The electric vibration table drives the gear transmission experiment table to rotate back and forth around a horizontal shaft to simulate a non-inertial system for pitching of gear transmission. The electric vibration table drives the gear transmission experiment table to rotate back and forth around a vertical shaft to simulate a non-inertial system for yawing of gear transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Chongqing University
    Inventors: Jing Wei, Dong Jiang, Aiqiang Zhang
  • Patent number: 11166391
    Abstract: An electronic module, more particularly a control module or sensor module for a motor vehicle transmission, has a circuit board having a first side and a second side facing away from the first side, electronic components arranged on the first side, and a casting compound arranged on the first side. The casting compound covers the electronic components. The circuit board has a through-hole connecting the first side to the second side. A sensor element covering the through-hole is arranged on the first side of the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe Liskow
  • Patent number: 11092514
    Abstract: A sensor dome arrangement has a sensor dome and a housing wall, which is particularly a transmission wall. The sensor dome includes a sensor, dome contacts which are electrically connected to the sensor, and a dome housing. The dome housing has a first dome housing section in which the sensor is arranged, and a second dome housing section on or in which the dome contacts are arranged. A through-opening is made in the housing wall, and the sensor dome is attached to the housing wall such that at least one outer surface of the first dome housing section faces a first chamber which is adjacent to the sensor dome and an inner side of the housing wall, and such that the dome contacts face a second chamber which is adjacent to the sensor dome and an outer side of the housing wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Albert, Joachim Buhl, Turhan Bueyuekbas, Andreas Plach, Matthias Wieczorek
  • Patent number: 10640334
    Abstract: An actuator control device performs a reception process in which designations of a minimum operation amount and maximum operation amount of an operation unit for driving an actuator, and a maximum driving speed which is the actuator driving speed corresponding to the maximum operation amount are received. It also performs a determination process in which a function representing a characteristic line that links a first point, which corresponds to the minimum operation amount and the driving speed of 0, and a second point, which corresponds to the maximum operation amount and the maximum driving speed, is stored in a storage unit as a drive control characteristic and a drive control process in which, in response to operation of the operation unit, the actuator is driven at a driving speed corresponding to the operation amount specified by the drive control characteristic stored in the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: TADANO LTD.
    Inventors: Naoto Kawabuchi, Naofumi Yoshida, Naotaka Masuda, Yasuhiro Fukumori
  • Patent number: 10442049
    Abstract: The invention primarily relates to a system (10) for detecting a total or partial obstruction of at least one internal fluid pipe (11) of a tool (12), characterized in that said system (10) comprises: a pneumatic system (13) that is intended to be connected upstream of said internal pipe (11) of said tool (12), a pressure source (16) that is connected to said pneumatic system (13) by means of a solenoid valve (17), and a control unit (22) that is configured to open said solenoid valve (17) so as to pressurize said pneumatic system (13), and then to close said solenoid valve (17) so as to let said pneumatic system (13) be emptied freely by means of said internal pipe (11), and to detect an obstruction state of said internal pipe (11) depending on an analysis over time of a change in the pressure in said pneumatic system (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: SOCIETE DE CONSTRUCTION D'EQUIPMENT DE MECANISATIONS ET DE MACHINES SCEMM
    Inventors: Pierre Faverjon, Cyrille Urville
  • Patent number: 10414429
    Abstract: The microcomputer calculates a first assist component based on a vehicle speed value and a steering torque, calculates a rotation angle command value based on at least the vehicle speed value and a first assist component, and calculates a second assist component by adjusting a rotation angle to the rotation angle command value through feedback control. The microcomputer sets a limited state 1 where the second assist component is disabled when a vehicle is stationary. During an abnormality determination period during which the vehicle speed value is determined to be abnormal, the microcomputer sets the vehicle speed value to a provisional vehicle speed value. Further, in a limited state 2 that is set when the vehicle is stationary during the abnormality determination period, the microcomputer calculates the first assist component based on a provisional vehicle speed value, and disables the second assist component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuya Nozawa, Shigeto Matsuo
  • Patent number: 10344853
    Abstract: A hydraulic switch malfunction assessment device includes a solenoid valve disposed in a hydraulic circuit of an automatic transmission and having a characteristic such that a hydraulic pressure supplied to a frictional engagement element changes due to a change in an electric current supplied to the solenoid valve, and a hydraulic switch interposed between the solenoid valve and the frictional engagement element and configured to output an ON signal when the hydraulic pressure is higher than or equal to a threshold value and output an OFF signal when the hydraulic pressure is less than the threshold value. Also provided is a controller configured to control the supplied current to a prescribed current value or less when a predetermined running condition has been met, and then assess a malfunction of the hydraulic switch, based on a state of operation of the solenoid valve and the signal from the hydraulic switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: JATCO LTD
    Inventors: Takamitsu Shimazu, Youji Itou
  • Patent number: 10322712
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a hybrid powertrain that includes an engine and a motor/generator are described. The systems and methods provide different ways to transition engine operating conditions between two low engine fuel consumption operating regions that are separated by a higher engine fuel consumption operating region. In one example, engine torque is increased at a higher rate in a fuel economy mode to increase an amount of time an engine operates in one of the two low fuel consumption operating regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth James Miller, Douglas Raymond Martin, Ted Haladyna
  • Patent number: 9995650
    Abstract: A test rig of the closed loop type for testing power transmission units of any geometry, in particular helicopter transmissions, comprising drives with friction belts, flat belts in particular. The belt drives have pulleys with diameters that compensate for the creep in the belts. In some embodiments, the test rig comprises ‘slave’ transmissions. In some embodiments the slave transmission is positioned and oriented in such a manner that all its input and output shafts, regardless their different space angles, become parallel and rotating in the same direction as their corresponding shafts on the tested transmission. The shafts can thus be connected by the flat belt drives to close the loops. In other embodiments, sets of gearboxes are run with their slave units; their orientation is also set so as to enable the parallelism and identity of the rotational direction of the shafts the belt drives are connected to.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignees: Decagon Projects Ltd.
    Inventor: Dan Meron
  • Patent number: 9592832
    Abstract: A method for controlling regenerative braking in a hybrid electric powertrain includes using an e-pump to supply fluid to a transmission provided an indication that a torque converter clutch disengagement will occur under current powertrain operating conditions is present, and discontinuing use of the e-pump and using a mechanical pump to supply fluid to the transmission provided the indication that a torque converter clutch disengagement will occur under current powertrain operating conditions is absent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIE,S LLC
    Inventors: Felix Nedorezov, Hong Jiang, Zhengyu Dai, Mark S. Yamazaki, Daniel S. Colvin
  • Patent number: 9586349
    Abstract: A detecting sensor is disclosed having a magnet, a plurality of magnetic field detecting sensor elements, and a housing. The magnetic field detecting sensor elements have a plurality of adjacent, overlapped bodies and a plurality of terminals projecting from the bodies in a same direction. The housing is disposed over the magnet and plurality of sensor elements, and has first and second sensor holding members. The first sensor holding member is positioned on a first side of the housing and abutted against a surface of the body on a first side of the plurality of sensor elements. The second sensor holding member is positioned on a second side of the housing and abutted across a portion of a surface of the body of the sensor element on a second side of the plurality of sensor elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignees: Tyco Electronics Japan G.K., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Minematsu, Takanori Nakai, Nobutaka Fukamizu, Kyoji Kitajima
  • Patent number: 9541466
    Abstract: A leak test apparatus that tests for a leak in a workpiece includes a plate; a seal that is able to move relative to the plate and is supported by the plate; a driving portion that supports the plate and moves the plate; and a pressure chamber that is surrounded by the plate and the seal. The seal is formed in a shape that enables the pressure chamber to be communicated with an outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: So Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 9453575
    Abstract: A control device of a twin-clutch transmission includes a gear operation mechanism driven by a single actuator mechanism . The gear operation mechanism performs a selection operation to select a synchromesh unit to operate from a plurality of synchromesh units and a shift operation to drive the selected synchromesh unit to an engagement position (in-gear position) corresponding to a shift position. In the control device, based on a deceleration rate of a vehicle, a determination is made to allow or disallow continuation of the shift operation at a change of a shift position to a target shift position. When a determination is made to disallow continuation of the shift operation, only the selection operation is performed, and the shift operation is prohibited. When a determination is made to allow continuation of the shift operation, the shift operation is allowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masashi Eto, Shohei Taka, Atsuhiro Saeki
  • Patent number: 9410602
    Abstract: A method for testing a transmission, in particular a double clutch transmission, is provided. A torque is introduced into the transmission by means of a drive unit that is external relative to the transmission, and the transmission is switched to an operating state in which an internal component of the transmission functions as a brake in order to simulate an output unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp System Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Ingo Dewitz
  • Patent number: 9194490
    Abstract: A wet dual clutch transmission includes at least one hydraulic component and a pilot valve operably connected to the hydraulic component to actuate the hydraulic component. The pilot valve includes a Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) based pressure differential actuator valve. The hydraulic component may include but is not limited to a first clutch and a second clutch of the wet dual clutch transmission, a lube regulator valve, an on/off solenoid, a synchronizing shift fork or a line pressure control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Chi-Kuan Kao, Farzad Samie, Chunhao J. Lee, Dongxu Li, Kumaraswamy V. Hebbale, Andrew L. Bartos, Kevin B. Rober
  • Patent number: 8973432
    Abstract: An evaluation unit includes a front-rear acceleration sensor and an up-down acceleration sensor. The evaluation unit calculates a length of a track obtained by plotting detected front-rear and up-down accelerations on a three-dimensional space along a time axis within a period from gear shift start of an automatic transmission to gear shift end, calculate a track length per unit time by dividing the length of the track by a time interval from the gear shift start to the gear shift end, and evaluates that a gear shift shock is larger as the track length per unit time is longer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignees: JATCO Ltd, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Kishino, Tsubura Aihara, Hiroshi Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8935954
    Abstract: A seal testing apparatus includes a clamp assembly which receives, secures and rotates a piston and seal assembly, a mandrel which extends into the seal assembly and supports a guide which carries a spring biased sensing probe or tooth which is oriented along the axis of the mandrel. In another embodiment, the components are the similar except that the probe or tooth is disposed in the mandrel and extends circumferentially. In both embodiments, data from an optical, laser or acoustic sensor is analyzed to determine the integrity of the piston seal. Yet another embodiment includes an arbor which rotates the seal and an adjacent contra-rotating cylinder having a conical mirror. As the seal, arbor and cylinder rotate, light reflected off the mirror and the seal, and returned to the mirror and a sensor provide data which is again analyzed to determine the integrity of the piston seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Sunil Nandwani, Ranajit Ghosh, John S. Agapiou
  • Publication number: 20140345374
    Abstract: A torque sensor system is provided, which comprises a frame supporting a first shaft and a second shaft. The first shaft comprises a first connector that is connected to second connector comprised by the second shaft so that a torque is transmittable via the first and second connectors from the first shaft to the second shaft. The first connector and second connector are formed such that transmitting a torque induces a reaction force to the frame. The frame is provided with at least one load sensor that is adapted to measure the reaction force, such that an output of the load sensor represents the transmitted torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Riccardo Morselli, Stefano Fiorati
  • Publication number: 20140326060
    Abstract: A method for testing a transmission of a vehicle, the transmission including a hydrostatic unit installed on the vehicle. The method includes calculating an actual value of a parameter which is indicative of the volumetric efficiency of the hydrostatic unit, in a working condition. The method also includes determining an expected value of the parameter in the working condition. The actual value is comparable with the expected value in order to evaluate how the hydrostatic unit is working.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Francesco Mancarella, Gabriele Morandi
  • Patent number: 8844379
    Abstract: A transmission includes sensors positioned adjacent respective pairs of magnetized bands on a shaft of the transmission for detecting magnetic flux emanating from the bands in response to torque on the shaft. The transmission further includes an electronics interface assembly configured to respectively provide drive signals to the sensors and to receive from the sensors, in response to the drive signals, output signals indicative of the torque on the shaft as detected by the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Michael Pietron, Nimrod Kapas, Joseph F. Kucharski, Steven Adam Hermann, Christopher Gregory Garbacz, Yuji Fujii, Diana Yanakiev, Roberto Teran, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8844344
    Abstract: A gearbox test rig is provided for testing first and/or second gearboxes having power ratings of 1 MW or more. The gearbox test rig comprises a first coupler for coupling a low-speed shaft of a first gearbox to a low-speed shaft of a second gearbox such that forces can be transmitted between the low-speed shafts of the first and second gearboxes. The gearbox test rig further comprises a second coupler for coupling a high-speed shaft of the first gearbox to a high-speed shaft of the second gearbox such that forces can be transmitted between the high-speed shafts of the first and second gearboxes, wherein the second coupler comprises a hydraulic rotary actuator for regulating a torque which is applied to the high-speed shafts of the first and second gearboxes. Such a gearbox test rig is particularly useful for testing heavy duty gearboxes, such as those used in wind turbines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: MacTaggart Scott (Holdings) Limited
    Inventor: Alistair Plowman
  • Publication number: 20140196528
    Abstract: A fault diagnostic method for an automatic transmission may include monitoring an operating state of a trim system configured to selectively supply clutch engagement pressure and exhaust to at least one clutch control valve, determining an expected operating state of the trim system based on current operating conditions of the transmission, and generating a fault signal if the monitored operating state of the trim system is different from the expected operating state of the trim system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Darren J. Weber, John William Edward Fuller
  • Patent number: 8770017
    Abstract: A method of producing an insert molded sensor assembly having at least one sensor element accommodated on a first side of a circuit board of the sensor assembly. During a first step, a plurality of pins are introduced and penetrate through the circuit board. The circuit board, including the at least one sensor element, is then disposed, during a second step, into a two-part insert mold tool so that the pins are supported on both sides of the circuit board in a direction transverse to a plane defined by the circuit board. A defined spacing distance, between a surface of the sensor element and the insert mold tool, is produced by the pins. During a third step of the method, the insert mold tool is filled with insert molding material, particularly a duroplast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Herbert Wallner, Roland Friedl
  • Patent number: 8770018
    Abstract: A variator fault detection system for a continuously variable transmission is incorporated into a hydraulic control circuit that controls fluid pressure applied to a variator of the continuously variable transmission. The hydraulic control circuit for the variator includes a number of electrically-controlled shift valves and pressure control valves. Sensing devices are multiplexed to these valves to detect a number of different possible fault states relating to the variator shift valves and the variator pressure control valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Darren J. Weber
  • Publication number: 20140165714
    Abstract: A gasket, spacer plate or separator plate for a motor vehicle transmission includes one or more integrated sensors. Such sensors can measure the pressure, flow rate, temperature, as well as any other desire performance characteristic, of the hydraulic fluid in the transmission. The sensors may be mounted on ports in the gasket, spacer plate or separator plate and/or the sensors can be microelectromechanical sensors (MEMS).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. Piorkowski, Kenneth K. Lang, Douglas R. Verner, John L. Dietz
  • Publication number: 20140144222
    Abstract: A transmission fill gauge system for a vehicle transmission includes a fill gauge assembly and a vacuum adapter assembly, wherein the vacuum adapter assembly and the fill gauge assembly are configured to be simultaneously in fluid communication with a transmission drain pan of the vehicle transmission. A method of measuring a transmission fluid level in a drain pan includes fluidly connecting a vacuum adapter assembly between a fill port of the vehicle transmission and a constant vacuum source, applying an internal vacuum pressure to the drain pan via a constant vacuum source, removing a drain plug from a drain on the drain pan, attaching a fill gauge assembly to the drain, the fill gauge assembly having a primary fluid tube slidably mounted in an elongated body portion, sliding the primary fluid tube to a predetermined position, and discontinuing the internal vacuum pressure to the drain pan by closing the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Adam GENTNER, Ray de Schepper
  • Patent number: 8738248
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling overspeeding of a vehicle carrying an internal combustion engine having one or more exhaust brake devices controllable to apply braking torque to the engine. The system may be operable determine a desired speed of the vehicle, to determine a road speed of the vehicle, and if the road speed of the vehicle exceeds the desired speed of the vehicle by more than a threshold speed, to determine a target brake torque required to reduce the road speed of the vehicle speed to the desired speed of the vehicle, and to then control the one or more exhaust brake devices to apply the target brake torque to the engine to thereby control the road speed of the vehicle to the desired speed of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Andrasko, John Kresse, Kevin Kluemper, Brett Caldwell
  • Patent number: 8700247
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes an engine, an electric machine, and a transmission. A method to control the powertrain includes monitoring operation of the powertrain, determining whether conditions necessary for growl to occur excluding motor torque and engine torque are present, and if the conditions are present controlling the powertrain based upon avoiding a powertrain operating region wherein the growl is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Wise, Chihang Lin, Anthony H. Heap
  • Patent number: 8690732
    Abstract: Various embodiments of methods, apparatus and systems that diagnose and/or detect faults of an electro-hydraulic control system for a transmission are presented. Some embodiments, adjust a main line pressure of the electro-hydraulic control system and detect faults based upon changes in a pressure switch resulting from such adjustments of the main line pressure. The pressure switch may be incorporated into a control main valve or a clutch trim valve of the electro-hydraulic control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles F. Long
  • Patent number: 8683854
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for expediting engine system heating by stagnating coolant in one of a plurality of loops in an engine cooling system. Degradation of the various valves and thermostats of the cooling system can be diagnosed by adjusting the valve and monitoring changes in one or more of coolant temperature, transmission temperature and cabin temperature. Based on engine operating conditions, the various valves may be adjusted to vary coolant temperature in different regions of the cooling system, thereby providing fuel economy benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Robert Roy Jentz
  • Publication number: 20130319099
    Abstract: An evaluation unit includes a front-rear acceleration sensor and an up-down acceleration sensor. The evaluation unit calculates a length of a track obtained by plotting detected front-rear and up-down accelerations on a three-dimensional space along a time axis within a period from gear shift start of an automatic transmission to gear shift end, calculate a track length per unit time by dividing the length of the track by a time interval from the gear shift start to the gear shift end, and evaluates that a gear shift shock is larger as the track length per unit time is longer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: JATCO LTD
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Kishino, Tsubura Aihara, Hiroshi Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8578764
    Abstract: A sensor target assembly is provided for a body having an axial bore. The sensor target assembly includes a polymeric alignment positioning cylinder for insertion into the bore. Target material is provided which is mounted to the alignment positioning cylinder. The alignment cylinder can optionally have annular barbs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Brian K. Stefina
  • Publication number: 20130283899
    Abstract: A gearbox test rig is provided for testing first and/or second gearboxes having power ratings of 1 MW or more. The gearbox test rig comprises a first coupler for coupling a low-speed shaft of a first gearbox to a low-speed shaft of a second gearbox such that forces can be transmitted between the low-speed shafts of the first and second gearboxes. The gearbox test rig further comprises a second coupler for coupling a high-speed shaft of the first gearbox to a high-speed shaft of the second gearbox such that forces can be transmitted between the high-speed shafts of the first and second gearboxes, wherein the second coupler comprises a hydraulic rotary actuator for regulating a torque which is applied to the high-speed shafts of the first and second gearboxes. Such a gearbox test rig is particularly useful for testing heavy duty gearboxes, such as those used in wind turbines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventor: Alistair PLOWMAN
  • Publication number: 20130263654
    Abstract: A transmission includes sensors positioned adjacent respective pairs of magnetized bands on a shaft of the transmission for detecting magnetic flux emanating from the bands in response to torque on the shaft. The transmission further includes an electronics interface assembly configured to respectively provide drive signals to the sensors and to receive from the sensors, in response to the drive signals, output signals indicative of the torque on the shaft as detected by the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Gregory Michael Pietron, Nimrod Kapas, Joseph F. Kucharski, Steven Adam Hermann, Christopher Gregory Garbacz, Yuji Fujii, Diana Yanakiev, Roberto Teran, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130133412
    Abstract: A method of producing an insert molded sensor assembly having at least one sensor element accommodated on a first side of a circuit board of the sensor assembly. During a first step, a plurality of pins are introduced and penetrate through the circuit board. The circuit board, including the at least one sensor element, is then disposed, during a second step, into a two-part insert mold tool so that the pins are supported on both sides of the circuit board in a direction transverse to a plane defined by the circuit board. A defined spacing distance, between a surface of the sensor element and the insert mold tool, is produced by the pins. During a third step of the method, the insert mold tool is filled with insert molding material, particularly a duroplast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
  • Publication number: 20130133411
    Abstract: The position sensor includes a shift lever used to select one of five ranges P, R, N, D, and B, fixed contacts corresponding to the ranges P, R, N, D, and B, and movable contacts configured to be electrically connected to the fixed contacts. The fixed contacts include regular fixed contacts, first backup fixed contacts, and second backup fixed contacts. The first and second backup fixed contacts have their lengths in the moving direction of the movable contacts configured to be longer than the length of the regular fixed contact that corresponds to the first and second backup fixed contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8443659
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fastener tool (101, 102) for fastening a transmission shaft (1), the tool being arranged at a free end (2, 3) of the transmission shaft (1), and also to a balancing bench (B) including the fastener tool (101, 102). The fastener tool is provided with centering elements (110, 110?) for centering the transmission shaft (1), which centering elements are deformable by centrifugal forces so as to come into contact with the transmission shaft as from a determined speed of rotation of the fastener tool (101, 102) about its axis of rotation (AX).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventors: Lucien Mistral, Philippe Hollier-Larousse
  • Patent number: 8424373
    Abstract: A variator fault detection system for a continuously variable transmission is incorporated into a hydraulic control circuit that controls fluid pressure applied to a variator of the continuously variable transmission. The hydraulic control circuit for the variator includes a number of electrically-controlled shift valves and pressure control valves. Sensing devices are multiplexed to these valves to detect a number of different possible fault states relating to the variator shift valves and the variator pressure control valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Darren J. Weber
  • Publication number: 20130075224
    Abstract: Disclosed is an exemplary transmission clutch fork position sensor including an elongated bar and a clutch fork slidably engaging the elongated bar. A yoke bar includes a first end coupled to the clutch fork for concurrent movement therewith. A position sensor operably engages the yoke bar, and is operable for detecting a position of the yoke bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Mark A. Hirsch, Paul J. Mason, Robert B. Craft
  • Patent number: 8356513
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides an anomaly detection apparatus for an automatic transmission, the automatic transmission including an electrically-operated oil pump that is rotationally driven by an electric motor, including: a solenoid that is capable of switching a line pressure of a hydraulic control circuit that controls the automatic transmission between a high pressure and a low pressure; and an oil pressure switch that is turned on or off in response to the line pressure, wherein, in response to an oil pressure command value, whether the oil pressure switch is turned on or off according to the oil pressure command value is determined, and the determination and a load state of the electrically-operated oil pump are compared so as to distinctively determine in which of the solenoid and the oil pressure switch, an anomaly has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Taihei Wakamatsu, Yoshitaka Suzuki, Hiroatsu Endo
  • Patent number: 8276439
    Abstract: A system for calibrating a transmission includes a slip generation module, a volume determination module, and a calibration control module. The slip generation module generates transmission slip. The volume determination module, after the transmission slip has been generated, applies a torque converter clutch (TCC) and determines a volume of the TCC based on a period for the TCC to fill with hydraulic fluid. The calibration control module generates a calibrated volume based on the determined volume and calibrates a control module based on the calibrated volume, wherein the control module controls the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventor: Andrew L. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 8221288
    Abstract: Various embodiments of methods, apparatus and systems that diagnose and/or detect faults of an electro-hydraulic control system for a transmission are presented. Some embodiments, adjust a main line pressure of the electro-hydraulic control system and detect faults based upon changes in a pressure switch resulting from such adjustments of the main line pressure. The pressure switch may be incorporated into a control main valve or a clutch trim valve of the electro-hydraulic control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles F. Long
  • Publication number: 20120173095
    Abstract: A method for determining numbers of gear steps N for a gearbox in a motor vehicle. The vehicle has an engine connected to drive the gearbox. The numbers of gear steps N is the number of downshifts or the number of upshifts which the gearbox effects at an upshift point or a downshift point. A downshift point represents a first engine speed at which the gearbox effects a downshift. An upshift point represents a second engine speed at which the gearbox effects an upshift. The numbers of gear steps N are determined on the basis of a predicted acceleration a for the motor vehicle during a time period T. The invention relates also to a system, a motor vehicle, a computer program and a computer program product thereof for performing the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Fredrik Swartling, Anders Kjell, Tom Nyström
  • Publication number: 20120131993
    Abstract: A method for testing a transmission gear shift device includes using an electric machine and a primary mechanism to place the device and a secondary mechanism, latched to the primary mechanism, in a park position, using a motor to delatch the secondary mechanism from the primary mechanism, using the electric machine to absorb energy released by a spring when delatching, and using the electric machine to relatch the secondary mechanism to the primary mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Deurloo, William R. Goodwin, Christopher L. Danks, Louis A. Nagy
  • Patent number: 8180540
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission can have one or more rotatable output shafts, rotatable non-output shafts, continuously variable transmission elements selectively interconnecting at least one non-output shaft and one output shaft so as to permit variation of a transmission ratio therebetween. The transmission can also have one or more control elements for controlling the instantaneously prevailing ratio of the transmission including a sensor device for sensing the rotational position of a non-output shaft, and a processing device for determining the rotational position of the sensed, non-output shaft at a chosen instant. The processing device is connected to control elements to cause variation of the transmission ratio so that the output shaft attains a desired rotational position at a chosen instant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Riccardo Morselli, Paolo Ferracin, Alberto Berselli, Massimo Ronchetti, Sara Bonacini, legal representative
  • Publication number: 20120078537
    Abstract: A transmission sensing and measurement system. The system provides real-time feedback of various transmission operating characteristics which enables immediate synchronized shift calibration in response to vehicle operating conditions. The system can be applied to various transmission components and positions, such as bearing, shafts, and differentials. The system is arranged in a transmission assembly. By way of a method for measuring operating characteristics of the transmission where data is collected by a sensor and transmitted, optimal operating characteristics of the transmission can be calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Marion Jack INCE, Charles SCHWAB, Jens HEIM
  • Publication number: 20120067690
    Abstract: At least a method is provided learning a characteristic filling volume of a hydraulic clutch. The method includes, but is not limited to applying a pressure pulse to the hydraulic clutch when the clutch is in a disengaged state and determining an inflection event at an input or at an output of a torque path in which the hydraulic clutch is situated. A characteristic filling volume of the hydraulic clutch is derived from the determined inflection event. Furthermore, a method is provided for learning a characteristic return spring pressure of the hydraulic clutch, for engaging the hydraulic clutch and corresponding devices for carrying out these methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Morgan POSTIC, Marc RAMBERT, Eric DALAIS, Emmanuel HOFF, Nathaniel WILKE
  • Patent number: 8140230
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for regulating active damping in a hybrid vehicle powertrain. The method includes: monitoring the damping command sent to the active damping system; determining a mean reference point, which may be a filtered value of the damping torque command; determining if the unfiltered damping torque command value switches from one side to the other of the mean reference point; if a switch is detected, determining if the size of the switch exceeds a predetermined minimum; if it does, then increasing a total number of switches; determining if the total number of switches exceeds a switch threshold; if the total number of switches exceeds the switch threshold, determining if the current damping torque exceeds a damping torque threshold; and decreasing the damping torque if the total number of switches exceeds the switch threshold and the current damping torque exceeds the damping torque threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Haggerty, Robert L. Morris, R. Anthony Hansen
  • Patent number: 8006547
    Abstract: A sensor for a transmission-shift control of a motor vehicle is described. The sensor is connectable to a supply voltage (Vs) and to ground (GND). The sensor generates a signal voltage (Vout). The signal voltage (Vout) may assume two signals (high, low), both signals (high, low) being different from the supply voltage (Vs) and from ground (GND).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Weiberle, Peter Sprafke, Martin Gerhaeusser
  • Publication number: 20110203361
    Abstract: A sensor target assembly is provided for a body having an axial bore. The sensor target assembly includes a polymeric alignment positioning cylinder for insertion into the bore. Target material is provided which is mounted to the alignment positioning cylinder. The alignment cylinder can optionally have annular barbs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: BORGWARNER INC.
    Inventor: Brian K. Stefina