Magna Powertrain of America, Inc.

Magna Powertrain Inc

Magna International Inc.

Magna Powertrain Usa, Inc.

Bradley Larkin

Douglas O Bradley

Joseph G Mueller

Todd Ekonen

Johannes Quehenberger

A torque transfer mechanism is provided for controlling the magnitude of a clutch engagement force exerted on a multi-plate clutch assembly that is operably disposed between a first rotary and a second rotary member. The torque transfer mechanism includes a power-operated clutch actuator for generating and applying a clutch engagement force on the clutch assembly. Clutch actuator assembly includes a clutch apply operator for controlling the magnitude of a clutch engagement force applied to the clutch assembly. The clutch operator includes a first and second cam plate that are spaced form in one another to define a cavity therebetween. A sealing element extends between the first and second cam plates to seal the cavity between the first and second cam plates for retaining fluids in the cavity.

Torque transfer mechanism with sealed ball-ramp clutch operator unit

A transfer case includes an input shaft, first and second output shafts and a planetary gearset having a sun gear, a ring gear and a pinion gear meshingly engaged with the sun and ring gears. A range actuator includes first, second and third range sleeves abutted in series being axially translatable between a first position to provide a drive connection between the input shaft and the first output shaft, a second position providing a direct drive ratio connection between the input shaft and the first output shaft as well as the input shaft and a second output shaft, and a third position to provide a reduced speed drive ratio connection between the input shaft and the first output shaft as well as the input shaft and the second output shaft. The gears of the planetary gearset are not driven when the range sleeves are at the first and second positions.

Transfer case with stationary low range planetary

A method controls a powertrain that directs power from an engine and a transmission to all four wheels or to just front wheels or to just rear wheels. The method includes monitoring information transmitted over a communications network. The method determines whether one or more components of the powertrain are in an active condition or in an inactive condition. The one or more components of the powertrain are in the inactive condition when not connected to the transmission and not connected to the front wheels or the rear wheels. The one or more components of the powertrain are in the active condition when connected to the transmission and connected to the front wheels and the rear wheels. The method switches the one or more components of the powertrain between the inactive condition and the active condition based at least in part on visual data provided by an on-board camera system.

Traction control system for 4WD/AWD vehicles equipped with onboard camera

A pre-transmission unit for a hybrid drive system includes an input shaft adapted to be driven by an internal combustion engine. An electric motor includes a rotor fixed for rotation with an output shaft, and a stator fixed to a housing. A multi-plate clutch is positioned in the housing to drivingly interconnect the input shaft and the rotor. The clutch includes a piston for applying an input force to the clutch plates. A pump is positioned in the housing and includes an input member fixed for rotation with the rotor. The pump provides pressurized fluid to the piston. A valve regulates the fluid pressure applied to the piston and varies the torque transferred by the clutch.

Controlled gerotor actuated pre-trans parallel hybrid

A transfer case includes first and second output shafts selectively driven by an input shaft. A first gearset is driven by the input shaft providing first and second gear ratios to the first output shaft. A range actuator includes an axially moveable member operable to shift the first gearset between the first and second gear ratios. An actuation shaft is coupled to the axially moveable member such that rotation of the actuation shaft translates the axially moveable member. A second gearset is driven by the input shaft and drives the actuation shaft. The second gearset includes a control gear moveable into and out of meshed engagement with a first gear and an idler gear. The actuation shaft is rotated in a first direction when the control gear is meshed with the first gear and rotated in an opposite direction when meshed with the idler gear.

Transfer case sprocket idler gear actuation

A vehicle drive train for transferring torque to first and second sets of wheels includes a first driveline adapted to transfer torque to the first set of wheels and a synchronizing clutch. A second driveline is adapted to transfer torque to the second set of wheels and includes a power disconnection device and a friction clutch. A hypoid gearset is positioned within the second driveline in a power path between the synchronizing clutch and the power disconnection device. The friction clutch and the power disconnection device are positioned on opposite sides of the hypoid gearset. The hypoid gearset is selectively disconnected from being driven by the first driveline, the second driveline or the wheels when the synchronizing clutch and the power disconnection device are operated in disconnected, non-torque transferring, modes.

AWD vehicle with disconnect system

A multi-speed power transmission device includes an input shaft, first and second output shafts and a planetary gearset. An axially moveable sleeve fixes the first output shaft and the input shaft for rotation when in a first position and the sleeve fixes the sun gear and the input shaft for rotation when in a second position. A hub is axially moveable and free to rotate relative to the first output shaft when in the first position. The hub is fixed for rotation with the first output shaft when in the second position. A cam plate is continuously fixed for rotation with the carrier and urges the hub toward its second position when in a second axial position. The input shaft drives the first output shaft at a reduced speed via the planetary gearset when the sleeve, hub and cam plate are at their second positions.

Transfer case with high efficiency clutch actuator

A transfer case () includes an input shaft (), first and second output shafts () and a planetary gearset () having a sun gear (), a ring gear (), a carrier () and a pinion gear () meshingly engaged with the sun and ring gears. A range actuator () includes first, second and third range sleeves () abutted in series being axially translatable between a  first position (H) to provide a drive connection between the input shaft () and the first output shaft (), a second position (HL)  providing a direct drive ratio connection between the input shaft () and the first output shaft () as well as the input shaft () and a second output shaft (), and a third position (L) to provide a reduced speed drive ratio connection between the input shaft  () and the first output shaft () as well as the input shaft () and the second output shaft (). The gears of the planetary gearset () are not driven when the range sleeves are at the first and second positions.

High efficiency transfer case

A vehicle drive train for transferring torque to first and second sets of wheels includes a first driveline adapted to transfer torque to the first set of wheels and a first power disconnection device. A second driveline is adapted to transfer torque to the second set of wheels and includes a second power disconnection device. A hypoid gearset is positioned within one of the first driveline and the second driveline in a power path between the first and second power disconnection devices. The hypoid gearset is selectively disconnected from being driven by either of the first driveline and the second driveline when the first and second power disconnection devices are operated in a disconnected, non-torque transferring, mode.

Growing community of inventors

Shelby Township, MI, United States of America

Bradley Larkin