Borgwarner Inc.

Christopher E Blair

Brett John Lee

Melissa Mei Koenig

R Keith Martin

John M Kremer

Brian K Stefina

Christopher Spangler

Mitsuru Ishihara

Calahan B Campton

William Vukovich

Brett Peglowski

Hans R Beels Van Heemstede

Charles E Johnson, Jr

Keith Martin

Jin Li

Wayne E Wyant

Bryan C Wright

Thomas P Knox

In an all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicle, torque carrying connections are provided between the powertrain and all four wheels. A multimode clutch module or clutches are provided to selectively disconnect two of the wheels from the powertrain during operating conditions where disconnection improves the performance and efficiency of the AWD vehicle. The multimode clutch module may be installed at various locations of the AWD vehicle, such as within a front or rear differential, between a half axle and a differential or between a half axle and a corresponding wheel, or within a transfer case or power transfer unit.

Rotating multimode clutch module for all wheel drive system

A forward/reverse planetary gearset () may be adapted to employ multi-mode clutch modules () in lieu of using only traditional friction clutches (). Such arrangement may reduce parasitic drag as well as achieve reductions in physical size of the gearset housing (). Use of multi-mode clutch modules () may offer either of or both forward and reverse controls of the planetary gearset (). Thus, in at least one arrangement a multi-mode clutch () may provide forward clutch control while a friction clutch () provides reverse clutch control. In another arrangement the friction clutch () may provide the forward clutch control, while the multi-mode clutch () provides the reverse clutch control for the gearset (). Finally, both forward and reverse controls of the gearset () may be provided via multi-mode clutches (), thus entirely avoiding use of any friction clutches () for forward or reverse control functions of the planetary gearset ().

Multi-mode clutches for forward/reverse planetary gearset

In a parallel hybrid vehicle having and internal combustion engine and an electric motor operatively connected to a transmission shaft, a multimode mechanical clutch selectively couples an output shaft of the internal combustion engine to the transmission shaft. The multimode clutch has a two-way unlocked mode where the output shaft and transmission shaft can rotate independently in either direction, and a one-way locked, one-way unlocked mode where the shafts are locked to rotate together in one direction and unlocked for independent rotation in the opposite direction. The clutch may also have a two-way locked mode where the shafts rotate together in both directions. Pawls may be provided to engage and disengage as needed to execute the modes of the multimode clutch actuator.

Multimode clutch for a parallel hybrid vehicle

The present invention is directed to a pump arrangement for use in a gear box housing. The interior surface of the gear box housing has a collection wall arranged in the interior surface of the housing. A shaft is rotatably disposed through the gear box housing and has a longitudinal bore extending through the shaft that provides a lubrication delivery arrangement for distributing lubricant through the gear box housing. A pump housing circumscribes the shaft and has a discharge cavity connected to the longitudinal bore. Additionally, the pump housing has an inlet port for receiving lubrication from the collection wall. Contained within the pump housing is a pump member that has an impeller face and helical threaded surface that pressurizes and introduces the lubricant into the lubricant delivery arrangement.

Pump for transfer case

An arrangement and method for removing a shaft from a gearbox housing without having to totally disassemble the housing. The gear box has an aperture in the housing. The aperture is used to gain access to the retaining ring that locks the shaft within the housing. Once the retaining ring is removed, the shaft may then slide out of the housing. A plug member is used to cover the aperture when it is not necessary to remove the shaft.

Serviceable seal for transfer case

A bi-directional overrunning clutch assembly employed in connection with a reduced capacity low friction clutch to provide low and reverse gears in a transmission. The clutch assembly including an inner race, an outer race, and engagement members supported therebetween. The inner race is operatively coupled to the transmission casing and the outer race is operatively coupled to the ring gear of the gear set as well as the inner race of the friction clutch assembly. The clutch assembly further includes at least one actuating cam. The actuating cam operates to actuate the engagement members to provide four separate modes of operation between the inner and outer races of the clutch assembly. More specifically, the cam is operable to (1) disengage the engagement members to provide freewheeling between the inner and outer races in both rotational directions; (2) to actuate engagement members so that torque is translated in one rotational direction but to allow freewheeling in the opposite rotational direction; (3) to actuate the engagement members so that torque is translated in a direction opposite to that in mode (2) above, but allow freewheeling in the rotational direction opposite to that in which torque is translated in this mode; and (4) to actuate the engagement members so that the inner and outer races are locked relative to each other and torque is translated in both rotational directions.

Bi-directional four-mode clutch for providing low and reverse gear ratios in a transmission

A bi-directional overrunning clutch assembly including an inner race, an outer race, and engagement members supported therebetween. The clutch assembly further includes at least one actuating cam. The actuating cam operates to actuate the engagement members to provide four separate modes of operation between the inner and outer races of the clutch assembly. More specifically, the cam is operable to (1) disengage the engagement members to provide freewheeling between the inner and outer races in both rotational directions; (2) to actuate the engagement members so that torque is translated in one rotational direction but to allow freewheeling in the opposite rotational direction; (3) to actuate the engagement members so that torque is translated in a direction opposite to that in mode (2) above, but allow freewheeling in the rotational direction opposite to that in which torque is translated in this mode; and (4) to actuate the engagement members so that the inner and outer races are locked relative to each other and torque is translated in both rotational directions. In addition, a transmission assembly employing the bi-directional clutch assembly to provide low and revised gears is also disclosed.

Bi-directional four-mode clutch

A two-way clutch biasing assembly including a two-way clutch having an inner race attached to an input shaft and an outer race attached to an output shaft. The inner and outer races having inner cammed portions between them, with an engagement assembly interposed therein that is adapted to rotate bi-directionally thereby providing selective mechanical engagement between the races in either direction. A planetary gear assembly is provided having a ring gear, planetary gears on a carrier, and a sun gear that is adapted to rotate the engagement assembly within the two-way clutch. A drag clutch assembly is also slidingly connected to the carrier to hold the carrier stationary when the input shaft is stationary, such that sun gear is rotated by the plurality of planetary gears, thereby rotating the engagement assembly within the two-way clutch and providing a mechanical advantage in engaging the races together when the input shaft begins to move.

Two-way clutch biasing assembly

A torque-limiting accessory drive assembly comprising a pulley to transfer torque to an accessory drive system, a torque limiting device adapted to limit the maximum amount of transferred torque, and a one-way clutch assembly adapted to both selectively transfer torque and selectively interrupt torque transfer at predetermined times to the vehicle accessory drive.

Growing community of inventors

Waterford, MI, United States of America

Christopher E Blair