Dana Corporation

Torque-traction Technologies, Inc.

Martin Kaplan

John Allen Grogg

Peter Senak, Jr

Jun Yoshioka

Jeremy J Wudy

David Allan Torrey

Yilmaz Sozer

Richard A Baronosky

Wayne Lee Borgen

Erkan Meese

James M Kokernak

A torque transfer assembly for a motor vehicle comprises a ring gear subassembly and a differential subassembly rotatably supported in said ring gear subassembly, a friction clutch pack for coupling the ring gear subassembly to the differential subassembly, and a hydraulic clutch actuator for selectively frictionally loading the clutch pack. The hydraulic clutch actuator includes a variable pressure relief valve assembly to selectively control the friction clutch pack. The variable pressure relief valve assembly includes a valve closure member, a valve seat complementary to the valve closure member, and a electro-magnetic actuator for engaging the valve closure member and urging thereof against the valve seat with an axial force determined by a magnitude of an electric current supplied to the electro-magnetic actuator so as to selectively vary a release pressure of the pressure relief valve assembly based on the magnitude of the electric current.

Solenoid actuated variable pressure relief valve assembly for torque transfer assembly

A method for operating a switched reluctance electrical generator in a manner that is highly efficient involves initially performing a mapping technique to obtain data relating to all of the possible operating conditions of the generator system that generate the desired output power. This mapping technique can be performed empirically or by computer simulation. Then, the effective phase currents supplied to the windings on the stator are measured or calculated. Next, the optimum conduction angles can be selected as those turn-on angles and turn-off angles that occur using the smallest effective phase currents supplied to the windings on the stator. Lastly, the generator system is operated using the selected optimum turn-on and turn-off angles. If desired, a feedback loop can be provided for comparing the actual output power that is generated by the generator system with a desired reference output power level to insure that such actual output power is maintained at or near the desired output power. To accomplish this, the conduction angles can be adjusted in response to such comparison to increase or decrease the actual output power as necessary.

Method for operating a switched reluctance electrical generator using data mapping

A differential assembly for a motor vehicle comprises a differential case rotatably supported in an axle housing, opposite output shafts drivingly connected to the differential case, a friction clutch assembly for selectively engaging and disengaging the differential case and the output shaft, and a hydraulic clutch actuator for selectively frictionally loading the clutch assembly. The hydraulic clutch actuator includes a variable pressure relief valve controlled by a solenoid actuator for selectively engaging the friction clutch assembly. In order to provide the solenoid actuator with an electrical power and/or control signals in a contactless manner, the differential assembly is further provided with a transformer assembly including a primary transformer unit non-rotatably mounted to the axle housing and connected to a source of electrical energy, and a rotatable secondary transformer unit secured to an outer peripheral surface of the differential case.

Electronically controlled hydraulic actuator for limited slip differential assembly

An ordinance platform with a variable reluctance electric motor is provided. The motor has a stator integrated with a bearing race which is fixably connected with the tank body. The bearing race provides the function of a rotor and is fixably or integrally connected with the tank turret. The rotor is vertically supported by the stator for rotational movement by a plurality of ball bearings. The stator is formed having a plurality of individual phase segments which are arranged in an annular array. Each of the stator phase segments is provided with a phase winding and a plurality of stator pole teeth. The stator phase windings are connected individually to respective driver circuits so as to essentially create a plurality of individual stators about the rotor. The rotor race is formed and is provided with a plurality of rotor pole teeth which are disposed adjacent the stator pole teeth. Thus, when the phase windings of the individual stator phase segments are energized, the moveable race (integrated with the rotor and connected with the gun turret) is rotated relative to the stationary race (integrated with a stator and connected with the tank body), without any intermediate coupling device such as gears, belts and the like.

Defense vehicle aiming ordinance platform having variable reluctance motor

A hydraulic coupling assembly is provided for an auxiliary drive axle of an all wheel drive motor vehicle. The hydraulic coupling assembly comprises a rotatable casing, first and second output shafts axially outwardly extending from said casing, at least one hydraulically operated, selectively engageable friction clutch assembly for operatively coupling the casing to at least one of the output shafts, and at least one hydraulic clutch actuator. The hydraulic actuator includes a hydraulic pump located within the casing and adapted to generate a hydraulic pressure to frictionally load the friction clutch assembly, and a variable pressure relief valve assembly fluidly communicating with the hydraulic pump to selectively control the hydraulic pressure generated by the pump. The variable pressure relief valve assembly includes an electro-magnetic actuator selectively for varying a release pressure of the pressure relief valve assembly based on a magnitude of an electric current applied thereto.

Solenoid valve controlled all-wheel drive hydraulic coupling assembly

A differential assembly for a motor vehicle comprises a differential case rotatably supported in an axle housing, opposite output shafts drivingly connected to the differential case, a friction clutch pack for controlling the differential action, and a hydraulic clutch actuator for selectively fictionally loading the clutch pack. The hydraulic clutch actuator includes a variable pressure relief valve assembly to selectively control the friction clutch pack. The variable pressure relief valve assembly includes a valve closure member, a valve seat complementary to the valve closure member, and an electro-magnetic actuator for engaging the valve closure member and urging thereof against the valve seat with an axial force determined by a magnitude of an electric current supplied to the electro-magnetic actuator so as to selectively vary a release pressure of the pressure relief valve assembly based on the magnitude of the electric current.

Solenoid actuated variable pressure relief valve assembly for limited slip differential assembly

A bobbin for use in an electric motor is formed in the nature of a clam shell, having two semi-cylindrical side portions which are joined together by a flexible hinge portion. Each of the side portions includes a plurality of smaller diameter regions which are separated from one another by larger diameter regions. When the two side portions of the bobbin are closed together by bending of the hinge portion, the smaller diameter regions cooperate to define respective cylindrical surfaces upon which coils of an electrical conductor can be wound. A pair of outwardly extending tabs can be formed on each of the larger diameter regions of the bobbin. When the two side portions of the bobbin are folded together, the two pairs of tab are disposed adjacent to one another. The upper and lower halves of the stator have respective pairs of recesses formed therein. The recesses are sized and positioned so as to receive the cooperating pairs of tabs therein. The cooperation of the tabs with the recesses can position the bobbin concentrically relative to the stator halves and prevent relative rotation therebetween. If desired cooperating locking structures can be formed on the tabs to retain them together before winding of the coils thereon.

Bobbin structure for electromagnetic coil assembly

A variable reluctance electric motor includes a stator having a plurality of axially extending inner teeth and a rotor assembly rotatably supported therein. The rotor assembly includes a shaft having a plurality of rotor pole sub-assemblies provided thereon. Each of the rotor pole sub-assemblies includes a hub secured to the shaft, a pair of annular rotor packs secured to the ends of the hub, and an electromagnetic coil disposed loosely about the hub between the two rotor packs. Each of the rotor packs has a plurality of axially extending outer teeth formed thereabout which are disposed adjacent to the inner stator teeth. The rotor pack teeth of each of the rotor pole sub-assemblies are angularly offset from one another, preferably by equal amounts. The electromagnetic coils are engaged by the stator such that the rotor assembly is free to rotate relative thereto. The electromagnetic coils are sequentially energized and de-energized so as to create sequential magnetic circuits between each of the rotor pole sub-assemblies and the stator. These magnetic circuits sequentially cause the angularly offset teeth of the rotor packs to be attracted to the teeth of the stator, resulting in rotation of the rotor assembly relative to the stator.

Variable reluctance electric motor

A synchronous inductor electric motor includes a hollow stator having a plurality of permanent magnets secured to the inner surface thereof. The magnets are radially polarized in alternating fashion about the inner circumference of the stator. A plurality of radially inwardly extending stator teeth are provided on each of the magnets so as to exhibit a polar magnetization which is the same as the adjacent magnets. A rotor assembly supported concentrically within the stator includes a shaft having a plurality of rotor pole sub-assemblies provided thereon. Each of the rotor pole sub-assemblies includes a hub secured to the shaft, a pair of annular rotor packs secured to the ends of the hub, and an electromagnetic coil disposed loosely about the hub between the two rotor packs. Each of the rotor packs has a plurality of axially extending outer teeth formed thereabout which are disposed adjacent to the inner stator teeth. The rotor pack teeth of each of the rotor pole sub-assemblies are angularly offset from one another. The coils are engaged by the stator such that the rotor assembly is free to rotate relative thereto. The coils are sequentially energized and de-energized so as to selectively polarize the associated rotor packs. As they are magnetized, the angularly offset teeth of the rotor packs are attracted toward and repelled from the adjacent teeth of the stator, resulting in rotation of the rotor assembly relative to the stator.

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Avon, CT, United States of America

Martin Kaplan