Orbital Traction Limited

Magna Powertrain of America, Inc.

Eaton Corporation

Michael P Bujold

Roy Venton-Walters

Stuart A Schaaf

Joseph D Kliewer

Wade Smith

Brad Ketchel

John D Zalewski

Ralph Larson

Ryan Strand

Stuart Schaaf

Dong Zhu

Patrick M Watts

Systems and methods for operating a driveline system are disclosed and include a step-variable transmission. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is coupled between an input source and the step-variable transmission. The CVT receives a first torque from the input source and outputs a second torque. The CVT has a plurality of planetary members in rolling contact with an inner race and an outer race. A radial distance between the planetary members and a drive-transmitting member corresponds to a transmission ratio of the CVT.

Systems and methods for operating a driveline system

A multi-speed transfer case equipped with a planetary reduction gearset and a range clutch disposed between an input shaft and an output shaft. A clutch actuation mechanism controls actuation of the range clutch to establish distinct ratio drive connections between the input shaft and the output shaft.

Three speed transfer case for four wheel drive vehicles

A two-speed transfer case for a four-wheel drive vehicle is provided. The transfer case has a two-speed planetary gearset, a range clutch, and a range shift mechanism. The planetary gearset includes a carrier unit having at least one crack arresting feature configured to limit propagation of a stress crack. The carrier unit includes a plurality of mounting holes for securing planet gears for rotation relative to the carrier unit. The gearset includes a sun gear configured for and a ring gear, with the planet gears in meshed engagement with the sun gear and the ring gear. The crack arresting feature extends at least partially through a portion of the carrier unit and is configured to receive a crack propagating from a central aperture of the carrier unit. The crack arresting feature is disposed radially between the central aperture and the mounting holes.

Power transfer assembly with planetary gearset having carrier with crack arresting features

An integrated pinion, bearing and coupling (PBC) assembly for use with a hypoid gearset in power transfer assemblies of motor vehicles. The PBC assembly includes a pinion unit having a pinion gear segment and a pinion stub shaft segment, and a coupler unit having a coupling flange segment and a coupler shaft segment. The pinion stub shaft segment surrounds and is in press fit engagement with the coupler shaft segment. A portion of the coupler shaft segment is deformed to be retained within one of a receiver groove and raised projections formed in the pinion stub shaft segment so as to fixedly secure the coupler unit to the pinion unit.

Power transfer assemblies for motor vehicle drivelines having integrated two-piece pinion shaft and coupling unit

A system has a pump with a power input, a power source and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) coupled to the power source and to the power input of the pump. The CVT transmits power from the power source to the pump. The CVT comprises a plurality of planetary members in rolling contact with an inner race and an outer race. A radial distance between the planetary members and a drive-transmitting member corresponds to a transmission ratio of the CVT.

Fluid movement systems including a continuously variable transmission

Fluid movement systems including a continuosly variable transmission

A torsional pulse dampener including a pulley rotationally coupled to a piston that is axially displaceable and adapted to give torsional compliance from an engine for at least one-half revolution of an angular differential displacement between the pulley and the piston.

Torque pulse dampener

A method of controlling a pump (), including operating an engine () having an engine intake () coupled to a pump output () of a pump, and a transmission () coupled to the engine and to the pump, and operating a valve () between a pump input of the pump and the engine intake, such that the valve can be opened during a ratio change of the transmission.

Power plant with pressure relief valve

Method of using a bypass valve

An optimally finished gear has a surface roughness between approximately 5 micro-inches Ra to 10 micro-inches Ra. The reduced surface roughness, when located at the gear teeth, can reduce the maximum contact stress by more than fifty percent. Similarly, the subsurface shear stress can be reduced by approximately thirty percent. The reduced contact stress and reduced shear stress results from improved lubrication conditions between the gear teeth. Surface roughness greater than 10 micro-inches Ra results in increased contact of the surface peaks, while surface roughness lower than 3 micro-inches is too smooth to retain adequate lubrication between the gear teeth.

Growing community of inventors

Royal Oak, MI, United States of America

Michael P Bujold