American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.

Robert S Kleinhardt

John Clinton Hibbler

Charles G Stuart

Frederick E Zink

Shawn S Proctor

Paul F Reichert

Tejas Desai

Claudio Bruning

Yida Yang

A vehicle driveline component with a ball-ramp mechanism that includes a first ball-ramp ring, a second ball-ramp ring and a plurality of balls. Each of the first and second ball-ramp rings have a plurality of ball supports that define ball tracks that receive the balls. Each of the ball supports has a first radial width at a first location and a second radial width at a second location. The first and second widths are different to minimize the amount of material that forms the first and second ball-ramp rings.

Driveline component having lightweight ball-ramp mechanism

A method includes determining a vector state of an alternating current (AC) electrical machine. The method includes, when the vector state is a zero-vector state, obtaining a plurality of phase current samples of the AC electrical machine, determining a decay time constant based on the plurality of phase current samples, and determining a resistance of a winding of the AC electrical machine based on the decay time constant. The method further includes selectively activating a plurality of switches of an inverter configured to provide power to the AC electrical machine based at least on the resistance of the winding of the AC electrical machine.

Methods and systems for detecting a winding resistance and winding temperature of an alternating current electrical machine

A power transmitting component can include a friction clutch, a ram, a pump, a fluid storage device and a valve. The ram can have a piston chamber and a piston movable therein between a first and second position to engage the friction clutch. A first inlet/outlet of the pump can be fluidly coupled to a reservoir. The fluid storage device can hold pressurized hydraulic fluid. The valve can be fluidly coupled with the piston chamber, a second inlet/outlet of the pump, and the fluid storage device. When in a first mode, the valve can permit fluid communication between the pump and the fluid storage device, inhibit fluid communication between the piston chamber and the pump, and inhibit fluid communication between the piston chamber and the fluid storage device. When in a second mode, the valve can permit fluid communication between the pump, the fluid storage device, and the piston chamber.

Clutched power transmitting device with reduced lag time for actuation

A clutched device can include a differential, a clutch, and a gate. The differential can transmit torque between an input member and first and second output members. A housing can define a sump and a reservoir spaced apart from the sump. A first aperture open to the sump and reservoir can be above a static fluid level of the sump. A second aperture can couple the sump and reservoir below the static fluid level. An outer clutch plate carrier can rotate through the sump and sling fluid through the first aperture. The outer carrier can be coupled for rotation with the second output member and an inner clutch plate carrier can be coupled to a third output member. The gate can be movable between first and second positions. In the first position the gate can block the second aperture. In the second position the second aperture can be open.

Growing community of inventors

Romeo, MI, United States of America

Robert S Kleinhardt