公开(公告)号：US12181029B2

公开(公告)日：2024-12-31

申请号：US18548052

申请日：2023-05-01

Applicant: EXEDY GLOBALPARTS CORPORATION ,  MEANS INDUSTRIES, INC.

Inventor： Cody Kelly ,  Bryant Grytzelius ,  Kenneth Walega ,  Joshua Hand ,  Ali Merat ,  Spencer Kane ,  Todd Andrzejewski

IPC: F16H3/62 ,  F16H3/14

Abstract: A gear reduction unit for coupling the output member of a prime mover to the input member of a device that is to be driven thereby. The gear reduction unit includes an input shaft, an output shaft, a primary gear set arranged between the input shaft and the output shaft, a secondary gear set arranged between the input shaft and the output shaft, and a gear selection device. The gear selection device is configured to selectively and alternately couple the input shaft to the output shaft for driving thereof by one of the primary gear or the secondary gear set.

公开(公告)号：US20240343111A1

公开(公告)日：2024-10-17

申请号：US18754286

申请日：2024-06-26

Applicant: Means Industries, Inc. ,  Consolidated Metco, Inc.

Inventor： Steven M. Thomas ,  David Hacker ,  Pavan Dunna

IPC: B60K17/02 ,  B60B27/04 ,  B60K7/00 ,  B60K17/35 ,  B60K17/36 ,  B60K23/08 ,  F16D27/00 ,  F16D27/14 ,  F16D41/04

CPC classification number: B60K17/02 ,  B60B27/047 ,  B60K7/0007 ,  B60K17/35 ,  B60K17/36 ,  B60K23/08 ,  F16D27/004 ,  F16D27/14 ,  F16D41/04

Abstract: A control system for and a method of controlling a wheel hub clutch for a wheel hub. The control system includes: a stator; a translator having a permanent magnet; and wiring electrically connecting the stator to an electric power source. The stator is selectively powered through controlled electric power carried by the wiring so as to control translation of the translator through interaction between the stator and the permanent magnet of the translator, and the translation of the translator is controlled between an engaged state and a disengaged state. In the engaged state, a plurality of locking members are engaged with a plurality of notches of a selectively rotatable notch plate whereby the plurality of locking members are in a plurality of pockets of a rotatable pocket plate corresponding to the plurality of notches.

公开(公告)号：US20240337307A1

公开(公告)日：2024-10-10

申请号：US18745969

申请日：2024-06-17

Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.

Inventor： Steven M. Thomas ,  Joshua D. Hand

IPC: F16H3/66

CPC classification number: F16H3/663 ,  F16H2200/0034 ,  F16H2200/2007 ,  F16H2200/2023

Abstract: A vehicle transmission using a gearset. Multi-mode clutches selectively couple components of the gearset. The transmission operates in and shifts between a first forward gear and a second forward gear using a change in input rotation. An electric motor coupled to the input may be used to change the input rotation direction.

公开(公告)号：US12054041B2

公开(公告)日：2024-08-06

申请号：US18279908

申请日：2022-07-29

Applicant: Means Industries, Inc. ,  Consolidated Metco, Inc.

Inventor： Steven M. Thomas ,  David Hacker ,  Pavan Dunna

IPC: B60K17/02 ,  B60B27/04 ,  B60K7/00 ,  B60K17/35 ,  B60K17/36 ,  B60K23/08 ,  F16D27/00 ,  F16D27/14 ,  F16D41/04

CPC classification number: B60K17/02 ,  B60B27/047 ,  B60K7/0007 ,  B60K17/35 ,  B60K17/36 ,  B60K23/08 ,  F16D27/004 ,  F16D27/14 ,  F16D41/04

Abstract: A wheel hub clutch includes: a notch plate; a pocket plate having pockets and plunger passages in communication with the pockets; locking members carried in the pocket plate pockets; and plungers carried in the pocket plate plunger passages and configured to drive the locking members into engagement with the notches in the notch plate. The clutch also may include a translator with a permanent magnet that cooperates with an electromagnet of a stator to translate the translator. The translator may be coupled to the locking members to translate them into and out of engagement with the notch plate. Also disclosed is a wheel end system including the wheel hub clutch, a drivetrain including the wheel end system and wheel hub clutch, and a vehicle including the drivetrain.

公开(公告)号：US11953060B2

公开(公告)日：2024-04-09

申请号：US17673926

申请日：2022-02-17

Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.

Inventor： Brice A. Pawley ,  Dustin M. Finn

IPC: F16D27/108 ,  F16D27/00 ,  F16D121/20 ,  F16D125/58 ,  F16D127/06

CPC classification number: F16D27/004 ,  F16D27/108 ,  F16D2121/20 ,  F16D2125/582 ,  F16D2127/06

Abstract: A coupling and control assembly includes first and second rotatable coupling members. The first coupling member has a first coupling face with locking formations, and the second coupling member has a second coupling face with pockets and in opposition with the first coupling face of the first coupling member and a third face spaced from the second coupling face and with passages communicating with the pockets. Locking members in the pockets transmit torque between the first and second coupling members. A stator includes an electromagnetic source, and a translator is translatable, rotatable, and coupled to the second coupling member to be rotatable therewith. The translator may include springs in the passages to actuate the plurality of locking members, or a permanent magnetic source cooperative with the electromagnetic source to translate the translator. An apertured retainer plate may be coupled to the second coupling member to facilitate pivoting of the plurality of locking members.

公开(公告)号：US20240084890A1

公开(公告)日：2024-03-14

申请号：US18546929

申请日：2023-05-01

Applicant: EXEDY GLOBALPARTS CORPORATION ,  MEANS INDUSTRIES, INC.

Inventor： Cody KELLY ,  Bryant GRYTZELIUS ,  Kenneth WALEGA ,  Ali MERAT ,  Kane SPENCER ,  Todd ANDRZEJEWSKI ,  Joshua HAND

IPC: F16H61/14 ,  F16H45/02

CPC classification number: F16H61/143 ,  F16H45/02 ,  F16H2045/0215 ,  F16H2061/145

Abstract: An architecture for coupling an output member from a prime mover to an input member of a device to be driven. The architecture includes a torque transfer device defining an indirect coupling for transferring torque therethrough, a direct drive connection member providing a direct coupling for transferring torque therethrough, and a dynamically controllable clutch that selectively and rotationally drives either the torque transfer device or the direct drive connection member. The torque transfer device is rotatably disconnected from the dynamically controllable clutch and undriven when the dynamically controllable clutch is driving the direct drive connection member.

公开(公告)号：US20230098680A1

公开(公告)日：2023-03-30

申请号：US18059502

申请日：2022-11-29

Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.

Inventor： Ryan W. Essenmacher

IPC: F16D41/14

Abstract: A coupling and control assembly including a non-contact, linear inductive position sensor is provided. The assembly includes a coupling housing and a stator structure disposed within the coupling housing and including a stator housing. A translator structure is coupled to a coupling member of the assembly to rotate therewith about a rotational axis. The sensor is mounted on one of the housings. The translator structure includes a coupler element made of an electrically conductive material. The sensor is configured to create a magnetic field to induce eddy currents in the electrically conductive material. Movement of the coupler element changes a magnetic field caused by the eddy currents. The sensor provides a position feedback signal for vehicle transmission control. The signal is correlated with the linear position of the translator structure along the rotational axis.

公开(公告)号：US20220106991A1

公开(公告)日：2022-04-07

申请号：US17490336

申请日：2021-09-30

Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.

Inventor： Brandon J. Voelker ,  Scott D. Bostian ,  Carl Thomas Beiser

IPC: F16D41/067 ,  F16D28/00

Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a hub, a linear actuator, and a bearing assembly. The hub is rotatable about a rotational axis. The linear actuator has a translator mounted concentrically over the hub. The bearing assembly is at an interface between the translator and the hub. The bearing assembly permits transmission of torque between the translator and the hub while allowing for axial movement of the translator in a direction along the rotational axis relative to the hub. The bearing assembly includes a rolling element(s) (e.g., ball bearing, ball, roller, needle). The bearing assembly may further include a (full circumference, or divided segment) cage which entraps the rolling element(s). The clutch assembly may further include a coupling member supported for rotation about the rotational axis. The hub, with the translator concentrically mounted thereon, is mounted concentrically over a portion of the coupling member.

公开(公告)号：US11286996B2

公开(公告)日：2022-03-29

申请号：US17105735

申请日：2020-11-27

Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.

Inventor： Brice A. Pawley ,  Dustin M. Finn

IPC: F16D27/108 ,  F16D27/00 ,  F16D125/58 ,  F16D127/06 ,  F16D121/20

Abstract: An electro-dynamic coupling and control assembly and a switchable linear actuator device are provided. The assembly has first and second coupling members each of which is supported for rotation about a common rotational axis and at least one locking member for selectively mechanically coupling the coupling members together. The device includes a stator structure including at least one electromagnetic source and a translator structure configured to be coupled to the second coupling member to rotate therewith. The translator structure includes at least one plunger which is elastically deformable in an axial direction to provide the device with compliance. Each plunger has a free end portion configured to move within a passage to engage and actuate a locking member within a pocket in the second coupling member.

公开(公告)号：US20210372491A1

公开(公告)日：2021-12-02

申请号：US17331291

申请日：2021-05-26

Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.

Inventor： Steven M. Thomas ,  Riley C. Moore ,  Spencer J. Kane ,  Scott D. Bostian

IPC: F16D41/12 ,  F16D13/02

Abstract: A coupling assembly includes first and second coupling members, a locking member, and a blocking structure. The locking member may be a strut, a pawl, or the like. The locking member is disposed between the coupling members and is movable between coupling and uncoupling positions. The coupling position is characterized by abutting-engagement of the locking member with each coupling member. The uncoupling position is characterized by non-abutting engagement of the locking member with at least the first coupling member. The blocking structure is associated with at least one of the first coupling member and the locking member. The blocking structure prevents the locking member from entering the coupling position, and thereby prevents abutting engagement of the locking member with the first coupling member, while rotation of the first coupling member in an engagement direction relative to the second coupling member is above a predetermined rotational speed.