US6022290A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power transfer system for vehicle with power-Interrupt auto-manual transmission, alternate means for providing torque to driveline, and engine throttle controls
Assignee: FCA US LLC
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Filing: 1998-09-09
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Granted: 2000-02-08
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Expires: 2018-09-09
Abstract
Abstract A power transfer system for a vehicle having a power source and a driveline, the power transfer system including a power-interrupt auto-manual transmission, an electronic control unit and electronic throttle controls. In the preferred embodiment, the power transfer system includes an epicyclic gearset for providing a level of drive torque to the driveline during the shifting of the transmission so as to eliminate the undesirable sensations experienced by the vehicle operator during the shifting of the transmission. The electronic throttle controls allow the rotational speed of the engine to be maintained at a desired level while the shift is being performed so as to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions. Alternate embodiments of the present invention utilize a secondary power source powered by a source of stored energy to provide the driveline with drive torque during a shift.
Inventors
- 👤 Kim Lyon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:38
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K6/00; B60K6/08; B60K6/12; B60W; B60W20/00; B60W20/30; B60K17/00; B60K17/04; B60K6/10; B60K6/105; B60K6/20; B60K6/42; B60K6/48; B60W10/00; B60W10/02; B60W10/04; B60W10/06; B60W10/08; B60W10/10; B60W10/11; B60W10/24; B60W10/26; B60W30/00; B60W30/18; B60W30/19; B60W2710/00; B60W2710/06; B60W2710/0666; B60W2710/08; B60W2710/083; F; F16; F16H; F16H61/00; F16H61/04; F16H2061/0425; F16H2061/0433; F16H47/00; F16H47/02; F16H61/0403; F16H61/38; F16H61/40; F16H61/4078; F16H61/4096; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/60; Y02T10/62; Y10; Y10S; Y10S903/00; Y10S903/902; Y10S903/903; Y10S903/946; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/19; Y10T74/19014; Y10T74/19149; Y10T74/19158; Y10T74/19163
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
A power transfer system for a vehicle having a power source providing a source of input torque and a driveline, said power transfer system comprising: a power-interrupt auto-manual transmission adapted for connection with said power source and said driveline to provide said driveline with a first level of drive torque, said power-interrupt auto-manual transmission including a plurality of gear ratios for controlling a speed of said vehicle and means for interrupting the distribution of said first level of drive torque to said driveline during a shift between said gear ratios; means for providing a second level of drive torque to said driveline operable during at least a portion of said shift; and engine throttle controls for controlling a delivery of air to said power source during at least a portion of said shift wherein said engine throttle controls are for controlling a rotational speed of said power source during said at least a portion of said shift to maintain said rotational speed of said power source at a speed substantially equal to the rotational speed of said power source just prior to said shift.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
A power transfer system for a vehicle having a power source providing a source of input torque and a driveline, said power transfer system comprising: a power-interrupt auto-manual transmission adapted for connection with said power source and said driveline to provide said driveline with a first level of drive torque, said power-interrupt auto-manual transmission including a plurality of gear ratios for controlling a speed of said vehicle and means for interrupting the distribution of said first level of drive torque to said driveline during a shift between said gear ratios; means for providing a second level of drive torque to said driveline operable during at least a portion of said shift; and engine throttle controls for controlling a delivery of air to said power source during at least a portion of said shift wherein said engine throttle controls are for controlling a rotational speed of said power source during said at least a portion of said shift to maintain said rotational speed of said power source at a speed substantially equal to the rotational speed of said power source just prior to said shift.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
156 words
A power transfer system for a vehicle having a power source providing a source of input torque and a driveline, said power transfer system comprising: a power-interrupt auto-manual transmission adapted for connection with said power source and said driveline to provide said driveline with a first level of drive torque, said power-interrupt auto-manual transmission including a plurality of gear ratios for controlling a speed of said vehicle and means for interrupting the distribution of said first level of drive torque to said driveline during a shift between said gear ratios; means for providing a second level of drive torque to said driveline operable during at least a portion of said shift; and wherein said means for providing a second level of drive torque to said driveline is an apparatus adapted to divert at least a portion of said input torque from said power source to said driveline during said at least a portion of said shift.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
156 words
A power transfer system for a vehicle having a power source providing a source of input torque and a driveline, said power transfer system comprising: a power-interrupt auto-manual transmission adapted for connection with said power source and said driveline to provide said driveline with a first level of drive torque, said power-interrupt auto-manual transmission including a plurality of gear ratios for controlling a speed of said vehicle and means for interrupting the distribution of said first level of drive torque to said driveline during a shift between said gear ratios; means for providing a second level of drive torque to said driveline operable during at least a portion of said shift; and wherein said means for providing a second level of drive torque to said driveline is an apparatus adapted to divert at least a portion of said input torque from said power source to said driveline during said at least a portion of said shift.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
The power transfer system of claim 2 wherein said apparatus is an epicyclical gearset having a first epicyclical gearset portion, a second epicyclical gearset portion and a shaft portion, said first epicyclical gearset portion adapted for connection to said power source, said second epicyclical gearset portion adapted for connection to said driveline, said shaft portion coupling said first and second epicyclical gearset portions to permit drive torque to be transmitted therebetween.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The power transfer system of claim 1 wherein said means for providing a second level of drive torque to said driveline includes an apparatus having a source of stored energy, said apparatus operably connected to said driveline and releasing said stored energy to create said second level of drive torque.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The power transfer system of claim 4 wherein said apparatus includes an electric motor and said source of stored energy is a flywheel generator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The power transfer system of claim 4 wherein said apparatus includes an electric motor and said source of stored energy is an ultra-capacitor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The power transfer system of claim 4 wherein said apparatus includes an electric motor and said source of stored energy is an electric battery.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The power transfer system of claim 4 wherein said apparatus includes a hydraulic motor and said source of stored energy is a device which accumulates pressurized hydraulic fluid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
142 words
A power transfer system for a vehicle having a power source providing a source of input torque and a driveline, said power transfer system comprising: a power-interrupt auto-manual transmission adapted for connection with said power source and said driveline to provide said driveline with a first level of drive torque, said power-interrupt auto-manual transmission including a plurality of gear ratios for controlling a speed of said vehicle and means for interrupting the distribution of said first level of drive torque to said driveline during a shift between said gear ratios; and an epicyclical gearset adapted for connection with said power source and said driveline for diverting at least a portion of said input torque from said power source to said driveline so as to provide a second level of drive torque to said driveline during at least a portion of said shift.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
142 words
A power transfer system for a vehicle having a power source providing a source of input torque and a driveline, said power transfer system comprising: a power-interrupt auto-manual transmission adapted for connection with said power source and said driveline to provide said driveline with a first level of drive torque, said power-interrupt auto-manual transmission including a plurality of gear ratios for controlling a speed of said vehicle and means for interrupting the distribution of said first level of drive torque to said driveline during a shift between said gear ratios; and an epicyclical gearset adapted for connection with said power source and said driveline for diverting at least a portion of said input torque from said power source to said driveline so as to provide a second level of drive torque to said driveline during at least a portion of said shift.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The power transfer system of claim 9 further comprising engine throttle controls adapted for controlling a delivery of air to said power source during at least a portion of said shift.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The power transfer system of claim 10 wherein said engine throttle controls are adapted for controlling a rotational speed of said power source during at least a portion of said shift.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-02-07 | 2003-08-09 | 2004-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-02-07 | 2007-08-09 | 2008-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-02-07 | 2011-08-09 | 2012-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |