Dana Limited Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160075339 | VEHICLE AND OPERATOR GUIDANCE BY PATTERN RECOGNITION - A method of vehicle and operator guidance by pattern recognition begins with collecting data on vehicle and operator patterns through sensors. The collected data is combined and analyzed with a pattern recognition algorithm. The combined and analyzed data is compared with patterns in a pattern database. If data matches a pattern in the pattern database, the pattern can be selected. If the data does not match a pattern in the pattern database, a new pattern can be created and selected. Based on the selected pattern, a determination is made to passively assist the operator, selectively assist the operator or passively and actively assist the operator. The determined action is then implemented. | 03-17-2016 |
20160053884 | Monitoring and Prognostic System and Method for Determining a Remaining Useful Life of Lubricant in Wet Clutch Transmissions - A system and a method for monitoring a lubricant in a transmission are provided. The system comprises a first speed sensor, a temperature sensor, and a processing unit. The first speed sensor is positioned adjacent a first clutch, which forms a portion of the transmission. The first speed sensor is configured to detect a rotational difference between portions of the first clutch. The temperature sensor is disposed within the transmission. The temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of the lubricant. The processing unit is in communication with the first speed sensor and the temperature sensor. In response to information from the first speed sensor and the temperature sensor, the processing unit determines a condition of the lubricant used in the transmission. | 02-25-2016 |
20160053678 | WASTE HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEM - A method and apparatus for controlling the mass flow rate of a positive displacement expander comprises pumping a working fluid to a heat exchanger to convert the fluid into a working vapor. At least a portion of the working vapor is stored in an accumulator connected to the heat exchanger. At least a portion of the working vapor stored in the accumulator is selectively released into a positive displacement expander via a pulse width modulated valve to increase the efficiency of the expander. | 02-25-2016 |
20160040745 | TORSIONAL COMPENSATOR BASED ON MAGNETIC RELUCTANCE - A torsional compensator for an internal combustion engine is provided. The torsional compensator comprises a rotor portion and a stator portion. The rotor portion is in driving engagement with an output of the internal combustion engine. The first rotor portion comprises at least one of first magnetic array and a first ferromagnetic array. The stator portion is disposed about the rotor portion. The stator portion is coupled to at least one of the internal combustion engine, a transmission, and a compensator housing. The stator portion comprises at least one of a second magnetic array and a second ferromagnetic array. In response to rotation of the rotor portion within the stator portion, a magnetic reluctance force is generated. The magnetic reluctance force applies a torque to the output of the internal combustion engine to dampen a torque ripple of the internal combustion engine. | 02-11-2016 |
20160031688 | DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD FOR CONTAINER LOCKING - A method for selecting a trajectory for container locking uses at least one twistlock sensor on a machine to sense a location of a twist lock hole on an object. The sensed location is transmitted to a processor to calculate a sensed trajectory for a twistlock to engage the twist lock hole. At least one operator input sensor is used to sense an input from an operator moving the twist lock to engage the twist lock hole. The sensed operator input is transmitted to the processor to calculate an operator trajectory for the twist lock to engage the twist lock hole. The sensed trajectory is compared with the operator trajectory to determine which should be used. | 02-04-2016 |
20160024923 | ENHANCED WASTE HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEM - A method for improving the efficiency of an internal combustion engine changes the volume in a piston chamber of an expander device. The expander device generally operates at a fixed expander device speed to perform work on a swash plate expander shaft. The swash plate expander shaft is connected to a first end of a piston in the piston chamber. | 01-28-2016 |
20150204429 | BALL TYPE CVT WITH OUTPUT COUPLED POWERPATHS - Systems, devices, and methods are provided for the transmission of power in motor vehicles. Power can be transmitted in a smoother and more efficient manner, with smaller and even less mechanical components, by splitting torque into two or more torque paths. A power transmission apparatus comprises a power input shaft, a planetary gear set coupled to the power input shaft, and a variator, such as a continuously variable transmission (CVT), coupled to the gear set. The various components of the planetary gear set and the variator are arranged such that torque is split between two or more torque paths and then recombined before power is output to a gear box and a differential of the motor vehicle. | 07-23-2015 |
20140274552 | CVT VARIATOR BALL AND METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION THEREOF - Hollow variator balls and methods of manufacturing hollow variator balls are disclosed. Certain methods include press forming of a cylindrical body into hollow sphere using counter rotating spherical dies, hot roll forming and skew rolling, and means of rotational support are coupled to the hollow spheres such as axles, half axles, or sleeves. | 09-18-2014 |
20140274536 | BALL TYPE CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION - A variable transmission includes an input shaft, a planetary gear set drivingly engaged with a variator comprising, a variator carrier assembly, a first ring assembly, and a second ring assembly; and the output shaft, arranged to produce transmissions with continuously variable or infinitely variable output ratios. | 09-18-2014 |
20140260777 | VARIABLE INERTIA FLYWHEEL - A variable inertia flywheel for an internal combustion engine is provided. The variable inertia flywheel device comprises at least two revolute joint assemblies, a roller guide, and a first actuator. The at least two revolute joint assemblies are in driving engagement with an output of the internal combustion engine. Each of the revolute joint assemblies comprises a member assembly and a roller. The roller guide is disposed about the revolute joint assemblies. An inner surface of the roller guide is in rolling contact with each of the rollers. The first actuator is in engagement with one of the roller guide and the revolute joint assemblies. The first actuator applies a force to one of the roller guide and the revolute joint assemblies to move one of the roller guide and the revolute joint assemblies along an axis defined by the output of the internal combustion engine. | 09-18-2014 |
20140194243 | BALL TYPE CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION/INFINITELY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION - A variable transmission includes an input shaft, a planetary gear set drivingly engaged with a variator comprising, a variator carrier assembly, a first ring assembly, and a second ring assembly; and the output shaft, arranged with various combinations of brakes and clutches to produce transmissions with continuously variable or infinitely variable torque output ratios. | 07-10-2014 |
20140194242 | BALL TYPE CVT/IVT INCLUDING PLANETARY GEAR SETS - Disclosed herein are power transmissions having one or more operational modes, for example, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) mode, an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) mode, and an IVT/CVT mode, that can be selected for by engaging different clutches and brakes. Disclosed herein are power transmissions comprising a power input shaft, one or more planetary gear sets, a variator (such as a CVT), and one or more clutches and brakes. In some embodiments, a first brake selects an IVT mode, a second brake selects a CVT mode, and a third brake selects an IVT/CVT mode. | 07-10-2014 |
20130190131 | TILTING BALL VARIATOR CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION TORQUE VECTORING DEVICE - A torque vectoring device is provided. The torque vectoring device includes a drive member engaged with a power source, a plurality of spherical adjusters configured to be tiltable and rotatable with respect to the drive member, a first output frictionally engaged with the spherical adjusters, and a second output frictionally engaged with the spherical adjusters. A torque distribution between the first output and the second output may be adjusted by tilting the plurality of spherical adjusters. The spherical adjusters also facilitate a differential action between the first output and the second output. | 07-25-2013 |