Fred C Porter

US Patent:

6378682, Apr 30, 2002

Filed:

Nov 13, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/711787

Inventors:

Sankar K. Mohan - DeWitt NY
Timothy M. Burns - Jordan NY
Fred C. Porter - Beverly Hills MI

Assignee:

New Venture Gear, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

B60K 17348

US Classification:

192103F, 192827, 192103 F

Abstract:

A hydraulic coupling for use in an all wheel drive system, utilized in association with a front wheel drive transaxle, including a multi-plate clutch assembly operably connecting two relatively rotatable members and an actuator assembly for actuating the clutch assembly in response to speed differentiation between the two rotary members. The actuator assembly includes a hydraulic pump, a piston disposed in a piston chamber, and a fluid distribution system including a first flow path for supplying hydraulic fluid from a sump to the hydraulic pump and a second flow path for supplying hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump to the piston chamber. Hydraulic pressure in the piston chamber controls the magnitude of the clutch engagement force exerted by the piston on the clutch assembly. A control valve assembly is located in the piston chamber, in close proximity to the clutch pack where a majority of heat is generated.

US Patent:

6446774, Sep 10, 2002

Filed:

Mar 30, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/822612

Inventors:

Fred C. Porter - Beverly Hills MI

Assignee:

New Venture Gear, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

F16D 2502

US Classification:

192 35, 192 82 T, 192 85 AA, 192103 F, 180197

Abstract:

The hydraulic coupling includes a multi-plate clutch assembly operatively connecting a pair of rotary members, an actuator assembly for actuating the clutch assembly, and a fluid control system operable for controlling actuation of the actuator assembly. The actuator assembly includes a hydraulic pump and a piston mounted in a piston chamber for movement relative to the multi-plate clutch assembly. The fluid control system includes an electrically-controlled flow control valve operable for regulating the fluid pressure delivered to the piston chamber. The position of the valve element is controlled by an electronic traction control module that monitors and responds to certain vehicle operating conditions, including a sump fluid temperature, a coupling outlet oil temperature, the four wheel speeds, and the piston chamber pressure. The electronic traction control module sends a control signal to the PWM control valve for modulating the hydraulic pressure supplied to the piston chamber, which, in turn, controls clutch engagement.

US Patent:

6513615, Feb 4, 2003

Filed:

Dec 17, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/023306

Inventors:

Thomas C. Bowen - Rochester Hills MI
Fred C. Porter - Beverly Hills MI

Assignee:

New Venture Gear, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

B60K 17348

US Classification:

180248, 475221, 475225, 475252

Abstract:

A full-time all-wheel drive system for a motor vehicle equipped with a transversely mounted engine and transaxle includes a power take-off unit. The power take-off unit includes an interaxle differential which drives a first power path connected to the front wheels and a second power path connected to the rear wheels. The first power path includes a planetary final drive unit which drives a double planetary front differential unit that is interconnected to a pair of front axleshafts. The second power path includes a helical gearset and a bevel gearset which deliver power to a rear propshaft.

US Patent:

6533095, Mar 18, 2003

Filed:

Feb 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/082763

Inventors:

Sankar K. Mohan - DeWitt NY
Timothy M. Burns - Jordan NY
Fred C. Porter - Beverly Hills MI

Assignee:

New Venture Gear, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

B60K 17348

US Classification:

192103F, 192 7012, 192 82 T, 192 85 AA, 19211334

Abstract:

A hydraulic coupling for use in an all wheel drive system, utilized in association with a front wheel drive transaxle, including a multi-plate clutch assembly operably connecting two relatively rotatable members and an actuator assembly for actuating the clutch assembly in response to speed differentiation between the two rotary members. The actuator assembly includes a hydraulic pump, a piston disposed in a piston chamber, and a fluid distribution system including a first flow path for supplying hydraulic fluid from a sump to the hydraulic pump and a second flow path for supplying hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump to the piston chamber. Hydraulic pressure in the piston chamber controls the magnitude of the clutch engagement force exerted by the piston on the clutch assembly. A control valve assembly is located in the piston chamber, in close proximity to the clutch pack where a majority of heat is generated.

US Patent:

6578654, Jun 17, 2003

Filed:

Dec 17, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/022495

Inventors:

Fred C. Porter - Beverly Hills MI

Assignee:

New Venture Gear, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

B60K 17344

US Classification:

180249, 475 86

Abstract:

A drive axle for an all-wheel drive vehicle includes an adaptively controlled first hydraulic coupling for providing front-to-rear torque transfer control and a passively controlled second hydraulic coupling for providing side-to-side limited slip and torque biasing control. The drive axle is contained with a common housing and communicates with a tractor control system to actively control actuation of the first hydraulic coupling based on the operating characteristics of the vehicle as detected by suitable sensors.

US Patent:

6578685, Jun 17, 2003

Filed:

Jun 27, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/185908

Inventors:

Fred C. Porter - Beverly Hills MI

Assignee:

New Venture Gear, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

F16D 2502

US Classification:

192 35, 192 82 T, 192 85 AA, 192103 F, 1921133, 192 7012, 180197, 180233

Abstract:

The hydraulic coupling includes a multi-plate clutch assembly operatively connecting a pair of rotary members, an actuator assembly for actuating the clutch assembly, and a fluid control system operable for controlling actuation of the actuator assembly including a hydraulic pump and a piston mounted in a piston chamber for movement relative to the multi-plate clutch assembly. The fluid control system regulates the fluid pressure supplied to the piston chamber by the hydraulic pump to control the clutch engagement force exerted by the piston on the clutch assembly. The fluid control system includes an electrically-controlled flow control valve operable for regulating the fluid pressure delivered to the piston chamber. Preferably, the flow control valve is a pulse-width modulated PWM) valve having a moveable valve element. The position of the valve element is controlled by an electronic traction control module that monitors and responds to certain vehicle operating conditions, including a sump fluid temperature, a coupling outlet oil temperature, four wheel speeds, and the piston chamber pressure.

US Patent:

6578692, Jun 17, 2003

Filed:

Dec 17, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/023001

Inventors:

Fred C. Porter - Beverly Hills MI

Assignee:

New Venture Gear, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

F16H 4812

US Classification:

192103F, 74650, 192 8712, 192 8713, 192 82 T

Abstract:

An automated multi-speed transmission includes an engine clutch operable to establish a releasable drive connection between the engine and an input shaft, an output shaft adapted to transfer power to the driveline, and a synchromesh geartrain having a plurality of constant-mesh gearsets that can be selectively engaged to establish a plurality of forward and reverse speed ratios. The transmission also includes power-operated dog clutches for selectively engaging the constant-mesh gearsets, and a controller for controlling coordinated actuation of the engine clutch and the power-operated dog clutches. The power-operated dog clutch associated with the low and the top gear are used during downshifts and upshifts, respectively, to actuate a clutch assembly for synchronizing the speed of the input shaft and the selected gear prior to engagement of its corresponding dog clutch.

US Patent:

6626787, Sep 30, 2003

Filed:

Feb 27, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/083941

Inventors:

Fred C. Porter - Beverly Hills MI

Assignee:

New Venture Gear, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

F16H 4806

US Classification:

475221, 475116, 475117, 475 99, 475108, 180247

Abstract:

A drive axle assembly for use in an all-wheel drive vehicle having a first hydraulic coupling operable to automatically transfer drive torque to a secondary driveline in response to slip of the primary driveline and a second hydraulic coupling operable to bias torque and limit slip between the wheels of the secondary driveline.