Did You Know...
...that in the early 1940s GE engineer James Wright was charged with a task of utmost importance to the war effort: develop a cheap substitute for rubber that could be used to produce tires, gas masks and a whole host of military gear. Wright tackled the task diligently -- and wound up inventing Silly Putty.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8165767 | Traction control system for 4WD/AWD vehicles A method controls a powertrain that directs power from an engine and a transmission to all four wheels or to just front wheels or to just rear wheels. The method includes monitoring information transmitted over a communications network. The method determines whether... | 04/24/2012 |
| 8127908 | Polycone clutch with roller ramp actuator A torque transfer mechanism includes a friction clutch having first and second outer rings positioned on opposite sides of a center ring having conically shaped friction surfaces. The outer rings each include a plurality of conically shaped friction surfaces selecti... | 03/06/2012 |
| 8123647 | Dual clutch multi-speed transaxle A transaxle transfers torque to first and second axle shafts. The transaxle includes a main shaft, a planetary gearset, a first clutch transferring torque between the main shaft and a first member of the planetary gearset and a second clutch transferring torque betw... | 02/28/2012 |
| 8113981 | Multi-speed epicyclic powershift transmission A multi-speed transmission includes a first power transmission module driven by an input shaft. A second power transmission module is driven by the first power transmission module. A third power transmission module is driven by the second power transmission module a... | 02/14/2012 |
| 8079928 | Transfer case with overdrive mode A transfer case includes an input shaft and first and second output shafts. An overdrive unit is driven at an increased speed relative to the input shaft. A clutch is operable in a first position to establish a drive connection between the input shaft and the first ... | 12/20/2011 |
| 7922615 | Two-speed transfer case with ballramp clutch actuator A transfer case is provided with a range unit, an interaxle differential, a clutch assembly and a power-operated actuation mechanism. The range unit includes a planetary gearset driven by an input shaft, and a synchronized dog clutch assembly for releasably coupling... | 04/12/2011 |
| 7909593 | Power transfer device with torque limited pump A lube pump is provided for supplying lubricant to various components of a power transmission unit of the type used in motor vehicles. The lube pump includes a pump assembly and a coupling mechanism for releaseably coupling the pump assembly to a driven shaft. The c... | 03/22/2011 |
| 7895913 | Spiral cam clutch actuation system A power transmission device for a motor vehicle includes a clutch for transferring torque between first and second shafts. A clutch actuation system includes a drive member and a cam member in cooperation with one another. The drive member is driven by an electric m... | 03/01/2011 |
| 7878933 | Hydraulic coupling with disconnect pump clutch A power transfer assembly for use in a motor vehicle and having a hydraulic coupling operable to transfer drive torque to a driveline in response to slip. The hydraulic coupling includes a transfer clutch, a clutch operator for engaging the transfer clutch, a fluid ... | 02/01/2011 |
| 7828130 | Torque coupling with disconnectable fluid pump A pump system that pressurizes a fluid includes a shaft, a first rotor and a second rotor that is selectively driven by the shaft. Relative rotation between the first rotor and the second rotor generates variable sized pockets therebetween to pressurize the fluid. A... | 11/09/2010 |
| 7813857 | Power transfer assembly with torque sensors and torque control system A transfer case for a motor vehicle having an input shaft, a first output shaft, a second output shaft, a clutch, a transfer mechanism, a sensor portion and a magnetoelastic torque sensor. The clutch has a clutch pack and a thrust mechanism that is configured to exe... | 10/12/2010 |
| 7811194 | Differential assembly with torque vectoring drive mechanism A drive axle assembly includes first and second axleshafts connected to a pair of wheels and a drive mechanism operable to selectively couple a driven input shaft to one or both of the axleshafts. The drive mechanism includes a differential, a speed changing unit op... | 10/12/2010 |
| 7743859 | Hybrid drivetrains for trailers A trailer includes a pair of wheels rotatably coupled to a trailer frame. A motor is operable to provide drive torque to at least one of the wheels. The energy storage device is mounted to the frame and operable to selectively provide energy to the motor. A load sen... | 06/29/2010 |
| 7686149 | Power transmission device with friction clutch and power-operated clutch actuator A torque transfer mechanism is provided for controlling the magnitude of a clutch engagement force exerted on a multi-plate clutch assembly that is operably disposed between a first rotary and a second rotary member. The torque transfer mechanism includes a power-op... | 03/30/2010 |
| 7665376 | Dual clutch powershift transmission An automated dual-clutch multi-speed transmission is adapted to transfer power from an engine to the driveline of a motor vehicle. The transmission includes an output shaft adapted for connection to the driveline, an input shaft continuously driven by the engine and... | 02/23/2010 |
| 7650808 | Sprial cam clutch actuation system for two-speed transfer case A transfer case includes a two-speed range unit, a friction clutch, an actuation mechanism and a control system. The actuation mechanism includes an electric motor, a geartrain driven by the motor, a range actuator assembly and a mode actuator assembly. The range ac... | 01/26/2010 |
| 7635055 | Torque coupling with actuator system for adaptive clutch and disconnectable lubrication pump A torque coupling having an actuation system operable to control actuation of a transfer clutch in coordination with actuation of a pump clutch. The transfer clutch is disposed between a pair of rotary members to transfer drive torque therebetween. The pump clutch i... | 12/22/2009 |
| 7631719 | Electrically-driven transfer case with power take-off A hybrid drive system for a four-wheel drive system arranged to supply motive power to a first output shaft of a transfer case from an internal combustion engine and to a second output shaft from an electric motor/generator. The transfer case includes a reduction ge... | 12/15/2009 |
| 7624853 | Torque coupling with disconnectable lubrication pump A pump system that pressurizes a fluid includes a shaft, a first rotor and a second rotor that is selectively driven by the shaft. Relative rotation between the first rotor and the second rotor generates variable sized pockets therebetween to pressurize the fluid. A... | 12/01/2009 |
| 7611441 | Torque transfer control system for power transmission device in a motor vehicle A torque transfer mechanism includes a multi-plate clutch assembly that is operably disposed between a first rotary and a second rotary member. A control system determines a desired quantity of torque to deliver to the second rotary member and controls the clutch to... | 11/03/2009 |
| 7611433 | Dual clutch hybrid powershift transmission A dual-clutch transmission for use in a motor vehicle having an engine and a driveline includes an output shaft adapted for connection to the driveline and a planetary gearset in constant driving engagement with the output shaft. An input shaft is driven by the engi... | 11/03/2009 |
| 7611414 | Torque limiting clutches for power transfer units A power transfer unit is provided with a torque limiting assembly that limits the torque transferred to driveline components when torque peaks occur. The power transfer unit can include, a first shaft, a second output shaft receiving drive torque, a second output sh... | 11/03/2009 |
| 7601089 | Power transfer unit with torque vectoring drive mechanism A drive axle assembly includes first and second axleshafts connected to a pair of wheels and a drive mechanism operable to selectively couple a driven input shaft to one or both of the axleshafts. The drive mechanism includes a differential, a speed changing unit op... | 10/13/2009 |
| 7588133 | Clutch control system for power transmission devices A power transmission device includes a rotary input member receiving drive torque from a source of torque, a rotary output member for providing drive torque to an output device and a torque transfer mechanism for transferring drive torque between the input member an... | 09/15/2009 |
| 7568568 | Hydraulic coupling with disconnect clutch A power transfer assembly for use in a motor vehicle and having a hydraulic coupling operable to transfer drive torque to a driveline in response to slip. The hydraulic coupling includes a transfer clutch, a clutch operator for engaging the transfer clutch, a fluid ... | 08/04/2009 |
| 7552658 | Three clutch powershift transmission An automated triple-clutch multi-speed transmission is adapted to transfer power from the engine to the driveline of a motor vehicle. The transmission includes a first clutch operable for establishing a releasable drive connection between an input shaft and a first ... | 06/30/2009 |
| 7540820 | Two-speed transfer case with ballramp clutch actuator A transfer case is provided with a range unit, an interaxle differential, a clutch assembly and a power-operated actuation mechanism. The range unit includes a planetary gearset driven by an input shaft, and a synchronized dog clutch assembly for releasably coupling... | 06/02/2009 |
| 7527133 | Power-operated clutch actuator for torque couplings A torque transfer mechanism is provided for controlling the magnitude of a clutch engagement force exerted on a multi-plate clutch assembly that is operably disposed between a first rotary and a second rotary member. The torque transfer mechanism includes a power-op... | 05/05/2009 |
| 7510041 | Drive axle assembly with torque vectoring drive mechanism A drive axle assembly includes a pair of axleshafts connected to a pair of wheels, and a drive mechanism for selectively coupling a driven input shaft to one or both of the axleshafts. The drive mechanism includes first and second drive units that can be selectively... | 03/31/2009 |
| 7506740 | Power transmission device with clutch control system A power transmission device includes a rotary input member receiving drive torque from a source of torque, a rotary output member for providing drive torque to an output device and a torque transfer mechanism for transferring drive torque between the input member an... | 03/24/2009 |
| 7506559 | Shift mechanism for power transmission assemblies The present invention provides a shift mechanism disposed in a housing for providing operable communication between a shift actuator and a shift sleeve. The shift mechanism generally includes a shift rail, a shift fork, a first biasing member, and a second biasing m... | 03/24/2009 |
| 7503866 | Axle assembly with torque vectoring drive mechanism A drive axle assembly includes a pair of axelshafts connected to a pair of wheels and a drive mechanism for selectively coupling a driven input shaft to one or both of the axelshafts. The drive mechanism includes first and second drive units that can be selectively ... | 03/17/2009 |
| 7503416 | Torque distributing drive mechanism with limited slip A drive axle assembly includes first and second axleshafts and a drive mechanism coupling a driven input shaft to the axleshafts. The drive mechanism includes a differential assembly, a planetary gear assembly operably disposed between the differential assembly and ... | 03/17/2009 |
| 7491146 | Torque distributing drive assembly for motor vehicles A drive axle assembly includes first and second axleshafts and a drive mechanism coupling a driven input shaft to the axleshafts. The drive mechanism includes a differential assembly, a planetary gear assembly operably disposed between the differential assembly and ... | 02/17/2009 |
| 7491145 | Dynamic traction control system A transfer case for a motor vehicle having an input shaft, a first output shaft, a second output shaft, a clutch, a transfer mechanism, a sensor portion and a magnetoelastic torque sensor. The clutch has a clutch pack and a thrust mechanism that is configured to exe... | 02/17/2009 |
| 7490526 | Dual clutch powershift transmission with transfer shaft A dual-clutch powershift transmission for use in a motor vehicle having an engine and a driveline includes an output shaft adapted for connection to the driveline, first and second input shafts, a first engine clutch operable for establishing a releaseable drive con... | 02/17/2009 |
| 7448249 | Clutch actuation control system with adjustable position encoder assembly An adjustable position sensor is provided suitable for use with a clutch actuation control system. The position sensor includes: a rotatable shaft adapted to engage a control gear of the clutch actuation control system; and an encoder having a position indicator adj... | 11/11/2008 |
| 7445581 | Control strategy for active torque control A torque transfer mechanism includes a multi-plate clutch assembly that is operably disposed between a first rotary and a second rotary member. A control system determines a desired quantity of torque to deliver to the second rotary member and controls the clutch to... | 11/04/2008 |
| 7445438 | Torque limited lube pump for power transfer devices A lube pump is provided for supplying lubricant to various components of a power transmission unit of the type used in motor vehicles. The lube pump includes a pump assembly and a coupling mechanism for releaseably coupling the pump assembly to a driven shaft. The c... | 11/04/2008 |
| 7445100 | Low power modulating clutch control system A power transmission device includes a rotary input member adapted to receive drive torque from a source of torque, a rotary output member adapted to provide drive torque to an output device and a torque transfer mechanism operable to transferring drive torque from ... | 11/04/2008 |
