Patent Issued for Transmission Internal PTO Clutch And Method Of Control (USPTO 10,442,423): Allison Transmission Inc.

Allison Transmission Inc.

2019 OCT 28 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Transportation Daily News -- From Alexandria, Virginia, NewsRx journalists report that a patent by the inventors Foster, Michael (Carmel, IN); Burchett, Douglas (Camby, IN), filed on February 24, 2016, was published online on October 28, 2019.

The patent’s assignee for patent number 10,442,423 is Allison Transmission Inc. (Indianapolis, Indiana, United States).

News editors obtained the following quote from the background information supplied by the inventors: “Conventional internal combustion engine vehicles can have a PTO that is pivotally coupled to a main driveline shaft between a torque converter and the remaining portions of a transmission assembly. Many PTOs have a PTO gear that mechanically couples the PTO to a secondary assembly such as a pump, compressor, or any other device that can utilize mechanical power provided by a gear. The PTO gear often has a center through-hole that is aligned with, and splined to, the main driveline. In this configuration, the PTO gear will rotate whenever the main driveline rotates.”

As a supplement to the background information on this patent, NewsRx correspondents also obtained the inventors’ summary information for this patent: “In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a PTO drive assembly for a transmission includes a shaft defining a shaft axis; a PTO gear defined radially about the shaft axis; and a clutch assembly positioned between the shaft and the PTO gear and having an engaged position and a disengaged position; wherein, when the clutch assembly is in the engaged position, torque is transferred from the shaft to the PTO gear; and wherein, when the clutch assembly is in the disengage position, torque is not transferred from the shaft to the PTO gear.

“In one example of this embodiment, the PTO gear defines an inner face extending axially along the shaft axis, the inner face having a first plurality of splines defined therein. In another example, the shaft defines an outer face extending axially along the shaft axis, the outer face having a second plurality of splines defined therein. In a third example, the clutch assembly includes a first plurality of plates each defining at least one first tang that extends radially away from the shaft axis; a second plurality of plates each defining at least one second tang that extends radially toward the shaft axis; a backing plate spaced axially along the shaft axis on a first side of the plurality of first plates and the plurality of second plates; an apply plate spaced axially along the shaft axis on a second side of the plurality of friction plates and the plurality of reaction plates; and a piston positioned radially about the shaft axis and axially adjacent to the apply plate. In a fourth example, the piston has a thrust bearing positioned between the piston and the apply plate.

“In a fifth example, the piston does not rotate with the shaft when the clutch assembly is in either the engaged position or the disengaged position. In a sixth example, the second tangs rotationally couple the second plurality of plates to the second plurality of splines along the outer face of the shaft. In a seventh example, the first plurality splines along the inner surface of the PTO gear are coupled to the first plurality of plates via the at least one first tang. In an eighth example, the piston is rotationally coupled to the PTO gear and the piston rotates as the PTO gear rotates. In a ninth example, the PTO drive assembly includes a hub coupled to the second plurality of splines along a radially inner portion and providing a receiving surface along the radially outer portion of the hub, the receiving surface rotationally coupling the second plurality of plates to the shaft via the at least one second tang. In another example, the first plurality splines along the inner surface of the PTO gear are rotationally coupled to the first plurality of plates via the at least one first tang. In a further example, the PTO gear is pivotally coupled to a transmission case through at least one bearing.

“In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a transmission having a PTO drive assembly with an internal clutch includes a transmission housing having a first end and a second end; a torque converter coupled to the housing, the converter configured to receive torque from a drive unit; a shaft disposed in the housing and defining a shaft axis, the shaft coupled at one end to the torque converter; a PTO drive assembly disposed within the housing and including a PTO gear selectively coupled to the shaft; a clutch assembly disposed within the transmission housing between PTO gear and the shaft, the clutch assembly having an engaged position and a disengaged position; and wherein the PTO gear rotates at the same speed as the shaft relative to the transmission housing when the clutch assembly is in the engaged position; and the PTO gear does not rotate at the same speed as the shaft relative to the transmission housing when the clutch assembly is in the disengaged position.

“In one example, the transmission includes a gear base disposed along a radially inner portion of the PTO gear; an cylindrical ledge aligned along the shaft axis and spaced radially away from the shaft; and a support disc extending radially from the cylindrical ledge to the gear base and coupling the cylindrical ledge to the gear base; wherein, the cylindrical ledge defines a coupling surface at a radially distal portion from the shaft axis that is pivotally coupled to the transmission case. In a second example, the clutch assembly further comprises a piston assembly, a first cylindrical segment aligned along the shaft axis and radially spaced to be proximate to the gear base; a second cylindrical segment aligned along the shaft axis and radially spaced to provide a gap between the second cylindrical segment and the shaft; and a piston support disc extending radially from the first cylindrical segment to the second cylindrical segment and coupling the first cylindrical segment to the second cylindrical segment; wherein an annular piston cavity is defined between the first cylindrical segment, the second cylindrical segment, and the piston support disc.

“In a third example, the support disc also defines a backing plate adapted to resist axially movement along the shaft axis towards the backing plate of one or more clutch discs disposed within the clutch assembly. In a fourth example, the second cylindrical segment defines a coupling surface at a radially distal portion from the shaft axis that is pivotally coupled to the transmission case. In a fifth example, the second cylindrical segment is removably coupled to the gear base with one or more gear base splines. In a sixth example, the transmission includes a piston disposed in the annular disc cavity and movable axially along the shaft axis to transition the clutch assembly between the engaged position and the disengaged position. In a seventh example, the transmission includes at least one hydraulic passageway disposed in the PTO assembly.

“In a further embodiment, a transmission system includes a drive unit coupled to an output shaft along a shaft axis, the drive unit adapted to rotatably drive the output shaft; a torque converter pivotally coupled to the output shaft, the torque converter further having a PTO drive shaft coupled thereto; a transmission case pivotally coupled to the torque converter and pivotally coupled to a PTO drive assembly; wherein, the PTO drive assembly includes a PTO gear defined radially about the shaft axis; and a clutch assembly having an engaged position and a disengaged position disposed between the shaft and the PTO gear, where torque is transferred from the shaft to the PTO gear when the clutch assembly is in the engaged position, and torque is not transferred from the shaft to the PTO gear when the clutch assembly is in the disengage position.

“In a first example of this embodiment, the PTO gear defines an inner face extending axially along the shaft axis, the inner face having a first plurality of splines defined therein. In a second example, the shaft defines an outer face extending axially along the shaft axis, the outer face having a second plurality of splines defined therein. In a third example, the clutch assembly includes a first plurality of plates each defining at least one first tang that extends radially away from the shaft axis; a second plurality of plates each defining at least one second tang that extends radially toward the shaft axis; a backing plate spaced axially along the shaft axis on a first side of the plurality of first plates and the plurality of second plates; an apply plate spaced axially along the shaft axis on a second side of the plurality of friction plates and the plurality of reaction plates; and a piston positioned radially about the shaft axis and axially adjacent to the apply plate.

“In a fourth example, the piston has a thrust bearing positioned between the piston and the apply plate. In a fifth example, the piston does not rotate with the shaft when the clutch assembly is in either the engaged position or the disengaged position. In a sixth example, the second tangs rotationally couple the second plurality of plates to the second plurality of splines along the outer face of the shaft. In a seventh example, the first plurality splines along the inner surface of the PTO gear are rotationally coupled to the first plurality of plates via the at least one first tang. In an eighth example, the piston is rotationally coupled to the PTO gear and the piston rotates as the PTO gear rotates. In a ninth example, the transmission system includes a hub coupled to the second plurality of splines along a radially inner portion and providing a receiving surface along the radially outer portion of the hub, the receiving surface rotationally coupling the second plurality of plates to the shaft via the at least one second tang. In another example, the first plurality splines along the inner surface of the PTO gear are rotationally coupled to the first plurality of plates via the at least one first tang. In a further example, the PTO gear is pivotally coupled to a transmission case through at least one bearing.”

The claims supplied by the inventors are:

“The invention claimed is:

“1. A PTO drive assembly for a transmission, comprising: a shaft coupled to a drive unit and configured to transfer torque generated by the drive unit, the shaft defining a shaft axis; a PTO gear defined radially about the shaft axis; and a clutch assembly positioned between the shaft and the PTO gear and having an engaged position and a disengaged position; wherein, when the clutch assembly is in the engaged position, torque is transferred from the shaft to the PTO gear; wherein, when the clutch assembly is in the disengaged position, torque is not transferred from the shaft to the PTO gear.

“2. The PTO drive assembly of claim 1, wherein the PTO gear defines an inner face extending axially along the shaft axis, the inner face having a first plurality of splines defined therein.

“3. The PTO drive assembly of claim 2, wherein the shaft defines an outer face extending axially along the shaft axis, the outer face having a second plurality of splines defined therein.

“4. The PTO drive assembly of claim 3, wherein the clutch assembly comprises: a first plurality of plates each defining at least one first tang that extends radially away from the shaft axis; a second plurality of plates each defining at least one second tang that extends radially toward the shaft axis; a backing plate spaced axially along the shaft axis on a first side of the first plurality of plates and the second plurality of plates; an apply plate spaced axially along the shaft axis on a second side of the first plurality of plates and the second plurality of plates; and a piston positioned radially about the shaft axis and axially adjacent to the apply plate.

“5. The PTO drive assembly of claim 4, wherein the piston has a thrust bearing positioned between the piston and the apply plate.

“6. The PTO drive assembly of claim 4, wherein the piston does not rotate with the shaft when the clutch assembly is in either the engaged position or the disengaged position.

“7. The PTO drive assembly of claim 4, further wherein the at least one second tang rotationally couples the second plurality of plates to the second plurality of splines along the outer face of the shaft.

“8. The PTO drive assembly of claim 4, further wherein the first plurality of splines along the inner face of the PTO gear are coupled to the first plurality of plates via the at least one first tang.

“9. The PTO drive assembly of claim 4, wherein the piston is rotationally coupled to the PTO gear and the piston rotates as the PTO gear rotates.

“10. The PTO drive assembly of claim 4, further comprising a hub coupled to the second plurality of splines along a radially inner portion and providing a receiving surface along a radially outer portion of the hub, the receiving surface rotationally coupling the second plurality of plates to the shaft via the at least one second tang.

“11. The PTO drive assembly of claim 4, wherein the first plurality of splines are rotationally coupled to the first plurality of plates via the at least one first tang.

“12. The PTO drive assembly of claim 4, wherein the PTO gear is coupled to a transmission case through at least one bearing.

“13. A transmission having a PTO drive assembly with an internal clutch, the transmission comprising: a transmission housing having a first end and a second end; a torque converter coupled to the housing, the converter configured to receive torque from a drive unit; a shaft disposed in the housing and defining a shaft axis, the shaft being rotationally coupled to an output shaft of the drive unit and coupled at one end to the torque converter; a PTO drive assembly disposed within the housing and including a PTO gear selectively coupled to the shaft; a clutch assembly disposed within the transmission housing between PTO gear and the shaft, the clutch assembly having an engaged position and a disengaged position; and wherein, the PTO gear rotates at the same speed as the shaft relative to the transmission housing when the clutch assembly is in the engaged position; and wherein, the PTO gear does not rotate at the same speed as the shaft relative to the transmission housing when the clutch assembly is in the disengaged position.

“14. The transmission of claim 13, further comprising: a gear base disposed along a radially inner portion of the PTO gear; a cylindrical ledge aligned along the shaft axis and spaced radially away from the shaft; and a support disc extending radially from the cylindrical ledge to the gear base and coupling the cylindrical ledge to the gear base; wherein, the cylindrical ledge defines a coupling surface that rotationally couples the PTO gear to the transmission housing.

“15. The transmission of claim 14, wherein the clutch assembly further comprises a piston assembly, comprising: a first cylindrical segment aligned along the shaft axis and radially spaced to be proximate to the gear base; a second cylindrical segment aligned along the shaft axis and radially spaced to provide a gap between the second cylindrical segment and the shaft; and a piston support disc extending radially from the first cylindrical segment to the second cylindrical segment and coupling the first cylindrical segment to the second cylindrical segment; wherein an annular piston cavity is defined between the first cylindrical segment, the second cylindrical segment, and the piston support disc.

“16. The transmission of claim 15, wherein the support disc also defines a backing plate adapted to resist axial movement along the shaft axis towards the backing plate of one or more clutch discs disposed within the clutch assembly.

“17. The transmission of claim 15, further wherein the second cylindrical segment defines a coupling surface at a radially distal portion from the shaft axis that is pivotally coupled to the transmission housing.

“18. The transmission of claim 15, further wherein the second cylindrical segment is removably coupled to the gear base with one or more gear base splines.

“19. The transmission of claim 13, further comprising a piston disposed in an annular disc cavity and movable axially along the shaft axis to transition the clutch assembly between the engaged position and the disengaged position.

“20. The transmission of claim 13, further comprising at least one hydraulic passageway disposed in the PTO assembly.

“21. A transmission system, comprising: a drive unit coupled to an output shaft along a shaft axis, the drive unit adapted to rotatably drive the output shaft; a torque converter rotationally coupled to the output shaft, the torque converter further having a PTO drive shaft coupled to the output shaft; a transmission case coupled to the torque converter and coupled to a PTO drive assembly; wherein, the PTO drive assembly comprises: a PTO gear defined radially about the shaft axis; and a clutch assembly having an engaged position and a disengaged position disposed between the PTO drive shaft and the PTO gear, where torque is transferred from the output shaft to the PTO gear when the clutch assembly is in the engaged position, and torque is not transferred from the output shaft to the PTO gear when the clutch assembly is in the disengaged position.

“22. The transmission system of claim 21, wherein the PTO gear defines an inner face extending axially along the shaft axis, the inner face having a first plurality of splines defined therein.

“23. The transmission system of claim 22, wherein the shaft defines an outer face extending axially along the shaft axis, the outer face having a second plurality of splines defined therein.

“24. The transmission system of claim 23, wherein the clutch assembly comprises: a first plurality of plates each defining at least one first tang that extends radially away from the shaft axis; a second plurality of plates each defining at least one second tang that extends radially toward the shaft axis; a backing plate spaced axially along the shaft axis on a first side of the first plurality of plates and the second plurality of plates; an apply plate spaced axially along the shaft axis on a second side of the first plurality of plates and the second plurality of plates; and a piston positioned radially about the shaft axis and axially adjacent to the apply plate.

“25. The transmission system of claim 24, wherein the piston has a thrust bearing positioned between the piston and the apply plate.

“26. The transmission system of claim 24, wherein the piston does not rotate with the shaft when the clutch assembly is in either the engaged position or the disengaged position.

“27. The transmission system of claim 24, wherein the at least one second tang rotationally couples the second plurality of plates to the second plurality of splines along the outer face of the shaft.

“28. The transmission system of claim 24, wherein the first plurality of splines along the inner face of the PTO gear are rotationally coupled to the first plurality of plates via the at least one first tang.

“29. The transmission system of claim 24, wherein the piston is rotationally coupled to the PTO gear and the piston rotates as the PTO gear rotates.

“30. The transmission system of claim 24, further comprising a hub coupled to the second plurality of splines along a radially inner portion and providing a receiving surface along a radially outer portion of the hub, the receiving surface rotationally coupling the second plurality of plates to the shaft via the at least one second tang.

“31. The transmission system of claim 24, wherein the PTO gear is coupled to a transmission case through at least one bearing to rotate relative to the transmission case.”

For additional information on this patent, see: Foster, Michael; Burchett, Douglas. Transmission Internal PTO Clutch And Method Of Control. U.S. Patent Number 10,442,423, filed February 24, 2016, and published online on October 28, 2019. Patent URL: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=10,442,423.PN.&OS=PN/10,442,423RS=PN/10,442,423

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