This disclosure relates to a method of controlling an axle assembly in which a wheel may be selectively connected to a differential assembly to provide splash lubrication.
An axle shaft disconnect assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,382,633.
In at least one embodiment, a method of controlling an axle assembly is provided. The axle assembly may include a housing assembly, a drive pinion, a differential assembly, and at least one wheel hub. The drive pinion may be selectively connectable to a torque source. The differential assembly may be received in the housing assembly and may have a ring gear that may mesh with a drive pinion. The wheel hub may support a vehicle wheel and may be selectively connected to the differential assembly. The method may include operatively connecting at least one wheel hub to the differential assembly when the ring gear does not receive torque from a torque source such that torque from the wheel hub rotates the ring gear and the ring gear splashes lubricant in the housing assembly.
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
Referring to
The vehicle 10 may have an axle system that may include a plurality of axle assemblies, such as a first axle assembly 12 and a second axle assembly 14. The first axle assembly 12 and the second axle assembly 14 may be drive axle assemblies. A drive axle assembly may be part of a vehicle drivetrain and may receive torque from at least one torque source 16, such as an engine, electric motor, transmission, transfer case, or another axle assembly. A drive axle assembly may provide torque to one or more wheel assemblies 18, such as a tire disposed on a wheel, that may be rotatably supported on the drive axle assembly.
In
As will be discussed in more detail below, torque may be selectively provided to the wheel assemblies 18 of at least one of the axle assemblies. For example, torque may be provided to the first axle assembly 12 and the second axle assembly 14 and to their associated wheel assemblies 18 to provide sufficient torque to propel the vehicle 10 from a stationary position, when climbing a road grade, or to provide sufficient torque to meet acceleration demands. Torque may not be provided to the wheel assemblies 18 of the first axle assembly 12 or the wheel assemblies 18 of the second axle assembly 14 when torque demands are sufficiently low, such as when the vehicle is at a road cruise speed or when torque from one axle assembly is sufficient to meet propulsion or acceleration demands. Not providing torque to either the first axle assembly 12 or the second axle assembly 14 may help improve axle operating efficiency and fuel economy. Torque may not be provided to the wheel assemblies 18 of an axle assembly by (1) not providing torque from the torque source 16 to the differential assembly of the axle assembly and (2) disconnecting the differential assembly from its associated wheel assemblies 18. The combination of disconnecting a differential assembly from the torque source 16 and from its associated wheel assemblies 18 may allow the differential assembly to remain substantially stationary, which may reduce churning losses due to drag forces exerted by lubricant on the ring gear of the differential assembly and may help improve axle operating efficiency. However, splash lubrication (i.e., lubrication that is based on lubricant that is splashed by moving components of the axle assembly) may be eliminated or substantially reduced when a differential assembly is stationary or rotates a low speed. As a result, sufficient lubricant may not be provided to components of the axle assembly that may continue to move or rotate even when torque is not provided to the wheel assemblies 18. Accordingly, the present invention contemplates that the differential assembly may be occasionally reconnected to its associated wheel assemblies 18 so that the wheel assemblies 18 may “backdrive” or provide torque to rotate the differential assembly and provide splash lubrication when the torque source 16 does not provide torque to the differential assembly.
Referring to
Referring to
The axle housing 50 may receive and support the axle shafts 46. In at least one embodiment, the axle housing 50 may include a center portion 60 and at least one arm portion 62.
The center portion 60 may be disposed proximate the center of the axle housing 50. The center portion 60 may define a cavity that may receive the differential assembly 44. A lower region of the center portion 60 may at least partially define a sump portion 64 that may contain lubricant 66. Splashed lubricant may flow down the sides of the center portion 60 and may flow over internal components of the axle assembly and collect in the sump portion 64.
One or more arm portions 62 may extend from the center portion 60. For example, two arm portions 62 may extend in opposite directions from the center portion 60 and away from the differential assembly 44. The arm portions 62 may have substantially similar configurations. For example, the arm portions 62 may each have a hollow configuration or tubular configuration that may extend around and may receive the corresponding axle shaft 46 and may help separate or isolate the axle shaft 46 from the surrounding environment. An arm portion 62 or a portion thereof may be integrally formed with the center portion 60 or may be separate from the center portion 60.
Referring to
The bearing support 70 may receive a roller bearing assembly 72 that may rotatably support the differential assembly 44. For example, two bearing supports 70 may be received in the center portion 60 and may be located proximate opposite sides of the differential assembly 44.
The input yoke 32 may facilitate coupling of the first axle assembly 12 to the torque source 16. For example, the input yoke 32 may be coupled to the drive shaft that may be coupled to the torque source 16. The input yoke 32 may be mounted on the input shaft 34 as is best shown in
Referring to
The drive pinion 36 may provide torque to a ring gear 100 that may be provided with the differential assembly 44. In at least one configuration, the drive pinion 36 may extend along and may be configured to rotate about the first axis 80. Alternatively, the drive pinion 36 may be rotatable about an axis that is disposed below the first axis 80, such as is disclosed in the axle assembly configuration described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,398,520. The ring gear 100 may rotate about a second axis 102. The drive pinion 36 may be rotatably supported by one or more roller bearing assemblies 104 that may be disposed on the differential carrier 52. In at least one configuration, the drive pinion 36 may include a shaft portion 110 and a gear portion 112.
The shaft portion 110 may extend from the interaxle differential unit 42 to the gear portion 112. The shaft portion 110 may include a passage through which the output shaft 38 may extend and a drive pinion spline 120.
The drive pinion spline 120 may be axially disposed between the end of the drive pinion 36 and roller bearing assemblies 104. The drive pinion spline 120 may include a plurality of teeth that may be disposed substantially parallel to the first axis 80 and may mate with a corresponding spline on a connector ring 122. For example, the connector ring 122 may receive the drive pinion 36 and may have an inner spline 124 and an outer spline 126. The inner spline 124 may mate with the drive pinion spline 120. As such, the connector ring 122 may rotate with the drive pinion 36. The outer spline 126 may be disposed opposite the inner spline 124. The outer spline 126 may mate with a corresponding spline on a clutch collar as will be described in more detail below.
The gear portion 112 may be disposed at an end of the shaft portion 110. The gear portion 112 may have a plurality of teeth that may mate or mesh with corresponding teeth on the ring gear 100.
The output shaft 38 may extend along and may be configured to rotate about the first axis 80. For instance, the output shaft 38 may be supported by one or more roller bearings that may be disposed on the housing assembly 30, such as one or more output bearings 128 that may be disposed at an opposite end of the housing assembly 30 from the input bearing 90. The output shaft 38 may extend through the drive pinion 36 and may extend through a spider of the interaxle differential unit 42 as will be discussed in more detail below. The output shaft 38 may be coupled to the interaxle differential unit 42 at a first end. For example, the output shaft 38 may be fixedly coupled to a second side gear of the interaxle differential unit 42. The output shaft 38 may be fixedly coupled to the output yoke 40 at a second end that may be disposed opposite the first end.
Referring to
Referring to
The case 130 may be configured to receive components of the interaxle differential unit 42. In addition, the case 130 may be rotatable about the first axis 80. The input shaft 34 may be integrally formed with the case 130 in one or more configurations. The case 130 may include a plurality of holes that may retain the spider 136 and may include a case gear 150.
The case gear 150 may face toward the clutch collar 140 and may be selectively engaged by the clutch collar 140. The case gear 150 may include a plurality of teeth that may be arranged around the first axis 80. The case gear 150 may be configured as a face gear, in which the teeth extend axially toward the clutch collar 140, or may be configured as a spline or set of teeth that may be arranged around the clutch collar 140 and that may extend radially inward toward the clutch collar 140 and the first axis 80.
The first side gear 132 may be rotatably disposed on the drive pinion 36. For example, the first side gear 132 may be disposed around the first axis 80 and may have a center bore that may receive the shaft portion 110 of the drive pinion 36. A roller bearing assembly may be disposed between the shaft portion 110 and the first side gear 132 to permit the first side gear 132 to rotate with respect to the drive pinion 36 depending on the position of the clutch collar.
The second side gear 134 may be disposed on the output shaft 38. For example, the second side gear 134 may be disposed around the first axis 80 and may have a center bore that may receive the output shaft 38. The center bore may include a spline that may receive and engage a corresponding spline on the output shaft 38. As such, the second side gear 134 may not rotate about the first axis 80 with respect to the output shaft 38.
The spider 136 may be fixedly positioned with respect to the case 130 and may be rotatably disposed on the drive pinion 36 or may be rotatable with respect to the drive pinion 36. The spider may include one or more spider shafts that may rotatably support corresponding pinion gears 138.
A pinion gear 138 may be rotatably disposed on a corresponding spider shaft. Each pinion gear 138 may have teeth that may mesh with teeth on the first side gear 132 and the second side gear 134.
The clutch collar 140, which may also be referred to as a lock collar, may be moveably disposed on the connector ring 122. The clutch collar 140 may move axially or move along the first axis 80 between a first position and a second position as will be discussed in more detail below. The clutch collar 140 may be generally ring-shaped and may include a clutch collar hole 160, a clutch collar gear 162, and a clutch collar groove 164.
The clutch collar hole 160 may extend through the clutch collar 140 and extend around the first axis 80. The clutch collar hole 160 may receive the connector ring 122 and the first side gear 132. For example, the clutch collar 140 may have a spline that may extend into the clutch collar hole 160 and toward the first axis 80 and may mate with the outer spline 126 of the connector ring 122 and a corresponding spline on the first side gear 132. As such, the mating splines may allow the clutch collar 140 to move in an axial direction or along the first axis 80 while inhibiting rotation of the clutch collar 140 about the first axis 80 with respect to the connector ring 122 and the first side gear 132.
The clutch collar gear 162 may include a set of teeth. The set of teeth may be arranged around the first axis 80 and may selectively engage the teeth of the case gear 150 of the case 130 depending on the axial position of the clutch collar 140.
The clutch collar groove 164 may face away from the first axis 80 and may extend around the first axis 80. The clutch collar groove 164 may receive a linkage, such as a shift fork, that may operatively connect the clutch collar 140 to an actuator. The actuator may move the clutch collar 140 between a first position and a second position. The clutch collar 140 is shown in the first position in
It is also contemplated that the clutch collar may be provided with a drive pinion that is disposed below the first axis 80, such as is disclosed in the axle assembly configuration described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,398,520.
Referring to
The input yoke 32 may receive torque from the torque source 16. The input yoke 32 may be operatively connected to the input shaft 34, which in turn may be operatively connected to the interaxle differential unit 42. Torque may be transmitted from the interaxle differential unit 42 to the drive pinion 36 when the clutch collar 140 is in the first position. The drive pinion 36 may then provide torque to the ring gear 100 of the differential assembly 44. The differential assembly 44 may be operatively connected to the axle shafts 46 and may permit the axle shaft 46 to rotate at different rotational speeds in a manner known by those skilled in the art. As such, the differential assembly 44 may receive torque via the ring gear 100 and provide torque to the axle shafts 46, provided that the wheel end disconnects are connected. Torque may also be transmitted from the interaxle differential unit 42 to the output shaft 38 when the clutch collar 140 is in the first position.
Torque may also be transmitted from the interaxle differential unit 42 to the output shaft 38 when the clutch collar 140 is in the second position. However, torque from the torque source 16 may not be transmitted from the interaxle differential unit 42 to the drive pinion 36 when the clutch collar 140 is in the second position since the clutch collar 140 is not positioned to inhibit rotation of the first side gear 132 with respect to the connector ring 122.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The bottom wall 200 may be disposed at the bottom of the upper lubricant reservoir 190. As is best shown in
The arcuate wall 202 may extend from an end of the bottom wall 200. The arcuate wall 202 may extend along an arc that may extend in an upward direction from the bottom wall 200 such that the arcuate wall 202 extends over and is spaced apart from the drive pinion 36.
A plurality of side walls 204 may extend upward from a perimeter defined by the bottom wall 200 and the arcuate wall 202. Each side wall 204 may extend from the end of two other side walls 204 in an end-to-end relationship. The side walls 204 may cooperate to define the opening 206 and may cooperate with the bottom wall 200 and the arcuate wall 202 to retain lubricant in the upper lubricant reservoir 190. Splashed lubricant may enter the upper lubricant reservoir 190 via the opening 206.
The outlet 208 may be a hole that may extend through a wall, such as the bottom wall 200. The outlet 208 may allow lubricant to drain from the upper lubricant reservoir 190. The outlet 208 may be fluidly connected to one or more conduits 220, such as a channel, hose, tube, or the like. In the configuration shown in
The mounting feature 210 may facilitate mounting of the upper lubricant reservoir 190 to the housing assembly 30. The mounting feature 210 may have any suitable configuration. In the configuration that is shown in
Referring to
The annular body 230 may extend around the first axis 80. The annular body 230 may define a hole that may receive the output bearings 128. In addition, the annular body 230 may include a flange portion 234, an inlet hole 236, and a groove 238.
The flange portion 234 may extend radially outward from an end of the annular body 230. The flange portion 234 may inhibit axial movement of the output bearing lubricant reservoir 192. For example, the flange portion 234 may engage an end of the housing assembly 30 and may inhibit axial movement of the output bearing lubricant reservoir 192 toward the input shaft 34. In addition, the flange portion 234 may include openings that may receive fasteners, such as bolts, that may secure the output bearing lubricant reservoir 192 to the housing assembly 30.
The inlet hole 236 may be a through hole that may extend through the annular body 230. The inlet hole 236 may receive lubricant from the second conduit 220. The inlet hole 236 may be axially positioned between a pair of output bearings 128 and may be positioned above the first axis 80. As such, lubricant that enters the annular body 230 via the inlet hole 236 may be distributed to both output bearings 128.
The groove 238 may be disposed in the annular body 230. The groove 238 may extend in an axial direction and may help route lubricant between the output bearings 128 and the pan 232.
The pan 232 may extend from an end of the annular body 230 that may be disposed opposite the flange portion 234. The pan may be disposed below the first axis 80 and may extend away from the flange portion 234. The pan 232 may be configured to hold a volume of lubricant. The pan 232 may catch lubricant that drips from the output shaft 38 or is splashed in the housing assembly 30. It is also contemplated that the pan 232 may receive lubricant from a conduit 220.
Referring to
The lubricant level sensor 242 may be configured to detect the amount of lubricant or level of lubricant in a lubricant reservoir. For example, a lubricant level sensor 242 may be provided with a lubricant reservoir, such as the upper lubricant reservoir 190 or optionally the output bearing lubricant reservoir 192. Lubricant level sensor 242 may be of any suitable type.
Referring to
Referring to
Control logic may be independent of the particular programming language, operating system, processor, or circuitry used to develop and/or implement the control logic illustrated. Likewise, depending upon the particular programming language and processing strategy, various functions may be performed in the sequence illustrated, at substantially the same time, or in a different sequence while accomplishing the method of control. The illustrated functions may be modified, or in some cases omitted, without departing from the scope intended.
In at least one embodiment, the method may be executed by the control system 250 and may be implemented as a closed loop control system. Moreover, the method may be enabled or disabled based on the operating state of the vehicle. For example, the method or control logic may be enabled when the vehicle is turned on, the torque source 16 is operational, when the vehicle is in motion, or combinations thereof. In addition, the method may be manually activated.
The method will be primarily described in the context of operating the first axle assembly 12, but it is to be understood that the method may be applied to operate any suitable axle assembly of the axle system.
As an overview, the method may selectively provide torque from a wheel assembly 18 to the differential assembly 44 when torque is not provided to the differential assembly 44 by the torque source 16. Torque that is provided from a wheel assembly 18 to the differential assembly 44 may rotate the differential assembly 44 and its ring gear 100. The ring gear 100 may then splash lubricant that has collected in the sump portion 64 of the axle housing 50. Some of the splashed lubricant may be collected and routed to various components of the axle assembly. For example, lubricant may be collected and routed to components of the axle assembly that may rotate when torque is not transmitted from the torque source 16 to the drive pinion 36, such as the input bearing 90, the output bearing 128, bearings associated with the interaxle differential unit 42, or combinations thereof. As such, lubricant may be routed to components of the axle assembly when the drive pinion 36 does not provide torque to the ring gear 100 without the use of a lubricant pump, such as an electric lubricant pump that may be provided in the axle assembly, which may help reduce cost, weight, and complexity.
The method will be described with respect to the axle system shown in
At block 300, the method may determine whether the temperature of one or more bearings is too high. The temperature of a bearing may be provided by a corresponding bearing temperature sensor 240. The temperature of a bearing may be compared to a threshold temperature. The threshold temperature may be a predetermined temperature at which it may be desirable to provide additional lubricant to the bearing to lubricate and cool the bearing. The threshold temperature may be a predetermined temperature that may be based on vehicle development testing and may be based on the temperature limitations specified by the bearing manufacturer. As one nonlimiting example, the threshold temperature may be 93° C. (200° F.). If the temperature of one or more bearings does not exceed the threshold temperature, then the method may continue at block 302. If the temperature of one or more bearings is greater than a threshold temperature, then the method may continue at block 308.
At block 302, the method may determine whether the level of lubricant in a lubricant reservoir is low. The level of lubricant in a lubricant reservoir may be based on the signal or data that is provided by a corresponding lubricant level sensor 242. The level of lubricant may be compared to a threshold lubricant level. The threshold lubricant level may be a predetermined fill level or volume of lubricant that is in a corresponding lubricant reservoir at which the lubricant reservoir may not be able to provide sufficient lubricant to one or more bearings to satisfy lubricant requirements or operational conditions. The threshold lubricant level may be a predetermined value that may be based on design requirements or vehicle development testing. If the level of lubricant in a lubricant reservoir is not less than the threshold lubricant level, then the lubricant reservoir may be able to provide sufficient lubricant and the method may continue at block 304. If the level of lubricant in a lubricant reservoir is less than the threshold lubricant level, then the lubricant reservoir may not be able to provide sufficient lubricant and the method may continue at block 308.
At block 304, the method may determine whether a wheel end disconnect 48 has been disengaged for a predetermined period of time. The amount of time that the wheel end disconnect 48 has been disengaged may be measured with a timer or counter. For example, a timer may be started when the wheel end disconnects 48 are disconnected and torque is not transmitted from the torque source 16 to the drive pinion 36 and may run and measure the period of time during which the wheel end disconnects 48 remain disconnected. As a result, the timer may measure the amount of time or elapsed time during which the ring gear 100 is not rotated or the amount of time over which meaningful splash lubrication may not be provided. The elapsed time may be compared to a threshold amount of time. The threshold amount of time may be a predetermined amount of time at which providing additional lubricant to a bearing may be desired. The threshold amount of time may be a predetermined value that may be based on design requirements or vehicle development testing. As one nonlimiting example, the threshold amount of time may be approximately 15 minutes; however, it is contemplated that the threshold amount of time may greater than or less than the 10 minutes. If the elapsed time is less than the threshold amount of time, then the method or iteration of the method may and at block 306. If the elapsed time is not less than the threshold amount of time, then the method may continue at block 308.
At block 308, a wheel end disconnect 48 may be actuated to a connected position in which torque is transmitted from a corresponding wheel assembly 18 to the differential assembly 44. For example, the wheel end disconnect 48 may be actuated to operatively connect the wheel hub 170 that is associated with the wheel end disconnect 48 to the differential assembly 44. In the configuration disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,651,994, a coupling may be actuated to couple a wheel axle output shaft that extends from a differential assembly 44 to a corresponding wheel axle. As another example which is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/667,677, first and second clutches may be moved from an open condition to a gear reduction condition or an intermediate condition. As another example which is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/964,780, a friction clutch may move from a disengaged position to an engaged position to substantially synchronize the rotational velocity of a wheel hub and a corresponding axle shaft, then a locking clutch may move to a locked position to further facilitate the transmission of torque between the wheel hub and its corresponding axle shaft. Moreover, both wheel end disconnects 48 may be actuated to their respective connected positions so that torque that is provided by at least one rotating wheel assembly 18 may rotate the case 130 of the differential assembly 44 and the ring gear 100 rather than merely spin the internal gears of the differential assembly 44 without rotating the case 130 and the ring gear 100.
Rotation of the ring gear 100 may splash lubricant that has collected in the sump portion 64 of the axle housing 50. Splashed lubricant may be splashed directly to rotating components of the axle assembly, such as the input bearing 90, output bearing 128, or bearings associated with the interaxle differential unit 42. Alternatively or in addition, splashed lubricant may be collected by a lubricant reservoir, such as the upper lubricant reservoir 190, the output bearing lubricant reservoir 192, or both, to help collect a greater volume of lubricant and to route such lubricant more precisely to one or more bearings.
A wheel end disconnect 48 may be subsequently operated to disconnect a wheel assembly 18 from the differential assembly 44 when sufficient splash lubrication has been provided. For instance, a wheel end disconnect 48 may be actuated to a disconnected position in which torque is not transmitted from a corresponding wheel assembly 18 to the differential assembly 44. Actuation of the wheel end disconnects 48 to their respective disconnected positions may be based on one or more parameters. For example, a wheel end disconnect 48 may be actuated to a disconnected position such that a corresponding wheel hub 170 is decoupled from the differential assembly 44 based on attributes such as temperature, time, lubricant levels, or combinations thereof. For example, at least one wheel end disconnect 48 may be disconnected when the temperature of one or more bearings does not exceed the threshold temperature, the level of lubricant in one or more lubricant reservoirs is not less than the threshold lubricant level, or a predetermined period of time has elapsed. The predetermined period of time may be based on design requirements and vehicle development testing. As one nonlimiting example, the predetermined period of time may be approximately 3 minutes; however, it is contemplated that the predetermined period of time may be greater than or less than the 3 minutes.
A wheel end disconnect 48 may not be actuated to its disconnected position (i.e., the wheel end disconnect may remain connected) when torque is to be provided from the torque source 16 to the drive pinion 36 of that axle assembly. For example, the wheel end disconnect 48 may remain connected when torque demand increases and the torque source 16 may be reconnected to the drive pinion 36 so that torque may be transmitted from the torque source 16 to the drive pinion 36 and ultimately to the wheel assemblies 18.
The method may employ blocks 300, 302, and 304 separately or in various combinations. For example, the method may employ block 300, block 302, or block 304 rather than all three blocks. As additional examples, the method may combine multiple blocks. For instance, a wheel end disconnect may be actuated to a connected position in which torque is transmitted from a corresponding wheel to the differential assembly when combinations of blocks 300, 302, and 304 are satisfied, such as when the temperature of a bearing is high and the level of lubricant in a lubricant reservoir is low (thereby combining blocks 300 and 302), when the level of lubricant in a lubricant reservoir is low and a wheel end disconnect has been disengaged for a threshold amount of time (combining blocks 302 and 304), and so on.
While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2168970 | Buckendale | Aug 1939 | A |
2312263 | Ormsby | Feb 1943 | A |
3199375 | Rosen et al. | Aug 1965 | A |
4263824 | Mueller | Apr 1981 | A |
4914979 | Balmforth | Apr 1990 | A |
5092188 | Fujikawa et al. | Mar 1992 | A |
5989143 | Bell et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
8382633 | Cooper et al. | Feb 2013 | B2 |
8398520 | Bassi et al. | Mar 2013 | B1 |
8523738 | Morscheck et al. | Sep 2013 | B2 |
8562479 | Hamperl et al. | Oct 2013 | B2 |
8651994 | Bassi et al. | Feb 2014 | B2 |
8776950 | Quehenberger | Jul 2014 | B2 |
8845473 | Nett et al. | Sep 2014 | B2 |
8851212 | Kahl | Oct 2014 | B2 |
8911321 | Ziech et al. | Dec 2014 | B2 |
9020715 | Nellums et al. | Apr 2015 | B2 |
9102232 | Ziech et al. | Aug 2015 | B2 |
9109635 | Boothby et al. | Aug 2015 | B2 |
9121455 | Cooper | Sep 2015 | B2 |
9284995 | Lawson et al. | Mar 2016 | B2 |
9303754 | Nett | Apr 2016 | B2 |
9333857 | Morscheck et al. | May 2016 | B2 |
9428050 | Ziech et al. | Aug 2016 | B2 |
9457655 | Ziech et al. | Oct 2016 | B2 |
9457656 | Ziech et al. | Oct 2016 | B2 |
9457657 | Ziech et al. | Oct 2016 | B2 |
9573464 | Yoshimura | Feb 2017 | B2 |
9630493 | Stares | Apr 2017 | B2 |
10626979 | Hayes | Apr 2020 | B2 |
10864818 | Eschenburg | Dec 2020 | B2 |
10926633 | Frenznick | Feb 2021 | B2 |
10962102 | Barillot | Mar 2021 | B2 |
20020187870 | Staheli et al. | Dec 2002 | A1 |
20110218715 | Duraiswamy et al. | Sep 2011 | A1 |
20120202640 | Morimoto | Aug 2012 | A1 |
20130085031 | Bassi et al. | Apr 2013 | A1 |
20140141923 | Forsyth | May 2014 | A1 |
20150126320 | Genise et al. | May 2015 | A1 |
20150247562 | Valente | Sep 2015 | A1 |
20160280066 | Tavvala et al. | Sep 2016 | A1 |
20160363205 | Tiziani et al. | Dec 2016 | A1 |
20170144540 | Kincaid et al. | May 2017 | A1 |
20180147939 | Sharma et al. | May 2018 | A1 |
20180223983 | Tamura | Aug 2018 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
1430473 | Oct 1968 | DE |
19805881 | Jun 1999 | DE |
102008015200 | Sep 2009 | DE |
102008002844 | Nov 2009 | DE |
3163126 | May 2017 | EP |
3473477 | Apr 2019 | EP |
H0999754 | Apr 1997 | JP |
2016205480 | Dec 2016 | NO |
2006004489 | Jan 2006 | WO |
2011097244 | Aug 2011 | WO |
Entry |
---|
U.S. Appl. No. 15/667,677, filed Aug. 3, 2017. |
U.S. Appl. No. 15/964,780, filed Apr. 27, 2018. |
European Patent Office, Extended European Search Report for corresponding European Application No. 19173368.2-1012, dated Oct. 30, 2019. |
Dale Eschenburg, et al., U.S. Appl. No. 16/059,226, filed Aug. 9, 2018. |
Dale Eschenburg, et al, U.S. Appl. No. 16/190,818, filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Nov. 14, 2018. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20200047613 A1 | Feb 2020 | US |