Torque controller for controlling torque to two or more shafts
AssigneeVisteon Global Technologies, Inc.
InventorsPerry E. Phelan, Joseph Palazzolo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle, such as an automobile or a truck, is equipped with a mechanism to control output torque to two or more shafts. The mechanism is most usefully adapted to an axle in order to allocate torque among two or more shafts or wheels. The mechanism controls the sum and difference of torque by processing the sum and the difference independently. The mechanism converts a force, such as a torque, into quantities that can be used by the two or more shafts or wheels.
Claims28
A torque controller to control output power to at least two shafts, the torque controller comprising:
- a differential having at least a first and a second output shaft, each output shaft having an interface to a transfer assembly;
- at least a first and a second transfer assembly, said transfer assemblies connected to each interface and to the differential;
- and
- a torque difference source connected to each transfer assembly, wherein the first output shaft and transfer assembly receive work from the differential, and the second transfer assembly and output shaft receive work from the torque difference source.
A method of transferring power from a first shaft output in a differential to a second shaft output, the method comprising:
- providing power to a differential;
- sensing a difference in shaft output power application;
- determining whether a correction in output power is needed;
- routing power from the first shaft output to a torque difference source;
- routing power from the torque difference source to a second shaft;
- and
- continuing to sense shaft output power.
A torque controller to control output power to two shafts, the torque controller comprising:
- a differential having a first and a second output shaft, the first output shaft having an interface to a first transfer assembly and the second output shaft having an interface to a second transfer assembly;
- a torque difference source connected to the first and second transfer assemblies;
- and
- means for controlling power applied by the first shaft and transfer assembly to the torque difference source and for controlling power applied by the torque difference source to the second shaft and transfer assembly.
A torque controller to control output power to a first shaft and a second shaft, the torque controller comprising:
- an automotive differential having first and second shaft outputs;
- a first transfer assembly connected to said first shaft output and a second transfer assembly connected to said second shaft output, wherein the first and second transfer assemblies comprise a speed-up gear train;
- a generator having a first rotor and a second rotor, the rotors of the generator connected to the first and second transfer assemblies;
- and
- a controller, connected to the first and second transfer assemblies and receiving signals indicative of a speed of the first and second shafts,
- wherein the first shaft and first transfer assembly do work and the second transfer assembly and second shaft have work done when the first shaft speeds up, and wherein the second shaft and the second transfer assembly do work and the first shaft and first transfer assembly have work done when the second shaft speeds up.
A torque controller to control output power to a first shaft and a second shaft, the torque controller comprising:
- an automotive differential having first and second shaft outputs;
- a first transfer assembly connected to said first shaft output and a second transfer assembly connected to said second shaft output, wherein the first and second transfer assemblies comprise a speed-up gear train;
- a pump having a first rotor connected to the first transfer assembly and a second rotor connected to the second transfer assembly;
- and
- a controller connected to the pump receiving signals indicative of a speed of the first and second rotors,
- wherein the first shaft and first transfer assembly do work and the second transfer assembly and second shaft have work done when the first shaft speeds up, and wherein the second shaft and the second transfer assembly do work and the first shaft and first transfer assembly have work done when the second shaft speeds up.
A torque controller to control output power to a first shaft and a second shaft, the torque controller comprising:
- an automotive differential having first and second shaft outputs;
- a first transfer assembly connected to said first shaft output and a second transfer assembly connected to said second shaft output, wherein the first and second transfer assemblies comprise speed-up gear trains;
- a compressor having a first rotor connected to the first transfer assembly and a second rotor connected to the second transfer assembly;
- and
- a controller connected to the first and second transfer assemblies and receiving signals indicative of a speed of the first and second rotors,
- wherein the first shaft and first transfer assembly do work and the second transfer assembly and second shaft have work done when the first shaft speeds up, and wherein the second shaft and the second transfer assembly do work and the first shaft and first transfer assembly have work done when the second shaft speeds up.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.