Abstract: A one-way clutch includes a chamber containing a roller that moves in response to changes in the angular position of a component relative to an axis, such as in response to the slope of a surface on which a wheel is supported, to engage and disengage alternately a one-way drive connection between a non-rotating component and a component that rotates with the wheel. The wheel is prevented from rolling backward on an inclined surface due to this engagement and is free to ascend the inclined surface due to the disengagement.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus 10 for determining or identifying the torsional modes of a portion of a vehicle 12, such as a drivetrain assembly including a crankshaft 14, a driveshaft 16, a transmission assembly 18, and axles 24, 26. The torsional modes are discerned by use of the torque generator 14 such as an internal combustion engine, which is normally and operatively disposed within the vehicle 12, thereby obviating the need to replace the internal combustion engine 14 with a dynamometer and/or other type of signal generator assembly.

Abstract: A coupling assembly 10 which selectively causes a primary mass or flywheel 20 be engaged or be coupled to a crankshaft 18 as a transmission gear assembly 23 moves from a first gear position to a second gear position and which further selectively causes the primary mass or flywheel 20 to be disengaged or disconnected from the crankshaft 18 as the vehicle is accelerated from an idle state, effective to decrease or substantially eliminate acceleration lag.

Abstract: A tapered spline 16 which allows members 12, 14 to be selectively coupled and which further allows energy to be selectively communicated by and between these members 12, 14.

Abstract: A power transmission mechanism includes a cluster gear formed integrally with, or fixed to an input shaft, and an output shaft arranged parallel to the input shaft and rotatably supporting gears in continuous meshing engagement with pinions of the cluster gear. A control bar, coaxial with the output shaft, defines a axial slot interconnected with radial slots on the output shaft. Locking bolts located in the radial slots and guided by a track, alternately move radially into and out of engagement with the selected gear.

Abstract: A system 10 for controlling a transfer case clutch assembly is provided and is deployed within a four-wheel drive vehicle having a front driveshaft 22, a rear driveshaft 26, and a transfer case 32 which selectively provides torque to the driveshafts 22, 26 by way of a clutch assembly 38. System 10 includes a controller 40 which is communicatively coupled to the clutch assembly 38. Controller 40 receives signals generated by sensors 44-48, utilizes the received signals to determine the onset of a slip condition, and based upon this determination, generates a command signal to selectively activate the clutch assembly 38 effective to smoothly release torque from the front driveshaft 22 and/or rear driveshaft 26.

Abstract: An automatic transmission ratio shift control system and method for a powertrain having a throttle-controlled engine and multiple-ratio gearing, torque flow paths through the gearing being established and disestablished by pressure-operated friction elements, an electronic controller for establishing torque transitions between the friction elements as ratio changes occur in the multiple-ratio gearing, the engine throttle being controlled by an electronic throttle control that is decoupled from the driver-controlled accelerator pedal, the transmission torque output being controlled by means of a friction element capacity control strategy including a feed-forward torque term determined by changes in commanded torque, the slip duration during a ratio change being controlled by means of closed-loop engine torque control.

Abstract: A beverage container holding a drinking straw having an upper portion located in an insert that is fixed to an inner surface of the container and directs the straw toward an opening through an neck, and a removable cap having a plug that engages the upper end of the straw and draws the straw outward through the opening as the cap is removed.

Abstract: The invention comprises a park mechanism for an automatic transmission comprising a toothed wheel secured to the torque output shaft of the transmission and a park pawl mounted pivotally on a transmission housing. The pawl has a pawl tooth engageable with tooth spaces on the toothed wheel, thereby locking the transmission torque output shaft against rotary motion. Torsional damper elements are carried by the torque output shaft and by the toothed wheel. Damper elements are located between registering radial extensions of the toothed wheel on the inside diameter of the toothed wheel and on a hub that is secured drivably to the torque output shaft, thereby permitting limited toothed wheel motion relative to the torque output shaft cushioning inertia forces as the pawl tooth engages a tooth space on the toothed wheel.

Abstract: A method and an assembly 40 for determining the axial and rotational position of a shift member 14. The assembly includes a pair of substantially identical and signal producing sensors 42, 44 which are respectively coupled to first and second members 50, 52. The member 14 is made to include projections 60, 62 which respectively engage members 50, 52 when the member 14 is respectively moved in an axial and rotational manner. In this manner, sensors 42, 44 produce signals which respectively indicate the amount by which the shift rail member 14 has been moved in an axial and a rotational manner and these signals are used to compute the current axial and rotational position of the shift rail member 14.

Abstract: A rotary clutch assembly for a geared power transmission mechanism comprising a friction disc clutch with driving and driven friction clutch plates, the driving plates being connected to a torque input element of the clutch assembly and the driven plates being connected to a torque output element of the clutch assembly, the clutch assembly providing a torque flow path to multiple-ratio gearing, a pressure actuator comprising first and second annular cylinder members and a movable piston member located in one of the cylinder members and cooperating with each member to define a pressure release chamber and a pressure apply chamber, the second clutch member being held axially fast on a torque input shaft for the transmission, the geometry of the cylinder members and the movable piston being sized to effect a centrifugal balance so that the clutch gain is essentially determined by the clutch commanded pressure to produce a relatively speed-independent net clutch-apply force, regardless of clutch cylinder speed.

Abstract: A control strategy and method for controlling application and release of friction elements in an automatic transmission to effect gear ratio changes as one friction element is release and another friction element is applied during ratio changes. The transmission has an electronic controller and multiple solenoid regulator valves hydraulically coupled directly to pressure-operated friction elements. Powertrain variables are obtained and processed to calculate gear ratio control parameters derived from desired line pressure for a pressure control valve circuit that communicates with the friction elements. The desired gear ratio is determined for each given set of powertrain variables. Upshifts and downshifts are obtained by releasing one friction element in synchronism with an application of the other friction element, whereby a direct friction element to friction element torque transition is achieved with minimal inertia torque disturbances.

Abstract: A method for controlling ratio changes in a swap-shift transmission having a first simple planetary gear unit and a second compound planetary gear unit, the two gear units being arranged in series disposition, pressure-operated friction elements for separately braking the reaction member at each of the gear units to establish a change in ratio. The change in ratio consists of a downshift by releasing a reaction friction element for the first gear unit and upshifting the second gear unit by applying a second friction element to anchor a reaction member of the second gear unit in a non-synchronous fashion to achieve a consistent shift quality without precise matching of friction element application and release whereby inertia torque disturbances in the torque output elements of the transmission are avoided.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a powertrain including an automatic transmission include determining a value representing requested powertrain output, determining a rotational speed representing current operating conditions, generating a command to initiate a ratio change in the automatic transmission, and determining a dynamic pressure for the automatic transmission during the ratio change based on the requested powertrain output and the rotational speed. The requested powertrain output may be a wheel torque determined in part by accelerator pedal position. A performance adder based on requested wheel torque may be provided to further enhance operation.

Abstract: A control strategy for a hybrid powertrain for an automotive vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine, a geared transmission mechanism for transmitting driving torque to the vehicle traction wheels, and an electric motor arranged in parallel with respect to the internal combustion engine at the torque input side of the transmission. A friction clutch connects and disconnects the engine from the torque flow path as transitions are made between an electric motor driving mode and an engine driving mode. A mechanical damper is located on the torque input side of the clutch. A transition from the electric motor drive mode to the internal combustion engine drive mode is achieved by controlling the engagement of the clutch using a closed loop clutch pressure modulation strategy and controlling the fuel supply to the engine to effect an engine drive mode without triggering undesirable inertia torque fluctuations in the powertrain.

Abstract: An automatic control strategy for use with a multiple-ratio transmission in an automotive vehicle driveline in which the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine is connected directly to torque input elements of multiple-ratio gearing without an intervening hydrokinetic torque converter. The strategy is adapted especially for use with a wet auto clutch to provide forward or reverse drive engagement during vehicle launch and during transient damping of driveline disturbances. The strategy makes it possible to control the clutches to achieve maximum vehicle acceleration by controlling the engine speed so that it operates at maximum torque throughout the useful engine speed range for any given engine throttle position. The entry and exit conditions for each drive mode are determined by the strategy so that optimum drive-away performance and optimum shift control, as well as soft clutch engagement and full clutch engagement, can be achieved.

Abstract: A multiple-ratio automatic transmission comprising a first multiple-ratio gear unit and a second simple planetary gear unit arranged in series in a torque flow path, each gear unit having a reaction brake that can be selectively activated and deactivated to effect a ratio change as the first gear unit is upshifted and the second gear unit is downshifted, ratio changes in each gear unit being effected by pressure-operated clutches and brakes, the brakes having opposed pressure-apply and pressure-release chambers. Separate exhaust flow paths are provided for a reaction brake release chamber and for a companion pressure-operated clutch. A pressure modifier valve circuit is provided for increasing the rate of response to a command for applying and releasing the clutch.

Abstract: A multiple ratio automatic transmission control system for an automotive vehicle comprising a multiple ratio gear set and a simple planetary gear set arranged in series. The control system has multiple control modes including an automatic control mode in which upshifts and downshifts between adjacent ratios are achieved by engaging and releasing friction clutches and brakes in the simple planetary gear set and in the multiple ratio gear set and wherein a manual shift control mode includes a select-shift control. Engine braking is available in each gear for both operating modes. In the select-shift manual control mode, a particular gear can be chosen by the operator for continuous single-ratio operation. The control system includes variable force solenoids that are multiplexed in combination with pressure modulator valves for achieving each operating mode.

Abstract: In a shifting mechanism housed in a case a first relatively rotating member rotates about an axis. A second relatively rotating member is selectively coupled and decoupled with the first member. A selector is moveable for actuating the coupling to mutually connect and disconnect the members. A resilient connection is provided between the coupling and selector. A method for shifting multi-speed axles without significant driver interaction by automatic synchronization is also provided.

Abstract: A shift control and shift strategy for an automatic transmission in an automotive vehicle driveline wherein the automatic ratio shift schedule can be disabled selectively to accommodate a manual ratio shift control. A driver-operated mode selection switch permits the operator to select normal automatic ratio control or a launch-assist mode during operation in the normal ratio shift mode. Ratio changes occur in response to driveline operating variables in a vehicle launch-assist mode. The transmission control system is commanded to effect a high speed ratio when the vehicle is stationary with the brakes applied. The operating mode defaults to a normal ratio shift mode as the operator releases the wheel brakes. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the control includes multiple enable switches for achieving manual selection of the ratios when a manual upshift sequence is desired.