Abstract: A transportable apparatus for detecting drive line system imbalances in an automotive vehicle includes an angular position and speed sensor located at a position spaced from, but associated with the drive shaft in non-contacting relationship therewith, the sensor generates a signal responsive to the speed and angular position of the drive shaft relative to a reference point. The apparatus also includes at least one vibration sensor, spaced from, but associated with, the drive line in non-contacting relationship therewith. The vibration sensor detects the drive line vibration and generates a signal responsive thereto. A signal analyzer receives the signals generated by the angular position and speed sensor as well as the vibration sensor and calculates any imbalance in the drive line system and presents counterweight and position parameters for correcting any system imbalance.

Abstract: A conduit seal is provided for sealing a passageway in an automotive transmission. The transmission has an oil passageway and a member covering the passageway. The passageway is in fluid communication with a clutch. A bore communicates oil from the passageway to a passageway provided in the clutch. An annular seal is sealingly engaged with the bore of the case and the clutch to provide a fluid conduit therebetween. A compliant member is provided between the annular seal and the cover member to axially urge the seal into sealing engagement with the outer surface of the clutch.

Abstract: An automatic transmissions for an automotive vehicle includes a variator of the traction drive type, the variator including an input disc, an output disc, and rollers driveably engaged with the discs and adapted to vary continuously the ratio of the speeds of the output disc and input disc. Each of two planetary gearsets includes a carrier, a sun gear and a ring gear and a set of planet pinions meshing with the respective sun gear and ring gear. Angular variation of the rollers causes the variator to drive the ring gear at a variable speed relative to engine speed and the carrier to rotate in accordance with the speeds of the sun gear and ring gear.

Abstract: A transmission shift rail comprising a control rail and a shift fork are provided. The shift fork is not translated when the control rail is translated in a first shift plane. The shift fork is translated when the control rail is translated in a second shift plane. The shift fork is translated when the control rail is rotated to the first shift plane.

Abstract: A coordinated engine and transmission traction control method is disclosed for reducing driven wheel speed transients related to transmission shifting during a traction control event. The method includes sensing a driven wheel speed, and estimating a driving surface coefficient of friction based on the sensed wheel speed. The method also includes prolonging a transmission upshift by reducing a rate of change of a commanded speed ratio in proportion to the estimated driving surface coefficient of friction, and decreasing engine torque during the transmission upshift. A system including a wheel speed sensor and control logic is also disclosed for performing the method.

Abstract: A shift lever assembly is provided including a cylindrical member having a fixed axis. An annular member is supported for rotation about the axis of the cylindrical member. A lever is connected to the annular member and is moveable within a first shift lane and a second shift lane substantially parallel the first shift lane. The second lane is connected to the first lane by a bisecting lane. A compliant member is provided to move the lever from the first lane to the second lane. The compliant member is provided between the cylindrical member and annular member.

Abstract: A control valve system for a multiple ratio transmission with a high ratio clutch and an intermediate ratio brake servo including a first solenoid operated valve that generates a control pressure for intermediate servo apply and a second solenoid operated valve that generates a control pressure for intermediate servo release and for the high clutch. The second and the first solenoid valves control the intermediate servo stroke phase and the second solenoid valve controls, either closed or open loop, the deceleration of a high clutch drum. Pressures electronically controlled by the solenoid valves are distributed to the clutch and brake servo pressure chambers by a shift valve configuration, whereby high quality upshifts and downshifts are achieved.

Abstract: A method for controlling torque transfer between first and second friction elements in an automatic transmission having a hydraulic band brake servo in which a magnet is fixed to a displaceable piston, and a sensor producing a signal responsive to the sensed intensity of a field produced by the magnet representing the position of the servo piston, producing from the signal an indication of the position of the servo piston, determining a reference threshold servo position corresponding to incipient band brake torque capacity, and reducing pressure in the second friction element when the current servo displacement equals the threshold displacement.

Abstract: A method for operating an automatic traction drive transmission for use in motor vehicles having a first gear unit for operation in an infinitely variable mode and a second gear unit for operation in a continuously variable mode includes connecting the first gear unit to the transmission output, disconnecting the second gear unit from the first gear unit, and changing the speed ratio of the variator to produce low forward and low reverse ranges, or connecting the second gear unit to the first gear unit, disconnecting the first gear unit from the transmission output, and changing the speed ratio of the variator to produce high mode low and high forward ranges.

Abstract: A differential mechanism, connected to a driveshaft, transmits power to two halfshafts laterally directed toward the driven wheels of a motor vehicle. Each halfshaft is driveably connected to a pinion, which continually engages a gear fixed to an axle shaft, the pinion and gear forming a speed reduction gearset located between the halfshaft and axle shaft. Each gearset is located in a drop gear housing. Opposite axial ends of each halfshaft are fixed to a differential housing and the drop gear housing. Two extension tubes, each press fitted in the differential housing and a corresponding drop gear housing, provide structural continuity therebetween.

Abstract: In an automotive transmission, a method for determining whether an upshift should be enabled or disabled determines the predetermined upshift vehicle speed at which the upshift is scheduled to occur with reference to current throttle position and vehicle speed. The method employs the difference between upshift vehicle speed and current vehicle speed, the current vehicle acceleration, an empirically determined upshift vehicle acceleration referenced to current vehicle speed and the speed difference. If the current vehicle acceleration is equal to or greater than upshift vehicle acceleration, the upshift is enabled; otherwise, the scheduled upshift is disabled.

Abstract: An automatic transmission for an automotive vehicle includes a continually variable drive mechanism having one sheave assembly fixed to an intermediate shaft and the input sheave assembly supported on an input shaft, a low speed gearset driveably connected to the input shaft and an output shaft, a fixed ratio drive mechanism in the form of a chain drive providing a torque delivery path between the intermediate shaft and the carrier of the gearset, a transfer clutch for connecting and releasing the first sheave of the variable drive mechanism and input shaft, a low brake, a reverse gearset, a reverse brake, and a clutch for selectively driveably connecting the output of the fixed drive mechanism and a front output shaft.

Abstract: A multiple-function mechanical coupling having inner and outer races, the outer race having an internal surface with peripherally spaced pockets defining ramp surfaces, the inner race having an outer surface with peripherally spaced pockets defining ramps that are situated adjacent corresponding ramp surfaces of the outer race. The inner race surrounds a circular torque transfer shaft. The inner race is split to permit radial expansion of the effective diameter of the inner race. A hydrostatic pressure actuator exerts a tangentially directed force on the adjacent ends of the inner race. A plurality of clutch rollers is received in the recesses in the inner surface of the outer race and the outer surface of the inner race whereby the races are locked together and the inner race establishes frictional engagement of the torque delivery.

Abstract: A multiple stage rotary compressor having a housing with a pump cavity and an orbiting ring piston in the cavity. A cylindrical post carried by the housing within the orbiting ring. A pair of vanes engaging the outer surface of the orbiting ring to define first-stage having a pair of primary pumping chambers in the cavity. A second pair of internal vanes contacting the inner surface of the orbiting ring to define a second-stage having a pair of secondary pumping chambers. A capacity control mechanism applied to the first-stage operative to limit the compressor capacity to the second-stage only. A second capacity control mechanism applied to the second-stage operative to variably bypass second-stage discharge to second-stage suction. The plurality of capacity controllers operating to establish varying compressor pump capacity depending upon the operating requirements of the compressor.

Abstract: A multiple speed transmission for motor vehicles includes three simple planetary gearsets, and hydraulically actuated friction clutches and brakes for controlling operation of the gearsets and altering the torque delivery path between an input shaft and an output shaft. A friction brake is provided for operation in reverse drive to share the torque reaction with another friction brake. The transmission is suited to produce six or seven forward speed ratios and a reverse drive ratio.

Abstract: A control strategy for a multiple stage rotary compressor having compressive capacity output based on the demand of an air conditioning system. The constant variance in capacity to meet demand is obtained by recirculation of the multiple stages. Capacity is reduced to less than full capacity by recirculating the output of each stage back to the input of that particular stage. Capacity is increased up to full capacity by decreasing recirculation of the output of each stage back to the input of that particular stage. Additional stages and or portions operate in the same manner and provide further recirculation variability to provide a recirculation schedule based on demand.

Abstract: A tool is provided for locating and inserting a pair of bodies into a valve bore. One of the bodies has an inside diameter and the second body has an outside diameter for locating the bodies, respectively. The tool has a male locator for locating to the inside diameter provided on the first body. The tool also has a female locator for locating to the outside diameter of the second body.

Abstract: A self-organizing fuzzy logic controller develops an adaptive pressure adder that modifies the magnitude of pressure supplied to a friction element of an automatic transmission. The controller uses a turbine speed versus engine torque table in KAM to store the adaptive pressure adder for each shift. Tables in KAM represent fuzzy rules which are altered based on shift performance criteria to produce a self-organizing fuzzy logic controller. The criteria, which define shift performance, include the ratio change slip time and the initial ratio change time divided by the desired slip time (called target ratio). The desired slip time is determined from a calibratable matrix. After a shifting event, an adaptive pressure adjustment is determined for the next shifting event having the same conditions. A two-input (slip time and target ratio) fuzzy logic controller is used to determine the pressure adjustment.

Abstract: A method for reducing overall workload of a vehicle air conditioning (a/c) system takes into account the humidity conditions. A high humidity condition can be detected by monitoring windshield wiper operation for a threshold period of time. High humidity exists during rain or fog and wiper operation for more than three minutes can indicate high humidity. The method includes operating the vehicle heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system with the a/c on in a recirculation or partial recirculation mode when the wipers have been on for longer than the threshold period to remove moisture from cabin air thereby reducing the amount of moisture condensed by evaporator core and decreasing overall workload of the a/c system.

Abstract: A change-speed gearbox of a motor vehicle includes a shifting element moveable within a plurality of shift gates for engaging and disengaging a selected gear. A gearshift member cooperates with the gear shifting element. The gearshift member is movable to perform a rotary shift movement and a linear shift movement. A shift device for the gearbox includes a motor having a shaft extending therefrom rotatable about an axis. The gearshift member is axially slidably supported by the motor shaft and rotatably engaged therewith. A solenoid is engaged with the gearshift member for slidably axially moving the gearshift member into a plurality of positions corresponding with the shift gates.