Abstract: A retaining ring apparatus includes a C-ring and a groove within a shaft. The shaft groove has a tapered edge at one side thereof and the C-ring has at least one tapered surface, which is disposed in mating relationship with the tapered surface of the groove. The retaining ring apparatus is disposed within a larger structure, which has at least one mechanism for applying an axial force to the retaining ring to ensure the mating of the tapered surfaces.

Abstract: A power transmission has a compound input gearset, a Ravigneaux gearset, five friction type torque-transmitting mechanisms, and a one-way type torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to provide at least six forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio for the transmission. The input gearset includes a planet carrier, which is stationary within a transmission housing and connected with a stationary portion of the transmission housing. The planet carrier also includes a central support member which provides nonrotatable housings for the apply pistons for three of the friction type torque-transmitting mechanisms.

Abstract: A valve assembly has a valve body with a bore formed therein. A valve spool is slidably disposed in the valve body. The valve spool has a plurality of valve lands that closely engage the valve bore to form substantially leak-free interfaces. The leading land has a diameter less than the land immediately adjacent thereto in a range of 0.34 mm to 0.17 mm, and a recess formed between the leading land and the first adjacent land. The recess has an inner diameter at least 0.75 mm less than said diameter of said leading land.

Abstract: A pressure control apparatus is disposed in a pressure control system for a transmission to set pressure control at a torque-transmitting mechanism. The pressure control apparatus includes a torque-transmitting mechanism control valve, which distributes pressure from a high pressure source to the torque-transmitting mechanism. Also within the pressure control apparatus is a boost valve mechanism, which is effective to control feedback pressure on the torque transmitting mechanism pressure regulator valve thereby controlling the pressure rise at the torque-transmitting mechanism and also permitting a boost pressure to be distributed to the torque-transmitting mechanism when full engagement thereof is required.

Abstract: A multi-speed planetary transmission having mechanical clutches and two simple planetary gearsets. The mechanical clutches are operated between the transmission input shaft and output shaft to control powerpaths through the planetary gearsets in a manner to establish ten forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. One of said mechanical clutches being operable to selectively interconnect two members of one of the planetary gearsets to another of said mechanical clutches both independently and simultaneously.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle engine includes multiple power-producing cylinders including a first group of deactivation cylinders capable of being selectively deactivated during engine operation and a second group of cylinders capable of continued power production during deactivation of the first group. An air intake system includes a turbocharger compressor connected to intake valves of all the cylinders for supplying charge air to the cylinders. An exhaust system includes a turbine connected for driving the compressor, which includes twin scrolls with first and second exhaust flow passages separately connecting the turbine with exhaust valves of the first group of cylinders and with exhaust valves of the second group of cylinders. At high loads, the engine operates on all cylinders and is turbocharged for maximum power. At lower loads, the first group of cylinders may be deactivated and the engine may be driven by the second group of cylinders to obtain increased fuel efficiency.

Abstract: A PVC assembly includes a tubular fitting which significantly reduces the possibility of vapors freezing so as to block the PCV passage entry into a manifold. The fitting may be a material, such as nylon, with low heat conductivity as compared to a metal fitting and which is thermally isolated by an air gap from the PCV inlet opening of an aluminum metal manifold to minimize heat loss to the manifold walls. A mounting portion of the fitting includes a primary seal and a secondary seal/retainer that provides backup sealing and also acts as a snap-in retainer that releasably holds the fitting in the manifold PCV inlet opening without further retaining means. A simplified inlet fitting with both retaining and heat conserving features is thereby provided.

Abstract: An engine valve train has oil flow to valve actuating components cut off or restricted when the valves are closed, to reduce parasitic losses. In an exemplary embodiment, a pushrod has a pivotable connection with a valve actuating rocker arm through which internal oil passages conduct oil for lubricating the rocker arm. The passages are aligned during valve actuation but become misaligned when the valve is closed. Misalignment of the passages at the sliding connection reduces the amount of oil flow through the connection to improve engine efficiency. When applied to cylinder deactivation engines, oil flow to rocker arms of deactivated valves is completely cut off, or reduced, further reducing parasitic losses.

Abstract: A seven-speed planetary transmission incorporates three planetary gearsets and six torque-transmitting mechanisms. Each of the planetary gearsets is a simple type planetary gearset, three of the torque-transmitting mechanisms are rotating type torque-transmitting mechanisms commonly termed clutches, and three of the torque-transmitting mechanisms are stationary type torque-transmitting mechanisms commonly termed brakes. A one-way torque-transmitting mechanism is included to simplify the engagement of the first of the forward speed ratios as well as to simplify the ratio interchange between the first and second of the speed ratios.

Abstract: A rocker arm assembly includes an inner rocker arm and an outer rocker arm. The outer rocker arm includes two rail portions spaced a distance apart and forming an open space therebetween. The inner rocker arm is pivotably connected to the outer rocker arm such that it is at least partially within the open space. The inner rocker arm includes a locking pin housing containing two locking pins selectively engageable with holes in each of the rail portions to selectively prevent relative movement between the inner rocker arm and the outer rocker arm. The rocker arm assembly enables two-step valve operation and has a design characterized by compact size and improved manufacturability.

Abstract: An improved control method activates an electric motor to drive a torque-to-thrust converter for controlling the torque capacity of a clutch mechanism. The control utilizes a model-based feed-forward control in combination with a closed-loop position feed-back control. The desired clutch torque capacity is characterized in terms of a desired motor position, and the feed-forward control models the motor speed and position response to changes in the desired motor position. The modeled speed and position, in turn, are used to create a feed-forward command, and the feed-forward command is combined with a feedback command based on actual position error.

Abstract: A power transmission includes a pair of input clutches, a plurality of ratio gear mechanisms, and an output shaft. The ratio gear mechanisms are selectively connected with respective countershafts to complete power flows between the transmission input and transmission output and one or the other of the input clutches. During a ratio upshift, a brake mechanism is connected with each of the input clutches to control the speed of the shafts connected therewith when the clutches are disengaged and an upshift condition is being preselected.

Abstract: A method for extending the operating range of engine fuel injectors fed by a pressurized fuel system includes operating the fuel system at a controlled lower fuel pressure during engine operation in a lower power range, and operating the fuel system at a controlled higher fuel pressure during engine operation above the lower power range. An engine embodying the method may include a fuel distributor connected with the injectors for supplying the pressurized fuel and a pressure control operative in response to a prescribed engine condition, such as supercharger boost pressure, to maintain injector fuel supply pressure at a lower value during engine operation in a lower portion of the power range and at a higher value during engine operation in a higher portion of the power range. The dual or multiple fuel pressures provide greater fuel output for increased power in the higher power range with consistent fuel delivery for stable idle and engine operation in the lower power range.

Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly for a vehicle includes a generally tubular receiver configured for attachment to the vehicle, and having a central aperture formed by walls of the receiver. The receiver has a rearward end. A hitch member is slidably received within the central aperture and has an attachment portion configured for attachment to a trailer. The hitch member is movable between an extended position in which the attachment portion protrudes from the rearward end of the receiver for attachment to a trailer, and a retracted position in which the attachment portion is positioned inside the central aperture for storage.

Abstract: A manifold is provided for housing high pressure oil on a camless engine. A body of the manifold has first, second and third channels formed therein lengthwise in the body. Switching valves on the body are operative to alternately communicate oil in the channels with cylinder valves of an engine to which the manifold is mounted to affect movement of the cylinder values. A distributed accumulator is positioned in at least one of the channels and includes at least one compliant pocket filled with a compressible fluid. The accumulator is configured such that the pocket attenuates pressure oscillations in the oil resulting from oil flow oscillations during actuation of the switching valves.

Abstract: A torque-to-thrust apply mechanism for a torque-transmitting mechanism includes an input electric motor supplying torque to a first rotary to thrust ball and ramp mechanism which converts rotary motion to an apply force between an apply plate and a plurality of friction discs within a torque-transmitting mechanism. The mechanism also includes a second rotary-to-thrust mechanism which receives input rotation from the first apply member as a result of reaction torque. The rotation of the second mechanism results in additional thrust on the friction plates to amplify the apply force of the torque-to-thrust apply mechanism.

Abstract: A procedure to assemble a vehicular transmission from modular components. One determines the type of transmission to be assembled within a prefabricated housing sub-assembly, and then selects a central shaft sub-assembly from a family of modular shaft assemblies. A modular shaft sub-assembly appropriate to the transmission to be assembled is selected and then operatively connected to the housing sub-assembly to provide a housing assembly. An input sub-assembly is selected and operatively connected to the housing assembly. An output sub-assembly is selected from a family of modular output sub-assemblies, the selected output sub-assembly to be appropriate to the transmission to be assembled. The selected output subassembly is operatively connected to the housing assembly to provide a transmission of the type desired.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a windage tray assembly is mounted to crankshaft bearing caps which connect with oil passages in the windage tray. The passages carry the oil through nozzles directed toward the interior of associated pistons. The arrangement utilizes the windage tray and bearing caps as carriers for piston cooling oil obtained from the bearing caps, which are already supplied with oil for lubricating the bearings. Thus, modifications of an engine design to install a piston cooling system are limited to redesign of the windage tray to a sandwich-like assembly and modification of the bearing caps to conduct oil from the bearings to the windage tray passages. To limit oil pumping energy, oil distribution holes in the bearing caps connect intermittently with crankshaft journal feed passages so the oil is distributed in individually timed streams or sprays directed toward the pistons for a short interval once every revolution of the engine crankshaft.

Abstract: A manifold for housing high-pressure oil on a camless engine includes an extruded aluminum body having first and second ends. First, second and third extruded channels are formed in the body and each extends from the first end to the second end of the body. The manifold has a plurality of switching valve mounting bores configured to receive a plurality of switching valves operative to alternately communicate the channels with intake and exhaust valves of an engine to which the manifold is mounted to affect movement of the valves.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming enlarged cylinder bores in an engine based on a family of internal combustion engines having an original cylinder bore axis for each bore, wherein each cylinder bore is constrained against enlargement toward one side. The method includes providing an offset axis parallel to the original cylinder bore axis and spaced toward an opposite side of the cylinder bore by a dimension equal to one half of a predetermined bore diameter enlargement, and centering the enlarged cylinder bore on the offset axis. The method preserves a minimum wall thickness from the cylinders to camshaft bores between the cylinder banks while the outward enlargement dimension is preferably limited to a value which does not require changing the cylinder head bolt pattern or reduce the wall thickness below minimum values in other portions of the cylinders.