Abstract: A multiple-speed automatic transmission for automotive vehicles able to produce three underdrive speed ratios, a near direct ratio, and two overdrive ratios. A kinematic arrangement includes three simple planetary gear units (48, 50, 52). One of these produces an underdrive output drivably connected to components of the other gear units, two friction clutches (118, 122), three friction brakes (124, 126, 140), an overrunning coupling (82), a final drive gearset (94), a differential mechanism (102), a chain drive mechanism (30) for transmitting power from the turbine (16) of a torque converter (10) to the input shaft, which drives elements of the planetary gear units.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and systems for improving the operation of a transmission for an automotive vehicle, and in particular the transmission as installed by the original automobile manufacturer. The methods and systems of the present invention modify the original hydraulic fluid circuits of the automotive transmission provided by the automobile manufacturer to enable the transmission to select any available ratio at any time, and to enable the transmission to produce quick applies and releases for racing applications with only minimum ratio sharing or overlap.

Abstract: A lockup control system for automatic transmissions is constructed to determine a rate of change of the drive duty of a lockup solenoid so that the drive duty has a value for obtaining the converter state of a torque converter within a set time determined for every type of shift.

Abstract: A planetary gear device including a first gear, a second gear, a carrier, and composite planetary gears each having a large- and a small-diameter pinion that are formed integrally with each other and arranged in the axial direction. The composite planetary gears are mounted rotatably on respective pinion shafts such that the composite planetary gears are axially movable over predetermined distances due to axial plays, and the pinion shafts are supported by the carrier such that the pinion shafts are disposed around an axis of the carrier. The pinions of the composite planetary gears mesh with the first and second gears, respectively. Each of the first and second gears and the pinions consists of a helical gear whose teeth have a helix angle with respect to the axis. The large-diameter and small-diameter pinions have the same direction of helix and the same amount of lead.

Abstract: A shift key mechanism using a lateral pivot riding on milled ridges on the outer surface of a shift shaft in order to index a spring biased shift key to a gear location.

Abstract: A control system of a vehicle automatic transmission in which an engine load and a vehicle speed are detected and used to determine a vehicle acceleration in accordance with the preestablished characteristics. An actual vehicle acceleration is at the same time calculated in response to the detected vehicle speed. The difference therebetween is then calculated and the calculated value is added to a difference calculated earlier to obtain an average therebetween. Five gear shifting scheduling maps, for example one for moderate hill climbing, one for level-road running, one for steep hill descent, are preestablished and in response to the average obtained, one of the maps is selected. A gear shifting is controlled based on the selected map. A driver's intention to decelerate is estimated and is compared with a reference value which increases with increasing said average indicative of the grade of hill that the vehicle is descending.

Abstract: A control system in which a judgment is made such that (i) a vehicle is in a forward drive control state, on condition that the forward/reverse drive lever is placed in the forward drive position and the actual speed ratio exceeds a specified small value in a forward drive direction, (ii) the vehicle is in a reverse drive control state on condition that the lever is placed in the reverse drive position and the actual speed ratio exceeds a specified small value in a reverse drive direction, (iii) the vehicle is in an engine brake control state, on condition that the lever is placed in the neutral position and the actual speed ratio exceeds the specified small value in the forward or reverse drive direction, (iv) the vehicle is in an FR shift control state, on condition that the lever is placed in the forward or reverse drive position and the actual speed ratio exceeds the specified small value in the reverse or forward drive direction, and (v) the vehicle is in a neutral control state, on condition that the le

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the fuel economy and reducing emissions of an internal combustion engine. A device is provided for controlling the energy conversion function of the engine by computer control of engine valves and distribution valves. This control provides for the normal engine operation by providing intake air and fuel and exhausting the products of combustion; it also provides for operating the engine as an air compressor and storing the compressed air in a reservoir; it also provides for operating the engine as an air motor utilizing the stored compressed air; it also provides a supercharged engine function by utilizing the stored compressed air.

Abstract: A selector device of an automatic gear-changing appliance of a gearbox of a motor vehicle is actuated by a withdrawal combined key unit into the positions P, R, N and D. The combined key unit can be withdrawn only in the P position so that an on-board voltage source is positively blocked relative to electrical consumption units.

Abstract: In a planetary differential gear system using helical gears, a clutch is interposed between a carrier for planetary gears and a differential casing, and adapted to be engaged by an axial thrust force produced by a sun gear. First and second axle shafts are provided with splined internal ends which are received in complementary bores of the sun gear and the carrier, respectively. The first axle shaft is received in a bore of the differential casing so as to be freely slidable and rotatable jointly with the sun gear. Therefore, the thrust force produced by the sun gear when a drive input is applied to the differential system can be transmitted to the friction clutch without being obstructed by the friction produced by the splined coupling between the first axle shaft and the sun gear, or disturbed by any unpredictable force of engagement between the first axle shaft and the sun gear.

Abstract: In a powertrain including an engine controlled by engine manifold conditions, a hydrodynamic torque converter having a bypass clutch, multiple ratio automatic transmission connected to the drive wheels of the vehicle, a solenoid-operated hydraulic valve, supplying pressurized fluid to engage and release the bypass clutch, is controlled by operation of a feedforward control system. An engine math model produces a signal representing predicted torque output by the engine, which signal is applied as input to an inverse mathematical model of the solenoid-operated valve that supplies hydraulic fluid to the bypass clutch.

Abstract: A multi-speed drive hub for bicycles, with or without a back-pedal brake, can have a hub shift transmission which has a first, and second, and a differential planetary gear set. A differential ring gear which belongs to the differential planetary gear set, can be connected to a hub sleeve by means of a clutch device which acts in one direction of rotation.

Abstract: A method for controlling a preferably electrohydraulically actuated continuously variable transmission of a motor vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine provides, in and ahead of curves, a retention of the last gear ratio set. The gear-ratio determination is initiated when the accelerator pedal is released rapidly in coasting operation. The gear transmission determination is suspended as soon as, after expiration of a time interval following recognition of acceleration, no curve is being traversed. If, during expiration of the time interval, coasting operation is detected again, the gear transmission determination is maintained for an additional time interval. Upon termination of the gear-ratio determination, a relatively slow adaptation of the gear ratio to the setting corresponding to the control curve RKLj takes place.

Abstract: In a system for controlling the shifting of an automatic transmission, a selector device is controllable from a "D" selected position into one of two shift positions for a stepwise shift limitation, by one gear at a time, manually. The respective upshift or downshift limitation can automatically be eliminated by fulfillment of a presettable condition, for example the expiration of a delay period.

Abstract: A transmission 10 includes a drive member 12 which is rotatable about a first axis of rotation 20 and a driven member 14 which is rotatable about a second axis of rotation 26 and which is spaced axially from the drive member 12. The transmission 10 further includes an intermediate member 34 which is positioned between the drive and driven members 12, 14 and which is rotatable about a third axis of rotation 36. A plurality of axially displaceable drive elements 38 is provided for transmitting drive between at least one of the drive member and the intermediate member and the intermediate member and the driven member. The eccentricity of the intermediate member 34 relative to the drive and driven members 12, 14 is adjustable thereby to permit adjustment of the transmission ratio.

Abstract: A multiple-speed ratio transmission mechanism for an automotive vehicle includes a torque input shaft, an output shaft, an intermediate shaft, these three shafts rotatably supported on a common axis, and a countershaft mounted parallel to the other shafts. Multiple pinion-gear pairs are supported on the three coaxial shafts and countershaft. A planetary gear unit, including a sun gear, ring gear, and a set of planet pinions rotatably supported on a carrier, has its input connected to the intermediate shaft and the output connected to the output shaft. Synchronizers drivably connect a member of the pinion-gear pairs to one of the shafts. A shift mechanism transmits motion of a shift lever to shift forks that move synchronizer sleeves into engagement with the selected gear.

Abstract: A mechanical transmission for drive wheels, especially for mobile work machines, has a sprocket keyed on a drive shaft rotatably supported to a frame, an internally-cogged crown connected to a hub of a drive wheel of a work machine, and at least one intermediate gear wheel coupled to the sprocket and the crown and rotatably supported by an intermediate member. Two gear couplings are provided, each of which is equipped with own externally-activated means for command. The gear couplings connect the intermediate member with the frame and the drive shaft.

Abstract: A speed change gear control system, wherein gear shift control for shifting the transmission from an arbitrary speed range into a higher speed range which provides higher absolute speed than the arbitrary speed range is performed, provided that the actual speed ratio e of the transmission satisfies .vertline.E.sub.1 .vertline.<.vertline.e.vertline.<.vertline.E.sub.0 .vertline. where E.sub.0 is a speed ratio for a shifting point at which the transmission is shifted from the arbitrary speed range into the higher speed range; and E.sub.1 is a specified speed ratio, or provided that .vertline.e.vertline.+(.DELTA.e/.DELTA.t).times.T.sub.1 >.vertline.E.sub.0 .vertline.-.DELTA.E.sub.1 where .DELTA.e is an increase in the speed ratio e over a period of time .DELTA.t; T.sub.1 is the filling time required for supplying hydraulic oil to a clutch which shifts the transmission from the arbitrary speed range to the higher speed range; and .DELTA.E.sub.1 is a specified small speed ratio.

Abstract: An improved locking differential for driving a pair of vehicle axles. The differential includes a rotatable case. A differential pinion is supported by the case and meshes with side gears to drive the axles. A clutch assembly is carried by the case and connects the side gear with the case upon actuation. Fluid power actuates the clutch assembly to connect the case and side gear. The improvement comprises the fluid power means having a seal retainer which encircles a portion of the case. The seal retainer has a system for evenly distributes forces applied to the axially extending portion of the case during delivery of pressurized fluid to the clutch assembly to minimize relative movement between the seal retainer and the case. The system comprises oppositely facing surfaces formed in the seal retainer being substantially equal in area to offset oppositely directed forces acting within the seal retainer when pressurized fluid is communicated to the clutch assembly.

Abstract: In order to prevent occurrence of engine stall even when a quick braking is made in a state where a torque converter of an automatic transmission is locked up, the torque converter is locked up in accordance with a throttle opening degree and a vehicle speed, and the lock-up is released at least when the braking operation is carried out. The opening degree B of an idle speed control valve (ISCV) for bypassing a throttle valve simultaneously with the lock-up is set, and the opening degree B is set as an actual control opening degree IV of ISCV when the opening degree B is larger than the opening degree IAV of ISCV which is set in accordance with the load of an engine. When the release of the lock-up is started, the actual control opening degree IV is gradually reduced to the opening degree IAV by a prescribed attenuation amount K. As a result, the engine stall due to a response delay to the release of the lock-up clutch can be prevented.