Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes an electrically variable transmission and an internal combustion engine. The transmission is operable to provide a continuously variable mode of operation. The engine is capable of variable displacement in that at least half of the cylinders contained therein are deactivatable. Additionally the internal combustion engine operates with a late intake valve closing strategy to increase the peak efficiency of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Nine-speed transmissions are provided that include four planetary gear sets having six torque-transmitting mechanisms and various fixed interconnections to provide nine forward speed ratios and a reverse speed ratio. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to at least one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another of the planetary gear members. The six torque-transmitting mechanisms are operated in combinations of two. Reduced component speeds and improved ratios are achieved.

Abstract: An electrically variable transmission includes: an input member to receive power from an engine; an output member; first and second motor/generators; and first and second differentially geared planetary gear sets each having first, second and third gear members. The input member is continuously connected to the first member of the first planetary gear set, and the output member is continuously connected to the first member of the second planetary gear set. The first motor/generator is continuously connected to the second member of the first planetary gear set, and selectively connected to the second member of the second planetary gear set. The second motor/generator is continuously connected with the third member of the second planetary gear set. Five or six torque transfer devices selectively connect members of the planetary gear sets with each other or with ground. The torque transfer devices are engageable in combinations of two or three to provide five or six available fixed speed ratios.

Abstract: An electrically variable transmission is provided including an input member to receive power from an engine; an output member connected to a transfer gear; first and second motor/generators; and first and second simple planetary gear sets each having first, second and third members. The input member is continuously connected to the first member of the first gear set, and the output member is continuously connected to the first member of the second gear set. The first motor/generator is continuously connected to the second member of the first gear set. The second motor/generator is continuously connected with the third member of the first or second gear set. The transfer gear and first and second torque transfer devices are positioned between the first and second gear sets.

Abstract: An electrically variable transmission includes a power source, three differential gear sets, first and second motor/generators each connected to at least one of the gear sets, and torque-transmitting mechanisms. An input member transfers power from the power source through the differential gear sets to an output member. The torque-transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable to provide an input-split first electrically variable mode having equal forward and reverse speed ratios for given input speeds and a compound, power-split second electrically variable mode. Torque provided from the power source is added to torque provided from the second motor generator in both forward and reverse electrically variable modes.

Abstract: A two-mode, compound-split, electro-mechanical transmission utilizes an input member for receiving power from an engine, and an output member for delivering power from the transmission. First and second motor/generators are operatively connected to an energy storage device through a control for interchanging electrical power among the storage device. The transmission employs three planetary gear sets that cooperate with a plurality of torque transmitting devices to provide two distinct gear trains or power paths corresponding to two modes of electrically variable operation in which the speed ratio between the input member and the output member varies with the speed of at least one of the motor/generators. The torque transmitting devices are selectively engageable to provide six discrete, fixed speed ratios.

Abstract: An automatic transmission providing modal speed ratios, single transition gear shifting, low internal speeds, and an output lock feature is provided. First, second and third modal torque-transmitting mechanisms are selectively engagable along with first and second input torque-transmitting mechanisms to effect power flow to first and second planetary gear set to cause the speed of a member of one of the gear sets to increase in the first mode (when the first and second input torque-transmitting mechanisms are engaged in successive order while the first modal torque-transmitting mechanism is engaged), decrease in the second mode (when the first and second input torque-transmitting mechanisms are engaged in reverse order while the second modal torque-transmitting mechanism is engaged) and increase in the third mode (when the first and second input torque-transmitting mechanisms are engaged in successive order while the third modal torque-transmitting mechanism is engaged).

Abstract: A transmission is provided having four planetary gearsets, each having respective first, second, and third members, and a plurality of selectively engageable torque transmitting devices configured to selectively interconnect selected members of the four planetary gearsets for unitary rotation thereby to provide a plurality of forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between an input member and an output member.

Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine with an engine output member, such as a crankshaft, and a first motor/generator having a first rotor connected to the crankshaft for rotation therewith. A transmission includes a transmission input member, a transmission output member, and a differential gearing arrangement selectively operatively connecting the transmission input member and the transmission output member. A plurality of torque transmitting devices is selectively engageable to provide a plurality of fixed speed ratios between the transmission input member and the transmission output member. A second motor/generator includes a second rotor connected to the gearing arrangement to provide torque to the transmission output member. The transmission input member is selectively connectable to the engine output member and the first rotor to alternate between a series hybrid drive mode and a fixed ratio mode of powertrain operation. A corresponding method is also provided.

Abstract: Seven speed transmissions are provided that include four planetary gear sets having six torque-transmitting mechanisms with various fixed interconnections to provide seven forward speed ratios and three reverse speed ratios. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to at least one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another of the planetary gear members. The six torque-transmitting mechanisms are operated in combinations of two. All components rotating during forward speeds rotate in the same direction. Reduced component speeds and improved ratios are achieved.

Abstract: A powertrain incorporates a multi-speed planetary transmission having four planetary gearsets and seven torque-transmitting mechanisms. The planetary gearsets are interconnected and controlled by the torque-transmitting mechanisms in combinations of two, such that eight forward speeds and three reverse speeds are developed between an input shaft and an output shaft of the transmission.

Abstract: A six speed transmission is provided that includes three planetary gear sets having a common carrier member and six torque-transmitting mechanisms operated in combinations of two to provide at least six forward speed ratios and two reverse speed ratios. A method of assembling a transmission is also provided. A reduction in components and component standardization is achieved.

Abstract: A multi-speed transmission that achieves nine forward speed ratios and a reverse speed ratio has two planetary gear sets and a plurality of intermeshing gear members which may consist of two additional planetary gear sets or gear members arranged in a countershaft design. A speed ratio of an equal value but with an opposite direction of rotation is achieved at one of the gear members connected with one of the planetary gear members in a reverse ratio as in a first forward speed ratio. Six torque-transmitting mechanisms are employed.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain incorporates an engine, two motor/generator units and three planetary gearsets along with three torque-transmitting mechanisms to provide a two-mode compound-split electrically variable transmission.

Abstract: An electrically variable transmission includes a power source, three differential gear sets, first and second motor/generators each connected to at least one of the gear sets, and torque-transmitting mechanisms. An input member transfers power from the power source through the differential gear sets to an output member. The torque-transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable to provide an input-split first electrically variable mode having equal forward and reverse speed ratios for given input speeds and a compound, power-split second electrically variable mode. Torque provided from the power source is added to torque provided from the second motor generator in both forward and reverse electrically variable modes.

Abstract: An electrically variable transmission includes a power source, three differential gear sets, first and second motor/generators each connected to at least one of the gear sets, and torque-transmitting mechanisms. An input member transfers power from the power source through the differential gear sets to an output member. The torque-transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable to provide an input-split first electrically variable mode having equal forward and reverse speed ratios for given input speeds and to provide substantially equal fixed forward and reverse speed ratios.

Abstract: A powertrain incorporates two electrical units, two planetary gearsets in a radially-stacked package to provide a shortened length of the transmission. The output members of the electrical units are interconnected by a gear mechanism, which is drivingly connected with a conventional differential mechanism, which is aligned within the radial package of the electrical units. The electrical units combine with power from an engine to provide a two-mode compound-split electrically-variable transmission.

Abstract: Eight-speed transmissions are provided that include four planetary gear sets having seven torque-transmitting mechanisms and various fixed interconnections to provide eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to at least one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another of the planetary gear members. The seven torque-transmitting mechanisms are operated in combinations of two. Reduced component speeds and improved ratios are achieved.

Abstract: A transmission is provided having at least three planetary gearsets, each having respective first, second, and third members, and six selectively engageable torque transmitting devices configured to selectively interconnect selected members of the planetary gearsets for unitary rotation thereby to provide at least six forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between an input member and an output member.

Abstract: A transmission is provided having four planetary gearsets, each having respective first, second, and third members, and a plurality of selectively engageable torque transmitting devices configured to selectively interconnect selected members of the four planetary gearsets for unitary rotation thereby to provide a plurality of forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between an input member and an output member.