Abstract: A hydraulic system for supplying fluid to a torque converter of an automatic transmission for a vehicle driven by a power source includes a torque converter including an impeller, a turbine, and an impeller clutch for alternately engaging and disengaging a drive connection between the impeller and the power source, a hydraulic control system producing line pressure and converter charge pressure that communicates with the impeller clutch, a discharge line communicating with the impeller clutch and through which hydraulic fluid discharges from the torque converter at a discharge pressure similar to the first pressure, thereby minimizing a pressure differential across the impeller clutch tending to disengage the impeller clutch, and an oil cooler to which fluid is supplied from at least one of the source of line pressure and the converter discharge line and from which fluid returns to the control system.

Abstract: An assembly includes a rotatable member formed with a recess, a first component, a snap ring located in the recess for limiting axial displacement of the first component, and a bearing located between the first component and a second component, including a finger extending from a race of the bearing toward the bearing and able to limit radial movement of the snap ring.

Abstract: An assembly includes a rotatable member formed with a recess, a first component, a snap ring located in the recess for limiting axial displacement of the first component, and a bearing located between the first component and a second component, including a finger extending from a race of the bearing toward the bearing and able to limit radial movement of the snap ring.

Abstract: A circuit for carrying hydraulic lubricant in a transmission includes a shaft including a duct, a second shaft separated by a space from the shaft, and including a second duct, and a cup plug including a leg that extends across the space, the leg and the second shaft forming a passage directed between an end of the leg and the space, and a cap having an orifice connecting the ducts.

Abstract: A circuit for carrying hydraulic lubricant in a transmission includes a shaft including a duct, a second shaft separated by a space from the shaft, and including a second duct, and a cup plug including a leg that extends across the space, the leg and the second shaft forming a passage directed between an end of the leg and the space, and a cap having an orifice connecting the ducts.

Abstract: A system for controlling a flow rate in a vehicle transmission includes a source of fluid exiting a torque converter, an oil cooler, a source of control pressure, and a valve for regulating a rate of fluid flow from the torque converter to the cooler in response to the control pressure.

Abstract: A system for controlling a flow rate in a vehicle transmission includes a source of fluid exiting a torque converter, an oil cooler, a source of control pressure, and a valve for regulating a rate of fluid flow from the torque converter to the cooler in response to the control pressure.

Abstract: A by-pass valve for a heat exchanger circuit includes a chamber, a fixed surface secured against movement relative to the chamber, a by-pass port including a valve seat located in the chamber, an actuator located in the chamber and that moves relative to the valve seat in response to a temperature of the actuator, a valve member, a spring contacting the surface and the valve seat and producing a force urging the valve member to engage the valve seat and to close the by-pass port, the spring having no structural connection to the actuator, and a return spring secured to the actuator and contacting the valve member for urging the actuator to retract and the valve member to open the by-pass port.

Abstract: A component surrounding an axis for directing fluid along a flow path in a transmission for a motor vehicle. The component includes a first wall having a thickness formed with an inner surface facing the axis, and a hole spaced about the axis and extending through the thickness of the wall, and a channel formed in the wall, communicating with the hole and the inner surface, including a base having a length that extends angularly about the axis, and having a depth that increases along the length as distance from the hole decreases.

Abstract: A method for controlling speed of an input shaft to a hydraulically actuated clutch that includes a hydraulic balance dam volume includes determining a limit speed of the input shaft that varies as a function of time during a predetermined period after the clutch starts rotation and that causes a servo piston for actuating the clutch to move toward an engaged position, rotating the input shaft during the period, limiting a speed of the input shaft during said period to a determined limit speed corresponding to a current time after beginning the period, and allowing the speed of the input shaft to increase to a speed greater than the determined limit speed after expiration of the period.

Abstract: A method for controlling speed of an input shaft to a hydraulically actuated clutch that includes a hydraulic balance dam volume includes determining a limit speed of the input shaft that varies as a function of time during a predetermined period after the clutch starts rotation and that causes a servo piston for actuating the clutch to move toward an engaged position, rotating the input shaft during the period, limiting a speed of the input shaft during said period to a determined limit speed corresponding to a current time after beginning the period, and allowing the speed of the input shaft to increase to a speed greater than the determined limit speed after expiration of the period.

Abstract: A system for controlling the temperature of a transmission fluid includes a first heat exchanger communicating with a source of engine coolant for transferring heat between the engine coolant and the transmission fluid and including a first outlet through which transmission fluid exits the first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger through which air may flow for transferring heat between the transmission fluid and the air and including a second inlet through which transmission fluid enters the second heat exchanger, and second outlet through which transmission fluid exits the second heat exchanger, and a first bypass valve for alternately opening and closing the second inlet and the second outlet when a temperature of transmission fluid exiting the first outlet is greater than a first reference temperature, and for bypassing the second heat exchanger when the temperature of transmission fluid exiting the first outlet is less than the second reference temperature.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for supplying fluid to a torque converter of an automatic transmission for a vehicle driven by a power source includes a torque converter including an impeller, a turbine, and an impeller clutch for alternately engaging and disengaging a drive connection between the impeller and the power source, a hydraulic control system producing line pressure and converter charge pressure that communicates with the impeller clutch, a discharge line communicating with the impeller clutch and through which hydraulic fluid discharges from the torque converter at a discharge pressure similar to the first pressure, thereby minimizing a pressure differential across the impeller clutch tending to disengage the impeller clutch, and an oil cooler to which fluid is supplied from at least one of the source of line pressure and the converter discharge line and from which fluid returns to the control system.

Abstract: A planetary gear unit includes a sun gear supported for rotation about an axis and including gear teeth, and a pinion supported for rotation, including pinion teeth engaged with the sun gear teeth and formed with a first passage located between consecutive teeth of the pinion and directed radially toward the engagement of the sun gear and the pinion.

Abstract: A by-pass valve for a heat exchanger circuit includes a chamber, a fixed surface secured against movement relative to the chamber, a by-pass port including a valve seat located in the chamber, an actuator located in the chamber and that moves relative to the valve seat in response to a temperature of the actuator, a valve member, a spring contacting the surface and the valve seat and producing a force urging the valve member to engage the valve seat and to close the by-pass port, the spring having no structural connection to the actuator, and a return spring secured to the actuator and contacting the valve member for urging the actuator to retract and the valve member to open the by-pass port.