Abstract: A modular hybrid transmission configurable between a 9-speed configuration and an 8-speed configuration includes first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets each having first, second, and third elements. Seven torque transmitting devices are each selectively engageable to interconnect one of the first, second, and third elements of one of the planetary gear sets directly with (i) one of the first, second, and third elements of another one of the planetary gear sets, (ii) a housing, or (iii) an input member. The seven torque transmitting devices are selectively engageable to establish nine forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio. Upon removal of a fourth torque transmitting device, the transmission is arranged in the 8-speed configuration and the remaining six torque transmitting devices are selectively engageable to establish eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.

Abstract: A modular hybrid transmission configurable between a 9-speed configuration and an 8-speed configuration includes first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets each having first, second, and third elements. Seven torque transmitting devices are each selectively engageable to interconnect one of the first, second, and third elements of one of the planetary gear sets directly with (i) one of the first, second, and third elements of another one of the planetary gear sets, (ii) a housing, or (iii) an input member. The seven torque transmitting devices are selectively engageable to establish nine forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio. Upon removal of a fourth torque transmitting device, the transmission is arranged in the 8-speed configuration and the remaining six torque transmitting devices are selectively engageable to establish eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for improving the production of coke having a high volatile combustible material content are disclosed. The process may include, for example: heating a coker feedstock to a coking temperature to produce a heated coker feedstock; contacting the heated coker feedstock with a quench medium to reduce a temperature of the heated coker feedstock and produce a quenched feedstock; feeding the quenched feedstock to a coking drum; subjecting the quenched feedstock to thermal cracking in the coking drum to (a) crack a portion of the quenched feedstock to produce a cracked vapor product, and (b) produce a coke product having a volatile combustible material (VCM) concentration in the range from about 13% to about 50% by weight, as measured by ASTM D3175.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for improving the production of coke having a high volatile combustible material content are disclosed. The process may include, for example: heating a coker feedstock to a coking temperature to produce a heated coker feedstock; contacting the heated coker feedstock with a quench medium to reduce a temperature of the heated coker feedstock and produce a quenched feedstock; feeding the quenched feedstock to a coking drum; subjecting the quenched feedstock to thermal cracking in the coking drum to (a) crack a portion of the quenched feedstock to produce a cracked vapor product, and (b) produce a coke product having a volatile combustible material (VCM) concentration in the range from about 13% to about 50% by weight, as measured by ASTM D3175.

Abstract: An eight-speed automatic transmission having a compound planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, and a third planetary gear set each driven by three clutches and fixed to four brakes is provided.

Abstract: An overrunning clutch assembly for an automatic transmission having a plurality of planetary gear sets. The overrunning clutch assembly includes an inner race and an outer race. The outer race radially surround the inner race. The overrunning clutch assembly further includes a plurality of rollers disposed between the inner race and the outer race for permitting relative rotation between the inner race and the outer race in a first direction and limiting relative rotation between the inner race and the outer race in a second direction. The outer race includes a radially extending portion extending radially inward beyond an outer periphery of the inner race. The radially extending portion cooperates with the inner race to react a thrust load generated by the plurality of gear sets.

Abstract: An annulus gear for an automatic transmission and method of construction. The annulus gear is a one-piece or monolithic gear having a set of gear teeth formed on an inner surface thereof for operably coupling with a set of planetary gears. A plurality of lugs extend axially from a rearward edge of the annulus gear and cooperate with a plurality of radially extending tangs formed on an adjacent clutch hub for rotatably coupling the annulus gear with an adjacent clutch mechanism. Similarly, a forward edge of the annulus gear has a plurality of reliefs formed therein which are adapted to receive a plurality of tangs radially extending from an adjacent planetary gear set carrier. In this manner, the annulus gear may also be operably coupled to an adjacent planetary gear set.

Abstract: A method for reacting an axial thrust load generated by a planetary gear system of an automatic transmission for an automotive vehicle is provided. The axial thrust load is transmitted along a first thrust load path between a sun gear of the planetary gear system and a clutch hub of an clutch assembly. The axial thrust load is then transmitted along a second thrust load path between the clutch hub and a thrust bulkhead extending from the transmission housing. A first portion of the axial thrust load is reacted by the transmission housing. A second portion of the axial thrust load is transmitted along a third thrust load path between the thrust bulkhead and an oil pump housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transmission for an automotive vehicle having a clutch retainer assembly or thrust bulkhead fixedly secured to the transmission housing and interdisposed between the reverse clutch assembly and the fourth clutch assembly. A pair of thrust bearing assemblies are interdisposed between the clutch assemblies and the thrust bulkhead to transfer the axial thrust loads generated by the multiple planetary gear assemblies through the thrust bulkhead to the transmission housing.

Abstract: An improved lock plate and retaining ring mounting arrangement for securing a gear on a vehicle rotating shaft by a threaded hex-head fastener. The plate has a generally rectangular central aperture with transversely opposed internal side edges and longitudinally opposed arcuate end edges. The plate has a pair of arcuate opposed concentric slots sized to adjustably receive an associated web bolt for threaded reception in a web bore thereby locking the shaft fastener in its tightened position. A one-piece retaining ring, concentrically positioned so as to overly the plate, comprises opposed semicircular bands interconnecting a pair of diametrically opposed discs provided with a bolt hole adapted aligned with both an associated plate slot and a web bore. Each disc is formed with a plurality of radially disposed tabs whereby at least one of the tabs is in substantial registration with a side face of an associated web bolt head.

Abstract: A north-south transaxle includes a case having a first passageway extending longitudinally and a second passageway spaced from the first passageway and being generally parallel to the first passageway and extending longitudinally. The transaxle also includes a transmission assembly disposed in the first passageway and having a first shaft portion extending through the first passageway at one end thereof and a transfer assembly disposed in the second passageway and having a second shaft portion extending through the second passageway at one end thereof. The transaxle includes first and second bearings rotatably supporting the first and second shaft portions in the first and second passageways, and an assembly for retaining the first and second bearings and the first and second shaft portions in the first and second passageways.

Abstract: A north-south transaxle includes a case having a first passageway extending longitudinally and a second passageway spaced from the first passageway and being generally parallel to the first passageway and extending longitudinally. The transaxle also includes a transmission assembly disposed in the first passageway and having a first shaft portion extending through the first passageway at one end thereof and a transfer assembly disposed in the second passageway and having a second shaft portion extending through the second passageway at one end thereof. The transaxle includes first and second sprocket wheels disposed about the first and second shaft portions, respectively, a chain disposed about the first and second sprocket wheels and a snubber located on tension side of the chain for a dampening vibrations or excursions in the chain.

Abstract: A process for producing an unsaturated resin solution suitable for reaction with a catalyst, water, and a gas releasing salt and a gas-release control agent to produce plastic foam material includes providing an initial unsaturated resin solution with a predetermined relatively low acid value, and mixing the initial unsaturated resin solution with a half-ester to raise the acid value to a predetermined higher value.

Abstract: In a data processing system in which data is sent over a data path between at least first and second devices, a clock distribution network is provided with the capability of selectively delaying the clock signal to either the sending or receiving devices to stress the short and long data paths.