Abstract: An automatic transmission for a vehicle includes an input shaft, an output shaft, a first and second plurality of gears, and a series of engagement elements. The series of engagement elements includes at least one overrunning engagement element in mechanical communication with the second plurality of gears. A controller is operable to disengage a first engagement element associated with a first one of the first plurality of gears and apply a second engagement element associated with a second one of the first plurality of gears to achieve a speed change of the first plurality of gears. The controller is adapted to disengage one of the overrunning engagement elements from engagement with one of the second plurality of gears within a range of 20 to 120 milliseconds after the speed change of the first plurality of gears to accomplish a gear shift of the transmission.

Abstract: A pressure-relieving valve is connected to relieve air pressure from an internal diameter of a transmission pump. On startup, pressurized oil is delivered to the torque converter. At engine idle speed, the centrifugal effects on the oil cause any air (which may have leaked into the torque converter during the shut-down time) to accumulate at the center of the converter. Air pressure output from a torque converter escapes between the housing and the transmission pump to which it is connected. The escaped air reaches the internal diameter of the pump and it is prevented from blowing across the face of the pump to the suction side of the pump by a ball and check valve arrangement which delivers the air to a non-fluid internal part of a transmission, thereby avoiding the leakage of this air to the suction side of the pump and the possible loss of pump prime.

Abstract: A pressure-relieving valve is connected to relieve air pressure from an internal diameter of a transmission pump. On startup, pressurized oil is delivered to the torque converter. At engine idle speed, the centrifugal effects on the oil cause any air (which may have leaked into the torque converter during the shut-sown time) to accumulate at the center of the converter. Air pressure output from a torque converter escapes between the housing and the transmission pump to which it is connected. The escaped air reaches the internal diameter of the pump and it is prevented from blowing across the face of the pump to the suction side of the pump by a ball and check valve arrangement which delivers the air to a non-fluid internal part of a transmission, thereby avoiding the leakage of this air to the suction side of the pump and the possible loss of pump prime.

Abstract: A process for regulating stopping of an engine during a typical traffic idling event in order to reduce fuel consumption. There is an interactive process between the engine and the transmission involving shutting down the engine when the driver has braked to a stop and restarting upon release of brake pressure. The transmission input elements are clamped during the engine shut down to minimize transient torque disturbance and the vehicle is restarted when motion is detected. The process involves pressurizing of first gear friction elements during the stop period using an auxiliary pump so that the transmission will be ready to transmit torque on restart. Restart surge is avoided by transmitting a limited amount of torque in a controlled manner during a restart.