Abstract: A battery pack assembly includes at least one battery cell and a terminal connector mechanism. The at least one battery cell has at least one terminal which includes a terminal engagement portion. The terminal connector mechanism has a retention member and a biasing member. The retention member has retention portion and is configured to move between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The biasing member is positioned between the housing and the retention member to bias the retention member towards the engaged position. In the engaged position, the retention portion of the retention member engages with the terminal engagement portion to inhibit movement of the terminal connector mechanism. In the disengaged position, the retention portion of the retention member is disengaged from the terminal engagement portion to permit movement of the terminal connector mechanism.

Abstract: A battery pack assembly includes at least one battery cell and a terminal connector mechanism. The at least one battery cell has at least one terminal which includes a terminal engagement portion. The terminal connector mechanism has a retention member and a biasing member. The retention member has retention portion and is configured to move between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The biasing member is positioned between the housing and the retention member to bias the retention member towards the engaged position. In the engaged position, the retention portion of the retention member engages with the terminal engagement portion to inhibit movement of the terminal connector mechanism. In the disengaged position, the retention portion of the retention member is disengaged from the terminal engagement portion to permit movement of the terminal connector mechanism.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission, a vehicular powertrain that includes a continuously variable transmission and a method of limiting belt slippage in a continuously variable transmission in a vehicle. The continuously variable transmission includes a pulley assembly, shafts, a clutch and hydraulic system. The hydraulic system is cooperative with both the clutch and the pulley assembly so that hydraulic pressures and associated clamping forces sent to both allow the clutch to preferentially absorb any driving load coming from the axle and wheels that is in excess of the normal load experienced at the continuously variable transmission. This in turn means that any additional load that would ordinarily cause slippage in the belt is instead experienced by the clutch.

Abstract: A planetary carrier subassembly for a transmission is provided that is sintered using braze preforms. The carrier subassembly may include a powder metal carrier member having a plurality of carrier legs extending a distance therefrom, and a powder metal cover member having a plurality of cover legs extending a distance therefrom. The carrier member and cover member are positioned such that respective ends of the carrier legs and ends of the cover legs are aligned with one another. The subassembly is provided with at least one braze preform including a braze material and a sacrificial binder, such as a wax. The braze preform is placed between a respective pair of the aligned carrier legs and the cover legs. The braze preform is provided with a geometry configured to direct a flow of braze material during a subsequent sintering process.

Abstract: A Ravigneaux planetary carrier assembly is provided for accommodating pinion gears of an automatic transmission. The carrier assembly comprises a powder metal carrier member including a carrier plate having a plurality of integral carrier legs extending therefrom, and a powder metal cover member including a cover plate having a plurality of integral cover legs extending therefrom. The carrier assembly is arranged such that respective ends of the carrier legs and ends of the cover legs are aligned with and brazed to one another, defining an interior of the carrier assembly configured to house the pinion gears.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission, a vehicular powertrain that includes a continuously variable transmission and a method of limiting belt slippage in a continuously variable transmission in a vehicle. The continuously variable transmission includes a pulley assembly, shafts, a clutch and hydraulic system. The hydraulic system is cooperative with both the clutch and the pulley assembly so that hydraulic pressures and associated clamping forces sent to both allow the clutch to preferentially absorb any driving load coming from the axle and wheels that is in excess of the normal load experienced at the continuously variable transmission. This in turn means that any additional load that would ordinarily cause slippage in the belt is instead experienced by the clutch.

Abstract: A planetary carrier subassembly for a transmission is provided that is sintered using braze preforms. The carrier subassembly may include a powder metal carrier member having a plurality of carrier legs extending a distance therefrom, and a powder metal cover member having a plurality of cover legs extending a distance therefrom. The carrier member and cover member are positioned such that respective ends of the carrier legs and ends of the cover legs are aligned with one another. The subassembly is provided with at least one braze preform including a braze material and a sacrificial binder, such as a wax. The braze preform is placed between a respective pair of the aligned carrier legs and the cover legs. The braze preform is provided with a geometry configured to direct a flow of braze material during a subsequent sintering process.

Abstract: A powder metal component for a transmission includes a body portion defining a substantially planar major surface, and at least three radially spaced-apart retention features formed in the body portion in a green state, prior to sintering. Each retention feature may include a bore having a shaped geometry extending between an upper region adjacent the major surface of the body portion, and a lower region defining a radius of curvature. Each bore may be defined by two opposing, substantially parallel sidewalls and a substantially U-shaped bottom portion. The U-shaped bottom portion may include a center region defining the radius of curvature connecting two angled bottom walls.

Abstract: A Ravigneaux planetary carrier assembly is provided for accommodating pinion gears of an automatic transmission. The carrier assembly comprises a powder metal carrier member including a carrier plate having a plurality of integral carrier legs extending therefrom, and a powder metal cover member including a cover plate having a plurality of integral cover legs extending therefrom. The carrier assembly is arranged such that respective ends of the carrier legs and ends of the cover legs are aligned with and brazed to one another, defining an interior of the carrier assembly configured to house the pinion gears.

Abstract: A powder metal component for a transmission includes a body portion defining a substantially planar major surface, and at least three radially spaced-apart retention features formed in the body portion in a green state, prior to sintering. Each retention feature may include a bore having a shaped geometry extending between an upper region adjacent the major surface of the body portion, and a lower region defining a radius of curvature. Each bore may be defined by two opposing, substantially parallel sidewalls and a substantially U-shaped bottom portion. The U-shaped bottom portion may include a center region defining the radius of curvature connecting two angled bottom walls.

Abstract: An automatic transmission includes a first planetary gear set including a first sun gear, a first pinion, and a ring gear of the first planetary gear set. The transmission includes a second planetary gear set including a second sun gear, a second pinion, and a common gear. The transmission includes a third planetary gear set including a third sun gear, the second pinion, a third pinion, and the common gear. The transmission also includes a fourth planetary gear set including the common gear, a fourth pinion, and a ring gear of the fourth planetary gear set. The second planetary gear set and the third planetary gear set form a Ravigneaux gear set. The fourth planetary gear set is concentrically arranged with the second planetary gear set or the third planetary gear set, and the second and third planetary gear sets are radially inward of the fourth planetary gear set.

Abstract: An automatic transmission includes a first planetary gear set including a first sun gear, a first pinion, a second pinion, and a common ring gear, and includes a second planetary gear set including a second sun gear, the second pinion, and the common ring gear. The transmission includes a third planetary gear set including a third sun gear, a third pinion, and a ring gear of the third set, and includes a fourth planetary gear set including a fourth sun gear, a fourth pinion, and a ring gear of the fourth set. The transmission also includes a first planetary carrier rotatably supporting the first pinion, the second pinion, and the third pinion. The common ring gear is directly connected to the ring gear of the fourth set, and a second planetary carrier rotatably supports the fourth pinion and is directly connected to the ring gear of the third set.