Abstract: A transfer case for a vehicle having front and rear axles includes three input clutches connected to first, second and third members of a planetary gear set. First and second transfer chains are connected to each other and operatively engageable between the planetary gear set and the front and rear axles. At least one of the transfer chains is connected with a member of the planetary gear set. A four wheel drive clutch is operative to selectively connect the front and rear axles. The four wheel drive clutch and three input clutches are selectively engageable to provide three speed ratios and four wheel drive.

Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a hub with a hub friction surface and an inner surface that cooperate to define a cavity. A damper member is situated within the cavity and is in contact with the hub friction surface. The damper member is rotatable with respect to the hub so that relative movement between the damper ring and the hub friction surface results in energy absorption and dissipation to minimize unwanted clutch vibration. The damper ring is located inside the clutch hub so that it does not adversely affect transmission packaging. The clutch assembly preferably includes a member configured to direct lubricant along an inner diameter of the damper member so that it subsequently flows between the damper ring and the hub friction surface and through holes in the hub to lubricate clutch plates.

Abstract: A multi-speed, dual clutch transmission includes an input shaft, an output shaft, and first and second countershafts. The first and second countershafts are axially displaced from the input shaft, the output shaft and from one another. Four intermeshing gear pairs, an interconnecting gear set having first, second and third members, a first single gear and an idler gear, some of which are engageable with at least some of the shafts via a first clutch, a second clutch, and six torque-transmitting mechanisms, establish eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. Furthermore, shifting between the forward speed ratios is dynamic.

Abstract: A mechanical clutch-controlled planetary transmission employs three planetary gearsets and seven synchronizer clutches to establish fifteen forward speed ratios and seven reverse speed ratios between a transmission input shaft and a transmission output shaft. Two of the planetary gearsets each provide three forward speed ratios including two underdrives and a direct drive, and a third of the planetary gearsets provides a reverse speed ratio, an underdrive speed ratio, a direct speed ratio, and an overdrive speed ratio.

Abstract: A transfer case is provided for a vehicle having front and rear axles. The transfer case includes first and second input clutches connected with an input member, and first and second transfer chains having different chain ratios operably connectable between the input member and the front and rear axles. A four wheel drive clutch is connected between one of the transfer chains and one of the axles. The first and second input clutches and the four wheel drive clutch are selectively engageable to provide two wheel drive high and low ratios, and four wheel drive high and low ratios.

Abstract: A simple planetary gear arrangement is provided for a transfer case. The transfer case includes a carrier connected to the transfer case input. The ring gear is connected with a rear axle. The sun gear is connectable with a front axle through a clutching arrangement including a one-way clutch and a dog clutch in parallel. The one-way clutch and the dog clutch are independently engageable. The sun gear is selectively groundable through a friction clutch. Accordingly, the simple planetary gear set functions as a gear ratio producing device when the friction clutch is engaged, and as a center differential when the dog clutch or one-way clutch is engaged.

Abstract: A planetary transmission has a plurality of rotating-type torque-transmitting mechanism that are operable to connect a rotating input mechanism with one or more planetary gear members. At least two of the rotating-type torque-transmitting mechanisms are radially stacked and axially aligned. At least one of the radially stacked rotating torque-transmitting mechanisms has an apply piston that is slidably mounted in a stationary transmission housing, an apply plate that is rotatable with a portion of the torque-transmitting mechanism, and a bearing disposed therebetween to accommodate relative rotation therebetween.

Abstract: A plurality of shift rails are manipulated by a manual control rod to selectively actuate one or more synchronizer mechanisms. The control rod is moved angularly and linearly during ratio selection. Each synchronizer mechanism may control two or more drive ratios in a planetary transmission. At least two of the rails are interconnected by a reversing mechanism to permit consistent movement of the rails regardless of the direction of movement of the control rod.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain incorporates a planetary gearset which is coupled with a front wheel drive mechanism and a rear wheel drive mechanism. The planetary gearset is controlled by two torque-transmitting mechanisms to establish an input member of the planetary gearset as well as a grounded member for the planetary gearset in combinations that will provide a two-wheel low drive ratio, a two-wheel high drive ratio, a four-wheel low drive ratio, and a four-wheel high drive ratio.

Abstract: A planetary transmission includes four planetary gearsets, two of which are simple planetary gearsets and two of which are compound planetary gearsets. A first of the planetary gearsets has members selectively connectible with a ground or stationary member through a synchronizer clutch. A second, third, and fourth of the planetary gearsets have at least one member continuously interconnected with a ground or stationary member. A plurality of synchronizer clutches are employed between the planetary gearsets, which are manipulatable to establish at least seventeen forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio between an input shaft and an output shaft of the transmission.

Abstract: A compound planetary gear arrangement for a transfer case includes a ring gear in driving engagement with an output shaft. A sun gear and carrier are selectively alternatively connectable with a transmission housing (ground) through a clutch or selectively connectable with an input through a clutch. This compound planetary gear arrangement provides one direct and two underdrive ratios between the input and the output of the transfer case.

Abstract: A dual input clutch transmission has two planetary gearsets that are selectively connectible between an input shaft and an output shaft through two selectively engageable input clutches. One of the planetary gearsets is controlled by a plurality of synchronizer mechanisms to provide a reverse speed ratio and two forward speed ratios between the input shaft and the output shaft, and the other of the planetary gearsets is controlled by one selectively engageable synchronizer clutch assembly to establish three forward speed ratios between said input shaft and said output shaft.

Abstract: A powertrain includes a planetary gear arrangement, an engine, an input clutch, an input shaft, and an output shaft. The planetary gear arrangement includes a simple planetary gearset and a compound planetary gearset, each of which has connected therewith three synchronizer mechanisms. The synchronizer mechanisms are manipulated in various combinations to establish ten forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio between the input shaft and the output shaft.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a power transmission includes three linear actuator apparatuses, which are operable to supply fluid pressure to each of five torque-transmitting mechanisms in a power transmission. The linear actuator apparatuses are operable to control the ratio interchange within the power transmission during both upshifting and downshifting operations.

Abstract: A drivetrain for a vehicle includes front and rear axles and a transfer case including two planetary gear sets and four clutches. The first member of the first planetary gear set is continuously connected with the first member of the second planetary gear set and the rear axle. The third member of the first planetary gear set is continuously connected to the second member of the second planetary gear set and the front axle through a transfer chain. An input is selectively connectable with the first member of the first planetary gear set through a first clutch, connectable with the second member of the first planetary gear set through a second clutch, and connectable with the third member of the first planetary gear set through a third clutch. A fourth clutch selectively connects the third member of the second planetary gear set with ground.

Abstract: A transfer case is provided for a vehicle having front and rear axles. The transfer case includes a planetary gear set with first, second and third members. The first member is continuously connected with the front axle and the second member is continuously connected with the rear axle. An input shaft is selectively connectable with the first, second or third member. The transfer case provides rear-wheel drive when the second member is connected with the input shaft, all-wheel drive when the third member is connected with the input shaft, and front-wheel drive when the first member is connected with the input shaft. It is important that the specific members of the planetary gear set be chosen so the absolute value of the torque of the third member is equal to the sum of the absolute value of the torques of the first and second members.

Abstract: A planetary transmission has a plurality of torque-transmitting synchronizer mechanisms that are controlled to engage and disengage positions. The control of the torque-transmitting synchronizer mechanisms is accomplished through a plurality of cam slots and control rods that are disposed between a control mechanism and each of the torque-transmitting synchronizers to enforce engagement and disengagement of the synchronizers.

Abstract: A planetary transmission has a plurality of torque-transmitting synchronizer mechanisms that are controlled to engage and disengage positions. The control of the torque-transmitting synchronizer mechanisms is accomplished through a plurality of cam slots and control rods that are disposed between a control mechanism and each of the torque-transmitting synchronizers to enforce engagement and disengagement of the synchronizers.

Abstract: A transfer case is provided for a vehicle having front and rear axles. The transfer case includes a planetary gear set with first, second and third members. The first member is continuously connected with the front axle and the second member is continuously connected with the rear axle. An input shaft is selectively connectable with the first, second or third member. The transfer case provides rear-wheel drive when the second member is connected with the input shaft, all-wheel drive when the third member is connected with the input shaft, and front-wheel drive when the first member is connected with the input shaft. It is important that the specific members of the planetary gear set be chosen so the absolute value of the torque of the third member is equal to the sum of the absolute value of the torques of the first and second members.

Abstract: A multi-speed planetary transmission having mechanical clutches and two simple planetary gearsets. The mechanical clutches are operated between the transmission input shaft and output shaft to control powerpaths through the planetary gearsets in a manner to establish ten forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. One of said mechanical clutches being operable to selectively interconnect two members of one of the planetary gearsets to another of said mechanical clutches both independently and simultaneously.