Abstract: Methods of modifying a OE prior art transmission, including Ford's AOD, AODE and 4R70W transmissions, to strengthen the transmission by replacing components known to fail. In one example, the intermediate shaft and direct clutch cylinder of an OE transmission are replaced to eliminate the splined connection joining the two components, to simultaneously eliminate the weak splined connection while also making space within the transmission available for an increased diameter shaft. Aspects of the present disclosure also include kits for increasing the strength of a transmission and methods of assembling a transmission.

Abstract: In an automatic transmission, an engagement oil chamber and a centrifugal oil pressure cancel chamber of a clutch corresponding to a third ring gear of a Ravigneaux type planetary gear mechanism are defined by a drum member, a piston, and a cancel plate that rotate integrally with the third ring gear. An engagement oil chamber and a centrifugal oil pressure cancel chamber of a clutch corresponding to a third sun gear of the Ravigneaux type planetary gear mechanism are defined by a shaft portion, a piston, and an oil-chamber defining member that rotate integrally with the third sun gear.

Abstract: A transmission has an input member, an output member, at least four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes actuatable in combinations of three to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and at least one reverse gear ratio.

Abstract: An automatic transmission includes: a Ravigneaux planetary gear set; first to fifth friction engagement elements; the first friction engagement element, the second friction engagement element, and the fifth friction engagement element being disposed on a front side which is nearer to the driving source than the output member, the third friction engagement element and the fourth friction engagement element being disposed on a rear side which is farther from the driving source than the output member, and a first drum member that includes an inner circumference on which the second friction engagement element is disposed, and an outer circumference on which the fifth friction engagement element is disposed, and that is connected with a front carrier plate located at a front end portion of the common carrier.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a rear-wheel drive (RWD) automatic transmission having a stationary member, a two-mode selectable one-way clutch (SOWC), pressurized fluid, and a valve body assembly (VBA). The VBA has a piston, a return spring, and an actuator linkage in contact with the piston and a shift lever of the SOWC. Fluid moves the piston and linkage in one direction to lock the SOWC and enable a reverse mode having no spin losses, and the spring moves the piston and linkage in another direction to unlock the SOWC in a forward mode. A method reduces spin losses by admitting fluid into the VBA to move the piston in one direction to thereby rotate the shift lever of the SOWC to one angular position to lock a driving member of the transmission to the stationary member during reverse, engine braking first gear, and manual low speeds.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a rear-wheel drive (RWD) automatic transmission having a stationary member, a two-mode selectable one-way clutch (SOWC), pressurized fluid, and a valve body assembly (VBA). The VBA has a piston, a return spring, and an actuator linkage in contact with the piston and a shift lever of the SOWC. Fluid moves the piston and linkage in one direction to lock the SOWC and enable a reverse mode having no spin losses, and the spring moves the piston and linkage in another direction to unlock the SOWC in a forward mode. A method reduces spin losses by admitting fluid into the VBA to move the piston in one direction to thereby rotate the shift lever of the SOWC to one angular position to lock a driving member of the transmission to the stationary member during reverse, engine braking first gear, and manual low speeds.

Abstract: A planetary gear unit for an automatic transmission includes a pinion carrier including a first disc formed with first holes located radially from an axis joined to a second disc spaced axially from the first disc and formed with second holes, each second hole being aligned with a first hole, a clutch ring contacting the second disc and pinion shafts, each pinion shaft extending axially through one of the first holes and one of the second holes and supporting a pinion thereon.

Abstract: An automatic transmission comprises a friction engaging means having a plurality of first plates spline-fitted to a hub and a plurality of second plates spline-fitted to a drum and disposed in an interleaving relation to the first plates, an one-way clutch provided in the hub and having a plurality of sprags for locking the rotation of the hub when the hub rotates in a locking direction and a control means for temporarily releasing the friction engaging means for a specified timespan when the friction engaging means is in an engagement condition and when the hub rotates in a locking direction.

Abstract: A transmission for a four-wheel drive vehicle having a multi-speed geartrain and power transfer mechanism incorporated into a common housing assembly. The multi-speed geartrain includes a input shaft, a mainshaft, and a plurality of constant-mesh gearsets arranged for selectively coupling the mainshaft to the input shaft for driven rotation at various speed ratios. The mainshaft can be selectively coupled to the power transfer mechanism for establishing two alternative power transmission routes. In particular, a synchronized range shift mechanism is provided for establishing a high-range transmission route and a low-range transmission route from the mainshaft to the input of an interaxle differential. The torque delivered to the interaxle differential is split between the front and rear drivelines to establish a full-time four-wheel drive mode. As an option, a lock-out clutch can be provided for permitting the interaxle differential to be locked for establishing a locked four-wheel drive mode.

Abstract: First and second hydraulic servo units operate respective frictional engagement elements in a transmission and each includes first and second cylinders, each having a side wall portion interposed between the two frictional engagement elements. The first cylinder has first outer and inner cylinder portions and the first hydraulic servo unit further includes a first piston having inner and outer cylindrical surfaces slidably supported by the first outer and first inner cylinder portions of the first cylinder for reciprocating axial motion into and out of engagement with one frictional engagement element. First return springs are arranged radially inward of the one frictional engagement element for returning the first piston.

Abstract: A gear shift system for an automatic transmission, in which a plurality of planetary gear sets arrayed on a common axis and each including a plurality of rotating elements are arranged in a casing, and in which an extension housing is attached to the axial end portion of the casing. The gear shift system comprises: a one-way clutch arranged in the extension housing for selectively fixing the rotating elements of a predetermined one of the planetary gear sets arranged at the end side of the casing; and a multi-disc brake in a parallel relation to the one-way clutch.

Abstract: An automatic transmission includes: a connection member including an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder and defining a first annular space; a first annular piston arranged in the first annular space and defining a second annular space together with the inner cylinder; a second annular piston arranged in the second annular space; a spring retainer mounted on the inner cylinder in opposition to the second annular piston; a spring interposed, between the spring retainer and the second annular piston; a first clutch adapted to come into and out of engagement with a sun gear by the actuation of the first annular piston 72; a second clutch adapted to come into and out of engagement with an input shaft by the actuation of the second annular piston and left disengaged during forward running; a one-way clutch arranged adjacent to the first clutch and adapted to come into and out of engagement with the sun gear; and a brake interposed between the outer cylinder and the transmission casing.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a brake system for use with an automatic transmission for braking a rotatable member such as a brake drum, which is accommodated in a casing and connected to the sun gear or the like of a planetary gear mechanism, by bringing a brake band having two ends into contact with the outer circumference with the rotatable member.

Abstract: In an automatic transmission provided with an automatic transmission mechanism section with a planetary gear unit and a torque converter, a snap ring groove is defined by an annular flange section for a stator shaft and a pump cover, and the reaction from a return spring is borne in the annular flange section. A stator shaft, which bears the stator reaction of a torque converter, is engagingly secured in a center hole section of an oil pump assembly, an annular flange section projecting to the radially outer side is formed at one end of the stator shaft, the snap ring groove is defined from the annular flange section and an annular recessed section of the oil pump assembly to receive the snap ring, and a receiving member for the return spring of the hydraulic actuator is maintained by the snap ring installed in the snap ring groove.