Abstract: A volute spring that is particularly adapted to be incorporated in a damper assembly to absorb or neutralize the transient torsional spikes normally occurring at the crankshaft of a vehicle. A volute spring having the improved frictional hysteresis characteristic provided by the present invention utilizes the conventional plurality of telescopically adjacent coils, and each coil has oppositely directed surfaces which present opposed surfaces on the telescopically adjacent coils. At least one of the opposed engaging surfaces has a configuration that obviates the formation of a hydrodynamic oil film. One configuration that obviates the formation of a hydrodynamic oil film comprises a plurality of intersecting grooves recessed into at least one surface of the metallic strip from which the volute spring is wound. The intersecting grooves define a plurality of polygonal lands which cumulatively provide at least one of the engaging surfaces on the adjacent coils of the volute spring.

Abstract: An integrated power transmission has an internal combustion (IC) for engine power input, an electrical motor power input and a combining planetary transmission coupled with both power inputs. The power transmission also includes a multi-speed transmission input. The combining planetary transmission can be driven by the electric motor input only with a one-way device providing a reaction path for the combining planetary transmission and a stationary power input at the IC engine. A friction clutch member is provided to selectively establish a drive path including both power input members in a multi-speed transmission input. This clutch permits both power sources, electrical and internal combustion, to provide power to the combining planetary and also permits starting of the IC engine while the vehicle is in motion.

Abstract: A differential gear assembly has a planetary reduction gearing and a bevel differential mechanism which share a common carrier. The bevel gear differential mechanism has four pinion gears mounted in the carrier in pairs on slidably disposed supports. The supports also secure telescoping parts of the carrier together to permit easy assembly. The four pinions mesh with two side gears which are rotatably supported in the carrier and connected with respective output shafts.

Abstract: A multi-speed power transmission has a fluid operated torque transmitting device, such as a clutch, which is selectively engaged during two forward ranges. A hydraulic control is provided to enforce operation of the clutch in a manner consistent with a one-way shifting device.

Abstract: A wiring harness shroud for use in a harsh environment to provide precise routing and protection for wire bundles. The wiring harness shroud comprises a U-channel having a base and two substantially parallel side walls within which one or more wire bundles may be received. The side walls have opposed and registered receiving slots within which a mounting member is demountably secured. The mounting member serves not only to secure the shroud but also to retain the wire bundles within the U-channel.

Abstract: A parking pawl is pivotally mounted on a transmission housing for selective engagement with a park gear which is rotatable with a transmission output shaft disposed along a longitudinal axis in the transmission housing. The pawl is moved into engagement with the park gear by an axial face cam which is disposed for rotation on an axis supported transversely of the transmission housing.

Abstract: A power transmission for a vehicle which operates on land and in water has an engine driven torque converter, a planetary gear arrangement and a pair of output members. The water or sea-drive is connected with one output member which is connected to the planetary gear arrangement through a selectively engageable clutch. The land-drive is connected with the other output which is connected with the torque converter through a selectively engageable clutch. The torque converter turbine is connected with a member of the planetary gear arrangement and is selectively connectible with the impeller through a selectively engageable bypass or torque converter clutch.

Abstract: A multi-speed power transmission has two simple planetary gear sets interconnected to provide a planetary arrangement. The planetary arrangement has input members selectively connectible by a plurality of friction clutches to a prime mover through two distinct input ratio gear sets. One member of one of the simple planetary gear sets is selectively connectible with both input ratio gear sets via two of the clutches. Two additional clutches and two friction brakes are also included, whereby six forward speed ratios and two reverse speed ratios are attainable by engaging selective combinations of the clutches or clutch and brake.

Abstract: A multi-speed power transmission has two simple planetary gear sets interconnected to provide a multi-speed planetary arrangement. The planetary arrangement has input members selectively connectible by a plurality of friction clutches to a prime mover through two distinct input ratio gear sets. One member of the one of the simple planetary gear sets is selectively connectible individually with both input ratio gear sets via two of the clutches. Two additional clutches and two friction brakes are also included, whereby eight forward speeds and two reverse speeds are attainable by engaging selective combinations of the clutches or clutch and brake.

Abstract: A transmission control for a multi-speed planetary gear arrangement is responsive to thrust forces generated by the band at the band drum support controlled by an on-coming friction device during a ratio interchange to generate a control signal. The control signal is used to begin the disengagement process of the off-going friction device.

Abstract: An electrical interface connector assembly that prevents the intrusion of undesired substances and elements in the environment past the connector assembly. The connector assembly has a generally U-shaped receptacle that is incorporated in a housing that has first and second portions separable along opposed and mating parting faces. A supporting ledge extends along the receptacle, to receive a mounting flange that extends laterally outwardly from a shroud on the connector block. A seal-engaging ledge also extending along the receptacle in stepped relation relative to the supporting ledge. A sealing gasket overlies the mounting flange and the seal-engaging ledge, and a retainer plate is demountably secured to a closure face on the receptacle to compress the sealing gasket against the mounting flange and the seal-engaging ledge to preclude the admission of foreign materials between the mounting flange and the receptacle.

Abstract: A friction torque establishing device and a ring gear are assembled with a positioner ring between a housing of the torque establishing device and the ring gear. The positioner ring has a split sleeve with a living hinge portion which permits the assembly of the ring between the housing and a toothed portion of the ring gear along a hub member. The sleeve also has locator pins and a latch mechanism integrally formed therewith to assure proper location relative to the gear and for latching the ring gear on the hub after assembly.

Abstract: A transmission control wherein modulating solenoid valves provide for continued governor and accumulator trim boost in the event of a malfunction in either the electrical or the hydraulic system. The transmission control provides redundancy to permit continued operation in the event one of the modulating solenoid valves fails. A single interlock valve is employed to prevent the two modulating solenoid valves from pressurizing the governor and the trim boost circuits when the transmission is operating in the reverse drive range.

Abstract: A dual-motor electric drive system is particularly suited for driving track-laying vehicles. The propulsion motors of the drive system are each individually selected to provide the speed and torque for selected portions of the operational requirements of the vehicle. The electric drive system utilizes a primary motor to provide the maximum speed requirements and a secondary motor to provide the high torque requirements for low speed operation. The primary and secondary propulsion motors are interconnected by a predetermined drive ratio so that the secondary motor provides torque until it attains a maximum predetermined speed whereupon it is disconnected from the primary motor.

Abstract: A family of transmission assemblies is provided that includes both manual and automatic shifting versions. The family utilizes a casing assembly having an interchangeable central housing portion that will receive either a manual or an automatic transmission mechanism. Both the automatic and the manual transmissions utilize an input shaft member, an output shaft member, a countershaft member and a reverse/idler shaft member that are oriented along parallel operating axes and that are disposed in a geometric array which is common to both the automatic and the manual versions. The casing assembly has a central housing portion that has at least a front and rear opening, and a series of supporting axes--one for each of the operating axes defined by the shaft members that are common to both the automatic and the manual versions. The supporting axes are disposed in a geometric array that is congruent to the geometric array of said operating axes.

Abstract: A planet carrier for a compound planetary gear arrangement has four side plates supporting six pinion gears. One pair of side plates, supporting three of the pinion gears, have one of the other pair of side plates disposed axially between them. This allows the pinions to be in meshing relation between adjacent side plates which are each supporting three pinions, respectively. To complete the planetary arrangement, the outer side plates are sized to permit central access at respective sun gears and outer axial access at respective ring gears. The ring gears and sun gears do not encroach upon the meshing location of the pinion gears. With the judicious use of friction clutches and brakes and two input gear sets providing ratios, the compound planetary arrangement can be controlled to provide powertrains having from five forward speeds (the four friction devices) to seven forward speeds and two reverse speeds (with eight friction devices).

Abstract: An engagement control valve for a fluid operated torque transmitter, such as a clutch, has a pulse width modulated (PWM) solenoid, a valve spool and an accumulator. The PWM solenoid supplies control pressure through a flow restrictor to a control chamber adjacent one end of the valve spool which responds by establishing a proportionate engagement pressure for the torque transmitter. The accumulator has a piston slidably disposed in the valve spool, adjacent the control chamber, for fluid communication with the control pressure from the PWM solenoid. A damping chamber is formed adjacent the other end of the valve spool and is in fluid communication with an exhaust port via a flow restrictor.

Abstract: A differential gear assembly has a pair of face gears meshing with intermeshing input and idler gears respectively. The face gears are secured by threaded fasteners carrier assembly which houses a pair of pinion side gears rotatably mounted on a pin or shaft, and a pair of output side gears both meshing with each pinion side gear. The output gears are connected with output shaft members which extend outwardly through the carrier and a surrounding housing. The separating forces generated between the meshing gear pairs (i.e., input/face, idler/face and pinion side/pinion output gears) are absorbed by the carrier assembly. The housing structure enclosing the gear members and carrier assembly is free from the gear separating forces.

Abstract: A fan drive with high torque release embodying the concepts of the present invention is adapted to disengage the fan drive under high torque conditions. The fan drive includes an input shaft member and an output shaft member. A torque transfer device operatively connects the input shaft member with the output shaft member. A spring apply mechanism is provided for engaging the torque transfer device at low speeds and under low torque loading, and a centrifugal apply mechanism is provided for maintaining engagement of the torque transfer device under higher operating speeds and at properly anticipated torque loading. A release mechanism substantially disengages the torque transfer device upon the application of higher than desired torque loading conditions.

Abstract: A hydraulic control for an automatically shifted power transmission has an electronically controlled governor pressure source which provides a speed and throttle sensitive pressure for controlling the shift points and trim boost in the transmission control. An inhibitor circuit is activated in the event of a discontinuance of the electrical control, resulting in maximum governor pressure, to permit selected vehicle operation in one forward ratio and a reverse ratio. Each ratio interchange is controlled by a respective shift valve and clutch control valve. Each clutch control valve has an integral trim control which is effective to control the pressure rise in the on-coming clutch without bypassing fluid to an exhaust. Also during a ratio interchange, an off-going clutch is controlled at a reduced pressure during a portion of the ratio interchange.