Abstract: A planet gear is rotatably supported in a planet carrier assembly on needle bearings. A first, gear thrust washer bearing member permits relative rotation between the planet gear and the carrier assembly while transmitting thrust forces between the planet gear to the carrier. The thrust forces generated by the needle bearings are transmitted to the first, gear thrust washer bearing member through a second, needle, thrust washer bearing member which is disposed in a recess within the face of the planet gear and freely rotatable relative to the planet gear.

Abstract: A countershaft transmission has an input shaft and a coaxial output shaft which are disposed in parallel with a pair of countershafts. The countershafts position and support a floating bearing support which is positioned to support ends of the input and output shafts. The countershafts each have a selectively engageable clutch disposed thereon which selectively control the establishment of drive ratios between the input shaft and the respective countershafts. A plurality of forward and reverse ratios are selectively established, between the input and output shafts through the countershafts, by selectively engaging a plurality of synchronizers. The synchronizers cooperate with a plurality of ratio gears on the countershafts and output shaft to establish the ratios. The ratio gears that establish the lowest forward ratios are fully disengageable from their respective countershafts.

Abstract: A countershaft type power transmission has a plurality of selectively engageable friction clutches for establishing a plurality of forward drive ratios and a reverse drive ratio between meshing gear members on an input shaft, a countershaft and an output shaft. One of the power paths established by the meshing gears includes a gear member rotationally fast on the output shaft. A parking pawl member is selectively engageable with this gear member to prevent output shaft rotation when parking is desired. The pawl has teeth formed thereon having a profile which permit continuous simultaneous engagement between two teeth on the pawl and two teeth on the gear member regardless of the rotational bias imposed on the output shaft during parking.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use in a method of making a torque converter clutch. The torque converter clutch is comprised of an annular clutch plate to which is secured or bonded an annular friction surface. The annular friction surface is formed on the machine by die-stamping, from a flat sheet of friction material, successive arcuate segments. Each arcuate segment is stamped into a holding ring which is indexed to accept the next successive segment until a full annulus is provided. The holding ring is transported to a stripper station. Simultaneous with the stamping, the annular clutch plate is heated and transported to the stripper station. When both components are in the stripper station, the friction annulus is stripped from the holding ring onto the heated clutch plate. The clutch plate and attached friction annulus are discharged from the machine. Simultaneous with the stamping, the offal of the sheet of friction material is cut transversely and longitudinally for discharge into an egress channel.

Abstract: A torque clipping mechanism embodying the concepts of the present invention is adapted to obviate torque spikes from being imparted to the transmission of a vehicle by the crankshaft of an engine during the start-up and shut-down procedures for that engine. The torque clipping mechanism operates in conjunction with a torque transfer device that is operatively connected between the crankshaft, which delivers torque from the engine, and the rotatable input shaft of a vehicular transmission. A spring is employed to effect the application of the torque transfer device, but the spring allows slippage of the torque transfer device upon the application of a pre-determined torsional force to the torque transfer device. Hydraulic fluid acting under centrifugal force is employed to preclude slippage when the rotational speed of the power output shaft exceeds a predetermined rate.

Abstract: A brake apply control system for a vehicle. The control system has a selectively operable mechanical brake apply portion and a selectively operable hydraulic brake apply portion. The mechanical brake apply portion includes an operator linkage for connecting the operator with a mechanical brake apply mechanism and a hydraulic piston and valve combination for providing a hydraulic feedback force to the operator. The hydraulic brake apply portion includes a source of hydraulic pressure, a brake apply valve for supplying a selective brake signal of variable intensity in response to operator input, a conduit system which connects the source of hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic piston and valve combination and which communicates the brake signal to the hydraulic piston and valve combination.

Abstract: A countershaft transmission and control has an input shaft, two countershafts and an output differential. Each countershaft has a fluid operated clutch connected therewith to selectively connect the respective countershaft with the output differential through reduction gearing. A plurality of drive and driven gear members are connected in meshing relation between the input shaft and the countershafts. Individually operable synchronizers are disposed on the countershafts to selectively engage the driven gears with the countershaft to establish gear ratios between the input shaft and the output differential. The synchronizers are operated by a control mechanism comprised of drive keys for selectively connecting synchronizer forks with a longitudinally movable shaft member. The control mechanism is also operable to provide a positive displacement pump assembly operated by the shaft member to deliver pressurized fluid to the clutch member for enforcing engagement thereof.

Abstract: A countershaft transmission has an input shaft and a coaxial output shaft which are disposed in parallel with a pair of countershafts. The countershafts position and support a floating bearing support which is positioned to support ends of the input and output shafts. The countershafts each have a selectively engageable clutch disposed thereon which selectively control the establishment of drive ratios between the input shaft and the respective countershafts. A plurality of forward and reverse ratios are selectively established, between the input and output shafts through the countershafts, by selectively engaging a plurality of synchronizers. The synchronizers cooperate with a plurality of ratio gears on the countershafts and output shaft to establish the ratios. The ratio gears that establish the lowest forward ratios are fully disengageable from their respective countershafts.

Abstract: An electronically controlled hydrodynamic retarder interconnects with the output shaft of a vehicle transmission to selectively apply a braking torque thereto. The retarder includes a solenoid valve, the operating duty cycle of which controls the retarder capacity and resultant braking torque. A control unit, interconnecting the transmission and the retarder, regulates the duty cycle of the solenoid valve to regulate the retarder operation as a function of excessive deceleration or overheating, while also regulating such operation during downshift to assure efficient, effective, and comfortable operation of the transmission/retarder. The retarder is adaptive to accommodate variations resulting from age, wear, and the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increased clutch capacity in an automatic vehicle transmission having a nested clutch pair. An electronic control unit controls a pulse width modulator which applies control signals to the actuating solenoid valves of the nested pair of clutches. The electronic control unit operates to reduce the pressure on an engaged clutch of the pair during the period of time that the other clutch is being actuated during the shift. Once the shift is completed, the operating pressure on the previously engaged clutch is restored to a normal operating pressure. Provisions are also made for assuring that the period of time required for the shift is maintained between threshold limits or within a window of time. This adaptive feature precludes excessively short or long shifts.

Abstract: A lubrication system for multi-plate clutch assemblies is controlled to provide increased lube flow. During steady state operation, lube flow is increased periodically for a short time interval. At other times during steady state operation, the lube flow is maintained at a level requiring minimum fluid flow for the system.

Abstract: A countershaft transmission has an input shaft and a coaxial output shaft which are disposed in parallel with a pair of countershafts. The countershafts position and support a floating bearing support which is positioned to support ends of the input and output shafts. The countershafts each have a selectively engageable clutch disposed thereon which selectively control the establishment of drive ratios between the input shaft and the respective countershafts. A plurality of forward and reverse ratios are selectively established, between the input and output shafts through the countershafts, by selectively engaging a plurality of synchronizers. The synchronizers cooperate with a plurality of ratio gears on the countershafts and output shaft to establish the ratios. The ratio gears that establish the lowest forward ratios are fully disengageable from their respective countershafts.

Abstract: A torque converter and viscous clutch has a viscous fluid chamber and a hydraulic fluid chamber. The fluid chambers are sealingly separated and physically interconnected by a piston interface. The piston interface is responsive to the thermal expansion in the viscous fluid chamber to permit expansion thereof. The piston is also responsive to increased pressure in the hydraulic fluid chamber to correspondingly increase the pressure in the viscous fluid chamber.

Abstract: An engine output shaft and a transmission torque converter are connected for torque transmission therebetween. A flex plate is disposed between, and secured for rotation with either, the output shaft or the torque converter input shell. The flex plate includes an axially extending rim frictionally engaged with an annular wall secured either the output shaft or the torque converter input shell. A clamp member surrounds the rim on the flex plate radially outward of the annular wall and is selectively tightened to establish a force therein to cause the frictional engagement to be sufficient to transmit the torque.

Abstract: A torque converter has an end cover or input shell which is stamped from a sheet metal plate and has a stiffening fluid portion and an outer flow formed annular rim. The impeller, turbine and stator are assembled along with a torque converter clutch after which the rim portion of the end cover is welded to the impeller. The impeller and the cover have a flange or radially extending portion that is selectively trimmed to control the dynamic balance of the assembly. The turbine member is cast with the outer core and blade portions integral and an inner core member is welded thereto. This is completed prior to assembly within the torque converter.

Abstract: A torque converter clutch has a selectively engageable friction torque transmitting portion and a viscous torque transmitting portion. The friction and viscous portions are serially arranged between a clutch input and a clutch output. Apply pressure enforcing engagement at the friction clutch portion will result in an increase in the torque capacity of the viscous portion when the apply pressure increases. A structural arrangement is provided to increase the apply force of friction portion when the fluid pressure in the viscous portion is increased.

Abstract: A two stage main pump has a first pump portion that is drivingly connected to an input shaft and a second pump that is drivingly connectable with the input shaft by a speed sensitive mechanism. The speed sensitive mechanism is urged by a resilient member to connect the second pump portion with the input shaft as well as to a centrifugal flyweight mechanism that is responsive to the rotary speed of the input shaft in order to urge a disconnection of the second pump from the input shaft.

Abstract: A brake cooling system for applying a pre-cooling bath to the brake packs of a vehicle through a brake coolant valve having an actuating piston chamber. The brake cooling system is responsive not only to the application of operating pressure to the brake pedal but also to release of the throttle. To operate the brake cooling system in response to the throttle setting, the brake cooling system utilizes a cut-off valve having a transfer chamber. A signal feed conduit communicates between the transfer chamber and the actuating piston chamber in the brake coolant valve. A computerized control member provides pressurized control fluid to the actuating chamber of a modulator control valve. The pressure of the control fluid is established in response to the throttle setting. A hydraulic timer is provided to interrupt the entry of the signal pressure into the transfer chamber after a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A regulator valve assembly adapted to be used in conjunction with a torque converter in a vehicular transmission having a pressurized hydraulic distribution system, a cooling system and a torque converter. The regulator valve assembly has a stepped valve chamber to receive a spool valve member for axial translation. The spool valve member defines first, second, third and fourth subchambers within the stepped valve chamber. Axial translation of the valve member effects selective communication between the subchambers. A first land on the spool valve member is interposed between the first and second subchambers. A second land is interposed between the second and third subchambers. A third land is interposed between the third and fourth subchambers, and a fourth land is exposed to the fourth subchamber. A first outlet communicates with the first subchamber. A first inlet and a second outlet communicate with the second subchamber. A second inlet and third outlet communicate with the third subchamber.

Abstract: A return spring (40,60) operable with piston means (30) for use in fluid operated friction torque transmission devices (11) including relatively rotatable members (12,13) carrying a plurality of torque plates (18,22), one of the members providing a fluid chamber (34) in which the piston means is reciprocable. Such a spring comprises flexible base means (41,61) carried within a recess (50,51) provided in the rotatable member and spring tab means (43,66) extending from the flexible base means and engageable with a wall (52) of the piston means; the tab means being movable with the piston means upon movement thereof in and out of the chamber in response to activation of the piston means.