Abstract: A variable force solenoid for operating a hydraulic pressure regulating valve which includes an actuator shaft aligned with the central axis of the valve and solenoid, a coil of electrical conducting wire, a cylindrical core on which the wire is wound and through which the induced magnetic flux flows, an actuator actuates shaft spaced by a non-working air gap from the casing and moveable axially toward and away from the edge of the core, flexible bearings at opposite axial ends of the actuator shaft and a compression spring. A force is applied to the actuator shaft by a unique double spring combination. The flexible bearings restrict lateral displacement of the actuator and permit frictionless axial displacement of the actuator. The hydraulic valve has a valve spool that moves due, to the position of the actuator, from a position that produces maximum pressure when the coil is de-energized to a position that produces zero pressure when the coil is energized.

Abstract: A control system for a four speed ratio automatic transmission wherein a ratio change from a first speed ratio to a second speed ratio is effected by a 1-2 shift valve that activates a fluid pressure operated second ratio clutch and a ratio change from a third speed ratio to a fourth speed ratio is effected by a 3-4 shift valve that activates a fluid pressure operated fourth ratio brake, both the clutch and the brake having an independent pressure accumulator and an accumulator pressure regulator valve that is common to both accumulators for developing unique accumulator control pressures whereby the system may be calibrated for maximum shift smoothness for both 1-2 upshifts and 3-4 upshifts.

Abstract: The gear shift mechanism of a manually operated transmission having multiple forward speed ratios and a reverse drive ratio includes a gear selector shaft under the manual control of the vehicle operator. A selector pin fixed to the selector shaft moves within a system of interconnected slots in a guide plate mounted on the transmission casing. Movement of the gear selector lever causes the selector pin to move within the restricted path defined by the slots. A pawl supported on the surface of the guide plate is mounted pivotably in a slotted hole that permits linear displacement with respect to the pivot pin. A torsion spring continuously applies a resilient force to the pawl tending to restore the pawl to a normal position, where it prevents movement of the selector mechanism from a forward drive position directly to the reverse drive position.

Abstract: In a valve system for a hydraulically controlled starting friction clutch, a clutch pressure control valve that controls the clutch pressure during the starting phase of the clutch engagement as a function of the torque requirement of the operator, and a valve that overrides the clutch pressure control valve as a function of the output speed wherein a clutch pressure control valve 17 has a valve arrangement that acts as a slippage time limiter, the latter comprising a startup valve 13, an accumulator 14 and an on-off valve 15. After a specific time affected by the selection of the throttle orifices 28a and 28b and the piston rod diameter 27, higher clutch pressure pk (D, L, R) is fed to the clutch pressure control valve.

Abstract: The transfer case of a vehicle that can be driven in two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive includes a range speed transmission driveably connected to the output of a multiple speed ratio transmission and adapted to drive the transfer case output shaft. A drive sprocket journalled on the output case is driveably connected by a chain belt to a driven sprocket that is connected to the front driveshaft. The front axle has a differential that transmits power from the front driveshaft to left and right axleshafts when four-wheel drive is selected. Automatic locking hubs driveably connect the front axleshafts to the front wheel assemblies and are adapted to automatically disengage when the front wheels rotate opposite the direction that produced engagement of the locking hubs. The drive sprocket is accelerated from rest to the speed of the output shaft of the transfer case through operation of a magnetic clutch or hydraulic coupling.

Abstract: The hydraulic control circuit for an automatic transmission includes solenoid-operated clutch pressure valves which selectively connect line pressure to the selected clutch as the winding of the solenoids are energized and de-energized by an electronic control system. A solenoid feed valve and feedback valve operate to connect line pressure to the input port of the several clutch actuator valves, provided the clutch pressures are within certain limits. If these limits are exceeded, line pressure is disconnected from the actuator valves and is applied, instead, automatically and without respect to electronic control, to the clutches that produce a predetermined gear ratio. A coast control valve operates to regulate pressure to a servo that is pressurized at a lower level for low gear ratio operation and at a higher level for reverse drive operation. The coast control valve vents the servo if either of the clutches that produce the predetermined speed ratio are pressurized.

Abstract: A dual cone pin type synchronizing clutch for driveably connecting to a shaft gear wheels journalled on the shaft includes a hub splined to the shaft, a clutch sleeve connected to the hub through spline teeth that permit axial displacement of the sleeve into engagement with clutching teeth formed with the gear wheel. Each gear wheel carries a cone element engageable with a conical friction surface that is fixed to the gear wheels. A cone arm assembly carries cone members adapted to engage frictionally an intermediate cone member when the sleeve is displaced. The frictional contact between the cone elements, which engage before the clutching teeth engage, operate to synchronize the speed of the gear wheels to that of the synchronizer hub.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle equipped with a countershaft manual transmission for producing various ratios of the speed of an engine that is clutched to the transmission and the speed of a transmission output shaft, a system for maintaining the clutch disengaged while the transmission shift lever is in the neutral position and the clutch pedal is released includes a hydraulic damper actuated by a clutch pedal arm that moves a piston within a master cylinder connected hydraulically through an interrupter valve to a slave cylinder, which is connected mechanically to a clutch arm whose movement engages and disengages the clutch. An electrical circuit includes an ignition switch in series with a neutral switch and with a clutch switch, an interrupter valve coil in series with the switches and a clutch switch relay in parallel with the clutch switch. When the electrical circuit is closed, the interrupter valve closes hydraulic communication between the master cylinder and the slave cylinder.

Abstract: A pin loading synchronizer includes a hub fixed to a shaft and located between gears journalled on the shaft. The hub carries a synchronizer sleeve that is moved by the vehicle operator into engagement with spline teeth formed integrally with the gears. Each gear carries a cone element that is engageable by external cone members carried on arms that extend through the sleeve. A detent spring in the form of a wire hoop retained on the sleeve resiliently expands radially outward against the interior surface of the cone arm and into a seated position on a detent recess formed on the arm.

Abstract: A valve system for a hydraulically controlled starting friction clutch for motor vehicles, a clutch pressure control valve that controls the clutch pressure as a function of the torque demand of the driver, a valve arrangement that modulates a pressure dependent upon the engine speed and that delivers it to the clutch pressure control valve, a shuttle valve 11, a throttle orifice 12 and an accumulator 13 associated with the clutch pressure control valve 1. The shuttle valve 11 comprises a valve member 15 disposed in a valve bore 14 with three control lands 16, 17 and 18 and a spring 19 that acts upon one end of the valve member 15. A pressure signal Ppitot dependent upon the speed is applied by way of lines 21 and 22 between the first control land 16 and the second control land 17 and between the second control land 17 and the third control land 18 and is supplied by way of outlets 23 and 24 and a line 10 to the clutch pressure control valve 1. A pressure signal P.sub.

Abstract: The starting system for an internal combustion engine includes a crankshaft and a camshaft sprocket which form the carrier for a planet pinion set whose elements are continuously engaged with a sun gear mounted and a ring gear mounted by a one-way brake to the engine block. A starting motor is connected by an endless chain or belt to a sprocket connected by a one-way driving connection to the sun gear. An accessory drive pulley and the rotor of the engine oil pump are continuously and directly connected to the sun gear. A hydraulic piston, actuated by engine oil pressure, selectively breaks the ring gear when engine speed is below a predetermined value provided engine oil pressure is at least equal to a predetermined pressure and releases the ring gear when engine speed exceeds the predetermined speed.

Abstract: A pneumatic throttle valve actuator for an automatic power transmission mechanism for use with a supercharged or turbocharged internal combustion engine wherein the relationship between manifold pressure and actuator force is changed when the engine manifold pressure changes from a positive pressure to a negative pressure or vice-versa. A correct shift point signal and a correct pressure regulator output thus are maintained regardless of whether the turbocharger or supercharger is active or inactive.

Abstract: A positive displacement pump for a vehicle power steering system comprising a rotor (42) rotatable in and cooperating with a stator (20) to define a pump cavity (52), (54), inlet and outlet ports (56), (58) and (34), (36) communicating with the pump cavity and a flow control valve (96) located in the flow delivery circuit wherein provision is made for opening the flow delivery circuit to a bypass circuit (72) upon an increase in the speed of the vehicle beyond a design point thereby reducing the pump back pressure and power usage which results in increased "road feel" at increased speeds while maintaining normal power assist during steering maneuvers at low speeds.

Abstract: An infinitely variable power transmission mechanism comprising a driving sheave assembly and a driven sheave with a torque transmitting drive belt connecting the sheaves, a ratio controlling servo for changing the effective pitch diameter of the sheave assemblies, a belt loading servo for controlling the load capacity of the belt and relatively reduced friction diaphragm actuators for adjustably positioning movable sheave portions of the sheave assemblies, the belt and sheave assembly portions of the mechanism being in a housing area that is isolated from gearing portions of the mechanism.

Abstract: A reaction brake band assembly for a multiple ratio power transmission mechanism comprising a brake drum connected to a gear element of the transmission mechanism, and a reaction piston engaged by the anchor end of the brake band for applying a threshold brake band force and for cushioning brake band application.

Abstract: A method for making clutching teeth having crown bevels and rear cut sections includes fine stamping crown bevels on the front face of the raw part, trimming the outer surface of the part, bending the portion of the part in which the teeth are being formed through an angle equal to the inclination of the rear cut section with respect to the axis of the part, punch cutting the clutching teeth and bending the part back into the original plane.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive mechanism for a front-wheel drive vehicle includes a final drive mechanism driven from the output shaft of the engine, which transmits power through a differential to the front drive wheels, and through a gear set and an overrunning clutch to the rear axleshafts. The gear ratio of the gear set is established so that the outer race of the clutch is driven slower than the speed of the front drive wheels so that the rear axleshafts in normal driving conditions are not driven. If, however, the front wheels slip relative to the road surface, the clutch will transmit power to the rear axleshafts or to one rear axleshaft that turns slower than the rear axleshaft. A roller cage retains the rollers and is biased by a spring into contact with a drag surface that is selectively connected to and disconnected from the casing of the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A multiple speed ratio hydrokinetic transmission for a wheeled vehicle comprising a planetary gear set having two input torque flow paths and a hydrokinetic torque converter having an impeller element connected to one flow path and a turbine element connected to the other flow path; a friction lockup clutch which, under relatively high peed driving conditions, establishes a mechanical torque bypass path for engine torque in parallel with a torque flow path established by the hydrokinetic unit; and an overrunning coupling located between the friction clutch and the turbine element to adapt the transmission for a direct mechanical torque transfer from the vehicle engine to a driven member or a split torque path that is partly mechanical and partly hydrokinetic; provision being made during high speed ratio operation for a regenerative torque distribution between the input elements through the friction clutch and the overrunning coupling thereby providing improved driveline efficiency and improved driveability fo

Abstract: An automotive accessory clutch driven by a pulley engaged by a rubber belt driven from the engine includes an electrical coil which when energized causes a friction plate to be drawn into engagement with the pulley and to rotate lever arms about pivots which produce tangentially directed forces on brake assemblies that pivot an additional friction surface into engagement with other surfaces of the driven pulley. The connection between the pulley and the accessory driven from the engine is selectively connected and disconnected as the coil is electrically energized and deenergized.

Abstract: A power steering gear mechanism for an automotive vehicle comprising a fluid motor connected drivably to a vehicle steering gear linkage and a control valve for directing motor actuating fluid pressure to the fluid motor from a power steering pump, the control valve including a vehicle speed sensitive bypass valve and a flow control valve in the fluid circuit connecting the pump and the gear whereby a reduced flow of pressurized fluid to the gear occurs at low speeds and during parking maneuvers and wherein a lower flow of fluid is applied to the steering gear during steering maneuvers at high speeds whereby a reduction in the power assist and an increased road feel and reduced power consumption occur during operation of the vehicle at high speeds.