Abstract: An electric powertrain includes a first electric motor that has an uninterrupted connection with a drive shaft of a vehicle. The electric powertrain further includes a second electric motor that has an interruptible connection with the drive shaft. In one form, this interruptible connection includes a clutch. The electric powertrain further includes a first gear train in the form of a first planetary gear and a second gear train in the form of a second planetary gear. The first gear train, second gear train, and clutch are arranged downstream from the first electric motor and second electric motor.

Abstract: An electric powertrain includes a first electric motor that has an uninterrupted connection with a drive shaft of a vehicle. The electric powertrain further includes a second electric motor that has an interruptible connection with the drive shaft. In one form, this interruptible connection includes a clutch. The electric powertrain further includes a first gear train in the form of a first planetary gear and a second gear train in the form of a second planetary gear. The clutch in one variation includes a positive clutch in the form of a dog clutch. The dog clutch has a clutch suspension configured to deflect a clutch collar when gearing is misaligned during shifting.

Abstract: A multi-speed transmission including a plurality of planetary gearsets and a plurality of selective couplers to achieve at least nine forward speed ratios and at least nine reverse speed ratios is disclosed. The plurality of planetary gearsets may include a first planetary gearset, a second planetary gearset, a third planetary gearset, a fourth planetary gearset, and a fifth planetary gearset. The plurality of selective couplers may include a number of clutches and a number of brakes. The multi-speed transmission may have five planetary gearsets and eight selective couplers. The eighth selective couplers may include three clutches and five brakes.

Abstract: Transmissions, park systems, and methods of operating transmissions are disclosed. A transmission includes an input shaft to receive torque from a drive unit, an output shaft to transmit torque to a load, and a park system to selectively brake the output shaft. The park system includes a park gear assembly, an actuator valve, and an actuation linkage coupled between the actuator valve and the park gear assembly.

Abstract: An electrified axle assembly includes a first and second motor, a first and second idler shaft, and one or more output shafts mechanically engaged with the first and/or second idler shafts and one or more axles. In some embodiments, the electrified axle assembly may include two output shafts, with each output shaft meshed with a corresponding one of the idler shafts and a corresponding one of the axles. In other embodiments, the electrified axle assembly may include a single output shaft meshed with each of the idler shaft and each axle. Additional single motor and single and dual speed embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: An axle assembly for a low floor vehicle is described herein. The axle assembly includes an axle housing and a drive unit for driving a wheel assembly. The axle housing including a first gearbox, a second gearbox and a cradle assembly coupling the first gear box to the second gear box. The axle assembly includes first and second hub assemblies that form a first axis of rotation. The first gearbox includes an electric motor that is coupled to a transmission used to rotate an output shaft. The first gearbox also includes a differential mounted for rotation with the transmission and a first drop box mounted for rotation with the differential. The axle assembly also includes a portal axle mounted for rotation with the first drop box and extends from the first gearbox to the second gearbox wherein the portal axle forms a second axis of rotation that is offset from the first axis of rotation of the hub assemblies.

Abstract: An axle assembly for a low floor vehicle is described herein. The axle assembly includes an axle housing and a drive unit for driving a wheel assembly. The drive unit includes an axle shaft, a wheel end assembly, an electric machine, and a transmission unit. The axle shaft extends along an axle centerline axis between a first axle end and a second axle end. The wheel end assembly is coupled to the first axle end. The electric machine is positioned within the axle housing and includes a rotor shaft, a drive pinion coupled to the rotor shaft, and an electric motor for rotating the rotor shaft. The rotor shaft extends along a rotor shaft centerline axis that is orientated parallel to the axle centerline axis. The transmission unit is positioned within the axle housing and is configured to transfer torque from the electric machine to the axle shaft.

Abstract: A planetary system, which may be found in an automotive transmission, is provided. The planetary system may include a sun gear, a plurality of pinion gears that are operably coupled to the sun gear and carried by a carrier, and a ring gear operably coupled to the plurality of pinion gears. The carrier may include a plurality of spaced apart side walls and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart posts that interconnect the side walls. The plurality of posts and side walls may be unitary with one another. Further, at least one of the posts may include an oil delivery channel and an oil exit channel in fluid communication with one another.

Abstract: An electric axle assembly includes a suspension frame, a pair of drive assemblies coupled to opposite sides of the suspension frame, and a drive module coupled to the suspension frame. The drive module controls operation of the drive assemblies. The electric axle assembly is mounted to a vehicle frame and provides motive force to wheels of the vehicle for propelling the vehicle along a roadway.

Abstract: Various systems for cooling a battery cell array are described. In one example an energy storage system includes a housing enclosing a battery cell array, an evaporator, and a circulating pump. In another example, an evaporator is adjacent to battery cells to facilitate heat transfer. In another example, thermoelectric elements are positioned adjacent to battery cells to facilitate heat transfer.

Abstract: An electric powertrain includes a first electric motor that has an uninterrupted connection with a drive shaft of a vehicle. The electric powertrain further includes a second electric motor that has an interruptible connection with the drive shaft. In one form, this interruptible connection includes a clutch. The electric powertrain further includes a first gear train in the form of a first planetary gear and a second gear train in the form of a second planetary gear. The clutch in one variation includes a positive clutch in the form of a dog clutch. The dog clutch has a clutch suspension configured to deflect a clutch collar when gearing is misaligned during shifting.

Abstract: A multi-speed transmission including a plurality of planetary gearsets and a plurality of selective couplers to achieve at least eighteen forward speed ratios and at least two reverse speed ratios is disclosed. The plurality of planetary gearsets may include a first planetary gearset, a second planetary gearset, a third planetary gearset, a fourth planetary gearset, and a fifth planetary gearset. The plurality of selective couplers may include a number of clutches and a number of brakes. The multi-speed transmission may have five planetary gearsets and eight selective couplers. The eight selective couplers may include three clutches and five brakes.

Abstract: A multi-speed transmission may include a plurality of planetary gearsets and a plurality of selective couplers. The plurality of planetary gearsets may include a first planetary gearset, a second planetary gearset, a third planetary gearset, a fourth planetary gearset, and a fifth planetary gearset. The plurality of selective couplers may include a number of clutches and a number of brakes. The multi-speed transmission may have five planetary gearsets and seven selective couplers. The seven selective couplers may include two clutches and five brakes or three clutches and three brakes.

Abstract: A drive system for a hybrid or electric vehicle that includes a transmission with three forward and three reverse gears. The transmission optionally includes a first and a second planetary gearset, a first and a second clutch, and a brake. The system may be configured to separately engage these components in concert. The drive system may include a single electric motor with a corresponding transmission, or multiple electric motors individually driving separate transmissions. Motors may be arranged upstream or downstream of portions of a transmission, and they may be aligned parallel with or perpendicular to a drive axle.

Abstract: An electric axle assembly includes a suspension frame and drive assemblies coupled to opposing sides of the suspension frame. The electric axle assembly engages with wheels of a vehicle for rotating the wheels to move the vehicle along a round surface. A drive unit transfers motive force to the wheels through one or more gearsets and axle shafts.

Abstract: Axle assembly includes first and second axle housings extending toward opposing sides of a vehicle frame with the axle housings aligned to define an axle axis, first and second wheel ends, first and second drive shafts disposed within the first and second axle housings, a gearbox having a first surface facing one side of the vehicle frame and a second surface facing the other side of the vehicle frame with the gearbox cantilevered outwardly relative to the aligned axle housings to define a gearbox axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle frame and transverse to the axle axis, and an electric motor coupled to the second surface of the gearbox and extending toward the first side of the vehicle frame to define a motor axis that is parallel to and offset from the axle axis, transverse to the gearbox axis, and transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A clutch arrangement having a first coupler mounted for rotation with a first input gear, a second coupler mounted for rotation with a second input gear, and an input-gear selector mounted for rotation with an input shaft and positioned between the first and second couplers. The input-gear selector is movable on the input shaft relative to the first and second couplers. Engagement of the input-gear selector with the first coupler drives rotation of the first input gear with rotation of the input shaft, and engagement of the input-gear selector with the second coupler drives rotation of the second input gear with rotation of the input shaft.

Abstract: A seal for an axle shaft assembly which may be found in an automotive transmission or drive axle, is provided. The seal may accommodate significant axle deflection, while retaining a fluid-tight seal between multiple sealing surfaces. The seal may include dynamic flanges configured to seal against surfaces which are angled or orthogonal with respect to one another. The seal may also include one or more holes extending from an outer surface to an inner surface of the seal, such that a body of the seal forms a conduit which allows fluid, such as lubricating fluid, to flow through the seal.

Abstract: A drive system for a vehicle that includes a transmission with three forward and three reverse gears. The transmission is optionally coupled to an electric motor as part of a fully electric or hybrid drive system. The transmission optionally includes a first and a second planetary gearset, a first and a second brake, and a clutch. The system may be configured to separately engage the first or second brakes, or the clutch, and may be arranged to provide separate gear ratios as each is engaged and disengaged separately. A single electric motor may be provided with a single transmission, or multiple electric motors may be included to individually drive multiple separate tires, tracks, or other ground engaging elements. Single or multiple motors may be arranged upstream or downstream of the transmission, and they may be aligned parallel with or perpendicular to a drive axle.

Abstract: A multiple speed transmission includes an input shaft, an output shaft, a first planetary gearset having a first member, a second member, and a third member, and a second planetary gearset having an input member, a reaction member, a second member, and a third member. The transmission also includes a plurality of interconnecting members each connected between at least one of the first and second planetary gearsets and at least another of the first and second planetary gearsets. The transmission includes a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms which are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish a plurality of forward speed ratios and a plurality of reverse speed ratios between the input shaft and the output shaft.