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

Abstract: A vehicle drivetrain for a vehicle including a transmission configured to move the vehicle with a surface engaging traction member and a final drive assembly configured to drive the surface engaging traction member. The final drive assembly includes a drive assembly coupler. A transmission coupler is operatively connected to the transmission and disposed between the transmission and the drive assembly coupler. The transmission coupler includes a first position engaged with the drive assembly coupler and a second position disengaged from the drive assembly coupler. An actuator is operatively connected to the transmission coupler and is configured to move the transmission coupler between the first position and the second position. The actuator, in one embodiment, includes a worm drive having a worm gear configured to move the transmission coupler along a longitudinal direction of the transmission. The worm gear rotates about an axis inclined with the longitudinal direction.

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. In one form, the first electric motor and second electric motor are the same type of electric motor, and in another form, the first electric motor and second electric motor are different types of electric motors.

Abstract: A torque converter assembly that has a turbine assembly, a pump assembly, and a clutch assembly that selectively rotationally couples the turbine assembly to the pump assembly. The clutch assembly also has at least one clutch disk and a backing plate assembly defining a backing plate surface and formed by a first plate and a second plate coupled to one another. The first plate and the second plate are coupled to each other at a first radius and a second radius, the second radius being substantially adjacent to the backing plate surface.

Abstract: An axle assembly for frame rail vehicles is described herein. The axle assembly includes a first axle shaft and a second axle shaft orientated along a first axis of rotation. A first electric machine is orientated along a second axis of rotation and a second electric machine is spaced from the first electric machine and orientated along a third axis of rotation. A differential gear set is disposed about the first axis of rotation and is coupled to and driven by a common gear reduction to transfer rotational torque from the first and second electric machines to the first and second axle shafts. A speed change mechanism is coupled between the common gear reduction and the differential gear set to change the rotational torque transferred to the first and second axle shafts.

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: 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 first gear train that has an interruptible connection with the drive shaft. In one form, this interruptible connection includes a second carrier and a clutch engagement member. The electric powertrain further includes a sun gear in the form of a ring gear and planet gears in the form of a first output shaft. To provide a compact configuration, the first electric motor and the first gear train are sandwiched between the sun gear and the planet gears.

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. To provide a compact configuration, the first electric motor and second electric motor are arranged in a longitudinal orientation with the drive shaft.

Abstract: A system and method for compensation of turbo lag in hybrid vehicles is disclosed. The system identifies a zero boost power limit of the engine and a torque curve power limit. A turbocharger dynamic model is then developed based on measurements of the input engine power and the output max available engine power. The model is used to determine an overall propulsion power limit based on the combination of the engine and motor in operation. A power request by the driver may then be limited to the overall propulsion power limit to compensate for the effect of the turbocharger when propelling the vehicle using both the engine and motor and better simulate the engine-only response.

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 check valve assembly for controlling a flow of fluid in a transmission from a first cavity to a second cavity is disclosed. Check valve assembly may include a housing having a fluid passageway therein, a biasing member supported by the housing for axial movement along a first axis, and a valve element positioned within the fluid passageway of the housing. The valve element may be moveable between a seated position and an unseated position. An intersection of a plane normal to the first axis and the valve element defines a seating boundary of the element, which may define a minimum distance from the seating surface of the fluid passageway to the valve element when the valve element is in the unseated position. The check valve may include at least one swage extending radially inwardly from the fluid passageway to limit axial movement of the valve element.

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 ground surface. A drive unit transfers motive force to the wheels through one or more gearsets and axle shafts.

Abstract: Transmissions and clutch assemblies for transmissions are disclosed herein. A transmission includes an input shaft, an output shaft, and a clutch assembly. The input shaft is configured to receive rotational power. The output shaft is configured to transmit rotational power to a load. The clutch assembly is coupled between the input shaft and the output shaft to selectively transmit rotational power therebetween in use of the transmission. The clutch assembly includes a housing, a piston, and a disc spring. The piston is movable relative to the housing and cooperates with the housing to at least partially define a first cavity that is configured to receive hydraulic fluid such that a first centrifugal pressure force is created in use of the clutch assembly. The disc spring is movable relative to the housing.

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 first gear train that has an interruptible connection with the drive shaft. In one form, this interruptible connection includes a second carrier and a clutch engagement member. The electric powertrain further includes a sun gear in the form of a ring gear and planet gears in the form of a first output shaft. To provide a compact configuration, the first electric motor and the first gear train are sandwiched between the sun gear and the planet gears.

Abstract: An axle assembly for frame rail vehicles is described herein. The axle assembly includes a drive unit that includes a first drive unit assembly, a second drive unit assembly, a first axle shaft, and a second axle shaft. The first drive unit assembly includes a first electric machine, a first output assembly, and a first offset gear reduction assembly. The second drive unit assembly includes a second electric machine, a second output assembly, and a second offset gear reduction assembly. The first electric machine and the second electric machine are orientated in a same direction, and spaced such that the axle centerline axis is positioned between the first electric machine and the second electric machine. The first offset gear reduction assembly is spaced from the second offset gear reduction assembly such that the axle centerline axis is positioned between the first offset gear reduction and the second offset gear reduction.

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: A multi-speed planetary transmission is operable in at least nine forward speed ratios, at least one reverse speed ratio, and at least one neutral speed ratio. A hydraulic control system for the transmission includes a hydraulic default control system and is operable to a default configuration when a default condition occurs during operation of the transmission. The hydraulic control system defaults to a forward default gear ratio during operation of the transmission in a first forward speed ratio and defaults to a default neutral speed ratio during operation of the transmission in a reverse speed ratio when a default condition occurs. The default condition may be a transmission control module (“TCM”) power failure.

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. To provide a compact configuration, the first electric motor and second electric motor are arranged in a longitudinal orientation with the drive shaft.

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.