Abstract: In a motor vehicle transmission multiple-disc clutch assembly, a waved ring-shaped spring is provided within an annular groove formed in the clutch piston held within the clutch housing. The waved spring preferably is formed from spring steel and has five upwardly directed segments and five downwardly directed segments. When inserted in the annular groove and not flexed or compressed, a portion of the upwardly directed segments extends above the upper surface of the outer rim of the clutch piston by between about 0.025 to 0.040 inch. The waved spring opposes axial forces exerted on the clutch piston and the clutch pack (plurality of clutch plates) at a rate of 200 to 240 psi for the first 0.030 inch compression until it is substantially flattened with the upwardly directed segments to a height even with the outer rim of the clutch piston. The waved spring is free of radially extending projections or tabs and is movable with relation to the clutch piston.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle automatic transmission, for example, a GENERAL MOTORS THM 700-R4 automatic transmission, the throttle valve cable ("T.V. cable") forms part of the mechanical link between the throttle pedal, the throttle valve linkage on a fuel delivery system (e.g., a carburetor or electronic fuel injector) and the throttle valve. In the method of adjusting the throttle valve cable disclosed in this application, a sleeve and spring are installed at the distal end of the T.V. cable, between the cable end clamp and the tear-drop shaped cable end fitting on the T.V. cable. The spring opposes the movement of the cable end fitting toward the distal end of the T.V. cable so that the cable end fitting is at its maximum distal position only at fully open throttle. This gives the vehicle operator the shift feel of a shorter T.V. cable at most throttle openings. The sleeve and spring are installed only on T.V. cables in automatic transmissions that do not have T.V.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle automatic transmission, for example, a GENERAL MOTORS THM 700-R4 automatic transmission, the throttle valve cable ("T.V. cable") forms a mechanical link between a throttle pedal, a throttle valve linkage on a fuel delivery system (e.g., a carburetor or electronic fuel injector) and a throttle valve. A sleeve and spring are installed at the distal end of the T.V. cable, between the cable end clamp and the tear-drop shaped cable end fitting on the T.V. cable. The spring opposes the movement of the cable end fitting toward the distal end of the T.V. cable so that the cable end fitting is at its maximum distal position only at fully open throttle. This gives the vehicle operator the shift feel of a shorter T.V. cable at most throttle openings. The sleeve and spring may be used in this manner only with automatic transmissions with T.V. cables that do not have end fittings permanently attached to a throttle cam.

Abstract: A valve is provided in one of the accumulator oil passageways provided between the servo and the 2-3 shift valve of an automatic transmission to partially restrict or control the flow of oil to and from the servo and clutch, thus adjusting the timing of shifts from second to third gear. The added valve or metering device would allow for a size increase of an orifice from the manual valve while maintaining proper timing of the apply/release of the 3-4 clutch and 2-4 band. The invention allows larger oil volume for both apply/release of the 3-4 clutch and 2-4 band, decreasing clutch failures and increasing transmission life expectancy. The invention is particularly advantageous with THM 700-R4 and 4L60-E automatic transmissions for 4-, 6- or 8-cylinder vehicles.

Abstract: A transmission vacuum modulator assembly has a vacuum modulator with a heavy-gauge spring and a diaphragm that are moveably linked to a sliding or spool valve in a bore in a valve assembly. The flow of hydraulic transmission fluid into the transmission, preferably a diesel automatic transmission, is regulated by the sliding valve. The improvement comprises adding a coil spring having a spring force of between about 1 and 2 p.s.i. to the valve assembly in the bore to counteract the spring force on the sliding valve of the heavy-gauge spring in the modulator when the vacuum modulator assembly is in a lower vacuum/higher pressure position. With the added spring, upshifts during acceleration will occur under low vacuum/high pressure conditions without a need to release the throttle. The invention is particularly advantageous for emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, that require rapid, yet smooth, acceleration.