Abstract: A solenoid spool valve including a spool valve having a sleeve provided with a supply pressure port, a control pressure port, an exhaust port and a spool supported in the sleeve for axial displacement within the sleeve; and an electromagnetic actuator for providing an axial drive force to the spool in a first axial direction; wherein the spool has a first piston with a first land for opening/closing the supply pressure port and a second piston with a second land for opening/closing the exhaust port, wherein the first piston has a larger piston face surface area in fluid communication with the control pressure port than does the second piston.

Abstract: A hybrid marine drivetrain for a watercraft, the drivetrain including a driveshaft for driving a propulsion device of the watercraft, an internal combustion engine for driving the driveshaft, a motor for driving the driveshaft, a storage unit for storing energy in a form suitable for operating the motor, and a generator driven by the internal combustion engine for generating energy to power the motor, wherein a drive output of the motor is in direct driving connection with the driveshaft, a drive output of the internal combustion engine is in direct driving connection with a rotor of the generator, and a clutch is provided to selectively couple/decouple drive from the internal combustion engine to/from the driveshaft.

Abstract: An electric vehicle transmission, the transmission comprising an input shaft arranged to be driven by an electric motor, an output shaft arranged to transfer drive from the input shaft to driving wheels of the vehicle to which the transmission is fitted, a first clutch for engaging/disengaging a first gear ratio of the transmission, a second clutch for engaging/disengaging a second gear ratio of the transmission, and a fluid pump driven in response to rotation of the output shaft, wherein the first clutch is biased to engage said first gear ratio in the absence of pressure from the fluid pump.

Abstract: An electric vehicle transmission, the transmission comprising an input shaft arranged to be driven by an electric motor, an output shaft arranged to transfer drive from the input shaft to driving wheels of the vehicle to which the transmission is fitted, a first clutch for engaging/disengaging a first gear ratio of the transmission, a second clutch for engaging/disengaging a second gear ratio of the transmission, and a fluid pump driven in response to rotation of the output shaft, wherein the first clutch is biased to engage said first gear ratio in the absence of pressure from the fluid pump.

Abstract: A multi-ratio automatic transmission for a vehicle, the transmission having a single planetary gear set, a plurality of friction elements for coupling components of the planetary gear set between an input and an output of the transmission in different configurations so as to achieve a plurality of forward drive ratios, and a control system for selectively engaging/disengaging the friction elements in different combinations to effect selection of the ratios, wherein the friction elements include first and second clutches mounted forward of the planetary gear set, and wherein power flow in each of the forward drive ratios is routed from the input to the planetary gear set through at least one of the first and second clutches.

Abstract: A solenoid spool valve including a spool valve having a sleeve provided with a supply pressure port, a control pressure port, an exhaust port and a spool supported in the sleeve for axial displacement within the sleeve; and an electromagnetic actuator for providing an axial drive force to said spool in a first axial direction; wherein the spool has a first piston with a first land for opening/closing the supply pressure port and a second piston with a second land for opening/closing the exhaust port, wherein the first piston has a larger piston face surface area in fluid communication with the control pressure port than does the second piston.

Abstract: An automotive transmission having a hill hold feature, comprising an input shaft arranged to be driven by an engine, an output shaft arranged to transfer drive from the input shaft to driving wheels of a vehicle to which the transmission is fitted, and a transmission housing within which the input and output shafts rotate, wherein a one-way clutch is coupled to the input shaft and the housing to allow rotation of the input shaft in only one direction relative to the housing, such that when a forward gear of the transmission is engaged the vehicle is prevented from rolling backward.

Abstract: A hybrid marine drivetrain for a watercraft, the drivetrain including a driveshaft for driving a propulsion device of the watercraft, an internal combustion engine for driving the driveshaft, a motor for driving the driveshaft, a storage unit for storing energy in a form suitable for operating the motor, and a generator driven by the internal combustion engine for generating energy to power the motor, wherein a drive output of the motor is in direct driving connection with the driveshaft, a drive output of the internal combustion engine is in direct driving connection with a rotor of the generator, and a clutch is provided to selectively couple/decouple drive from the internal combustion engine to/from the driveshaft.

Abstract: A two speed transmission system mounted for driving a marine craft comprising: an input shaft coupled in direct connection with a driveshaft of an engine of the marine craft; an output shaft coaxial with the input shaft coupled in direct connection with a driveline of the marine craft; a first gear train for transmitting drive at a fixed first gear ratio; a second gear train for transmitting drive at a fixed second gear ratio; a first friction clutch operable to engage/disengage the first gear train; and a second friction clutch operable to engage/disengage the second gear train, wherein in shifting between the first gear ratio and the second gear ratio one of the friction clutches is disengaged using controlled slippage while the other friction clutch is engaged using controlled slippage.

Abstract: A multi-ratio automatic transmission for a vehicle, the transmission having a single planetary gear set, a plurality of friction elements for coupling components of the planetary gear set between an input and an output of the transmission in different configurations so as to achieve a plurality of forward drive ratios, and a control system for selectively engaging/disengaging the friction elements in different combinations to effect selection of the ratios, wherein the friction elements include first and second clutches mounted forward of the planetary gear set, and wherein power flow in each of the forward drive ratios is routed from the input to the planetary gear set through at least one of the first and second clutches.

Abstract: A drive system (10) including an internal combustion engine (12), a planetary gear-set (16), an electric motor (18) and a transmission (20), wherein the internal combustion engine (12) and the electric motor (18) each drive the transmission (20) via the planetary gear set (16), and the electric motor (18) drives a fluid pump (22) of the transmission (20). In a further embodiment there is disclosed a fluid pump for pumping fluid from a source to a destination, wherein first and second inlet conduits are provided between the source and the pump, first and second outlet conduits are provided between the pump and the destination, and each of the conduits is provided with a valve allowing fluid flow through the conduit in only one direction, such that when the fluid pump is rotated in a first direction fluid is pumped through the first inlet and outlet conduits, and when the fluid pump is rotated in a second opposite direction fluid is pumped though the second inlet and outlet conduits.