Abstract: A planetary gear transmission having at least two different gearing diameters, the pinions of which are journalled independently of each other so that they can have a large gear ratio step between them; and a multi-speed transmission including first and second planetary gear sets, the second of which sets is the planetary gear transmission having the two different gearing diameters journalled independently of each other. In the multi-speed transmission, the gear ratio steps of the second planetary gear set each exceed the highest gear ratio of the first planetary gear set.

Abstract: A multi-speed transmission comprising either two or three planetary gear sets arranged in a series with the output from the first and second sets of the series operatively connected to the inputs of the second and third sets of the series, respectively. In all three sets the planetary gear carrier is the output member thereof. All three sets have a direct drive clutch for operatively connecting their respective input and output members. One of the planetary gear sets has at least three different gearing diameters on its respective pinions and the input is a ring gear operatively engaged with the largest diameter gearing. Another planetary gear set is a range gear having an input sun gear and a plurality of pinions having a gearing which provides a speed reduction ratio greater than the highest speed reduction ratio of the previously mentioned planetary gear set.

Abstract: This invention relates to a power group for driving a vehicle comprising a torque converter component, a complementary gear component, a component including a feeder fluid pump system, and a component including an automatic and manual control whereby not only tne individual components are used to provide their optimum effect but also the combined effect of the individual components is optimized.

Abstract: A fluid system, especially for a transmission having a hydrodynamic torque converter and a mechanical change speed gear box downstream therefrom. For supplying pressurized fluid to the working chamber of the torque converter, the clutches and brakes of the torque converter and the servomotors which control the gear steps of the downstream mechanical change speed gear box, there is provided a pressure system having first and second low pressure pumps and preferably an auxiliary high pressure pump. The first low pressure pump delivers fluid continuously for delivery to the working chamber of the torque converter and to the servomotors. The second low pressure pump can deliver pressurized fluid through a one way valve to the discharge side of the first low pressure pump or alternatively its output can be bypassed directly to the input of the second low pressure pump.

Abstract: A multi-speed planetary gear transmission having a primary shaft connected to a secondary shaft via a planetary gear having a drive annular gear connected to one of said shafts, a planet carrier connected to the other shaft, and planet gears on the carrier, each having a plurality of gearings of different diameters, and the remaining annular gears other than the drive annular gear engaging the planet gearing to provide different gear steps. All annular gears have couplings with servo-motors fixed to the casing. The annular gears are made adjustable on their respective planet gearings by floating, as a result of their being supported in the casing at a support point spaced axially from its gear teeth and located in axial proximity to its coupling. An air flow path is provided across the friction disc couplings when disengaged, as a result of alternating plates being sinusoidal. The direct drive coupling includes a slidable connecting sleeve.

Abstract: A method is provided for obtaining braking capacity from the engine-transmission unit of a hydromechanical vehicle transmission having a torque converter in combination with a plurality of mechanical gear steps. The braking force is provided by running the turbine member faster than the engine, either with the guide member of the torque conventer kept stationary or released so as to be free to rotate and with the torque converter's direct drive clutch released, and with the pump member of the torque converter connected to the rotating casing of the torque converter which is connected to the engine. The braking capacity is regulated by regulating the engine speed and changing the gear ratios. Regulation of the engine speed can be accomplished by throttling the exhaust or, under other circumstances, by causing the engine to rotate faster.

Abstract: This invention relates to a multiple disc clutch which is particularly suitable for use in a drive line between an engine and a synchromesh gear in a vehicular transmission. A multiple disc clutch in accordance with the present invention may be termed a "half-wet" clutch and it possesses advantages including reducing both the drag torque and the quantity of lubricating oil required.

Abstract: A hydraulic valve system for controlling operation of a motor vehicle gear box comprising a plurality of multi way valves of the disc-type in which the first multi way valve conveys pressure fluid to either one of two consumers and drains the consumer to which fluid is not conveyed, one of the two consumers comprising a valve system having two or three of the said multi way valves, each of which is operable to supply pressure fluid to one or other of two further consumers, and means to interlock the said two or three multi way valves so as to permit connection to only one of four or six consumers at any one time.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission system is provided which comprises, in combination, a vehicle transmission and an electronic control system for converting input signals thereto related to operating conditions of the transmission to output control signals for the transmission in accordance with a predetermined set of criteria.

Abstract: A multi-speed planetary gear including a planet gear carrier connected to one of the primary or secondary shafts, planet gears mounted thereon, each including at least two gear surfaces at different diameters. At least three annular gears, i.e. sun or ring gears, engage said gear surfaces. One of these is a drive annular gear engaged with the primary or secondary shaft other than the one to which the planet carrier is engaged. Each of the other annular gears, i.e. other than the drive annular gear, is connectable against rotation relative to the casing by a friction brake and a servo-motor means, which servo-motor means are mounted non-rotatively relative to the casing. The force of at least one servo-motor, preferably the one effecting a direct drive connection is transmitted across axial thrust bearings through a slidable annular gear and a lever means. The remaining annular gears are selectively connectable to the casing for various types of drive including different ratio forward drives and reverse drive.

Abstract: A two-speed planetary gear transmission including direct drive connectable by a clutch wherein the input and output shafts rotate together and a second gear drive namely overdrive or underdrive wherein one of the sun or ring gears are held stationary by a brake relative to the casing. A spring which causes engagement of the direct drive clutch exerts its greatest force when the clutch is engaged, it exerts a relatively high biasing force upon initial disengagement of the clutch under the action of an actuating device such as a servo-motor, to thereby assure initially a significantly reduced level of torque transfer at the brake, to thereby provide a smooth gear transition. The spring force then becomes significantly less when the brake is engaged. The forces exerted by the spring in direct drive and by the actuating device in second gear drive bypass rotary bearings which are in motion at such times.

Abstract: In a multi-speed planetary gear including a planet gear carrier connected to one of the primary or secondary shafts, planet gears mounted thereon, each including at least two gear sections at different diameters and at least three annular gears, i.e. sun or ring gears engaging said gear section, each of the annular gears including a friction coupling for fixing the same relative to the casing, and a servo-motor non-rotatatively mounted in the casing for controlling each of the friction couplings. A multi-position control valve controls the flow of pressurized fluid separately to each of the servo-motors. A low capacity high pressure pump delivers pressurized fluid to the control valve and a non-return valve connected in parallel with the low capacity high pressure pump opens when the servo-motor is filled.

Abstract: This invention relates to hydrodynamic torque converters and in particular to improvements therein relating to the blade system and to the shape of the toroidal working chamber. For situations wherein a more or less distinct top speed is required, even when direct drive is not used, and where it is important to avoid the simultaneous existence of high torque absorption and low efficiency at high speed ratios, the blade system according to the present invention is advantageous, said system being characterized by a range of ratios for the radii of the outlet and inlet edges of the pump, turbine and guide blades as well as a range of angles .alpha., .beta., .gamma. and .delta. as herein defined.

Abstract: A multiple speed gear transmission includes a pair of planetary gear arrangements connected in series, the output of the first connected to the input of the second. Each such planetary gear arrangement includes on the shafts of its planets, at least two different gear surfaces of different diameters, and in one embodiment three such gear surfaces are provided. A drive annular gear connects the input of each such arrangement to one of the gear surfaces; and at least two annular gears, i.e. sun gears or ring gears, are further connected with each planet gear for providing different forward drives and/or reverse drive. The planet carrier is connected to the output member of each arrangement. A direct drive clutch is provided for connecting the drive annular gear directly to the planet carrier for direct drive. In one embodiment the drive annular gear of the first arrangement is a ring gear and the drive annular gear of the second arrangement is a sun gear.

Abstract: This invention relates to hydrodynamic torque converters and to torque converter blade systems. A torque converter in accordance with the invention is particularly suitable for transmissions for vehicles where a more or less distinct top speed is required even when direct drive is not used and where it is important to avoid the simultaneous existence of high torque absorption and low efficiency at high speed ratios. The blade system is characterized by a range of ratios for the radii of the outlet and inlet edges of pump, turbine and guide blades as well as a range of angles .alpha., .beta., .gamma. and .delta. as herein defined and set out in a tabular form in the Specification.

Abstract: Pressurized oil is delivered into the space containing the friction surfaces of a servo-motor actuated disc brake, such delivery being momentary and in response to the delivery of pressurized fluid to the servo-motor itself. Such oil into the space serves to retard the engagement of the friction surfaces, and also to lubricate and cool the same. The arrangement may include a cylinder having a movable member responsive on one side to the pressurized fluid going to the servo-motor for pushing oil via a maximum pressure valve to the space. The brake may be a control for the guide member of a double rotation torque converter.

Abstract: A heat exchanger especially adapted for use in combination with a transmission such as a hydraulic torque converter. A plurality of generally flat cooling cells are stacked upon each other, each cell including a pair of plates sealed together about their outer periphery and forming therebetween a fluid flow space. Each cell includes a separate inlet opening and outlet opening passing completely therethrough in a direction perpendicular to the direction of stacking. In the stack, all of the inlet holes communicate with each other to form the inlet while all of the outlet holes communicate with each other to form the outlet. A sealing device encircles each opening in each space between the cells. The sealing means can include a pair of concentric rings between which an opening can be provided through the cells without communicating with the interior thereof, for draining leaking fluid to atmosphere.

Abstract: For a torque converter transmission, a valve arranged to control the flow of fluid therein. Flow between five axially spaced apart ports, and in particular from a central port to a pair of adjacent control ports and from the control ports to respective adjacent vent ports is controlled by axially spaced apart disc valve elements operatively associated with one or more axially movable elongated members, each disc element being axially movable against a mating valve seat. The valve may control flow to the working chamber of the torque converter or serve other functions such as controlling the mode of operation of the torque converter.

Abstract: A control system is provided for connecting and disconnecting the block up clutch in a hydrodynamic torque converter for a prime mover. The system includes a first means for deriving a signal representative of the input speed of the prime mover, a second means for deriving signal representative the torque setting of the prime mover, and a comparator for comparing the signals and controlling the setting in accordance with that comparison. An output stage includes a relay responsive to the output of the comparator. A number of different embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A rotatable driving connection between driving and driven parts of the type having abutments in one part engaging radially extending slots in the other part, the abutments preferably being arranged in groups so that the resultant of the forces in one group is perpendicular to the resultant of the forces in the other group. A metallic strip between the opposed abutment and slot surfaces on the drive side is resiliently bent so that it is relatively stiff and engages both the abutment and slot surfaces and is such that it flattens to increase its stiffness upon an increase in the driving load.