Abstract: An apparatus and method for limiting torque transferred from an engine or motor to a drive shaft or other components. In some embodiments, the torque-limiting device has a spindle disposed within both coupling flanges to increase the resistance to radial forces and to maintain coaxial alignment of the flanges and attached drive shafts. In some embodiments, the axial spacing of bearings that enable rotation of the coupling flanges is based upon the diameter of the spindle. In another embodiment, torque-limiting devices that maintain coaxial alignment may be used to modify vehicle drive shafts to enable long distance towing for long durations at high speeds.

Abstract: A kit for improving the performance of a clutch assembly, the clutch assembly including an input housing configured to receive an interleaved stack of plural friction elements and plural steel plates through an open end of the housing, the kit including at least one steel plate configured and dimensioned to be received through the open end of the housing and disposed in mating relationship with a terminal one of the plural friction elements, at least one friction disk configured and dimensioned to be received through the open end of the housing and disposed in mating relationship with the at least one steel plate to form in combination with the plural friction elements and plural steel plates an extended interleaved stack, with the at least one friction disk forming a new terminal friction element, and a retaining ring configured and dimensioned to be secured over the open end of the housing and including an integrally formed, annular inner friction surface adapted to confront the new terminal friction elemen

Abstract: A pressure regulator valve replacement assembly for maintaining a flow of transmission fluid to various fluid circuits within a Honda automatic transmission during low torque operation of a torque converter is disclosed. To accomplish this, the pressure regulator valve replacement assembly includes a valve piston subassembly having control diameters, and a valve chamber containing a check ball.

Abstract: A system and method for altering the axial thrust load path within an automobile transmission eliminates the component end play in the transmission's roller clutch inner race and induces component end play in the transmission's rear sun gear. The resulting configuration moves portions of the axial thrust load path to across the roller clutch inner race and away from at least the transmission's sun gear and the reaction shell splines of the reaction shell. The system may include a kit in which an axially shortened roller clutch inner race and an appropriately sized bearing are provided. Additional kit components may include an axially shortened reaction shell. Alternatively, the roller clutch inner race and/or reaction shell may be shortened manually. A method of altering a preexisting transmission to have a new axial thrust load path is also provided.

Abstract: A fluid accumulator assembly used with 2002 to 2005 model years of ZF Getriebe GmbH ZF-6HP19, ZF-6HP26, ZF-6HP32 automatic transmissions, and model years up to 2011 of Ford 6R60 automatic transmissions. The fluid accumulator assembly includes a piston that can be received into a bore that is in fluid communication with a solenoid-controlled fluid circuit of the transmission. The fluid accumulator assembly also includes a compression spring sized and configured to fit within the piston, and used to provide an urging force to the piston.

Abstract: A device, system, and method for generating low clearance slidably mated parts. In an exemplary embodiment, the system includes a measurement device having a non-contact micrometer capable of coincidentally indicating opposing edge data, rotational and linear air bearing slides, and a holding device. The non-contact micrometer allows for measurement of a plurality of parameters of a first part including the diameter and the difference between an edge of the first part and a reference point. The coincidental measurements are used to determine the size and geometric errors associated with the first part after suitable error elimination. In an exemplary system, a processing machine may be instructed by the measurement device to remove material from a second part so that the first part and the second part when mated together have a very low clearance tolerance level, e.g., as little as 0.00005 inches or less.

Abstract: A transmission system that includes a transmission, a pressure sensor, a pressure booster, and a controller. The pressure booster being capable of raising the pressure of transmission fluid inside a closed-loop transmission by lowering the sensed pressure coming from the pressures sensor and being sent to the controller, thereby initiating a response from the controller that results in higher fluid pressures. The pressure booster does not lower the sensed pressure when the vehicle, and therefore, the transmission, is not in operation. Additionally, the pressure booster also does not increase the electric current through the electrical components of the fluid control system. The result is a transmission with a “firmer” feel between shifts and the correction of weak shifting problems such as gear slip.

Abstract: A transmission system that includes a transmission, a pressure sensor, a pressure booster, and a controller. The pressure booster being capable of raising the pressure of transmission fluid inside a closed-loop transmission by lowering the sensed pressure coming from the pressures sensor and being sent to the controller, thereby initiating a response from the controller that results in higher fluid pressures. The pressure booster does not lower the sensed pressure when the vehicle, and therefore, the transmission, is not in operation. Additionally, the pressure booster also does not increase the electric current through the electrical components of the fluid control system. The result is a transmission with a “firmer” feel between shifts and the correction of weak shifting problems such as gear slip.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for limiting torque transferred from an engine or motor to a drive shaft or other components. In some embodiments, the torque-limiting device has a spindle disposed within both coupling flanges to increase the resistance to radial forces and to maintain coaxial alignment of the flanges and attached drive shafts. In some embodiments, the axial spacing of bearings that enable rotation of the coupling flanges is based upon the diameter of the spindle. In another embodiment, torque-limiting devices that maintain coaxial alignment may be used to modify vehicle drive shafts to enable long distance towing for long durations at high speeds.

Abstract: A system and method for altering the axial thrust load path within an automobile transmission eliminates the component end play in the transmission's roller clutch inner race and induces component end play in the transmission's rear sun gear. The resulting configuration moves portions of the axial thrust load path to across the roller clutch inner race and away from at least the transmission's sun gear and the reaction shell splines of the reaction shell. The system may include a kit in which an axially shortened roller clutch inner race and an appropriately sized bearing are provided. Additional kit components may include an axially shortened reaction shell. Alternatively, the roller clutch inner race and/or reaction shell may be shortened manually. A method of altering a preexisting transmission to have a new axial thrust load path is also provided.

Abstract: A replacement oil pump plate for attachment to an original equipment manufacture oil pump within a transfer case for elimination of mechanical wear by replacing the abrasive aluminum tabs formed on the oil pump with low-friction plastic tabs is disclosed. The present plastic tab design redistributes the surface-to-surface contact between the magnesium transfer case and the aluminum pump tabs away from the original wear points so that any necessary weld repairs to the transfer case will not be disturbed. The present replacement pump plate is provided in a kit format including a pump plate, machine screws, plastic tabs, and installation instructions. The present invention also describes a method of installing the pump plate kit on the original equipment manufacture oil pump subassembly.

Abstract: A device, system, and method for generating low clearance slidably mated parts. In an exemplary embodiment, the system includes a measurement device having a non-contact micrometer capable of coincidentally indicating opposing edge data, rotational and linear air bearing slides, and a holding device. The non-contact micrometer allows for measurement of a plurality of parameters of a first part including the diameter and the difference between an edge of the first part and a reference point. The coincidental measurements are used to determine the size and geometric errors associated with the first part after suitable error elimination. In an exemplary system, a processing machine may be instructed by the measurement device to remove material from a second part so that the first part and the second part when mated together have a very low clearance tolerance level, e.g., as little as 0.00005 inches or less.

Abstract: A replacement accumulator plate for use in CHRYSLER 45RFE and CHRYSLER 5-45RFE transmission valve bodies is redesigned to increase the service longevity of the original equipment manufacture accumulator assemblies disposed in the valve body including the low/reverse clutch accumulator, the 2nd clutch accumulator, the 4th clutch accumulator, the underdrive clutch accumulator, and the overdrive clutch accumulator. The present replacement accumulator plate includes a plurality of stress reduction zones, which are integrated into the replacement accumulator plate to reduce flexion imparted to the plate in operation.

Abstract: A pump-priming device configured to fit within the pump inlet circuit formed in the valve body of an automatic transmission is disclosed. The present pump priming device comprises a fluid-conducting structure having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, which is fabricated from sheet metal or flexible tubing and is designed to be installed within the original equipment manufacture valve body as a drop-in-place component. The present pump priming device diverts the flow of automatic transmission fluid (i.e. regulator exhaust fluid) released by the pressure regulator valve, which under normal operating conditions would flow from the pressure regulator valve back to the sump, and to redirect such flow of regulator exhaust fluid back to the pump inlet. Such redirection of regulator exhaust fluid pressurizes the pump inlet circuit and raises the output of the pump to provide adequate transmission fluid flow within the hydraulic system at low engine speeds.

Abstract: There is provided a fluid rerouting system for valve bodies that use hydraulic pressure, via a balance pressure line, to move spools. In an exemplary embodiment, the system comprises a valve sleeve having a plurality of ports that are substantially aligned with a plurality of fluid connections in the mating bore, except that no valve sleeve port aligns with the balance pressure line. The system also includes a spool having a plurality of lands that are sized and configured to fit slidably in said valve sleeve. The combination of the valve sleeve and at least one of the lands form a chamber, fluid access to which is via an aperture traversing the land. Means for blocking the access of said balance pressure line to said valve sleeve are also included.

Abstract: A universal jig/work holding fixture for precision manual reaming of valve bores within a transmission valve body or other work piece. The universal jig/work holding fixture includes a tool holder (i.e. jig) having universal swiveling movement in all axes, which allows precise axial alignment of a reaming tool to the longitudinal axis of a valve bore. The universal jig is contained within a work holding fixture whereon the valve body or other work piece is clamped during the reaming operation. The work holding fixture is constructed to accommodate vertical and lateral adjustment of the tool holder relative to the work holding fixture to permit precise alignment of the reaming tool and provides mechanisms to lock the tool holder and work piece in a desired position. In an alternative embodiment the jig/work holding fixture is configured to be attached directly to a transmission case to repair servo pin bores located therein.

Abstract: A multiplate torque converter clutch system, which is adapted for installation in torque converters of different automatic transmission manufacturers, namely, BORG WARNER, ALLISON, FORD, GENERAL MOTORS, and CHRYSLER transmissions. The present multiplate torque converter clutch system is provided in kit format including a hybrid lock-up piston/damper plate subassembly, multiple clutch plates including friction rings, a set of outer damper springs, and a set of inner damper springs. The present multiplate torque converter clutch system also includes a torque converter cover subassembly and a turbine hub subassembly configured to adapt the present torque converter clutch system to different vehicle engines and transmissions respectively. The hybrid lock-up piston/damper plate subassembly can be tuned to match a peak engine torque value by changing the number of damper springs.

Abstract: A replacement torque converter cover designed to withstand mechanical stresses generated in the torque converter lock-up clutch of ALLISON transmissions when such transmissions are utilized with diesel engines and other high-torque truck engines. The original equipment cover includes through-drilled holes for receiving unitary threaded stud pins, which function to attach the cover to the engine crankshaft externally and to drive the lock-up clutch piston internally during operation. The present replacement cover provides a lock-up clutch piston interface wherein such through-drilled holes and unitary threaded stud pins are eliminated, which substantially reduces stress concentration and mechanical fatigue in the replacement cover.

Abstract: A hybrid GENERAL MOTORS 4L80E torque converter and a method of converting a GENERAL MOTORS 4T40E torque converter core into the present hybrid GENERAL MOTORS 4L80E torque converter for high performance applications. The present invention includes GENERAL MOTORS 4L80E compatible parts, which are provided in a race kit format to complete the conversion. The present kit includes a hybrid impeller hub, a hybrid turbine hub, a hybrid one-way roller clutch, a hybrid front cover pilot, an adapter ring, a thrust washer, and a set of machine screws. In a method of the present invention the GENERAL MOTORS 4T40E torque converter core undergoes multiple machining operations to remove the original equipment impeller hub, turbine hub, and front cover pilot from the GENERAL MOTORS 4T40E torque converter core, which are each replaced by their counterparts in the present race kit to complete the conversion to the hybrid GENERAL MOTORS 4L80E torque converter.

Abstract: An automatic transmission fluid (ATF) filtration system that combines both coarse filtering mesh and microfine depth filtering elements simultaneously to remove a wide range of particulate matter, but also maintains an unrestricted flow of ATF to the pump to ensure its volumetric efficiency is disclosed. In the present invention ATF at system pressure is delivered via a hydraulic circuit to a microfine depth filtering element for depth filtration (i.e. several layers of filter media) and, thereafter, is passed into the intake of the coarse filter element or, alternatively, between the intake of the coarse filter element and the pump intake. Because ATF flow through the coarse filter element is continuous and independent of the microfine depth filter element, the volumetric efficiency of the pump is maintained in all phases of operation even at the highest demand points such as at cold start-up, hot idle, and high volume/demand situations.