Abstract: A friction clutch having a counter-pressure plate and a pressing plate that is rotationally fixed and axially movable in relation to the latter, a cover part which is firmly connected to the counter-pressure plate, a lever spring clamped between the pressing plate and cover part having an encircling power rim and levers extending radially inward and distributed around the circumference and support zones extending radially outward, a clutch plate having friction linings which may be brought into frictional engagement between the counter-pressure plate and the pressing plate dependent on an axial engaging force applied to the levers contrary to the effect of a lining resiliency, a compensation spring effectively countering the lining resiliency between the counter-pressure plate and the pressing plate, and an adjusting device having a drive spring in the form of an opened ring situated on the lever spring.

Abstract: A transmission is disclosed having a planetary gear set with three input torque-transmitting mechanisms, such as friction clutches, to achieve torque flow through the planetary gear set to a countershaft gearing arrangement. The transmission includes an input member, an output member, a planetary gear set, an input clutch assembly having three input clutches and a countershaft gearing arrangement. The countershaft gearing arrangement is operatively connected with the planetary gear set and includes: at least three co-planar intermeshing gears, first and second countershafts, a first intermediate shaft and a second intermediate shaft concentric with the first intermediate shaft.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, operation of a driveline disconnect clutch is based on temperature conditions of a catalyst. The driveline disconnect clutch may not be opened if catalyst temperature is greater than a threshold temperature so that the catalyst may be cooled.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic coupling includes a housing coupled to a driveshaft having an impeller and a turbine wheel arranged in the housing driven by the impeller and a first damper arrangement by which the housing is coupled to a driven member by a lockup clutch. The first damper arrangement includes a first torsional vibration damper connected to the lockup clutch that is rotatable around an axis of rotation against the action of a first damper spring arrangement. A second torsional vibration damper is connected to the first torsional vibration damper and rotatable around the axis of rotation against the action of a second damper spring arrangement. The turbine wheel is connected to an intermediate torsional vibration damper region including a first secondary side, a second primary side, a second damper arrangement has a deflection mass carrier connected to the second secondary side.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a Wolfrom-type, webless planetary gear set, comprised of two coaxial housing parts which are rotatable opposite each other with one each internal toothing on the applicable inner side, a toothed sun gear as well as several toothed planetary gears, which roll between the sun gear and the internal sets of teeth and are arranged in a floating manner. In other words, without further guidance on a planetary gear carrier or similar with a bearing arrangement between the two housing parts whose bearing bodies circulate around the paths which are located radially outside at least one internal toothing.

Abstract: One way clutch has an inner ring, an outer ring and torque transmission members between the inner ring and the outer ring. Each torque transmission member can shift between a torque transmission position and a non torque transmission position. The one way clutch further has biasing members that bias the torque transmission members respectively toward the torque transmission positions, and a retainer that retains the torque transmission members and the biasing members. The retainer includes first and second mount portions that retain the torque transmission members and the biasing members corresponding thereto. Each of the first and second mount portions has a securing portion that secures one end of the biasing member, and the torque transmission member is pressed by the other end of the biasing member.

Abstract: A planetary gear train may include a first shaft receiving torque of an engine, a second shaft selectively connected to the first shaft through an externally-meshed gear, a first planetary gear set disposed on the first shaft, and including a first rotation element selectively operated as a fixed element, a second rotation element directly connected to the first shaft, and a third rotation element, a compound planetary gear set including a fourth rotation element selectively connected to the third rotation element through an externally-meshed gear, a fifth rotation element selectively connected to the first rotation element through an externally-meshed gear, a sixth rotation element directly connected to an output gear, and a seventh rotation element directly connected to the second shaft and selectively connected to the third rotation element through an externally-meshed gear, and frictional elements selectively connecting the rotation elements with each other or with a transmission housing.

Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, at least four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes actuatable in combinations of three to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and at least one reverse gear ratio.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a fan clutch system may drive an output member to rotate at a first speed when opposing friction clutch surfaces are engaged and to rotate at a second, slower speed when the friction clutch surfaces are shifted to a disengaged position. In particular embodiments, the multi-speed clutch system may employ an eddy current drive system that is arranged axially rearward of the friction clutch surfaces while the fan blade device is mounted in a position that is axially forward of the of the friction clutch surfaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a synchronizing ring for a synchronization device of a gear changing transmission, wherein a guiding element extends in a region between an outer surface of the means providing security against rotation and the outer installation surface in the circumferential direction (U) with respect to a distance from the axial synchronizing ring axis.

Abstract: A planetary carrier includes a side plate having a front face and a shaft journal which is arranged on the front face of the side plate. A bearing seating is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the shaft journal on a front-face-proximal end of the shaft journal. The planetary carrier has an annular groove directly adjacent to the bearing seating in coaxial relationship to the shaft journal and undercutting the front face and the outer circumferential surface.

Abstract: A multi-ratio transmission system with parallel vertical and coaxial planet gears is provided, including: multiple planet gear sub-systems, a coupling assembly, a setting element, a setting element controller, an annular gear, a cylindrical casing, a sprocket and a central axle. The planet gear sub-systems are disposed coaxially in series along a first axis. Each of the planet gear sub-system includes a sun gear and at least one planet gear. The coupling assembly transmits the rotation between every two adjacent planet gear sub-systems. The setting element optionally engages with the sun gear. The annular gear is installed onto a one-way clutch. The cylindrical casing encloses the planet gear sub-systems. The sprocket is installed onto the planet gear sub-systems through the one-way clutch. The central axle enables the hollowed tube of the setting element controller to rotate around the central axle.

Abstract: A switchable coupling, in particular for vehicle auxiliary assemblies, is provided. The coupling includes an actuating system actuated electrically, mechanically, pneumatically or hydraulically between a driving element and an output element, and a switching element movable between switching start and end positions counter to the force of one or more resetting elements upon actuation of the actuating system. In the end position, the switching element connects the driving and output elements such that the output element and an auxiliary coupling connected thereto rotate with the driving element. After deactuation, locking bodies located on the auxiliary coupling produce an connection between the driving and output elements which continues to conduct torque between the driving and output elements. The connection is interrupted only when the rotational speed of the driving element falls below a limit value. The coupling does not require a permanent supply of power in the open or closed state.

Abstract: Disclosed is a range shift mechanism in the form of a floating planetary gear assembly for a transfer case. The range shift mechanical according to the present invention can improve power efficiency and generate low noises by suppressing gear rotation in a high range mode of the range shift system.

Abstract: A multi-stage planetary transmission includes a transmission housing and a first planetary stage at least partially positioned in a transmission housing. The first planetary stage includes a first stage ring gear, a first stage carrier, and a plurality of first stage planet gears supported by the first stage carrier. A motor output pinion is engaged with each of the first stage plant gears. The transmission further includes a second planetary stage positioned downstream of the first planetary stage to receive torque from the first planetary stage and a shift mechanism operable to move the first stage ring gear between a first position, in which the first stage ring gear is rotatably fixed relative to the transmission housing for enabling the first planetary stage, and a second position, in which the first stage ring gear is coupled for co-rotation with the first stage carrier for disabling the first planetary stage.

Abstract: A first clutch link for a driving clutch is capable of engaging another clutch link through interaction of a receptacle chamber and a projection. The first clutch link includes a contact surface and a counter surface, which are located on parallel planes. A hole is implemented behind the counter surface and is connected via a gap to the receptacle chamber. This hole extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the driving clutch. A spring element is situated in the hole and has a contact area for contact on the other clutch link, which protrudes through the gap into the receptacle chamber. The hole has at least one opening, whose edge projects at least partially radially inward with respect to the hole in order to prevent the spring element from slipping through the opening of the hole.

Abstract: The invention concerns a kinetic energy recovery system for use in a vehicle driveline. The system has a flywheel (24) serving to store energy. A continuously variable transmission (32) serves to transfer drive between the flywheel and a driveline of the vehicle at a steplessly variable CVT speed ratio. The continuously variable transmission has a variator (34) which has a rotary variator input (40) and a rotary variator output (42). The variator serves to transfer drive between its input and output at a continuously variable variator speed ratio. The continuously variable transmission further comprises a shunt gear arrangement (36) having a first rotary shunt input which is drivably coupled to the rotary variator input, a second rotary shunt input which is drivably coupled to the rotary variator output, and a shunt rotary output which is drivably coupled to the flywheel.

Abstract: An asymmetric torque limiting coupling system for use on wind turbines, in which a forward torque limiting clutch and a reverse torque limiting clutch are provided in paired relation, with the reverse torque limiting clutch having a characteristic slip torque that is significantly less than that of the forward torque limiting clutch. In a specific embodiment disclosed, an asymmetric torque limiter interconnects a wind turbine with a generator shaft. The coupling includes an input housing and an output hub, with an overrunning mechanism interposed between the two. A first torque limiting mechanism is provided in series interconnection with the overrunning mechanism between the input housing and hub, while a second torque limiting mechanism is provided in parallel interconnection with the overrunning mechanism between the input housing and output hub.

Abstract: A bi-directional clutch is provided having inner and outer members disposed about a rotational axis. One or more pawls are coupled to one of the members and configured for rotation about separate rotational axes. One end of each pawl moves between first and second engagement positions with corresponding engagement surfaces formed in the other member and a position of disengagement with the other member permitting relative rotation of the inner and outer members. A pair of magnets are disposed at the opposite end of each pawl with each magnet in the pair defining a pole adjacent the end of the pawl and the poles having opposite polarity. An electromagnetic actuator selectively generates electromagnetic fields of different polarities to urge the pawls away from the position of disengagement to one of the engagement positions to cause rotation of the other member in either rotational direction.

Abstract: A power unit for a vehicle can avoid an increase in the longitudinal size of an engine body and a vehicle body due to the provision of a clutch actuator. Clutches for switching between the connection and disconnection of the transmission of power are provided in a power transmission path for transmitting a rotational drive force of a crankshaft to a drive wheel. A clutch cover is joined to a side portion of a crankcase. A clutch chamber for accommodating the clutches is formed between the crankcase and the clutch cover. A clutch actuator for controlling the switching between an engaged condition and disengaged condition of the clutches is mounted on an engine body. The clutch actuator is provided on an upper portion of the clutch cover.