Abstract: A differential is provided comprising a rotatable differential housing, first and second output members, a first cycloid disk having an epitrochoid groove, a second cycloid disk having a hypotrochoid groove, a coupling disk connected having a plurality of holes each containing a sphere, wherein the spheres are engageable with the grooves for transferring torque between the cycloid disks. A method is also provided for distributing torque in a vehicle having two axles including at least one drive axle, including attaching one axle to a cycloid disk having a continuous epitrochoid groove, attaching another axle to a cycloid disk having a continuous hypotrochoid groove, attaching a rotatable housing to a center coupling disk having a plurality of holes, and positioning a torque transfer sphere that is engageable with the grooves in each of the holes, wherein the spheres are configured for distributing torque along the drive axles.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling engagement of a clutch which carries torque before, during and after a shifting event in a transmission which is connected to a throttle-controlled engine. The method includes providing a feed forward input command which increases as the engine torque increases and decreases as the engine torque decreases. A feed-back input command is provided as a function of the error between measured clutch slip and a reference slip profile. The feed-forward input command and feed-back input command are summed to provide a clutch control command for controlling engagement of the clutch before, during and after the shifting event to allow a desired amount of clutch slip to damp excitation of the transmission.

Abstract: A starting clutch control includes an engine control state and a slip control state. The engine and slip control states include feedforward and driveline damping control terms. The engine state control may further include an engine speed control term. The slip control state further includes a clutch slip control term. Changes to clutch engagement commands are frozen upon throttle tip-in events.

Abstract: A starting clutch control includes an engine control state and a slip control state. The engine and slip control states include feedforward and driveline damping control terms. The engine state control may further include an engine speed control term. The slip control state further includes a clutch slip control term. Changes to clutch engagement commands are frozen upon throttle tip-in events.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling engagement of a clutch which carries torque before, during and after a shifting event in a transmission which is connected to a throttle-controlled engine. The method includes providing a feed forward input command which increases as the engine torque increases and decreases as the engine torque decreases. A feed-back input command is provided as a function of the error between measured clutch slip and a reference slip profile. The feed-forward input command and feed-back input command are summed to provide a clutch control command for controlling engagement of the clutch before, during and after the shifting event to allow a desired amount of clutch slip to damp excitation of the transmission.

Abstract: A family of transmissions includes three planetary gearsets and five torque-transmitting mechanisms. Each family member may be employed in a powertrain to provide six forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio when the torque-transmitting mechanisms are engaged in combinations of two in a selected manner. Each planetary gearset includes three planetary members. The first member of the first planetary gearset is continuously connected with the first member of the second planetary gearset. The second member of the first planetary gearset is continuously connected with a first member of the third planetary gearset. The second member of the second planetary gearset is continuously connected with the second member of the third planetary gearset. An input shaft is continuously connected with one of the members of the planetary gearsets and an output shaft is continuously connected with another member of the planetary gearsets.

Abstract: A family of transmissions includes three planetary gearsets and five torque-transmitting mechanisms. Each family member may be employed in a powertrain to provide six forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio when the torque-transmitting mechanisms are engaged in combinations of two in a selected manner. Each planetary gearset includes three planetary members; namely, a sun gear, a ring gear, and a planet carrier assembly member. The first member of the first planetary gearset is continuously connected with the first member of the second planetary gearset. The second member of the first planetary gearset is continuously connected with a first member of the third planetary gearset. The second member of the second planetary gearset is continuously connected with the second member of the third planetary gearset. An input shaft is continuously connected with one of the members of the planetary gearsets and an output shaft is continuously connected with another member of the planetary gearsets.

Abstract: A disk spring assembly including a flat disk between two angled plates is used in an automatic transmission clutch application. The inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge of the disk are deflected in opposite directions relative to each other by the angled plates. The maximum deflection of the disk is defined by the angled plates. The stiffness of the disk increases monotonically with the deflection of the disk resulting in smooth clutch application.

Abstract: A disk spring assembly including a flat disk between two angled plates is used in an automatic transmission clutch application. The inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge of the disk are deflected in opposite directions relative to each other by the angled plates. The maximum deflection of the disk is defined by the angled plates. The stiffness of the disk increases monotonically with the deflection of the disk resulting in smooth clutch application.

Abstract: A method for reducing oscillation in an automotive transmission system includes detecting a tip-out of an accelerator pedal position. Responsive to the detected tip-out, a pressure command is adjusted for a selected range clutch within the transmission system so as to reduce the pressure of the selected range clutch from a normal pressure level to a low pressure level, thereby producing a desired gear train slip in the transmission system. Then, the pressure command of the selected range clutch is re-adjusted after a determined period of time at the low pressure level so as to increase the pressure of the selected range clutch from the low pressure level, and thereby eliminating the gear train slip.

Abstract: The family of six-speed planetary transmissions incorporates three planetary gearsets and five torque-transmitting mechanisms, which are engaged in combinations of two to establish at least six forward speeds and one reverse speed within the planetary transmission. The five torque-transmitting mechanisms are comprised of three rotating type torque-transmitting mechanisms (clutches) and two stationary type torque-transmitting mechanisms (brakes). Each of the three planetary gearsets has three members with a first member of the first planetary gearset being continuously interconnected with a first member of the second planetary gearset. A second member of the first planetary gearset is continuously interconnected with a first member of the third planetary gearset. A second member of the second planetary gearset is continuously interconnected with a second member of the third planetary gearset. The input shaft and output shafts are continuously connected with selected members of the planetary gearsets.

Abstract: A family of power transmissions has a plurality of family members each of which have three planetary gearsets, each having three members, and six torque transmitting mechanisms. An output shaft is continuously interconnected with at least one planetary member. An input shaft is selectively interconnected with respective planetary members through at least two of the torque transmitting mechanisms. One member of the second planetary gearset and one member of the third planetary gearset are continuously interconnected, and another member of the third planetary gearset is continuously interconnected with a transmission housing. The remaining torque transmitting mechanisms provide selective interconnections between two planetary members or between a planetary member and the housing, the input shaft, and the output shaft. The torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engaged in combinations of four to establish at least seven forward speeds and one reverse speed.

Abstract: A family of power transmissions wherein each family member includes three planetary gearsets each having three members and six selectively engageable torque-transmitting mechanisms. The planetary gearsets have members that are continuously interconnected by at least three interconnecting members. The torque-transmitting mechanisms are selectively engaged in combinations of two to establish at least seven forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio in the three planetary gearsets.

Abstract: A method for reducing oscillation in an automotive transmission system includes detecting a tip-out of an accelerator pedal position. Responsive to the detected tip-out, a pressure command is adjusted for a selected range clutch within the transmission system so as to reduce the pressure of the selected range clutch from a normal pressure level to a low pressure level, thereby producing a desired gear train slip in the transmission system. Then, the pressure command of the selected range clutch is re-adjusted after a determined period of time at the low pressure level so as to increase the pressure of the selected range clutch from the low pressure level, and thereby eliminating the gear train slip.

Abstract: The family of transmissions has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least seven forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission family members include three planetary gear sets having six torque-transmitting mechanisms. First and second interconnections continuously connect members of the first, second and third planetary gear sets. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is not continuously connected to any of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with one of the planetary gear members. The six torque-transmitting mechanisms provide interconnections between various gear members, the fixed interconnections, the input shaft, and with the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of three to establish at least seven forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio.

Abstract: A family of transmissions having a plurality of family members each having three planetary gearsets and six torque-transmitting mechanisms. The planetary gearsets and the torque-transmitting mechanisms are interconnected such that at least seven forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio can be established within the three planetary gearsets and transmitted between an input shaft and an output shaft, by selectively engaging the torque transmitting mechanisms in combinations of four.

Abstract: A family of transmissions is incorporated into powertrains to provide six forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio between an engine and a final drive mechanism. Each of the family members includes three planetary gearsets, one of which is an input planetary gearset and the other two are interconnected ratio planetary gearsets. Each transmission family member employs three rotating type torque-transmitting mechanisms (clutches) and two stationary type torque-transmitting mechanisms (brakes) to provide the six forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. These torque-transmitting mechanisms are selectively engaged in combinations of two during the establishment of the speed ratios within the family member.

Abstract: A family of transmissions having a plurality of family members each having three planetary gearsets and six torque-transmitting mechanisms. The planetary gearsets and the torque-transmitting mechanisms are interconnected such that at least seven forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio can be established within the three planetary gearsets and transmitted between an input shaft and an output shaft, by selectively engaging the torque transmitting mechanisms in combinations of four.

Abstract: The family of six-speed planetary transmissions incorporates three planetary gearsets and five torque-transmitting mechanisms, which are engaged in combinations of two to establish at least six forward speeds and one reverse speed within the planetary transmission. The five torque-transmitting mechanisms are comprised of three rotating type torque-transmitting mechanisms (clutches) and two stationary type torque-transmitting mechanisms (brakes). Each of the three planetary gearsets has three members with a first member of the first planetary gearset being continuously interconnected with a first member of the second planetary gearset. A second member of the first planetary gearset is continuously interconnected with a first member of the third planetary gearset. A second member of the second planetary gearset is continuously interconnected with a second member of the third planetary gearset. The input shaft and output shafts are continuously connected with selected members of the planetary gearsets.

Abstract: A family of power transmissions has a plurality of family members each of which have three planetary gearsets, each having three members, and six torque transmitting mechanisms. An output shaft is continuously interconnected with at least one planetary member. An input shaft is selectively interconnected with respective planetary members through at least two of the torque transmitting mechanisms. One member of the second planetary gearset and one member of the third planetary gearset are continuously interconnected, and another member of the third planetary gearset is continuously interconnected with a transmission housing. The remaining torque transmitting mechanisms provide selective interconnections between two planetary members or between a planetary member and the housing, the input shaft, and the output shaft. The torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engaged in combinations of four to establish at least seven forward speeds and one reverse speed.