Abstract: An input brake assembly is provided for selectively grounding a transmission input member. The packaging location of the input brake assembly does not interfere with, and thus still allows the option of providing a bypass clutch for a flex plate-type flywheel connecting the engine with the transmission input member. The input brake assembly includes a flywheel, preferably a flex plate, for transferring rotary torque between the engine and the transmission input member and a ring gear secured to the outer periphery of the flex plate. A pinion gear is axially movable into and out of meshing engagement with the ring gear. A grounding device is operatively connected to the pinion gear and is operable to prevent rotation of the pinion gear, thereby braking the flex plate as well as the transmission input member operatively connected thereto when the pinion gear is in meshing engagement with the ring gear.

Abstract: A transmission is provided having a dual clutch, to achieve torque flow through a countershaft gearing arrangement. The countershaft gearing arrangement includes a plurality of co-planar gear sets having gears that are selectively connectable to a plurality of countershafts. At least one transfer gear set transfers torque from the counter shafts to an output shaft. The output shaft is connected to a final drive unit that has a final drive unit output shaft that is transverse to an input member connected at one end to a torque converter and at the other end to the dual clutch.

Abstract: A transmission is disclosed having an input member, an output member, first, second and third planetary gear sets, a first interconnecting member, a second interconnecting member and six torque-transmitting mechanisms. The torque-transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member. The planetary gear sets each have first, second and third members. The six torque-transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable to interconnect one of the first, second, and third members with another of the first, second, and third members.

Abstract: A torque distribution system for a vehicle permits the transfer of torque between vehicle wheels using a selectively engagable clutch that is hydraulically engaged using hydraulic pressure provided by a hydraulic transmission pump driven by the engine, allowing for enhanced system functionality and reduced part content in comparison with known torque distribution systems. The system may include an “active-on-demand” clutch that is selectively engagable to transfer torque between a front differential and a rear differential (thereby transferring torque from the front wheels to the rear wheels) as well as an electronically-limited slip differential clutch selectively engagable to transfer torque from one front wheel to the other front wheel through the front differential. Utilization of the transmission hydraulic pump allows pressure to be provided to engage the clutch even when the wheels are stationary, i.e., to launch the vehicle.

Abstract: A transmission assembly having an input shaft, an output shaft as well as first and second planetary gear sets. The first and second planetary gear sets each have three gear members. Two of the gear members in each planetary gear set are a sun gear and a ring gear. As such, the sun and ring gears, one in each planetary gear set, are paired. The sun and ring gears in each of the first and second planetary gear sets are operatively connected in each respective planetary gear set through the third gear members, which are in the nature of a plurality of planet gears mounted on respective first and second carriers. In one of the planetary gear sets the planet gears are themselves compounded. One of the pairs of sun and ring gears is continuously connected, and the carrier in the first planetary gear set is selectively, and independently, connected to two gear members in the second planetary gear set. The carrier in the second planetary gear set is continuously connected to the output shaft means.