Abstract: A system includes a stationary component, a rotating component arranged adjacent the stationary component, and a planetary torsional vibration absorber system mounted between the stationary component and the rotating component. The planetary torsional vibration absorber system includes a planetary gear system including a ring gear, a sun gear and a carrier. At least one of the ring gear, the sun gear and the carrier is rotationally fixed to the rotating component and another of the ring gear, the sun gear and the carrier is fixedly secured to the stationary component. A tuned vibration absorber including a tunable damping and stiffness component and an inertia ring is mounted to yet another of the ring gear, the sun gear and the carrier.

Abstract: A system includes a stationary component, a rotating component arranged adjacent the stationary component, and a planetary torsional vibration absorber system mounted between the stationary component and the rotating component. The planetary torsional vibration absorber system includes a planetary gear system including a ring gear, a sun gear and a carrier. At least one of the ring gear, the sun gear and the carrier is rotationally fixed to the rotating component and another of the ring gear, the sun gear and the carrier is fixedly secured to the stationary component. A tuned vibration absorber including a tunable damping and stiffness component and an inertia ring is mounted to yet another of the ring gear, the sun gear and the carrier.

Abstract: An automatically-shiftable transaxle includes an input member configured to receive an external power-source torque and rotate about a first axis. The transaxle also includes torque transmitting device(s) and a gear-train, each operatively connected to the input member for selecting transaxle speed ratios, and a first transfer gear operatively connected to the gear-train and rotatable about the first axis. The transaxle also includes an intermediate shaft rotatable about a second axis, and a second transfer gear rotatably fixed to the intermediate shaft and meshed with the first transfer gear. The transaxle additionally includes an electric motor arranged on a third axis for providing a torque input to the second transfer gear. Furthermore, the transaxle includes a differential assembly operatively connected to the intermediate shaft and rotatable about a fourth axis to thereby transmit a transaxle output torque to drive the load. All four transaxle rotational axes are arranged in parallel.

Abstract: An automatically-shiftable transaxle includes an input member configured to receive an external power-source torque and rotate about a first axis. The transaxle also includes torque transmitting device(s) and a gear-train, each operatively connected to the input member for selecting transaxle speed ratios, and a first transfer gear operatively connected to the gear-train and rotatable about the first axis. The transaxle also includes an intermediate shaft rotatable about a second axis, and a second transfer gear rotatably fixed to the intermediate shaft and meshed with the first transfer gear. The transaxle additionally includes an electric motor arranged on a third axis for providing a torque input to the second transfer gear. Furthermore, the transaxle includes a differential assembly operatively connected to the intermediate shaft and rotatable about a fourth axis to thereby transmit a transaxle output torque to drive the load. All four transaxle rotational axes are arranged in parallel.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes an engine having a drive shaft. A manual transmission includes an input shaft drivingly connected to the drive shaft and includes a plurality of input gears. A main shaft includes a plurality of driven gears engaged with the input gears and including an output gear that is engaged with a differential. An electric motor is connected through a planetary gear set to a transfer gear on the main shaft.

Abstract: A transmission has a three input torque-transmitting mechanism, such as friction clutches, to achieve torque flow through a countershaft gearing arrangement. The transmission includes an input member, an output member, an input clutch assembly having three input clutches and a countershaft gearing arrangement. The countershaft gearing arrangement is operatively connected with the input clutch assembly and includes: co-planar intermeshing gear sets, first and second countershafts, first, second and third intermediate input shafts.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes an engine, transmission, torque converter assembly, and controller. The controller includes recorded lumped inertia models of the powertrain and instructions for executing a clutch-to-clutch shift using these models. The models collectively reduce powertrain dynamics to two or three degrees of freedom. The controller executes a method to estimate clutch torques using the models. The models may include a first primary inertia block describing engine inertia and inertia of a torque converter pump, and a second primary inertia model describing the inertia of the turbine and transmission as reflected to the input member. The second primary inertia model includes bulk inertia models for each fixed gear state and each possible shift maneuver. The controller derives a required output torque value as a closed-loop target value using the lumped inertia models and a requested input torque, and uses the estimated clutch torque to achieve the target value.

Abstract: A transmission has a three input torque-transmitting mechanism, such as friction clutches, to achieve torque flow through a countershaft gearing arrangement. The transmission includes an input member, an output member, an input clutch assembly having three input clutches and a countershaft gearing arrangement. The countershaft gearing arrangement is operatively connected with the input clutch assembly and includes: co-planar intermeshing gear sets, first and second countershafts, first, second and third intermediate input shafts.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes an engine, transmission, torque converter assembly, and controller. The controller includes recorded lumped inertia models of the powertrain and instructions for executing a clutch-to-clutch shift using these models. The models collectively reduce powertrain dynamics to two or three degrees of freedom. The controller executes a method to estimate clutch torques using the models. The models may include a first primary inertia block describing engine inertia and inertia of a torque converter pump, and a second primary inertia model describing the inertia of the turbine and transmission as reflected to the input member. The second primary inertia model includes bulk inertia models for each fixed gear state and each possible shift maneuver. The controller derives a required output torque value as a closed-loop target value using the lumped inertia models and a requested input torque, and uses the estimated clutch torque to achieve the target value.

Abstract: A starting system for an engine of a vehicle includes a starter motor and a motion control mechanism. The starter motor includes a starter pinion gear configured to selectively mesh with a primary mass of the engine. The starter pinion gear is selectively rotatable about a first axis of rotation to cause the primary mass to rotate about a second axis of rotation. The motion control mechanism includes a mechanism pinion gear that is configured to selectively mesh with the primary mass of the engine. The mechanism pinion gear is configured to rotate about a third axis of rotation in response to rotation of the primary mass about the secondary axis of rotation.

Abstract: A starter for an internal combustion engine includes a stationary member and an output member adapted for starting the engine. The starter also includes a first planetary gear set and a second planetary gear set. Each of the respective first and second planetary gear sets includes a first, a second, and a third gear member and each of the respective first and second planetary gear sets is operatively connected to the output member. The starter additionally includes a motor operatively connected to the first gear set and to the second gear set for driving the output member. A motor vehicle employing the disclosed starter is also provided.

Abstract: A transmission is connectable to an input member and includes first and second shaft members, first and second countershaft members, a plurality of co-planar gear sets, a compound planetary gear set, a plurality of torque transmitting elements, and an output member. The torque transmitting devices include a plurality of brakes, synchronizer assemblies, and clutches including a dual clutch assembly. The transmission is operable to provide at least three reverse speed ratios and at least nine forward speed ratios between the input member and the output member.

Abstract: A torque transmission assembly is disposed between a power source and a vehicle transmission and includes an annular housing, a pump member of a fluid coupling, a turbine member of the fluid coupling, a lockup clutch, a first shaft, a first selectable clutch, a second shaft, and a second selectable clutch. The turbine member opposes the pump member and the lockup clutch is selectively engaged between the pump member and the turbine member. The first selectable clutch is selectively engaged between the turbine member and the first shaft. The second selectable clutch is selectively engaged between the turbine member and the second shaft.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter assembly includes an internal planetary gear assembly that splits torque between a torque converter and a direct path to the transmission input as well as a damper and a torque converter clutch. The torque converter assembly includes an input shaft that is driven by the engine output shaft and is coupled to both the planetary gear carrier of the planetary gear assembly and the transmission hydraulic pump. The sun gear of the planetary gear assembly is coupled to the torque converter output shaft through a spring damper. The ring gear of the planetary gear assembly is coupled to one side of the torque converter clutch and the pump of the torque converter. The other side of the torque converter clutch is coupled to both the turbine of the torque converter and the spring damper. The stator of the torque converter is grounded. An alternate embodiment replaces the torque converter with a fluid coupling.

Abstract: A transmission includes a first motor/generator with a first rotor connected for rotation with a first member of a first planetary gear set. A second electric motor/generator has a second rotor connected for rotation with a second member of the first planetary gear set. The second member of the first planetary gear set is connected for common rotation with the output member. The first member of a second planetary gear set rotates with the input member, and the third member of the second planetary gear set is grounded to a stationary member. A first torque-transmitting mechanism establishes torque flow between the first member of the second planetary gear set and the third member of the first planetary gear set. A second torque-transmitting mechanism establishes torque flow between the second member of the second planetary gear set and the third member of the first planetary gear set.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain has a prime mover with a drive member and a multi-speed transmission with an input member and an output member. A first motor/generator is continuously connected for common rotation with the drive member. A second motor/generator is continuously connected for common rotation with the input member. A damper is connected with the input member, and a damper clutch is selectively engageable to connect the first motor/generator and the drive member for common rotation with the second motor/generator and the input member through the damper. The hybrid powertrain includes a controller operatively connected to the motor/generators and the damper clutch. The controller is configured to establish at least a hybrid series operating mode and a hybrid parallel operating mode.

Abstract: A transmission includes an input member, an output member, and a planetary gear set having a first, a second, and a third member. A first electric motor/generator has a first rotor connected for rotation with the first member. A second electric motor/generator has a second rotor connected for rotation with the second member. A first set of intermeshing gears has a first gear ratio, and a second set of intermeshing gears has a second gear ratio different than the first gear ratio. A first torque-transmitting mechanism is engageable to establish torque flow between the planetary gear set and one of the input member and the output member through the first set of intermeshing gears. A second torque-transmitting mechanism is engageable to establish torque flow between the planetary gear set and the one of the input member and the output member through the second set of intermeshing gears.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter assembly includes an internal planetary gear assembly that splits torque between a torque converter and a direct path to the transmission input as well as a damper and a torque converter clutch. The torque converter assembly includes an input shaft that is driven by the engine output shaft and is coupled to both the planetary gear carrier of the planetary gear assembly and the transmission hydraulic pump. The sun gear of the planetary gear assembly is coupled to the torque converter output shaft through a spring damper. The ring gear of the planetary gear assembly is coupled to one side of the torque converter clutch and the pump of the torque converter. The other side of the torque converter clutch is coupled to both the turbine of the torque converter and the spring damper. The stator of the torque converter is grounded. An alternate embodiment replaces the torque converter with a fluid coupling.

Abstract: A hybrid electro-mechanical transmission has an input member, an output member, and a stationary member. The transmission has a planetary gear set with a first sun gear, a second sun gear, a carrier, a first set of pinion gears, a second set of pinion gears, and a ring gear. The carrier supports the sets of pinion gears. The first set of pinion gears meshes with the first sun gear and with the ring gear. The second set of pinion gears meshes with the second sun gear and with the second set of pinion gears. The input member is connected with the ring gear. The output member is connected with the first sun gear. A first motor/generator has a rotor connected with the carrier. A second motor/generator has a rotor connected with the second sun gear. A torque-transmitting mechanism is selectively engageable to ground the input member to the stationary member.

Abstract: A hybrid electro-mechanical transmission has an input member, an output member, and a stationary member. The transmission has a planetary gear set with a first sun gear, a second sun gear, a carrier, a first set of pinion gears, a second set of pinion gears, and a ring gear. The carrier supports the sets of pinion gears. The first set of pinion gears meshes with the first sun gear and with the ring gear. The second set of pinion gears meshes with the second sun gear and with the second set of pinion gears. The input member is connected with the ring gear. The output member is connected with the first sun gear. A first motor/generator has a rotor connected with the carrier. A second motor/generator has a rotor connected with the second sun gear. A torque-transmitting mechanism is selectively engageable to ground the input member to the stationary member.