Abstract: A vehicle transaxle includes an input, a splitter gearset including a member connected to the input, a second member connected to a motor-generator and a first output, a traction gearset including a third member connected to a traction motor, a fourth non-rotating member and a second output, a chain drive connected to the first and second outputs, and a differential driven by the chain drive for transmitting power to vehicle wheels.

Abstract: An assembly includes a one-way transmission control element including first and second races, first discs secured to the first race, and second discs interleaved with the first discs and secured to the second race.

Abstract: A transmission includes a first drive secured to an input, producing a fixed drive ratio; a second drive secured to an input, producing a variable drive ratio; a planetary gearset including a member connected to the second drive, and a second member; a brake releasably holding the second member rotatably fixed; a first clutch releasably connecting the first member and an output; and a second clutch releasably connecting the second member and the first drive.

Abstract: A transfer case includes a planetary differential including an input, a first output and a second output, a sprocket journalled on the second output, and a sleeve driveably connected to the second output, for (i) releaseably connecting the first output to the sleeve, (ii) releaseably connecting the sprocket to the sleeve, (iii) releaseably connecting the first output and the sprocket to the sleeve, and (iv) disconnecting the sprocket and first output from the sleeve.

Abstract: An axle assembly includes first and second spiral bevel gears meshing with a pinion, a gearset including a sun gear secured to the first bevel gear, a ring gear secured to the second bevel gear, and planet pinions supported on a carrier and meshing with the sun gear and ring gear, and a differential including an input secured to the carrier, and first and second outputs secured, respectively to first and second output shafts.

Abstract: An axle assembly includes first and second spiral bevel gears meshing with a pinion, a gearset including a sun gear secured to the first bevel gear, a ring gear secured to the second bevel gear, and planet pinions supported on a carrier and meshing with the sun gear and ring gear, and a differential including an input secured to the carrier, and first and second outputs secured, respectively to first and second output shafts.

Abstract: A drive mechanism includes a transmission including a pinion centered at an axis, a differential mechanism centered at a second axis forward of the axis, driveably connected to the pinion through a gear wheel meshing with the pinion, and a power take-off mechanism centered at a third axis rearward of the axis, driveably connected to the pinion, including a clutch that alternately opens and closes a drive connection to the pinion.

Abstract: A vehicle transaxle includes an input, a splitter gearset including a member connected to the input, a second member connected to a motor-generator and a first output, a traction gearset including a third member connected to a traction motor, a fourth non-rotating member and a second output, a chain drive connected to the first and second outputs, and a differential driven by the chain drive for transmitting power to vehicle wheels.

Abstract: A transmission includes a first drive secured to an input, producing a fixed drive ratio; a second drive secured to an input, producing a variable drive ratio; a planetary gearset including a member connected to the second drive, and a second member; a brake releasably holding the second member rotatably fixed; a first clutch releasably connecting the first member and an output; and a second clutch releasably connecting the second member and the first drive.

Abstract: A transfer case includes a planetary differential including an input, a first output and a second output, a sprocket journalled on the second output, and a sleeve driveably connected to the second output, for (i) releaseably connecting the first output to the sleeve, (ii) releaseably connecting the sprocket to the sleeve, (iii) releaseably connecting the first output and the sprocket to the sleeve, and (iv) disconnecting the sprocket and first output from the sleeve.

Abstract: A hydraulic servo assembly includes a clutch support formed with first and second cylinders, spaced mutually and spaced from a longitudinal axis, first and second balance volumes, and a passage formed in the support for carrying fluid from a fluid source into the balance volumes.

Abstract: An assembly includes first and second components, a shaft supported on the components, a gear wheel transmitting torque between a transmission output and a differential mechanism, and a bearing supporting the gear wheel on the shaft, transmitting axial force in a first direction between the gear wheel and the first component, and axial force in a second axial direction opposite the first direction between the gear wheel and the second component.

Abstract: A drive unit for a hybrid electric motor vehicle includes a bevel pinion driveably connected to a power source, a bevel gear meshing with the bevel pinion and aligned with an axis, first and second drive shafts, a differential mechanism including an input secured to the bevel gear for transmitting power between the input and the first and the second drive shafts, an electric motor/generator including a rotor, and a planetary gear set driveably connected to the input and the rotor for transmitting power between the rotor and the input such that a speed of the rotor is greater than a speed of the input.

Abstract: A transmission latching mechanism includes a component of a transmission gearset, a member secured to and able to rotate with the component, and a piston fixed against rotation and moveable alternately to latch the mechanism, thereby holding the member against rotation and to unlatch the mechanism, thereby releasing the member to rotate.

Abstract: A method for controlling a drive system includes driveably connecting an engine to a variator, using a pulley to transmit rotating power from an electric machine through a gearset that increases speed of an input of the variator relative to a speed of the pulley, controlling a speed ratio of the variator, and transmitting power through the gearset and variator to the engine.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a vehicle includes a shaft supported on first and second components, a gear wheel for transmitting torque, and a bearing supporting the gear wheel on the shaft, transmitting axial force in a first axial direction between the gear wheel and the first component, and transmitting axial force in a second direction opposite the first direction between the gear wheel and the second component.

Abstract: A drive unit for a hybrid electric motor vehicle includes a bevel pinion driveably connected to a power source, a bevel gear meshing with the bevel pinion and aligned with an axis, first and second drive shafts, a differential mechanism including an input secured to the bevel gear for transmitting power between the input and the first and the second drive shafts, an electric motor/generator including a rotor, and a planetary gear set driveably connected to the input and the rotor for transmitting power between the rotor and the input such that a speed of the rotor is greater than a speed of the input.

Abstract: A drive unit for a hybrid electric motor vehicle includes a bevel pinion driveably connected to a power source, a bevel gear meshing with the bevel pinion and aligned with an axis, first and second drive shafts, a differential mechanism including an input secured to the bevel gear for transmitting power between the input and the first and the second drive shafts, an electric motor/generator including a rotor, and a planetary gear set driveably connected to the input and the rotor for transmitting power between the rotor and the input such that a speed of the rotor is greater than a speed of the input.

Abstract: A system for transmitting rotary power to the wheels of a motor vehicle includes an input, a planetary final drive connected driveably to the input and including a first output that is driven at a speed that is slower than a speed of the input, and a inter-wheel planetary differential driveably connected to the first output for splitting torque carried by the first output between a second output connected driveably to a first wheel of a first wheel set and a third output connected driveably to a second wheel of the first wheel set.

Abstract: An assembly includes a support including a first passage having a opening along a length of the passage and facing outward from the passage, a clutch support including a second passage having a second opening along a length of the second passage and facing toward the opening, and a sleeve fitted over the first passage, enclosing said open length, and formed with a third passage that hydraulically connects the first passage and the second passage.