Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, a torque converter, a weldment, an engine disconnect clutch, and a torque converter lockup clutch. The engine has a crankshaft. The electric machine has a rotor. The torque converter has an impeller and a turbine. The weldment is configured to rotate about an axis and to transfer power from the crankshaft and the rotor to the impeller. The weldment has a first hub, a second hub, a torque converter cover, an impeller housing, and a third hub. The engine disconnect clutch is configured to rotatably connect and disconnect the crankshaft to and from the weldment. The torque converter lockup clutch is configured to rotatably connect and disconnect the turbine to and from the weldment.

Abstract: A transmission including an electric machine, a torque converter and a planetary gearset in a transmission housing that is connected to an engine. A turbine shaft is configured to transfer torque from the engine and the electric machine to the planetary gear set. A disconnect clutch selectively couples the input shaft from the engine to the torque converter housing of the torque converter. The disconnect clutch includes a disconnect clutch piston and a first balance dam. A torque converter clutch selectively connects the torque converter housing to the turbine and the turbine shaft. The torque converter clutch includes a torque converter clutch piston and a second balance dam. Ports in the housing permit automatic transmission fluid to flow between the turbine shaft and the torque converter clutch piston; the turbine shaft and the torque converter clutch piston; and the turbine shaft, the first balance dam, and the second balance dam.

Abstract: A propulsion system for an electric vehicle including an internal combustion engine and an electric machine disposed in a transmission housing that is attached to the engine. An engine vibration damper is disposed between the engine and the electric machine. A torque converter connects the engine to the turbine shaft and is disposed in the housing radially inboard of the windings of the electric machine. A turbine shaft connected to the electric machine is configured to transfer torque from the engine and the electric machine through the turbine shaft to a planetary gear set connected to the turbine shaft. A disconnect clutch is operatively connected between the engine and the electric machine and is disposed in the housing radially inboard the windings of the electric machine and is connected to the turbine shaft.

Abstract: A transmission including an electric machine, a torque converter and a planetary gearset in a transmission housing that is connected to an engine. A turbine shaft is configured to transfer torque from the engine and the electric machine to the planetary gear set. A disconnect clutch selectively couples the input shaft from the engine to the torque converter housing of the torque converter. The disconnect clutch includes a disconnect clutch piston and a first balance dam. A torque converter clutch selectively connects the torque converter housing to the turbine and the turbine shaft. The torque converter clutch includes a torque converter clutch piston and a second balance dam. Ports in the housing permit automatic transmission fluid to flow between the turbine shaft and the torque converter clutch piston; the turbine shaft and the torque converter clutch piston; and the turbine shaft, the first balance dam, and the second balance dam.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, a torque converter, a weldment, an engine disconnect clutch, and a torque converter lockup clutch. The engine has a crankshaft. The electric machine has a rotor. The torque converter has an impeller and a turbine. The weldment is configured to rotate about an axis and to transfer power from the crankshaft and the rotor to the impeller. The weldment has a first hub, a second hub, a torque converter cover, an impeller housing, and a third hub. The engine disconnect clutch is configured to rotatably connect and disconnect the crankshaft to and from the weldment. The torque converter lockup clutch is configured to rotatably connect and disconnect the turbine to and from the weldment.

Abstract: This disclosure describes powersplit hybrid transaxles for hybrid vehicles. An exemplary hybrid transaxle may include a dual sprocket assembly at least partially disposed between an engine and a first electric machine (e.g., a generator). A power transfer unit, such as a planetary gear set, may be nested within the dual sprocket assembly. Chains may operatively connect the power transfer unit to driven sprockets of a second electric machine (e.g., a traction motor) and a differential to provide torque to vehicle drive wheels. The proposed hybrid transaxles provide improved efficiency and compact packaging configurations.

Abstract: A powertrain includes a first planetary gearset configured to establish a fixedly linear speed relationship among a first rotor, an engine crankshaft, and a second rotor. The powertrain further includes a gearing assembly configured to alternately selectively establish a plurality of proportional speed relationships between the second rotor and an output shaft. The gearing assembly further includes a second planetary gearset having a lockup clutch configured to selectively couple two rotatable elements of the second planetary gearset.

Abstract: A transmission uses a chain and sprocket final drive that provides all final drive torque multiplication in addition to transferring power to the differential axis. The transmission includes a front support structure that provides for a small driving sprocket. The front support includes an insert made of hardened material that can serve as the inner bearing race for the driving sprocket. In some embodiments, four fluid passageways are provided to the torque converter. In some embodiments, the park gear may be integrated with the driven sprocket.

Abstract: A hybrid transaxle permits location of a traction motor in a more favorable location, decreasing the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle collision. Axis transfer gearing moves the generator off the engine axis, which permits placing the traction motor further forward without interference with the generator. The gearing is confined to two gear planes, reducing the transaxle width.

Abstract: A hybrid transaxle permits location of a traction motor in a more favorable location, decreasing the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle collision. Axis transfer gearing moves the generator off the engine axis, which permits placing the traction motor further forward without interference with the generator. The gearing is confined to two gear planes, reducing the transaxle width.

Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine and an electric machine. The powertrain further includes a planetary gearset including a a first rotatable element fixedly coupled to an engine crankshaft, a second rotatable element fixedly coupled to the electric machine, and a third rotatable element driveably connected to an intermediate shaft. The powertrain further includes a lockup clutch configured to selectively couple two of the first rotatable element, the second rotatable element, and the third rotatable element.

Abstract: A hybrid transaxle permits location of a traction motor in a more favorable location, decreasing the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle collision. Axis transfer gearing moves the generator off the engine axis. This permits placing the traction motor further forward without interference with the generator.

Abstract: A transmission includes first, second, and third planetary gear sets (PGS). A first electric machine is fixedly coupled to a sun gear of the first PGS. A second electric machine is fixedly coupled to a carrier of the first PGS. A brake is selectively holding a ring gear of the first PGS against rotation. First and second clutches selectively couple the first and second electric machines, respectively, to a portion of the second and third PGS, respectively.

Abstract: A transmission includes first, second, and third planetary gear sets (PGS). A first electric machine is fixedly coupled to a sun gear of the first PGS. A second electric machine is fixedly coupled to a carrier of the first PGS. A brake is selectively holding a ring gear of the first PGS against rotation. First and second clutches selectively couple the first and second electric machines, respectively, to a portion of the second and third PGS, respectively.

Abstract: A powertrain includes a first planetary gearset configured to establish a fixedly linear speed relationship among a first rotor, an engine crankshaft, and a second rotor. The powertrain further includes a gearing assembly configured to alternately selectively establish a plurality of proportional speed relationships between the second rotor and an output shaft. The gearing assembly further includes a second planetary gearset having a lockup clutch configured to selectively couple two rotatable elements of the second planetary gearset.

Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine and an electric machine. The powertrain further includes a planetary gearset including a a first rotatable element fixedly coupled to an engine crankshaft, a second rotatable element fixedly coupled to the electric machine, and a third rotatable element driveably connected to an intermediate shaft. The powertrain further includes a lockup clutch configured to selectively couple two of the first rotatable element, the second rotatable element, and the third rotatable element.

Abstract: A power split hybrid transaxle includes an axis transfer chain and a final drive planetary gear set. The components are arranged such that the power split planetary gear set is opposite the final drive planetary gear set with both located at the front of the transmission. This minimized the axial length of the transaxle by limiting the number of components that must be staggered axially. Furthermore, this permits use of electric machines with a large diameter and short axial length which also reduces the total axial length of the transaxle.

Abstract: Two hybrid transaxles permit location of a traction motor in a more favorable location, decreasing the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle collision. Each transaxle uses a direction preserving power transfer mechanism to transfer power from the traction motor to a countershaft such that the countershaft rotates in the same direction as the traction motor. Each of the power transfer mechanisms permit more freedom of location for the traction motor axis than would be possible with a single gear pair or a mechanism that uses gearing on the input axis.

Abstract: A hybrid transaxle permits location of a traction motor in a more favorable location, decreasing the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle collision. Axis transfer gearing moves the generator off the engine axis. This permits placing the traction motor further forward without interference with the generator.

Abstract: A transmission uses a chain and sprocket final drive that provides all final drive torque multiplication in addition to transferring power to the differential axis. The transmission includes a front support structure that provides for a small driving sprocket. The front support includes an insert made of hardened material that can serve as the inner bearing race for the driving sprocket. In some embodiments, four fluid passageways are provided to the torque converter. In some embodiments, the park gear may be integrated with the driven sprocket.