Abstract: A system for driving the wheels of a motor vehicle includes an engine or another prime mover, a transmission for transmitting rotary power to and from the engine, an electric machine, a clutch driveably connected to an output of the transmission; and a gearset driveably connected to the electric machine, the transmission output and the clutch, for transmitting rotary power between the electric machine and at least one of the transmission output and the clutch.

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: A system for actuating gear changes in a motor vehicle transmission includes an electric motor including a motor shaft supported for rotation about an axis, first and second actuator drums supported for rotation substantially parallel to the axis, and a drive mechanism including a first power path driveably connecting the motor shaft and the first drum, and a second power path driveably connecting the motor shaft and the second drum.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle powertrain is disclosed. A countershaft transmission in the powertrain delivers power from an engine through countershaft gearing. Electric power from a single motor-generator complements engine power and may drive front traction wheels. Regenerative power is recovered during power delivery to rear traction wheels.

Abstract: A torque transfer case for a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain is disclosed. The transfer case receives torque from a power transmission mechanism and distributes driving torque to a primary traction wheel and axle assembly and to a secondary traction wheel and axle assembly wherein an electric motor power boost for each traction wheel and axle assembly is available as well as a regenerative braking power recover from either or both.

Abstract: A transaxle for transmitting power to output at multiple speed ratios includes halfshafts having a portion located in a transaxle case and a second portion extending toward a wheel. A differential mechanism located in the case transmits power between the output and differentially to the halfshafts. A clutch driveably secured to the output and connectable to one of the halfshafts for controlling the magnitude of a speed differential between a speed of the output and a speed of the halfshaft includes a cylinder and a piston moveable in the cylinder. A hydraulic system includes a passage located adjacent a halfshaft and hydraulically communicating an inlet and the cylinder, the inlet being sealed at axially opposite sides against passage of fluid by a seal rings located in a wall that surrounds the passage.

Abstract: A system for actuating couplers to produce gear changes in a motor vehicle transmission includes first and second actuator drums supported for rotation, and first and second shift forks. Each first shift fork is driveably connected to a first actuator drum, secured to a first coupler, and displaced in response to rotation of a first actuator drum between a neutral state, wherein no gear is engaged, and at least one first drive state, wherein a gear of a first gear group is engaged. Each second shift fork is driveably connected to a second actuator drum, secured to a second coupler, and displaced in response to rotation of a second actuator drum between a neutral state, wherein no gear is engaged, and at least one second drive state, wherein a gear of the second gear group is engaged.

Abstract: A torque transfer case for a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain with engine and electric power sources is described, the electric power source comprising an electric motor and a battery. It distributes driving power to front and rear traction wheel and axle assemblies to effect all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive as well as regenerative power recovery. The electric power source can be used for engine cranking and the engine can be used for battery charging.

Abstract: The disclosed hybrid electric vehicle powertrain has an engine, a motor, a generator and a battery that define electro-mechanical power flow paths to vehicle traction wheels in both a forward drive operating mode and a reverse drive operating mode.

Abstract: An electric drive unit for a vehicle includes an electric motor, two output shafts, a first speed reduction planetary gearset driven by the motor, a second speed reduction gearset driven by an output of the first gearset, and a compound planetary differential gearset including an input driveably connected to the output of the second gearset, a first differential output driveably connected to the first output shaft, and a second differential output driveably connected to the second output shaft.

Abstract: A drive unit located in a power path between a transmission output and the wheels of a vehicle for reversing the direction of the transmission output includes a gear set including an input driveably connected to the transmission output, and a gearset output alternately rotating in a forward rotary direction and an underdriven reverse rotary direction relative to the speed and direction of the transmission output. A drive mechanism transmits power between the gearset output and the wheels.

Abstract: A powertrain for transmitting power to the drive wheels of a vehicle includes a transaxle case containing a transaxle drive mechanism for producing variable ratios of a speed of its output and a speed of its input, a differential mechanism for transmitting power between the output and the wheels of a first set of drive wheel, a transfer clutch secured to the output for transmitting power between the output and the wheels of a second set of drive wheels, and a control system for hydraulically actuating the transfer clutch.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle powertrain is disclosed. A countershaft transmission in the powertrain delivers power from an engine through countershaft gearing. Electric power from a single motor-generator complements engine power and may drive front traction wheels. Regenerative power is recovered during power delivery to rear traction wheels.

Abstract: A system for driving the wheels of a motor vehicle includes an engine or another prime mover, a transmission for transmitting rotary power to and from the engine, an electric machine, a clutch driveably connected to an output of the transmission; and a gearset driveably connected to the electric machine, the transmission output and the clutch, for transmitting rotary power between the electric machine and at least one of the transmission output and the clutch.

Abstract: An assembly for transmitting power from two power sources, such as an internal combustion engine and an electric motor having a rotor, to a transmission input shaft includes a clutch hub driveably connected to the rotor, a first clutch secured to the clutch hub for alternately closing and opening a drive connection between the input shaft and clutch hub, and a second clutch secured to the clutch hub for alternately closing and opening a drive connection between the engine shaft and clutch hub.

Abstract: An electric drive unit for a vehicle includes an electric motor, two output shafts, a first speed reduction planetary gearset driven by the motor, a second speed reduction gearset driven by an output of the first gearset, and a compound planetary differential gearset including an input driveably connected to the output of the second gearset, a first differential output driveably connected to the first output shaft, and a second differential output driveably connected to the second output shaft.

Abstract: A transaxle for a vehicle includes a first input shaft having a first speed drive gear, a third speed drive gear, and a reverse drive gear; and a second input shaft having a second speed drive gear. An output shaft has a first speed driven gear engaged with the first speed drive gear, a second speed driven gear engaged with the second speed drive gear, a third speed driven gear engaged with the third speed drive gear, a reverse driven gear, and a pinion adapted to engage with a differential. A reverse idler shaft has an idler input gear engaged with the reverse drive gear and an idler output gear, axially spaced from and rotationally fixed to the idler input gear and engaged with the reverse driven gear. Synchronizers selectively connect the first and second input shafts to the output shaft.

Abstract: A system for actuating couplers to produce gear changes in a motor vehicle transmission includes first and second actuator drums supported for rotation, and first and second shift forks. Each first shift fork is driveably connected to a first actuator drum, secured to a first coupler, and displaced in response to rotation of a first actuator drum between a neutral state, wherein no gear is engaged, and at least one first drive state, wherein a gear of a first gear group is engaged. Each second shift fork is driveably connected to a second actuator drum, secured to a second coupler, and displaced in response to rotation of a second actuator drum between a neutral state, wherein no gear is engaged, and at least one second drive state, wherein a gear of the second gear group is engaged.

Abstract: A system for actuating gear changes in a motor vehicle transmission includes an electric motor including a motor shaft supported for rotation about an axis, first and second actuator drums supported for rotation substantially parallel to the axis, and a drive mechanism including a first power path driveably connecting the motor shaft and the first drum, and a second power path driveably connecting the motor shaft and the second drum.

Abstract: A powertrain for transmitting power to the drive wheels of a vehicle includes a transaxle case containing a transaxle drive mechanism for producing variable ratios of a speed of its output and a speed of its input, a differential mechanism for transmitting power between the output and the wheels of a first set of drive wheel, a transfer clutch secured to the output for transmitting power between the output and the wheels of a second set of drive wheels, and a control system for hydraulically actuating the transfer clutch.