Abstract: Disclosed are damper assemblies for engine disconnect devices, methods for making such damper assemblies, and motor vehicles with a disconnect device for coupling/decoupling an engine with a torque converter (TC). A disconnect clutch for selectively connecting an engine with a TC includes a pocket plate that movably mounts to the TC. The pocket plate includes pockets movably seating therein engaging elements that engage input structure of the TC and thereby lock the pocket plate to the TC. A selector plate moves between engaged and disengaged positions such that the engaging elements shift into and out of engagement with the TC input structure, respectively. A flex plate is attached to the engine's output shaft for common rotation therewith. A damper plate is attached to the pocket plate for common rotation therewith. Spring elements mate the damper and flex plates such that the damper plate is movably attached to the flex plate.

Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine having a crankshaft, and a transmission having an input. A vibration absorption assembly includes a mechanical connection system providing a first connection node, a second connection node, and a third connection node. The crankshaft is connected to a first one of the connection nodes. The input of the transmission is connected to a second one of the connection nodes. A centrifugal pendulum absorber is connected to a third one of the connection nodes. One of the connection nodes is a mechanically advantaged node. The centrifugal pendulum absorber is connected to the mechanically advantaged node.

Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine having a crankshaft, and a transmission having an input. A vibration absorption assembly includes a mechanical connection system providing a first connection node, a second connection node, and a third connection node. The crankshaft is connected to a first one of the connection nodes. The input of the transmission is connected to a second one of the connection nodes. A centrifugal pendulum absorber is connected to a third one of the connection nodes. One of the connection nodes is a mechanically advantaged node. The centrifugal pendulum absorber is connected to the mechanically advantaged node.

Abstract: A torque transfer mechanism includes an input member to receive an input torque from a propulsion source and an output member coupled to the input member to transfer the input torque to a driveline component. The torque transfer mechanism also includes a damping mechanism having at least one spring element to restrict relative rotation between the input member and the output member. wherein the at least one spring element defines a first spring rate corresponding to an initial range of travel that is less than a second spring rate corresponding to a subsequent range of travel.

Abstract: A torque transfer mechanism includes an input member to receive an input torque from a propulsion source and an output member coupled to the input member to transfer the input torque to a driveline component. The torque transfer mechanism also includes a damping mechanism disposed between the input member and the output member having at least one clockspring coiled about a center axis of rotation to couple the input member to the output member. The at least one clockspring is arranged to damp vibration associated with the input torque and is coiled in multiple planes such that the clockspring does not contact itself under torsional deflection.

Abstract: A dual pressure pump system for a transmission includes a dual pressure pump having a first pump outlet and a second pump outlet, and a pressure regulator valve defining a first chamber in fluid communication with the first pump outlet and a second chamber in fluid communication with the second pump outlet. The pressure regulator valve is configured to selectively connect the first chamber with a first pressure line operating at a first greater-than-zero pressure and to selectively connect the second chamber to a second pressure line operating at a second greater-than-zero pressure.

Abstract: A product may include a power source, and a pump may be driven by the power source. A variable load may be driven by the power source and may be supplied with a fluid from the pump. A torque splitting device may have an input from the power source and may provide an output to each of the pump and the variable load.

Abstract: A variable speed drive mechanism includes a fixed disk concentric with, attached to, and rotatable with a shaft about a central axis. A plurality of pulley segments are supported by the fixed disk, and are moveable relative to the fixed disk in a radial direction relative to the central axis. A moveable disk is concentric with the shaft, and is rotatably moveable about the shaft relative to the fixed disk. The moveable disk defines a spiral groove having a center concentric with the shaft. The pulley segments include a guided groove portion engaged with and moveable along the spiral groove. Rotation of the moveable disk relative to the fixed disk rotates the spiral groove about the central axis relative to the pulley segments, thereby moving the guided groove portions along the spiral groove to move the pulley segments radially relative to the central axis.

Abstract: A torque transfer mechanism includes an input member to receive from a propulsion source, an input torque about an axis of rotation and an output member coupled to the input member to transfer the input torque to a downstream driveline component. The torque transfer mechanism also includes at least one clockspring to restrict relative rotation between the input member and the output member. The torque transfer further includes a mass plate coupled to the output member and configured to rotate about the axis of rotation. The torque transfer mechanism further includes a plurality of pendulum masses movably coupled to the mass plate wherein the clockspring is arranged to attenuate a first range of input torque vibration and a the plurality of pendulum masses are arranged to attenuate a second range of input torque vibration.

Abstract: A powertrain system is described, and includes an internal combustion engine including a crankshaft and an electric machine including a rotatable shaft, wherein the rotatable shaft is coupled to a motor pulley. A torque converter includes an impeller and a pump, wherein the pump is coupled to an outer sheave. An off-axis mechanical drive system includes the outer sheave of the torque converter rotatably coupled to the motor pulley of the electric machine. The electric machine is coupled to the pump of the torque converter via the off-axis mechanical drive system, and the crankshaft is coupled to the pump of the torque converter via a clutch.

Abstract: A transmission includes a housing, and a transmission input member. A torque converter includes a pump and a turbine. The turbine of the torque converter is connected to the transmission input member. A lock-up clutch selectively connects the pump and the turbine. A cover is connected to and rotatable with the pump. The cover at least partially defines an interior of the torque converter. A torque converter input member passes through the cover. A one way clutch interconnects the torque converter input member and the cover. An engine brake friction clutch is disposed within the interior of the torque converter. The engine brake friction clutch selectively interconnects the torque converter input member and the cover in torque communication to transfer a braking torque therebetween.

Abstract: A product may include a power source and a power transmission system. A coupling may be connected between the power source and the power transmission system. An engagement mechanism in the coupling may selectively provide a connection between the power source and the power transmission system. A damper may be included in the engagement mechanism through which the connection may be communicated. The damper may comprise a number of coils and may have a first end connected to the power source through the engagement mechanism and may have a second end connected to the power transmission system.

Abstract: A powertrain has a continuously variable transmission including a shaft rotatable about an axis. The CVT further comprises a variator assembly that includes a pulley supported on the shaft. The pulley has a movable sheave with a ramp surface. The movable sheave is axially movable on the shaft. The variator assembly also includes an endless rotatable device frictionally engaged with the movable sheave. An actuator mechanism includes a wedge component supported on the shaft. The wedge component has a wedge surface that automatically engages the ramp surface when torque on the shaft is in a first direction. The wedge surface applies a wedge force on the ramp surface. The actuator mechanism further includes an actuator that is operatively connected to the movable sheave and is activatable to apply a force on the movable sheave.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle propulsion includes an engine and a first electric machine, where each is configured to selectively provide torque to propel the vehicle. The propulsion system also includes a second electric machine coupled to the engine to provide torque to start the engine from an inactive state. A high-voltage power source is configured to power both of the first electric machine and the second electric machine over a high-voltage bus. The propulsion system further includes a controller programmed to deactivate the engine and propel the vehicle using the first electric machine in response to the vehicle being driven at a steady-state speed for a predetermined duration of time. The controller is also programmed to restart the engine using the second electric machine powered by the high-voltage power source.

Abstract: A vehicle propulsion system includes an engine and a first electric machine each configured to selectively provide torque to propel the vehicle. A second electric machine is coupled to the engine to provide torque to start the engine from an inactive state. A high-voltage power source is configured to power both of the first electric machine and the second electric machine over a high-voltage bus. A propulsion controller is programmed to start the engine using cranking torque output from the second electric machine powered by the high-voltage power source. The controller is also programmed to operate both of the first electric machine and the combustion engine to propel the vehicle in response to an acceleration demand greater than a threshold. The controller is further programmed to decouple the engine and propel the vehicle using the first electric machine in response to vehicle speed less than a speed threshold.

Abstract: A dual pressure pump system for a transmission includes a dual pressure pump having a first pump outlet and a second pump outlet, and a pressure regulator valve defining a first chamber in fluid communication with the first pump outlet and a second chamber in fluid communication with the second pump outlet. The pressure regulator valve is configured to selectively connect the first chamber with a first pressure line operating at a first greater-than-zero pressure and to selectively connect the second chamber to a second pressure line operating at a second greater-than-zero pressure.

Abstract: A geartrain for a powertrain system is disposed to transfer mechanical power between an internal combustion engine, an electric machine and a driveline. The geartrain includes a flywheel, a torque converter, an off-axis mechanical connection and a transmission gearbox. The off-axis mechanical connection includes a first element rotatably coupled to a second element. The flywheel is coupled to a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine. The torque converter includes a pump, a turbine and a pump hub, and the transmission gearbox includes an input member. The pump of the torque converter is coupled to the flywheel, and the pump hub is coupled to the first element of the off-axis mechanical connection. The second element of the off-axis mechanical connection is coupled to a rotor of the electric machine, and the turbine of the torque converter is coupled to the input member of the transmission gearbox.

Abstract: A mechanical diode to transfer torque between a first torque member and a second torque member is described, and includes a first race element, a second race element and a slide plate that are coaxially disposed in the housing. The slide plate includes a tab element projecting radially outwardly. The slide plate is rotatable to one of a first position and a second position. A spring element is disposed between the slide plate and one of the first and second race elements, and is configured to urge the slide plate to the first position. A controllable braking element is disposed to apply a braking force to the tab element of the slide plate to urge the slide plate to achieve the second position in response to a control signal.

Abstract: A torque transfer mechanism includes an input member to receive an input torque from a propulsion source, and an output member coupled to the input member to transfer the input torque to a driveline component. A multi-component damping mechanism is disposed between the input member and the output member which includes a first spring element cooperating with a second spring element to couple the input member to the output member. The first spring element defines a greater stiffness and shorter deflection relative to the second spring element.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (CVT comprises a shaft rotatable about an axis, and variator assembly, and an actuator mechanism. The variator assembly includes a pulley supported on the shaft and having a ramp surface, and an endless rotatable device frictionally engaged with the pulley. The ramp surface inclines in an axial direction along the axis toward the endless rotatable device. The CVT further comprises an actuator mechanism that includes a wedge component that has a wedge surface interfacing with the ramp surface, and a rotary piston operatively connected to the wedge component. The rotary piston defines a first fluid chamber pressurizable to apply a rotational force that provides relative motion between the ramp surface and the wedge surface resulting in a wedge force on the ramp surface and a clamping force of the endless rotatable device on the pulley.