Abstract: A parking actuator assembly for an automatic transmission includes a park pawl that is rotatable between an in-park position and an out-of-park position. An actuator assembly is configured to be moved between a park-actuated position and a park-disengaged position, the actuator assembly being configured to rotate the park pawl into the in-park position when the actuator is moved into the park-actuated position. An actuator rod is slidably coupled to the actuator assembly. In some forms, the actuator assembly remains in contact with the park pawl from the park-actuated position to the park-disengaged position. In some forms, at least one latching solenoid is included, and the latching solenoid(s) as well as a park actuator motor may be disposed within a main transmission system. A verification sensor may be included to determine the position.

Abstract: An electric motor includes a housing and a stator mounted to the housing. A rotor is rotatably supported relative to the stator and a drive shaft is connected to the rotor by a torque limiting clutch disposed within the housing. The electric motor with a torque limiting clutch eliminates high torque episodes due to slippery driving conditions. Also a torque limiting clutch that features a ball-ramp device with two ramp angles performs the function of a two stage torsional vibration damper. An electric motor can have a specific torque signature that can excite certain vibration modes inside the transmission that can create NVH and durability concerns.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a park actuator motor that is external to a transmission housing in the vehicle, a default to park mechanism that is internal to the transmission housing, and a park inhibit solenoid that is internal to the transmission housing.

Abstract: A clutch system for a transmission having a clutch assembly and a brake assembly. The clutch system includes a clutch assembly and a brake assembly coupled to a planetary gear set, engine and two electric motors to reduce transmission complexity, costs, and efficiency losses. The clutch assembly also includes a wear compensation mechanism and a clutch separator mechanism.

Abstract: A hybrid transmission providing multiple modes of operation in a compact arrangement is provided and includes first and second planetary gear sets and first and second electric machines. An electric machine shaft directly couples the first planetary gear set to the second planetary gear set and the second electric machine to the second planetary gear set. The second electric machine is selectively directly coupled to an output shaft via a first clutch mechanism, and indirectly coupled to the output shaft via the second planetary gear set and a drive shaft, which extends parallel to the electric machine shaft and external to the second electric machine. A second clutch mechanism selectively couples the first electric machine to a carrier of the second planetary gear set and a third clutch mechanism selectively couples a ring gear of the second planetary gear set to a hybrid drive unit housing.

Abstract: A start-up method for a hybrid powertrain in which hydraulic pressure is generated in a casual start-up by an electric oil pump motor where certain predetermined conditions are satisfied and the casual start-up is abandoned and hydraulic pressure is generated by an engine where the predetermined conditions are not satisfied. The casual start-up is also abandoned where a vehicle operator seeks propulsion shortly after start-up and before an oil pump is rotating within a predetermined threshold of an oil pump target RPM.

Abstract: An electrically variable transmission includes an input member, first and second motor-generators and a gear reduction arrangement including at least a first gear coupled to at least one second gear. A first planetary gear set can include a first sun gear, a first ring gear and a first carrier rotatably supporting a plurality of pinion gears in meshing engagement with the first sun gear and ring gear. The first carrier can be non-rotatably coupled to the input member and the first ring gear can be non-rotatably coupled to the at least one second gear. The sun gear can be non-rotatably coupled to the first motor-generator and the first gear can be non-rotatably coupled to the second motor-generator. The torque transmitting device can be configured to selectively fix rotation of the input member in at least one of a first rotational direction and a second opposite rotational direction.

Abstract: A hybrid transmission providing multiple modes of operation in a compact arrangement is provided and includes first and second planetary gear sets and first and second electric machines. An electric machine shaft directly couples the first planetary gear set to the second planetary gear set and the second electric machine to the second planetary gear set. The second electric machine is selectively directly coupled to an output shaft via a first clutch mechanism, and indirectly coupled to the output shaft via the second planetary gear set and a drive shaft, which extends parallel to the electric machine shaft and external to the second electric machine. A second clutch mechanism selectively couples the first electric machine to a carrier of the second planetary gear set and a third clutch mechanism selectively couples a ring gear of the second planetary gear set to a hybrid drive unit housing.

Abstract: A clutch system for a transmission having a clutch assembly and a brake assembly. The clutch system includes a clutch assembly and a brake assembly coupled to a planetary gear set, engine and two electric motors to reduce transmission complexity, costs, and efficiency losses. The clutch assembly also includes a wear compensation mechanism and a clutch separator mechanism.

Abstract: An electrically variable transmission includes an input member, first and second motor-generators and a gear reduction arrangement including at least a first gear coupled to at least one second gear. A first planetary gear set can include a first sun gear, a first ring gear and a first carrier rotatably supporting a plurality of pinion gears in meshing engagement with the first sun gear and ring gear. The first carrier can be non-rotatably coupled to the input member and the first ring gear can be non-rotatably coupled to the at least one second gear. The sun gear can be non-rotatably coupled to the first motor-generator and the first gear can be non-rotatably coupled to the second motor-generator. The torque transmitting device can be configured to selectively fix rotation of the input member in at least one of a first rotational direction and a second opposite rotational direction.

Abstract: A clutch system for a transmission having a clutch assembly and a brake assembly. The clutch system includes a clutch assembly and a brake assembly coupled to a planetary gear set, engine and two electric motors to reduce transmission complexity, costs, and efficiency losses. The clutch assembly also includes a wear compensation mechanism and a clutch separator mechanism.

Abstract: An electrically variable drive unit having two electric motors is provided. The first electric motor is mounted along the same axis as an engine. The second electric motor is mounted along the same axis as a transmission output.

Abstract: An electric motor assembly includes a shield that extends about a sector of the winding head to be disposed axially outboard of the outer axial end of the winding head and radially inboard of the inner diameter portion of the winding head. The shield defines a reservoir in which the sector of the winding head is received. The reservoir is operable to receive the coolant for cooling the winding head. Additionally, the motor assembly includes at least one sealing member that substantially seals at least one of the slots formed in an inner diameter portion of the stator core. The sealing member is operable to contain the coolant within the corresponding longitudinal opening and the reservoir.

Abstract: A hybrid dual configuration transmission for a vehicle having an electric motor, planetary gear set and a plurality of gear meshes is disclosed herein. The hybrid dual configuration transmission provides for a plurality of electrically variable transmission operating modes and a plurality of fixed gear operating modes. The hybrid dual configuration transmission may be operated utilizing exclusively the electric motor, exclusively an engine, or any combination of the electric motor and engine.

Abstract: A method for assisting a transmission oil pump in a hybrid electric powertrain to generate transmission oil pressure rapidly during vehicle start. An electric motor is initially utilized to provide momentary torque to rotate an oil pump and rapidly generate transmission oil pressure. After initial assistance is provided by the electric motor, an oil pump electric motor powers the oil pump and maintains oil pressure within the hybrid powertrain.

Abstract: A hybrid transmission providing multiple modes of operation in a compact package. The hybrid transmission utilizes compact electric motors and features simple construction in comparison to conventional hybrid transmissions.

Abstract: An electric motor assembly includes a shield that extends about a sector of the winding head to be disposed axially outboard of the outer axial end of the winding head and radially inboard of the inner diameter portion of the winding head. The shield defines a reservoir in which the sector of the winding head is received. The reservoir is operable to receive the coolant for cooling the winding head. Additionally, the motor assembly includes at least one sealing member that substantially seals at least one of the slots formed in an inner diameter portion of the stator core. The sealing member is operable to contain the coolant within the corresponding longitudinal opening and the reservoir.

Abstract: A multi-speed drive unit is provided for an electrically variable transmission having a variable-range output gear ratio for a motor vehicle. The variable-range output electrically variable transmission has improved final drive gear ratios that allow the motor to be operated in its desired efficiency and/or performance range during both city and highway vehicle operation. Further, the variable-range output electrically variable transmission allows for increased vehicle speeds during electric vehicle operation and provides for the use of the vehicle engine during reverse gear operation.

Abstract: Multi-mode operation is provided for an electrically variable transmission for a motor vehicle. The multi-mode electrically variable transmission provides for multiple gear ratios and power flow configurations including fixed gear operation. An improved input-split planetary gear set configuration is provided for the multi-mode electrically variable transmission. The multi-mode electrically variable transmission may be operated in its desired efficiency and/or performance range more frequently. Further, the transmission reduces clutch torques and provides improved functionality in range-extended electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles. The multi-mode electrically variable transmission is provided with a fixed gear operating capability for improved highway cruising and incorporates a reverse gear for reverse operation.

Abstract: Multi-mode operation is provided for an electrically variable transmission for a motor vehicle. The multi-mode electrically variable transmission provides for multiple gear ratios and power flow configurations including fixed gear operation. An improved input-split planetary gear set configuration is provided for the multi-mode electrically variable transmission. The multi-mode electrically variable transmission may be operated in its desired efficiency and/or performance range more frequently. Further, the transmission reduces clutch torques and provides improved functionality in range-extended electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles. The multi-mode electrically variable transmission is provided with a fixed gear operating capability for improved highway cruising and incorporates a reverse gear for reverse operation.