Abstract: The present disclosure relates to durability enhancement techniques for a dry-clutch vehicle transmission. A cooling system that provides a direct convective cooling path to friction surfaces is disclosed. Also disclosed is a continuously variable clutch wear compensation assembly configured to adjust the position of clutch assembly components on-demand or as needed.

Abstract: A system for controlling temperature of a transmission clutch includes a housing containing the clutch, a fan for circulating air through the housing and over the clutch, and a controller configured to determine an inferred temperature at a reference surface on the clutch and to actuate the fan in response to the inferred temperature.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to durability enhancement techniques for a dry-clutch vehicle transmission. A cooling system that provides a direct convective cooling path to friction surfaces is disclosed. Also disclosed is a continuously variable clutch wear compensation assembly configured to adjust the position of clutch assembly components on-demand or as needed.

Abstract: A system for controlling temperature of a transmission clutch includes a housing containing the clutch, a fan for circulating air through the housing and over the clutch, and a controller configured to determine an inferred temperature at a reference surface on the clutch and to actuate the fan in response to the inferred temperature.

Abstract: A rotary clutch assembly for a geared power transmission mechanism comprising a friction disc clutch with driving and driven friction clutch plates, the driving plates being connected to a torque input element of the clutch assembly and the driven plates being connected to a torque output element of the clutch assembly, the clutch assembly providing a torque flow path to multiple-ratio gearing, a pressure actuator comprising first and second annular cylinder members and a movable piston member located in one of the cylinder members and cooperating with each member to define a pressure release chamber and a pressure apply chamber, the second clutch member being held axially fast on a torque input shaft for the transmission, the geometry of the cylinder members and the movable piston being sized to effect a centrifugal balance so that the clutch gain is essentially determined by the clutch commanded pressure to produce a relatively speed-independent net clutch-apply force, regardless of clutch cylinder speed.

Abstract: A clutch divider plate 10 having a pair of outer plates 12, 14 and a pair of inner rings or members 16, 18. Rings or members 16, 18 include several notches 40, 38 which allow cooling fluid or oil to pass through the plate 10, thereby cooling plate 10.

Abstract: A turbine wheel for a torque converter for an automatic transmission is formed of fiber-reinforced plastic resin molded about a powder metal hub having a disc formed with corrugations extending radially from a central axis, and slots extending through the thickness of the disc at angularly spaced intervals. The plastic resin of the turbine wheel fills the spaces between the tabs, extends through the slots formed through the disc, and forms a bond to the surfaces of the disc on which it is molded.

Abstract: A turbine wheel of a torque converter for an automatic transmission is formed of fiber-reinforced plastic resin molded about a powder metal hub having a disc formed with tabs extending radially from a central flange, and openings extending through the thickness of the disc at angularly spaced intervals. The plastic resin of the turbine wheel fills the spaces between the tabs, extends through the holes formed through the disc, and forms a bond to the surface of the disc on which it is molded.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining a given preload on a spring for use in a device which requires a given spring setting or preload. A receptacle is provided for containing the spring and including at least one member positionally movable in response to the spring setting. First shims are placed between the receptacle and the spring for adjusting the spring setting outside the device while the positiion of the movable member is fixed at the given preload. Second shims are placed between the receptacle and a portion of the device for readjusting the spring setting inside the device at the given preload. An access opening through the device affords observation from outside the device of the position of the movable member inside the device to compare the readjustment with the first adjustment.

Abstract: A bidirectional drive has a unidirectional irreversibility mechanism (22) which includes a ratchet and pawl composed of a fixed outer annular gear (32) surrounding parallel plates (26, 30) attached to the input and output shafts (24,28). The pawl lever (36) is pivotably mounted on the output shaft plate (26) and driven in one direction by a pin (50) on the input shaft plate (26) against the force of a spring (44). Engaging protrusions (54) on each shaft plate (26, 30) are utilized when rotation is in the opposite direction.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for limiting the relative rotation between coaxial shafts, including a helical thread about one of the shafts, a nut having a follower received in the helical thread, a spline connection between the nut and other shaft, and means for limiting axial motion of the nut when the shafts are at a selected limit of relative rotation. The follower has a large finger supporting a small finger, and the one shaft has a middle section radially spaced farther from the other shaft than the end sections. The helical thread receives only the small finger along the shaft middle section, and receives the large finger in the shaft end sections when the shafts reach the selected limit of relative rotation. The helical thread about the shaft end sections has a larger lead angle than the thread about the middle section.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for limiting the relative rotation between two drive members, including a differential having two input gears associated with the drive members, a carrier, and two coaxial differential gears carried by the carrier. One differential gear directly engages both input gears, while the other differential gear engages both input gears through idler gears. A threaded shaft is coaxially fixed to one of the differential gears and has a traveling nut thereon. A tubular shaft coaxially fixed to the other differential gear extends over the threaded shaft and has a spline connection with the traveling nut. Radially extending stops are provided on the threaded shaft and are adapted to engage axially extending tabs on the traveling nut when the drive members reach either selected limit of relative rotation.