Abstract: A torque convertor and direct drive unit arrangement and operating methods are provided herein. In one example, a prime mover may be configured to be coupled to a transmission via one of a torque convertor and a direct drive unit, the direct drive unit including a higher range clutch and a lower range clutch.

Abstract: A lubrication system for a rotating shaft having multiple channels is provided. In one example, the system includes a pump coupled to a central lubricant channel, the rotating shaft having a plurality of channels, an air intake channel positioned parallel to an axis of rotation of the rotating shaft, and a first orifice of a first channel of the plurality of channels, where the first orifice is positioned between the air intake channel and the central lubricant channel.

Abstract: An electric axle and electric axle product line. The electric axle includes, in one example, a multi-speed gearbox assembly rotationally coupled to a first electric machine and including a first shaft with a first clutch positioned coaxial thereto and a second shaft with a second clutch positioned coaxial thereto. In the multi-speed gearbox assembly, the first clutch and the second clutch are parallel to one another and configured to alter the unit's operating gear ratio.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a transmission. In one example, the transmission includes electric motor arranged on both sides thereof. In at least one example, electric motors on opposite sides of the transmission are coupled to a single input shaft.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an electric drive unit are provided. A transmission system in an electric drive unit includes first, second, and third input shafts rotationally coupled to first, second, and third electric machines, respectively, wherein the first and third electric machines are arranged on a first side of the transmission and the second electric machine is arranged on a second opposing side of the transmission. The transmission system further includes an idler shaft that connects the first, second, and third electric machines and couples to a sun gear of a planetary gear set. The planetary gear set is arranged between a first and second clutch wherein the first clutch couples to a carrier and the second clutch couples to a ring gear. An output shaft is spaced away from the planetary gear set via gear and includes two flanges to couple the transmission to outputs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an electric drive unit are provided. A transmission system in an electric drive unit, in one example includes an input shaft rotationally coupled to each of a first electric machine and a second electric machine and a first clutch arranged coaxial to a first countershaft, where a first gear is fixedly coupled the first clutch and meshes with a second gear that is fixedly coupled to the input shaft. The transmission system further includes a second clutch arranged coaxial to a second countershaft and spaced away from the first countershaft and a third gear that is fixedly coupled to the second clutch and meshes with the first gear, where the first clutch and the second clutch are configured to shift the transmission system between multiple gear ratios and deliver mechanical power to an output shaft that is spaced away from the second countershaft.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for wet clutch pressure control to reduce drag and degradation of rotary seals in a transmission. In one example, a method may include determining an upper threshold pressure based on a rotational speed of a shaft of the transmission, determining a lower threshold pressure based on the rotational speed of the shaft, and adjusting a pressure of hydraulic fluid applied to the clutch to be between the upper threshold pressure and the lower threshold pressure. In this way, the pressure of the hydraulic fluid applied to the clutch may be maintained at a level that allows full torque transfer by the wet clutch while reducing drag on the rotary seals.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a transmission. In one example, the transmission may include a brake system arranged in-line with a second brake along a longitudinal axis of the transmission. Each brake may have a plurality of separator plates which may be secured to a housing of the transmission by at least one pin. The brake system may further include an end plate positioned between the first brake and the second brake, the end plate secured to the housing by a plurality of dowel pins.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a transmission. In one example, the transmission may include a brake system arranged in-line with a second brake along a longitudinal axis of the transmission. Each brake may have a plurality of separator plates which may be secured to a housing of the transmission by at least one pin. The brake system may further include an end plate positioned between the first brake and the second brake, the end plate secured to the housing by a plurality of dowel pins.

Abstract: A torque convertor and direct drive unit arrangement and operating methods are provided herein. In one example, a prime mover may be configured to be coupled to a transmission via one of a torque convertor and a direct drive unit, the direct drive unit including a higher range clutch and a lower range clutch.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a vehicle transmission are provided herein. The vehicle transmission includes an input interface configured to mechanically couple to a motive power source. The vehicle transmission further includes a first disconnect device releasably mechanically coupling a first output to a first drive axle and a second disconnect device releasably mechanically coupling a second output to a second drive axle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a multi-speed electric axle are provided. The multi-speed electric axle includes an electric motor that is rotationally coupled to an input shaft. The multi-speed electric axle also includes a planetary gearset connected to the input shaft via an input gear reduction, a lower-speed clutch that selectively grounds a ring gear in the planetary gearset to a housing, and a higher-speed clutch that selectively connects a sun gear to a carrier.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a vehicle transmission are provided herein. The vehicle transmission includes an input interface configured to mechanically couple to a motive power source. The vehicle transmission further includes a first disconnect device releasably mechanically coupling a first output to a first drive axle and a second disconnect device releasably mechanically coupling a second output to a second drive axle.

Abstract: A torque convertor and direct drive unit arrangement and operating methods are provided herein. In one example, a prime mover may be configured to be coupled to a transmission via one of a torque convertor and a direct drive unit, the direct drive unit including a higher range clutch and a lower range clutch.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a dual motor electric transmission configured with two dual synchronizers to reduce torque interruption during gear shifting. In one example, a method may include dropping torque of a first electric motor, allowing a first synchronizer to shift from a first gear arrangement to a second gear arrangement, and compensating for dropped torque with a second electric motor. The method may be repeated to shift a second synchronizer from the first gear arrangement to the second gear arrangement, allowing uninterrupted torque supply during gear shifting.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a transmission that includes two power take off devices is described. In one example, an internal combustion engine and/or an electric machine may supply power to accessory devices via first and second power take off devices. Alternatively, power may be delivered to the transmission via one or both of the first and second power take off devices.

Abstract: Torque converter arrangements and operating methods are provided herein. In one example, the torque converter includes a first attachment interface designed to rotationally couple to a prime mover and a second attachment interface designed to rotationally couple to a transmission. The torque converter further includes a lock-up clutch with an engagement spring embedded in an actuation piston, a plurality of separator plates supported by one or more guiding pins that extend through the plurality of separator plates and into a casing, and a plurality of friction plates interleaved with the plurality of separator plates, where the plurality of separator plates and friction plates are axially captured between the actuation piston and an end plate.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a vehicle transmission are provided herein. The vehicle transmission includes an input interface configured to mechanically couple to a motive power source. The vehicle transmission further includes a first disconnect device releasably mechanically coupling a first output to a first drive axle and a second disconnect device releasably mechanically coupling a second output to a second drive axle.

Abstract: Torque converter arrangements and operating methods are provided herein. In one example, the torque converter includes a first attachment interface designed to rotationally couple to a prime mover and a second attachment interface designed to rotationally couple to a transmission. The torque converter further includes a lock-up clutch with an engagement spring embedded in an actuation piston, a plurality of separator plates supported by one or more guiding pins that extend through the plurality of separator plates and into a casing, and a plurality of friction plates interleaved with the plurality of separator plates, where the plurality of separator plates and friction plates are axially captured between the actuation piston and an end plate.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for wet clutch pressure control to reduce drag and degradation of rotary seals in a transmission. In one example, a method may include determining an upper threshold pressure based on a rotational speed of a shaft of the transmission, determining a lower threshold pressure based on the rotational speed of the shaft, and adjusting a pressure of hydraulic fluid applied to the clutch to be between the upper threshold pressure and the lower threshold pressure. In this way, the pressure of the hydraulic fluid applied to the clutch may be maintained at a level that allows full torque transfer by the wet clutch while reducing drag on the rotary seals.