Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, a torque converter, a weldment, an engine disconnect clutch, and a torque converter lockup clutch. The engine has a crankshaft. The electric machine has a rotor. The torque converter has an impeller and a turbine. The weldment is configured to rotate about an axis and to transfer power from the crankshaft and the rotor to the impeller. The weldment has a first hub, a second hub, a torque converter cover, an impeller housing, and a third hub. The engine disconnect clutch is configured to rotatably connect and disconnect the crankshaft to and from the weldment. The torque converter lockup clutch is configured to rotatably connect and disconnect the turbine to and from the weldment.

Abstract: A transmission including an electric machine, a torque converter and a planetary gearset in a transmission housing that is connected to an engine. A turbine shaft is configured to transfer torque from the engine and the electric machine to the planetary gear set. A disconnect clutch selectively couples the input shaft from the engine to the torque converter housing of the torque converter. The disconnect clutch includes a disconnect clutch piston and a first balance dam. A torque converter clutch selectively connects the torque converter housing to the turbine and the turbine shaft. The torque converter clutch includes a torque converter clutch piston and a second balance dam. Ports in the housing permit automatic transmission fluid to flow between the turbine shaft and the torque converter clutch piston; the turbine shaft and the torque converter clutch piston; and the turbine shaft, the first balance dam, and the second balance dam.

Abstract: A propulsion system for an electric vehicle including an internal combustion engine and an electric machine disposed in a transmission housing that is attached to the engine. An engine vibration damper is disposed between the engine and the electric machine. A torque converter connects the engine to the turbine shaft and is disposed in the housing radially inboard of the windings of the electric machine. A turbine shaft connected to the electric machine is configured to transfer torque from the engine and the electric machine through the turbine shaft to a planetary gear set connected to the turbine shaft. A disconnect clutch is operatively connected between the engine and the electric machine and is disposed in the housing radially inboard the windings of the electric machine and is connected to the turbine shaft.

Abstract: A transmission including an electric machine, a torque converter and a planetary gearset in a transmission housing that is connected to an engine. A turbine shaft is configured to transfer torque from the engine and the electric machine to the planetary gear set. A disconnect clutch selectively couples the input shaft from the engine to the torque converter housing of the torque converter. The disconnect clutch includes a disconnect clutch piston and a first balance dam. A torque converter clutch selectively connects the torque converter housing to the turbine and the turbine shaft. The torque converter clutch includes a torque converter clutch piston and a second balance dam. Ports in the housing permit automatic transmission fluid to flow between the turbine shaft and the torque converter clutch piston; the turbine shaft and the torque converter clutch piston; and the turbine shaft, the first balance dam, and the second balance dam.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, a torque converter, a weldment, an engine disconnect clutch, and a torque converter lockup clutch. The engine has a crankshaft. The electric machine has a rotor. The torque converter has an impeller and a turbine. The weldment is configured to rotate about an axis and to transfer power from the crankshaft and the rotor to the impeller. The weldment has a first hub, a second hub, a torque converter cover, an impeller housing, and a third hub. The engine disconnect clutch is configured to rotatably connect and disconnect the crankshaft to and from the weldment. The torque converter lockup clutch is configured to rotatably connect and disconnect the turbine to and from the weldment.

Abstract: A cooling system differential oil contained in the housing of a differential for a vehicle. The differential includes a housing containing a first portion of differential oil. A tank contains a second portion of differential oil. An inlet passage is provided through which differential oil flows from the housing to the tank. An outlet passage is provided through which differential oil flows from the tank to the housing. A valve is disposed in the outlet passage that has a closed position preventing differential oil from flowing through the outlet passage. The valve has an open position in which differential oil is permitted to flow from the tank to the housing in response to the temperature of the differential oil in the housing exceeding a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A powertrain includes a first planetary gearset configured to establish a fixedly linear speed relationship among a first rotor, an engine crankshaft, and a second rotor. The powertrain further includes a gearing assembly configured to alternately selectively establish a plurality of proportional speed relationships between the second rotor and an output shaft. The gearing assembly further includes a second planetary gearset having a lockup clutch configured to selectively couple two rotatable elements of the second planetary gearset.

Abstract: A transmission uses a chain and sprocket final drive that provides all final drive torque multiplication in addition to transferring power to the differential axis. The transmission includes a front support structure that provides for a small driving sprocket. The front support includes an insert made of hardened material that can serve as the inner bearing race for the driving sprocket. In some embodiments, four fluid passageways are provided to the torque converter. In some embodiments, the park gear may be integrated with the driven sprocket.

Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine and an electric machine. The powertrain further includes a planetary gearset including a a first rotatable element fixedly coupled to an engine crankshaft, a second rotatable element fixedly coupled to the electric machine, and a third rotatable element driveably connected to an intermediate shaft. The powertrain further includes a lockup clutch configured to selectively couple two of the first rotatable element, the second rotatable element, and the third rotatable element.

Abstract: A family of transmission gearing arrangements produces nine forward and one reverse speed ratio by selective engagement of various combinations of three clutches or brakes. Each transmission gearing arrangement includes a front shiftable gearing arrangement configured to establish a variety of speed ratios between an intermediate shaft and an input shaft. These speed ratios include a reverse speed ratio, a zero speed ratio, two underdrive ratios, and a direct ratio. Each transmission also includes a rear shiftable gearing arrangement configured to selectively establish particular speed relationships. Engagement of a clutch in the rear shiftable gearing arrangement establishes an underdrive ratio between the output shaft and the intermediate shaft. Engagement of another clutch in the rear shiftable gearing arrangement constrains the speed of the input shaft to be a weighted average between the speed of the intermediate shaft and the output shaft.

Abstract: A transmission includes first, second, and third planetary gear sets (PGS). A first electric machine is fixedly coupled to a sun gear of the first PGS. A second electric machine is fixedly coupled to a carrier of the first PGS. A brake is selectively holding a ring gear of the first PGS against rotation. First and second clutches selectively couple the first and second electric machines, respectively, to a portion of the second and third PGS, respectively.

Abstract: A transmission includes first, second, and third planetary gear sets (PGS). A first electric machine is fixedly coupled to a sun gear of the first PGS. A second electric machine is fixedly coupled to a carrier of the first PGS. A brake is selectively holding a ring gear of the first PGS against rotation. First and second clutches selectively couple the first and second electric machines, respectively, to a portion of the second and third PGS, respectively.

Abstract: A hybrid rear axle provides a variety of functionality in addition to the functionality of a non-hybrid axle. The axle transmits power from an electric motor to the drive wheels at two selectable speed ratios to propel the vehicle. One of the two ratios is usable to propel the vehicle electrically with the engine stopped. With the drive wheels stationary, the axle transmits power from the driveshaft to the motor to charge a battery or from the motor to the driveshaft to start the engine.

Abstract: In a pump system for a hybrid electric transmission, the pump is alternately driven by the input shaft and the output shaft, whichever is rotating faster. The input shaft and output shaft are co-axial. Sprockets and a chain transmit power from axis of the input and output shafts to the axis of the pump. The driven sprocket is selectively coupled to the input shaft by a first one-way-clutch and selectively coupled to the output shaft by a second one-way-clutch. Two alternative one-way-clutch and bearing arrangement are disclosed.

Abstract: A four gearing-arrangement transmission having six shift-elements cooperatively engaging in combinations of three to provide nine forward speeds and one reverse speed. The transmission having a first gearing-arrangement with an end-gear fixedly coupled to a ground. A second gearing-arrangement with one end-gear fixedly coupled to an input and the other end-gear fixedly coupled to an interior-gear of the first gearing-arrangement. A third gearing-arrangement having an interior-gear fixedly coupled to an output. A fourth gearing-arrangement having a fourth interior-gear fixedly coupled to the input.

Abstract: A powertrain includes a first planetary gearset configured to establish a fixedly linear speed relationship among a first rotor, an engine crankshaft, and a second rotor. The powertrain further includes a gearing assembly configured to alternately selectively establish a plurality of proportional speed relationships between the second rotor and an output shaft. The gearing assembly further includes a second planetary gearset having a lockup clutch configured to selectively couple two rotatable elements of the second planetary gearset.

Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine and an electric machine. The powertrain further includes a planetary gearset including a a first rotatable element fixedly coupled to an engine crankshaft, a second rotatable element fixedly coupled to the electric machine, and a third rotatable element driveably connected to an intermediate shaft. The powertrain further includes a lockup clutch configured to selectively couple two of the first rotatable element, the second rotatable element, and the third rotatable element.

Abstract: In a pump system for a hybrid electric transmission, the pump is alternately driven by the input shaft and the output shaft, whichever is rotating faster. The input shaft and output shaft are co-axial. Sprockets and a chain transmit power from axis of the input and output shafts to the axis of the pump. The driven sprocket is selectively coupled to the input shaft by a first one-way-clutch and selectively coupled to the output shaft by a second one-way-clutch. Two alternative one-way-clutch and bearing arrangement are disclosed.

Abstract: A transaxle is designed to accommodate a power take-off unit (PTU). The transaxle utilizes a chain to transmit power from the engine axis to the differential axis and utilizes planetary final drive gearing on the differential axis. The transaxle includes layshaft gearing to transfer power from the driven sprocket to a PTU axis, bypassing the planetary final drive gearing. The PTU may be fixedly driveably connected to the driven sprocket or selectively driveably connected via a dog clutch.

Abstract: A transmission includes a simple planetary gear set and several clutches. A first clutch selectively couples the carrier of the planetary gear set to a first shell. The housing of the first clutch is integrated with the planetary carrier. A piston return spring extends axially to occupy space between the planet gears. A second and third clutch share a common housing that is fixedly coupled to the ring gear. The second clutch selectively couples the ring gear to the sun gear. The third clutch selectively couples the ring gear to a second shell. The planetary gear set is axially located between the two clutch housings.