Abstract: A two-speed transmission for an electric vehicle includes a planetary gear set selectively coupling an input shaft and an output shaft. The planetary gear set is configured to provide two forward gear ratios and neutral. The planetary gear set includes at least one sun gear, at least one pinion in meshing engagement with the at least one sun gear, at least one ring gear meshingly engaged with the at least one pinion, and a carrier. The carrier supports the at least one pinion and is connected to the output shaft such that rotation of the carrier drives the output shaft. The two-speed transmission also includes one or more elements that rotatably couple the at least sun gear, the at least one pinion, the at least one ring gear, the input shaft, and the carrier with one another and/or a ground. Examples of such elements include clutches, brakes, and mechanical diodes.

Abstract: A two-speed transmission for an electric vehicle includes a planetary gear set selectively coupling an input shaft and an output shaft. The planetary gear set is configured to provide two forward gear ratios and neutral. The planetary gear set includes at least one sun gear, at least one pinion in meshing engagement with the at least one sun gear, at least one ring gear meshingly engaged with the at least one pinion, and a carrier. The carrier supports the at least one pinion and is connected to the output shaft such that rotation of the carrier drives the output shaft. The two-speed transmission also includes one or more elements that rotatably couple the at least sun gear, the at least one pinion, the at least one ring gear, the input shaft, and the carrier with one another and/or a ground. Examples of such elements include clutches, brakes, and mechanical diodes.

Abstract: A two-speed transmission for an electric vehicle includes a planetary gear set selectively coupling an input shaft and an output shaft. The planetary gear set is configured to provide two forward gear ratios and neutral. The planetary gear set includes at least one sun gear, at least one pinion in meshing engagement with the at least one sun gear, at least one ring gear meshingly engaged with the at least one pinion, and a carrier. The carrier supports the at least one pinion and is connected to the output shaft such that rotation of the carrier drives the output shaft. The two-speed transmission also includes one or more elements that rotatably couple the at least sun gear, the at least one pinion, the at least one ring gear, the input shaft, and the carrier with one another and/or a ground. Examples of such elements include clutches, brakes, and mechanical diodes.

Abstract: A two-speed transmission for an electric vehicle includes a planetary gear set selectively coupling an input shaft and an output shaft. The planetary gear set is configured to provide two forward gear ratios and neutral. The planetary gear set includes at least one sun gear, at least one pinion in meshing engagement with the at least one sun gear, at least one ring gear meshingly engaged with the at least one pinion, and a carrier. The carrier supports the at least one pinion and is connected to the output shaft such that rotation of the carrier drives the output shaft. The two-speed transmission also includes one or more elements that rotatably couple the at least sun gear, the at least one pinion, the at least one ring gear, the input shaft, and the carrier with one another and/or a ground. Examples of such elements include clutches, brakes, and mechanical diodes.

Abstract: A two-speed transmission for a vehicle is provided including a planetary gear set selectively coupling an input shaft and an output shaft. The planetary gear set is configured to provide two forward gear ratios and neutral. The planetary gear set includes at least one sun gear, at least one pinion in meshing engagement with the sun gear, at least one ring gear meshingly engaged with the pinion, and a carrier. The carrier supports the pinion and is connected to the output shaft such that rotation of the carrier drives the output shaft. The two-speed transmission also includes one or more elements that rotatably couple different combinations of the sun gear, the pinion, the ring gear, the input shaft, and the carrier with one another or a ground. Such elements may include combinations of clutches, brakes, and dog clutches.

Abstract: A two-speed transmission for a vehicle is provided including a planetary gear set selectively coupling an input shaft and an output shaft. The planetary gear set is configured to provide two forward gear ratios and neutral. The planetary gear set includes at least one sun gear, at least one pinion in meshing engagement with the sun gear, at least one ring gear meshingly engaged with the pinion, and a carrier. The carrier supports the pinion and is connected to the output shaft such that rotation of the carrier drives the output shaft. The two-speed transmission also includes one or more elements that rotatably couple different combinations of the sun gear, the pinion, the ring gear, the input shaft, and the carrier with one another or a ground. Such elements may include combinations of clutches, brakes, and dog clutches.

Abstract: A two-speed transmission for a vehicle is provided including a planetary gear set selectively coupling an input shaft and an output shaft. The planetary gear set is configured to provide two forward gear ratios and neutral. The planetary gear set includes at least one sun gear, at least one pinion in meshing engagement with the sun gear, at least one ring gear meshingly engaged with the pinion, and a carrier. The carrier supports the pinion and is connected to the output shaft such that rotation of the carrier drives the output shaft. The two-speed transmission also includes one or more elements that rotatably couple different combinations of the sun gear, the pinion, the ring gear, the input shaft, and the carrier with one another or a ground. Such elements may include combinations of clutches, brakes, and dog clutches.

Abstract: A torque converter for coupling an engine to a manual transmission and a method of controlling the same are provided. The torque converter includes a housing rotating with the engine, a cover abutting the housing, a stator, a pump circulating fluid within the torque converter, and a turbine driven by the circulating fluid. An integrated disconnect clutch controls pump speed and a torsional damper attenuates vibrations transmitted through the housing. A first output shaft is coupled with the turbine and drives a first forward gear of the manual transmission while permitting slip. A second output shaft is coupled with the torsional damper, the integrated disconnect clutch, and the pump and drives at least one other forward gear of the manual transmission without slip. An output connection member rotatably couples the pump with the torsional damper, the integrated disconnect clutch, and the second output shaft.

Abstract: A two-speed transmission for a vehicle is provided including a planetary gear set selectively coupling an input shaft and an output shaft. The planetary gear set is configured to provide two forward gear ratios and neutral. The planetary gear set includes at least one sun gear, at least one pinion in meshing engagement with the sun gear, at least one ring gear meshingly engaged with the pinion, and a carrier. The carrier supports the pinion and is connected to the output shaft such that rotation of the carrier drives the output shaft. The two-speed transmission also includes one or more elements that rotatably couple different combinations of the sun gear, the pinion, the ring gear, the input shaft, and the carrier with one another or a ground. Such elements may include combinations of clutches, brakes, and dog clutches.

Abstract: A torque converter for coupling an engine to a manual transmission and a method of controlling the same are provided. The torque converter includes a housing rotating with the engine, a cover abutting the housing, a stator, a pump circulating fluid within the torque converter, and a turbine driven by the circulating fluid. An integrated disconnect clutch controls pump speed and a torsional damper attenuates vibrations transmitted through the housing. A first output shaft is coupled with the turbine and drives a first forward gear of the manual transmission while permitting slip. A second output shaft is coupled with the torsional damper, the integrated disconnect clutch, and the pump and drives at least one other forward gear of the manual transmission without slip. An output connection member rotatably couples the pump with the torsional damper, the integrated disconnect clutch, and the second output shaft.

Abstract: A two-speed transmission for a vehicle is provided including a planetary gear set selectively coupling an input shaft and an output shaft. The planetary gear set is configured to provide two forward gear ratios and neutral. The planetary gear set includes at least one sun gear, at least one pinion in meshing engagement with the sun gear, at least one ring gear meshingly engaged with the pinion, and a carrier. The carrier supports the pinion and is connected to the output shaft such that rotation of the carrier drives the output shaft. The two-speed transmission also includes one or more elements that rotatably couple different combinations of the sun gear, the pinion, the ring gear, the input shaft, and the carrier with one another or a ground. Such elements may include combinations of clutches, brakes, band brakes, dog clutches, and mechanical diodes.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic clutch system for a motor vehicle includes a clutch mechanism that selectively engages an engine of the motor vehicle with a gear box, an actuator that pumps and retrieves hydraulic fluid to and from the clutch mechanism to activate the clutch mechanism, and a solenoid with a valve and/or a check ball that is disposed in the path of the hydraulic fluid between the actuator and the clutch mechanism. The solenoid has a normally closed position to prevent flow of the hydraulic fluid back to the actuator in the event of a system failure. The solenoid can also be used to reduce energy consumption in steady state conditions.

Abstract: A transmission includes an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The transmission input member is connected to a launch device that includes a planetary gear set connected with a pump or a pump having a rotatable housing connected to an engine and a rotor connected to the transmission input member. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices are for example clutches and brakes.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method of controlling an engine having a plurality of cylinders is provided. The method includes: selectively releasing stored air from an accumulator to a first cylinder of the plurality of cylinders; and controlling at least one of fuel and spark to a second cylinder of the plurality of cylinders during a compression stroke of the second cylinder, where the second cylinder is a next available cylinder to fire.

Abstract: A powertrain for a vehicle is provided having an engine, a transmission, a torque transfer mechanism, a hydraulic fluid circuit, and a transmission control module. The torque transfer mechanism includes a hydraulic fluid pump and is drivingly connected to an output member of the engine and an output member of the torque transfer mechanism is drivingly connected to the input member of the transmission. The hydraulic fluid circuit has a hydraulic valve in communication with the first fluid port of the hydraulic fluid pump. The transmission control module include a control logic for operating the powertrain during a vehicle launch event.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic clutch system for a motor vehicle includes a clutch mechanism that selectively engages an engine of the motor vehicle with a gear box, an actuator that pumps and retrieves hydraulic fluid to and from the clutch mechanism to activate the clutch mechanism, and a solenoid with a valve and/or a check ball that is disposed in the path of the hydraulic fluid between the actuator and the clutch mechanism. The solenoid has a normally closed position to prevent flow of the hydraulic fluid back to the actuator in the event of a system failure. The solenoid can also be used to reduce energy consumption in steady state conditions.

Abstract: A dual clutch actuation assembly includes a housing, an annular central piston, a plurality of satellite pistons, and an annular apply member. The housing includes an inner cylindrical wall, an outer cylindrical wall, and a plurality of satellite cylindrical walls. The inner and outer walls define an inner piston annulus and the satellite walls define a plurality of satellite piston bores. Each of the satellite walls is disposed at least partially radially outward of the outer wall. The central piston is disposed in the inner piston annulus and is in sliding engagement with the inner and outer walls of the housing. The satellite pistons are disposed in the satellite piston bores and are in sliding engagement with the satellite walls of the housing. The apply member is axially engaged with each of the satellite pistons and includes an annular plate portion disposed radially outward of the outer cylindrical wall of the housing.

Abstract: A powertrain for a vehicle is provided having an engine, a transmission, a torque transfer mechanism, a hydraulic fluid circuit, and a transmission control module. The torque transfer mechanism includes a hydraulic fluid pump and is drivingly connected to an output member of the engine and an output member of the torque transfer mechanism is drivingly connected to the input member of the transmission. The hydraulic fluid circuit has a hydraulic valve in communication with the first fluid port of the hydraulic fluid pump. The transmission control module include a control logic for operating the powertrain during a vehicle launch event.

Abstract: A powertrain is provided that has an engine and a torque converter. The engine is configured to provide oil to the torque converter for operation of the torque converter. The engine oil may provide both the fluid coupling and torque converter clutch apply and release functions.

Abstract: A transmission includes an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The transmission input member is connected to a launch device that includes a planetary gear set connected with a pump or a pump having a rotatable housing connected to an engine and a rotor connected to the transmission input member. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices are for example clutches and brakes.