Abstract: This invention relates to an actuable park pawl system for a hybrid electromechanical transmission located in the end cover portion of the transmission housing. The end cover portion is configured to cover the park pawl system and ancillary components such as the actuator guide. This enables the actuator guide to be an open-ended structure. A method of securing a park engagement system with an open-ended actuator guide in a vehicle transmission is further provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a torsional damper for an electrically variable transmission. The torsional damper is equipped with a hydraulically actuable lock-out clutch to selectively directly couple the engine to the input shaft of the transmission. The electric motors provided with the electrically variable transmission can serve to effectively cancel out engine compression pulses when the springs of the torsional damper are locked out. During higher speeds the centrifugal loading placed on oil in the torsional damper increases, which may cause the lock-out clutch to inappropriately engage. The present invention hydraulically balances the hydraulic actuator (or piston) driving the lock-out clutch to appropriately regulate lock-out clutch engagement.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved hybrid electro-mechanical vehicular transmission having motor/generator modules assembled from like components. This is accomplished by providing “punch-out” tabs on the motor/generator module housing enabling the housing to be used on either the first or second motor/generator module within a hybrid electro-mechanical vehicular transmission, thus enabling like components to be used within both the first and second motor/generator module.

Abstract: A hybrid transmission including two electric motors and a plurality of planetary gear sets operatively connectable to the motors and to an engine is provided. Novel motor features are provided including structure adapted to improve reliability and to facilitate assembly. More precisely, a method is provided for locating and installing the components of a motor, including a rotor and a stator, within a covered housing to form a motor module. A plurality of rotor bearings and a position/speed sensor are also preferably added to the motor module. After the motor module is assembled, the motor may be tested and thereafter the motor module can be installed into a hybrid transmission as a single component utilizing conventional transmission assembly methods.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for use in establishing electrical communication between a control module and a motor/generator in a hybrid electro-mechanical transmission includes an insulating wire isolator and nuts nonrotatably preassembled thereto. The electrical connector reduces the quantity of loose parts during transmission assembly. The nuts, being nonrotatably connected to the isolator, which in turn is affixed with respect to a motor housing, are able to accept torque from bolts without assisted retention.

Abstract: This invention relates to the housing of a hybrid electro-mechanical transmission consisting of park pawl system located in the end cover portion of the transmission housing. The end cover portion is configured to cover the park pawl system and allow access to the components of the park pawl system for assembly or service even as the end cover portion remains attached to the main housing of the transmission. An access cover and seal for the access opening in the end cover portion is also provided. The access opening is designed to be small enough so that the end cover portion can also provides structural support to a main housing portion during operation of the transmission. A method of selectively providing access to a park pawl system located in the end cover portion of a transmission housing is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a method and apparatus for cooling a hybrid transmission electric motor. More precisely, an annular chamber is formed between a housing for the electric motor and a transmission housing. Coolant is disposed in the annular chamber and is applied to the electric motor through a plurality of coolant apertures in the motor housing to cool the motor.

Abstract: A preassembled wiring terminal subassembly for use in a hybrid electro-mechanical transmission includes a plurality of wires and a plurality of wire terminals each defining a respective attachment hole and being operatively connected to a respective one of the plurality of wires. The subassembly also includes a plurality of conductive rods each defining a hole, and a plurality of threaded fasteners each extending through the attachment hole of a respective wire terminal and through the hole of a respective rod. The terminals, rods, and threaded fasteners are sufficiently interconnected for movement as a unit during transmission assembly to facilitate the establishment of an electrical connection between a control unit and one or more motor/generators.

Abstract: A transmission includes first and second clutch members rotatable about the same axis. An axial groove is formed in one of the members to distribute lubricating fluid to the other member. Preferably, clutch plates with radial grooves extend between the clutch members. Fluid flows from the axial groove through the radial groove and across faces of the clutch plates to separate the plates during disengagement in order to minimize spin losses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a torsional damper for an electrically-variable transmission. The torsional damper is equipped with a lock-out clutch to directly couple the engine to the input shaft of the transmission. The electric motors provided with the electrically-variable transmission can serve to effectively cancel out engine compression pulses when the springs of the torsional damper are locked out. The present invention also includes damper springs of variable rates to effectively attenuate distinctive or inconsistent torque fluctuations when the engine is operating in displacement-on-demand mode.

Abstract: A method for establishing electrical communication between a control module and a motor/generator in a hybrid electromechanical transmission includes providing a preassembled terminal subassembly including a first plurality of wire terminals sufficiently interconnected for selective, substantially unitary movement with respect to a transmission housing, aligning the preassembled terminal subassembly with a second plurality of wire terminals affixed with respect to at least one electric motor/generator, and establishing electrical communication between each of said first plurality of wire terminals and a respective one of said second plurality of terminals.

Abstract: This invention relates to grounding the mechanical loads of an electrically variable transmission with a park pawl system located in the end cover portion of the transmission housing. The end cover portion is configured to cover the park pawl system and engagement gear. A support hub is interfittable with the end cover portion of the transmission and sufficiently secured thereto so as to ground the park pawl loads. The hub also functions to guide oil to the cavity of a piston-clutch assembly. A method of securing a hub to an electrically variable transmission housing is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved hybrid electro-mechanical vehicular transmission that may be selectively configured to accommodate a two-wheel drive or a four-wheel drive vehicular configuration. This is accomplished using a two-wheel drive adapter housing affixed with respect to the transmission end housing. A method of adapting a four-wheel drive configured hybrid electro-mechanical vehicular transmission for two-wheel drive applications is also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to the housing of a hybrid electro-mechanical transmission consisting of park pawl system located in the end cover portion of the transmission housing. The end cover portion is configured to cover the park pawl system and allow access to the components of the park pawl system for assembly or service even as the end cover portion remains attached to the main housing of the transmission. Beyond providing coverage to the park pawl system, the end cover portion also provides structural support to a main housing portion during operation of the transmission. A method of assembling a park pawl system between main and end cover portions of a transmission housing is also provided.

Abstract: A hybrid transmission includes two electric motor modules and a plurality of planetary gear sets operatively connectable to the motor modules and to an engine. The motor modules each include integral wire connections such that as the motor modules are physically inserted into the hybrid transmission during assembly, the electrical connections may be easily established.