Abstract: A fluid torque converter equipped with a direct-coupling clutch comprising a front cover fixed to the pump impeller of the fluid torque converter, and a clutch disk axially slidably mounted on the output shaft of the fluid torque converter and disposed between the front cover and the turbine runner.A friction plate affixed to a friction surface formed on the front cover is divided into two portions, namely, a radially outer portion made of a frictional material having a large coefficient of dynamical friction and a large heat capacity and a radially inner portion made of a frictional material having a large coefficient of statical friction and a high compressive strength.

Abstract: An overdrive device for motor vehicle transmissions includes a sun gear, planet pinions and a ring gear in meshing relationship. A one-way clutch having an inner race integrally secured to the sun gear is provided with the outer race of the one-way clutch being spline-coupled to a carrier which rotatably supports the planet pinions. A certain degree of slack or looseness is provided between the carrier and the outer race to permit some relative movement therebetween in the radial direction of the overdrive device.

Abstract: An automatic transmission includes a gear transmission mechanism including first and second friction mechanisms which are alternatively engaged by alternative supply of first and second pressures thereto when the highest speed stage and the next to highest speed stage are alternatively engaged, and a torque converter including a lockup clutch.

Abstract: A pressure regulating device for use in a hydraulic control system for an automatic transmission having a torque convertor, a gear transmission and an hydraulic control system provides a first pressure regulating valve for regulating the pressurized fluid output from a pump to a line pressure level, and applying the line pressure to the hydraulic control system. A second pressure regulating valve regulates the pressure of an excess portion of fluid supplied to the hydraulic control system from the first pressure regulating valve, and supplies the excess fluid to the torque convertor and regions requiring lubrication. Overheating of fluid in the torque convertor is prevented at low pressures by a bypass passage which assures at least a minimum fluid flow through the torque convertor at all times.

Abstract: An automatic transmission with overdrive in which a torque converter, an overdrive gear mechanism and an underdrive gear mechanism are separately segmented and are assembled or fastened together by simple devices, such as bolts. To enable this, the dimensions of these components which are associated with coupling portions thereof, such as inner and outer diameters, are designed for standarization. Accordingly, a torque converter and an underdrive gear mechanism of conventional type may be used requiring little or no modification. Additonally, the components are advantageously arranged with the overdrive gear mechanism positioned between the torque converter and the underdrive gear mechanism. The input shaft of the overdrive gear mechanism is splined to the output end of a shaft for the turbine vanes, and is positioned in axial alignment with the input shaft of the underdrive gear mechanism as well as with the shaft for the turbine vanes.

Abstract: An automatic transmission including a fluid torque converter, an overdrive means and an auxiliary gear means, the overdrive means having a housing which presents a cylindrical outer peripheral surface concentric with the central axis of the transmission, the fluid torque converter and the auxiliary gear means having individual housings having a rear end portion and a front end portion, respectively, and presenting a cylindrical inner peripheral surface of substantially the same diameter as the aforementioned cylindrical outer peripheral surface and concentric with the central axis of the transmission whereby the transmission is assembled by engaging the aforementioned front and rear end portions over the overdrive housing.

Abstract: An overdrive device including an input shaft coupled to a fluid-coupling type torque converter, an output shaft coupled to a plurality of auxiliary transmissions each having one or more reduction gear ratios, and planet pinions which are supported by pinion shafts through the medium of two or more needle bearings positioned in a side-by-side relationship in the axial direction of the pinion shafts thereon, and maintained in mesh with a sun gear and a ring gear. The pinion shafts include lubricating oil passages running therethrough, respectively, thereby feeding lubricating oil to the needle bearings at a given pressure. The overdrive device is positioned between the fluid-coupling type torque converter and the auxiliary transmission, so that the size of the automatic transmission is reduced.

Abstract: A gear means of an automatic transmission for automobiles including a planetary gear means and friction engaging means in combination, a carrier of the planetary gear means being integrally combined with one of two relatively rotatable elements of the friction engaging means to provide an integral carrier assembly which in turn provides a planetary assembly by incorporating planetary pinions, wherein a rotary mass unbalance of the planetary assembly due to an asymmetrical arrangement of planetary pinions is compensated for by removing a part of the one of the two relatively rotatable elements forming a part of the carrier assembly.

Abstract: A change-speed gear system for use in an automatic transmission, which includes a center output shaft, hollow input and intermediate shafts coaxially disposed around the center output shaft, first and second planetary gear mechanisms, first and second selectively actuatable clutches, and first and second selectively actuatable brakes.Sun gears of the two planetary gear mechanisms are secured to the intermediate shaft while the planetary carrier and the ring gear respectively of the first and second planetary gear mechanisms are secured to the output shaft.Driving portions of the two clutches are coupled to the input shaft while drivable portions of the first and second clutches are respectively coupled to the ring gear of the first planetary gear mechanism and to the intermediate shaft. Movable portions of the first and second brakes are respectively coupled to the intermediate shaft and to the planetary carrier of the second planetary gear mechanism.