Abstract: A clutch for use in a gas turbine engine is disclosed herein. The clutch is adapted to selectively transmit rotation from a first shaft of the clutch to a second shaft of the clutch.

Abstract: A clutch for use in a gas turbine engine is disclosed herein. The clutch is adapted to selectively transmit rotation from a first shaft of the clutch to a second shaft of the clutch.

Abstract: A rotating clutch operably disposed between two rotating components includes a hydraulic operator having a piston and, on one side of the piston, an apply chamber or cavity and, on the opposite side of the piston, a balance chamber or cavity. The apply chamber is selectively provided with pressurized hydraulic fluid to engage and release the clutch to couple and de-couple the two rotating components. The balance chamber is provided with a flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the transmission lubrication system that flows through the transmission main shaft and flow restricting passages to the balance chamber. An exhaust port downstream of the balance chamber releases excess hydraulic fluid flow. Thus, whether, the clutch is rotating or not, hydraulic pressure is maintained in the balance chamber and proper clutch operation is assured.

Abstract: A rotating clutch operably disposed between two rotating components includes a hydraulic operator having a piston and, on one side of the piston, an apply chamber or cavity and, on the opposite side of the piston, a balance chamber or cavity. The apply chamber is selectively provided with pressurized hydraulic fluid to engage and release the clutch to couple and de-couple the two rotating components. The balance chamber is provided with a flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the transmission lubrication system that flows through the transmission main shaft and flow restricting passages to the balance chamber. An exhaust port downstream of the balance chamber releases excess hydraulic fluid flow. Thus, whether, the clutch is rotating or not, hydraulic pressure is maintained in the balance chamber and proper clutch operation is assured.

Abstract: An assembly in a transmission of a motor vehicle for communicating lubrication oil to a bearing in a planetary gear set includes a planet carrier having a plate with an inner groove in communication with a slot of a bushing, a pinion hole, and a second passage that communicates between the inner groove and the pinion hole. The planet carrier further includes a pinion disposed within the pinion hole and a bearing disposed on the pinion for supporting a planetary gear. A groove is disposed in the pinion and is in communication with the second passage. A third passage extends from the groove into the pinion. A fourth passage extends from the third passage into the pinion along an axis of the pinion. A fifth passage extends from the fourth passage to the outer surface. Pressurized lubrication oil is communicated through the plate and pinion to the bearing.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for selectively actuating a clutch includes a first actuator ring that is moveable between a first axial position and a second axial position along a rotational axis of the clutch, and a second actuator ring that is slidably received within the first actuator ring, and that is moveable between a third axial position and a fourth axial position by the first actuator ring. The first actuator ring receives a first actuation force, and when in the second axial position, transfers the first actuation force to the second actuator ring. The second actuator ring selectively receives the first actuation force and a second actuation force, and when in the fourth axial position, transfers one of the first and second actuation forces to the clutch. The actuator assembly is included with a transmission and actuates a clutch that provides an input to a planetary gear set of the transmission.

Abstract: A clutch assembly and method of operating the clutch assembly to start an engine of a hybrid vehicle includes a first clutch and a first clutch actuator for selectively engaging the first clutch. The first actuator has a first at-rest position engaging the clutch and a hydraulically charged position disengaged from the first clutch. The clutch assembly further includes a second clutch actuator having a second at-rest position away disengaged from the first clutch and a second hydraulically charged position engaged with the first clutch.

Abstract: An assembly and method is provided for reducing clutch wear due to centrifugal apply pressure within a clutch-apply cavity. The assembly comprises a rotatable clutch housing, a clutch-apply piston disposed within a clutch-apply cavity, and a balance piston. The balance and apply pistons define a balance cavity including a liquid fill channel and a dedicated air exhaust channel having a control radius configured to at least partially offset or compensate for the centrifugal apply force generated within the clutch-apply cavity when the clutch assembly rotates. The method includes configuring the balance cavity with an exhaust channel for exhausting fluid, and providing the exhaust channel with a control radius determined by the innermost radius of rotating fluid within the balance cavity as measured with respect to the centerline of rotation of the clutch assembly, the control radius being suitable for exhausting any excess of centrifugal balance force over centrifugal apply force.

Abstract: A clutch assembly and method of operating the clutch assembly to start an engine of a hybrid vehicle includes a first clutch and a first clutch actuator for selectively engaging the first clutch. The first actuator has a first at-rest position engaging the clutch and a hydraulically charged position disengaged from the first clutch. The clutch assembly further includes a second clutch actuator having a second at-rest position away disengaged from the first clutch and a second hydraulically charged position engaged with the first clutch.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for selectively actuating a clutch includes a first actuator ring that is moveable between a first axial position and a second axial position along a rotational axis of the clutch, and a second actuator ring that is slidably received within the first actuator ring, and that is moveable between a third axial position and a fourth axial position by the first actuator ring. The first actuator ring receives a first actuation force, and when in the second axial position, transfers the first actuation force to the second actuator ring. The second actuator ring selectively receives the first actuation force and a second actuation force, and when in the fourth axial position, transfers one of the first and second actuation forces to the clutch. The actuator assembly is included with a transmission and actuates a clutch that provides an input to a planetary gear set of the transmission.

Abstract: An assembly and method is provided for reducing clutch wear due to centrifugal apply pressure within a clutch-apply cavity. The assembly comprises a rotatable clutch housing, a clutch-apply piston disposed within a clutch-apply cavity, and a balance piston. The balance and apply pistons define a balance cavity including a liquid fill channel and a dedicated air exhaust channel having a control radius configured to at least partially offset or compensate for the centrifugal apply force generated within the clutch-apply cavity when the clutch assembly rotates. The method includes configuring the balance cavity with an exhaust channel for exhausting fluid, and providing the exhaust channel with a control radius determined by the innermost radius of rotating fluid within the balance cavity as measured with respect to the centerline of rotation of the clutch assembly, the control radius being suitable for exhausting any excess of centrifugal balance force over centrifugal apply force.