Abstract: A power take-off clutch assembly having a rotatable input member configured to receive a torque input, a rotatable output member coaxially located with the rotatable input member, a synchronizing clutch configured to selectively synchronize the rotation speed of the output member with the rotation speed of the input member, and a locking clutch configured to selectively lock the rotation of the output member with the rotation of the input member. A single actuatable member selectively sequentially actuate the synchronizing clutch to match the rotational speed of the output member with the rotational speed of the input member and then the locking clutch to lock the rotation of the second member to the first member.

Abstract: A power take-off clutch assembly having a rotatable input member configured to receive a torque input, a rotatable output member coaxially located with the rotatable input member, a synchronizing clutch configured to selectively synchronize the rotation speed of the output member with the rotation speed of the input member, and a locking clutch configured to selectively lock the rotation of the output member with the rotation of the input member. A single actuatable member selectively sequentially actuate the synchronizing clutch to match the rotational speed of the output member with the rotational speed of the input member and then the locking clutch to lock the rotation of the second member to the first member.

Abstract: A transmission is disclosed having an input member, an output member, a plurality of planetary gear sets, a plurality of interconnecting members and a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms including a one-way clutch. The plurality of planetary gear sets has first, second and third members. The input member is continuously interconnected with a member of the planetary gear sets. The output member is continuously interconnected with another member of the planetary gear sets. At least eight forward speeds and one reverse speed are produced by the selective engagement of the five torque-transmitting mechanisms.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved clutch plates for use in wet friction pack clutches and brakes which exhibit greatly reduced flutter particularly at high rotational speeds. Friction clutches and brakes include a first plurality of circular clutch plates or discs coupled to a first member comprising a metal core plate having bands of friction material affixed to both faces. These clutch plates are interleaved with a second plurality of circular metal reaction plates which are coupled to a second member. The metal core plate of the first plurality of clutch plates includes a plurality of radial slots spaced about the core plate which extend inwardly a portion of the radial width of the clutch core plate. Different numbers of slots, different spacings and different configurations of slots provide reduced plate flutter with varying thicknesses of core plates and ranges of rotational speeds.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved clutch plates for use in wet friction pack clutches and brakes which exhibit greatly reduced flutter particularly at high rotational speeds. Friction clutches and brakes include a first plurality of circular clutch plates or discs coupled to a first member comprising a metal core plate having bands of friction material affixed to both faces. These clutch plates are interleaved with a second plurality of circular metal reaction plates which are coupled to a second member. The metal core plate of the first plurality of clutch plates includes a plurality of radial slots spaced about the core plate which extend inwardly a portion of the radial width of the clutch core plate. Different numbers of slots, different spacings and different configurations of slots provide reduced plate flutter with varying thicknesses of core plates and ranges of rotational speeds.

Abstract: A transmission and a clutch assembly for a vehicle are disclosed. The clutch assembly includes a housing defining a cavity presenting an interior surface. The interior surface defines a pocket along a longitudinal axis. The clutch assembly further includes a piston disposed in the pocket and movable between an initial position and a final position relative to the pocket along the longitudinal axis. The piston includes a plurality of flanges extending outwardly away from the longitudinal axis. The clutch assembly also includes a biasing member attached to the interior surface of the housing and engaging the piston to continuously bias the piston toward the initial position. The biasing member abuts the flanges of the piston to prevent rotation of the piston about the longitudinal axis as the piston moves between the initial and final positions along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A friction clutch pack exhibiting improved high speed stability includes a first plurality of friction plates or discs preferably having friction material on both faces interleaved with a second plurality of thicker reaction plates or discs. The friction plates comprise a formed core plate having multiple obliquely oriented or angularly offset sinusoidal waves. Male splines around the periphery of each friction plate engage complementary splines on a cylindrical housing. The reaction plates are flat and thicker than the friction plates and include female splines around an inner opening which engage complementary splines on a shaft or quill.

Abstract: A multiple plate friction clutch includes clutch plates or discs having reduced frictional (spin) losses and thus reduced heat generation and improved service life. The clutch plates include both leaf springs or spring tabs at the periphery of the clutch plate that axially bias adjacent plates away from one another and a reduced area of friction material that contacts an adjacent reaction plate. On a typical motor vehicle automatic transmission clutch, a total of six or eight leaf springs or tabs are utilized: with three or four offset to one side and three or four offset to the other side.

Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, at least four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes actuatable in combinations of two to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and one reverse gear ratio. The torque transmitting devices include a selectable one-way clutch.

Abstract: A friction clutch pack exhibiting improved high speed stability includes a first plurality of friction plates or discs preferably having friction material on both faces interleaved with a second plurality of thicker reaction plates or discs. The friction plates comprise a formed core plate having multiple obliquely oriented or angularly offset sinusoidal waves. Male splines around the periphery of each friction plate engage complementary splines on a cylindrical housing. The reaction plates are flat and thicker than the friction plates and include female splines around an inner opening which engage complementary splines on a shaft or quill.

Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, at least four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes actuatable in combinations of two to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and one reverse gear ratio. The torque transmitting devices include a selectable one-way clutch.

Abstract: A transmission and a clutch assembly for a vehicle are disclosed. The clutch assembly includes a housing defining a cavity presenting an interior surface. The interior surface defines a pocket along a longitudinal axis. The clutch assembly further includes a piston disposed in the pocket and movable between an initial position and a final position relative to the pocket along the longitudinal axis. The piston includes a plurality of flanges extending outwardly away from the longitudinal axis. The clutch assembly also includes a biasing member attached to the interior surface of the housing and engaging the piston to continuously bias the piston toward the initial position. The biasing member abuts the flanges of the piston to prevent rotation of the piston about the longitudinal axis as the piston moves between the initial and final positions along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A multiple plate friction clutch includes clutch plates or discs having reduced frictional (spin) losses and thus reduced heat generation and improved service life. The clutch plates include both leaf springs or spring tabs at the periphery of the clutch plate that axially bias adjacent plates away from one another and a reduced area of friction material that contacts an adjacent reaction plate. On a typical motor vehicle automatic transmission clutch, a total of six or eight leaf springs or tabs are utilized: with three or four offset to one side and three or four offset to the other side.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes a plurality of torque generative devices, a transmission input shaft, and a planetary gear set connecting the torque generative devices to the transmission input shaft. A method to control the powertrain includes monitoring a desired configuration of the powertrain and selectively grounding a gear of the planetary gear set with a selectable one way clutch based upon the desired configuration of the powertrain.

Abstract: A method of cooling a dual clutch transmission is provided. The transmission has first and second input clutches alternately engagable to transfer torque to an output member along first and second input shafts, respectively, at various speed ratios dependent upon engagement of synchronizers. The method includes determining a currently established speed ratio by determining which of the input clutches and synchronizers are currently engaged and which of the input clutches and synchronizers are currently open. One of the open synchronizers is then engaged during the currently established speed ratio to cause the open input clutch to rotate at a speed greater than the speed of rotation of the engaged input clutch, thereby creating a fan cooling effect.

Abstract: A clutch assembly for transmitting a first torque between a first member and a second member includes a first clutch and a second clutch. The first clutch is disposed between the first member and the second member and has a predetermined design torque. The second clutch is disposed in series with the first clutch between the first member and the second member and has a predetermined holding torque that is less than the predetermined design torque. The second clutch allows rotation between the first member and the second member when the first torque is greater than the predetermined holding torque.

Abstract: A transmission is provided having a stationary member, an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and five torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The five torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable to interconnect one of the first, second, and third members with another of the first, second, third members, and a stationary element. The torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member. A first of the five torque-transmitting mechanisms is a selectable one-way clutch engageable to interconnect the third member of the fourth planetary gear set with the stationary member.

Abstract: A transmission has four planetary gear sets, four interconnecting members and six torque-transmitting mechanisms selectively engageable in different combinations of three to establish at least eight forward speed ratios. A first of the six torque-transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to connect the second member of the first planetary gear set to the stationary member. A second of the six torque-transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to connect the input member for common rotation with the second member of the third planetary gear set. At least one of the first and the second of the six torque-transmitting mechanisms is a selectable one-way clutch configured to have a first operating mode and a second operating mode, either of which modes may be selected.

Abstract: A transmission is disclosed having an input member, an output member, and first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets each having first, second and third members. A plurality of interconnecting members continuously interconnect one of the first, second and third members of one of the planetary gear sets with one of the first, second and third members of another of the planetary gear sets. Five torque-transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member. The first of the five torque-transmitting mechanisms is a selectable one-way clutch engageable to interconnect the third member of the first planetary gear set with the stationary member.

Abstract: A transmission has four planetary gear sets, four interconnecting members and six torque-transmitting mechanisms selectively engageable in different combinations of three to establish at least eight forward speed ratios. A first of the six torque-transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to connect the second member of the first planetary gear set to the stationary member. A second of the six torque-transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to connect the input member for common rotation with the second member of the third planetary gear set. At least one of the first and the second of the six torque-transmitting mechanisms is a selectable one-way clutch configured to have a first operating mode and a second operating mode, either of which modes may be selected.