Abstract: A torque transfer mechanism is provided for controlling the magnitude of a clutch engagement force exerted on a multi-plate clutch assembly that is operably disposed between a first rotary and a second rotary member. The torque transfer mechanism includes a clutch actuator assembly for generating and applying a clutch engagement force on the clutch assembly. The clutch actuator assembly includes an electric motor/brake unit, a torque/force conversion mechanism, and a force amplification mechanism. The motor/brake unit can be operated in either of a motor mode or a brake mode to cause bi-directional linear movement of an output member of the torque/force conversion mechanism. The thrust force generated by the torque/force conversion mechanism is increased by the force amplification mechanism with the resultant clutch engagement force applied to the clutch assembly. The dual mode feature of the electric motor/brake unit significantly reduces the power requirements.

Abstract: A power transfer system is provided and equipped with a torque transfer coupling which includes a stage 2 clutch and a clutch actuator. The clutch actuator includes stage 1 and stage 2 ball ramp actuators as well as a stage 1 clutch operably positioned between the ball ramp actuators to operatively engage the stage 2 clutch and vary the frictional engagement thereof.

Abstract: A torque transfer mechanism is provided for controlling the magnitude of a clutch engagement force exerted on a multi-plate clutch assembly that is operably disposed between a first rotary and a second rotary member. The torque transfer mechanism includes a clutch actuator assembly for generating and applying a clutch engagement force on the clutch assembly. The clutch actuator assembly includes an electric motor/brake unit, a torque/force conversion mechanism, and a force amplification mechanism. The motor/brake unit can be operated in either of a motor mode or a brake mode to cause bi-directional linear movement of an output member of the torque/force conversion mechanism. The thrust force generated by the torque/force conversion mechanism is increased by the force amplification mechanism with the resultant clutch engagement force applied to the clutch assembly. The dual mode feature of the electric motor/brake unit significantly reduces the power requirements.

Abstract: A torque transfer mechanism is provided for controlling the magnitude of a clutch engagement force exerted on a multi-plate clutch assembly that is operably disposed between a first rotary and a second rotary member. The torque transfer mechanism includes a clutch actuator assembly for generating and applying a clutch engagement force on the clutch assembly. The clutch actuator assembly includes an electric motor/brake unit and a torque/force conversion mechanism. The motor/brake unit can be operated in either of a motor mode or a brake mode to cause bi-directional linear movement of an output member of the torque/force conversion mechanism. The thrust force generated by the torque/force conversion mechanism is applied to the clutch assembly. The dual mode feature of the electric motor/brake unit significantly reduces the power requirements.

Abstract: A transfer case is provided and includes a first output shaft driven by a powertrain and operably interconnected with a first pair of wheels, a second output shaft selectively driven by the first output shaft and operably interconnected with a second pair of wheels and a transfer gear assembly operably disposed between the first output shaft and the second output shaft for transferring drive torque from the first output shaft to the second output shaft. The transfer gear assembly includes a first transfer gear in selective drive connection with the first output shaft, a second transfer gear in meshed engagement with the first transfer gear, a third transfer gear in drive connection with the second transfer gear and the second output shaft. A clutch pack is operably disposed between the first output shaft and the first transfer gear for selectively establishing drive connection therebetween.

Abstract: A transfer case is provided and includes a first output shaft driven by a powertrain and operably interconnected with a first pair of wheels, a second output shaft selectively driven by the first output shaft and operably interconnected with a second pair of wheels and a transfer gear assembly operably disposed between the first output shaft and the second output shaft for transferring drive torque from the first output shaft to the second output shaft. The transfer gear assembly includes a first transfer gear in selective drive connection with the first output shaft, a second transfer gear in meshed engagement with the first transfer gear, a third transfer gear in drive connection with the second transfer gear and the second output shaft. A clutch pack is operably disposed between the first output shaft and the first transfer gear for selectively establishing drive connection therebetween.

Abstract: A transfer case is provided and includes a first output shaft driven by a powertrain and operably interconnected with a first pair of wheels, a second output shaft selectively driven by the first output shaft and operably interconnected with a second pair of wheels and a transfer gear assembly operably disposed between the first output shaft and the second output shaft for transferring drive torque from the first output shaft to the second output shaft. The transfer gear assembly includes a first transfer gear in selective drive connection with the first output shaft, a second transfer gear in meshed engagement with the first transfer gear, a third transfer gear in drive connection with the second transfer gear and the second output shaft. A clutch pack is operably disposed between the first output shaft and the first transfer gear for selectively establishing drive connection therebetween.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic pump module (10) for controlling the upshifting and downshifting of an automatic power transmission. The pump module (10) includes a plurality of individual pumps (12, 14) each in communication with a fluid source (34). Each of the plurality of individual pumps (12, 14) is in fluid communication with a respective switching valve (44, 52). Each of the switching valves (44, 52) controls the flow of fluid from a respective pump to a friction element to accomplish a desired gearshift. The plurality of pumps (12, 14) and the switching valves (44, 52) are each in fluid communication with an electronic control module (70). The electronic control module (70) activates an appropriate one of the plurality of pumps (12, 14) and an associated switching valve (44, 52) to direct fluid to the necessary friction element to drive the transmission in the appropriate gear.

Abstract: A torque converter for translating kinetic energy between a prime mover and a transmission including a torque input member and an impeller assembly operatively coupled for rotation with the torque input member. A turbine assembly is fluidly connected in driven relationship with the impeller assembly. A clutch assembly is supported for selective operation with the turbine assembly and interposed between the turbine assembly and the torque input member. The clutch assembly may be a continuously slipping bypass clutch which is selectively movable into engagement with the torque input member to provide torque translation between the torque input member and the turbine assembly at low engine speeds.

Abstract: A drive speed control system having an input shaft and an output shaft in communication with a planetary gear mechanism. The planetary gear mechanism is in communication with a first rotatable drum member and a second rotatable drum member which is positioned radially inward relative to the first rotatable drum member. A first annular inflatable member is positioned radially outwardly of the first rotatable drum member and a second annular inflatable member is positioned radially between the first and second rotatable drum members. The first and second annular inflatable members are in communication with a control system to cause the inflation of the first annular inflatable member to inhibit rotation of the first rotatable drum member and to cause inflation of the second annular inflatable member, when the first annular inflatable member is uninflated, to cause the first rotatable drum member to rotate in unison with the second rotatable drum.

Abstract: A torque converter for translating kinetic energy between a prime mover and a transmission including a turbine assembly rotatable about an axis and which includes a shell, a core and a plurality of turbine blades mounted therebetween. The turbine blades have flat working surfaces such that each of the turbine blades is contained in a single plane and such that each of the turbine blades is positioned spatially so as to define an angle Alpha of between -5.degree. and 65.degree. relative to the axis of rotation of the turbine assembly.

Abstract: A continuous slip bypass friction clutch for a hydrokinetic torque converter has annular interfaces that are adapted to engage and transmit torque while rotating in one direction and continuously slipping. One of the interfaces is provided with circuitous grooves that traverse back and forth across essentially the entire width of this interface to channel hydraulic fluid in the torque converter from a high pressure cavity at an outer diameter of the interfaces past the engaged clutch interfaces through flow paths defined thereby to a low pressure cavity at an inner diameter of the interfaces to thereby wet essentially the entire interface area of the clutch and to cool the clutch with a viscous pumping action that augments cooling differential pressure hydraulic fluid flow induced through the flow paths.

Abstract: A torque converter has a continuous slip bypass clutch with multiple friction plates one of which is directly coupled to the inside diameter of the front cover of the torque converter and another of which is directly coupled to a hub connected to the output shaft of the converter and wherein the bypass clutch is activated when there is excessive torque converter slip so as to engage plural friction surfaces on the multiple friction plates for providing a heat resistant slip connection between the front cover and the output shaft.

Abstract: A torque converter has an axial type reactor that is disposed between a turbine and an impeller at an inner end to form a toroid. The reactor blades have leading edges that slant toward the turbine in the radially inward direction and form an angle with an inner shell ring that varies between 60.degree. and 90.degree.. The leading edges also slant circumferentially so that radial lines intersecting the respective connection points of the leading edge with the inner shell ring and an outer core ring form a central angle that varies between 5.degree. in one direction and 12.degree. in the other direction.

Abstract: The two-stage torsional vibration damper includes an outer hub driven by a orque input drive member, a ring member, rotatably supported in the outer hub, an inner hub rotatably supported in the ring member, and a torque output member at the center of the inner hub. A front spring retainer plate is attached to one side of the ring member and a rear spring retainer plate is attached to the other side of the ring member. The spring retainer plate retains outer spring assemblies in spring assembly apertures in the outer hub and retain inner spring assemblies in spring assembly apertures in the inner hub. Torque is transmitted from the outer hub to the outer spring assemblies to the spring retainer plates to the inner spring assemblies to the inner hub. The outer spring assemblies can be compressed until rotation of the inner hub relative to the ring member is stopped.

Abstract: A torsion damper (10) for damping vibration between the input member and put member of a hydrodynamic converter (12) includes a lock-up plate (30) which is axially moveable in response to differential hydraulic pressure thereacross to be directly coupled to or released from the input member; a variable volume liquid filled damping chamber (62) is connected to the inboard surface of the lock-up plate and is comprised of three separate, slidably supported rings (40) for forming part of the damping chamber.

Abstract: A long travel damper having variable friction lag comprising a torque input cover plate and a torque output driven plate, a plurality of springs arranged on a circular spring guide for cushioning torque delivery between the cover plate and the driven plate, the springs having a large L/D ratio, and a friction lag clutch adapted to be actuated by cam plates connected respectively to the cover plate and the driven plate whereby the clutch is applied with a variable force that depends upon relative angular displacement of the cam plates.