Abstract: In one aspect, an improved electric transmission assembly is provided that includes a hydrodynamic bearing. The electric transmission assembly includes a stator arranged inside of an outer housing. A rotor is configured to be rotatably driven by the stator. The rotor can include a rotor shaft having a first gear configured to driveably engage with a differential. A hydrodynamic bearing is arranged between the rotor shaft and the outer housing. The hydrodynamic bearing is formed from a non-conductive material. Specifically, the hydrodynamic bearing can be formed from a polymeric or plastic material. In one aspect, the hydrodynamic bearing is formed from a non-metallic material.

Abstract: In one aspect, an improved electric transmission assembly is provided that includes a hydrodynamic bearing. The electric transmission assembly includes a stator arranged inside of an outer housing. A rotor is configured to be rotatably driven by the stator. The rotor can include a rotor shaft having a first gear configured to driveably engage with a differential. A hydrodynamic bearing is arranged between the rotor shaft and the outer housing. The hydrodynamic bearing is formed from a non-conductive material. Specifically, the hydrodynamic bearing can be formed from a polymeric or plastic material. In one aspect, the hydrodynamic bearing is formed from a non-metallic material.

Abstract: A clutch carrier includes a stamped carrier and a hub portion. The stamped carrier has a first circumferential wall, a second circumferential wall axially and radially offset from the first circumferential wall, and a first radial wall extending radially inward from the second circumferential wall. The hub portion has a third circumferential wall extending from the first radial wall, a fourth circumferential wall axially and radially offset from the third circumferential wall, and a second radial wall connecting the third and fourth circumferential walls. In some example embodiments, the first circumferential wall includes a plurality of axially extending fingers for driving engagement with a clutch plate. In an example embodiment, each of the plurality of axially extending fingers includes a groove for receiving a retaining ring.

Abstract: A transmission assembly for a transmission of a motor vehicle drive train is provided. The transmission assembly includes a transmission case; a rotatable component inside the transmission case; and a wedge one-way clutch including an outer surface drivingly coupled to an inner surface of the transmission case. An outer radial end of the rotatable component is fixed to or forms an inner race for the one-way clutch.

Abstract: A multi-function torque converter, comprising: a cover rotatable about a rotational axis and comprising opposite first and second sidewalls, the cover further comprising an outer wall extending between and interconnecting the opposite sidewalls; an impeller coaxially aligned with the rotational axis and comprising an impeller shell; a backing plate extending radially inward from and non-rotatable relative to the outer wall of the cover and being spaced between the opposite sidewalls of the cover, the backing plate having a first engagement surface; and, a turbine-piston coaxially aligned with and hydrodynamically drivable by the impeller, the turbine-piston comprising a turbine shell including a radial extension having a second engagement surface axially movable toward and away from the first engagement surface of the backing plate to position the torque converter into and out of a lockup mode in which the turbine-piston is mechanically locked to and non-rotatable relative to the backing plate.

Abstract: A one way clutch with improved cage retention is disclosed. The assembly includes a housing with an opening having a first ramped portion defined on an inner periphery of the opening and a groove. A cage defines a plurality of rolling element pockets, and includes a first rim with a second ramped portion that corresponds to the first ramped portion. The first ramped portion of the housing is aligned with the second ramped portion of the cage during insertion of the cage into the opening of the housing for axial alignment of the second ramped portion and the groove. The cage is then rotated with respect to the housing such that the second ramped portion overlaps the first ramped portion to retain the cage in the housing.

Abstract: A one way clutch with improved cage retention is disclosed. The assembly includes a housing with an opening having a first ramped portion defined on an inner periphery of the opening and a groove. A cage defines a plurality of rolling element pockets, and includes a first rim with a second ramped portion that corresponds to the first ramped portion. The first ramped portion of the housing is aligned with the second ramped portion of the cage during insertion of the cage into the opening of the housing for axial alignment of the second ramped portion and the groove. The cage is then rotated with respect to the housing such that the second ramped portion overlaps the first ramped portion to retain the cage in the housing.

Abstract: A clutch carrier includes a stamped carrier and a hub portion. The stamped carrier has a first circumferential wall, a second circumferential wall axially and radially offset from the first circumferential wall, and a first radial wall extending radially inward from the second circumferential wall. The hub portion has a third circumferential wall extending from the first radial wall, a fourth circumferential wall axially and radially offset from the third circumferential wall, and a second radial wall connecting the third and fourth circumferential walls. In some example embodiments, the first circumferential wall includes a plurality of axially extending fingers for driving engagement with a clutch plate. In an example embodiment, each of the plurality of axially extending fingers includes a groove for receiving a retaining ring.

Abstract: A multi-function torque converter, comprising: a cover rotatable about a rotational axis and comprising opposite first and second sidewalls, the cover further comprising an outer wall extending between and interconnecting the opposite sidewalls; an impeller coaxially aligned with the rotational axis and comprising an impeller shell; a backing plate extending radially inward from and non-rotatable relative to the outer wall of the cover and being spaced between the opposite sidewalls of the cover, the backing plate having a first engagement surface; and, a turbine-piston coaxially aligned with and hydrodynamically drivable by the impeller, the turbine-piston comprising a turbine shell including a radial extension having a second engagement surface axially movable toward and away from the first engagement surface of the backing plate to position the torque converter into and out of a lockup mode in which the turbine-piston is mechanically locked to and non-rotatable relative to the backing plate.

Abstract: A multi-function torque converter, including: a cover arranged to receive torque; an impeller including an impeller shell and at least one impeller blade connected to the impeller shell; a turbine including a turbine shell and at least one turbine blade connected to the turbine shell; and an impeller clutch including a resilient element urging the impeller shell toward the cover to close the impeller clutch and including at least a portion located radially inward of the at least one impeller blade.

Abstract: A transmission assembly for a transmission of a motor vehicle drive train is provided. The transmission assembly includes a transmission case; a rotatable component inside the transmission case; and a wedge one-way clutch including an outer surface drivingly coupled to an inner surface of the transmission case. An outer radial end of the rotatable component is fixed to or forms an inner race for the one-way clutch.

Abstract: A one-way clutch carrier assembly for a transmission includes an outer ring and a carrier. The outer ring has an outer surface with radially extending teeth. The carrier circumscribes the outer ring. The carrier has an undulating outer surface with teeth for receiving a plurality of clutch plates, an undulating inner surface with teeth for receiving the outer ring teeth, and an inwardly extending tab for limiting axial displacement of the outer ring in the carrier. In an example embodiment, the outer ring includes a first circumferential surface with a first radius and a second circumferential surface with a second radius, larger than the first radius. The carrier inwardly extending tab has a third radius that is smaller than the second radius.

Abstract: A multi-function torque converter, including: a cover arranged to receive torque; an impeller including an impeller shell and at least one impeller blade connected to the impeller shell; a turbine including a turbine shell and at least one turbine blade connected to the turbine shell; and an impeller clutch including a resilient element urging the impeller shell toward the cover to close the impeller clutch and including at least a portion located radially inward of the at least one impeller blade.

Abstract: A one-way clutch carrier assembly for a transmission includes an outer ring and a carrier. The outer ring has an outer surface with radially extending teeth. The carrier circumscribes the outer ring. The carrier has an undulating outer surface with teeth for receiving a plurality of clutch plates, an undulating inner surface with teeth for receiving the outer ring teeth, and an inwardly extending tab for limiting axial displacement of the outer ring in the carrier. In an example embodiment, the outer ring includes a first circumferential surface with a first radius and a second circumferential surface with a second radius, larger than the first radius. The carrier inwardly extending tab has a third radius that is smaller than the second radius.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for damping torque output from a torque converter turbine to input to a transmission. The damper includes: (a) an input device for connection to an engine; (b) a first spring set having drive springs; (c) a second spring set having secondary springs; (d) a third spring set having parallel springs; (e) a floating apparatus; and (f) an output device. Springs of the first spring set are compressible in a forward direction toward the output device as a result of torque applied to the input device and compressible in a reverse direction toward the input device as a result of torque applied by the output device. The first and second spring sets are in series between the input device and output device during a first forward compression of the first spring set, and the series is in parallel with the third spring set between the input apparatus and output device during a second compression of the first spring set.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for damping torque output from a torque converter turbine to input to a transmission. The damper includes: (a) an input device for connection to an engine; (b) a first spring set having drive springs; (c) a second spring set having secondary springs; (d) a third spring set having parallel springs; (e) a floating apparatus; and (f) an output device. Springs of the first spring set are compressible in a forward direction toward the output device as a result of torque applied to the input device and compressible in a reverse direction toward the input device as a result of torque applied by the output device. The first and second spring sets are in series between the input device and output device during a first forward compression of the first spring set, and the series is in parallel with the third spring set between the input apparatus and output device during a second compression of the first spring set.