Abstract: A speed reduction assembly for an electric vehicle includes an electric machine configured to operate as a motor and as a generator. The electric machine includes an output shaft that is rotatable about a longitudinal axis at an output speed. The assembly also includes an output member coupled to the output shaft and rotatable about the longitudinal axis at a reduced speed. In addition, the assembly includes a pericyclic apparatus coupled to the output shaft and the output member to reduce the output speed of the output shaft to the reduced speed of the output member. A vehicle may include the speed reduction assembly in certain configurations. The vehicle includes a battery module and the electric machine is in electrical communication with the battery module to recharge the battery module when the electric machine operates as the generator.

Abstract: A gear assembly includes a first gear having a first hub surrounded by a first plurality of teeth. The first plurality of teeth each define a respective first contact region. The gear assembly includes a second gear having a second hub surrounded by a second plurality of teeth. The second plurality of teeth are adapted to mesh with the first plurality of teeth at the respective first contact region in order to drive a respective load in a first direction. The first hub and the first plurality of teeth include respective zones defining a respective elastic modulus. A three-dimensional distribution of the respective physical size and the respective elastic modulus of the respective zones is optimized such that a fluctuation of mesh stiffness along the respective first contact region is at or below a first predefined threshold.

Abstract: A gear assembly includes a first gear having a first hub surrounded by a first plurality of teeth. The first plurality of teeth each define a respective first contact region. The gear assembly includes a second gear having a second hub surrounded by a second plurality of teeth. The second plurality of teeth are adapted to mesh with the first plurality of teeth at the respective first contact region in order to drive a respective load in a first direction. The first hub and the first plurality of teeth include respective zones defining a respective elastic modulus. A three-dimensional distribution of the respective physical size and the respective elastic modulus of the respective zones is optimized such that a fluctuation of mesh stiffness along the respective first contact region is at or below a first predefined threshold.

Abstract: An electric drive unit includes an electric motor, a differential assembly, and a double-helical gearset positioned between and interconnecting the electric motor and the differential assembly and adapted to transfer rotational motion from the electric motor to the differential assembly, the double-helical gearset including a driving double-helical gear rotationally mounted onto a transfer shaft of the electric motor and including a right-hand helix, a left-hand helix and a gap extending circumferentially between the right-hand helix and the left-hand helix, and a driven double-helical gear rotationally mounted onto a housing of the differential assembly and including a right-hand helix, a left-hand helix and a gap extending circumferentially between the right-hand helix and the left-hand helix, and a park gear positioned within the gap between the right hand helix and the left hand helix of one of the driving double-helical gear and the driven double-helical gear, wherein one of the driving double-helical ge

Abstract: A speed reduction assembly for an electric vehicle includes an electric machine configured to operate as a motor and as a generator. The electric machine includes an output shaft that is rotatable about a longitudinal axis at an output speed. The assembly also includes an output member coupled to the output shaft and rotatable about the longitudinal axis at a reduced speed. In addition, the assembly includes a pericyclic apparatus coupled to the output shaft and the output member to reduce the output speed of the output shaft to the reduced speed of the output member. A vehicle may include the speed reduction assembly in certain configurations. The vehicle includes a battery module and the electric machine is in electrical communication with the battery module to recharge the battery module when the electric machine operates as the generator.

Abstract: A fluid containing component is provided having a structure and a sump for storing a fluid. A gear baffle is disposed between the rotatable component and the structure. The gear baffle includes a first side end and a second side defining a gear cavity therebetween. The fluid displaced by rotation of a gear positioned within the gear baffle collects on inner surfaces of the gear baffle and is directed out of the gear baffle through at least one flow port of the baffle.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a portion of a rotating component within an oil sump environment including an at least two piece assembly having complementary peripheral joining edges for shielding a portion of the rotating component from the oil sump environment. A sealing material or device is disposed between the complementary peripheral joining edges of the at least two piece assembly for enhancing the prevention lubricant flow into the sealed environment.

Abstract: An apparatus for active thermal management of transmission lubricant includes a transmission having a housing and a rotating gear. A baffle arrangement is disposed within the housing operative to shroud a portion of the rotating component and direct transmission lubricant flow through at least one route. A heat exchanger disposed in the at least one route is operative to transfer thermal energy from a heat source to the transmission lubricant.

Abstract: An apparatus for passive control of fluid flow between at least two volumes includes a first volume containing a fluid agitator and a second volume containing a fluid. A baffle disposed between the first and second volumes includes at least one opening that allows fluid flow to occur between the first and second volumes. A flow control device is passively manipulated in response to a condition change of either the first or second volumes to effect flow through the at least one opening in the baffle.

Abstract: A variable baffle for controlling a flow of oil at a gear mesh includes a first baffle member fixed proximate to the gear teeth of a first rotating gear. A second baffle member is rotatably connected to the first baffle member. A third baffle member is fixed proximate to a second rotating gear and aligned with the second baffle member when the second baffle member is in a closed position. A rotating member rotatably connects the second baffle member to the first baffle member. The second baffle member is movable away from the closed position to an open position when the force of a fluid expelled from the gear teeth of the first rotating gear exceeds a force applied to the rotating member normally acting to move the second baffle member toward the closed position.

Abstract: A cover positioned over one or more fasteners that attaches a component to a shaft. The cover is positioned over the one or more fasteners to prevent interaction between the one or more fasteners and a hydraulic fluid as the component moves through the hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: A variable baffle for controlling a flow of oil at a gear mesh includes a first baffle member fixed proximate to the gear teeth of a first rotating gear. A second baffle member is rotatably connected to the first baffle member. A third baffle member is fixed proximate to a second rotating gear and aligned with the second baffle member when the second baffle member is in a closed position. A rotating member rotatably connects the second baffle member to the first baffle member. The second baffle member is movable away from the closed position to an open position when the force of a fluid expelled from the gear teeth of the first rotating gear exceeds a force applied to the rotating member normally acting to move the second baffle member toward the closed position.

Abstract: A fluid containing component is provided having a structure and a sump for storing a fluid. A gear baffle is disposed between the rotatable component and the structure. The gear baffle includes a first side end and a second side defining a gear cavity therebetween. The fluid displaced by rotation of a gear positioned within the gear baffle collects on inner surfaces of the gear baffle and is directed out of the gear baffle through at least one flow port of the baffle.