Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine and torque converter, a planetary transmission, and a final drive mechanism. The planetary transmission is selected from a family of transmissions wherein each family member has a first, a second, and a third planetary gear set; and each planetary gear set has a first, a second, and a third member. All of the family members have five torque transmitting mechanisms of the rotating type commonly named clutches. Each of the first members of the first and second planetary gear sets is continuously connected with a stationary portion of the transmission, and each of the first members of the third planetary gear set and the second member of the second planetary gear set are interconnected for common rotation by a connecting member. The input shaft is continuously connected with a member of one of the planetary gear sets, and the output shaft is continuously connected with another member of the planetary gear sets.

Abstract: The family of transmissions has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least six forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission family members each include three planetary gearsets and five torque-transmitting mechanisms. One of the torque-transmitting mechanisms is a stationary type torque-transmitting mechanism, or brake, and the remaining four of the torque-transmitting mechanisms are of the rotating type torque-transmitting mechanisms, or clutches. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to at least one member of the planetary gear arrangement and an output member that is continuously connecting with another of the planetary gear members. At least one other planetary gear member is continuously connected with the transmission housing.

Abstract: A family of multi-speed power transmissions included in powertrains having an engine and a final drive, wherein each transmission family member includes three planetary gearsets and five torque-transmitting mechanisms. The torque-transmitting mechanisms are engaged in combinations of two to establish a reverse drive ratio and six forward speed ratios between an input shaft and an output shaft. The torque-transmitting mechanisms include three rotating type torque-transmitting mechanisms and two stationary type torque-transmitting mechanisms. The three planetary gearsets include two continuously connected links between members of the first two planetary gearsets and one continuously connecting link between the second and third planetary gearsets. Each of the planetary gearsets may be either of the single pinion type or of the double pinion type of planetary gearset.

Abstract: A family of power transmissions, which are utilized in a powertrain, include three planetary gearsets and five torque-transmitting mechanisms. The torque-transmitting mechanisms are either five rotating type torque-transmitting mechanisms or four rotating type torque-transmitting mechanisms and one stationary type torque-transmitting mechanism. Each of the three planetary gearsets all include three members represented by a sun gear member, a ring gear member, and planet carrier assembly member. The planet carrier assembly member may be of either the single pinion or double pinion. In each of the family members, at least four of the planetary members are interconnected continuously with either another planetary member, the input shaft, the output shaft, or a stationary housing of the transmission. At least four of the planetary members are noncontinuously interconnected with another planetary member, the input shaft, the output shaft, or the stationary housing.

Abstract: A family of power transmissions, which are utilized in a powertrain, include three planetary gearsets and five torque-transmitting mechanisms. The torque-transmitting mechanisms are either five rotating type torque-transmitting mechanisms or four rotating type torque-transmitting mechanisms and one stationary type torque-transmitting mechanism. Each of the three planetary gearsets all include three members represented by a sun gear member, a ring gear member, and planet carrier assembly member. The planet carrier assembly member may be of either the single pinion or double pinion. In each of the family members, at least four of the planetary members are interconnected continuously with either another planetary member, the input shaft, the output shaft, or a stationary housing of the transmission. At least four of the planetary members are noncontinuously interconnected with another planetary member, the input shaft, the output shaft, or the stationary housing.

Abstract: The family of transmissions has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least six forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission family members include three planetary gear sets and five torque transmitting mechanisms. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to at least one member of the planetary gear arrangement and an output member that is continuously connected with another of the planetary gear members. At least one other planetary gear member is continuously connected with the transmission housing. The five torque transmitting mechanisms provide interconnections between various gear members and with either the input or output shaft, in some instances, and are operated in combinations of two to establish at least six forward speed ratios.

Abstract: A family of transmissions includes three planetary gear sets and five torque-transmitting mechanisms. Each family member may be employed in a powertrain to provide at least six forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio when the torque-transmitting mechanisms are engaged in combinations of two in a selected manner. Each planetary gear set includes three planetary members; namely, a sun gear, a ring gear, and a planet carrier assembly member. The first member of the first planetary gear set is continuously connected with the first member of the second planetary gear set. The second member of the first planetary gear set is continuously connected with a first member of the third planetary gear set. The second member of the second planetary gear set is continuously connected with the second member of the third planetary gear set.

Abstract: A family of transmissions has three planetary gear sets controlled by five torque transmitting mechanisms that are selectively operable to provide six forward speed ratios and a reverse ratio between an input shaft and a output shaft. The planetary gear sets may be of the single or double pinion gear type and each include three members such as a sun gear member, a ring gear member and a planet carrier assembly member. First and second members of the first planetary gear set are continuously connected with respective first and second members of the second planetary gear set. A first member of the third planetary gear set is continuously connected to a stationary component. The input shaft is continuously connected to at least one member of one of the planetary gear sets and the output shaft is connected to at least one member of one of the planetary gear sets.

Abstract: A transmission family has a plurality of members that each provide six forward speed ratios, a reverse speed ratio and a neutral condition. Each family member has three planetary gear sets that are serially arranged and interconnected to form a planetary gear arrangement and five torque transmitting mechanisms. The planetary gear sets may each be of the single pinion type or double pinion type. In either event, each planetary gear set has three rotatable members, namely a sun gear member, a ring gear member, and a planet carrier assembly member. One member of each of the three planetary gear sets are continuously interconnected; in other words, three members are interconnected. Another member in each of two planetary gear sets are also continuously interconnect. At least one member of one of the planetary gear sets is continuously connected with an input shaft and at least one member of another of the planetary gear sets is continuously connected with an output shaft.

Abstract: A powertrain incorporates three planetary gear sets and five rotating torque transmitting mechanisms in a compact structure having minimum mechanical content to provide at least six forward speed ratios and a reverse ratio between an input shaft and an output shaft. One of the planetary gear sets has three rotatable members with one member continuously connected with the input shaft, another member continuously connected with the output shaft and a further member that is non-continuously interconnected. Another and a further of the planetary gear sets each has three members with respective first members being continuously interconnected and respective second members being continuously interconnected through first and second continuous interconnections, respectively. The third member of the other planetary gear set is non-continuously connected and the third member of the further planetary gear set is continuously connected with a stationary member such as a transmission housing.

Abstract: A powertrain has a prime mover and a final drive gearing interconnected by a planetary gear arrangement including three planetary gear sets and five torque transmitting mechanisms. The planetary gear sets each have three rotatable members. Two members of a first of the planetary gear sets are continuously interconnected respectively with members of a second of the planetary gear sets. One of the interconnected pairs is continuously connected with the prime mover. The third member of the second planetary gear set is continuously connected with one member of the third of the planetary gear sets. Another member of the third planetary gear set is continuously connected with the final drive gearing. Three of the torque transmitting mechanisms are operatively connected between the planetary gear sets and a transmission housing to selectively restrain rotation of selected members of the three planetary gear sets.

Abstract: A selectively engageable torque transmitting mechanism has an apply piston, a plurality of first friction plates, a plurality of second friction plates, and a backing plate. The first friction plates are drivingly connected with one transmission member and the second friction plates are drivingly connected with another transmission member and alternately spaced with the first friction members. The friction plates are generally annular members having axial faces that are magnetized with opposite polarities. The magnetized faces of the first friction plates are disposed adjacent like polarity faces of the second friction plates to enforce separation thereof when the torque transmitting mechanism is in a disengaged state. The apply piston of the torque transmitting mechanism also has an annular face with a magnetic polarity disposed in opposition to an oppositely polarized surface on an adjacent member of the torque transmitting mechanism.

Abstract: A powertrain has an engine, torque converter, and planetary transmission that includes an input shaft, an output shaft, two simple planetary gear sets, rive rotating torque transmitting mechanisms (clutches) and one stationary torque transmitting mechanism (brake). The planetary gear sets are interconnected with both a permanent interconnection and a selective interconnection. A first member of a first of the planetary gear sets is continuously connected with the output shaft and a first member of the second planetary gear set is continuously connected with a stationary portion of the transmission. Two of the clutches are operable to selectively connect the input shaft with the second and third members of the first planetary gear set, respectively. A third of the clutches is connectable between the second member of the second planetary gear set and the output shaft. The brake is selectively connectable between the second member of the first planetary gear set and the stationary portion.

Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid clutch has a pair of radially spaced magnetic core members that cooperate with an input rotor to form a pair of working gaps filled with magnetorheological fluid (MRF). An encapsulated electric coil disposed in a radially inner of the two magnetic cores is energized to establish a magnetic field through the cores, the input rotor and the MRF to establish a torque transmitting relation therebetween. The magnetic cores are secured to a channel ring and a housing in both of which a plurality of cooling channels are formed. The channels in the housing are in fluid communication with an input path to a serpentine flow path formed between the radially outer magnetic core and the housing to direct liquid cooling flow thereto. A return path from the serpentine flow path is in communication with the channels in the channel ring to direct liquid cooling flow therefrom.

Abstract: A viscous clutch of the magnetorheological fluid type includes an input drive member and an output driven member. A selectively energizable magnetorheological fluid is disposed in a working gap between one cylindrical member on the input member and two cylindrical members on the output shaft. A slip ring configuration on the output member is provided to permit the introduction of electrical energy to a coil assembly disposed on the output member, which coil is energized to establish a magnetic field in the working gap, thereby energizing the magnetorheological fluid. Wiper structures on the input and output members prevent the accumulation and/or centrifugal packing of the iron particles in the magnetorheological fluid adjacent the axial ends of the cylindrical members. A cavity for excess magnetorheological fluid or fluid draining from the working gap is provided between opposed members of the output member.

Abstract: A powertrain has an engine, torque converter and a multi-speed transmission. The multi-speed transmission has a planetary gear arrangement disposed between an input shaft and an output shaft. The planetary gear arrangement consists of a simple planetary gear set and a compound planetary gear set that are interconnected and controlled by six torque transmitting mechanisms to provide six forward speed ratios and a reverse speed ratio between the input shaft and output shaft. Each of the torque transmitting mechanisms is engaged during at least two of the speed ratios. One of the torque transmitting mechanisms is established during six of the speed ratios including the reverse speed ratio.

Abstract: A powertrain has an engine and torque converter that provides power to a multi-speed planetary transmission. The transmission includes a compound planetary gear set and a simple planetary gear set that are selectively interconnected by a plurality of selectively engageable torque transmitting mechanisms. The planetary carrier assembly member of the compound planetary gear set is continually connected to be driven by the torque converter, and the ring gear of the simple planetary gear set is connected to continually drive the transmission output shaft. A plurality of torque transmitting mechanisms, including the interconnecting mechanisms, are selectively engaged in combinations of three to establish six forward speed ratios and a reverse ratio.

Abstract: A powertrain has an engine, torque converter and multi-speed transmission. The transmission has a simple planetary gear set and a compound planetary gear set. The gear sets are interconnected between the sun gear member of the simple planetary and the carrier assembly member of the compound planetary. The simple planetary ring gear member is continuously connected with an output shaft and the sun gear member of the compound planetary is continuously connected with an input shaft. Four clutches and two brakes are selectively engaged in pairs to provide six forward speed ratios and one reverse ratio.

Abstract: A powertain includes an engine and torque converter arranged to provide input power to a six speed planetary transmission. The transmission includes a simple planetary gear set and a compound planetary gear set that are selectively interconnected by a pair of fluid-operated clutch mechanisms. Two other selectively engageable fluid-operated clutch mechanisms and three selectively engageable fluid-operated brake mechanisms are provided to control the power input and reaction within the planetary transmission. The clutch mechanisms and the brake mechanisms are engaged in combinations of three to provide six forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between a transmission input shaft and a transmission output shaft.

Abstract: A powertrain has an engine-driven power transmission that selectively provides six forward speed ratios, a neutral condition and a reverse speed ratio. The power transmission includes two simple planetary gear sets that are continuously interconnected between two members and selectively interconnected between two other members through a selectively engageable rotating torque-transmitting mechanism. The ring gear member of one of the planetary gear sets is continually connected with an output shaft. Three selectively engageable rotating torque-transmitting mechanisms connect a member of each planetary gear set as well as the interconnected members with an input shaft. Two selectively engageable stationary torque-transmitting mechanisms inhibit the rotation of two members of one of the planetary gear and one member of the other planetary gear set when the selectively engageable interconnection is active.