Abstract: Alignment tools and methods are provided for assembling a planetary gear sets. The alignment tools include a handle, and an elongated pin having a tip configured to be inserted through a mounting hole of a housing of the planetary gear set, through a first hole in a first washer, through a bore of a pinion gear between pinion needle rollers arranged in a tubular pattern within the bore, and through a second hole of a second washer. The elongated pin is configured to align the first washer, the pinion gear, the pinion needle rollers, and the second washer during insertion therethrough. The elongated pin is retractable relative to the handle in response to a force being applied to the tip in a first direction along a longitudinal axis of the elongated pin.

Abstract: A vane pump includes a first cam ring and a second cam ring, a first rotor positioned in the first cam ring and a second rotor positioned in the second cam ring, and a shaft. The first rotor is engaged with the shaft so that the first rotor rotates relative to the first cam ring about an axis extending through the shaft, and the second rotor selectively engages with the shaft so that the second rotor selectively rotates relative to the second cam ring about the axis. A piston positioned in the shaft translates within the shaft between a first position and a second position. When in the first position, the shaft engages with the second rotor so that the second rotor rotates relative to the second cam ring about the axis, and when in the second position, the shaft disengages with the second rotor so that the second rotor does not rotate relative to the second cam ring.

Abstract: A vane pump includes a first cam ring and a second cam ring, a first rotor positioned in the first cam ring and a second rotor positioned in the second cam ring, and a shaft. The first rotor is engaged with the shaft so that the first rotor rotates relative to the first cam ring about an axis extending through the shaft, and the second rotor selectively engages with the shaft so that the second rotor selectively rotates relative to the second cam ring about the axis. A piston positioned in the shaft translates within the shaft between a first positon and a second position. When in the first position, the shaft engages with the second rotor so that the second rotor rotates relative to the second cam ring about the axis, and when in the second position, the shaft disengages with the second rotor so that the second rotor does not rotate relative to the second cam ring.

Abstract: An off axis hydraulic pump for an automatic motor vehicle transmission includes an integrated chain and sprocket assembly. A first, chain drive sprocket is mounted on a shaft driven by an input to a torque converter and a second, driven chain sprocket is attached to a stub shaft which drives the pump. A multi-link chain encircles the sprockets and transfers drive torque from the torque converter input to the stub shaft. The first, chain drive sprocket is retained on the input shaft by a retainer cap which includes seals between both the shaft and a torque converter housing. The second, driven chain sprocket is retained on the stub shaft by a snap ring or similar component.

Abstract: A differential for interconnecting an input member to a first, second, and third output member includes a housing interconnected with the input member and with the first output member, the housing having a first portion connected to a second portion, the first portion defining a first recess and the second portion defining a second recess, wherein the first recess and the second recess are aligned and cooperate to define a slot. A key member is disposed within the slot between the first portion and the second portion. A cross member is attached to the housing. A set of pinion gears is rotatable about the cross member. A set of side gears is intermeshed with the set of pinion gears, wherein one of the set of side gears is interconnected with the second output member and another of the set of side gears is interconnected with the third output member.

Abstract: A differential carrier assembly for use in an axle of a vehicle includes a differential carrier that extends along a central axis. The differential carrier defines a chamber. A first stub shaft extends along a first rotational axis, transverse to the central axis. The first stub shaft is disposed within the chamber and is supported by the differential carrier. A first pair of gears is disposed in spaced relationship on the first stub shaft for rotation about the first rotational axis. A second stub shaft extends along a second rotational axis, transverse to the central axis and the first rotational axis. The second stub shaft is disposed within the chamber and supported by the differential carrier. A second pair of gears is disposed in spaced relationship on the second stub shaft for rotation about the second rotational axis.

Abstract: A differential for interconnecting an input member to a first, second, and third output member includes a housing interconnected with the input member and with the first output member, the housing having a first portion connected to a second portion, the first portion defining a first recess and the second portion defining a second recess, wherein the first recess and the second recess are aligned and cooperate to define a slot. A key member is disposed within the slot between the first portion and the second portion. A cross member is attached to the housing. A set of pinion gears is rotatable about the cross member. A set of side gears is intermeshed with the set of pinion gears, wherein one of the set of side gears is interconnected with the second output member and another of the set of side gears is interconnected with the third output member.

Abstract: An improved seal assembly is provided that minimizes loss of transmission pump pressure by controlling fluid flow past a torque converter hub bushing to meet bushing lubrication requirements without unnecessarily diminishing pump pressure and while also minimizing frictional losses. The seal assembly includes a rigid carrier adapted to fit between a pump body member and the torque converter hub. An elastomeric lip extends from the rigid carrier. A contact layer is connected to the elastomeric lip and configured to sealingly contact the torque converter hub. The contact layer is integral with and harder than the elastomeric lip, therefore minimizing frictional losses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a resilient, fluid-tight seal for shafts, pistons and the like having a plurality of radially oriented, spaced-apart ribs or webs extending between adjacent oblique circular flanges or features of a seal. The radially oriented ribs or webs provide added stiffness to the flanges or features to prevent them from rolling under during assembly procedures but do not increase the radial spring constant and thus do not appreciably increase the drag created by the seal on a shaft or piston.

Abstract: A differential carrier assembly for use in an axle of a vehicle includes a differential carrier that extends along a central axis. The differential carrier defines a chamber. A first stub shaft extends along a first rotational axis, transverse to the central axis. The first stub shaft is disposed within the chamber and is supported by the differential carrier. A first pair of gears is disposed in spaced relationship on the first stub shaft for rotation about the first rotational axis. A second stub shaft extends along a second rotational axis, transverse to the central axis and the first rotational axis. The second stub shaft is disposed within the chamber and supported by the differential carrier. A second pair of gears is disposed in spaced relationship on the second stub shaft for rotation about the second rotational axis.

Abstract: A thermal valve assembly for a transmission is provided. The thermal valve assembly includes a body having a base portion having a plurality of opposing sidewalls extending therefrom. A cover is mounted with respect to the body and operates to at least partially close the body to form a volume. The base portion defines an inlet orifice, while at least one of the plurality of opposing sidewalls at least partially defines an outlet orifice. A plate is operable to selectively close the inlet orifice. A bi-metallic spring member is disposed at least partially within the volume. The bi-metallic spring member is operable to bias the plate against the base portion. Additionally, the bi-metallic spring member has a variable stiffness characteristic responsive to temperature.

Abstract: A transmission having a sealing baffle is disclosed. The transmission further includes a transmission case, a torque converter housing and a torque transfer member. The transmission case has a drive sprocket and a driven sprocket mounted for rotation therein. The torque converter housing has a fluid pump for pumping lubrication fluid. The torque converter housing is configured to mount to the transmission case. The torque transfer member is coupled to the drive sprocket and to the driven sprocket for transferring a driving torque from the drive sprocket to the driven sprocket. The first baffle is mounted to the torque converter housing. The first baffle has a base, a first flange extending from a first side of the base, a second flange extending from a second side of the base and a sealing lip formed in the second flange. The sealing lip contacts the transmission case to form a seal to prevent the fluid from flooding the torque transfer member.

Abstract: An improved seal assembly is provided that minimizes loss of transmission pump pressure by controlling fluid flow past a torque converter hub bushing to meet bushing lubrication requirements without unnecessarily diminishing pump pressure and while also minimizing frictional losses. The seal assembly includes a rigid carrier adapted to fit between a pump body member and the torque converter hub. An elastomeric lip extends from the rigid carrier. A contact layer is connected to the elastomeric lip and configured to sealingly contact the torque converter hub. The contact layer is integral with and harder than the elastomeric lip, therefore minimizing frictional losses.

Abstract: A transmission having a sealing baffle is disclosed. The transmission further includes a transmission case, a torque converter housing and a torque transfer member. The transmission case has a drive sprocket and a driven sprocket mounted for rotation therein. The torque converter housing has a fluid pump for pumping lubrication fluid. The torque converter housing is configured to mount to the transmission case. The torque transfer member is coupled to the drive sprocket and to the driven sprocket for transferring a driving torque from the drive sprocket to the driven sprocket. The first baffle is mounted to the torque converter housing. The first baffle has a base, a first flange extending from a first side of the base, a second flange extending from a second side of the base and a sealing lip formed in the second flange. The sealing lip contacts the transmission case to form a seal to prevent the fluid from flooding the torque transfer member.