Abstract: A vehicle drive system capable of selectively providing all-wheel drive and single-driven-axle modes includes a front drive unit having a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear and a sun gear driven by the transaxle's drive spool via an input shaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby selectively provide both an available low range and a front axle disconnect. The front drive unit further defines a power take-off unit with a clutch selectively coupling the input shaft to a propshaft. The rear drive unit includes a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear, a sun gear driven by the propshaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby likewise selectively provide both an available low range and a rear axle disconnect.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine coupled to a combined starter/motor/generator which is, in turn, coupled to a transmission of the vehicle. The starter/motor/generator is coupled to a high voltage battery pack via an inverter and to a deployable power output panel for serving loads external to the vehicle. Whenever external loads are to be powered, a control unit automatically places the vehicle in PARK, or alternatively activates an electrical parking brake system to hold the vehicle stationary.

Abstract: A method of controlling a dual clutch transmission of a motor vehicle, wherein the first clutch acts to transmit torque to the first driven gear, and the second clutch acts to transmit torque to the second driven gear. The steps involved in controlling the transmission include determining a predetermined first clutch slip value based on the perceived vehicle loading, initiating launch of the motor vehicle with both the first and the second clutch partially engaged, determining the vehicle inertia value based on the summation of instantaneous vehicle inertia values during vehicle launch, and controlling either the first or the second clutch to disengage when the predetermined first clutch slip value is reached.

Abstract: A method of converting an existing vehicle powertrain including a manual transmission to a hybrid powertrain system with an automated powertrain transmission. The first step in the method of attaching a gear train housing to a housing of said manual transmission, said gear train housing receiving as end of drive shaft of said transmission and rotatably supporting a gear train assembly. Secondly, mounting an electric motor/generator to said gear train housing and attaching a motor/generator drive shaft of said electric motor/generator to said gear train assembly. Lastly, connecting an electro-mechanical clutch actuator to a friction clutch mechanism of said manual transmission.

Abstract: A gear preselect system is provided for a transmission having dual input shafts in order to delay a gear preselect change until the last moment possible. The transmission controller determines the speed at which the next shift will occur and determines the preselect speed at which the preselect should occur in order for the preselect to take place prior to the time for shifting to the next gear. When the current vehicle speed is equal to or greater than the preselect speed, the transmission controller preselects the next higher gear.

Abstract: A parking sprag is provided for engaging a parking gear of an automotive transmission. The parking sprag includes a sprag mechanism pivotally mounted to a support structure. A linkage assembly operatively engages the sprag mechanism for pivoting the sprag mechanism into engagement with the parking gear. A linkage cam engaged with the linkage assembly and is driven by an electric motor. The electric motor drives the linkage cam which drives the linkage assembly in order to engage the sprag mechanism with the parking gear.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical automatic transmission is provided including a first input shaft and a second input shaft concentric with the first input shaft. A plurality of drive gears are rotatably mounted to each input shaft and are provided with synchronizer devices for selectively engaging the drive gears to the input shafts. A driver shaft is provided with a plurality of driven gears in meshing engagement with the drive gears. The electro-mechanical automatic transmission is provided with a pair of electro-mechanical clutch actuators for selectively disengaging dual clutches which transmit engine torque to the input shafts, as well as an electro-mechanical shift actuator system which operatively engage the synchronizer devices for selectively engaging the drive gears.

Abstract: A lubrication system is provided for a transmission including a lubrication pump driven by a reverse idler gear. The lubrication pump is supported by a partition plate having an inlet passage and an outlet passage formed therein for communicating with the lubrication pump. The outlet passage communicates with an input shaft extending through the partition plate for supplying lubrication fluid to a central passage in the input shaft.

Abstract: A transmission is provided with a hill holder device including an overrunning one-way clutch mounted on a driveshaft of the transmission for selective engagement by a transmission controller in order to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward on a hill.

Abstract: A dual clutch system is provided for a transmission having dual input shafts. The dual clutch system includes first and second flywheels as well as first and second friction disk assemblies and first and second pressure plates for pressing against said first and second friction disk assemblies, respectively. The pressure plates are each operatively engaged by an electromechanical clutch actuator.

Abstract: A powertrain system for a hybrid vehicle. The hybrid vehicle includes a heat engine, such as a diesel engine, and an electric machine, which operates as both an electric motor and an alternator, to power the vehicle. The hybrid vehicle also includes a manual-style transmission configured to operate as an automatic transmission from the perspective of the driver. The engine and the electric machine drive an input shaft which in turn drives an output shaft of the transmission. In addition to driving the transmission, the electric machine regulates the speed of the input shaft in order to synchronize the input shaft during either an upshift or downshift of the transmission by either decreasing or increasing the speed of the input shaft. When decreasing the speed of the input shaft, the electric motor functions as an alternator to produce electrical energy which may be stored by a storage device.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical clutch actuator is provided for disengaging a clutch of a transmission. The clutch actuator includes an assist spring for reducing the amount of motor torque required for operating the clutch actuator. The clutch actuator also includes a self adjustment feature which accommodates for clutch disk wear.

Abstract: A powertrain system for a hybrid vehicle. The hybrid vehicle includes a heat engine, such as a diesel engine, and an electric machine, which operates as both an electric motor and an alternator, to power the vehicle. The hybrid vehicle also includes a manual-style transmission configured to operate as an automatic transmission from the perspective of the driver. The engine and the electric machine drive an input shaft which in turn drives an output shaft of the transmission. In addition to driving the transmission, the electric machine regulates the speed of the input shaft in order to synchronize the input shaft during either an upshift or downshift of the transmission by either decreasing or increasing the speed of the input shaft. When decreasing the speed of the input shaft, the electric motor functions as an alternator to produce electrical energy which may be stored by a storage device.

Abstract: In providing automated shifting of a manual transmission, the electro-mechanical clutch actuator of the present invention is provided for disengaging and engaging the clutch of a manual-type transmission. The electromechanical clutch actuator is provided with an assist spring/cam assembly which is designed to reduce the load on the electric motor. The assist spring/cam assembly allows the shift (including clutch release and engagement) to be made faster and with a reduced-size motor. The clutch actuator also includes a mechanical wear adjuster which automatically adjusts the position of the release linkage as a clutch disk wears over its useful life.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical shift actuator system is provided for a transmission having dual input shafts and with a plurality of drive gears rotatably mounted to each input shaft and having synchronizer mechanisms for engaging each drive gear to one of the input shafts. The shift actuators include an electric motor and a reduction gear assembly for driving a barrel shaped shifter cam having a pair of cam grooves therein. The cam grooves are engaged by shift lugs mounted to a shift rail. The shift rails include shift forks for actuating synchronizers mounted on the input shafts for engaging selected drive gears.

Abstract: A hybrid electric powertrain system is provided including an electric motor/generator drivingly engaged with the drive shaft of a transmission. The electric is utilized for synchronizing the rotation of the drive shaft with the driven shaft during gear shift operations. In addition, a mild hybrid concept is provided which utilizes a smaller electric motor than typical hybrid powertrain systems. Because the electric motor is drivingly engaged with the drive shaft of the transmission, the electric motor/generator is driven at high speed even when the vehicle speed is low so that the electric motor/generator provides more efficient regeneration.

Abstract: A gear-type pump having an inner rotor and an outer rotor and in which the outer rotor is supported for rotation by a plurality of roller bearings interposed between a support housing and the outer rotor and in which the inner and outer rotors and the support housing are made of the same material and have essentially the same width dimension so that the thermal contraction of the support housing and the thermal contraction of the inner and outer rotors while pumping super-cooled fluid does not adversely affect the end-clearance between the end plates and the inner and outer rotors to an extent where the efficiency of the pump would differ if it were pumping fluid at a temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Abstract: An improvement to a self-adjusting clutch cable mechanism for adjusting a conduit relative to the strand slidably mounted therethrough. The improved mechanism features a spacer element operatively connected between the clutch pedal arm and the strand, wherein the spacer engages an adjustment sleeve member extending beyond a fixed cylindrical sleeve. Moving the sleeve member through the distance to the end of the cylindrical sleeve serves to free the conduit for repositioning relative to the strand upon release of the clutch pedal, and also provides a stop for the pedal in the free clutch pedal "up" position.

Abstract: A shift rail lock-out mechanism for a manual transmission having left and right pairs of shift rails arranged in a symmetrical manner about a medial plane. A lock-out frame member defines a rectangular-shaped opening through which said pairs of rails extend for individual reciprocal travel therein. A pair of left and right shuttle blocks are supported in the frame member opening such that each shuttle block is captured between its associated pair of rails and adapted to slide relative thereto. The frame member includes left and right internal locking edges while each shuttle block has inner and outer locking edges. The locking edges cooperate with opposed camming recesses in the rails for concurrent tansverse movement to insure travel of only one rail at a time during the shifting operation.

Abstract: An improved split thrust washer assembly for a vehicle transmission speed shaft. The assembly includes a pair of semi-circular washer segments held in a speed shaft circumferential groove by a C-type compression retaining ring. The ring biases each washer segment interior surface into contact with the groove base wall during maximum shaft speeds thereby neutralizing the centrifugal force tending to separate the segments from the groove. The segments have radially extending opposed end faces having a predetermined minimal clearance therebetween thereby insuring that the segments are maintained in contact with the groove. The thrust washer assembly allows a shallower groove to carry the design thrust loads so as to improve shaft fatigue life.