Abstract: A system for de-aerating fluid in a motor vehicle transmission includes a first rib in a first compartment of the transmission, a second rib spaced apart from the first rib, and a third rib spaced apart from the second rib. The first rib and the second rib define a first channel with an inlet region, and the second rib and the third rib define a second channel with an outlet hole. The second rib is positioned between the first rib and the second rib and has a vertical height that is less than the vertical heights of the first rib and the third rib. As the temperature of the fluid rises, the fluid flows into the inlet region, rises up the first channel, flows over the second rib into the second channel, and out of the second channel through the outlet hole.

Abstract: A system for de-aerating fluid in a motor vehicle transmission includes a first rib in a first compartment of the transmission, a second rib spaced apart from the first rib, and a third rib spaced apart from the second rib. The first rib and the second rib define a first channel with an inlet region, and the second rib and the third rib define a second channel with an outlet hole. The second rib is positioned between the first rib and the second rib and has a vertical height that is less than the vertical heights of the first rib and the third rib. As the temperature of the fluid rises, the fluid flows into the inlet region, rises up the first channel, flows over the second rib into the second channel, and out of the second channel through the outlet hole.

Abstract: A method and system of determining a volume of a vehicle component. The system includes a computing device having a host application and analytical tool. The host application is configured to present an interface to a user and allow the user to modify a component model. The component model includes a three-dimensional representation of at least a portion of a vehicle component and has a virtual housing at least partially defining an internal cavity. The analytical tool is configured to generate a solid body representing the internal cavity and calculate a volume of the solid body. The analytical tool is configured to determine whether the internal cavity is bounded by the virtual housing, counting a number of external and internal faces traversed by the fluid during the simulated fluid flow, and determining a shortest path between the selected external and internal faces.

Abstract: A computing device includes a host application and an analytical tool. The host application is configured to present an interface to a user and allow the user to modify a component model. The component model includes a three-dimensional representation of at least a portion of a vehicle component and has a virtual housing at least partially defining an internal cavity. The analytical tool is configured to generate a solid body representing the internal cavity and calculate a volume of the solid body. The analytical tool is further configured to determine whether the internal cavity is bounded by the virtual housing of the component model.

Abstract: The present invention provides a three position hydraulic piston assembly for a gear ratio change mechanism for a transmission exhibiting reduced gear shift noise. The three position hydraulic piston assembly includes a master piston and motion retarding assemblies that act near both travel limits of the master piston. The master piston includes symmetrical passageways that provide hydraulic fluid flow to small chambers at each end of the piston that are closed off as the piston approaches its travel limits. Hydraulic fluid trapped in the chambers decelerates the piston and is bled off through an orifice allowing the piston to reach its travel limit and quickly and quietly engage a gear ratio.

Abstract: A rotating electric machine apparatus includes at least one end plate associated with an inner assembly unit that operates to prevent contact between the inner assembly unit and an outer assembly unit. The end plate is peripherally sized to allow the slidable assembly of the inner assembly unit into the outer assembly unit while preventing undesirable contact of the inner assembly unit with the outer assembly unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a three position hydraulic piston assembly for a gear ratio change mechanism for a transmission exhibiting reduced gear shift noise. The three position hydraulic piston assembly includes a master piston and motion retarding assemblies that act near both travel limits of the master piston. The master piston includes symmetrical passageways that provide hydraulic fluid flow to small chambers at each end of the piston that are closed off as the piston approaches its travel limits. Hydraulic fluid trapped in the chambers decelerates the piston and is bled off through an orifice allowing the piston to reach its travel limit and quickly and quietly engage a gear ratio.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrically variable transmission for a hybrid vehicle. The electrically variable transmission includes a transmission input shaft defining a first axis of rotation, and a transmission output shaft defining a second axis of rotation. A first motor/generator is operatively connected to the transmission input shaft and is configured to rotate about a third axis of rotation for improved packaging. A second motor/generator is operatively connected to the transmission input shaft and is configured to rotate about the first axis of rotation.

Abstract: A rotating electric machine apparatus includes at least one end plate associated with an inner assembly unit that operates to prevent contact between the inner assembly unit and an outer assembly unit. The end plate is peripherally sized to allow the slidable assembly of the inner assembly unit into the outer assembly unit while preventing undesirable contact of the inner assembly unit with the outer assembly unit.

Abstract: A pumping system for a transmission system having a single pump functionally connected to a mechanical power source and an electrical power source is provided. The connections between the pump and the mechanical power source and electrical power source include at least one roller clutch, which permits only one of the power sources to drive the pump at any given time. Additionally, the functional connections, which may be chains, provide that the pump and the electrical power source may be located non-coaxial with the center axis of the transmission system, as may be preferred for improved packaging. The dual-chain and roller clutch pumping system is appropriate for gasoline/electric hybrid vehicles where pumping may be necessary when the engine is off and limited packaging space is available in the transmission housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrically variable transmission for a hybrid vehicle. The electrically variable transmission includes a transmission input shaft defining a first axis of rotation, and a transmission output shaft defining a second axis of rotation. A first motor/generator is operatively connected to the transmission input shaft and is configured to rotate about a third axis of rotation for improved packaging. A second motor/generator is operatively connected to the transmission input shaft and is configured to rotate about the first axis of rotation.

Abstract: An electromechanical transmission includes a motor/generator having a stator and a rotor and including a structural support member that supports the stator in fixed relation thereto and the rotor in rotational relation thereto. By supporting both the stator and the rotor, the structural support member substantially controls a spatial relationship (i.e., the gap in which a magnetic field is created) between the stator and rotor.

Abstract: An improved hybrid transmission including two electric motor/generator modules and a plurality of planetary gear sets operatively connectable to the motor/generators and to an engine is provided. Novel structural and packaging schemes enhance the function and efficiency of the transmission. More precisely, the present invention relates to an improved apparatus for retaining a clutch hub and providing hydraulic fluid to actuate a clutch.

Abstract: A cooling system for an annular stator housed within a transmission casing includes a first curved tube sufficiently sized to at least partially circumscribe the stator when the tube is placed within the casing. The first tube has a plurality of circumferentially spaced fluid openings. An intake conduit connects the first tube to the transmission casing to deliver fluid through the tube for flow through the fluid openings to cool the stator. Preferably, a second like curved tube is also provided and a connector tube connects the first and second tubes to allow fluid flow therebetween. A method of assembling a cooling system is also provided.

Abstract: A support structure for a rotor within a transmission system is provided. The cantilevered support structure is umbrella-shaped to create an area of space between the rotor and the main shaft where other vehicle components, such as a gear set or system of clutches, may be packaged. The cantilevered support structure may be a true cantilever or a steady-rested cantilever. The support structure maintains the rotor at a distance from the transmission main shaft to maintain torque within the system while compacting packaging requirements. A second cantilevered support structure is wineglass-shaped to create a second area of packaging space between the rotor and the main shaft. The support structures may be telescoped to further compact the transmission.

Abstract: The invention provides a structural member for a vehicle transmission formed with an annular recess in fluid communication with a fluid source and at least partially enclosing and defining an interior space of the transmission. An interior component, such as a motor/generator, is located in the interior space. The annular recess directs cooling fluid provided from the fluid source onto the interior component. The end cover includes structure defining a flow passage in fluid communication with a fluid source and also defining an annular recess in fluid communication with the flow passage. The flow passage and the annular recess are cooperatively configured for directing fluid provided from the fluid source onto an interior component in the interior space for cooling the interior component. Preferably, the interior component is an electric motor/generator that includes a stator having electric windings. The fluid is directed from the annulus onto the electric windings.

Abstract: A cooling system for an annular stator housed within a transmission casing includes a first curved tube sufficiently sized to at least partially circumscribe the stator when the tube is placed within the casing. The first tube has a plurality of circumferentially spaced fluid openings. An intake conduit connects the first tube to the transmission casing to deliver fluid through the tube for flow through the fluid openings to cool the stator. Preferably, a second like curved tube is also provided and a connector tube connects the first and second tubes to allow fluid flow therebetween. A method of assembling a cooling system is also provided.

Abstract: An improved hybrid transmission including two electric motor/generator modules and a plurality of planetary gear sets operatively connectable to the motor/generators and to an engine is provided. Novel structural and packaging schemes enhance the function and efficiency of the transmission. More precisely, the present invention relates to an improved apparatus for retaining a clutch hub and providing hydraulic fluid to actuate a clutch.

Abstract: A pumping system for a transmission system having a single pump functionally connected to a mechanical power source and an electrical power source is provided. The connections between the pump and the mechanical power source and electrical power source include at least one roller clutch, which permits only one of the power sources to drive the pump at any given time. Additionally, the functional connections, which may be chains, provide that the pump and the electrical power source may be located non-coaxial with the center axis of the transmission system, as may be preferred for improved packaging. The dual-chain and roller clutch pumping system is appropriate for gasoline/ electric hybrid vehicles where pumping may be necessary when the engine is off and limited packaging space is available in the transmission housing.

Abstract: A support structure for a rotor within a transmission system is provided. The cantilevered support structure is umbrella-shaped to create an area of space between the rotor and the main shaft where other vehicle components, such as a gear set or system of clutches, may be packaged. The cantilevered support structure may be a true cantilever or a steady-rested cantilever. The support structure maintains the rotor at a distance from the transmission main shaft to maintain torque within the system while compacting packaging requirements. A second cantilevered support structure is wineglass-shaped to create a second area of packaging space between the rotor and the main shaft. The support structures may be telescoped to further compact the transmission.