Abstract: A centrifugal debris trap is provided for collecting debris within various parts of the transmission. The debris trap includes a porous material that disposed in various parts of the transmission. For example, the debris trap may be located within or on any transmission component that rotates or is stationary and that contacts automatic transmission fluid. Particular locations of the debris trap include but are not limited to the torque converter, damper, one or more clutch hubs, one or more clutch pistons, one or more clutch piston dams, including rotating hubs, rotating housings and rotating pistons, gears, gear carriers, electric motors, sprockets, bearings, and flanges.

Abstract: Improvements in one way clutches include a first embodiment directed to a one way clutch having two sets of helical teeth arranged about the axis of rotation of a drive and driven member that translate axially into and out of engagement. The one way clutch is biased into engagement by a wave washer or similar device. As the speed of rotation of the clutch increases, hydraulic fluid which is directed axially against the drive member by a dam urges the drive member away from the driven member and opens the clutch. In a second embodiment, a pair of one way clutches having oppositely arranged sets of helical teeth selectively provide one way or overrunning operation in both directions. In this embodiment, each of the drive members may be selectively engaged with the driven member by a hydraulic piston. Respective return springs bias the pistons and drive members toward disengaged positions.

Abstract: A clocked retaining assembly for use in an automotive powertrain is provided. The clocked retaining assembly includes an inner component and an outer component. The inner component has an outer side having a plurality of inner spline teeth separated by a plurality of inner grooves formed in the outer side. The outer component has an inner side having a plurality of outer spline teeth separated by a plurality of outer grooves formed in the inner side. The outer component forms a continuous inner circumferential slot through the outer spline teeth around the inner circumference of the inner side. The inner spline teeth are disposed in the inner circumferential slot. A pin extension is disposed in an inner groove an outer groove. The pin extension prevents the inner component from rotating with respect to the outer component. A method for retaining the inner and outer components is also provided.

Abstract: A multiplate clutch assembly for use in an automotive powertrain is provided that includes a first member, a second member, a plurality of first clutch plates attached to the first member, and a plurality of second clutch plates attached to the second member. The first and second clutch plates are disposed alternatively with one another. At least two of the first clutch plates have separator portions that are configured to contact each other and provide a separation force therebetween. A clutch plate is also provided that includes an annular main body portion defining an aperature therethrough and defining and outer edge and an inner edge. Separator teeth extend from a tooth edge, the tooth edge being one of the inner and outer edges of the main body portion. Each separator tooth is bent at an acute angle with respect to the main body portion.

Abstract: An annular core plate for a multiplate clutch assembly includes a main annular portion and an engagement annular portion extending from the main annular portion. The engagement annular portion has teeth extending therefrom. The teeth are thicker than the main annular portion. A multiplate clutch assembly is provided that includes at least one annular core plate or friction plate and at least one annular separator plate. A method of constructing at least one plate for a multiplate clutch assembly is also provided. The method includes forming an annular separator plate from sheet metal by removing a circular section from a separator plate main body portion of the sheet metal, removing a portion of the circular section to form teeth in the circular section, and attaching the circular section to an annular plate.

Abstract: A check ball valve cartridge assembly is provided for regulating fluid flow through a fluid pressure line in an automotive transmission. The assembly includes a cartridge having a side wall forming a hollow interior cavity in the cartridge and a lip extending from the side wall toward a central axis of the cartridge. The assembly also has a check ball, which is disposed at least partially within the interior cavity of the cartridge. The lip of the cartridge is configured to prevent the check ball from exiting the interior cavity of the cartridge. A biasing member is disposed at least partially within the interior cavity of the cartridge and contacts the check ball. The assembly may include a pair of orientation features extending from the side wall of the cartridge for aligning the cartridge for installation within the automotive transmission.

Abstract: A centrifugal debris trap is provided for collecting debris within various parts of the transmission. The debris trap includes a porous material that disposed in various parts of the transmission. For example, the debris trap may be located within or on any transmission component that rotates or is stationary and that contacts automatic transmission fluid. Particular locations of the debris trap include but are not limited to the torque converter, damper, one or more clutch hubs, one or more clutch pistons, one or more clutch piston dams, including rotating hubs, rotating housings and rotating pistons, gears, gear carriers, electric motors, sprockets, bearings, and flanges.

Abstract: A valve body assembly for use in an automotive transmission is provided. The valve body assembly includes a first valve body part formed of powdered metal and a second valve body part formed of powdered metal. The first valve body part is attached to the second valve body part by a brazed joint. A method of forming a valve body assembly is also provided. The method includes forming a first valve body part from powdered metal, forming a second valve body part from powdered metal, and sinter brazing the first and second valve body parts together to form a brazed joint between the first and second valve body parts.

Abstract: A check ball valve cartridge assembly is provided for regulating fluid flow through a fluid pressure line in an automotive transmission. The assembly includes a cartridge having a side wall forming a hollow interior cavity in the cartridge and a lip extending from the side wall toward a central axis of the cartridge. The assembly also has a check ball, which is disposed at least partially within the interior cavity of the cartridge. The lip of the cartridge is configured to prevent the check ball from exiting the interior cavity of the cartridge. A biasing member is disposed at least partially within the interior cavity of the cartridge and contacts the check ball. The assembly may include a pair of orientation features extending from the side wall of the cartridge for aligning the cartridge for installation within the automotive transmission.

Abstract: A multiplate clutch assembly for use in an automotive powertrain is provided that includes a first member, a second member, a plurality of first clutch plates attached to the first member, and a plurality of second clutch plates attached to the second member. The first and second clutch plates are disposed alternatively with one another. At least two of the first clutch plates have separator portions that are configured to contact each other and provide a separation force therebetween. A clutch plate is also provided that includes an annular main body portion defining an aperature therethrough and defining and outer edge and an inner edge. Separator teeth extend from a tooth edge, the tooth edge being one of the inner and outer edges of the main body portion. Each separator tooth is bent at an acute angle with respect to the main body portion.

Abstract: Improvements in one way clutches include a first embodiment directed to a one way clutch having two sets of helical teeth arranged about the axis of rotation of a drive and driven member that translate axially into and out of engagement. The one way clutch is biased into engagement by a wave washer or similar device. As the speed of rotation of the clutch increases, hydraulic fluid which is directed axially against the drive member by a dam urges the drive member away from the driven member and opens the clutch. In a second embodiment, a pair of one way clutches having oppositely arranged sets of helical teeth selectively provide one way or overrunning operation in both directions. In this embodiment, each of the drive members may be selectively engaged with the driven member by a hydraulic piston. Respective return springs bias the pistons and drive members toward disengaged positions.

Abstract: An annular core plate for a multiplate clutch assembly includes a main annular portion and an engagement annular portion extending from the main annular portion. The engagement annular portion has teeth extending therefrom. The teeth are thicker than the main annular portion. A multiplate clutch assembly is provided that includes at least one annular core plate or friction plate and at least one annular separator plate. A method of constructing at least one plate for a multiplate clutch assembly is also provided. The method includes forming an annular separator plate from sheet metal by removing a circular section from a separator plate main body portion of the sheet metal, removing a portion of the circular section to form teeth in the circular section, and attaching the circular section to an annular plate.

Abstract: A annular core plate for a multiplate clutch assembly includes a spline with a plurality of teeth. At least one of the plurality of teeth is either partially or fully extruded to a thickness greater than the thickness of a base material for the core plate. The spline may be disposed around the inner surface of the annular core plate or may be disposed around the outer surface of the core plate. The core plate can be a core plate associated with a friction plate or can be a core plate associated with a separator plate.