Abstract: A family of transmission gearing arrangements produces up to nine forward and one reverse speed ratios by selective engagement of three couplers in various combinations. Each disclosed transmission includes four planetary gear sets and six couplers. Three of the couplers may be brakes. Three of the couplers may selectively couple planetary elements to the input shaft.

Abstract: A transmission gearing arrangement includes four simple planetary gear sets, three brakes, and four rotating clutches. The brakes and clutches may be engaged in combinations of three to establish at least ten forward transmission ratios and at least three reverse transmission ratios. The lowest forward transmission ratio and lowest reverse transmission ratio may be used to implement a low range mode, obviating the need for a two speed transfer case.

Abstract: A transmission utilizes a three clutch module. The clutch module may be pre-assembled before it is assembled into the transmission. All three clutch packs are splined to a common shell at their outer diameter. One of the clutch pistons passes through openings in the clutch pack of one of the other clutches. The common shell is fixedly coupled to a hollow shaft through which the transmission input shaft protrudes. Pressurized fluid to engage the three clutches is routed through axial passageways in the input shaft.

Abstract: A family of transmissions has four planetary gear sets, five controllable clutches and brake, and a passive one way brake. Selective engagement of the brakes and clutches in combinations of three produces eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The passive one way brake is engaged in the first forward speed ratio and overruns in the second through fifth forward speed ratios.

Abstract: A family of transmission gearing arrangements produces nine forward and one reverse speed ratio by selective engagement of various combinations of three clutches or brakes. Each transmission gearing arrangement includes a front shiftable gearing arrangement configured to establish a variety of speed ratios between an intermediate shaft and an input shaft. These speed ratios include a reverse speed ratio, a zero speed ratio, two underdrive ratios, and a direct ratio. Each transmission also includes a rear shiftable gearing arrangement configured to selectively establish particular speed relationships among the input shaft, the intermediate shaft, and an output shaft. Engagement of a clutch in the rear shiftable gearing arrangement establishes an underdrive ratio between the output shaft and the intermediate shaft.

Abstract: A system and method is employed to regulate a minimum transmission input speed based on automatic fluid temperature. The system includes a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the automatic transmission fluid and a controller for setting a minimum engine speed of the engine based on the temperature of the automatic transmission fluid. The size of a transmission pump may be reduced while the pump is still able to supply enough automatic transmission fluid to friction elements and gear ratios to provide lubrication and enable friction element actuators to engage and disengage the friction elements in a timely and effective manner. In a preferred form of the invention, when the temperature of the automatic transmission fluid is below 210° F., the minimum engine speed is set to no greater than 900 rpm; and when the temperature of the automatic transmission fluid is above 210° F., the minimum engine speed is set to no less than 1000 rpm.

Abstract: A family of transmissions produces at least eight forward and one reverse speed ratio by selective engagement of various combinations of three clutches or brakes. Each transmission includes two fixed gearing arrangements that establish fixed speed relationships between an input shaft, and output shaft, and four other elements. Specifically, the input shaft is constrained to rotate at a speed between that of the first and second elements while the output shaft is constrained to rotate at a speed between that of the third and fourth elements. Additional gearing, clutches, and brakes establish specified selective speed relationships among these elements.

Abstract: The disconnect clutch and motor of a parallel type hybrid electric vehicle are repositioned within the wet zone of an automatic transmission to compactly and efficiently reconfigure a drive line using a motor and transmission assembly. A drive shell is provided interposed between the engine output and the disconnect clutch input which surrounds the torque converter enabling the torque converter to move independent to the engine output shaft. The resulting structure is compact and provides good structural support and cooling for the disconnect clutch and motor.

Abstract: A system and method is employed to regulate a minimum transmission input speed based on automatic fluid temperature. The system includes a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the automatic transmission fluid and a controller for setting a minimum engine speed of the engine based on the temperature of the automatic transmission fluid. The size of a transmission pump may be reduced while the pump is still able to supply enough automatic transmission fluid to friction elements and gear ratios to provide lubrication and enable friction element actuators to engage and disengage the friction elements in a timely and effective manner. In a preferred form of the invention, when the temperature of the automatic transmission fluid is below 210° F., the minimum engine speed is set to no greater than 900 rpm; and when the temperature of the automatic transmission fluid is above 210° F., the minimum engine speed is set to no less than 1000 rpm.

Abstract: A lubrication system for transporting lubrication oil in an automatic transmission includes a radial lubrication passage opening at a hole in an outer peripheral surface of a shaft. The hole has a cross section that is elongated only along a first axis offset from a central axis the shaft so as to follow angular deformation caused by unidirectional torque applied to the shaft whereby stress produced around the hole by torque transmitted through the rotating shaft is reduced, thus minimizing fatigue and increasing a useful life of the automatic planetary transmission. Preferably cross sections of the radial passage taken sequentially along the transverse axis are elongated near outer peripheral surface of the shaft but become circular towards the central axis. With this arrangement stress produced around the hole by torque transmitted through the rotating shaft is reduced thus reducing fatigue and increasing a useful life of the transmission.

Abstract: A lubrication system for transporting lubrication oil in an automatic transmission includes a radial lubrication passage opening at a hole in an outer peripheral surface of a shaft. The hole has a cross section that is elongated only along a first axis offset from a central axis the shaft so as to follow angular deformation caused by unidirectional torque applied to the shaft whereby stress produced around the hole by torque transmitted through the rotating shaft is reduced, thus minimizing fatigue and increasing a useful life of the automatic planetary transmission. Preferably cross sections of the radial passage taken sequentially along the transverse axis are elongated near outer peripheral surface of the shaft but become circular towards the central axis. With this arrangement stress produced around the hole by torque transmitted through the rotating shaft is reduced thus reducing fatigue and increasing a useful life of the transmission.

Abstract: A multiple speed power transmission, comprising an input shaft; a transmission case; a co-planar gear set; a rear epicyclic gearing assembly with four rotating members; a first clutch connecting the output of the co-planar gear set to the fourth rotating member; a second clutch connecting the output of the co-planar gear set to the first rotating member; a third clutch connecting the input shaft to the third rotating member; a first brake holding the fourth rotating member against rotation; a second brake holding the third rotating member against rotation; and an output shaft connected to the second rotating member.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to durability enhancement techniques for a dry-clutch vehicle transmission. A cooling system that provides a direct convective cooling path to friction surfaces is disclosed. Also disclosed is a continuously variable clutch wear compensation assembly configured to adjust the position of clutch assembly components on-demand or as needed.

Abstract: A system and method is employed to regulate a minimum transmission input speed based on automatic fluid temperature. The system includes a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the automatic transmission fluid and a controller for setting a minimum engine speed of the engine based on the temperature of the automatic transmission fluid. The size of a transmission pump may be reduced while the pump is still able to supply enough automatic transmission fluid to friction elements and gear ratios to provide lubrication and enable friction element actuators to engage and disengage the friction elements in a timely and effective manner. In a preferred form of the invention, when the temperature of the automatic transmission fluid is below 210° F., the minimum engine speed is set to no greater than 900 rpm; and when the temperature of the automatic transmission fluid is above 210° F., the minimum engine speed is set to no less than 1000 rpm.

Abstract: A multiple speed power transmission, comprising an input shaft; a transmission case; a co-planar gear set; a rear epicyclic gearing assembly with four rotating members; a first clutch connecting the output of the co-planar gear set to the fourth rotating member; a second clutch connecting the output of the co-planar gear set to the first rotating member; a third clutch connecting the input shaft to the third rotating member; a first brake holding the fourth rotating member against rotation; a second brake holding the third rotating member against rotation; and an output shaft connected to the second rotating member.

Abstract: A system and method to meet the cooling needs of a hybrid electric vehicle's motor, such as an integrated-starter-generator, using a transmission cooling loop that flows through a specialized stator housing of the motor. The system has a cooling loop with a heat exchanger and conduits to connect the stator housing of the motor, transmission, and heat exchanger. Coolant flows through the cooling loop through the action of either a mechanical transmission pump or an auxiliary pump or both. A controller can receive and process input from at least one vehicle sensor, and command the auxiliary pump to operate when the processed input of at least one vehicle sensor exceeds a pre-selected threshold. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the cooling loop also has bypass conduits and independently controllable bypass valves having actuators. The stator housing can overlap or be adjacent to a transmission housing.

Abstract: A rotary clutch assembly for a geared power transmission mechanism comprising a friction disc clutch with driving and driven friction clutch plates, the driving plates being connected to a torque input element of the clutch assembly and the driven plates being connected to a torque output element of the clutch assembly, the clutch assembly providing a torque flow path to multiple-ratio gearing, a pressure actuator comprising first and second annular cylinder members and a movable piston member located in one of the cylinder members and cooperating with each member to define a pressure release chamber and a pressure apply chamber, the second clutch member being held axially fast on a torque input shaft for the transmission, the geometry of the cylinder members and the movable piston being sized to effect a centrifugal balance so that the clutch gain is essentially determined by the clutch commanded pressure to produce a relatively speed-independent net clutch-apply force, regardless of clutch cylinder speed.

Abstract: A clutch divider plate 10 having a pair of outer plates 12, 14 and a pair of inner rings or members 16, 18. Rings or members 16, 18 include several notches 40, 38 which allow cooling fluid or oil to pass through the plate 10, thereby cooling plate 10.