Abstract: A modification to the manual valve of an automatic transmission is provided which improves the shift quality of the automatic transmission when the transmission is shifted from a drive gear to either Park or Neutral. More particularly, the invention provides a control orifice which regulates the release of hydraulic fluid from one or more clutch circuits such that pressure to one or more clutches is gradually released. The gradual release of pressure form the one or more clutches provides an improved shift quality. In alternate embodiments, the present invention provides a further modification to an automatic transmission which allows the control orifice to be circumvented in situations where a rapid swap of pressure from on clutch control solenoid to another is required.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system for an automatic transmission includes a planetary gear system having a plurality of clutch elements that alters the torque ratio of the transmission. The hydraulic control system includes a line pressure control device for regulating a variable hydraulic line pressure from a maximum line pressure to a fixed fluid line pressure that is lower than the maximum line pressure when an overdrive clutch is applied in a high gear.

Abstract: A modification to the manual valve of an automatic transmission is provided which improves the shift quality of the automatic transmission when the transmission is shifted from a drive gear to either Park or Neutral. More particularly, the invention provides a control orifice which regulates the release of hydraulic fluid from one or more clutch circuits such that pressure to one or more clutches is gradually released. The gradual release of pressure form the one or more clutches provides an improved shift quality. In alternate embodiments, the present invention provides a further modification to an automatic transmission which allows the control orifice to be circumvented in situations where a rapid swap of pressure from on clutch control solenoid to another is required.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system for an automatic transmission includes a planetary gear system having a plurality of clutch elements that alters the torque ratio of the transmission. The hydraulic control system includes a line pressure control device for regulating a variable hydraulic line pressure from a maximum line pressure to a fixed fluid line pressure that is lower than the maximum line pressure when an overdrive clutch is applied in a high gear.

Abstract: A bolt lock locks a bolt against rotation on an output gear. The bolt lock includes a locking plate having a ring-shaped body encircling the head of the bolt and provided with locking tabs bendable into locking engagement with the flat sides of the bolt head to prevent the bolt from rotating. The plate is secured to the output gear by additional bolts. The ring-shaped body has additional locking tabs bendable into locking engagement with the flat sides of the heads of the additional bolts.

Abstract: A bolt lock locks a bolt against rotation on an output gear. The bolt lock includes a locking plate having a ring-shaped body encircling the head of the bolt and provided with locking tabs bendable into locking engagement with the flat sides of the bolt head to prevent the bolt from rotating. The plate is secured to the output gear by additional bolts. The ring-shaped body has additional locking tabs bendable into locking engagement with the flat sides of the heads of the additional bolts.

Abstract: An eight-speed automatic transmission having a compound planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, and a third planetary gear set each driven by three clutches and fixed to four brakes. A hydraulic control system actuates the eight-speed transmission by selectively energizing a plurality of solenoids that in turn engage the three clutches and four brakes. The hydraulic control system provides electronically modulated converter clutch control to the eight-speed automatic transmission system when the hydraulic system is in a drive position, a manual/low position, and a park/neutral position.

Abstract: A unique regulator valve arrangement is provided for an automatic transmission which provides variable line pressure. The line pressure is actively regulated through the regulator valve configuration with a variable force solenoid. The arrangement allows line pressure to be maintained at a minimal value according to a given condition while avoiding clutch slip.

Abstract: The present invention provides a torque converter support for an automatic transmission which uses a driving gear of a fluid pump to support the torque converter. The driving gear is supported by a journal area of the fluid pump. The torque converter impeller hub, attached to the torque converter, is engaging the driving gear and has at least one rib therearound. A hollow bore of the driven gear rides against the rib, offering structural support to the torque converter impeller hub and torque converter. The driven gear also has a hub. The hub has an outer surface which rides against the journal area and provides the base support for the system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluid pump for an automatic transmission which has at least one driven gear which has a hub portion insertable into the housing of the pump. By using this apparatus, the driven gear needs only to be aligned in one portion of the pump housing. This eliminates the need to align bores in both halves of the pump housing and to align the post section of the driven gears with the bores in the pump housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shuttle valve for a multipath hydraulic circuit comprising a valve body having a main passage extending along an axis and having a uniform inner periphery. The shuttle valve further has a slider valve positioned within the main passage which has a first section adjacent and attached to a second section. The first section has a first outer periphery substantially similar to the inner periphery of the main passage such that the first section of the slider valve and the main passage substantially prevent fluid flow therebetween. The first outer periphery extends a predetermined length which is shorter than the intersection length. The second section has a second outer periphery with a recessed portion being recessed from the outer periphery of the main passage such that fluid is able to pass between the second section and the inner periphery of the main passage.

Abstract: A pump gear for an automatic transmission oil pump having a plurality of teeth. The thickness of each tooth varies randomly from a baseline thickness T.sub.B. Correspondingly, the clearance between each tooth varies randomly between each pair of adjacent teeth. The random variation in tooth thickness prevents the formation of resonant frequencies when the gear pump operates, thereby reducing noise produced by the automatic transmission oil pump.

Abstract: A check valve which fits within a multi-diametered shouldered cavity formed within a pump valve body of a transmission. The check valve assembly has a movable valve element with a head to seal an annular aperture in a separator plate of the transmission. The valve element further has a stem axially extending into the cavity. The stem has an enlarged annular end. A base retainer has a spline formation in a central opening which allows the enlarged annular end of the stem to be inserted therein. After relative rotation between the base retainer and the stem of the valve element, the valve element is captured to the base retainer. A spring is captured between the stem of the valve element and the base retainer to bias the head of the valve element against the aperture provided in the transmission separator plate.

Abstract: A piston is reciprocable in a cylinder of a valve body. A spring in the cylinder has one end bearing against the piston. An abutment holds a retainer in bearing engagement with the opposite end of the spring to hold the spring under compression. The valve body has a slot through which the retainer may be introduced transversely into the cylinder when the spring is further compressed. The retainer has a locking tab. The valve body has an axial notch extending from the slot in a direction away from the spring to clear the tab when the spring is further compressed by a tool and the retainer is introduced. When the tool is withdrawn and the retainer is forced back against the abutment by the spring, the tab extends beyond the notch to be overlain and trapped or blocked by a portion of the valve body to prevent the retainer from falling out of the cylinder through the slot.

Abstract: An input compounding torque converter is provided for converting and multiplying torque from a prime mover to an input shaft of a transmission. The input compounding torque converter includes an impeller operatively connected for rotation with a prime mover and a turbine fluidly connected in driving relationship with the impeller for receiving torque from the impeller. The input compounding torque converter also includes a bidirectional planetary gearset and brake interconnecting the turbine and an input shaft of a transmission for multiplying torque from the turbine to the input shaft regardless of the power flow direction.