Abstract: An input shaft brake is provided for a transmission. The input shaft brake may have a hydraulically or pneumatically actuated piston and may have a single brake disk or double brake disk that are disposed on one or both sides of an input shaft rotor is retained on an input shaft. The brake may alternatively be comprised of a rotor made with friction material and at least one member mounted for axial movement that engage one or both sides of the rotor when force is applied by a piston. Braking force is applied to the input shaft disk to allow for quicker shifting and synchronizer engagement.

Abstract: A multiple working surface magnetic particle device for transferring torque between two rotatable members is disclosed. The magnetic particle device comprises relatively rotatable members defining a gap therebetween containing a magnetically reactive medium The magnetically reactive medium stiffens in the presence of a magnetic field interlocking the rotatable members. The multiple working surface design allows for a reduction in the size and weight of the magnetic field source resulting in a more compact, lighter weight device.