Abstract: In a motor vehicle with a clutch that is operable in an automated mode, parts (204) of the clutch-actuator and/or the control device of the actuator system are integrated in a carrier element (202) that is installed in an intermediate area between the clutch bell housing (203) and the transmission housing (201).

Abstract: A friction clutch wherein a pressure plate is axially movably but non-rotatably coupled to a cover and is biased by a diaphragm spring to urge the friction linings of a clutch disc against a flywheel which is driven by the engine of a motor vehicle. The diaphragm spring is tiltable relative to a seat which is carried by the cover, and a second spring is provided to bias a portion of the seat against the diaphragm spring. The latter can be moved axially of the flywheel to compensate for wear upon the friction linings, particularly when the flywheel is idle or is driven at a relatively low speed.

Abstract: A double clutch transmission in connection with an electric unit, as well as a method for operating the transmission.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter with a built-in bypass clutch is provided with an arrangement which regulates the cooling of the clutch at a rate dependent upon the slip between the coaxial driving and driven parts of the clutch, and hence upon the quantity of generated friction heat. The cooling unit for the driving and/or driven part of the clutch can employ, for example, one or more pumps; a supply of a substance which changes its aggregate state from liquid to gaseous or from solid to flowable in response to heating, and vice versa in response to cooling; one or more porous washers in the path for the flow of hydraulic fluid between the customary plenum chambers provided in the housing of the torque converter to move a piston of the driven part of the clutch into and from frictional engagement with the housing; and/or a system of recesses, grooves, channels and/or other passages serving to convey fluid between the chambers at a rate which is higher or highest when the clutch operates with maximum slip.

Abstract: A power train for use in motor vehicles has a friction clutch including a housing which rotates with the output shaft of the engine and a clutch disc which transmits torque to the input shaft of a change-speed transmission in the engaged condition of the clutch. The clutch can be engaged and/or disengaged by one or more slave cylinders which is or are rotatably mounted on and is or are being held against axial movement relative to the clutch housing. At least one release bearing can be installed between the piston(s) of the slave cylinder(s) and the diaphragm spring of the friction clutch, and a second bearing is or can be installed between the slave cylinder housing(s) and the clutch housing.

Abstract: The crankshaft of a piston engine is assembled with a vibration damper into a discrete module prior to mounting of such module in axial and/or radial bearings of the housing of the engine. The damper has an input element which rotates with the camshaft and a mass which is angularly movable relative to the input element against the resistance of coil springs. The input element can be provided with a sleeve which surrounds a snout at one axial end of the crankshaft. Alternatively, the damper can be installed in or on or can constitute a cheek of the crankshaft. The coil springs can operate in parallel with a friction generating device which also opposes rotation of the input element and the mass of the damper relative to each other.

Abstract: A friction clutch wherein a pressure plate is axially movably but non-rotatably coupled to a cover and is biased by a diaphragm spring to urge the friction linings of a clutch disc against a flywheel which is driven by the engine of a motor vehicle. The diaphragm spring is tiltable relative to a seat which is carried by the cover, and a second spring is provided to bias a portion of the seat against the diaphragm spring. The latter can be moved axially of the flywheel to compensate for wear upon the friction linings, particularly when the flywheel is idle or is driven at a relatively low speed.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damping apparatus which operates between the crankshaft of the engine and the input shaft of the transmission in a motor vehicle has two flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other against the opposition of one or more dampers installed in a fluid-containing chamber of the flywheel which is connected to the crankshaft. The chamber has one or two annular compartments for the coil springs of the damper or dampers, and such coil springs are caused to store energy by a flange which is connected to the flywheel that drives the input shaft of the transmission and by integral or separately produced stops of the flywheel which is connected with the crankshaft. The flange cooperates with the respective flywheel to form a flow restrictor which opposes the flow of fluid from and into the compartment or compartments of the chamber in response to expansion or contraction of the coil springs.

Abstract: The crankshaft of a piston engine is assembled with a vibration damper into a discrete module prior to mounting of such module in axial and/or radial bearings of the housing of the engine. The damper has an input element which rotates with the crankshaft and a mass which is angularly movable relative to the input element against the resistance of coil springs. The input element can be provided with a sleeve which surrounds a snout at one axial end of the crankshaft. Alternatively, the damper can be installed in or on or can constitute a cheek of the crankshaft. The coil springs can operate in parallel with a friction generating device which also opposes rotation of the input element and the mass of the damper relative to each other.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter for use with a transmission in the power train of a motor vehicle has a housing rotatable by the engine and containing a pump, a turbine and at least one stator as well as a rotary output device connected to the input shaft of the transmission. The pump is normally rotatable by the housing; the turbine is rotatable (a) by the fluid which is circulated by the pump or (b) by the housing in response to engagement of a lockup clutch; and the stator can be connected to the stationary case of the transmission or is rotatable by the circulating fluid. First and second hubs are non-rotatably but axially movably mounted on the output member and are respectively connectable with the turbine and the stator by suitable clutches.

Abstract: A torsion damping assembly which is installed between the crankshaft of the engine and the input element of the change-speed transmission in a motor vehicle has two coaxial flywheels one of which is driven by the crankshaft and the other of which can transmit torque to the transmission in response to engagement of a friction clutch. The transmission of torque between the two flywheels takes place by way of a damper and a slip clutch which latter is effective only within a selected range of possible angular movements of the two flywheels relative to each other.

Abstract: A continuously variable drive mechanism has a variator with two conical disks, at least one of the conical disks being axially movable, a belt running at a variable running radius axially between the conical disks, and a disk-tightening device pushing the axially movable conical disk against the other of the two conical disks, thereby applying axial pressure to the flexible torque-transmitting device. The disk-tightening device works with guiding means converting a rotational displacement into an axial displacement.

Abstract: The actuating arrangement includes a torque transmitting system that includes a first device for initiating, discontinuing or regulating the transmission of torque. A transmission includes a second device for initiating a gear shifting operation within one of a plurality of gear shifting paths. The transmission further includes a third device for initiating the gear ratio selecting operation among the gear shifting paths. An electronic control unit is operatively connected to at least one actor. The at least one actor activates in a predetermined manner, one of the first device, second device and third device for the initiation of the transmission of torque, gear shifting or gear ratio selecting operation.

Abstract: A torque transmitting apparatus which can be used in the power train between the prime mover and the transmission of a motor vehicle has a first flywheel connectable to the prime mover, a second flywheel coaxial with and receiving torque from the first flywheel by way of a damper, and a friction clutch which can be engaged to transmit torque between the second flywheel and the input element of the transmission. The energy storing elements of the damper and the bearing between the two flywheels are installed radially inwardly of the friction surfaces of the second flywheel and the axially movable pressure plate of the friction clutch. This renders it possible to reduce at least the radial dimensions of the apparatus without reducing the diameters of the friction surfaces.

Abstract: The actuating arrangement includes a torque transmitting system that includes a first device for initiating, discontinuing or regulating the transmission of torque. A transmission includes a second device for initiating a gear shifting operation within one of a plurality of gear shifting paths. The transmission further includes a third device for initiating the gear ratio selecting operation among the gear shifting paths. An electronic control unit is operatively connected to at least one actor. The at least one actor activates in a predetermined manner, one of the first device, second device and third device for the initiation of the transmission of torque, gear shifting or gear ratio selecting operation.

Abstract: A torque transmitting apparatus which can be used in the power train between the prime mover and the transmission of a motor vehicle has a first flywheel connectable to the prime mover, a second flywheel coaxial with and receiving torque from the first flywheel by way of a damper, and a friction clutch which can be engaged to transmit torque between the second flywheel and the input element of the transmission. The energy storing elements of the damper and the bearing between the two flywheels are installed radially inwardly of the friction surfaces of the second flywheel and the axially movable pressure plate of the friction clutch. This renders it possible to reduce at least the radial dimensions of the apparatus without reducing the diameters of the friction surfaces.

Abstract: A torque transmitting apparatus which can be used in the power train between the prime mover and the transmission of a motor vehicle has a first flywheel connectable to the prime mover, a second flywheel coaxial with and receiving torque from the first flywheel by way of a damper, and a friction clutch which can be engaged to transmit torque between the second flywheel and the input element of the transmission. The energy storing elements of the damper and the bearing between the two flywheels are installed radially inwardly of the friction surfaces of the second flywheel and the axially movable pressure plate of the friction clutch. This renders it possible to reduce at least the radial dimensions of the apparatus without reducing the diameters of the friction surfaces.

Abstract: The crankshaft of a piston engine is assembled with a vibration damper into a discrete module prior to mounting of such module in axial and/or radial bearings of the housing of the engine. The damper has an input element which rotates with the camshaft and a mass which is angularly movable relative to the input element against the resistance of coil springs. The input element can be provided with a sleeve which surrounds a snout at one axial end of the crankshaft. Alternatively, the damper can be installed in or on or can constitute a cheek of the crankshaft. The coil springs can operate in parallel with a friction generating device which also opposes rotation of the input element and the mass of the damper relative to each other.

Abstract: A torsion damping assembly which is installed between the crankshaft of the engine and the input element of the change-speed transmission in a motor vehicle has two coaxial flywheels one of which is driven by the crankshaft and the other of which can transmit torque to the transmission in response to engagement of a friction clutch. The transmission of torque between the two flywheels takes place by way of a damper and a slip clutch which latter is effective only within a selected range of possible angular movements of the two flywheels relative to each other.

Abstract: A torsion damping apparatus between the crankshaft of the engine and the input shaft of the change-speed transmission of a motor vehicle has two flywheels one of which is driven by the crankshaft and the other of which drives the input shaft by way of a friction clutch which generates heat. In order to prevent the transfer of heat from the friction clutch to the antifriction bearing between the flywheels, which are rotatable relative to each other against the opposition of a damper, the bearing is at least partially surrounded by a thermal barrier of synthetic plastic, ceramic or metallic material which prolongs the useful life of the bearing and enhances the torsion damping action of the damper. The thermal barrier can constitute or form part of the damper.