Abstract:
A clutch assembly is provided that includes a first shaft, a second shaft, a housing, a two-way over-running clutch, and a friction clutch assembly. The two-way over-running clutch includes an inner race and an outer race. At least one torque transmitting member is disposed between the inner race and the outer race that selectively transfers torque from the inner race to the outer race. The inner race defines at least one cam that receives the torque transmitting member. An inner race actuator selectively controls lock-up of the two-way over-running clutch by moving the inner race relative to the first shaft and the outer race between a concentric position and at least one eccentric position.
Abstract:
A power transmitting device for a vehicle having a power plant and a drivetrain is provided. The power transmitting device includes an output shaft that provides torque to the drivetrain and a manual transmission selectable between a first gear set having a first gear ratio and a second gear set having a second gear ratio that transmits power to the output shaft at different rotational speeds. The power transmitting device also includes a hydraulic torque converter that multiplies torque. Torque is multiplied through the torque converter and is transmitted to the output shaft from the torque converter when the first gear set is selected and is not multiplied through the torque converter when the second gear set is selected.
Abstract:
A method for reducing overheating in a clutch assembly having a clutch housing, a shaft, and a clutch pack. The clutch pack includes a backing plate, an applied plate, a plurality of friction plates, and a plurality of reaction plates. A primary actuator applies pressure to the applied plate to longitudinally compress the entire clutch pack and couple rotation of the clutch housing and the shaft. A secondary actuator applies pressure to at least one plate in the plurality of friction plates and the plurality of reaction plates to longitudinally move the at least one plates independently of the applied plate. This relieves some of the torque transmitted across the clutch pack adjacent the applied plate and reduces localized temperature spikes in the clutch pack adjacent to the applied plate.
Abstract:
A two-speed transmission for a vehicle is provided including a planetary gear set selectively coupling an input shaft and an output shaft. The planetary gear set is configured to provide two forward gear ratios and neutral. The planetary gear set includes at least one sun gear, at least one pinion in meshing engagement with the sun gear, at least one ring gear meshingly engaged with the pinion, and a carrier. The carrier supports the pinion and is connected to the output shaft such that rotation of the carrier drives the output shaft. The two-speed transmission also includes one or more elements that rotatably couple different combinations of the sun gear, the pinion, the ring gear, the input shaft, and the carrier with one another or a ground. Such elements may include combinations of clutches, brakes, and dog clutches.
Abstract:
A transmission sump screen for disposition in a transmission sump is disclosed. The transmission sump screen includes a mesh of viscosity sensitive orifices providing a predetermined permeability to selectively segregate the transmission sump into a first volume and a second volume depending upon a transmission fluid temperature. Transmission fluid is only drawn from the first volume until a threshold temperature is reached. The transmission sump screen includes a first portion having an outside edge abutting the transmission sump and an inner edge spaced from the outside edge to define a neck region of the first volume having a first periphery. The transmission sump screen includes a second portion extending downwardly from the inner edge of the first portion to a lower edge abutting the transmission sump to define a lower region of the first volume having a second periphery that is larger than the first periphery.
Abstract:
An automatic transmission is disclosed including a continuously variable transmission assembly having a first pulley and a second pulley. At least one of the pulleys has a variable operating diameter to provide a variable ratio. A first gear assembly and a second gear assembly are provided each including at least one forward gear. The forward gears have different diameters and are numbered consecutively in the order of increasing diameter. The continuously variable transmission assembly also has at least one pulley actuator that selectively adjusts the variable diameter of the at least one of the pulleys to change the variable ratio of the continuously variable transmission assembly in response to a shift between the at least one forward gear of the first gear assembly and the at least one forward gear of the second gear assembly.
Abstract:
A dual-clutch transmission assembly where engine torque is split between first and second shafts. Torque is supplied to the first shaft by a first clutch and torque is supplied to the second shaft by a second clutch. A first gearset is carried on the first shaft and a second gearset is carried on the second shaft. The first gearset includes a primary first gear and the second gearset includes a duplicate first gear. The first and second shafts receive torque from a transmission input shaft in response to contemporaneous engagement of the primary first gear, the duplicate first gear, and the first and second clutches, which can be used during vehicle launch to split the torque applied to the first and second clutches. Both the primary first gear and duplicate first gear meshingly engage first and second counter shaft gearsets, which are rotatably coupled to a transmission output shaft.
Abstract:
A dual-clutch transmission assembly and method for controlling the same is provided where the torque generated by an engine is split between first and second shafts. Torque is supplied to the first shaft by a first clutch and torque is supplied to the second shaft by a second clutch. A first gearset is carried on the first shaft and a second gearset is carried on the second shaft. The first gearset includes a primary first gear and the second gearset includes a duplicate first gear. The first and second shafts receive torque from a transmission input shaft in response to contemporaneous engagement of the primary first gear, the duplicate first gear, and the first and second clutches, which can be used during vehicle launch to split the torque applied to the first and second clutches.
Abstract:
A clutch assembly that is less prone to overheating is disclosed. The clutch assembly includes a clutch housing, a shaft, and a clutch pack. The clutch pack includes a backing plate, an applied plate, a plurality of friction plates, and a plurality of reaction plates. A primary actuator applies pressure to the applied plate to longitudinally compress the entire clutch pack and couple rotation of the clutch housing and the shaft. A secondary actuator applies pressure to at least one plate in the plurality of friction plates and the plurality of reaction plates to longitudinally move the at least one plates independently of the applied plate. This relieves some of the torque transmitted across the clutch pack adjacent the applied plate and reduces localized temperature spikes in the clutch pack adjacent to the applied plate.
Abstract:
A dual-clutch transmission assembly is disclosed that splits the torque generated by an engine between first and second layshafts. A first input hub is connected to the first layshaft by a first clutch and a second input hub is connected to the second layshaft by a second clutch. A first gearset is carried on the first layshaft and a second gearset is carried on the second layshaft. The first gearset includes a primary first gear and the second gearset includes a duplicate first gear. The first and second layshafts receive torque from the transmission input shaft in response to contemporaneous engagement of the primary first gear, the duplicate first gear, and the first and second clutches, which can be used during vehicle launch to split the torque applied to the first and second clutches.