Allison Transmission, Inc.

Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Brian L Pannell

James F Hartz

Rick Daugherty

Rick Platt

A connect-disconnect assembly for a vehicle drivetrain configured to drive a vehicle with a surface engaging traction member. The connect-disconnect assembly includes a coupler located within a final drive element or gear of a final drive assembly wherein in a first position the coupler does not span a gap between the gear and a transmission drive element of a transmission. In a second position, the coupler does span the gap between the gear and the transmission drive element such that the gear and the transmission drive element are connected. The final drive assembly includes an access port to provide access to a user accessible drive actuator to move the coupler between the first and second positions.

Connect-disconnect apparatus for a vehicle drivetrain

An electro-mechanical interface incorporated in a series hybrid auxiliary power unit. According to the present invention the electro-mechanical interface employs a first tier of geared output shafts rotatably supported within a frame and meshingly engaged in a daisy-chain configuration having first and second ends. One end of the first tier of geared output shafts in the daisy-chain configuration meshingly engages a first, geared transfer shaft. The first, geared transfer shaft selectively connects to an internal combustion engine through a selectively disengageable clutch. The other end of the aforesaid first tier of geared output shafts in the daisy-chain configuration meshingly engages a second geared transfer shaft that is continuously connected to a motor/generator. The geared output shafts in the aforesaid daisy-chain configuration are available to drive auxiliary loads. A second tier of geared output shafts are also rotatably supported within the frame. The geared output shafts in the second tier meshingly engage, also in a daisy-chain configuration having first and second ends. One end of the daisy-chain defined by the second tier of geared output shafts meshingly engages a geared linking shaft, and the geared linking shaft selectively connects to a geared transfer shaft associated with the first tier of geared output shafts. The geared output shafts in the second tier are also available to drive auxiliary loads.

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Fortville, IN, United States of America

Brian L Pannell