Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Ford Motor Company Limited

Charles Wayne Lewis

Boris Iosifovich Burgman

Kevin Michael Dougan

Richard Francis Olenzek

A planetary gear assembly having improved planet gear lubrication includes a thrust bearing assembly mounted to the planet gear carrier which provides a friction reducing interface between the carrier and a hub or stationary transmission member. A lubrication dam located radially outwardly of the thrust bearing assembly collects transmission fluid (oil) that has been supplied through a centrally disposed shaft and driven to and past the thrust bearing and into the dam by centrifugal force. Transmission fluid collecting within the dam and between the thrust bearing assembly and the planet gear carrier generates a biasing force which drives the thrust bearing assembly away from the planet gear carrier, thereby ensuring that the bearing position is not indeterminate and positively locating the thrust bearing assembly and providing an annular flow path for the transmission fluid which is then directed into a plurality of axial passageways in stub shafts which support the planet gears. At least one radial passageway in each stub shaft provides lubricating transmission fluid to a bearing assembly disposed between the stub shaft and the planet gear.

Rotating planetary gear carrier lubrication device

An electric motor driven pump has a regulator valve for establishing a system pressure within a predetermined pressure range. The regulator valve has three bias pressures and a spring force imposed thereon. One of the bias pressures assists the spring to increase the system pressure and the other two bias pressures either balance the spring and one bias pressure or lower the system pressure. The one bias pressure is established by an electro-hydraulic control mechanism as a function of operating parameters in a powertrain which uses the fluid pressure from the pump. One of the other bias pressures is equal to system pressure and the last bias pressure is available when a predetermined drive condition is requested in the powertrain. A first electrical switch is activated by fluid pressure from the regulator valve if the system pressure is below the demanded pressure and a second electrical switch is activated by fluid pressure from the regulator valve if the system pressure is above the demanded pressure. The signals regarding the condition of the electrical switches is conveyed to the electro-hydraulic control so that the speed of the electric motor can be properly adjusted.

Control for an electric motor driven pump

A cup plug assembly having a cup plug element with an orifice and an integral seal element for use at the interface of two automatic transmission components clamped together, is self retaining and prevents the seal from being mispositioned during installation. The plug assembly is pressed into one of the two components prior to clamping the two components together.

Orifice cup plug and seal assembly

A control system for an automatic power transmission for an automotive vehicle driveline comprising a throttle valve assembly for producing a pressure signal that is related in magnitude to the operator's demand for engine torque, said signal being used to regulate control pressure from a control pressure source and to trigger operation of automatic shift valves that in turn control actuation and release of the transmission clutches and brakes that effect ratio changes, the throttle valve system including a means for effecting an automatic manual adjustment of the operating pressure level for the throttle valve pressure signal thereby making it possible to effect a desired control pressure operating range and a desired shift point control for the control system.

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Brighton, MI, United States of America

Charles Wayne Lewis