Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Daimlerchrysler Corporation

Daimler Chrysler Ag

Gregory W Kempf

James Allen Raszkowski

Timothy J Reinhart

Douglas Scott Burchett

Michael D Foster

Joel E Mowatt

Chi Teck Lee

Kenneth D Schoch

William S Reed

Drew A Crafton

Fredrick R Poskie

Kevin Beckner

Frederick W Rhoads

Greg B Witczak

Trevor Murray

A transmission includes a housing, an input shaft, a transfer shaft, a first and second transfer members, a continuous transfer member, a drive shaft, and a torque transmitting mechanism. The input shaft and transfer shaft are each rotatably supported by the housing and are parallel to each other. The first transfer member is connected for common rotation with the input shaft. The second transfer member is connected for common rotation with the transfer shaft. The continuous transfer member is engaged with each of the first and second transfer members. The drive shaft is disposed coaxially and partially covered by the transfer shaft. The torque transmitting mechanism selectively connects the transfer shaft with the drive shaft.

Transmission with integrated power take-off

A chain drive power take off assembly drives a hydraulic fluid pump from a torque converter input of a motor vehicle. The assembly includes a first, chain drive sprocket which is coupled to and driven by a engine output/torque converter input member such as an engine crankshaft or transmission input member, a chain and a second, driven chain sprocket which is coupled to a stub shaft and which, in turn, is coupled to an input shaft of the hydraulic pump. The driven sprocket resides in a housing secured to the side of the transmission and the pump is secured to the housing with its input shaft and axis of rotation disposed offset from and parallel to the axis of rotation of the transmission and torque converter input member.

Chain drive power take off for hydraulic pump

A clutch assembly includes a first set of clutch plates and a second set of clutch plates interweaved with the first set of clutch plates. The second set of clutch plates is coupled to a rotatable inner hub, and a stationary backing plate is mounted about the inner hub. The first set of clutch plates is coupled to the backing plate such that the first set of clutch plates and the second set of clutch plates are compressed together with one of the first set or the second set of clutch plates abutting against the backing plate when the clutch assembly is engaged. The clutch assembly further includes a connecting hub coupled to the inner hub, such that the connecting hub supports the stationary backing plate with a bearing disposed between the connecting hub and the backing plate.

Clutch backing plate for bearing support

A transmission of the present invention has an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes a sun gear, a carrier member supporting a plurality of planet pinion gears and a ring gear member. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes. The torque transmitting devices are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish a plurality forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.

Multi-speed transmission

An assembly in a transmission of a motor vehicle for communicating lubrication oil to a bearing in a planetary gear set includes a planet carrier having a plate with an inner groove in communication with a slot of a bushing, a pinion hole, and a second passage that communicates between the inner groove and the pinion hole. The planet carrier further includes a pinion disposed within the pinion hole and a bearing disposed on the pinion for supporting a planetary gear. A groove is disposed in the pinion and is in communication with the second passage. A third passage extends from the groove into the pinion. A fourth passage extends from the third passage into the pinion along an axis of the pinion. A fifth passage extends from the fourth passage to the outer surface. Pressurized lubrication oil is communicated through the plate and pinion to the bearing.

Lubrication system for a planetary gear set

A modular transmission assembly includes a transmission housing that defines a hollow interior. The transmission housing extends along a central axis between a front end and a rear end. A rear motor module is disposed in, and is operatively connected to, the transmission housing. An inner module is disposed in, and is operatively connected to, the transmission housing. A main shaft is disposed along the central axis such that each of the rear and inner modules radially surround the main shaft. A front motor is disposed in the transmission housing and radially surrounds the main shaft. The inner module is axially disposed between the rear motor module and the front motor. An input module is connected to the front end of the transmission housing. The front motor is axially disposed between the inner module and the input module.

Modular transmission assembly and a method of assembly

A seal for use between the housing of an automatic transmission and the housing (can) of a transmission drive motor is disposed at each end of the drive motor housing. The seal includes a preferably metal annulus having inner and outer elastomeric ribbed seals secured thereto. The annulus, which defines a non-hardened 'S' shape in cross section, maintains the shape and strength of the seal and the ribbed inner seal provides a fluid tight seal with the motor housing while the ribbed outer seal provides a fluid tight seal with the transmission housing.

Seals for transmission drive motors

A transmission includes first and second clutch members rotatable about the same axis. An axial groove is formed in one of the members to distribute lubricating fluid to the other member. Preferably, clutch plates with radial grooves extend between the clutch members. Fluid flows from the axial groove through the radial groove and across faces of the clutch plates to separate the plates during disengagement in order to minimize spin losses.

Transmission clutches

The present invention details a sleeve and bushing of an electromechanical automatic planetary transmission. The sleeve and bushing operate to confine the desired flow of transmission lubricant through the components of the planetary gear arrangement. Additionally, the sleeve and bushing assist in maintaining a sufficient pressure level in the cavity of the planetary carrier to enable the lubricant to reach the bearings of the pinion gear. Moreover, the radius or size of the bushing/sleeve arrangement can be adjusted to occupy the radial clearance or cavity between the sun gear and main shaft for an automatic transmission with axially separable splined sun gear and sun gear shaft.

Sun gear bushing and sleeve and method for sealing in a hybrid electromechanical automatic transmission

This invention details a lubrication system for an automatic transmission, specifically the bearings of the planetary pinion gears. The planetary carriers have grooves formed in spider and flange sections thereof to carry the lubricating material from the inner diameter of the planetary carrier to the inner diameter of each pinion gear bearing mounted in the planetary carrier. The invention further includes two thrust washers that are assembled on opposing sides of each pinion gear that have axially and radially extending slots that further carry the oil between the inner diameter of the planetary carrier and the outer diameter of the planetary carrier. Lastly, the invention discloses a method for lubricating the pinion gears of the planetary carrier.

Lubrication system and method for hybrid electro-mechanical planetary transmission components

A method and apparatus for efficiently cooling and lubricating rotating components in a hybrid transmission is provided. By efficiently managing cooling flow to and between the rotating elements, flow requirements and associated pumping requirements within the drive unit are minimized. In addition, by providing a method for placing the fluid directly on the required components, spin losses associated with component contact with stray oil are reduced. Combined, the reduction in pumping and spin losses create a more efficient drive unit and an overall more efficient hybrid drive system which directly leads to higher fuel economy.

Method and apparatus for cooling and lubricating a hybrid transmission

This invention relates to a sun gear member and sun gear shaft providing improved manufacturing time and material cost savings. This invention further relates to the packaging of a compact electro-mechanical transmission specifically as it pertains to the redesign of the planetary gear arrangement to compensate for the new design of the sun gear member and sun gear shaft. Several design modifications are disclosed in order to reduce the diameter of the planetary gear arrangement and its inclusive members. For example, the ring gear is chamfered to allow for additional clearance so that the planetary gear arrangement and the electronic motor package can be more compact when sun gear has separable sun gear members. In addition to packaging considerations, material costs, fatigue life requirements, and manufacturability of relevant transmission components were governing concerns in the redesign of the sun gear member and sun gear shaft.

Splined sun gear and method for compact electro-mechanical transmission

An internal/external gear pump includes a wear plate disposed between the gear members and at least one sidewall of the pump. The wear plate has a recess formed therein having a substantially constant depth and width. The recess extends into the full mesh point between the gear members of the pump to provide a flow path from the full mesh point to an inlet side or suction port of the pump.

Growing community of inventors

Avon, IN, United States of America

Gregory W Kempf