Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Avl Powertrain Engineering, Inc.

Hamid Vahabzadeh

Gregory Mordukhovich

Erkki A Koivunen

Norman K Bucknor

James M Hart

Scott H Wittkopp

Daryl A Wilton

Vijay A Neelakantan

Andrew Leslie Bartos

John C Schultz

James B Borgerson

Raymond James Haka

Bret M Olson

Paul Dwight Stevenson

Edwin T Grochowski

Peter James Savagian

Craig D Marriott

Robert L Moses

Leland Nels Olgren

Burak Abdulkadir Gecim

Kenneth K Lang

Samuel Miller Linzell

Christian Rübsam

Ayoub Chakari

Madhu Raghavan

James P Macey

A two-speed transmission for an electric vehicle includes 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 at least one sun gear, at least one ring gear meshingly engaged with the at least one pinion, and a carrier. The carrier supports the at least one 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 the at least sun gear, the at least one pinion, the at least one ring gear, the input shaft, and the carrier with one another and/or a ground. Examples of such elements include clutches, brakes, and mechanical diodes.

Two-speed transmission for electric vehicle including a pair of mechanical diodes that are individually engaged to provide two gear ratios

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.

Two-speed transmission for electric vehicle

A torque converter for coupling an engine to a manual transmission and a method of controlling the same are provided. The torque converter includes a housing rotating with the engine, a cover abutting the housing, a stator, a pump circulating fluid within the torque converter, and a turbine driven by the circulating fluid. An integrated disconnect clutch controls pump speed and a torsional damper attenuates vibrations transmitted through the housing. A first output shaft is coupled with the turbine and drives a first forward gear of the manual transmission while permitting slip. A second output shaft is coupled with the torsional damper, the integrated disconnect clutch, and the pump and drives at least one other forward gear of the manual transmission without slip. An output connection member rotatably couples the pump with the torsional damper, the integrated disconnect clutch, and the second output shaft.

Torque converter for manual transmission and method of controlling the same

An electro-hydraulic clutch system for a motor vehicle includes a clutch mechanism that selectively engages an engine of the motor vehicle with a gear box, an actuator that pumps and retrieves hydraulic fluid to and from the clutch mechanism to activate the clutch mechanism, and a solenoid with a valve and/or a check ball that is disposed in the path of the hydraulic fluid between the actuator and the clutch mechanism. The solenoid has a normally closed position to prevent flow of the hydraulic fluid back to the actuator in the event of a system failure. The solenoid can also be used to reduce energy consumption in steady state conditions.

Electro-hydraulic clutch system

A transmission includes an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The transmission input member is connected to a launch device that includes a planetary gear set connected with a pump or a pump having a rotatable housing connected to an engine and a rotor connected to the transmission input member. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices are for example clutches and brakes.

Multiple speed transmission with a pump assisted launch device

In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method of controlling an engine having a plurality of cylinders is provided. The method includes: selectively releasing stored air from an accumulator to a first cylinder of the plurality of cylinders; and controlling at least one of fuel and spark to a second cylinder of the plurality of cylinders during a compression stroke of the second cylinder, where the second cylinder is a next available cylinder to fire.

Air assist start stop methods and systems

A powertrain for a vehicle is provided having an engine, a transmission, a torque transfer mechanism, a hydraulic fluid circuit, and a transmission control module. The torque transfer mechanism includes a hydraulic fluid pump and is drivingly connected to an output member of the engine and an output member of the torque transfer mechanism is drivingly connected to the input member of the transmission. The hydraulic fluid circuit has a hydraulic valve in communication with the first fluid port of the hydraulic fluid pump. The transmission control module include a control logic for operating the powertrain during a vehicle launch event.

Torque transfer mechanism and method for controlling in a vehicle launch operation

A dual clutch actuation assembly includes a housing, an annular central piston, a plurality of satellite pistons, and an annular apply member. The housing includes an inner cylindrical wall, an outer cylindrical wall, and a plurality of satellite cylindrical walls. The inner and outer walls define an inner piston annulus and the satellite walls define a plurality of satellite piston bores. Each of the satellite walls is disposed at least partially radially outward of the outer wall. The central piston is disposed in the inner piston annulus and is in sliding engagement with the inner and outer walls of the housing. The satellite pistons are disposed in the satellite piston bores and are in sliding engagement with the satellite walls of the housing. The apply member is axially engaged with each of the satellite pistons and includes an annular plate portion disposed radially outward of the outer cylindrical wall of the housing.

Clutch actuation assembly with satellite pistons

A powertrain is provided that has an engine and a torque converter. The engine is configured to provide oil to the torque converter for operation of the torque converter. The engine oil may provide both the fluid coupling and torque converter clutch apply and release functions.

Powertrain with engine oil-fed torque converter

A hydraulic control system for actuating a torque transmitting device in a transmission includes a sump for receiving a hydraulic fluid and a piezoelectric pump for pumping the hydraulic fluid from the sump to the torque transmitting device. A first fluid flow path communicates the hydraulic fluid from the sump to the piezoelectric pump and a second fluid flow path communicates the hydraulic fluid from the piezoelectric pump to the torque transmitting device. An exhaust means selectively communicates the hydraulic fluid from the torque transmitting device to the sump.

Torque transmitting device actuation system using a piezoelectric pump

Presented herein is a non-contact torque sensing apparatus and method for measuring the instantaneous torque, or torsional stress/strain, transmitted through an elongated power transmission member such as a rotatable shaft. Polarized light is directed along a measurement light path in a cavity of a shaft where it intercepts a polarizing filter. The polarizing filter is operable to alter the polarization angle of the light according to torsional twisting of the shaft. A measurement device measures the change in the polarization angle of the light to obtain the shaft twist angle. Shaft torque is then calculated from the twist angle.

Laser sensor apparatus and method for detecting transmission shaft torque

A synchronizer-controlled transmission has a plurality of input shafts, which are selectively connectible with a transmission input shaft, at least one countershaft, which rotatably supports a plurality of ratio gears, and an output shaft. A plurality of synchronizers is disposed along the countershaft and at least one input shaft to provide power transmission connections between the countershaft and the ratio gears disposed thereon. At least one ratio is established through direct connection between at least one input shaft and the output shaft.

Power transmission

A more efficient method for maintaining the hydraulic actuation of a selectively engageable torque transmitting device in a vehicle. The method includes generating a predetermined pressure level of a hydraulic fluid such as, for example, with a pump. The pressurized hydraulic fluid is transferred through an open valve and to a selectively engageable torque transmitting device such that the selectively engageable torque transmitting device is engaged. Thereafter, the valve is closed so that the predetermined pressure level of hydraulic fluid at the selectively engageable torque transmitting device remains relatively constant. Accordingly, the selectively engageable torque transmitting device remains engaged without continuously generating additional pressure such that the fuel economy of the vehicle is improved. A corresponding apparatus is also provided.

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Oakland, MI, United States of America

Hamid Vahabzadeh