Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Chrysler Corporation

Peter Jarzyna

Robert Charles Simon, Jr

Richard A Marsh

David C Poirier

Joseph M Tolkacz

John C Haraf

Gary J Brand

George T Stephens

Dale L Phillips

Richard C Mamolen

A vehicle transmission housing or four-wheel drive transfer case housing which is shorter than previous arrangements, with the output shaft extending beyond the end thereof. As such, the drive shaft slip yoke or the output fixed yoke is mounted on the extended end of the shaft exterior of the seal at the exit end of the housing or transfer case, rather than extending through the seal into the housing or transfer case. The advantages include generally weight, part and machining reduction; reduced seal wear and performance requirements and, hence, minimized oil leakage; elimination of the usual grinding/polishing operations on the yoke; and consequent cost reduction.

Transmission/transfer case extensionless output arrangement

Potentially damaging operation of a viscous converter clutch (VCC) is detected in relation to the slippage thereacross. The slippage is compared with a reference slip value indicative of excessive VCC slippage to develop a net overslip indicator. The value of the net overslip indicator changes in the direction of a first limit value so long as the detected slip is at least as great as the reference slip, and in the direction of a second limit value so long as the detected slip is less than the reference slip. When the net overslip indicator reaches the first limit value, the friction clutch is disengaged to release the VCC. According to a first embodiment, the transmission fluid temperature at the time of such deactivation is measured and stored, and the VCC is reactivated when transmission fluid temperature falls below the stored temperature, assuming other criteria for activation are also met. According to a second embodiment, the VCC is reactivated a predetermined time after its deactivation and measurement of the transmission fluid temperature is not required.

Control method for protecting a viscous converter clutch in a motor

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Livonia, MI, United States of America

Peter Jarzyna