Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Phillip J Ross

James C Polak

In a transmission having input and output shafts drivingly connected by fluid pressure operated ratio establishing devices an improved centrifugally actuated valve is provided to disestablish the driving connection maximum angular velocity of the input shaft. The valve includes a sphere disposed in a stepped bore which sphere is spring biased to a closed position for normal operation and which shifts in response to centrifugal force to an open position in a fluid flow path thereby exhausting the drive establishing device and also being flushed of any contaminants.

Centrifugally actuated valve for transmission

A torque converter and multi-disc lock-up clutch has a pair of clutch discs splined to the input shell of the torque converter, a friction disc splined to the clutch piston intermediate the clutch discs and a friction pad secured to the clutch piston. The clutch piston is drivingly connected with the turbine of the torque converter. The clutch is controlled by fluid under pressure delivered to the torque converter such that during disengagement, the fluid passes between the clutch discs and the friction disc prior to entering the torque converter.

Torque converter and lock-up clutch

A hydromechanical transmission in which the first and second drive ranges are input-split drives. In one embodiment the transmission includes a hydrostatic portion comprised of two hydraulically interconnected, variable displacement, hydraulic pump-motor units and two planetary gear sets which are controlled by a brake and a clutch to provide the two ranges. In another embodiment a third planetary gear set and a second clutch are added to provide increased torque coverage in first range and also provide a third drive range. In both embodiments the speed ratio within the drive ranges is varied by controlling the displacement ratio between the pump-motor units. The shifting from one drive range to another occurs at synchronous speeds, thereby reducing the shift energy absorption required in the clutches and brakes.

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Brownsburg, IN, United States of America

Phillip J Ross