Fca US LLC

Robert S Smyczynski

Nadirsh Patel

Michael L Duhaime

Tejinder Singh

Sandeep Makam

Pradeep Attibele

Mark A Levine

Cody Rhebergen

Michael B Solt

Stefan Senft

Sachin A Bhide

Gurunath Kedar-Dongarkar

Ali Sarikhani

Cody J Rhebergen

Gurunath S Kedar-Dongarkar

Raffaele Fregonese

Sachin Bhide

A vehicle configured to perform a tank steer operation includes a differential having a differential case, first and second half shafts operably coupled to the differential, a drive unit configured to drive the vehicle, and a gearbox assembly coupled to the drive unit. The vehicle is selectively operable in a tank steer mode that rotates one or more wheels on a first side of the vehicle in a first direction, and rotates one or more wheels on an opposite second side of the vehicle in a second direction opposite the first direction to rotate the vehicle. The vehicle operates in the tank steer mode by selectively grounding the differential case and connecting an output of the gearbox assembly to the first half shaft, such that the drive unit rotates the first half shaft in the first direction and, via the differential, rotates the second half shaft in the second direction.

Tank steer system for vehicle

A hybrid powertrain includes a torque provider, an automatic transmission without a torque converter, and a transfer case configured for providing four wheel drive low range. A controller receives a signal indicative of the transfer case being in low range and determines if brake pedal torque is indicative of a brake pedal being released and, if so, commands engagement of a launch clutch of the transmission up to maximum creep torque capacity at a predetermined maximum gradient. The controller determines when torque provider speed is synchronized with vehicle creep speed, and upon such determination, controls the launch clutch to fully engage to a lock up state to mimic behavior of engagement of a manual transmission gear when the hybrid powertrain is in low range to thereby substantially eliminate a time lag associated with automatic transmissions having a torque converter or a constantly slipping launch clutch.

Hybrid powertrain system and operation with transfer case in low gear

A transmission includes input and output shafts, a hybrid module coupled to the input shaft and a gearbox coupled to the module and output shaft. The hybrid module includes a first electric motor under driven by a gearset; a second electric motor coupled to a module output, a disconnect clutch coupled to the gearset and selectively to the input shaft; and a launch clutch coupled to the disconnect clutch and selectively to the module output. The gearbox includes three gearsets and five torque transmitting devices operable to generate six forward speeds. One torque transmitting device is a clutch brake applied with a piston that reaches over a park gear, and one is a selectable one way clutch. Two of the torque transmitting devices are radially stacked rotating clutches. The transmission includes and/or facilitates an engine only mode, an electric only mode, a hybrid mode and a battery charging mode.

Hybrid transmission for a motor vehicle

Growing community of inventors

Clarkston, MI, United States of America

Robert S Smyczynski