Ford Motor Company Limited

Roy J Garrett

Alan R Fisher

Joseph L Sandel

A hydrokinetic planetary transmission mechanism having compound planetary gear elements that define multiple underdrive ratios, a direct drive ratio and an overdrive ratio as torque is delivered from the turbine of the hydrokinetic unit to a driven member wherein a friction clutch is used to establish a direct drive ratio as well as an overdrive ratio, separate overrunning couplings being used in cooperation with a friction clutch to establish torque delivery from a driven shaft to one element of the compound planetary gearing and a separate overrunning coupling being used in cooperation with a common clutch to establish a torque flow path between the driven shaft and another element of the compound planetary gearing during overdrive operation whereby ratio changes between the direct drive and the overdrive ratio on both upshifts and downshifts are smooth and fully nonsynchronous.

Nonsynchronous automatic overdrive transmission

A nonsynchronous, automatic transmission with overdrive which includes a torque converter coupled to an input member, a planetary gear set comprising a forward sun gear, a reverse sun gear and an output member, clutches for selectively coupling the torque converter to the output member through each of a plurality of torque paths, an overdrive brake coupled to the reverse sun gear, a direct clutch for selecting a torque path connection between the input member and the output member, and a one-way clutch coupled to the direct clutch and the forward sun gear. In the preferred embodiment, the planetray gear set is a compound planetary gear set, although separate planetary sets may be combined as desired. The invention can be employed with a variety of torque path configurations. Preferably, the direct clutch and the one-way clutch are coupled in the same clutch housing and actuated by a single piston.

Nonsynchronous automatic transmission with overdrive

A hydrokinetic multiple ratio transmission having a compound planetary gearset with clutches and brakes that are selectively engageable and released to establish two underdrive ratios, a direct drive ratio and an overdrive ratio, as well as a reverse ratio, the clutches and brakes being operable by fluid pressure operated servos, the clutches and brakes for establishing the underdrive ratios and the direct drive ratios being disposed between the planetary gearing and a hydrokinetic torque converter, a friction clutch engageable for overdrive operation and disposed on the opposite side of the planetary gearing and two torque input shafts, one being concentrically disposed with respect to the other, the torque input shaft for overdrive operation being connected to torque input portion of the overdrive clutch through an intermediate shaft adapted for articulation to accommodate eccentricities between the bearing supports disposed on opposite sides of the planetary gearing.

Four speed inline transmission overdrive

A multiple ratio transmission having planetary gearing with clutches and brakes for establishing selectively each gear ratio, a hydrokinetic torque converter connecting a torque input shaft to a torque input shaft for the gearing and a hydrokinetic torque converter bypass friction clutch for connecting the torque input shaft directly to one of the torque input elements of the planetary gearing whereby the transmission may be conditioned for (i) open converter power drive mode, (ii) a normal drive mode wherein the converter is operated with an open bypass clutch during low speed ratios and wherein a split torque delivery is achieved in a higher speed ratio and wherein the torque converter is bypassed through the clutch during operation in the highest speed ratio, and (iii) an economy light throttle drive mode wherein the transmission is conditioned for open converter operation in the low speed range and for operation with the bypass clutch fully engaged for each of the higher speed ratios.

Four speed planetary gear transmission having three driving modes

A four wheel drive for a wheeled vehicle wherein the driver of the vehicle has the option of establishing a front wheel drive, a rear wheel drive, four wheel drive and four wheel lockup drive including multiple ratio gearing, a main geared differential and an interaxle geared differential.

Growing community of inventors

Redford Township, MI, United States of America

Roy J Garrett