A multi-speed transmission has three planetary gear sets and six torque-transmitting mechanism packaged in various ones of five zones within a transmission cavity. Each planetary gear set has a ring gear member, a sun gear member and a carrier member that rotatably supports a plurality of pinion gears that intermesh with both the sun gear member and the ring gear member. Certain members are continuously connected for common rotation. Specifically, an interconnecting member continuously interconnects for common rotation the carrier member of the first planetary gear set, the sun gear member of the second planetary gear set and the ring gear member of the third planetary gear set. Additionally, the sun gear member of the first planetary gear set is grounded to the transmission casing via a radially-extending structural member.

Multi-speed transmission

An automatic transmission for motor vehicles comprising three interconnected planetary gear units, two rotating friction clutches and four friction brakes providing six optimized forward gear ratios and a reverse ratio, all assembled into a compact package no larger than the current four-speed automatic transmissions. This invention preferably utilizes two multi-plate rotating clutches and special friction force balanced brake bands that allows self-synchronized ratio shifts without creating any side loading of associated band drums.

Compact multi-ratio automatic transmission

Porous nanofiber bearing substrate materials are provided having enhanced surface area for a variety of applications including as electrical substrates, semipermeable membranes and barriers, structural lattices for tissue culturing and for composite materials, and the like.

Porous substrates, articles, systems and compositions comprising nanofibers and methods of their use and production

A powertrain has a multi speed power transmission including a planetary gear arrangement with three simple planetary gear sets and six selectively engageable, fluid operated, friction torque transmitting mechanisms. A one-way torque transmitting mechanism is disposed in parallel drive relation with one of the friction torque transmitting mechanisms. The selective engagement of the friction torque transmitting mechanisms will establish seven forward drive ratios, a neutral condition and a reverse drive ratio. All of the forward ratio interchanges are single transition shifts and all of the single ratio skip shifts are single transition shifts. The seven forward drive ratios include four underdrive ratios, a direct drive ratio, and two overdrive ratios. The planetary gear arrangement can be controlled to establish six forward drive ratios with either one overdrive ratio and four underdrive ratios or two overdrive ratios and three underdrive ratios. A five speed arrangement having four forward underdrive ratios, a forward direct ratio a neutral condition and a reverse drive ratio while permitting the elimination of one of the friction torque transmitting mechanisms.

Multi-speed power transmission

The invention relates to a multi-stage transmission provided with an input shaft (3), which is connected to a shiftable front-mounted planet gear set (10), with an output shaft (4), which is connected to a shiftable main planet gear set (20), and with a number of shifting elements (A to F) whose selective closing enables the shifting of at least six forward speeds without range shift. An output element of the front-mounted planet gear set (10) can be connected to a first input element of the main planet gear set (20) via a first shifting element (A) and can be connected to a second input element of the main planet gear set (20) via a second shifting element (B). The input shaft (3) can be connected to a third input element of the main planet gear set (20) via a fifth shifting element (E). Preferably, a sun gear (11) of the front-mounted planet gear set (10) can be fixed via a sixth shifting element (F) mounted on the side of the front-mounted planet gear set (10) facing away from the main planet gear set (20). The front-mounted planet gear set (10) is provided in the form of a Plus gearing having inner and outer planet gears (12, 13) whose webs (15, 16) are interconnected.

Multi-stage transmission

An automatic transmission for an automotive vehicle includes multiple planetary gear units, each including a sun gear, a ring gear surrounding the sun gear, a set of planet pinions continually engaged with the sun gear and ring gear, and a planet carrier rotatably supporting the planet pinions. Various brakes selectively hold elements of the gear units against rotation and several clutches releasably interconnect elements of the, gear units. A torque converter is adapted to produce a hydrokinetic drive connection between the crankshaft of an engine and the input shaft of the transmission, or to mechanically connect those components when a bypass clutch of the torque converter is engaged. Various elements of the planetary gear units are permanently driveably connected mutually.

Six speed automatic transmission for automotive vehicles

An automatic transmission for an automotive vehicle includes a continually variable drive mechanism having one sheave assembly fixed to an intermediate shaft and the input sheave assembly supported on an input shaft, a low speed gearset driveably connected to the input shaft and an output shaft, a fixed ratio drive mechanism in the form of a chain drive providing a torque delivery path between the intermediate shaft and the carrier of the gearset, a transfer clutch for connecting and releasing the first sheave of the variable drive mechanism and input shaft, a low brake, a reverse gearset, a reverse brake, and a clutch for selectively driveably connecting the output of the fixed drive mechanism and a front output shaft.

All wheel drive continuously variable transmission having dual mode operation

An automatic transmission for motor vehicles includes a traction drive variator having two sets of input discs, a set of output discs, a gearset, a compound planetary gearset, and two clutches for connecting and releasing various elements of the gearsets. The carrier of the gearsets is connected continually to both sets of variator input discs, and a sun gear is continually connected to the variator output discs. The ring gear of the compound planetary gearset is continually fixed against rotation. The transmission operates in geared neutral condition, reverse and forward low ranges, and high and low forward ranges.

Coaxial traction drive automatic transmission for automotive vehicles

A method for operating an automatic traction drive transmission for use in motor vehicles having a first gear unit for operation in an infinitely variable mode and a second gear unit for operation in a continuously variable mode includes connecting the first gear unit to the transmission output, disconnecting the second gear unit from the first gear unit, and changing the speed ratio of the variator to produce low forward and low reverse ranges, or connecting the second gear unit to the first gear unit, disconnecting the first gear unit from the transmission output, and changing the speed ratio of the variator to produce high mode low and high forward ranges.

Method for operating a traction drive automatic transmission for automotive vehicles

An automatic transmission for an automotive vehicle includes a continually variable drive mechanism having one sheave assembly fixed to an intermediate shaft and the input sheave assembly supported on an input shaft, gearset driveably connected to the input shaft and an output shaft, a fixed ratio drive mechanism in the form of a chain drive providing a torque delivery path between the intermediate shaft and the carrier of the gearset, a transfer clutch for connecting and releasing the first sheave of the variable drive mechanism and input shaft, a low brake, and a reverse brake.

Daniel Warren McCarrick

Papers

Six speed automatic transmission for automotive vehicles

All wheel drive continuously variable transmission having dual mode operation

Coaxial traction drive automatic transmission for automotive vehicles

Method for operating a traction drive automatic transmission for automotive vehicles

Dual mode operation continuously variable transmission having creeper low and reverse gears