A planet carrier for a speed-reducing unit with a planetary gear set is provided. The planet carrier generally includes a torque transmission part having a longitudinal axis and an annular cage extending about the axis and connected to one longitudinal end of the part. The cage may include two sides extending radially relative to the axis and connected by bridges, and seats extending axially between the flanks and configured to support planetary gears rotatably mounted about the seats. The curved members may include at least two corresponding bars each inclined relative to a longitudinal plane passing both through the axis and substantially through the corresponding bar.

Methods of modifying a OE prior art transmission, including Ford's AOD, AODE and 4R70W transmissions, to strengthen the transmission by replacing components known to fail. In one example, the intermediate shaft and direct clutch cylinder of an OE transmission are replaced to eliminate the splined connection joining the two components, to simultaneously eliminate the weak splined connection while also making space within the transmission available for an increased diameter shaft. Aspects of the present disclosure also include kits for increasing the strength of a transmission and methods of assembling a transmission.

A clutch carrier assembly for a transmission is disclosed that comprises a clutch carrier and a ring gear carrier. The clutch carrier includes a plurality of tabs and the ring gear carrier includes a plurality of openings defined in, and extending through, an outer surface. The ring gear carrier is disposed within the clutch carrier. Each of the tabs is received within a corresponding one of the openings such that the ring gear carrier and the clutch carrier are held together.

A transmission for a motor vehicle having an input shaft, an output shaft, a plurality of planetary gear sets, a plurality of shift elements, and an electric machine arranged axially parallel to the input shaft and operatively connected to the input shaft with a constant transmission ratio via a spur gear drive or a flexible traction drive mechanism. Various gear steps are formable between the input shaft and the output shaft through the planetary gear sets by selectively engaging shift elements of the plurality of shift elements. An actuating element of one of the plurality of shift elements is arranged, at least partially, radially within an element of the spur gear drive or the flexible traction drive mechanism arranged coaxially to the input shaft, and together with the spur gear drive or the flexible traction drive mechanism in a plane orthogonal to an axis of rotation of the input shaft.

The present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a double layer type transmission planetary gear carrier and a planetary gear carrier manufactured by the same, and more particularly, to a material of the carrier and a method of combining materials. The present manufacturing method includes: forming and processing a carrier plate and a base plate by performing hot forging on two aluminum alloys; and welding a connecting portion between the two plates. The present double layer carrier may include a carrier plate; and a base plate which is welded on a connecting portion of the carrier plate, in which materials of the two plates are aluminum forging alloys. According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce a weight of the double layer type planetary gear carrier by about 60% by applying an aluminum material and it is possible to easily manufacture the double layer type planetary gear carrier.

A hybrid drive system can include a shaft, an electrical machine comprising a rotor and a stator, and a mechanical disconnect system connecting the rotor to the shaft. The mechanical disconnect system is configured to mechanically connect the rotor to the shaft in a first state and to mechanically disconnect the rotor from the shaft in a second state such that rotor does not drive the shaft or such that the rotor is not driven by the shaft. The rotor can be a permanent magnet rotor, for example.

The present disclosure provides a transmission clutch assembly having a drum, a brake band, a smart material band and an electrical circuit. The brake band substantially encircles the drum and includes first and second ends, a high friction inner surface, and a low friction outer surface. The smart material band includes a beginning end and a terminating end wherein the beginning end of the smart material band is coupled to the second end of the brake band while the terminating end of the smart material band is coupled to the first end of the brake band. The electrical circuit transfers an electrical current to the smart material band. The smart material band contracts when the electrical current is applied to the smart material band thereby drawing the first and second ends of the brake band closer and contracting the brake hand against the drum to restrict drum movement.

A power delivery device for an automatic transmission may include a clutch drum connected to an input shaft, a clutch disposed in the clutch drum and including a friction member connected to a planet carrier of a planetary gear set through a clutch hub, and a piston device disposed corresponding to the clutch and operating the clutch by hydraulic pressure.

A torque transfer device has a ring gear and inner and outer planet gear sets, which may not be orbiting but rotating in fixed positions relative to a housing. One of the gear sets may comprise compound gears. There may also be a sun gear connected to a planet gear set. The sun gear may be an input and the ring gear an output for a reducing gear system to act as a torque amplifier. The gears may be tapered and there may also be an axial force applied to one of the gear sets to tighten the meshing between the tapered gears. One of the gear sets, for example a gear set to which an axial force is applied, may be floating.

The present disclosure provides a transmission clutch assembly having a drum, a brake band, a smart material band and an electrical circuit. The brake band substantially encircles the drum and includes first and second ends, a high friction inner surface, and a low friction outer surface. The smart material band includes a beginning end and a terminating end wherein the beginning end of the smart material band is coupled to the second end of the brake band while the terminating end of the smart material band is coupled to the first end of the brake band. The electrical circuit transfers an electrical current to the smart material band. The smart material band contracts when the electrical current is applied to the smart material band thereby drawing the first and second ends of the brake band closer and contracting the brake hand against the drum to restrict drum movement.