IP Library Granted Patent US 7,108,627
Granted Patent B2
US 7,108,627 · App. 10/964,176 · Granted Sep 19, 2006

Planetary transmissions having two interconnecting members and at least two input clutches

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,108,627
App. No.
10/964,176
Granted
Sep 19, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

The family of transmissions has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission family members include three planetary gear sets having seven torque-transmitting mechanisms, two interconnecting members, and a grounded planetary gear member. The powertrain includes an engine that is selectively connectable to at least one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another one of the planetary gear members. The seven torque-transmitting mechanisms provide interconnections between various gear members, the input shaft and the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of three to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.

Claims (42)

1. A multi-speed transmission comprising:

an input shaft;

an output shaft;

first, second and third planetary gear sets each having first, second and third members;

said output shaft being continuously interconnected with a member of said planetary gear sets, and said input shaft not being continuously interconnected with any member of said planetary gear sets;

a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting said first member of said first planetary gear set with said first member of said second planetary gear set;

a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting said second member of said second planetary gear set with said first member of said third planetary gear set;

said third member of said second planetary gear set being continuously interconnected with a stationary member;

a first torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting a member of said first or third planetary gear set with said input shaft;

a second torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting another member of said first or third planetary gear set with said input shaft;

a third torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting a member of said first, second or third planetary gear set with said input shaft or with another member of said first, second or third planetary gear set;

a fourth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting a member of said first planetary gear set with a member of said second or third planetary gear set;

a fifth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting a member of said first or third planetary gear set with another member of said first or third planetary gear set, or with said stationary member;

a sixth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting a member of said first or third planetary gear set with another member of said first, second or third planetary gear set, or with said stationary member; and

a seventh torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting a member of said first, second or third planetary gear set with another member of said first, second or third planetary gear set, or with said stationary member;

said torque-transmitting mechanisms being engaged in combinations of three to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between said input shaft and said output shaft.

2. The transmission defined in claim 1 , wherein said first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh torque-transmitting mechanisms comprise clutches.

3. The transmission defined in claim 1 , wherein said first, second, third and fourth torque-transmitting mechanisms comprise clutches, and said fifth, sixth and seventh torque-transmitting mechanisms comprise brakes.

4. The transmission defined in claim 1 , wherein said first, second, third, fourth and fifth torque-transmitting mechanisms comprise clutches, and said sixth and seventh torque-transmitting mechanisms comprise brakes.

5. The transmission defined in claim 1 , wherein said first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth torque-transmitting mechanisms comprise clutches, and said seventh torque-transmitting mechanism comprises a brake.

6. The transmission defined in claim 1 , wherein said first, second, third, fourth, fifth and seventh torque-transmitting mechanisms comprise clutches, and said sixth torque-transmitting mechanism comprises a brake.

7. The transmission defined in claim 1 , wherein said first, second, third, fourth and sixth torque-transmitting mechanisms comprise clutches, and said fifth and seventh torque-transmitting mechanisms comprise brakes.

8. The transmission defined in claim 1 , wherein planet carrier assembly members of each of said planetary gear sets are single-pinion carriers.

9. The transmission defined in claim 1 , wherein at least one planet carrier assembly member of said planetary gear sets is a double-pinion carrier.

10. A multi-speed transmission comprising:

an input shaft;

an output shaft;

a planetary gear arrangement having first, second and third planetary gear sets, each planetary gear set having first, second and third members;

said output shaft being continuously interconnected with a member of said planetary gear sets, and said input shaft not being continuously interconnected with any member of said planetary gear sets;

a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting said first member of said first planetary gear set with said first member of said second planetary gear set;

a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting said second member of said second planetary gear set with said first member of said third planetary gear set;

said third member of said second planetary gear set being continuously interconnected with a stationary member; and

seven torque-transmitting mechanisms for selectively interconnecting said members of said planetary gear sets with said input shaft, with said stationary member or with other members of said planetary gear sets, said seven torque-transmitting mechanisms being engaged in combinations of three to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between said input shaft and said output shaft.

11. The transmission defined in claim 10 , wherein a first of said seven torque-transmitting mechanisms is operable for selectively interconnecting a member of said first or third planetary gear set with said input shaft.

12. The transmission defined in claim 10 , wherein a second of said seven torque-transmitting mechanisms is operable for selectively interconnecting a member of said first or third planetary gear set with said input shaft.

13. The transmission defined in claim 10 , wherein a third of said seven torque-transmitting mechanisms is selectively operable for interconnecting a member of said first, second or third planetary gear set with said input shaft or with another member of said first, second or third planetary gear set.

14. The transmission defined in claim 10 , wherein a fourth of said seven torque-transmitting mechanisms is selectively operable for interconnecting a member of said first planetary gear set with a member of said second or third planetary gear set.

15. The transmission defined in claim 10 , wherein a fifth of said seven torque-transmitting mechanisms is selectively operable for interconnecting a member of said first or third planetary gear set with another member of said first or third planetary gear set, or with said stationary member.

16. The transmission defined in claim 10 , wherein a sixth of said seven torque-transmitting mechanisms selectively interconnects a member of said first or third planetary gear set with another member of said first, second or third planetary gear set, or with said stationary member.

17. The transmission defined in claim 10 , wherein a seventh of said seven torque-transmitting mechanisms selectively interconnects a member of said first, second or third planetary gear set with another member of said first, second or third planetary gear set, or with said stationary member.

18. The transmission defined in claim 10 , wherein planet carrier assembly members of each of said planetary gear sets are single-pinion carriers.

19. The transmission defined in claim 10 , wherein at least one planet carrier assembly member of said planetary gear sets is a double-pinion carrier.

Assignments (8)
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 28, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023162/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 27, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023156/0052 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 21, 2009
From: CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR BANK PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES; CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR HEDGE PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023127/0468 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 20, 2009
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023124/0429 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 16, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR BANK PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES; CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR HEDGE PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES
Reel/Frame 022553/0446 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 4, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 022201/0610 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 14, 2009
From: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 022102/0533 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 28, 2004
From: BUCKNOR, NORMAN K.; USORO, PATRICK B.; RAGHAVAN, MADHUSUDAN
To: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 015502/0923 →