IP Library Granted Patent US 7,695,394
Granted Patent B2
US 7,695,394 · App. 11/829,141 · Granted Apr 13, 2010

Multi-speed transmission

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,695,394
App. No.
11/829,141
Granted
Apr 13, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes.

Claims (51)

1. A transmission comprising:

an input member;

an output member;

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

a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the first member of the first planetary gear set with a stationary element;

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

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

a fourth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the first member of the third planetary gear set with the first member of the fourth planetary gear set;

a fifth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the third member of the third planetary gear set with the second member of the fourth planetary gear set; and

five torque-transmitting mechanisms selectively engageable to interconnect one of the first, second, and third members with another of the first, second, and third members and the stationary element; and

wherein the torque-transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member;

wherein a first of the five torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the second planetary gear set with the third member of the fourth planetary gear set.

2. The transmission of claim 1 wherein a second of the five torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the first planetary gear set with the second member of the second planetary gear set.

3. The transmission of claim 2 wherein a third of the five torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the input member and the second member with the first member of the third planetary gear set and the first member of the fourth planetary gear set.

4. The transmission of claim 3 wherein a fourth of the five torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the third member of the first planetary gear set and the first member of the second planetary gear set with the first member of the third planetary gear set and the first member of the fourth planetary gear set.

5. The transmission of claim 4 wherein a fifth of the five torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the third member of the fourth planetary gear set with the stationary element.

6. The transmission of claim 1 wherein the input member is continuously interconnected with the second member of the first planetary gear set and the output member is continuously interconnected with the second member of the fourth planetary gear set.

7. The transmission of claim 1 wherein the first, second, third, and fourth, torque transmitting mechanisms are clutches and the fifth torque transmitting mechanism is a brake.

8. The transmission of claim 1 wherein the first members are sun gears, the second members are planet carrier members, and the third members are ring gears.

9. A transmission comprising:

an input member;

an output member;

first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets each having first, second and third members, and wherein the input member is continuously interconnected with the second member of the first planetary gear set and the output member is continuously interconnected with the second member of the fourth planetary gear set;

a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the first member of the first planetary gear set with a stationary element;

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

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

a fourth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the first member of the third planetary gear set with the first member of the fourth planetary gear set;

a fifth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the third member of the third planetary gear set with the second member of the fourth planetary gear set;

a first torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the first planetary gear set with the second member of the second planetary gear set;

a second torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the second planetary gear set with the third member of the fourth planetary gear set;

a third torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the input member and the second member with the first member of the third planetary gear set and the first member of the fourth planetary gear set;

a fourth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the third member of the first planetary gear set and the first member of the second planetary gear set with the first member of the third planetary gear set and the first member of the fourth planetary gear set; and

a fifth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the third member of the fourth planetary gear set with the stationary element; and

wherein the torque-transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.

10. The transmission of claim 9 wherein the first, second, third, and fourth torque transmitting mechanisms are clutches and the fifth torque transmitting mechanism is a brake.

11. The transmission of claim 9 wherein the first members are sun gears, the second members are carrier members, and the third members are ring gears.

12. A transmission comprising:

an input member;

an output member;

first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets each having a sun gear, a carrier member, and a ring gear, and wherein the input member is continuously interconnected with the carrier member of the first planetary gear set and the output member is continuously interconnected with the carrier member of the fourth planetary gear set;

a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the sun gear of the first planetary gear set with a stationary element;

a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the ring gear of the first planetary gear set with the sun gear of the second planetary gear set;

a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the ring gear of the second planetary gear set with the carrier member of the third planetary gear set;

a fourth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the sun gear of the third planetary gear set with the sun gear of the fourth planetary gear set;

a fifth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the ring gear of the third planetary gear set with the carrier member of the fourth planetary gear set;

a first torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the carrier member of the first planetary gear set with the carrier member of the second planetary gear set;

a second torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the carrier member of the second planetary gear set with the ring gear of the fourth planetary gear set;

a third torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the input member and the carrier member with the sun gear of the third planetary gear set and the sun gear of the fourth planetary gear set;

a fourth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the ring gear of the first planetary gear set and the sun gear of the second planetary gear set with the sun gear of the third planetary gear set and the sun gear of the fourth planetary gear set; and

a fifth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the ring gear of the fourth planetary gear set with the stationary element; and

wherein the torque-transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.

Assignments (13)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034185/0587 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2011
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 025781/0035 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025324/0057 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2010
From: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025314/0946 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025245/0656 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 28, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023162/0140 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 27, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023156/0264 →
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 023155/0663 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 20, 2009
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023124/0563 →
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 022553/0540 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 4, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 022201/0405 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2007
From: PHILLIPS, ANDREW W.; WITTKOPP, SCOTT H.; HART, JAMES M.; CAREY, CLINTON E.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 020078/0697 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 13, 2007
From: PHILLIPS, ANDREW W.; WITTKOPP, SCOTT H.; HART, JAMES M.; CAREY, CLINTON E.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 019685/0660 →