IP Library Granted Patent US 8,007,398
Granted Patent B2
US 8,007,398 · App. 12/197,800 · Granted Aug 30, 2011

Multi-speed transmission having at least ten speed ratios

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,007,398
App. No.
12/197,800
Granted
Aug 30, 2011
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 include clutches and brakes. The torque transmitting devices are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least ten forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.

Claims (53)

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 the first member of the second planetary gear set;

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

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

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

six torque transmitting devices each selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the first, second, and third members with at least one other of the first members, second members, third members, and a stationary member, and

wherein the torque transmitting devices are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least ten forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.

2. The transmission of claim 1 wherein a first of the six torque transmitting devices is selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the first planetary gear set with at least one of the third member of the fourth planetary gear set and the input member.

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

4. The transmission of claim 3 wherein a third of the six torque transmitting devices is selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the second planetary gear set with the third member of the third planetary gear set.

5. The transmission of claim 4 wherein a fourth of the six torque transmitting devices is selectively engageable to interconnect the third member of the second planetary gear set with the third member of the third planetary gear set.

6. The transmission of claim 5 wherein a fifth of the six torque transmitting devices is selectively engageable to interconnect the third member of the third planetary gear set with the stationary member.

7. The transmission of claim 6 wherein a sixth of the six torque transmitting devices is selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the fourth planetary gear set with the stationary member.

8. The transmission of claim 1 wherein the third member of the first planetary gear set, the second member of the second planetary gear set, second member of the third planetary gear set and the first member of the fourth planetary gear set are sun gears, the second member of the first planetary gear set, the third member of the second planetary gear set, the first member of the third planetary gear set and the third member of the fourth planetary gear set are carrier members and the first member of the first planetary gear set, first member of the second planetary gear set, the third member of the third planetary gear set and the second member of the fourth planetary gear set are ring gears.

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

10. The transmission of claim 1 wherein two of the six torque transmitting devices are brakes and four of the six torque transmitting devices are clutches.

11. The transmission of claim 1 wherein the stationary member is a transmission housing.

12. A transmission comprising:

an input member;

an output member;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

a fifth torque transmitting device selectively engageable to interconnect the third member of the third planetary gear set with the stationary member;

a sixth torque transmitting device selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the fourth planetary gear set with the stationary member; and

wherein the torque transmitting devices are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least ten forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.

13. The transmission of claim 12 wherein the third member of the first planetary gear set, the second member of the second planetary gear set, second member of the third planetary gear set and the first member of the fourth planetary gear set are sun gears, the second member of the first planetary gear set, the third member of the second planetary gear set, the first member of the third planetary gear set and the third member of the fourth planetary gear set are carrier members and the first member of the first planetary gear set, first member of the second planetary gear set, the third member of the third planetary gear set and the second member of the fourth planetary gear set are ring gears.

14. The transmission of claim 12 wherein the stationary member is a transmission housing.

15. A transmission comprising:

an input member;

an output member;

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

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

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

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

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

a first torque transmitting device selectively engageable to interconnect the carrier member of the first planetary gear set with at least one of the carrier member of the fourth planetary gear set and the input member;

a second torque transmitting device selectively engageable to interconnect the sun gear of the first planetary gear set with the sun gear of the fourth planetary gear set;

a third torque transmitting device selectively engageable to interconnect the sun gear of the second planetary gear set with the ring gear of the third planetary gear set;

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

a fifth torque transmitting device selectively engageable to interconnect the ring gear of the third planetary gear set with the stationary member;

a sixth torque transmitting device selectively engageable to interconnect the sun gear of the fourth planetary gear set with the stationary member; and

wherein the torque transmitting devices are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least ten forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.

16. The transmission of claim 15 wherein the stationary member is a transmission housing.

Assignments (12)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034384/0758 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2011
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 025781/0211 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025324/0475 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2010
From: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025315/0046 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025245/0909 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 28, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023162/0237 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 27, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023156/0313 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 21, 2009
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023126/0914 →
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 023155/0769 →
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 022554/0538 →
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 Aug 27, 2008
From: PHILLIPS, ANDREW W.; WITTKOPP, SCOTT H.; HART, JAMES M.; CAREY, CLINTON E.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 021447/0146 →