Vehicle transmission with clutch pack overrun

1. A vehicle comprising:

an engine;

a transmission comprising an input shaft operably connected to the engine for receiving torque, and an output shaft operably connected to a drive axle for transferring the torque to the drive axle;

a drive gear connected to either the input shaft or to the output shaft for rotation therewith;

a driven gear connected to the other of the input shaft or the output shaft for selective rotation therewith via operation of a first clutch such that the driven gear engages the drive gear; and

a processor configured to operate the first clutch to modulate transmission of the torque from the input shaft to the output shaft;

wherein the drive axle comprises a first clutch system operably connected to a first drive wheel; and

wherein the processor is further configured to operate a second clutch of the first clutch system to modulate transmission of the torque to rotate the drive wheel in a first rotational direction, and to operate a third clutch of the first clutch system to modulate transmission of the torque to rotate the drive wheel in a second rotational direction that is opposite the first rotational direction.

2. A vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the output shaft is configured to rotate in a single direction.

3. A vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the input shaft is directly connected to the engine without a torque converter interposed between the transmission and the engine.

4. A vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to operate the first clutch to inhibit transmission of the torque from the input shaft to the output shaft while operating the second clutch and the third clutch to brake the drive wheel.

5. A vehicle according to claim 4 , wherein, in response to an input indicating that the vehicle should move from a stop in either a selected forward or a selected reverse direction, the processor is further configured to operate the first clutch to modulate transmission of the torque from the input shaft to the output shaft while operating the second clutch and the third clutch to modulate transmission of the torque to the drive wheel such that the vehicle moves in the selected forward or reverse direction.

6. A vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to slip the second clutch and the third clutch such that torque resistance at the drive wheel does not stall the engine.

7. A vehicle according to claim 6 , wherein the processor is further configured to slip the first clutch such that torque resistance at the drive wheel does not stall the engine; and

wherein the processor is further configured to alternate between slipping the first clutch and the clutch system of the drive axle such that a clutch energy limit is not exceeded by any one of the first, second, or third clutch while torque is transmitted to the drive wheel.

8. A method of operating a vehicle comprising:

receiving a vehicle stop command at a processor;

via the processor, disengaging clutches located in a transmission such that engine torque is not transmitted to a drive axle in response to receiving the vehicle stop command; and

via the processor, engaging clutches located in a drive axle assembly such that a wheel connected to the drive axle is inhibited from rolling in response to receiving the vehicle stop command.

9. A method of operating a vehicle according to claim 8 , further comprising:

receiving a command to move the stopped vehicle in a forward direction at the processor;

via the processor, slipping one clutch located in the transmission such that engine torque is transmitted to the drive axle in response to receiving the command to move the stopped vehicle forward;

via the processor, retaining a clutch located in the drive axle assembly associated with the forward direction engaged in response to receiving the command to move the stopped vehicle forward; and

via the processor, slipping a clutch located in the drive axle assembly associated with a rearward direction such that the vehicle moves in the forward direction without stalling an engine in response to receiving the command to move the stopped vehicle forward.

10. A method of operating a vehicle according to claim 8 , further comprising:

receiving a command to move the stopped vehicle in a rearward direction at the processor;

via the processor, slipping one clutch located in the transmission such that engine torque is transmitted to the drive axle in response to receiving the command to move the stopped vehicle rearward;

via the processor, retaining a clutch located in the drive axle assembly associated with the rearward direction engaged in response to receiving the command to move the stopped vehicle rearward; and

via the processor, slipping a clutch located in the drive axle assembly associated with a forward direction such that the vehicle moves in the rearward direction without stalling an engine in response to receiving the command to move the stopped vehicle rearward.