IP Library Granted Patent US 8,088,031
Granted Patent B2
US 8,088,031 · App. 12/116,674 · Granted Jan 3, 2012

Multi-speed transmission

Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,088,031
App. No.
12/116,674
Granted
Jan 3, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members, five interconnecting members, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. Each of the five interconnecting members continuously interconnects at least one of the first, second, and third members of the four planetary gear sets with at least one other of a stationary member, the first, second, and third members of the four planetary gear sets. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes.

Claims (30)

1. 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;

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

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

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

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

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

five torque transmitting devices each selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the sun gears, carrier members, and ring gears of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets with at least one other of the sun gears, carrier members, ring gears of the first, second, third, fourth gear sets, and the stationary member, and

wherein the torque transmitting devices 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.

2. The transmission of claim 1 wherein the input member is continuously interconnected with the carrier member of the first planetary gear set and wherein the output member is continuously interconnected with at least one of the ring gear of the second planetary gear set, the ring gear of the third planetary gear set and the ring gear of the fourth planetary gear set.

3. The transmission of claim 1 wherein four of the torque transmitting devices are clutches and one of the torque transmitting devices is a brake.

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

5. 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, wherein the input member is continuously interconnected with the carrier member of the first planetary gear set and wherein the output member is continuously interconnected with at least one of the ring gear of the second planetary gear set, the ring gear of the third planetary gear set and the ring gear of the fourth planetary gear set;

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

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

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

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

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

a first of the five torque transmitting devices is selectively engageable to interconnect the ring gear of the first planetary gear set with the sun gear of the fourth planetary gear set;

a second of the five torque transmitting devices is selectively engageable to interconnect the ring gear of the first planetary gear set with the sun gear of the second planetary gear set;

a third of the five torque transmitting devices is selectively engageable to interconnect the carrier member of the first planetary gear set and the input member with at least one of the carrier member of the second planetary gear set and the carrier member of the third planetary gear set;

a fourth of the five torque transmitting devices is selectively engageable to interconnect the carrier member of the first planetary gear set and the input member with the sun gear of the second planetary gear set; and

a fifth of the five torque transmitting devices is selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the sun gear of the third planetary gear set and the carrier 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 two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.

6. The transmission of claim 5 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 025315/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025245/0780 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 28, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023162/0187 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 27, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023156/0215 →
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 023155/0880 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 20, 2009
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023124/0670 →
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 022554/0479 →
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 May 15, 2008
From: PHILLIPS, ANDREW W.; WITTKOPP, SCOTT H.; HART, JAMES M.; CAREY, CLINTON E.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 020948/0070 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 60942797 · Jun 8, 2007
Related Publication 20080305912A1 · Dec 11, 2008