IP Library Granted Patent US 7,988,586
Granted Patent B2
US 7,988,586 · App. 12/124,571 · Granted Aug 2, 2011

Multi-speed transmission

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,988,586
App. No.
12/124,571
Granted
Aug 2, 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 are clutches and brakes and 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 (50)

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 wherein the input 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 the third member of the second planetary gear set;

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

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

six torque transmitting mechanisms each selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the first, second, and third members of the planetary gear sets with at least another one of the first members, second members, and third members of the planetary gear sets, and a stationary element, and

wherein the torque transmitting mechanisms 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 mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the second planetary gear set with at least one of the second 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 mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the third member of the second planetary gear set and the first 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 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.

5. The transmission of claim 4 wherein a fourth of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the first planetary gear set with at least one of the first 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.

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

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

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

9. The transmission of claim 1 wherein the output member is continuously interconnected with the second member of the third planetary gear set.

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

11. The transmission of claim 1 wherein the stationary element 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 second member of the fourth planetary gear set and wherein the output member is continuously interconnected with the second member of the third planetary gear set;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

a sixth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the first planetary gear set with the stationary element, and

wherein the torque transmitting mechanisms 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 each of the first members are sun gears, each of the second members are carrier members, and each of the third members are ring gears.

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

15. 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 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 sun 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 ring gear of the third planetary gear set;

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

a first torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the carrier member of the second 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 mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the ring gear of the second planetary gear set and the sun gear of the first planetary gear set with the sun gear of the fourth planetary gear set;

a third 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 fourth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the carrier member of the first planetary gear set with at least one of the sun gear of the second planetary gear set, the sun gear of the third planetary gear set, and the ring gear of the fourth planetary gear set;

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

a sixth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the carrier member of the first planetary gear set with the stationary element, and

wherein the torque transmitting mechanisms 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 element 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 022554/0538 →
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 Jun 9, 2008
From: PHILLIPS, ANDREW W.; WITTKOPP, SCOTT H.; CAREY, CLINTON E.; HART, JAMES M.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 021067/0815 →