Transmission for racing automobiles

Abstract

An automotive transmission of the invention comprises a single transmission case, an anti-lockup assembly positioned within the case, a planetary gear set assembly positioned within the case and coupled directly to the anti-lockup assembly, a braking assembly positioned to apply braking force directly to the anti-lockup assembly, and a valve assembly located externally from the transmission case. An input assembly is coupled to the anti-lockup assembly proximate to the front end of the case which allows coupling of the transmission of the invention directly to a torque converter. A fluid pump is included in the input assembly. The anti-lockup assembly preferably comprises a safety sprag clutch, an inner sprag race, and an outer sprag race, with the sprag clutch positioned between the inner and outer sprag races. The planetary gear set assembly preferably comprises a conventional planetary gear set which couples directly to the outer sprag race. The brake assembly preferably comprises a transbrake clutch configured to frictionally engage or interact with the outer sprag race upon brake activation. The input assembly preferably comprises an input shaft, coupled to the inner sprag race, extends forward from the transmission case to allow coupling to a torque converter. The input assembly further comprises a fluid pump assembly, and front plate associated with the input shaft. The front plate couples to the front of the transmission case to retain the sprag clutch and brake assembly therein. A stator support coupled to the front plate rotationally supports the input shaft, while the fluid pump assembly is coupled to the stator support. The input shaft couples to a torque converter turbine. A housing for the torque converter assembly may be coupled directly to the front end of the transmission case.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.