Driveline torque reducer
AssigneeEaton Corporation
InventorsJames L. Oliver, Craig S. Jacobs, David M. Preston, Timothy J. Morscheck, Jeff H. Skorupski, Thomas A. Genise
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vehicular powertrain system includes a prime mover having an output, a multi-ratio transmission having an input, and a torque reduction coupling system coupling the prime mover output and the multi-ratio transmission input. The exemplary torque reduction coupling system includes a clutch and a planetary gear set selectively coupling the prime mover output to the multi-ratio transmission input. The exemplary planetary gear set includes one components of the planetary gear set being selectively coupled to the clutch.
Claims29
A vehicular powertrain system, comprising:
- a prime mover having an output;
- a multi-ratio transmission having an input;
- and
- a torque reduction coupling system coupling said prime mover output and said multi-ratio transmission input;
- wherein said torque reduction coupling system includes a clutch and a planetary gear set selectively coupling said prime mover output to said multi-ratio transmission input;
- wherein one component of said planetary gear set is coupled to said clutch;
- and
- wherein at least one planetary gear of said planetary gear set is formed on said prime mover output.
A vehicular powertrain system, comprising:
- a prime mover having an output;
- a multi-ratio transmission having an input;
- and
- a torque reduction coupling system coupling said prime mover output and said multi-ratio transmission input;
- wherein said torque reduction coupling system includes a clutch and a planetary gear set selectively coupling said prime mover output to said multi-ratio transmission input, said planetary gear set including a plurality of planetary gears formed on said prime mover output, a sun gear selectively coupled to said clutch, and a ring gear coupled to said multi-ratio transmission input.
A vehicular powertrain system, comprising:
- a prime mover in the form of a fuel operated engine having an output;
- a multi-ratio transmission having an input, said multi-ratio transmission being one of a change gear transmission or a continuously variable transmission (“CVT”);
- and
- a torque reduction coupling system coupling said prime mover output and said multi-ratio transmission input;
- wherein said torque reduction coupling system includes a clutch, in the form of one of a hydraulically actuated friction clutch, an electrically actuated friction clutch, a dry clutch, or a wet clutch, and a planetary gear set selectively coupling said prime mover output to said multi-ratio transmission input, said planetary gear set including a plurality of planetary gears forming an overdrive gear system on said prime mover output, a sun gear selectively coupled to said clutch, and a ring gear coupled to said multi-ratio transmission input;
- wherein actuating said clutch de-couples said prime mover output from said multi-ratio transmission input.
A method for operating a multi-ratio powertrain system comprising:
- selecting a first prime mover having an output;
- providing a multi-ratio transmission having an input;
- incorporating a torque reduction coupling system coupling said prime mover output and said multi-ratio transmission input, said torque reduction coupling system including a clutch and a planetary gear set selectively coupling said prime mover output to said multi-ratio transmission input, wherein one component of said planetary gear set is selectively coupled to said clutch and wherein at least one planetary gear of said planetary gear set is formed on said first prime mover output;
- and
- disengaging said clutch in preparation of a shift event.
A vehicular powertrain system, comprising:
- a prime mover having an output:
- a multi-ratio transmission having an input;
- and
- a torque reduction coupling system coupling said prime mover output and said multi-ratio transmission input;
- wherein said torque reduction coupling system includes a clutch and a planetary gear set selectively coupling said prime mover output to said multi-ratio transmission input;
- wherein one component of said planetary gear set is coupled to said clutch;
- wherein at least one planetary gear of said planetary gear set is formed on said prime mover output;
- and
- wherein said clutch comprises a wet clutch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.