Patent attributes
An electro-magnetically actuated pawl clutch is adapted to establish a fixed overdrive ratio in a powersplit type hybrid gearing arrangement. The electro-magnetically actuated clutch includes an inner race splined to the transmission input shaft and an outer race fixed to a first gear that is supported for rotation about the input shaft. The inner race includes two magnetically separated toothed rings. Electrical current in a non-rotating coil establishes a magnetic field in the inner race. The magnetic field causes a set of pawls to pivot with respect to the outer race and to engage at least one of the toothed rings. The pawls and teeth are designed such that, when engaged, the outer race can rotate faster than the inner race but cannot rotate slower. The first gear meshes with a second gear fixed to the transmission output shaft.
