Here are some pictures of the mechanical diode setup used in the ford 4R70W and 4R100 transmissions.



You can view the patent's referenced in the numerical stampings on the front of the mechanical diode by clicking here.



This device makes a neat sounding ratchet sound when the clutch is over-running. And locks up in the other direction. When actually installed in a transmission with shafts spinning at hundreds of revolutions per minute, this device would be coated in a layer of oil and would be silent when over-running though.




























Here's the clutch assembly after grinding away the retaining ring. This stuff is really hard metal that takes some effort to cut through.



After popping off the top ring





The front of the top ring



The back of the top ring





Here's the inside of the clutch. The metal tangs are spring loaded.







Here you can see a closeup of one of the springs



This is the surface that the tangs would normally lock onto