Abstract: A powertrain control includes monitoring map preview information, determining a road gradient factor based upon the map preview information, and adapting a transmission shift schedule based upon the road gradient factor.

Abstract: An automatic transmission control system for controlling gear shifting in an automatic transmission in a motor vehicle having an automatic transmission in a motor vehicle in operative communication with a transmission control unit, the transmission control unit has adaptive gearshift logic that operates to compensate for variations in vehicle conditions and road conditions, wherein the transmission control unit outputs at least one gearshift command to the transmission to control shifting of gears in accordance with the adaptive gearshift logic. A control method uses the adaptive gearshift logic to control gear shifting within the transmission in accordance with adaptive gearshift points that compensate for variations in vehicle conditions and road conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for providing TCC control and/or transmission gear shift control by considering the rate of change of the accelerator pedal or throttle position. The method determines whether the rate of change of the throttle position exceeds a predetermined positive rate of change or a predetermined negative rate of change and, if so, releases the TCC to provide TCC control. Alternatively, or additionally, the method can provide a transmission gear down-shift or up-shift depending on which direction the throttle position is changing. Once the TCC and/or gear shift control has been initiated, the method can start a timer and then return to normal TCC and/or gear shift control after the timer has expired. The TCC and/or gear shift control can also return to normal if the rate of change of the throttle position indicates that the throttle is being returned to its previous position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling actuation of a clutch device for a torque converter operative to transmit torque between an engine and a transmission. The method comprises controlling actuation of the clutch device effective to maintain an engine speed within a predetermined speed range when a transmission input speed is less than a threshold; and, controlling actuation of the clutch device effective to maintain slippage across the torque converter substantially at a predetermined slippage level when the transmission input speed is greater than the threshold.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling engagement of a clutch which carries torque before, during and after a shifting event in a transmission which is connected to a throttle-controlled engine. The method includes providing a feed forward input command which increases as the engine torque increases and decreases as the engine torque decreases. A feed-back input command is provided as a function of the error between measured clutch slip and a reference slip profile. The feed-forward input command and feed-back input command are summed to provide a clutch control command for controlling engagement of the clutch before, during and after the shifting event to allow a desired amount of clutch slip to damp excitation of the transmission.

Abstract: An automatic transmission control system for controlling gear shifting in an automatic transmission in a motor vehicle having an automatic transmission in a motor vehicle in operative communication with a transmission control unit, the transmission control unit has adaptive gearshift logic that operates to compensate for variations in vehicle conditions and road conditions, wherein the transmission control unit outputs at least one gearshift command to the transmission to control shifting of gears in accordance with the adaptive gearshift logic. A control method uses the adaptive gearshift logic to control gear shifting within the transmission in accordance with adaptive gearshift points that compensate for variations in vehicle conditions and road conditions.

Abstract: A control strategy is provided for controlling engagement of a clutch during vehicle launch. A feed-back input command and a feed-forward input command are utilized and summed to determine a clutch control command. The feed back input command uses a reference slip profile having a low speed portion and a high speed portion. In the low speed portion, the slip is a function of engine speed. In the high speed portion, the slip is a function of transmission output speed or vehicle speed.

Abstract: A powertrain has an engine, torque converter, and planetary transmission that includes an input shaft, an output shaft, two simple planetary gear sets, rive rotating torque transmitting mechanisms (clutches) and one stationary torque transmitting mechanism (brake). The planetary gear sets are interconnected with both a permanent interconnection and a selective interconnection. A first member of a first of the planetary gear sets is continuously connected with the output shaft and a first member of the second planetary gear set is continuously connected with a stationary portion of the transmission. Two of the clutches are operable to selectively connect the input shaft with the second and third members of the first planetary gear set, respectively. A third of the clutches is connectable between the second member of the second planetary gear set and the output shaft. The brake is selectively connectable between the second member of the first planetary gear set and the stationary portion.

Abstract: A powertrain has an engine, torque converter and a multi-speed transmission. The multi-speed transmission has a planetary gear arrangement disposed between an input shaft and an output shaft. The planetary gear arrangement consists of a simple planetary gear set and a compound planetary gear set that are interconnected and controlled by six torque transmitting mechanisms to provide six forward speed ratios and a reverse speed ratio between the input shaft and output shaft. Each of the torque transmitting mechanisms is engaged during at least two of the speed ratios. One of the torque transmitting mechanisms is established during six of the speed ratios including the reverse speed ratio.

Abstract: A powertrain has an engine and torque converter that provides power to a multi-speed planetary transmission. The transmission includes a compound planetary gear set and a simple planetary gear set that are selectively interconnected by a plurality of selectively engageable torque transmitting mechanisms. The planetary carrier assembly member of the compound planetary gear set is continually connected to be driven by the torque converter, and the ring gear of the simple planetary gear set is connected to continually drive the transmission output shaft. A plurality of torque transmitting mechanisms, including the interconnecting mechanisms, are selectively engaged in combinations of three to establish six forward speed ratios and a reverse ratio.

Abstract: A powertain includes an engine and torque converter arranged to provide input power to a six speed planetary transmission. The transmission includes a simple planetary gear set and a compound planetary gear set that are selectively interconnected by a pair of fluid-operated clutch mechanisms. Two other selectively engageable fluid-operated clutch mechanisms and three selectively engageable fluid-operated brake mechanisms are provided to control the power input and reaction within the planetary transmission. The clutch mechanisms and the brake mechanisms are engaged in combinations of three to provide six forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between a transmission input shaft and a transmission output shaft.

Abstract: A powertrain has an engine, torque converter and multi-speed transmission. The transmission has a simple planetary gear set and a compound planetary gear set. The gear sets are interconnected between the sun gear member of the simple planetary and the carrier assembly member of the compound planetary. The simple planetary ring gear member is continuously connected with an output shaft and the sun gear member of the compound planetary is continuously connected with an input shaft. Four clutches and two brakes are selectively engaged in pairs to provide six forward speed ratios and one reverse ratio.

Abstract: A powertrain has an engine-driven power transmission that selectively provides six forward speed ratios, a neutral condition and a reverse speed ratio. The power transmission includes two simple planetary gear sets that are continuously interconnected between two members and selectively interconnected between two other members through a selectively engageable rotating torque-transmitting mechanism. The ring gear member of one of the planetary gear sets is continually connected with an output shaft. Three selectively engageable rotating torque-transmitting mechanisms connect a member of each planetary gear set as well as the interconnected members with an input shaft. Two selectively engageable stationary torque-transmitting mechanisms inhibit the rotation of two members of one of the planetary gear and one member of the other planetary gear set when the selectively engageable interconnection is active.

Abstract: A five speed planetary transmission has a simple planetary gear set, a compound planetary gear set and six torque transmitting devices which are engaged in combinations of three to provide five forward ratios and one reverse ratio. The planetary gear sets are interconnected with a continuous drive connection and one of the torque transmitting devices. Two of the transmitting devices are input clutches and the other three are brakes. The planetary carrier assembly member of the simple planetary gear set is the only member connected with the output shaft during all of the ratios. The ratio interchanges in both single step and double step forward interchanges are of the single transition type.

Abstract: A powertrain has a planetary gear arrangement with a simple planetary gear set and a compound planetary gear set which are interconnected by a continuous drive connection and are controlled to provide five forward drive ratios, a reverse drive ratio and a neutral condition. A plurality of torque transmitting devices including four clutches and two brakes are engaged in combination of three for each drive ratio. Two of the torque transmitting devices are engaged during the lowest forward drive ratio, the reverse drive ratio and the neutral condition.

Abstract: A planetary transmission has two planetary gear sets, one of which is a simple planetary gear set. The ring gear of the simple planetary gear set is continuously connected with a transmission output shaft. Six fluid-operated friction torque transmitting devices are operable in combinations of three to establish a reverse drive and five forward drive ratios in the two gear sets. The gear sets are continuously interconnected by at least one drive member and are selectively interconnected by one of the torque transmitting devices. Two of the three devices engaged for reverse and first are also engaged in neutral.

Abstract: A planetary gear arrangement has two simple planetary gearsets and six selectively engageable friction torque transmitting mechanisms which are controlled to establish five forward transmission ratios and one reverse transmission ratio. One of the planetary gearsets establishes one forward ratio and the reverse ratio. The two planetary gearsets are compounded through both a continuous torque transmitting connection and a selectively engageable drive connection comprised of one of the torque transmitting mechanism during the two lowest forward transmission ratios and through the continuous torque transmitting connection during the highest of the forward transmission ratios. Both planetary gearsets are maintained in a direct drive ratio during the numerically central (third) forward ratio.

Abstract: A planetary gearing arrangement has a compound planetary gear set and a simple planetary gear set. The planetary gear sets are continuously interconnected at the sun gear members and are interconnectable through the selective engagement of two proportioning clutches which change the interaction of the gear sets. A single member, a ring gear, is continuously connected to an output shaft. The arrangement also includes two input clutches and two brakes which in combination with the proportioning clutches permit the establishment of five forward ratios and one reverse ratio. Two of the forward ratios are underdrives and two of the ratios are overdrives. All of the forward ratio interchanges, the neutral to forward ratio change and the neutral to reverse ratio change are of the single transition type.

Abstract: A powertrain has a planetary transmission with two simple planetary gearsets interconnected between an input shaft and an output shaft. The planetary gearsets are controlled to establish five forward speed and torque ratios and one reverse speed and torque ratio by selective engagement of three clutches and two brakes.

Abstract: A simple planetary gearset, a compound pinion planetary gearset, two clutches and two brakes are combined to provide four forward speed ratios and a reverse ratio. One of the clutches provides an input connection while the other provides a planetary interconnection. The two brakes are connected with respective first and second members of the simple planetary gearset while the third member of the planetary is continuously driven by a power input. The compound pinion planetary gearset has one member continuously connected with a power output shaft, a second member connected with the input clutch and the interconnecting clutch, and a third member connected with one of the brakable members of the simple planetary gearset.