Abstract: An adaptive control system/method for an at least partially automated vehicular mechanical transmission system (10) is provided for determining the current value of a control parameter (T.sub.FW) indicative of engine flywheel torque. Engine flywheel torque (T.sub.FW) is determined as a function of the expression gross engine torque (T.sub.EG) is equal to the sum of flywheel torque (T.sub.FW), base engine friction torque (T.sub.BEF), acceleration torque (T.sub.ACCEL) and accessory torque (T.sub.ACCES). Accessory torque (T.sub.ACCES) is determined, when the vehicle is in motion, as a function of engine deceleration rate (dES/dt rate). Flywheel torque (T.sub.FW), or drivewheel torque (T.sub.DW) determined as a function of flywheel torque (T.sub.FW) and drivetrain parameters such as engaged gear ratio (GR), is utilized as a control parameter for controlling shifting of the transmission system.

Abstract: A control method/system for controlling engagement of a target gear ratio (GR.sub.T)in a vehicular automated mechanical transmission system (10) is provided. The control causes engine speed (ES) to be alternately greater than and then less than synchronous engine speed (ES=IS=OS*GR.sub.T) to cause torque reversals across the engaging positive jaw clutch associated with the target gear ratio to minimize or prevent partial engagement caused by torque lock conditions.

Abstract: A system/method of resetting the value of a control parameter (GCW.sub.CP indicative of vehicular gross combined weight and determined as a filtered/averaged value, to a predetermined default value, or to a test value, upon sensing vehicle operating conditions (OS=Oand t>REF) deemed indicative of a change in vehicle loading is provided. A vehicle automated system, such as an automated mechanical transmission system, is controlled as a function of the value of the control parameter.

Abstract: A control system/method for determining vehicular gross combined weight (GCW) is provided. GCW is determined immediately after upshifts of a transmission (10) and requires only input signals indicative of engine or driveline torque (DL), vehicle acceleration (dOS/dt) and currently engaged gear ratio (GR).

Abstract: A control system/method for controlling a vehicular, at least partially automated system (110) separate from the vehicular transmission system (10), such as a CTIS or ABS, is provided. The at least partially automated system is controlled as a function of a value (GCW) approximating vehicle gross combined weight and determined as a function of information on the vehicle electronic data link (DL).

Abstract: A reengagement control system/method (200) for a semi-automatic mechanical transmission system (104) of the type requiring manual synchronization of the transmission to enable automatic implementation of a selected shift into a target gear ratio is provided. The reengagement control will cause immediate engagement of an engageable ratio, based upon vehicle speed, if the transmission is shifted to neutral and is then unable to engage in the target gear for greater than a predetermined time (REF.sub.2) as vehicle acceleration (dOS/dt) exceeds an acceleration reference value (REF.sub.1).

Abstract: A control system/method for an at least partially automated mechanical transmission system (10), inclading a controller (106) operated engine brake (EB), is provided. The control system/method is effective to determine if selected upshifts into a target gear ratio are feasible (212, 214) or not feasible (216) under current vehicle operating conditions and to prohibit the initiation of not feasible selected upshifts. The transmission system includes an engine brake actuator (23A) operable by the system controller (106). selected upshifts are evaluated and will be implemented, if feasible, in a sequence wherein feasibility is a function of engine deceleration (dES/dt), and engine deceleration is assigned expected values at minimum to progressively greater engine braking.

Abstract: A control system/method for an at least partially automated mechanical transmission system (10) is provided for determining if selected upshifts into a target gear ratio are feasible (208) or not feasible (210) under current vehicle operating conditions and for prohibiting the initiation of not feasible selected upshifts.

Abstract: A fluid pressure-operated shift actuator (11) is provided of the type defining a series of fluid pressure chambers (69, 71, 91, and 95). The actuator is operable to move a shift finger (19) to any one of four shift rails (1,2,3,4) by actuating various combinations of solenoids (29,31,33). One of the fluid pressure chambers (95) provides a constant bias of the shift finger (19) toward the first shift rail (1). Actuation of the second and third pressure chambers (71,91) results in selection of the third shift rail, because pressurization of the third pressure chamber (91) limits the rightward movement of the crank arrangement (37) which directly controls position of the shift finger (19).

Abstract: A control system/method for an at least partially automated mechanical transmission system (10) is provided for determining if selected upshifts into a target gear ratio are acceptable (208) or not acceptable (210) under current vehicle operating conditions and for prohibiting the initiation of not acceptable selected upshifts. An upshift is deemed acceptable if the available drivewheel torque (206) in the target ratio is sufficient to maintain at least a minimum acceptable vehicle acceleration (A.sub.0) after the upshift under current vehicle operating conditions.

Abstract: A blocker-clutch assembly (10) includes an openly porous, pyrolytic carbon composite friction material (74) configured for optimum performance and, therefore, prevention or substantial prevention of nonsynchronous engagement of positive clutch members (12,14) due to premature unblocking of blocker tooth ramps (48-54). The composite friction material is formed to be resilient in direction normal to its friction surface (76c), is cut into segments (76), is positioned and bonded to a frustoconical surface (62) using fixtures 80,82 for preserving the resiliency and with the segments circumferentially spaced apart, and is configured to control engagement force thereon in a range of 150-300 pounds per square inch (100-200 N/cm.sup.2).

Abstract: A fluid operated shift actuator (11) is provided, and is especially suited for use in an X-Y shift mechanism for a change-gear mechanical transmission. The shift actuator includes a piston rod (47), a piston member (87), and a pair of auxiliary pistons (93 and 95), to define fluid pressure chambers (91 and 92). After the piston member (87) and the piston rod (47) have been displaced from neutral in either direction, into a gear engagement position, pressurizing both fluid pressure chambers (91 and 92) will cause the actuator to return to the neutral position (gear disengagement) with substantially less force than that exerted when the actuator moved into the gear engagement position.

Abstract: An auxiliary transmission section (14) shift control system (230)/method is provided which includes a control member (234) to prevent auxiliary section synchronized clutch (92, 128) damage if the main transmission section (12) is engaged during an auxiliary section shift. Upon sensing main section engagement during a shift into the auxiliary section high-speed ratio, the force used to engage the high speed ratio is reduced from a first to a considerably lower second level by reducing the pressurization of the actuating pressurized fluid. To accomplish this, a dual pressure pressure regulator assembly (234) is utilized.

Abstract: A bonding assembly for bonding carbon fibrous segments with adhesive on one side, to a frustoconical surface of an annular clutch member. The bonding assembly includes a ring member with a frustoconical surface complementary to the annular clutch member frustoconical surface. Three of the segments are spaced circumferentially apart and sandwiched between the annular clutch member frustoconical surface and the ring member frustoconical surface with, the adhesive sides of the segments positioned against the annular clutch member. The clutch member and ring member are placed on a base with a post extending vertically upward through the concentric axis of the clutch and ring members. A spring mechanism includes a second element for engaging the post and exerting a downward force to clamp the ring member, clutch member, and segments together. The bonding assembly can then be positioned in a source of heat for curing the adhesive under constant force.

Abstract: A control system/control method for controlling the jaw clutch engagement and at least partially automated multiple speed change gear mechanical transmission (10) is provided. The control includes a central processing unit (106) for receiving signals indicative of transmission input shaft (16) speed, transmission output shaft (90) speed and of a selected ratio to be engaged. The control unit initiates/permits engagement of the jaw clutch members associated with the selected ratio upon sensing that the rotational speed of the input shaft falls within a calculated synchronous window. The control unit senses vehicle start from stop conditions and/or degraded clutch operation during vehicle start from stop conditions and responds thereto by enlarging the synchronous window.

Abstract: A control system (104) for semi-automatically executing automatically and manually selected upshifts and downshifts of a mechanical transmission system (10) is provided. The control system includes a central processing unit (106) for receiving input signals indicative of transmission input shaft (16) and output shaft (90) speeds and from a driver control console (108) indicative of manual selection of upshifts or downshifts from a currently engaged gear ratio, or manual selection of operation in an automatic preselect mode, and processing the same in accordance with predetermined logic rules to issue command output signals to a transmission actuator (112, 70, 96) to implement the selected shifts upon a manually caused torque break of the transmission and manual substantial synchronization of the transmission in the selected ratio thereafter.

Abstract: A control system (104) for semi-automatically executing manually and/or automatically selected upshifts and downshifts of a mechanical transmission system (10) is provided. The control system includes a central processing unit (106) for receiving input signals indicative of transmission input shaft (16) and output shaft (90) speeds and from a driver control console (108) indicative of manual selection of upshifts or downshifts from a currently engaged gear ratio or into neutral and processing the same in accordance with predetermined logic rules to issue command output signals to a transmission actuator (112, 70, 96) to implement the selected shifts upon a manual caused torque reversal of the transmission and manual substantial synchronization of the transmission thereafter. The control also senses and indicates (i) a selected but not yet confirmed shift into neutral and (ii) a confirmed neutral condition.

Abstract: A control system (104)/method for semi-automatically executing manually selected upshifts and downshifts of a mechanical transmission system (10) is provided. The control system includes a central processing unit (106) for receiving input signals indicative of transmission input shaft (16) and output shaft (90) speeds and from a driver control console (108) indicative of manual selection of upshifts or downshifts from a currently engaged gear ratio and processing the same in accordance with predetermined logic rule to issue command output signals to a transmission actuator (112, 70, 96) to implement the selected shifts upon a manual caused torque reversal of the transmission and manual substantial synchronization of the transmission thereafter.

Abstract: A blocker-clutch assembly (10) includes an openly porous, pyrolytic carbon composite friction material (74) configured for optimum performance and, therefore, prevention or substantial prevention of nonsynchronous engagement of positive clutch members (12,14) due to premature unblocking of blocker tooth ramps (48-54). The composite friction material is formed to be resilient in direction normal to its friction surface (76b), is cut into segments (76), is bonded to a frustoconical surface (62) in a manner preseving the resiliency and with the segments circumferentially spaced apart, and is configured to control engagement force thereon in a range of 150-300 pounds per square inch (10-20 Kg/cm.sup.2).

Abstract: A control (220) for providing a dual pressure source (236) of pressurized fluid to a pressurized fluid operated shift actuator (30) for a mechanical change gear transmission (202) is provided.