Electrically Triggered Patents (Class 192/3.58)
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Patent number: 8020684Abstract: A shift apparatus of an inboard-outboard drive in which shift operation can be carried out by electrical means without using known cables such as wires is provided. Solenoid valves 35 and 36 which carry out shifting operation in an oil-hydraulic circuit for operating an hydraulic clutch is attached to an oil-hydraulic control unit 31 in an upper casing 14 of an outer drive apparatus 4, and a waterproof cover 40 which covers the oil-hydraulic control unit 31 and the solenoid valves 35 and 36 are fixed on the upper casing 14. A connector 45 is interposed between electric wires 41, and arranged on a joint portion between a bell housing 18 and an upper casing 14.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2007Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hideo Misao
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Patent number: 8011489Abstract: An automatic change gear control device for a motorcycle having a manually operated clutch operation member achieves both easy clutch operation and secure freedom of drive. A clutch is connected and disconnected to change gears in a transmission capable of freely changing gears in plural stages. A clutch actuator drives the clutch. A clutch operation unit has a manually-operated clutch lever. An ECU controls the clutch actuator based on driver operation of the clutch lever.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2007Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yoshihiko Takeuchi
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Publication number: 20110198180Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a dual clutch transmission includes a plurality of solenoids and valves in fluid communication with a plurality of clutch actuators and with a plurality of synchronizer actuators. The clutch actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of torque transmitting devices and the synchronizer actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of synchronizer assemblies. Selective activation of combinations of the solenoids allows for a pressurized fluid to flow through the valves to activate at least one of the clutch actuators and synchronizer actuators in order to shift the transmission into a desired gear ratio. A range selection valve is operable to place the transmission in Park and out-of-Park modes of operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2010Publication date: August 18, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Pascal Momal, Bret M. Olson, Philip C. Lundberg
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Patent number: 7987956Abstract: A transmission ECU calculates a differential rotation, which is the rotational speed difference between a friction plate and a separator plate, when it is determined that a second brake is not engaged. If it is determined that the differential rotation is equal to or above a predetermined value, the transmission ECU narrows the pack clearance of the second brake. If it is determined that the differential rotation is less than the predetermined value, the transmission ECU widens the pack clearance of the second brake.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2008Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kohei Dodo
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Patent number: 7942252Abstract: In a gear shift module for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle including a series of gear shift elements for example in the form of gear shift forks, which are operated for the shifting of gears, a gear shift module is provided which has a module baseplate forming part of the cylinders of piston-cylinder units and at least part of a housing of a countershaft brake and a central clutch disengager of a starting clutch. These parts can be manufactured jointly providing for lower manufacturing and assembly costs.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2007Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Daimler AGInventor: Detlef Schnitzer
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Patent number: 7912617Abstract: A method for controlling trapped air in a clutch of an automatic clutch-to-clutch transmission includes, calculating a pulse on time based on a clutch volume and adaptive convergence. A pulse off time is calculated based on a temperature of transmission fluid. A pulse number is calculated based on the temperature of transmission fluid. A maximum pressure is commanded to the clutch based on the pulse on time and a minimum pressure is then commanded to the clutch based on the pulse off time. A pulse counter is incremented when the pulse off time expires. The steps of commanding maximum pressure, then commanding minimum pressure, and incrementing the pulse counter are repeated until the pulse counter equals a desired pulse number.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2005Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Inventors: David W. Wright, Bryan J. Williams, Scott R. Verna
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Patent number: 7912613Abstract: A riding type vehicle includes an automatic transmission capable of executing a shift change by a clutch actuator and a shift actuator. A clutch is controlled by the clutch actuator and is a multiplate clutch. The multiplate clutch is provided with bias member configured to enlarge a partial clutch engagement region of the clutch. The multiplate clutch is configured such that during shift change, both of the clutch actuator and the shift actuator are controlled to operate in overlapping manner.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2005Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Makoto Kosugi
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Patent number: 7886416Abstract: A replacement accumulator plate for use in CHRYSLER 45RFE and CHRYSLER 5-45RFE transmission valve bodies is redesigned to increase the service longevity of the original equipment manufacture accumulator assemblies disposed in the valve body including the low/reverse clutch accumulator, the 2nd clutch accumulator, the 4th clutch accumulator, the underdrive clutch accumulator, and the overdrive clutch accumulator. The present replacement accumulator plate includes a plurality of stress reduction zones, which are integrated into the replacement accumulator plate to reduce flexion imparted to the plate in operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2006Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Sonnax Industries, Inc.Inventor: Brandon W. Greene
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Patent number: 7849986Abstract: The hydraulic pressure control apparatus includes an upstream control valve, a downstream control valve, a hydraulic pressure sensor, and a controller. The upstream control valve is provided between a hydraulic pressure source and a hydraulic pressure device. The downstream control valve is disposed between the upstream control valve and the hydraulic pressure device. The hydraulic pressure sensor is configured and arranged to detect the hydraulic pressure on a downstream side of the downstream control valve. The controller is configured to control the upstream control valve and the downstream control valve based on an upstream pressure command value and a downstream pressure command value, respectively. The controller is further configured to detect an abnormality in the upstream control valve based on the hydraulic pressure detected by the hydraulic pressure sensor when the downstream pressure command value is set to be equal to or greater than the upstream pressure command value.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2007Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masasumi Kitou, Makoto Futamura
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Patent number: 7841455Abstract: In clutch-to-clutch upshifting, the occurrence of inertia shock is suppressed while racing of the engine is prevented. Corresponding to a first sweep control in which an engaging-side pressure sweeps up toward a target hydraulic pressure PTA, a releasing-side hydraulic pressure PB sweeps down as an initial control. When the releasing-side hydraulic pressure PB becomes a minute torque capacity [fPB(0)+PKEEP+PLS2T], a hold control, which has a very low gradient ?PB, is started so that the pressure is substantially held, and, after a rotation change is started, the pressure sweeps down with a low gradient ?PE2 until release.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2007Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshinori Maki, Hitoshi Asano, Masatake Ichikawa, Hiroshi Tsutsui
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Patent number: 7766139Abstract: A DCT hydraulic power control system has a pump, a high pressure section for providing oil to actuators of the DCT, a low pressure section for providing oil to a lubrication and cooling system of the DCT, and a regulator for directing excess oil from the high pressure section to the lubrication and cooling section. A hydraulic control includes a first directional valve disposed in a main line of the low pressure section between the pump and the lubrication and cooling system, wherein the directional valve is controlled by an ON/OFF valve disposed between a check valve and the directional valve, wherein the check valve is disposed in a branch line of the low pressure section leading to the high pressure section, and wherein a second directional valve connects the second pressure outlet associated to the low pressure section with a suction side of the pump.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2007Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Hoerbiger Antriebstechnik GmbHInventors: Filip De Mazière, Johan Wallaert
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Publication number: 20100155159Abstract: A clutch assembly and method of operating the clutch assembly to start an engine of a hybrid vehicle includes a first clutch and a first clutch actuator for selectively engaging the first clutch. The first actuator has a first at-rest position engaging the clutch and a hydraulically charged position disengaged from the first clutch. The clutch assembly further includes a second clutch actuator having a second at-rest position away disengaged from the first clutch and a second hydraulically charged position engaged with the first clutch.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2009Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Douglas Scott Burchett, Kenneth D. Schoch, Kevin C. Beckner, Michael D. Foster
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Patent number: 7635057Abstract: A device for controlling a hydraulically operable switching element (2) of an automatic transmission of a vehicle with a position valve mechanism (3) having a main switch piston (6) which is spring biased into a first switch position and a second switch position with a pilot pressure (P_MV) which is adjustable through an electrically operated actuator (5). An additional switch piston (7) and the main switch piston (6) are axially actuated in a valve housing (8). Depending on the position of the pistons (6, 7), faces (6A, 7A) of the respective pistons are either spaced apart or adjacent. The additional switch piston (7) is adjustable depending on a pilot pressure (p_K) of a switching element which engages a gear for forward drive.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2006Date of Patent: December 22, 2009Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Georg Gierer, Thilo Schmidt, Markus Herrmann
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Publication number: 20090242345Abstract: A clutch control system for a vehicle includes an actuator which is configured to control a hydraulic pressure. A timer is configured to measure a time period from a timing at which a hydraulic pressure supply source starts supplying hydraulic oil to a hydraulic clutch to a timing at which the hydraulic pressure reaches a predetermined value. A clutch control compensator is configured to calculate a control compensation value of an amount of operation of the actuator based on the time period measured by the timer. A clutch controller is configured to control the actuator based on the control compensation value and the amount of operation of the actuator using a deviation between the hydraulic pressure detected by the hydraulic pressure detector and a target hydraulic pressure set according to a condition of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2009Publication date: October 1, 2009Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Masaki NAKAGAWARA, Hiroyuki KOJIMA, Kazuyuki FUKAYA, Takashi OZEKI, Taito KOBAYASHI
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Patent number: 7575111Abstract: A clutch apply control valve switches between a first position and a second position based on a control pressure PDS1 and a control pressure PDS2. When both the control pressure PDS1 and the control pressure PDS2 are output, the clutch apply control valve switches from the first position to the second position and outputs the control pressure PDS2. As a result, a lockup control valve switches to an OFF position. Accordingly, a dedicated solenoid valve for controlling operation of the clutch apply control valve can be eliminated, thus reducing both size and cost while enabling a lockup clutch to be released even if there is an ON failure of a solenoid valve.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2007Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yusuke Ogata, Yoshinobu Soga
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Publication number: 20090159389Abstract: A system and method for controlling a hydraulic transmission uses a solenoid valve having a pressure sensor linked to the valve body operable to sense a hydraulic fluid pressure within a cavity of the valve body and to transmit an electrical signal based on the sensed pressure. The transmitted signal is used to identify the end of fill time, and thus to end a clutch fill phase and commence a clutch modulation or lock-up phase.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2007Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventor: Chino Imediegwu
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Patent number: 7487864Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for a dual clutch transmission for motor vehicles comprises a first and a second clutch that can be hydraulically actuated and a first and a second pressure control valve for regulating the clutch pressure of the first and second clutches. In this circuit there is provided a single central valve, which in a first position connects the pressure control valves to the respective clutches and in a second position disengages the pressure control valves from the respective clutches.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2007Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: Getrag Getriebe-und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmeyer GmbH & Cie KGInventors: Stefan Kohlhaas, Thomas Voss
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Patent number: 7486490Abstract: An actuator for a clutch or gear mechanism in a motor vehicle comprises an electric motor and an incremental encoder. The encoder comprises a position measurement signal output at which a position measurement signal can be output which has a number of different signal states, each of which is assigned to a relative position between a primary part and a secondary part of the electric motor. For the commutation of the electric motor, the position measurement signal output is connected to a position measurement signal input of a control device for a motor winding of the electric motor. The control device comprises a device for checking the plausibility of the position measurement signal and is designed in such a manner that on the occurrence of an implausible signal state the power supply to the electric motor is disconnected and/or the power of the electric motor is limited.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2006Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: Thomas Pfund, Wai-Wal Buchet, Sven-Jostein Kro, Martin Zimmermann, Juergen Gerhart, Martin Fuss
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Patent number: 7458911Abstract: A drive system designed to use a vehicle's existing hydraulic system to operate a controllable limited slip differential assembly. The limited slip differential assembly may be associated with the front axle, the rear axle, or the driveline between the front and rear axles. The differential assembly may also be used in combination that includes front, rear, or intermediate differential assemblies. The drive system further includes a friction clutch assembly for selectively engaging and disengaging an input member with an output member of the differential assembly, a fluid clutch actuator for selectively frictionally and variably loading the clutch assembly, and a fluid pump that is a common source of pressurized fluid for the fluid clutch actuator and the existing hydraulic system of the motor vehicle other than the fluid clutch actuator of the drive system. The fluid clutch actuator is actuated by fluid pressure generated by the fluid pump.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2005Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLCInventors: James A. Krisher, Kenneth E. Cooper, Thomas L. Nahrwold, Gordon W. Hunt, Ralph W. Baxter, Jr., Randy Sommer
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Patent number: 7445100Abstract: A power transmission device includes a rotary input member adapted to receive drive torque from a source of torque, a rotary output member adapted to provide drive torque to an output device and a torque transfer mechanism operable to transferring drive torque from the input member to the output member. The torque transfer mechanism includes a friction clutch assembly operably disposed between the input member and the output member and a hydraulic clutch actuation system operable for applying a clutch engagement force to the friction clutch assembly. The hydraulic clutch actuation system includes an electric motor drivingly coupled to a first piston. The first piston is slidably positioned within the housing for supplying pressurized fluid to an accumulator. The pressurized fluid within the accumulator is in communication with a second piston to provide the clutch engagement force.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2007Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: Magna Powertrain USA, Inc.Inventors: Aaron Ronk, John D. Zalewski, James S. Brissenden
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Patent number: 7430936Abstract: A method for controlling operational sequencing of gears in an automatic transmission (102) which has been built in an auxiliary mode. In the case of such a shifting transmission it is possible that during the engagement of its transmission gear stage, impact noises or contact noises are present in the shifting procedure. This can occur by the generation of a tooth-on-tooth positioning between the toothing of a sliding collar (126) and the come-along toothing of an idler gear (130, 132). Provision is made for the control of the activation movement of the sliding collar (126) carried out in such a manner that an activation condition impact of the transmission parts, which are partakers in the shifting associated transmission part onto other transmission parts with the least possible impact force and/or with a least possible impact noise level.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2006Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Rainer Petzold, Mario Steinborn, Stefan Veittinger
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Publication number: 20080242464Abstract: When the shift position is changed to the drive position, the amount of oil that is supplied to an automatic shift unit is increased by a larger amount as the standby hydraulic pressure is lower. Therefore, even if the standby hydraulic pressure is decreased, the required hydraulic pressure is more easily achieved when the shift position is changed to the drive position. Therefore, it is possible to decrease the standby hydraulic pressure without slowing down the response to the automatic shift unit to the hydraulic pressure and reducing the useful life of the automatic shift unit. Thus, the amount of electricity consumed by the electric oil pump is reduced. As a result, it is possible to enhance the fuel efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2008Publication date: October 2, 2008Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kenta Kumazaki, Tooru Matsubara, Atsushi Tabata
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Patent number: 7410438Abstract: The invention relates to a switching-valve arrangement for a shifting system of an automatic transmission having a first actuator for engaging and releasing gears, at least a second actuator for engaging and releasing gears, a first activatable switching valve, a second activatable switching valve, a first signal element, and a second signal element. By means of the signal elements and switching valves the first and second actuators can be pressurized. In case of failure of one of the signal elements one of the actuators can always be pressurized and even in case of erroneous operation of the first and second signal elements only one of the actuators can be pressurized at the same time.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2006Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Getrag Ford Transmissions GmbHInventors: Reinhard Moehlmann, Martin Leibbrandt
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Patent number: 7401689Abstract: A hydraulic system for providing pressure and volume flows in a double-clutch transmission. A first clutch and a second clutch are preceded by at least one changeover valve which, in a first state, guides lubricating flow to the first clutch and cooling flow to the second clutch, and, in a second state, guides lubricating flow to the second clutch and cooling flow to the first clutch. The cooling flow is preferably variable.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2005Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Getrag Ford Transmissions GmbHInventors: Andreas Hegerath, Martin Leibbrandt, Reinhard Moehlmann, Ulrich Eggert
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Publication number: 20080171633Abstract: A method for controlling a drivetrain including an automatically shifted starting clutch and gear-shift clutch and a transmission, with a non self-locking clutch actuator, a gear actuator for engaging and disengaging transmission gears and a control unit which generates control commands for the clutch actuator and gear actuator and transmits such commands to the actuators such that, when the vehicle is at rest and a gear is engaged and if the clutch actuator fails, the clutch does not inadvertently engage. When a transmission gear is engaged, a control command is generated and sent for the clutch actuator to disengage the clutch. Thereafter, the vehicle speed is determined and if the speed is essentially zero and the clutch begins to engage, a control command is sent to the gear actuator to shift the transmission to its neutral position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2006Publication date: July 17, 2008Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Marcus Gansohr, Florian Schneider, Thomas Jager
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Publication number: 20080164115Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for controlling a hybrid clutch and an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle. The circuit includes an electrically-powered hydraulic pump to supply the hybrid clutch and the automatic transmission with a hydraulic medium. A pressure booster is connected downstream of the hydraulic pump and includes a pressure booster slave cylinder and a pressure booster master cylinder. A hydraulic line segment extends between the pressure booster and the hybrid clutch, with the pressure booster master cylinder connected with a hybrid clutch slave cylinder to actuate the hybrid clutch. An oil feed device is connected with the pressure booster slave cylinder and fed by it with the hydraulic medium for refilling the hydrostatic line segment with the hydraulic medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2007Publication date: July 10, 2008Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventor: Marco Grethel
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Patent number: 7395908Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic system (1) for providing pressures and volumetric flows in a dual clutch transmission, in particular for providing a first volumetric flow for cooling and lubricating a first clutch (2) and for providing a second volumetric flow for cooling and lubricating a second clutch (3). The hydraulic system is distinguished by the fact that at least one switching valve (4), which in a first position guides a lubricating flow onto the first clutch (2) and a cooling flow onto the second clutch (3) and in a second position guides the lubricating flow onto the second clutch (3) and the cooling flow onto the first clutch (2), is connected upstream of the first clutch (2) and the second clutch (3). The cooling flow is preferably variable.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2005Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Getrag Ford Transmissions GmbHInventors: Andreas Hegerath, Reinhard Möhlmann, Martin Leibbrandt, Ulrich Eggert
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Publication number: 20080149446Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for diagnosis of at least one clutch that is provided in a hydraulic circuit, the actuation of the at least one clutch is effected via a pressure regulator that adjusts a pilot control pressure, and the course of the pilot control pressure, or a suitable electrical variable of the pressure regulator, is monitored, in order to detect a characteristic load change in the hydraulic circuit that occurs in a clutch shifting process.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2007Publication date: June 26, 2008Inventor: Raymond Schuurman
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Patent number: 7264573Abstract: An automatic transmission control apparatus controls a gear position by engaging and disengaging multiple frictional elements. A hydraulic pressure detector detects hydraulic pressure applied to the frictional elements. A failure determiner determines a failure, i.e., a dual-engagement of the frictional elements in accordance with detection signals of the hydraulic pressure detector. The hydraulic pressure detector detects first and second hydraulic pressure applied to the plurality of frictional elements. The second hydraulic pressure is greater than the first hydraulic pressure. The failure determiner determines a failure in accordance with a detection signals of the first and second hydraulic pressure detected by the hydraulic pressure detector.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2005Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Akira Takagi
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Patent number: 7255214Abstract: The present invention provides a multiplexed control system, employing a single solenoid valve, to selectively control the damper lock-out clutch and motor/generator cooling of an electronically variable hybrid transmission. The present invention also contemplates a method of selectively controlling damper lock-out clutch engagement and motor/generator cooling for an electrically variable hybrid transmission control.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2005Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Charles F. Long, Michael D. Foster
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Patent number: 7255212Abstract: A hydraulic control circuit for an automatic transmission of a vehicle, the transmission including hydraulically operated coupling devices at least one of which is selectively operated to establish a corresponding one of speed steps, the hydraulic control circuit including electromagnetic valve devices which output respective hydraulic pressures to operate the hydraulically operated coupling devices, respectively, an all-fail detecting and switching valve device which is switched, based on an all-fail state of the electromagnetic valve devices in which none of the electromagnetic valve devices output the respective hydraulic pressures, to an operation state corresponding to a fail position to output, as a first hydraulic pressure, a source hydraulic pressure to a first hydraulically operated coupling device out of the plurality of hydraulically operated coupling devices, and an operation-state memory valve which is switched, based on a state of the vehicle before the all-fail state occurs, from a non-runningType: GrantFiled: October 17, 2006Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masaru Morise, Hideki Miyata, Akio Sugawara, Yuji Yasuda
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Patent number: 7225907Abstract: A hydraulic pressure control system for an automatic transmission is comprised of an engagement element engaged when the vehicle runs and a first engagement control actuator controlling the engagement element by supplying the controlled hydraulic pressure to the engagement element when the vehicle starts running. An effective cross sectional area of the engagement element is set at a minimum area which has an engagement capacity capable of transmitting a maximum torque inputted from the engine when the engagement element receives a maximum pressure controlled by the first engagement control actuator.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2005Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: JATCO LtdInventors: Yoshiaki Katou, Isamu Ohtake
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Patent number: 7182710Abstract: A method of controlling the shifting of an automatic manual transmission is based on observer-based timing of different phases of the shift process. The observer-based control strategy includes simultaneous management of the engine throttle and transmission actuators. The torque characteristics of the transmission are also taken into consideration during control of the engine throttle, thereby minimizing shift time and wear on transmission components. The control strategy uses mathematical models called observers to monitor the value of inherent properties attributable to specific actuators and to provide signals used to implement parallel task execution.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2005Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Southwest Research InstituteInventor: Bapiraju Surampudi
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Patent number: 7168542Abstract: A transmission is provided that has a reservoir configured to hold a supply of fluid and a source configured to pressurize the fluid. The transmission also has a manifold configured to receive the pressurized fluid and a plurality of control valves fluidly communicating with the manifold in parallel relation. The transmission further has a pressure relief valve disposed downstream of the manifold and configured to selectively fluidly communicate the manifold with the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2004Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventor: Christopher Paul Bartsch
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Patent number: 7137495Abstract: The invention relates to a drivetrain comprising an internal combustion engine, at least one friction clutch having at least one disengagement device with a pressure relief device and a transmission.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2004Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: Reinhard Berger, Burkhard Pollak
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Patent number: 7134536Abstract: A hydraulic control circuit for an automatic transmission of a vehicle, the transmission including hydraulically operated coupling devices at least one of which is selectively operated to establish a corresponding one of speed steps, the hydraulic control circuit including electromagnetic valve devices which output respective hydraulic pressures to operate the hydraulically operated coupling devices, respectively, an all-fail detecting and switching valve device which is switched, based on an all-fail state of the electromagnetic valve devices in which none of the electromagnetic valve devices output the respective hydraulic pressures, to an operation state corresponding to a fail position to output, as a first hydraulic pressure, a source hydraulic pressure to a first hydraulically operated coupling device out of the plurality of hydraulically operated coupling devices, and an operation-state memory valve which is switched, based on a state of the vehicle before the all-fail state occurs, from a non-runningType: GrantFiled: June 28, 2004Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masaru Morise, Hideki Miyata, Akio Sugawara, Yuji Yasuda
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Patent number: 7124867Abstract: In a traveling transmission in which an auxiliary transmission is interposed between a main clutch and a mechanical transmission, the auxiliary transmission is configured such that power transmission is cut out interlockingly with the disengagement operation of the main clutch. For example, the auxiliary transmission is configured as a high-low speed selector device including a hydraulic-operated first hydraulic clutch and a spring-operated second hydraulic clutch. Preferably, there should be provided a controller for changing the position of a direction switching valve for the first and second hydraulic clutches based on the operation of an operating member such as a pedal for disengaging the main clutch. According to the present invention, it is possible to shorten a time required for a speed change operation by the mechanical transmission and, also, to achieve a smooth operation by the mechanical transmission.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2003Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Inventors: Mizuya Matsufuji, Gen Yoshii, Takumi Fujita
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Patent number: 7121390Abstract: Method for adapting a relationship stored in an electronic control unit, between a moment transmittable by a clutch, and a control variable for controlling an actuation unit of the clutch, which clutch is arranged in an automated motor vehicle drive train with a torque detection device arranged between the clutch and a transmission with a steplessly changeable transmission ratio for producing an output parameter dependent upon a detected moment and the momentary transmission ration of the transmission, by which method the moment transmitted by the clutch is calculated from the momentary transmission ratio and the value of the output parameter, and in an operating condition of the clutch in which the transmittable and transmitted moment of the clutch are equalized, the transmitted moment is coordinated with the control variable as an updated transmittable moment.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2004Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventor: Michael Reuschel
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Patent number: 7032730Abstract: A vehicle gearbox (2) comprises a centrally operating device (28) for releasing the clutch (6), which is provided between the clutch disc and the clutch bell housing of the gearbox (2). A transmission control unit (22) provided on or in the gearbox (2) is both electrically connected directly with the device (28) and the medium for actuating the clutch (6) is received directly from the transmission control unit (22).Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2001Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventor: Wilhelm Härdtle
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Patent number: 7004872Abstract: A control method for an automatic transmission is capable of quickly determining whether gear shifting is permissive. The control method varies the command value input to an engaging-side electromagnetic valve that adjusts a hydraulic pressure applied to a frictional element to be engaged in a target gear in a specific time period, then determines a time variation in another time period of the hydraulic pressure applied to the frictional element that is adjusted by the engaging-side electromagnetic valve according to the input command value and detected by a detecting means. Determination of whether gear shifting is permissive or not on the basis of the time variation is thus determined.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2004Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Fuminori Suzuki, Akira Takagi
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Patent number: 7001299Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, an automatic transmission includes plural friction engaging elements configures plural shift ranges based on combinations of each friction engaging element being in engaging or disengaging condition, a controlling unit for controlling the friction engaging elements to be in engaging or disengaging condition by controlling a hydraulic pressure applied.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2004Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kiyoharu Takagi, Akira Aikawa
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Patent number: 6997300Abstract: A device for the control of a hydraulically actuated clutch (1) of an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle having a slide-valve mechanism (3) is proposed, in which a valve piston (4) can move between a first working space (7) which can be pressurized via a control line (8) with a control pressure (p_MV) adjustable by means of an electrically operated actuator (9) and a restoring space (10) containing a restoring spring (11) that acts on the valve piston (4). The valve piston (4) is made with several piston sections (4A, 4B) that delimit a pressure space (12) which is connected via a line (13) to a clutch space (2) of the clutch (1) and which, depending on the position of the valve piston (4), has a connection to a pressure supply line (14) delivering a system pressure (p_sys) or to a pressure-relief line (15).Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2004Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Thilo Schmidt, Georg Gierer, Markus Herrmann
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Patent number: 6950734Abstract: In a method of operating a motor vehicle with an electronically controlled automatic clutch device, a control device and one or more data-storing devices for values of operating quantities and parameters, the values are stored in at least duplicate form in the data-storing device. The data are stored in prescribed formats and the integrity of the data is checked according to prescribed criteria, to ensure that incorrect data are not used in the operation of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2001Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: Martin Zimmermann, Reinhard Berger, Alfons Wagner
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Patent number: 6905433Abstract: A device for control of a hydraulically actuatable shifting element of a motor vehicle transmission, having one clutch piston which defines, with a first surface, a hydraulically pressurizable piston space and, with a second surface of different size, a hydraulically pressurizable reset space and comprising a first clutch valve associated with the piston space, a second clutch valve associated with the reset space and a holding valve associated with the reset space. The valves can be moved according to a control pressure adjusted by a pressure adjuster, a change between a pressurization of the clutch piston on the piston space side and on the reset space, side being performed as a control function so that the clutch piston on its surface facing the reset space is pressurized in an unshifted state of the shifting element and is discharged in a shifted state of the shifting element.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2003Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Thilo Schmidt, Georg Gierer, Klaus Steinhauser
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Patent number: 6880686Abstract: A method for use with an apparatus such as a tractor having an engine and an output device, such as a mower deck or snow thrower, comprising the steps of determining a rotational direction of a rotatable shaft as one of a forward direction and a reverse direction and selecting the operational status of the output device as one of an engaged state and a disengaged state, where the operational status is in the disengaged state when the shaft rotates in the reverse direction and is in the engaged state when the shaft does not rotate in the reverse direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2003Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited PartnershipInventors: Raymond Hauser, Lonnie E. Holder, Scott W. Keller
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Publication number: 20040200683Abstract: A P-ECU determines whether or not energization to an actuator is shut off when a shift-range switch instruction is unissued. If energization to the actuator is shut off, the P-ECU obtains a current rotational position of the actuator according to a count value obtained by an encoder. If a difference between a target rotational position and the current rotational position exceeds a predetermined amount, positional correction control is exercised.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2004Publication date: October 14, 2004Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Sumiko Amamiya, Tatsuya Ozeki, Shigeru Kamio, Yasuhiro Nakai, Kazuo Kawaguchi
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Patent number: 6772869Abstract: A fluid pressure control valve apparatus for a clutch or a brake which is small in size and capable of reducing occurrence of malfunction of a pressure control valve caused by dust caught therein is provided. For this purpose, a fluid pressure control valve apparatus (2) for controlling a pressure of a fluid and feeding it to a clutch or a brake includes a pressure control valve (30) for controlling fluid pressure, an electromagnetic proportional pilot operated valve (50) for issuing an operation command for the pressure control valve with pilot pressure according to a command current to a proportional solenoid (40), and a flow detecting valve (10) for detecting a flow of the fluid to be fed to the clutch or the brake from the pressure control valve to detect completion of filling in the clutch or the brake.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2002Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.Inventors: Masaki Shiohara, Takuma Nishimura, Yoshiharu Sato
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Patent number: 6755766Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to achieve stabilization of clutch transmission torque at the point of half clutch completion during a garage shift upon vehicle start up, and to thereby achieve smooth clutch engagement. In a vehicle power transmission device in which a fluid coupling and a wet friction clutch are provided in series at points on a power transmission path which extends from an engine to a transmission, and which performs engagement/disengagement control of the clutch by varying the pressure of operating fluid used for engagement/disengagement driving the clutch in accordance with duty pulse signals outputted from an electronic control unit, clutch engagement control is begun at the same time as (t1) the transmission is put into gear in a state of clutch disengagement when a vehicle is about to start up from a standstill.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2002Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Isuzu Motors LimitedInventors: Eiji Inoue, Takumi Shinojima, Satoshi Kishi
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Patent number: 6739998Abstract: When an SLT pressure of a linear solenoid valve is input into a control oil chamber of a garage shift control valve, and a direct control pressure from the garage shift control valve is output to a clutch or a brake, a hydraulic controller inputs the direct control pressure into a control oil chamber and executes feedback-control. Also, when a range pressure of a clutch modulator valve is output to the clutch or the brake by switching the garage shift valve, the hydraulic controller inputs the range pressure, which is higher than the SLT pressure, into the control oil chamber and fixes the garage shift control valve.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2002Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignees: Aisin AW Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akihito Iwata, Junichi Tokunaga, Hiroshi Tanaka, Ryoji Habuchi
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Patent number: 6736746Abstract: In a vehicle wherein the output of an engine is transmitted to an output shaft via a torque converter and clutches, for forward/reverse change-over, a control device is provided which can control a creep phenomenon. The control device comprises a change-over valve provided in a circuit for supplying the pressurized fluid to the clutches, and the pressure control valve which controls the fluid pressure to the clutches. When the accelerator pedal is not depressed, the pressure control valve is controlled to make the vehicle speed lie within a predetermined target speed range.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2001Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takashi Hosotani, Satoshi Hisamatsu