Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a friction clutch for connecting first and second rotatable axles in a vehicle, where the clutch includes a first friction part which is connected to the first axle, a second friction part which is connected to the second axle, a spring element which is adapted to bias the second friction part into engagement with the first friction part to connect the first and second axles, and an actuator including a movable actuator part which is engageable with the spring element, and adapted to move, upon being subjected to an actuation force from an actuator control system, towards a disengagement position, thereby deforming the spring element to disengage the second friction part from the first friction part to disconnect the first and second axles.

Abstract: According to a method for operating a clutch transmission, especially a dual clutch transmission, which includes a hydraulic circuit having at least one pump for delivering hydraulic medium and at least one pressure accumulator for accommodating and making available a hydraulic medium under pressure, the pump associated with an electric motor is operated depending on a charge requirement of the pressure accumulator. To determine the charge requirement, the pump is driven by the electric motor, and the current consumed by the electric motor in the process is detected to determine the charge requirement.

Abstract: A dual clutch actuation assembly includes a housing, an annular central piston, a plurality of satellite pistons, and an annular apply member. The housing includes an inner cylindrical wall, an outer cylindrical wall, and a plurality of satellite cylindrical walls. The inner and outer walls define an inner piston annulus and the satellite walls define a plurality of satellite piston bores. Each of the satellite walls is disposed at least partially radially outward of the outer wall. The central piston is disposed in the inner piston annulus and is in sliding engagement with the inner and outer walls of the housing. The satellite pistons are disposed in the satellite piston bores and are in sliding engagement with the satellite walls of the housing. The apply member is axially engaged with each of the satellite pistons and includes an annular plate portion disposed radially outward of the outer cylindrical wall of the housing.

Abstract: Drive engagement apparatus for engaging a driven gear with a shaft connected to a load by engaging an axially movable sleeve with a dog. One of the sleeve or dog is drivably connected to the gear and the other to the shaft. Compressed air acts to effect axial movement of the sleeve. Axial movement is delayed by a friction drive, which prevents engagement between the sleeve and dog until their rotational speeds equalise. The friction drive comprises a plurality of friction plates pushed together by the compressed air. The dog comprises an engagement unit that engages the sleeve and a base unit that is axially movable to activate and deactivate the friction drive. The base unit and engagement unit are rotatable relative to one another within a predetermined angle to adjust for misalignment between the sleeve and dog during engagement.

Abstract: In transmissions having input clutches, a lever arm configured as a second class lever is pivoted at one end, applies force to a clutch bearing near its middle and is acted upon by a linear actuator at its opposite end. The present invention relates to mechanisms for adjusting the location of the pivot to compensate for clutch wear. The fixed pivot is replaced by a linear one way clutch mechanism. As the clutch facing wears and the clutch is activated, an extension of the actuating lever arm abuts a stationary stop beyond the one way clutch pivot which translates the pivot point provided by the one way clutch mechanism toward the clutch to reduce pre-travel and compensate for clutch facing wear. Hydraulic and spring biasing of the pivot point are also disclosed.

Abstract: A clutch actuator (6), as well as a method for operating a clutch (3), between the drive motor and the transmission (1) of a motor vehicle. The clutch actuator includes a cylinder with a piston (14) and an actuator (15), such that a clutch release bearing (4), arranged co-axially to the central axis of the clutch, may be operated to apply an axial pre-tensioning force on the clutch release bearing and conduct an operating medium into the clutch actuator for axially displacing the piston and/or the clutch release bearing. To simplify a clutch actuator of this type and enhance its utilization, the clutch actuator is configured and used for generating the pre-tensioning force.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for actuating a diaphragm spring clutch (20) for vehicles by means of a pneumatic, hydraulic or electric actuator (24), comprising a controller connected upstream of the actuator (24), whose output control variable actuates the actuator (24). To compensate for the strong nonlinearity of the releasing force over the releasing stroke that is typical of diaphragm springs, a controller is used, whose characteristic curve is plotted in such a way that this nonlinear curve of the releasing force is at least approximately compensated via a correspondingly coordinated actuation of the actuator (24), so that it remains essentially identical over the releasing stroke.