Abstract: Methods and systems for a vehicle transmission are provided. In one example, a vehicle transmission system is provided that includes a first planetary gear set rotationally coupled to a second planetary gear set, a first electrical machine rotationally coupled to a sun gear in the first planetary gear set, and a second electrical machine rotationally coupled to a sun gear in the second planetary gear set. The transmission system also includes an inter-axle differential including a third planetary gear set rotationally coupled to a first axle and a second axle and selectively rotationally coupled to the first planetary gear set and the second planetary gear set, wherein the inter-axle differential is configured to selectively enable and disable speed differentiation between the first and the second axles.

Abstract: A method of shifting gears including providing a driveline for a vehicle. The driveline has an electric drive motor and a powershift transmission. The transmission has a first transmission stage and a second transmission stage. The method includes performing a range shift including handing over torque transmission from a range clutch of the first or second transmission to the other range clutch. The method also includes, simultaneously with the range shift, engaging one of the direction clutches of one transmission or keeping one of the direction clutches engaged.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic retarder system for a vehicle is provided. In a first operational state with the vehicle powered on and a retarder deactivated, a pump directs fluid flow from a fluid sump to a retarder inlet valve in the closed position and directs fluid flow to a second sump. In a second operational state with the vehicle on and the retarder activated, the retarder inlet valve moves to the open position directing fluid flow into a retarder chamber and flowing out of the retarder chamber after filling a second volume and discharging to the second sump.

Abstract: A method of shifting a vehicle transmission including a first clutching device and a second clutching device is described. At least a portion of the first clutching device is coupled with or configured to be coupled with at least a portion of the second clutching device. The method may include the steps of engaging the second clutching device, where engaging the second clutching device includes controlling a state of the second clutching device by changing a state of the first clutching device. A transmission controller and a vehicle driveline are also described.

Abstract: A wet clutch assembly may have a clutch drum, a clutch chamber formed within the clutch drum, a clutch actuation piston movably disposed within the clutch drum and configured to be actuated via a hydraulic pressure in the clutch chamber. A fluid line may at least partially extend through the clutch actuation piston, where the fluid line provides fluid communication with the clutch chamber for filling the clutch chamber via the fluid line.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of detecting a change in the direction of rotation of a rotatable shaft (5) based on non-direction sensitive rotational speed data, the method comprising the steps: ?determining a speed (17) of a rotatable shaft (5) of a vehicle transmission (3) based on non-direction sensitive speed data received from a non-direction sensitive rotational speed sensor (7), wherein the speed (17) of the rotatable shaft (5) is the absolute value of the rotational speed of the rotatable shaft (5); ?determining, based on the speed (17) of the rotatable shaft (5), if the duration of a first continuous time interval (20) during which the speed (17) of the rotatable shaft (5) is continually smaller than a first predetermined speed value (18) is shorter than a predetermined duration (24); and ?detecting that a change in the direction of rotation of the rotatable shaft (5) has occurred during the first continuous time interval (20) if the duration of the first continuous time interval (20) is shorter

Abstract: Provided herein is a dual clutch transmission including a reverse countershaft that is selectively engaged with at least one primary shaft and provides speed ratio changes without torque interruption and a compact axial arrangement.

Abstract: A method of shifting gears including providing a driveline for a vehicle. The driveline has an electric drive motor and a powershift transmission. The transmission has a first transmission stage and a second transmission stage. The method includes performing a range shift including handing over torque transmission from a range clutch of the first or second transmission to the other range clutch. The method also includes, simultaneously with the range shift, engaging one of the direction clutches of one transmission or keeping one of the direction clutches engaged.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission for a vehicle, in particular for a teleboom handler or for a backhoe loader, the transmission comprising: an input shaft; a first clutching assembly drivingly engaged with the input shaft; a second clutching assembly drivingly engaged with the first clutching assembly; a third clutching assembly drivingly engaged with the second clutching assembly; and an output clutching assembly drivingly engaged with the third clutching assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of detecting a change in the direction of rotation of a rotatable shaft (5) based on non-direction sensitive rotational speed data, the method comprising the steps: ?determining a speed (17) of a rotatable shaft (5) of a vehicle transmission (3) based on non-direction sensitive speed data received from a non-direction sensitive rotational speed sensor (7), wherein the speed (17) of the rotatable shaft (5) is the absolute value of the rotational speed of the rotatable shaft (5); ?determining, based on the speed (17) of the rotatable shaft (5), if the duration of a first continuous time interval (20) during which the speed (17) of the rotatable shaft (5) is continually smaller than a first predetermined speed value (18) is shorter than a predetermined duration (24); and ?detecting that a change in the direction of rotation of the rotatable shaft (5) has occurred during the first continuous time interval (20) if the duration of the first continuous time interval (20) is shorter

Abstract: A piston (50), comprising: •a shaft side (52) with a first circumferential groove, said first circumferential groove (90) bounded by a continuous circumferential seal plateau (88), said seal plateau extending axially outward from said first circumferential groove, wherein a planar outboard surface (96) extends radially outboard from said seal plateau; •a clutch side (54) having two grooves alternating with two lands (102, 108); •an inner circumferential surface (56) having a seal groove (62) formed therein; and an outer circumferential surface (58) with a having a seal groove (76) formed therein, wherein the sides and surfaces form a ring shape.

Abstract: A system and method for determining filling parameters of a wet clutch system used with a transmission is provided. The method comprises the steps of collecting information about the torque output of the torque converter of the transmission during a filling process associated with the wet clutch system, analyzing the signal associated with the torque output of the torque converter within a time period of the filling process associated with the wet clutch system, and identifying when the signal associated with the torque output of the torque converter changes with respect to the time period of the filling process of the piston to determine a filling parameter associated with the wet clutch system. The system and method eliminates a need for recalibrating the transmission and accommodates production variances for components and assembly of systems using wet clutch systems.

Abstract: A method of operating a final drive unit clutch. The method provides an electric motor coupled with a clutch. The electric motor including a stator, a first Hall-effect sensor coupled with the stator, a second Hall-effect sensor coupled with the stator, a third Hall-effect sensor coupled with the stator, and a rotor having at least one magnetic pole pair. The method also provides for a controller in electrical communication with the electric motor. The method includes determining a first ideal commutation point, and calculating a first offset of a first Hall-effect sensor state change from the first ideal commutation point. The method further includes calculating a time delay of commutation, during the clutch transition between a non-torque transmitting position and a torque transmitting position, utilizing the first offset such that a second Hall-effect sensor state change corresponds with a second ideal commutation point.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic retarder system for a vehicle is provided. In a first operational state with the vehicle powered on and a retarder deactivated, a pump directs fluid flow from a fluid sump to a retarder inlet valve in the closed position and directs fluid flow to a second sump. In a second operational state with the vehicle on and the retarder activated, the retarder inlet valve moves to the open position directing fluid flow into a retarder chamber and flowing out of the retarder chamber after filling a second volume and discharging to the second sump.

Abstract: A controllable hydrodynamic retarder system for a transmission including an electronic controller unit (ECU) for selecting and controlling brake torque by adjusting a retarder outlet pressure is described. The system can include an algorithm to calculate a retarder outlet pressure set point or tables or brake torque curves or profiles to allow the ECU to calculate or look up the functional relationships between the retarder RT outlet pressure, a vehicle or rotor speed, and a brake torque curve selected by the operator to provide the selected RT outlet pressure. The systems disclosed can also include a cooling system or utilize a vehicles engine cooling system. In one embodiment, the cooler can be shared between a transmission and the controllable retarder and can be adjusted to accommodate cooling requirements. The ECU can also make adjustments to the RT outlet pressure to address short term and long term RT overheating protection independent of the cooling system.

Abstract: A hydraulic hybrid powertrain for a vehicle is disclosed. The powertrain has an internal combustion engine selectively drivingly engaged with an input of a stepped-ratio transmission through a torque converter and through a speed direction changing device. An output of the stepped-ratio transmission is selectively drivingly engaged with a vehicle output. An intermediate gear set is drivingly engaged with the speed direction changing device and drivingly engaged with the input of the stepped-ratio transmission. A hydraulic machine in fluid communication with a hydraulic accumulator assembly, a transmission shaft of the hydraulic machine being drivingly engaged or selectively drivingly engaged with the intermediate gear set for providing energy to the intermediate gear set and for absorbing energy from the intermediate gear set. Also disclosed are methods of operating the hydraulic hybrid powertrain.

Abstract: A system and method for determining filling parameters of a wet clutch system used with a transmission is provided. The method comprises the steps of collecting information about the torque output of the torque converter of the transmission during a filling process associated with the wet clutch system, analyzing the signal associated with the torque output of the torque converter within a time period of the filling process associated with the wet clutch system, and identifying when the signal associated with the torque output of the torque converter changes with respect to the time period of the filling process of the piston to determine a filling parameter associated with the wet clutch system. The system and method eliminates a need for recalibrating the transmission and accommodates production variances for components and assembly of systems using wet clutch systems.

Abstract: The inventors' findings relate to a transmission for vehicles, comprising an input side configured for being coupled to a prime mover and an output side configured for being coupled to a driven element wherein the transmission comprises an electromagnetic torque converter (EMTC), wherein the EMTC has at least two output paths, namely the first output path coupled to a gear box which is preferably configured for being coupled to a drive shaft of the vehicle, and a second output path which is configured to be coupled to an auxiliary power provider. The inventors' findings also relate to a vehicle driveline comprising said transmission. Furthermore, the inventors' findings also relate to a vehicle comprising said vehicle driveline.

Abstract: A method for minimizing a fuel consumption rate of a vehicle and a method for tracking an optimal state of charge function for a hydrostatic accumulator are provided. The first method includes the steps of providing a motor and pump, determining an efficiency of the motor and pump using an efficiency map, providing a power source, and controlling the motor independent from the pump with a controller. The controller employs the efficiency of the motor and the pump to minimize the fuel consumption rate of the vehicle. The second method includes the steps of determining the optimal state of charge control function, calculating an optimal state of charge of the hydrostatic accumulator, determining a state of charge error, calculating a corrective value, and adjusting a state of a charge based on the corrective value and the state of charge error by adjusting the charge of the hydrostatic accumulator.

Abstract: Provided herein is a dual clutch transmission including a reverse countershaft that is selectively engaged with at least one primary shaft and provides speed ratio changes without torque interruption and a compact axial arrangement.