Abstract: A method for controlling slip across a torque limiting clutch includes determining a driveline slip threshold. A cut-off temperature is determined based on at least one of a clutch temperature, a steering wheel input and a vehicle speed. A driveline slip is determined. At least of a spark retardation and a throttle cut-off is initiated when the clutch temperature is greater than the cut-off temperature and the driveline slip is greater than the driveline slip threshold.

Abstract: A torque transfer device for a motor vehicle includes a clutch for transferring torque between first and second shafts. An electromagnetic actuator includes an axially moveable armature for applying an application force to the clutch. An actuator control system includes a force sensor positioned within a clutch actuation force load path and is operable to output a signal indicative of a force applied to the clutch. The control system includes a controller operable to control the electromagnetic actuator to vary the force applied to the clutch based on the force sensor signal.

Abstract: A method is described for classifying a clutch unit for a drivetrain of a motor vehicle, wherein the clutch unit has at least one friction clutch for the controllable transmission of a torque from an input element to an output element and has an actuator for actuating the friction clutch. Here, the clutch unit is controlled on the basis of a predefined characteristic curve which describes a predefined dependency of the clutch torque to be transmitted on an actuator control variable.

Abstract: A multi-speed power transmission device includes an input shaft, first and second output shafts and a planetary gearset. An axially moveable sleeve fixes the first output shaft and the input shaft for rotation when in a first position and the sleeve fixes the sun gear and the input shaft for rotation when in a second position. A hub is axially moveable and free to rotate relative to the first output shaft when in the first position. The hub is fixed for rotation with the first output shaft when in the second position. A cam plate is continuously fixed for rotation with the carrier and urges the hub toward its second position when in a second axial position. The input shaft drives the first output shaft at a reduced speed via the planetary gearset when the sleeve, hub and cam plate are at their second positions.

Abstract: A dual-mass flywheel for a drive train of a motor vehicle having a primary flywheel mass and a secondary flywheel mass which are coupled to one another in a rotationally elastic manner via at least one spring device. At least one gear device is disposed between the spring device and at least one of the two flywheel masses. The gear device causing a deflection movement of the spring device relative to a rotational movement of the two flywheel masses in relation to one another, wherein a characteristic curve of the spring device may be modified by the gear device.

Abstract: A pump system includes pump having a control feature which, responsive to a supply of pressurized working fluid, reduces the pressure of the working fluid pressurized by the pump. The control feature is connected to the output of the pump by a regulating valve. The control feature receives pressurized working fluid to decrease the output of the pump in response to the pressure of the supplied working fluid. A regulating valve selectively connects the pressurized working fluid to the control feature. The regulating valve has a control port to receive pressurized working fluid from the pump to urge the valve to a closed position against a biasing force. A controllable valve is operable to interrupt the supply of pressurized working fluid to control port to alter the output pressure of the pump.

Abstract: A cooling system for internal combustion engines provides directed flows of heated or cooled coolant to various engine components and/or accessories as needed. By providing directed flows, the overall coolant flow volume is reduced from that of conventional cooling systems, allowing for a smaller capacity water pump to be employed which results in a net energy savings for the engine. Further, by reducing the overall coolant flow volume, the hoses and/or galleries required for the directed flows are reduced from those of conventional cooling systems, providing a cost savings and a weight savings. Finally, by preferably employing an impellor type water pump, the expense of an electric water pump and its associated control circuitry can be avoided. The direct flows are established by a multifunction valve which, in a preferred implementation, comprises a two-plate valve wherein each plate is operated by a wax motor.

Abstract: A family of vehicle gearboxes having at least a first vehicle gearbox and a second vehicle gearbox, such that the first and the second vehicle gearbox are of modular construction and have an actuation system which is substantially structurally identical. The actuation system is provided in the first vehicle gearbox for actuating a parking lock and in the second vehicle gearbox for actuating a functional unit which differs from the parking lock, in particular, a clutch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the calibration of a position determination system of a rear axle steering actuator for a motor vehicle. The rear axle steering actuator has an actuator element which can be driven by a rotary movement of a rotor to a translation movement and whose geometrical center position is determined by a reference measurement. The position determination system includes a linear sensor and a rotary sensor. During calibration, a piece of calibration information is generated which includes a piece of zero point information of the linear sensor and a piece of sector information. The measurement range of the rotary sensor is divided into at least two sectors. The sector information identifies that angle at which the angular position of the rotor lies when the actuator element is arranged in its geometrical center position. The calibration information is stored in the linear sensor.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch includes a rotatable input member and a rotatable output member. A clutch plate is fixed for rotation with one of the input member and the output member. An armature plate is axially moveable relative to the other of the input member and the output member. A self-energizing actuator converts rotary motion of the input member to linear movement of the armature plate. The actuator includes a biasing member urging relative rotation between the one of the input member and the output member and the armature plate to initially engage the armature plate and the clutch plate. The self-energizing actuator provides an additional clutch engagement force once the input member is driven and also includes an electromagnet to axially translate the armature plate and disengage the armature plate and the clutch plate.

Abstract: A method controls a powertrain that directs power from an engine and a transmission to all four wheels or to just front wheels or to just rear wheels. The method includes monitoring information transmitted over a communications network. The method determines whether one or more components of the powertrain are in an active condition or in an inactive condition. The one or more components of the powertrain are in the inactive condition when not connected to the transmission and not connected to the front wheels or the rear wheels. The one or more components of the powertrain are in the active condition when connected to the transmission and connected to the front wheels and the rear wheels. The method switches the one or more components of the powertrain between the inactive condition and the active condition based only on the information from the communications network and without intervention from a user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a torque transmission unit for a motor vehicle with a permanently driven primary axle and a switchable secondary axle, comprising a first connecting part and a second connecting part. The invention furthermore comprises several lamellas that are divided into primary lamellas and secondary lamellas in an alternating arrangement. The unit further comprises a planetary gear system, comprising an at least first gear element, rotationally connected with the first connection part, a second gear element, rotationally connected with the second connection part, and a third gear element, rotationally connected with the primary lamellas. The secondary lamellas are rotationally connected with the first connection part, the second connection part or with a stationary housing part.

Abstract: A clutch arrangement having an input element and an output element that are rotatable relevant to one another, a friction clutch and a pump. The friction clutch couples the input element with the output element in dependence on a hydraulic pressure in a pressure space of the clutch arrangement. The pump has a first pump part that is rotationally fixedly connected to the input element and a second pump part that is rotationally fixedly connected to the output element. The pump may be driven by a rotary movement of the input element and the output element relative to one another, with a pressure side of the pump being connected to the pressure space. An orifice having a substantially temperature independent leakage characteristic is arranged in a leakage line that leads from the pressure space to a low pressure space and which extends parallel to the pump.

Abstract: A dual transmission includes a first input shaft, a second input shaft, a first input clutch adapted to drivingly couple a power source to the first input shaft and a second input clutch adapted to drivingly couple the power source to the second input shaft. First, third and fifth drive gears are driven by the first input shaft. Second, fourth and sixth drive gears are driven by the second input shaft. First, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth driven gears selectively drive a countershaft. The first through sixth drive gears are in meshed engagement with the corresponding first through sixth driven gears. First through sixth synchronizer clutches are individually associated with the respective first through sixth drive or driven gears to provide first through sixth gear drive ratios to the countershaft. Each synchronizer clutch is selectively actuated by an associated first through sixth electric actuator.

Abstract: A hybrid transfer case can include first and second output shafts adapted for connection to respective rear and front drivelines, a first input shaft adapted for connection to a transmission and for selective connection to the first output shaft, and a second input shaft that can be rotatably supported on the first input shaft and selectively connected to the first output shaft. The transfer case can further include a planetary gearset, a transfer system and an electric motor/generator. The planetary gearset can include a first member fixed for rotation with the first input shaft, a second member fixed for rotation with the second input shaft, and a third member. The transfer system can couple the second input shaft to the second output shaft, and the electric motor can selectively drive the third member.

Abstract: A method of controlling a hydraulic actuator of a friction coupling that includes a pump, which is driven by an electric motor, a pressure line, which contains a non-return valve and which runs from the pump to an actuator cylinder with an actuator piston that acts on the friction coupling. A rapid drain valve has a flow connection to the actuator cylinder and contains a slide that responds to the pressure prevailing on the side of the pump that faces the slide. To optimize the dynamic and static control behavior of the actuator, a control variable is determined for the electric motor from the target pressure and the actual pressure in the actuator cylinder. At least two different control algorithms are executed, depending on whether the difference between the target pressure and the actual pressure is positive or negative.

Abstract: An energy supply system for electrical actuator of a motor vehicle having a engine and battery includes a generator adapted to be driven by the vehicle engine to provide electrical energy to the electric actuator and vehicle battery. A control unit sets an input power provided to the generator by the vehicle engine and is configured to set the output voltage of the generator based on a power request associated with the electric actuator. A method for supplying electrical energy to a vehicle subsystem may be performed using an energy supply system as disclosed.

Abstract: A torque transfer mechanism includes a friction clutch having first and second outer rings positioned on opposite sides of a center ring having conically shaped friction surfaces. The outer rings each include a plurality of conically shaped friction surfaces selectively engageable with the center ring friction surfaces. A clutch actuator includes a roller clutch having a first set of cam surfaces adapted to be fixed for rotation with a rotary input member, a slipper having a second set of cam surfaces, a plurality of rollers positioned between opposing pairs of the cam surfaces, a first wedge slide and a second wedge slide. Each wedge slide is radially outwardly moveable by radial expansion of the slipper and includes a tapered surface for driving one of the first and second outer rings into engagement with the center ring to transfer torque between the input and output members.

Abstract: A transaxle transfers torque to first and second axle shafts. The transaxle includes a main shaft, a planetary gearset, a first clutch transferring torque between the main shaft and a first member of the planetary gearset and a second clutch transferring torque between the main shaft and a second member of the planetary gearset. An input shaft is fixed for rotation with the first member of the planetary gearset. A countershaft is selectively driven by first, second, third and fourth speed gearsets associated with the input shaft. A final drive unit provides multiplied torque to a differential assembly adapted to drive the first and second axle shafts. Actuation of the first and second clutches selectively provides first through eighth discrete forward drive ratios such that each of the first, second, third and fourth speed gearsets transfers torque during provision of two of the first through eighth forward drive ratios.

Abstract: A pump system includes a fixed or variable capacity pump and a speed-related control mechanism to alter the capacity of a variable capacity pump or to alter the relief pressure of a fixed capacity pump in response to changes in the operating speed of the pump. A pressure generator comprising a volume of working fluid is rotated at a speed related to the operating speed of the pump and creates a forced vortex in the working fluid. The pressure induced in the working fluid of the forced vortex is used as a speed related control to alter the discharge pressure of the pump as desired.