Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the rate of engagement of a clutch in response to an indication provided by the driver, such as the depression of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle. The apparatus includes an electronic controller which initially determines a start rate as the minimum duty cycle which is required to modulate an engage valve in order to cause movement of a release bearing of the clutch in the engagement direction. The start rate is determined by initially moving the release bearing to the disengaged position. Then, the engage valve is modulated incrementally modulated until the release bearing begins moving in the engaged direction from the disengaged position. When a predetermined amount of such movement has been detected, the electronic controller sets the start rate as the current duty cycle of the engage valve.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the rate of engagement of a clutch in response to an indication provided by the driver, such as the depression of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle. The apparatus includes an electronic controller which initially determines a start rate as the minimum duty cycle which is required to modulate an engage valve in order to cause movement of a release bearing of the clutch in the engagement direction. Following the receipt of a signal from the operator of the vehicle to initiate the engagement of the clutch, the electronic controller calculates an initial transition rate of movement of the release bearing from a disengaged position to a transition point. The transition rate is determined as a function of the start rate and a position error signal. The position error signal can be calculated as the difference between the actual position of the release bearing and the transition point.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the operation of a clutch in a partially or fully automated mechanical transmission which is responsive to the actual load on the vehicle engine for varying the engagement rate of release bearing during re-engagement of the clutch. The apparatus includes an electronic controller which initially sets a desired speed for the vehicle engine during the shifting process, determines a rate of engagement movement of a release bearing of the clutch, and actuates appropriate valves to initiate the gradual engagement of the clutch. The electronic controller sets a first lower engine speed threshold and a second lower engine speed threshold. In a first embodiment, the magnitude of the first lower engine speed threshold varies with the actual load on the engine. If the actual speed of the engine remains above both the first lower engine speed threshold and the second lower engine speed threshold, the engagement process is continued without interruption.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing a kiss point determining algorithm which is responsive to the approach rate of the release bearing of a clutch for performing the algorithm only under reliable operating conditions. The apparatus includes an electronic controller which sets an approach rate for engaging the clutch in response to the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal of the vehicle by the operator. The amount of engine torque or other engine operating condition is measured and compared against a predetermined magnitude which is indicative of the onset of engagement of the clutch. When an increase of a predetermined magnitude is detected, the accelerator pedal position is compared against a predetermined value. If the accelerator pedal is depressed more than the predetermined value, the kiss point is re-defined as the current location of the release bearing. If the accelerator pedal is not depressed more than the predetermined value, the kiss point is not re-defined.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the rate of engagement of a clutch in response to an indication provided by the driver, such as the depression of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle. The apparatus includes an electronic controller which initially determines a start rate as the minimum duty cycle which is required to modulate an engage valve in order to cause movement of a release bearing of the clutch in the engagement direction. Following the receipt of a signal from the operator of the vehicle to initiate the engagement of the clutch, the electronic controller calculates an initial transition rate of movement of the release bearing from a disengaged position to a transition point. The transition rate is determined as a function of the start rate and a position error signal. The position error signal can be calculated as the difference between the actual position of the release bearing and the transition point.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the operation of a clutch in a partially or fully automated mechanical transmission which is responsive to the actual speed of the vehicle engine for varying the engagement rate of release bearing during reengagement of the clutch. The apparatus includes an electronic controller which initially sets a desired speed for the vehicle engine during the shifting process, determines a rate of engagement movement of a release bearing of the clutch, and actuates appropriate valves to initiate the gradual engagement of the clutch. The electronic controller sets a first lower engine speed threshold and a second lower engine speed threshold. The magnitude of the first lower engine speed threshold may vary with the amount of depression of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle. If the actual speed of the engine remains above both the first lower engine speed threshold and the second lower engine speed threshold, the engagement process is continued without interruption.