Abstract: An apparatus for multiplexing gear engagement control in an automatic transmission is provided. At least two friction engagement devices are configured to selectively engage and disengage a different gear ratio of the transmission. A trim system is configured to selectively supply engagement and disengagement pressures to at least one fluid passageway. A first control valve is fluidly coupled directly to the at least one fluid passageway and directly to each of the at least two friction engagement devices. The first control valve is configured to selectively route the engagement and disengagement pressures through the first control valve directly to the at least two friction devices.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a multiple speed transmission having an input member, an output member, a plurality of planetary gearsets, a plurality of interconnecting members and a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms. The plurality of planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The input member is continuously interconnected with at least one member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets, and the output member is continuously interconnected with another member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets. At least eight forward speeds and one reverse speed are achieved by the selective engagement of the five torque-transmitting mechanisms.

Abstract: A hydraulic system includes a main modulation control scheme which relies in part on the use of a VBS solenoid and the multiplexing of that solenoid. The hydraulic system is associated with a hybrid module and by controlling the main pressure at a reduced level, the fuel economy and reliability of that hybrid module are improved. The system pressure is controlled by the multiplexed VBS solenoid in order to maintain adequate clutch pressure based on torque requirements. The overall system cost is reduced by the multiplexing of valves and solenoids.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to a transmission for a powered vehicle. The transmission includes a housing defining an interior of the transmission and a fluid supply portion disposed in the housing. The fluid supply portion is configured to supply fluid throughout the transmission. The transmission also includes a first fluid circuit disposed within the housing and defining a first fluid path in fluid communication with the fluid supply portion. A second fluid circuit fluidly defines a second fluid path in fluid communication with the fluid supply portion. The transmission further includes a coupling mechanism for fluidly coupling the first fluid circuit and second fluid circuit, wherein the second fluid circuit is disposed outside the housing of the transmission.

Abstract: Various embodiments of methods, apparatus and systems that diagnose and/or detect faults of an electro-hydraulic control system for a transmission are presented. Some embodiments, adjust a main line pressure of the electro-hydraulic control system and detect faults based upon changes in a pressure switch resulting from such adjustments of the main line pressure. The pressure switch may be incorporated into a control main valve or a clutch trim valve of the electro-hydraulic control system.

Abstract: An auxiliary hydraulic pressurization system for use with a vehicle including a transmission having a hydraulic reservoir, a hydraulic circuit, and a main pump is disclosed herein. The auxiliary hydraulic pressurization system includes an auxiliary pump and a controller. The auxiliary pump has a low side adapted to be coupled to the hydraulic reservoir and a high side adapted to be coupled to the hydraulic circuit. The controller is electrically connectable to the auxiliary pump and is configured to turn on the auxiliary pump in response to receipt of a signal indicating that the vehicle is in a stop condition to maintain hydraulic pressurization of the hydraulic circuit of the transmission when the vehicle is in the stop condition.

Abstract: A hydraulic system includes a main modulation control scheme which relies in part on the use of a VBS solenoid and the multiplexing of that solenoid. The hydraulic system is associated with a hybrid module and by controlling the main pressure at a reduced level, the fuel economy and reliability of that hybrid module are improved. The system pressure is controlled by the multiplexed VBS solenoid in order to maintain adequate clutch pressure based on torque requirements. The overall system cost is reduced by the multiplexing of valves and solenoids.

Abstract: Various embodiments of methods, apparatus and systems that calibrate main modulation of an electro-hydraulic control system for a vehicle transmission are presented. Some embodiments calibrate regulator control signals that cause a main regulator valve to develop a main line pressure based upon status of a control main valve that develops a control main pressure based upon the main line pressure.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of controlling a transmission of a powered vehicle. The method includes determining if the powered vehicle is in a launch condition, activating a solenoid, controlling a hydraulic valve to a first position, and providing hydraulic pressure from at least one of a first hydraulic pump and a second hydraulic pump to the hydraulic valve. The method also includes controlling the hydraulic pressure through the hydraulic valve to a first clutch, determining if the launch condition is complete, deactivating the solenoid after the launch condition is complete, controlling the hydraulic valve from the first position to a second position, and substantially limiting hydraulic pressure from passing through the hydraulic valve to the first clutch.

Abstract: A transmission includes an electro-hydraulic controller that includes redundancy in the hydraulic circuit that permits single fault failures to be compensated for by changing the flow path of hydraulic fluid to bypass the single fault failure. The redundancy results in the ability of the transmission to maintain full operation in all modes.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for a hybrid module which is located between an engine and a transmission includes a parallel arrangement of a mechanical pump and an electric pump. Each pump is constructed and arranged to deliver oil to other portions of the hydraulic system depending on the operational mode. Three operational modes are described including an electric mode, a transition mode, and a cruise mode. Various monitoring and control features are incorporated into the hydraulic system.

Abstract: A fail-to-neutral diagnostic technique for a transmission that includes a variator may include monitoring a state of a pressure differential valve fluidly coupled to a high side pressure applied to at least one actuator coupled to at least one corresponding roller of the variator and also fluidly coupled to a low side pressure applied to the at least one actuator, determining from the state of the pressure differential valve a variator torque sign corresponding to whether torque transferred by the at least one roller is positive or negative, determining an expected variator torque sign based on current operating conditions of the transmission, and commanding the transmission to a true neutral condition if the determined variator torque sign is different from the expected variator torque sign.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for increasing a volume of hydraulic fluid in a reservoir of a transmission. The method includes providing a retarder mounted to the transmission, an accumulator including an internal cavity, a piston disposed in the internal cavity of the accumulator, a solenoid, a valve, and a controller. The method also includes enabling the solenoid from an off state to an on state, transferring fluid pressure from the valve to the piston, and moving the piston from a first position to a second position in the internal cavity. The method further includes discharging an amount of hydraulic fluid from the internal cavity of the accumulator to the reservoir and increasing the volume of hydraulic fluid in the reservoir.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for a hybrid module which is located between an engine and a transmission includes a parallel arrangement of a mechanical pump and an electric pump. Each pump is constructed and arranged to deliver oil to other portions of the hydraulic system depending on the operational mode. Three operational modes are described including an electric mode, a transition mode, and a cruise mode. Various monitoring and control features are incorporated into the hydraulic system.

Abstract: A transmission includes an electro-hydraulic controller that includes redundancy in the hydraulic circuit that permits single fault failures to be compensated for by changing the flow path of hydraulic fluid to bypass the single fault failure. The redundancy results in the ability of the transmission to maintain full operation in all modes.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a hybrid module, a transmission and a torque converter. The lubrication system associated with the torque converter includes an oil sump within the torque converter housing which is intended to be managed as a “dry” sump oil lubrication system. There is an oil pump in communication with the sump in order to manage the sump oil level. By monitoring an operational parameter of the oil pump motor (pressure, torque, or current) oil aeration can be detected.

Abstract: A transmission includes an electro-hydraulic controller that includes redundancy in the hydraulic circuit that permits single fault failures to be compensated for by changing the flow path of hydraulic fluid to bypass the single fault failure. The redundancy results in the ability of the transmission to maintain full operation in all modes.

Abstract: A shift by wire control for a multi-speed vehicle transmission is provided. The control includes a shift by wire shift valve in fluid communication with other shift valves and clutch trim valves to provide double blocking features in the neutral range and a reverse range. The shift by wire valve is configured with multiple differential areas to provide failure modes for all forward ranges.

Abstract: A fast valve actuation system for an automatic vehicle transmission includes a pair of spring-biased shift valves. Solenoids control the application of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the head of each of the shift valves. Each shift valve has at least one port that is coupled to a fluid chamber of a torque transferring mechanism of an automatic transmission. The position of each of the shift valves determines whether its ports are connected with fluid pressure. Fluid passages connect the head of each shift valve to the spring pocket of the other shift valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a variator having at least one roller between two torroidal disks may include at least one actuator responsive to fluid pressure at separate high side and low side fluid inlets thereof to control torque applied by the at least one roller to the disks. First and second variator switching valves may each receive a first fluid at a first pressure and a second fluid at a second lesser pressure. The first and second variator switching valves supply the first fluid to the high side fluid inlet and the second fluid to the low side fluid inlet during two of four different operational states together defined by the variator switching valves, and supply the second fluid to the high side fluid inlet and the first fluid to the low side fluid inlet during each of the remaining two of the four different operational states.