Abstract: A partially automated mechanical transmission system (92) having a mechanical transmission (10) with a lower group (first-eighth) of manually shifted ratios and an upper group (ninth-tenth) of ratios with automatic shifting between ratios in the upper group and requiring manual shifting between groups. Control logic is provided to sense a driver intention to shift into the automated upper group of ratios and to initiate automatic engine synchronizing for engagement of one of said ratios in said upper group.

Abstract: A partially automated mechanical transmission system (92) includes a splitter-type compound transmission (10) and controls for automating splitter shifting upon manual selection of the highest main section ratio position (ninth/tenth). Logic is provided to provide an optimized response to manual shifting into main section neutral from the highest main section ratio position.

Abstract: A control strategy for an electronically controlled X-Y shifting mechanism for a vehicle transmission which takes advantage of the extra supply voltage available on European vehicles while maintaining commonality with U.S. shifter systems. A variable voltage pulse width modulated duty cycle percentage is maintained at or below a 50% nominal value to make the 24V source appear as a 12V source, allowing commonality in X-Y shifting mechanism hardware and basic control algorithms for both 12V and 24V vehicle systems. However, this percentage is increased to greater than the nominal 50% limit when the available supply voltage drops below 24V, as well as between an initial movement of the shift finger and engagement of the finger with a shift block, in order to provide faster motor acceleration to obtain top speeds quicker and during low force but top speed movement conditions.

Abstract: A control system (104)/method for semi-automatically executing automatically and manually selected upshifts and downshifts of a mechanical transmission system (10) is provided. The control system includes a central processing unit (106) for receiving input signals indicative of transmission input shaft (16) and output shaft (90) speeds and from a driver control console (108) and processing the same in accordance with predetermined logic rules to issue command output signals to a transmission actuator (112, 70, 96) to implement the selected shifts. The control is effective to initiate a shift by automatically preselecting a shift from the currently ratio into neutral and to then await a manually caused torque break of the transmission to complete the shift to neutral. The control is effective to minimize wear by issuing repetitive shift prompts if transmission neutral is not sensed within predetermined times from preselection of a shift frown a currently engaged ratio (GR) into neutral(N).

Abstract: For use with an automated mechanical transmission system including an electrically actuated shift mechanism having a motor, a method of controlling the shift mechanism is provided for shifting the transmission out of gear during a reduced torque shift window by quickly detecting motor motion. The shift mechanism is first energized with a low effective voltage signal to minimize power consumption and avoid overheating the motor, and then with a high effective voltage signal upon detection of motor motion, to quickly shift the transmission out of gear.

Abstract: Calibration of an X-Y shifter is accomplished under the control of a microcomputer which is programmed to perform a calibration routine each time the vehicle is shutdown. The routine causes the shifter's shift finger to be moved into touching contact with the various inner wall surfaces of the shift blocks of the respective transmission shift rails from which a calibrated shift rail and neutral position are calculated.