Abstract: A control system/method for controlling inertia brake (19) operation in an automated mechanical transmission system (10) shifted without disengaging the master clutch (16). A value representing inertia brake temperature (T.sub.SIM) is simulated and compared to reference values to determine if inertia brake operation is allowable.

Abstract: A control method/system for controlling the operation of an electric motor (32, 42) actuated shifting mechanism (28) is provided, which includes a procedure for periodically relieving trapped frictional forces in the shifting mechanism and associated linkages (30, 38, 40). At initiation of a shifting operation (60), or periodically (66) during a shifting operation, the level of energization of the electric motor is reduced from the full target energization level thereof (68) to a minimal level (70) for a relatively short period of time (72) and then returned to the target energization level thereof. Preferably, the level of energization is returned in a 2-step process comprising stepping the level of energization to an intermediate level (76) and then ramping the level of energization from the intermediate value to the level of full target energization thereof in a ramped fashion.

Abstract: A method to control a driveline clutch system disposed between an engine and a manual or semi-automatic transmission where position sensors indicate the location of a gearshift lever in a gear selection gate to provide information to a clutch controller connected to a clutch actuator. The clutch is engaged when the gearshift lever is moved past the 80 percent position to a 100 percent position in a gear selection gate and the clutch is disengaged when the gearshift lever is moved from the 100 percent position to the 20 percent position in a gear selection gate.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the performance of a cutting tool which moves relative to a workpiece through a cycle includes the steps of dividing the cycle into a plurality of increments, sensing a function of force applied to the tool during the increments, mathematically smoothing the function of force sensed during the increments, and establishing a trend in the mathematically smoothed function of force for the plurality of increments. The mathematically smoothed function of force is compared with the established trend and if the mathematically smoothed function of force deviates substantially from the established trend a first signal is generated.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the performance of a tool which moves relative to a workpiece through a cycle and controlling the feed rate between the tool and the workpiece includes the steps of dividing the cycle into a plurality of increments, sensing a function of force applied to the tool during the increments, determining a mathematically smoothed function of force for the function of force for each sensed individual increment of the cycle and establishing a reference for the mathematically smoothed function of force for each of the sensed increments. The actual determined sensed mathematically smoothed function of force for a particular increment is compared with the established reference for that particular increment and a first signal is generated if the actual determined mathematically smoothed function of force deviates from the established reference. The feed rate between the tool and workpiece is modified in dependence upon the first signal.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the performance of a cutting tool which moves relative to a workpiece through a cycle including the steps of dividing the cycle into a plurality of increments, sensing the function of force applied to the tool during each of the increments, determining and storing the highest function of force and lowest function of force applied to the workpiece during each of the increments, setting a maximum differential function of force limit, calculating the difference between the highest and lowest function of force sensed during each increment and comparing the calculated function of force differential with the set maximum function of force differential and establishing a signal when the calculated function of force differential exceeds the set maximum differential. In the preferred embodiment, the function of force is torque.