Abstract: A method of detecting a failure of a hydraulic pump includes sensing a rotational speed of the engine, and a rotational speed of a rotating drivetrain component. A numerical difference between the rotational speed of the engine and the rotational speed of the rotating drivetrain component is calculated. The numerical difference is compared to a threshold value to determine if the numerical difference is less than the threshold value, or is equal to or greater than the threshold value. A failure of the hydraulic pump is identified when the numerical difference between the rotational speed of the engine and the rotational speed of the rotating drivetrain component is equal to or greater than the threshold value, and the transmission is positioned in the neutral gear mode. When a failure of the hydraulic pump is identified, the operation of the engine is stopped.

Abstract: A transmission includes an input member, a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic circuit, a clutch assembly for transferring torque between the input member and an output member. A mechanically-driven hydraulic pump is rotatably coupled to the input member and is fluidly connected to the hydraulic circuit. The clutch assembly includes a friction clutch pack, a clutch-apply piston, a clutch-release piston and a coned-disc spring. The clutch-release piston is fluidly coupled to a first hydraulic chamber that is fluidly coupled to the hydraulic circuit. The clutch-apply piston is fluidly coupled to a second hydraulic chamber that is selectively fluidly coupled to the hydraulic circuit. A second spring urges the clutch-apply piston and the coned-disc spring urges the clutch-release piston. When the hydraulic pump is not rotating, the clutch assembly is activated by the coned-disc spring urging the clutch-release piston.

Abstract: A damper system includes a turbine shaft rotatably connected to a torque converter having a clutch. A hydraulically actuated clutch is coupled to the turbine shaft. A first spring cage has a first cage portion connected to the hydraulically actuated clutch and a second cage portion connected to a friction plate. A first spring set is connected to the first and second cage portions. Springs of the first spring set are deflected by axial rotation between the first and second cage portions when the torque converter clutch is engaged. A second spring cage has a first cage section connected to the hydraulically actuated clutch and a second cage section connected to a torque converter turbine. A second spring set has second springs having a spring constant different than the first spring set. The second spring set springs are deflected by axial rotation between the first and second cage sections.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper includes a planetary gear set connected to a transmission input shaft, including a sun gear, a carrier, and a ring gear. A spring cage includes a first spring support member connected to the ring gear having multiple first spring contact members. A second spring support member is connected to the carrier and rotates with respect to the first spring support member. The second spring support member has multiple second spring contact members angularly oriented with respect to the first spring contact members. Multiple springs having opposed ends are positioned between and are compressed by rotation of the first or the second spring support member. The springs compress and extend to absorb vehicle engine vibration pulses. Each end of the springs has one of the multiple first spring contact members and or one of the multiple second spring contact members positioned proximate thereto.

Abstract: A valve directs fluid flow received from a device to one of a heater and a cooler. The valve includes a spool movably disposed in the housing between a first, second, and third position. An actuator is in fluid communication with the fluid. The actuator includes a smart material that deactivates when the fluid temperature is no greater than a first temperature, partially activated when the fluid temperature is greater than the first temperature, and fully activated when the fluid temperature is at least equal to a second temperature. The spool moves to the first position when deactivated and fluid flows from the cavity, to the heater. The spool moves to the second position when partially activated to prevent fluid from flowing to each of the heater and the cooler. The spool moves to the third position when fully activated and fluid flows from the cavity, to the cooler.

Abstract: A system for absorbing vibration and transmitting torque from a rotating power source to a rotatable load includes a rotatable driving member configured as an input to be driven by the power source to rotate about an axis of rotation. The system has a cam plate with a cam surface. A spring is configured to extend lengthwise in a radial direction relative to the axis of rotation. The spring is configured to be compressed due to the cam surface during relative rotation of the driving member and a driven member when the cam plate is operatively connected to rotate in unison with said one of the driving member and the driven member. The spring therefore has an effective spring rate dependent upon the cam surface, compression of the spring absorbs torsional vibration of the driving member, and the cam plate.

Abstract: A system for absorbing vibration and transmitting torque from a rotating power source to a rotatable load includes a rotatable driving member configured as an input to be driven by the power source. The system also includes a rotatable driven member configured to be driven by the driving member via a fluid coupling of the driven member to the driving member. The system also has a rotatable component configured as an output to drive the load, and a centrifugal pendulum absorber attached to the rotatable component. A first resilient member connects the driven member to the rotatable component.

Abstract: A transmission includes an input member, a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic circuit, a clutch assembly for transferring torque between the input member and an output member. A mechanically-driven hydraulic pump is rotatably coupled to the input member and is fluidly connected to the hydraulic circuit. The clutch assembly includes a friction clutch pack, a clutch-apply piston, a clutch-release piston and a coned-disc spring. The clutch-release piston is fluidly coupled to a first hydraulic chamber that is fluidly coupled to the hydraulic circuit. The clutch-apply piston is fluidly coupled to a second hydraulic chamber that is selectively fluidly coupled to the hydraulic circuit. A second spring urges the clutch-apply piston and the coned-disc spring urges the clutch-release piston. When the hydraulic pump is not rotating, the clutch assembly is activated by the coned-disc spring urging the clutch-release piston.

Abstract: A transmission includes a torque converter including a pump and a turbine, and an input hub. A pump lock-up clutch selectively connects the pump and the input hub for directly communicating torque therebetween when the lock-up clutch is engaged. A first pump damper interconnects the pump lock-up clutch and the input hub for damping torsional vibration between the pump and the input hub when the pump-lock up clutch is engaged. A turbine damper interconnects the turbine and either the pump or the input hub. The turbine damper is operable to dampen torsional vibration between the turbine and ether the pump or the input hub when the pump lock-up clutch is engaged. A turbine lock-up clutch selectively connects the turbine and either the input hub or the pump for directly communicating torque between the turbine and the one of either the input hub or the pump.

Abstract: A transmission system includes an input that is operable to receive torque, and a multi-speed gear train including a final output for transferring torque to a final drive. A clutch interconnects the input and the multi-speed gear train. When disposed in an engaged position, the clutch connects the input and the final output in torque communication therebetween. When disposed in a disengaged position, the clutch disconnects torque communication between the input and the final output. A dual planetary torque transfer device, which includes a pair of planetary gear trains coupled together, and interconnects the input and the final output. The dual planetary torque transfer device is disposed in a parallel relationship with the clutch, between the input and the final output. The dual planetary torque transfer device transfers torque between the input and the final output when the clutch is disposed in the disengaged position.

Abstract: A transmission includes a torque converter including a pump and a turbine, and an input hub. A pump lock-up clutch selectively connects the pump and the input hub for directly communicating torque therebetween when the lock-up clutch is engaged. A first pump damper interconnects the pump lock-up clutch and the input hub for damping torsional vibration between the pump and the input hub when the pump-lock up clutch is engaged. A turbine damper interconnects the turbine and either the pump or the input hub. The turbine damper is operable to dampen torsional vibration between the turbine and ether the pump or the input hub when the pump lock-up clutch is engaged. A turbine lock-up clutch selectively connects the turbine and either the input hub or the pump for directly communicating torque between the turbine and the one of either the input hub or the pump.

Abstract: A powertrain system in a hybrid vehicle includes a hydraulic device, a pilot valve, and a regulator valve. The pilot valve is operably connected to the hydraulic device and configured to actuate. The pilot valve includes at least one micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) based device. The regulator valve is operably connected to the pilot valve and the hydraulic device. The regulator valve is configured to direct fluid to the hydraulic device based on the actuation of the pilot valve.

Abstract: A method of detecting a failure of a hydraulic pump includes sensing a rotational speed of the engine, and a rotational speed of a rotating drivetrain component. A numerical difference between the rotational speed of the engine and the rotational speed of the rotating drivetrain component is calculated. The numerical difference is compared to a threshold value to determine if the numerical difference is less than the threshold value, or is equal to or greater than the threshold value. A failure of the hydraulic pump is identified when the numerical difference between the rotational speed of the engine and the rotational speed of the rotating drivetrain component is equal to or greater than the threshold value, and the transmission is positioned in the neutral gear mode. When a failure of the hydraulic pump is identified, the operation of the engine is stopped.

Abstract: A method of splitting of elliptical images performed by a processor is provided. The method includes: receiving an image whose pixels span a range along each of two orthogonal axes; segmenting the image into indexed sub-images; storing the sub-images as texture maps; responding to a request for a value of a texture element having S1, T1 and H coordinates by returning the value of the texture element of the sub-image indexed by H whose X and Y coordinates are S1 and T1.

Abstract: A method for modifying a default transmission shift schedule for a vehicle includes monitoring current vehicle parameters and determining future roadway information at a predetermined distance in front of the vehicle. Future vehicle parameters are predicted based on the determined future roadway information. The default transmission shift schedule is modified based on the current vehicle parameters and the predicted future vehicle parameters.

Abstract: A transmission system includes an input that is operable to receive torque, and a multi-speed gear train including a final output for transferring torque to a final drive. A clutch interconnects the input and the multi-speed gear train. When disposed in an engaged position, the clutch connects the input and the final output in torque communication therebetween. When disposed in a disengaged position, the clutch disconnects torque communication between the input and the final output. A dual planetary torque transfer device, which includes a pair of planetary gear trains coupled together, and interconnects the input and the final output. The dual planetary torque transfer device is disposed in a parallel relationship with the clutch, between the input and the final output. The dual planetary torque transfer device transfers torque between the input and the final output when the clutch is disposed in the disengaged position.

Abstract: A wet dual clutch transmission includes at least one hydraulic component and a pilot valve operably connected to the hydraulic component to actuate the hydraulic component. The pilot valve includes a Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) based pressure differential actuator valve. The hydraulic component may include but is not limited to a first clutch and a second clutch of the wet dual clutch transmission, a lube regulator valve, an on/off solenoid, a synchronizing shift fork or a line pressure control valve.

Abstract: A control system for a transmission of a vehicle includes a first angular rotation module, a second angular rotation module, and a lash module. The first angular rotation module determines a first angular rotation of a first shaft during a first predetermined period based on a first signal generated by a first shaft sensor. The second angular rotation module determines a second angular rotation of a second shaft during the first predetermined period based on a second signal generated by a second shaft sensor. The lash module selectively detects lash between gears of the transmission based on the first angular rotation and the second angular rotation.

Abstract: A method of controlling a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) valve includes defining a desired pressure output for the MEMS valve. The desired pressure output is related to a control reference value. The control reference value relates an output pressure of the MEMS valve to a measurable characteristic of the MEMS valve. The measurable characteristic may include a resistance, an electrical power, or an electrical current of the MEMS valve. The control reference value is converted to an initial Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal that is applied to the MEMS valve. The initial PWM signal may be adjusted to define an adjusted PWM signal based upon a difference between an actual value of the measurable characteristic at the initial PWM signal and the control reference value, until the actual value of the measurable characteristic at the adjusted PWM signal is within a pre-defined range of the control reference value.

Abstract: A method for monitoring torque in a gear train includes coincidently determining angles of rotation of first and second rotationally coupled members of the gear train. Each of the members employs a respective rotational position sensor. Each of said angles of rotation are determined based upon times corresponding to a last signal pulse, a next-to-last signal pulse, and a total quantity of signal pulses generated by the respective rotational position sensor during a current sampling interval. A twist angle corresponding to a difference between the angles of rotation of the first and second rotationally coupled members of the gear train is determined, and torque corresponding to the twist angle is calculated.