Abstract: A transfer case for a motor vehicle having an input shaft, a first output shaft, a second output shaft, a clutch, a transfer mechanism, a sensor portion and a magnetoelastic torque sensor. The clutch has a clutch pack and a thrust mechanism that is configured to exert an engagement force on the clutch pack. The clutch pack has a first portion, which is rotatably driven by either or both of the input shaft and the first output shaft, and a second portion that is supported for rotation relative to the first portion. The transfer mechanism couples the second portion of the clutch pack to the second output shaft. The sensor portion is coupled to the first or second output shaft and is at least partially formed of a magnetoelastic material. The magnetoelastic torque sensor is disposed about and radially in-line with the sensor portion.

Abstract: A transfer case for a motor vehicle having an input shaft, a first output shaft, a second output shaft, a clutch, a transfer mechanism, a sensor portion and a magnetoelastic torque sensor. The clutch has a clutch pack and a thrust mechanism that is configured to exert an engagement force on the clutch pack. The clutch pack has a first portion, which is rotatably driven by either or both of the input shaft and the first output shaft, and a second portion that is supported for rotation relative to the first portion. The transfer mechanism couples the second portion of the clutch pack to the second output shaft. The sensor portion is coupled to the first or second output shaft and is at least partially formed of a magnetoelastic material. The magnetoelastic torque sensor is disposed about and radially in-line with the sensor portion.

Abstract: A transfer case for a motor vehicle having an input shaft, a first output shaft, a second output shaft, a clutch, a transfer mechanism, a sensor portion and a magnetoelastic torque sensor. The clutch has a clutch pack and a thrust mechanism that is configured to exert an engagement force on the clutch pack. The clutch pack has a first portion, which is rotatably driven by either or both of the input shaft and the first output shaft, and a second portion that is supported for rotation relative to the first portion. The transfer mechanism couples the second portion of the clutch pack to the second output shaft. The sensor portion is coupled to the first or second output shaft and is at least partially formed of a magnetoelastic material. The magnetoelastic torque sensor is disposed about and radially in-line with the sensor portion.

Abstract: A transfer case for a motor vehicle having an input shaft, a first output shaft, a second output shaft, a clutch, a transfer mechanism, a sensor portion and a magnetoelastic torque sensor. The clutch has a clutch pack and a thrust mechanism that is configured to exert an engagement force on the clutch pack. The clutch pack has a first portion, which is rotatably driven by either or both of the input shaft and the first output shaft, and a second portion that is supported for rotation relative to the first portion. The transfer mechanism couples the second portion of the clutch pack to the second output shaft. The sensor portion is coupled to the first or second output shaft and is at least partially formed of a magnetoelastic material. The magnetoelastic torque sensor is disposed about and radially in-line with the sensor portion.

Abstract: A torque transfer mechanism for controlling the magnitude of a clutch engagement force exerted on a clutch pack that is operably disposed between a first rotary member and a second rotary member includes a hydraulic clutch actuation system. The hydraulic clutch actuation system includes a primary fluid circuit coupled to a secondary fluid circuit by a pressure intensifier. The pressure intensifier provides magnified pressure to a piston for actuating the clutch pack.

Abstract: A power transmission device equipped with a torque biasing system and control system for controlling the torque biasing system is operable to determine a torque command and calculate a torque error based on the torque command and a model-based torque. A control signal is generated based on the torque error and the torque biasing system is operated based on the control signal.

Abstract: A torque transfer mechanism for controlling the magnitude of a clutch engagement force exerted on a clutch pack that is operably disposed between a first rotary member and a second rotary member includes a hydraulic clutch actuation system. The hydraulic clutch actuation system includes a primary fluid circuit coupled to a secondary fluid circuit by a pressure intensifier. The pressure intensifier provides magnified pressure to a piston for actuating the clutch pack.

Abstract: A torque transfer system for transferring torque between a first rotary member and a second rotary member includes a clutch pack that is operably disposed between the first rotary member and the second rotary member to regulate torque transfer therebetween and a clutch actuator for regulating engagement of the clutch pack. A controller generates a dithered control signal by superimposing a dithering signal onto a digital control signal. The controller determines a time averaged duty cycle DCavg of the dithered control signal, determines an amplitude AMP of the dithered control signal, determines a wave function WF that describes a wave shape of the dithered control signal and calculates a pulse duty cycle PDC for each pulse of the dithered control signal using the average duty cycle, amplitude, and wave function.

Abstract: A power transmission device equipped with a torque biasing system and control system for controlling the torque biasing system is operable to determine a torque command and calculate a torque error based on the torque command and a model-based torque. A control signal is generated based on the torque error and the torque biasing system is operated based on the control signal.

Abstract: A torque transfer mechanism for controlling the magnitude of a clutch engagement force exerted on a clutch pack that is operably disposed between a first rotary member and a second rotary member includes a hydraulic clutch actuation system. The hydraulic clutch actuation system includes a primary fluid circuit coupled to a secondary fluid circuit by a pressure intensifier. The pressure intensifier provides magnified pressure to a piston for actuating the clutch pack.

Abstract: A method of controlling a torque biasing system includes determining a torque command, calculating a torque error based on the torque command and a model-based torque. A control signal is generated based on the torque error and the torque biasing system is operated based on the control signal.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing slip loss experienced by the tires of a vehicle. The method includes: determining a longitudinal force associated with each tire; determining an optimal slip coefficient for each tire based in part on the corresponding longitudinal force for the tire; and determining a torque to be applied to each tire based in part on the optimal slip coefficient, thereby reducing the slip loss experienced by the tires of the vehicle. This method is typically employed in the absence of other control algorithms used by a vehicle's traction control system.

Abstract: A torque transfer mechanism for controlling the magnitude of a clutch engagement force exerted on a clutch pack that is operably disposed between a first rotary member and a second rotary member includes a hydraulic clutch actuation system. The hydraulic clutch actuation system includes a primary fluid circuit coupled to a secondary fluid circuit by a pressure intensifier. The pressure intensifier provides magnified pressure to a piston for actuating the clutch pack.

Abstract: A torque transfer mechanism for controlling the magnitude of a clutch engagement force exerted on a clutch pack that is operably disposed between a first rotary member and a second rotary member includes a hydraulic clutch actuation system. The hydraulic clutch actuation system includes a primary fluid circuit coupled to a secondary fluid circuit by a pressure intensifier. The pressure intensifier provides magnified pressure to a piston for actuating the clutch pack.

Abstract: A torque transfer mechanism for controlling the magnitude of a clutch engagement force exerted on a clutch pack that is operably disposed between a first rotary member and a second rotary member includes a hydraulic clutch actuation system. The hydraulic clutch actuation system includes an electric motor drivingly coupled to a pump. The pump supplies pressurized fluid to an accumulator. The pressurized fluid within the accumulator is selectively supplied to a piston to provide a clutch engagement force.

Abstract: A torque transfer mechanism for controlling the magnitude of a clutch engagement force exerted on a clutch pack that is operably disposed between a first rotary member and a second rotary member includes a hydraulic clutch actuation system. The hydraulic clutch actuation system includes a primary fluid circuit coupled to a secondary fluid circuit by a pressure intensifier. The pressure intensifier provides magnified pressure to a piston for actuating the clutch pack.

Abstract: A torque transfer mechanism for controlling the magnitude of a clutch engagement force exerted on a clutch pack that is operably disposed between a first rotary member and a second rotary member includes a hydraulic clutch actuation system. The hydraulic clutch actuation system includes a primary fluid circuit coupled to a secondary fluid circuit by a pressure intensifier. The pressure intensifier provides magnified pressure to a piston for actuating the clutch pack.

Abstract: A method of controlling a torque biasing system includes determining a torque command, calculating a torque error based on the torque command and a model-based torque. A control signal is generated based on the torque error and the torque biasing system is operated based on the control signal.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a preferred method for operating a adaptive clutch system of the type used in a motor vehicle power transfer assembly by employing a dithered control signal. One aspect of the present invention superimposes a dithering signal onto a control signal by nulling consecutive blocks of control signal pulses. Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for generating a dithered control signal by providing a wave function with which to systematically vary a duty cycle of the dithered control signal. A method for varying the output force of a clutch actuator assembly in response to the dithered control signal is also provided.

Abstract: A torque transfer mechanism for controlling the magnitude of a clutch engagement force exerted on a clutch pack that is operably disposed between a first rotary member and a second rotary member includes a hydraulic clutch actuation system. The hydraulic clutch actuation system includes a primary fluid circuit coupled to a secondary fluid circuit by a pressure intensifier. The pressure intensifier provides magnified pressure to a piston for actuating the clutch pack.