Abstract: A gear selector assembly for selecting a gear position of a transmission includes an internal mode switch having detent lever, a plurality of magnetic field sensors, a control module, a first power supply and a second power supply. The detent lever has a plurality of detents and a magnetized track, where the magnetized track includes a plurality of magnetized elements that are indicative a particular gear selector position. The magnetic field sensors are associated with each of the magnetized elements for sensing changes in a magnetic field of the magnetized track. The control module is in communication with each of the field sensors. Each of the field sensors sends an output current to the control module and the value of the output current is variable. The value of the output current is indicative of at least one of the following: the direction of the magnetic field from the corresponding magnetic track, a short circuit, and an open circuit.

Abstract: A directional speed sensor comprises first and second Hall-effect modules. The first Hall-effect module outputs a first current pulse for a first predetermined period when a tooth of a toothed wheel that rotates with a shaft of the vehicle passes the first Hall-effect module in a first rotation direction and outputs the first current pulse for a second predetermined period when the tooth passes the first Hall-effect module in a second rotational direction. The second Hall-effect module is electrically connected in parallel with the first Hall-effect module, is angularly offset from the first Hall-effect module with respect to a center of the shaft, outputs a second current pulse for the first predetermined period when the tooth of the toothed wheel passes the second-Hall-effect module in the first direction, and outputs the second pulse for the second predetermined period when the tooth passes the second Hall-effect module in the second direction.

Abstract: A hall-effect switching system comprises a hall-effect switch, a voltage comparison module, and a resistance bypass module. The voltage comparison module compares a supply voltage and a reference voltage. The resistance bypass module selectively adjusts a voltage output to the hall-effect switch based on the comparison.

Abstract: A gear selector assembly for selecting a gear position of a transmission includes an internal mode switch having detent lever, a plurality of magnetic field sensors, a control module, a first power supply and a second power supply. The detent lever has a plurality of detents and a magnetized track, where the magnetized track includes a plurality of magnetized elements that are indicative a particular gear selector position. The magnetic field sensors are associated with each of the magnetized elements for sensing changes in a magnetic field of the magnetized track. The control module is in communication with each of the field sensors. Each of the field sensors sends an output current to the control module and the value of the output current is variable. The value of the output current is indicative of at least one of the following: the direction of the magnetic field from the corresponding magnetic track, a short circuit, and an open circuit.

Abstract: A solenoid control system for a vehicle comprises a primary controller, a failover controller, and a failover control module. The primary controller generates a first solenoid drive signal based upon a control signal. The failover controller selectively generates a second solenoid drive signal based upon the control signal. The failover control module receives an operating signal that indicates whether the primary controller is functioning properly and selects the second drive signal to drive a solenoid when the operating signal indicates that the primary controller is not functioning properly.

Abstract: A range selection system for a vehicle including an automatic transmission and an internal mode switch (IMS) assembly. The range selection system includes a housing that is rotatable around a core, a first set of switches that induce a first current based on a rotational position of the housing and a second set of switches that induce a second current based on a rotational position of the housing. A control module determines first and second voltages based on the first and second currents, respectively and determines a range of the automatic transmission based on the first and second voltages.

Abstract: A directional speed sensor comprises first and second Hall-effect modules. The first Hall-effect module outputs a first current pulse for a first predetermined period when a tooth of a toothed wheel that rotates with a shaft of the vehicle passes the first Hall-effect module in a first rotation direction and outputs the first current pulse for a second predetermined period when the tooth passes the first Hall-effect module in a second rotational direction. The second Hall-effect module is electrically connected in parallel with the first Hall-effect module, is angularly offset from the first Hall-effect module with respect to a center of the shaft, outputs a second current pulse for the first predetermined period when the tooth of the toothed wheel passes the second-Hall-effect module in the first direction, and outputs the second pulse for the second predetermined period when the tooth passes the second Hall-effect module in the second direction.

Abstract: A wireless sensor system for a transmission and other powertrain components in a motor vehicle includes a wireless sensor connected to a component of the motor vehicle. The wireless sensor includes an antenna in communication with a wireless power source and with a wireless transceiver. The wireless power source includes an emitter that creates an electromagnetic resonance between the emitter and the sensor. The wireless transceiver is in communication with the sensor and sends and receives signals to and from the wireless sensor.

Abstract: A solenoid control system for implementation with an electronic range selection (ETRS) system that shifts a transmission range between a park position and an out-of-park position. A first solenoid assembly is operable to control a fluid valve to supply pressurized fluid to urge a valve spool toward a first position. A second solenoid assembly is operable to control a fluid valve to supply pressurized fluid to urge said valve spool toward a second position. A control module selectively energizes one of the first and second solenoids based on a transmission fluid temperature.

Abstract: A switch system comprising a detection device that operates in first and second modes and that conducts first and second currents based on the first and second modes, respectively. A control module input circuit outputs first and second voltages based on the first and second currents. The switch system further includes a control module that receives the first and second voltages and that compares the first and second voltages to first and second predetermined voltage ranges, respectively. Further, the control module detects at least one of a proper operation and a faulty operation of the switch system based on the comparison. The control module receives the first voltage when the detection device conducts the first current and receives the second voltage when the detection device conducts the second current.

Abstract: A hall-effect switching system comprises a hall-effect switch, a voltage comparison module, and a resistance bypass module. The voltage comparison module compares a supply voltage and a reference voltage. The resistance bypass module selectively adjusts a voltage output to the hall-effect switch based on the comparison.

Abstract: A switch includes housing and a magnet that is mounted inside the housing. The magnet generates a magnetic field having magnetic flux. The switch further includes a flux concentration device that is located inside the housing and that selectively moves between first and second positions. An actuator assembly is located inside the housing and selects the first and second positions based on the input. A hall-effect device is located between the magnet and the flux concentration device and conducts a current having a first value when the magnetic flux is less than a predetermined magnetic flux threshold. The hall-effect device conducts current having a second current value when the magnetic flux exceeds the predetermined magnetic flux threshold. The first position communicates a first magnetic flux to the hall-effect device and the second position communicates a second magnetic flux that is different from the first magnetic flux to the hall-effect device.

Abstract: A solenoid control system for implementation with an electronic range selection (ETRS) system that shifts a transmission range between a park position and an out-of-park position. A first solenoid assembly is operable to control a fluid valve to supply pressurized fluid to urge a valve spool toward a first position. A second solenoid assembly is operable to control a fluid valve to supply pressurized fluid to urge said valve spool toward a second position. A control module selectively energizes one of the first and second solenoids based on a transmission fluid temperature.

Abstract: A solenoid control system for a vehicle comprises a primary controller, a failover controller, and a failover control module. The primary controller generates a first solenoid drive signal based upon a control signal. The failover controller selectively generates a second solenoid drive signal based upon the control signal. The failover control module receives an operating signal that indicates whether the primary controller is functioning properly and selects the second drive signal to drive a solenoid when the operating signal indicates that the primary controller is not functioning properly.

Abstract: An electronic transmission range selection (ETRS) system for shifting a transmission range of a transmission includes an electro-mechanical park inhibit assembly that operates to disallow the ETRS system from shifting from an Out-of-Park mode to a Park mode under certain circumstances. The park inhibit assembly includes a follower having a recess defined thereon and slidably disposed within a follower bore. In one embodiment a selectively energizable solenoid assembly is mounted substantially perpendicular to the follower and operates to bias a ball into the recess when energized thereby locking the ETRS system in the Out-of-Park mode. In another embodiment the park inhibit assembly includes a selectively energizable motor assembly mounted substantially perpendicular to the follower. The motor assembly operates to enforce the Park and Out-of-Park mode of the ETRS system.

Abstract: A switch includes housing and a magnet that is mounted inside the housing. The magnet generates a magnetic field having magnetic flux. The switch further includes a flux concentration device that is located inside the housing and that selectively moves between first and second positions. An actuator assembly is located inside the housing and selects the first and second positions based on the input. A hall-effect device is located between the magnet and the flux concentration device and conducts a current having a first value when the magnetic flux is less than a predetermined magnetic flux threshold. The hall-effect device conducts current having a second current value when the magnetic flux exceeds the predetermined magnetic flux threshold. The first position communicates a first magnetic flux to the hall-effect device and the second position communicates a second magnetic flux that is different from the first magnetic flux to the hall-effect device.

Abstract: A range selection system for a vehicle including an automatic transmission and an internal mode switch (IMS) assembly. The range selection system includes a rotatable core, a first set of switches that induce a first current based on a rotational position of the core and a second set of switches that induce a second current based on a rotational position of the core. A control module determines first and second voltages based on the first and second currents, respectively and determines a range of the automatic transmission based on the first and second voltages.

Abstract: A control system and method for communicating with a transmission includes a transmission input speed sensor that generates an input speed signal. A transmission output speed sensor generates an output speed signal. A power supply supplies a total current to the transmission input and output speed sensors via a first conductor. A sensor senses the total current supplied to the transmission input and output speed sensors on the first conductor. A calculating module calculates a transmission input speed and a transmission output speed based on the total current.

Abstract: The torque capacity of a torque converter clutch is adjusted as a function of the relative magnitudes of the torque converter slip speed and a reference slip speed without regard to the magnitude of the difference therebetween. The adjustment is made according to a predetermined time response characteristic such that steady state engine torque is passed through the converter clutch and engine torque perturbations are not. The reference slip speed is determined so that the resulting torque converter slip is maintained at a relatively low value without causing full clutch engagement.