Abstract: A system and method for detecting vehicle movement based on the measurement of the torque value on a vehicle drivetrain is disclosed. The system includes a torque sensor for measuring the torque on a vehicle drivetrain. This measured torque is utilized by a control module, with various other measured vehicle parameters, to determine if the conditions are such that vehicle movement may occur or has already begun. Possible vehicle movement is indicated when either the measured torque value exceeds a threshold value and changes towards zero, or big noise spikes are present in the torque sensor output signal.

Abstract: An automatic transmission includes gears, torque-transmitting mechanisms, interconnecting members, an input member and an output member. A method of controlling the automatic transmission includes data acquisition from the output shaft torque sensor, commanding a hydraulic fluid pressure pulse time and a pressure pulse value to engage a first torque-transmitting mechanism, calculating a rate-of-change of a first data output from the output shaft torque sensor, calculating a rate-of-change of a second data output from the output shaft torque sensor, comparing the results of the rate-of-change calculations and adjusting the hydraulic fluid pressure pulse time and a pressure pulse value if the rate of change of the second data output is not equal to the rate-of-change of the first data output.

Abstract: The present invention provides a control system for a dual clutch automatic transmission having a torque converter. The transmission provides seven forward speeds or gear ratios and reverse. The control system includes a hydraulic pump, a pressure regulator assembly and control valves that provide and release pressurized hydraulic fluid to the torque converter, a pair of input clutches and eight synchronizer clutches. A first pair of control valves are high flow rate valves which are capable of rapidly engaging and disengaging the input clutches. A second pair of high flow rate valves, control valves and spool valves provide a branching control circuit which controls engagement and disengagement of the synchronizer clutches. A control valve linked to the shift lever blocks hydraulic fluid flow to the first pair of high flow rate valves to inhibit input clutch activation when the shift lever is in Park or Neutral.

Abstract: An automatic transmission includes gears, torque-transmitting mechanisms, interconnecting members, an input member and an output member. A method of controlling the automatic transmission includes data acquisition from the output shaft torque sensor, commanding a hydraulic fluid pressure pulse time and a pressure pulse value to engage a first torque-transmitting mechanism, calculating a rate-of-change of a first data output from the output shaft torque sensor, calculating a rate-of-change of a second data output from the output shaft torque sensor, comparing the results of the rate-of-change calculations and adjusting the hydraulic fluid pressure pulse time and a pressure pulse value if the rate of change of the second data output is not equal to the rate-of-change of the first data output.

Abstract: An assembly for positioning a torque sensor having a receiver and a transmitter is provided. The assembly includes a first annular member, wherein the receiver is coupled to the first annular member. A second annular member is disposed proximate the first annular member. A bearing assembly is disposed between the first annular member and the second annular member. The bearing assembly includes a first race formed to the first annular member, a second race formed to the second annular member, and a bearing disposed between the first race and the second race for allowing the first race and the second race to rotate relative to one another. A radially extending member is coupled to the second race. The receiver is radially displaced from the bearing assembly and the transmitter is mounted to a mounting surface of the radially extending member opposite the receiver at a predefined axial distance.

Abstract: A torque sensor for sensing torque in a rotatable shaft. The rotatable shaft is configured to rotate within a shaft housing. The sensor housing has a first end, a second end, and at least one sensing zone. At least one target zone is disposed on the rotatable shaft and substantially opposes the at least one sensing zone. At least one bearing member is disposed between the sensor housing and the rotatable shaft for limiting relative axial movement and allowing relative rotation between the sensor housing and the rotatable shaft. A first resilient member has a first end in contact with the first end of the sensor housing and a second end in contact with an interior wall of the shaft housing. A second resilient member has a first end in contact with a retaining member and a second end in contact with the second end of the sensor housing.

Abstract: A torque sensor for sensing torque in a rotatable shaft. The rotatable shaft is configured to rotate within a shaft housing. The sensor housing has a first end, a second end, and at least one sensing zone. At least one target zone is disposed on the rotatable shaft and substantially opposes the at least one sensing zone. At least one bearing member is disposed between the sensor housing and the rotatable shaft for limiting relative axial movement and allowing relative rotation between the sensor housing and the rotatable shaft. A first resilient member has a first end in contact with the first end of the sensor housing and a second end in contact with an interior wall of the shaft housing. A second resilient member has a first end in contact with a retaining member and a second end in contact with the second end of the sensor housing.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting vehicle movement based on the measurement of the torque value on a vehicle drivetrain is disclosed. The system includes a torque sensor for measuring the torque on a vehicle drivetrain. This measured torque is utilized by a control module, with various other measured vehicle parameters, to determine if the conditions are such that vehicle movement may occur or has already begun. Possible vehicle movement is indicated when either the measured torque value exceeds a threshold value and changes towards zero, or big noise spikes are present in the torque sensor output signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a control system for a dual clutch automatic transmission having a torque converter. The transmission provides seven forward speeds or gear ratios and reverse. The control system includes a hydraulic pump, a pressure regulator assembly and control valves that provide and release pressurized hydraulic fluid to the torque converter, a pair of input clutches and eight synchronizer clutches. A first pair of control valves are high flow rate valves which are capable of rapidly engaging and disengaging the input clutches. A second pair of high flow rate valves, control valves and spool valves provide a branching control circuit which controls engagement and disengagement of the synchronizer clutches. A control valve linked to the shift lever blocks hydraulic fluid flow to the first pair of high flow rate valves to inhibit input clutch activation when the shift lever is in Park or Neutral.

Abstract: A transmission is provided with torque sensors on each of the power flow paths through the transmission so that actual torque data may be used in place of estimated data in controlling various vehicle operating characteristics, such as clutch apply or release, traction control, stability control and grade control, all of which are affected by the actual torque carried by the transmission. A method of controlling an automatic, multi-speed transmission includes operatively connecting the first torque sensor to the first shaft that partially establishes the first power flow path for a speed ratio of the transmission, sensing torque carried by the first shaft and controlling at least one vehicle operating characteristic based at least partially on the sensed torque.

Abstract: An assembly for positioning a torque sensor having a receiver and a transmitter is provided. The assembly includes a first annular member, wherein the receiver is coupled to the first annular member. A second annular member is disposed proximate the first annular member. A bearing assembly is disposed between the first annular member and the second annular member. The bearing assembly includes a first race formed to the first annular member, a second race formed to the second annular member, and a bearing disposed between the first race and the second race for allowing the first race and the second race to rotate relative to one another. A radially extending member is coupled to the second race. The receiver is radially displaced from the bearing assembly and the transmitter is mounted to a mounting surface of the radially extending member opposite the receiver at a predefined axial distance.

Abstract: An easily packaged torque monitoring system accurately captures driveline torque data for use by engine, transmission or other vehicle controllers. The torque monitoring system utilizes a structural member to hydraulically connect a driving member with a driven member. A pressure-sensing device is operatively connected with a fluid chamber in the structural member through which the driving member drives the driven member. The pressure-sensing device senses a pressure level within the chamber. The amount of torque transmitted from the driving member to the driven member is directly linearly related to the sensed pressure. In one embodiment, the pressure-sensing device is a surface acoustic wave sensor in contact with the hydraulic fluid that wirelessly relays a sensor signal (i.e., a signal with a value corresponding with sensed pressure and thus with torque) to a controller.

Abstract: An electric motor is connected solidly to the main transmission oil pump shaft on the transmission case. An off-axis chain and gear are connected to the main oil pump shaft via a single freewheeling clutch, so that either source of torque in a hybrid motor can drive the oil pump or the oil pump can be driven by the electric motor or the hybrid motor depending on which motor is traveling at a higher speed.