Abstract: A transmission assembly for a vehicle includes a transmission and a controller. The transmission includes an input member, at least one clutch and gear set, and an output member. The input member receives an input torque from an engine. The output member receives an output torque from the clutch and gear set(s). The clutch and gear set(s) connect to the input member and establish a plurality of operating states including a neutral idle (NI) state. A designated NI clutch is selectively actuated to enter the NI state when the transmission is in a drive state and the vehicle is stationary. The controller calculates a reference slip error as a function of engine and turbine speed, and detects when the designated NI clutch is exhausting fluid while operating in the NI state using a function of the reference slip error. A control action executes when the exhausting NI clutch is detected.

Abstract: Method to control a clutch device within a transmission selectively coupling an internal combustion engine to a driveline includes controlling slip of the clutch device in response to an engine autostart event. Controlling slip includes adjusting a commanded fill pressure to the clutch device to a first predetermined magnitude that exceeds a pressure threshold until the clutch device is filled, decreasing the commanded fill pressure from the first predetermined magnitude to a second predetermined magnitude below the pressure threshold, and adjusting the commanded fill pressure in accordance with a first ramping profile and in accordance with a subsequent second ramping profile when a transmission input speed achieves a desired first transmission input speed.

Abstract: A transmission assembly for a vehicle includes a transmission and a controller. The transmission includes an input member, at least one clutch and gear set, and an output member. The input member receives an input torque from an engine. The output member receives an output torque from the clutch and gear set(s). The clutch and gear set(s) connect to the input member and establish a plurality of operating states including a neutral idle (NI) state. A designated NI clutch is selectively actuated to enter the NI state when the transmission is in a drive state and the vehicle is stationary. The controller calculates a reference slip error as a function of engine and turbine speed, and detects when the designated NI clutch is exhausting fluid while operating in the NI state using a function of the reference slip error. A control action executes when the exhausting NI clutch is detected.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a torque converter, a transmission, and a controller. The transmission has an input member connected to a turbine of the torque converter. The transmission includes a neutral idle (NI) state and a designated NI clutch actuated to enter the NI state. The controller calculates a reference slip error as a function of engine speed and turbine speed, detects when the designated NI clutch is exhausting while operating in the NI state as a function of the reference slip error, and executes a control action when the exhausting NI clutch is detected. A method includes measuring engine and turbine speed, calculating the reference slip error value as a function of the engine and turbine speeds, detecting when the designated NI clutch is exhausting while operating in the NI state using the reference slip error, and executing a control action when the exhausting NI clutch is detected.

Abstract: A method of preventing an automatic engine stop includes: determining a pressure difference between an accumulator fill volume and a fluid conduit in selective fluid communication with the accumulator fill volume; determining a change in the accumulator fill volume from the determined pressure difference; adding the change in the accumulator fill volume to a previous estimate of the accumulator fill volume to determine a current estimate of the accumulator fill volume; comparing the current estimate of the accumulator fill volume to a predetermined threshold; and preventing an automatic engine stop if the current estimate of the accumulator fill volume is below the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a torque converter, a transmission, and a controller. The transmission has an input member connected to a turbine of the torque converter. The transmission includes a neutral idle (NI) state and a designated NI clutch actuated to enter the NI state. The controller calculates a reference slip error as a function of engine speed and turbine speed, detects when the designated NI clutch is exhausting while operating in the NI state as a function of the reference slip error, and executes a control action when the exhausting NI clutch is detected. A method includes measuring engine and turbine speed, calculating the reference slip error value as a function of the engine and turbine speeds, detecting when the designated NI clutch is exhausting while operating in the NI state using the reference slip error, and executing a control action when the exhausting NI clutch is detected.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system and method for controlling a hydraulic system of a vehicle powertrain is provided, which includes an accumulator arranged to accumulate fluid when an engine is turned on, to retain fluid when the engine is turned off, and to discharge fluid to the transmission when the engine is restarted. The accumulator is actively filled through a controlled valve, and it may also be filled passively, for example, via ball check-valve. The method of controlling the hydraulic system includes providing a fluid line pressure to the transmission by opening a fluid passage when the engine is turned on; opening a valve to actively accumulate fluid from the fluid line pressure into an accumulator; closing the valve to retain the fluid in the accumulator; and discharging the fluid from the accumulator to the fluid passage when the engine is restarted.

Abstract: A vehicle control system for regulating operation of a vehicle having a transmission includes a first module that processes an output shaft signal which is based on rotation of an output shaft of the transmission through a third order Kalman filter to determine an acceleration of the output shaft A second module calculates the acceleration of the vehicle based on the acceleration of said output shaft. A third module regulates operation of the vehicle based on the acceleration of the vehicle.

Abstract: A differential score protection system that regulates an engine to inhibit damage to a differential driven by the engine includes a first module that initiates a differential score protection mode and a second module that decreases an engine speed when the engine speed exceeds an engine speed limit. The engine speed limit is one of a plurality of pre-determined values based on a design slip speed limit of the differential.

Abstract: A vehicle control system for regulatng operation of a vehicle having a transmission includes a first module that processes an output shaft signal which is based on rotation of an output shaft of the transmission through a third order Kalman filter to determine an acceleration of the output shaft A second module calculates the acceleration of the vehicle based on the acceleration of said output shaft. A third module regulates operation of the vehicle based on the acceleration of the vehicle.

Abstract: A differential score protection system that regulates an engine to inhibit damage to a differential driven by the engine includes a first module that initiates a differential score protection mode and a second module that decreases an engine speed when the engine speed exceeds an engine speed limit. The engine speed limit is one of a plurality of pre-determined values based on a design slip speed limit of the differential.

Abstract: Camera film has a pre-exposed image longitudinally thereon and is thereupon packaged into a canister for insertion into a camera. The canister carries a flexible masking strip. When the canister is inserted into the camera, the masking strip is spread across the camera film plane opening. As the film is advanced across the film plane opening for successive exposures, the masking strip prevents individual frame exposure of the previously exposed image. A masking insert can be alternatively inserted into the camera to mask the film edge.