Abstract: An apparatus initiates the engagement of a clutch having an input member and an output member for selectively connecting an engine to a transmission in a vehicle having a brake pedal. The apparatus includes a sensor for generating a signal which is representative of the position of the brake pedal. The apparatus also includes a controller for generating control signal which is representative of an engagement rate of the clutch. The controller is responsive to the brake pedal position sensor signal for initiating the control signal when the brake pedal is not depressed by an operator of the vehicle. Lastly, the apparatus includes a clutch actuator for controlling the engagement rate of the clutch in response to the control signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the rate of engagement of a clutch in response to an indication provided by the driver, such as the depression of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle. The apparatus includes an electronic controller which initially determines a start rate as the minimum duty cycle which is required to modulate an engage valve in order to cause movement of a release bearing of the clutch in the engagement direction. Following the receipt of a signal from the operator of the vehicle to initiate the engagement of the clutch, the electronic controller calculates an initial transition rate of movement of the release bearing from a disengaged position to a transition point. The transition rate is determined as a function of the start rate and a position error signal. The position error signal can be calculated as the difference between the actual position of the release bearing and the transition point.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the operation of a clutch in a partially or fully automated mechanical transmission which is responsive to the actual load on the vehicle engine for varying the engagement rate of release bearing during re-engagement of the clutch. The apparatus includes an electronic controller which initially sets a desired speed for the vehicle engine during the shifting process, determines a rate of engagement movement of a release bearing of the clutch, and actuates appropriate valves to initiate the gradual engagement of the clutch. The electronic controller sets a first lower engine speed threshold and a second lower engine speed threshold. In a first embodiment, the magnitude of the first lower engine speed threshold varies with the actual load on the engine. If the actual speed of the engine remains above both the first lower engine speed threshold and the second lower engine speed threshold, the engagement process is continued without interruption.

Abstract: An integrated system for automatically controlling the operation of both an automated manual transmission and a multiple speed axle assembly in a vehicle drive train assembly includes a transmission actuator for operating the transmission in any one of a plurality of transmission gear ratios. The system further includes an axle actuator for operating the axle assembly in any one of a plurality of axle gear ratios. An electronic controller is provided for operating the transmission in a desired one of the plurality of transmission gear ratios and for operating the axle assembly in a desired one of the plurality of axle gear ratios to provide a desired overall gear ratio for the vehicle. To accomplish this, the electronic controller is responsive to one or more input signals that represent operating parameters of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for controlling a motor and a circuit for implementing the method are provided. The method includes the steps of providing a first current to a first phase coil of a motor and determining a characteristic of the first current in the first phase coil wherein the characteristic is indicative of the position of the motor's rotor. The measured characteristic may comprise a time period required for the current to move between two predetermined current levels. The method further includes the step of controlling the first current in the first phase coil of the motor and a second current in a second phase coil of the motor responsive to the measured characteristic in the first phase coil. By controlling the current in multiple phase coils responsive to a current characteristic measured in one phase coil, current sensing in all but one phase coil may be eliminated thereby conserving microprocessor resources, increasing motor efficiency, speed, and braking torque, and reducing acoustic noise.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the operation of a clutch in a partially or fully automated mechanical transmission which is responsive to the actual speed of the vehicle engine for varying the engagement rate of release bearing during reengagement of the clutch. The apparatus includes an electronic controller which initially sets a desired speed for the vehicle engine during the shifting process, determines a rate of engagement movement of a release bearing of the clutch, and actuates appropriate valves to initiate the gradual engagement of the clutch. The electronic controller sets a first lower engine speed threshold and a second lower engine speed threshold. The magnitude of the first lower engine speed threshold may vary with the amount of depression of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle. If the actual speed of the engine remains above both the first lower engine speed threshold and the second lower engine speed threshold, the engagement process is continued without interruption.

Abstract: A method and circuit for detecting a locked rotor in a switched reluctance motor are provided. The method includes the step of measuring, at a predetermined frequency, the time required for a current in the motor to rise or fall between predetermined current levels to thereby obtain a plurality of sample rise or fall times. The method further includes the step of comparing first and second sample times of the plurality of sample times to obtain a time comparison value that is indicative of a change in position of the rotor. Because current rise and fall times are indicative of, and vary with, rotor position, a comparison of multiple rise or fall times may be used to indicate a change in position of the rotor and, therefore, whether the rotor is in motion or is locked. The method may finally include the step of comparing the time comparison value to a predetermined reference value that is indicative of a locked rotor.