Abstract: A system for controlling a transmission of a vehicle includes an engine control module that generates a command, while the vehicle is rolling in either a forward or reverse direction, to change a transmission of the vehicle from a reverse drive gear to a forward drive gear. The transmission includes a first clutch, a second clutch, a third clutch, and a fourth clutch. A transmission control module, in response to the command, maintains a first clutch in an engaged state, releases a second clutch and a fourth clutch, with the first clutch in the engaged state and the second clutch and the fourth clutch released, applies a third clutch with a synchronizer to engage the third clutch, and, after the third clutch is engaged, reapplies the fourth clutch to engage the fourth clutch.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and transmission assembly, the latter having a stationary member, a plurality of gear sets, an input member, a friction clutch, a binary clutch assembly, and a transmission control module (TCM). The binary clutch assembly includes a freewheeling element and a binary device such as a selectable one way clutch or dog clutch. The TCM selectively delays a release of the binary clutch assembly via a binary clutch indicator method by detecting a requested shift of the transmission requiring an engagement of the friction clutch, and commanding the release of the binary clutch assembly. The TCM determines an amount of slip across the binary clutch assembly and executes the requested shift of the transmission only when the determined amount of slip exceeds a calibrated slip threshold. Slip may be measured or calculated.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and transmission having gear sets, an input member that is continuously connected to the engine and a gear set, a binary clutch assembly, a speed sensor, and a controller. The binary clutch assembly includes a freewheeling element holding torque in one rotational direction, and also a selectable one-way clutch (SOWC) portion holding torque in two rotational directions when applied. The controller executes a method to transmit a first binary clutch command to the binary clutch assembly and thus apply the SOWC portion at vehicle launch, and calculates, via the processor, an acceleration value of the vehicle using the measured speed. The controller also selects a shift apply point of the binary clutch assembly as a function of the calculated acceleration value, and transmits a second binary clutch command to the binary clutch assembly to release the SOWC portion at the selected shift apply point.

Abstract: A system of a first vehicle includes a communication module, a translation module, a driver identification module, and an actuator control module. The communication module receives first vehicle control data generated based on operation of a second vehicle by a driver. The first and second vehicles are different. The translation module determines second vehicle control data based on the first vehicle control data and first characteristics of the first vehicle. The driver identification module selectively indicates when the driver is operating the first vehicle. During operation of the first vehicle by the driver, the actuator module controls at least one actuator of the first vehicle based on the second vehicle control data.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and transmission assembly, the latter having a stationary member, a plurality of gear sets, an input member, a friction clutch, a binary clutch assembly, and a transmission control module (TCM). The binary clutch assembly includes a freewheeling element and a binary device such as a selectable one way clutch or dog clutch. The TCM selectively delays a release of the binary clutch assembly via a binary clutch indicator method by detecting a requested shift of the transmission requiring an engagement of the friction clutch, and commanding the release of the binary clutch assembly. The TCM determines an amount of slip across the binary clutch assembly and executes the requested shift of the transmission only when the determined amount of slip exceeds a calibrated slip threshold. Slip may be measured or calculated.

Abstract: A low noise, high efficiency solenoid pump includes a housing containing a hollow electromagnetic coil. Within the coil resides a pump assembly defining a tubular body having a pair of opposed ends which respectively include an inlet or suction port and an outlet or pressure port and within which a plunger or piston resides. The piston is biased in opposite directions by a pair of opposed compression springs. A first compression spring limits and arrests travel of the piston during the suction or return stroke and a second compression spring limits travel of the piston during the pumping stroke and returns the piston after the pumping stroke. The piston includes a first check valve that opens to allow hydraulic fluid into a pumping chamber during the suction stroke and closes during the pumping stroke to cause fluid to be pumped out of the pumping chamber.

Abstract: A method of executing a double transition shift in a transmission includes determining via a controller that one of four clutches involved in the shift has a clutch slip direction relative to input member rotation direction in one of the current gear and the commanded gear and an opposite clutch torque direction relative to input member torque direction in the other of the current gear and the commanded gear. The controller then calculates clutch torques for at least some of the offgoing clutches and at least some of the oncoming clutches, and controls torque at the offgoing clutches and the oncoming clutches during the shift according to the calculated clutch torques to ensure that the clutch with the opposite slip and torque directions does not provide reaction torque during the shift unless clutch slip across said one of the four clutches is zero or in the clutch torque direction.

Abstract: A transmission fluid circuit includes a transmission, a cooler, and a valve. The transmission receives and expels a fluid. The cooler receives and expels the fluid to the transmission. The valve directs the flow of fluid received from the transmission to one of the transmission and the fluid cooler. The valve includes a housing, a spool and an actuator. The housing defines a cavity. The spool is movable longitudinally in the cavity between a first position and a second position to direct the flow of the fluid from the cavity to the cooler or the transmission. The actuator is operatively connected to the spool and includes a smart material which is activated in response to the temperature of the fluid in the cavity having at least a first temperature and deactivated in response to the fluid in the cavity having a sufficient number of degrees less than the first temperature.

Abstract: A system includes a first module configured to determine at least one of a position of a vehicle, an elevation level of the vehicle and a road grade at the position of the vehicle. A second module configured to inhibit an autostop of an engine including generating a start-stop signal based on the at least one of the position of the vehicle, the elevation level of the vehicle and the road grade at the position of the vehicle. An actuator control module configured to prevent the autostop by adjusting at least one of a spark parameter, a fuel parameter and an air flow parameter of the engine based on the start-stop signal.

Abstract: A centrifugal pendulum vibration absorber (CPVA) for absorbing torsional vibration created by operation of an engine includes a plurality of pendulums moveable with respect to a rotatable shaft. The pendulums are connected to the rotatable shaft by a plurality of pins that extend through apertures in the pendulum. The pendulums each move along a path defined by various drive line or powertrain parameters and characteristics. The path is implemented by contouring an active section of the apertures that engage the pins.

Abstract: A method for determining whether an accumulator is filled to a predetermined level with a hydraulic fluid includes commanding a current to a solenoid, providing pressurized hydraulic fluid to the accumulator, setting a timer to an initial value, incrementing the timer, determining if the timer is greater than a timer threshold value, measuring a current to the solenoid if the timer is greater than the timer threshold value, calculating a modified current as a function of the measured current, the timer value, and the commanded current, comparing the modified current to a threshold, and determining that the accumulator is filled to the predetermined level if the modified current is greater than the threshold.

Abstract: A control system for controlling a dual clutch transmission having a synchronizer assembly includes a motor for selectively providing an output torque in a first and second to both of a first and a second output member. A one-way device is interconnected to the first output member and is operable to transmit the output torque in the first rotational direction. A pump is connected to the one-way device. A disconnect device is interconnected to the second output member. The torque disconnect device is operable to decouple the motor from a cam or a torque multiplication device. The cam includes at least one groove having a configuration corresponding to synchronizer assembly positions. A shift fork is disposed in the groove and is operable to translate the synchronizer assembly. Rotation of the cam translates the shift fork and the synchronizer assembly between at least a neutral position and an engaged position.

Abstract: A method is provided for shifting a transmission having an input member, an output member, at least four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. At least one of the torque transmitting devices is a dog clutch or a band clutch. The method includes applying a torque transmitting mechanism to interconnect a first member of a planetary gear set with another member of a planetary gear set or a stationary member. The method also includes applying the dog clutch or band clutch to interconnect a second member of a planetary gear set with another member of a planetary gear set or the stationary member, after the first torque transmitting mechanism is applied. After the dog or band clutch is applied, the torque transmitting mechanism is released.

Abstract: A method of executing a double transition shift in a transmission includes determining via a controller that one of four clutches involved in the shift has a clutch slip direction relative to input member rotation direction in one of the current gear and the commanded gear and an opposite clutch torque direction relative to input member torque direction in the other of the current gear and the commanded gear. The controller then calculates clutch torques for at least some of the offgoing clutches and at least some of the oncoming clutches, and controls torque at the offgoing clutches and the oncoming clutches during the shift according to the calculated clutch torques to ensure that the clutch with the opposite slip and torque directions does not provide reaction torque during the shift unless clutch slip across said one of the four clutches is zero or in the clutch torque direction.

Abstract: A system for absorbing vibration in a rotary member having a predetermined rotary speed of the present invention has a selectively moveable mass and a positioning mechanism. The mass is in communication with the rotary member having a predetermined position. The positioning mechanism exerts a force on the mass at least when the rotary member operates below the predetermined rotary speed. The force exerted by the positioning mechanism orients the mass at the predetermined position when the rotary member operates below the predetermined rotary speed.

Abstract: A gear selector apparatus for a transmission having a first gear and a second gear selectively engageable to a shaft through a synchronizer. The gear selector apparatus includes a hydraulic actuator, a gear selection fork engaged with the actuator, a guide bar fixed for common movement to the gear selection fork, a detent mechanism disposed in contact with a first edge of the guide bar, a position sensor disposed in contact with a second edge of the guide bar, a first and a second pressure control valve in communication with the hydraulic actuator, a controller in electrical communication with the position sensor and the first and second pressure control valve. The controller includes a control logic sequence.

Abstract: A system for absorbing vibration created by operation of an engine of the present invention includes a first plate driven by an engine shaft and a torque transmitting device for transferring torque from the engine shaft to a transmission input shaft. The system includes a first vibration absorber and a second vibration absorber. The first vibration absorber includes at least one selectively moveable mass. The second vibration absorber includes at least one biasing member and generally opposing ends. The first vibration absorber is configured to absorb vibrations created at a first harmonic of the engine and the second vibration absorber is configured to absorb vibrations created at multiple harmonics of the engine.

Abstract: An auxiliary pump system for a hybrid powertrain includes a hydraulic accumulator, a hydraulic transformer, a plurality of control devices, a sump, and a plurality of fluid flow paths. The accumulator is charged by a high flow, high pressure hydraulic fluid by opening a first of the control devices and closing a second of the control devices. The accumulator is discharged by closing the first of the control devices and opening the second of the control devices. A high pressure, low flow hydraulic fluid is communicated from the accumulator to the hydraulic transformer. The hydraulic transformer converts the high pressure, low flow hydraulic fluid into a high flow, low pressure hydraulic fluid that is employed by systems within the hybrid powertrain.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and transmission having gear sets, an input member that is continuously connected to the engine and a gear set, a binary clutch assembly, a speed sensor, and a controller. The binary clutch assembly includes a freewheeling element holding torque in one rotational direction, and also a selectable one-way clutch (SOWC) portion holding torque in two rotational directions when applied. The controller executes a method to transmit a first binary clutch command to the binary clutch assembly and thus apply the SOWC portion at vehicle launch, and calculates, via the processor, an acceleration value of the vehicle using the measured speed. The controller also selects a shift apply point of the binary clutch assembly as a function of the calculated acceleration value, and transmits a second binary clutch command to the binary clutch assembly to release the SOWC portion at the selected shift apply point.

Abstract: A device or actuator includes a first component made of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) that applies force to a second component of the device to provide a controllable actuator. The SMA component is selectively energized by using active electric current through it.