Abstract: An automatic transmission includes a control system for controlling a clutch of the transmission. The control system includes a first variable flow solenoid and a second variable flow solenoid, each in selective fluid communication with the clutch. The first variable force solenoid provides hydraulic fluid within a first pressure range of 0 and 1,000 kPa. The second variable force solenoid provides hydraulic fluid within a second pressure range of 0 and 2,000 kPa. A transmission controller sends an electrical signal having a current between the range of 0 and 1 amp to one of the first and second variable flow solenoids. The pressure output of each of the first and second variable force solenoids is a function of, within their respective first and second pressure ranges, the amplitude of the current of the electrical signal to provide two distinct power gains to the single clutch.

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 shift mechanism for a dual clutch transmission employs a rotating barrel cam having at least three tracks which are engaged by and translate at least three associated cam followers. The cam followers extend from shift fork bodies which slide on rails and include shift forks which bi-directionally translate at least three synchronizer clutches which engage at least five forward gears or speeds and reverse. A single electric motor and gear train drive the barrel cam.

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 dual clutch assembly includes a housing, an actuation member rotationally coupled with the housing, a first member coaxial with the housing, and a second member coaxial with the first member. A first clutch includes a first plate connected with the actuation member and a second plate connected for common rotation with the first member. A second clutch includes a first plate connected with the housing and a second plate connected for common rotation with the second member. At least one first lever is pivotally coupled to the housing. The first lever is pivotable to contact the actuation member thereby translating the actuation member and the first plate towards the second plate in order to engage the first clutch. The second lever is pivotable to contact the first plate of the second clutch and translate the first plate towards the second plate in order to engage the second clutch.

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 variable flow orifice for a hydraulic control system in a transmission includes a shape memory alloy that selectively increases and decreases the size of an orifice. The deformation of the shape memory alloy, and therefore the size of the orifice, is a function of the temperature of the transmission. During cold conditions the orifice size is increased and during normal operating conditions the size of the orifice is decreased.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for estimating the realtime position of a clutch piston during the fill cycle using noisy pressure measurements which ensures proper and desired clutch operation. Pressures on both sides of a flow controlling orifice, at the fluid control actuator and the clutch cylinder are measured and these measurements in conjunction with other system parameters such as orifice size, clutch volume and return spring characteristics are used to solve nonlinear dynamic equations (algorithms) which reside in a microprocessor. The microprocessor provides outputs corresponding to an estimate of the current position of the clutch piston, an estimate of the current speed of the piston and an estimate of the current hydraulic pressure. The method can also be utilized to detect clutch wear.

Abstract: A control system for controlling clutches of a dual clutch transmission includes an internal model based force control algorithm that converts a desired clutch force to a pressure control signal, a pressure control valve that receives the pressure control signal, a hydraulic actuator to which the pressure control valve applies a pressure related to the pressure control signal, and a clutch assembly with a spring lever and a plurality of clutch plates. The hydraulic actuator applies a desired force corresponding to the pressure control signal to a distal end of the spring lever such that the desired force to the distal end of the spring lever imparts an actual clutch force to the clutch plates.

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 piezoelectric pump for pumping a fluid at a high flow rate includes a housing and an actuator located within the housing. An electric voltage applied to the actuator causes the actuator to apply a force to a first diaphragm that is proximate to the actuator. A piston assembly is located within the housing and is moveable between at least a first position and a second position. A first fluid chamber is defined by the housing, the first diaphragm, and the piston assembly. A coupling fluid is located within the first fluid chamber for coupling the first diaphragm to the piston assembly. A second fluid chamber is defined by the housing and the piston assembly. An inlet valve is in communication with the second fluid chamber and an outlet valve is in communication with the second fluid chamber.

Abstract: A solenoid pump and associated hydraulic circuitry are intended for use in automatic transmissions capable of engine start stop (ESS) operation. In a first embodiment, a solenoid pump provides pressurized hydraulic fluid to respective inputs of two way check valves. The other inputs are provided with controlled hydraulic fluid from a transmission valve body. The outputs of the check valves are provided to those hydraulically operated torque transmitting devices associated with first gear. The solenoid pump is activated when the transmission is in gear and the engine is stopped to maintain hydraulic pressure in those actuators associated with first gear in order that a first gear vehicle launch may be quickly and smoothly achieved when the engine is restarted. A second, similar embodiment provides hydraulic fluid to actuators associated with reverse gear.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a automatic transmission includes a plurality of solenoids and valves in fluid communication with a plurality of shift actuators. The shift actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Selective activation of combinations of the solenoids allows for a pressurized fluid to activate at least one of the shift actuators. The solenoids are configured to provide a forward gear ratio and a reverse gear ratio when the solenoids are deengerized.

Abstract: An assembly for actuating a synchronizer includes a shift fork, a shift rail, and a permanent magnet connected to the shift rail. A first control coil is disposed in proximity to the permanent magnet. The first control coil is operable to produce a magnetomotive force on the permanent magnet in a first direction when a current is applied to the first control coil. A second control coil is disposed in proximity to the permanent magnet. The second control coil is operable to produce a magnetomotive force on the permanent magnet in a second direction when a current is applied to the second control coil. The permanent magnet is moved to a first position when the current is applied to the first control coil and the permanent magnet is moved to a second position when the current is applied to the second control coil. Movement of the magnet in turn moves the synchronizer between engaged positions.

Abstract: An actuator assembly includes a housing, a piston disposed within a portion of the housing. The piston has a movable range along a working-axis, and separates a first volume and a second volume within the housing. The assembly also includes a biasing feature disposed within the second volume, where the piston is configured to engage the biasing feature within a first portion of the movable range, and configured to not engage the biasing feature within a second portion of the movable range.

Abstract: A control system for a dual clutch transmission (DCT) of a vehicle comprises a difference module, a summer module, and a position control module. The difference module determines a difference between a desired position for a gear actuator and a measurement of a current position of the gear actuator. The summer module determines a sum of a derivative of the difference and a product of the difference and a predetermined gain. The position control module controls the current position of the gear actuator based on the sum. The current position of the gear actuator controls a position of a gear synchronizer that slides along an output shaft of the DCT. The position of the gear synchronizer controls coupling of a gear ratio with the output shaft.

Abstract: A synchronizer actuation assembly for actuating at least one synchronizer member includes a barrel cam, at least one shift fork, a hydraulic piston assembly, and a motion converter. The barrel cam includes at least one cam groove that circumscribes the barrel cam and defines at least a neutral position and a first engaged position. The at least one shift fork has a first end portion disposed in the at least one cam groove and a second forked end portion. The hydraulic piston assembly includes a housing and a piston disposed in the housing. The motion converter includes a translatable input member engaged with the piston of the hydraulic piston assembly, a rotatable output member rotatably coupled with the barrel cam, and a direction selection mechanism. The translatable input member is selectively rotatably coupled with the rotatable output member in a first rotational direction or a second rotational direction.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle stopped at a stop cycle of a traffic light includes broadcasting a signal indicating the time remaining in the stop cycle, and engaging a vehicle drive component, such as and engine of the vehicle and/or an auxiliary pump of the vehicle, prior to the end of the stop cycle when the time remaining in the stop cycle is less than a pre-determined time period.

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 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.