Abstract: A sensing mechanism has a retainer ring which is secured in an aperture formed in a housing in which the sensor is to operate. The retainer ring has a plurality of tabs which cooperate with axial and circumferential slots on the sensor to permit removal and replacement of the sensor without the need for adjustment. On original installation of the sensing mechanism, the retainer ring is positioned in the housing aperture by radially extending tines cooperating with the aperture. A resilient member permits the mechanism to be installed to a depth deeper than the operating depth. The resilient member urges the sensor axially, as permitted by a gap between the retainer ring and the circumferential slots, to achieve the proper operating depth.

Abstract: The torque capacity of a torque converter clutch is adjusted as a function of the relative magnitudes of the torque converter slip speed and a reference slip speed without regard to the magnitude of the difference therebetween. The adjustment is made according to a predetermined time response characteristic such that steady state engine torque is passed through the converter clutch and engine torque perturbations are not. The reference slip speed is determined so that the resulting torque converter slip is maintained at a relatively low value without causing full clutch engagement.

Abstract: An electronic control for energizing an electrically operated valve of a motor vehicle starting clutch at a level which compensates for performance variations of the valve and/or clutch so that the desired clutch engagement feel may be repeatably produced. The compensated energization level is formed by the combination of a principal term determined as a function of engine speed and a corrective, or vernier, term determined as a function of engine speed deviation from a reference engine speed. The reference engine speed is obtained by determining the desired steady state engine speed for the clutch engagement and applying thereto a time response characteristic that generally resembles that of the vehicle engine.

Abstract: In a transmission mechanism having an actuator member which is movable to adjust the speed ratio of the transmission, the rate of movement of the actuator member is controlled to provide a desired overall response function. When the ratio error is less than a reference value, the actuator rate of movement is controlled as a function of speed ratio such that the overall rate of change of ratio produces stable response. When the ratio error is at or greater than the reference value, the actuator rate of movement is controlled as a function of ratio error such that the overall rate of change of ratio produces fast response consistant with driveability.

Abstract: A vehicular control system for automatically shifting a countershaft transmission wherein the power control means is controlled in accordance with a manually operated accelerator pedal and shift requirements. During non-shift modes of operation, the power control means is adjusted in accordance with the manually operated accelerator pedal. During a shifting mode of operation, the power control means is adjusted in accordance with the shift requirements of the transmission. Once a desired gear ratio is engaged in the transmission, the power control setting is returned to correspond with the accelerator pedal setting at a rate dependent upon their difference. Means are also provided for modifying the return rate if the accelerator pedal setting is abruptly adjusted during the return.

Abstract: A shift mechanism for a two-speed countershaft type transmission is operable to move the shift rail in response to a rotary input drive motor. The shift mechanism includes a control mechanism which ensures that the rotation of the drive motor will stop when the neutral position is effected during a gear interchange prior to completion of a shift so that normal gear synchronizing will occur. The control mechanism includes a rotatable plate having a slotted portion which includes stop surfaces at the neutral position. The stop surfaces are engaged during gear interchange by a pin member which must be selectively moved prior to completion of the gear interchange. Selective movement of the pin member is controlled by a solenoid mechanism.

Abstract: A variable drive ratio pulley system has longitudinally adjustable pulley halves operated by fluid pressure which acts on piston and cylinder structures operatively connected with the adjustable pulley halves. The fluid pressure in one of the piston and cylinder structures is controlled by a valve spool responsive to an actuator on which a lever member is pivotally disposed and maintained in abutment with the drive surface on the adjustable pulley half. The lever member also abuts a control rod which is linearly movable in response to command signals. Linear movement of the control rod initiates pivoting of the lever member and enforces or permits resultant linear movement of the actuator so that the spool valve is operated to change the pressure level operating on the piston thereby permitting movement of the pulley half resulting in a change of the drive ratio.

Abstract: A line pressure regulator for a vehicular, automatic shift, multi-gear ratio transmission. An electrical signal indicative of the desired pressure is developed as a function of engine throttle and vehicle speed. The signal is continually modified by a stored correction amount, and a line pressure is generated in accordance with the modified signal so that actual and desired values of an output result from which the correction amount is calculated substantially correspond.

Abstract: A hydraulic control for an automatic transmission has a plurality of shift control valves for controlling the interchange of drive ratios within the transmission. The shift control valves each have a control chamber subjected to substantially constant pressure and a shift control chamber having an area proportional to the respective control chamber which is subjected to a variable control pressure. The variable control pressure is controlled at discrete levels by a single pulse width modulator (PWM) solenoid. The respective area ratios of the shift control chambers to the controlled chambers determines the distinct shift point of each shift valve.

Abstract: An engagement control valve for a lock-up clutch operable to control the clutch engagement force in response to the angular acceleration of the clutch. The valve has one member rotatable with the clutch and another member resiliently connected with the one member. The valve members cooperate to control the fluid passage such that, on sufficiently high angular acceleration of the clutch, the passage is open to reduce the engagement force of the clutch thus preventing the transmission of torsional vibrations which are not damped by a conventional damper.

Abstract: A torque converter and lock-up clutch wherein the fluid flow to and from the torque converter is directed into the converter, at an inner location, between the stator and turbine and to the disengagement of the clutch, when the clutch is disengaged. A control valve disposed in the turbine shaft divides the inlet flow. The fluid is exhausted from the converter between the stator and impeller. When the clutch is engaged, fluid flow is directed to the converter between the stator and impeller and the disengagement chamber of the clutch is exhausted. The control valve, during this phase, prevents fluid from exhausting between the stator and turbine.