Abstract: A software calibration strategy for calibrating solenoid controlled valves and valve systems in an automatic transmission. The strategy includes identifying a characteristic equation for the valve or valve system that is a mathematical relationship between a current applied to the solenoid and the pressure at the output of the valve or valve system. The valve or valve system is coupled to a test stand that depicts the operation of the valve or valve system in the transmission. Current signals are applied to the valve or valve system, and the output pressures are measured to determine coefficients in the equation using a curve fitting function. The coefficients are then stored in a control unit.

Abstract: An automatic transmission having at least one hydraulic valve with flow force compensation. The hydraulic valve includes a valve body having a valve bore and at least one inlet and at least one outlet adapted to provide fluid communication with a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid and a return to the source of pressure. A valve member is slidingly disposed within the valve body that includes at least one valve element having an outer diameter and a metering face. The metering face is adapted to control the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid between the inlet and the outlet of the valve body. The metering face includes a flow force compensating annular void disposed adjacent to the outer diameter that is defined by a lead angle ? measured between the outer surface and a line intersecting the outer surface and tangential to the annular void.

Abstract: Calibration data transfer systems are described for use in conjunction with, for example, automotive components such as but not limited to transmission systems. The systems employ devices, such as but not limited to barcode systems such as 2D barcodes, radio frequency identification devices (RFID), digital data storage systems such as CD-ROM's, and the like, to record and/or store data thereon. The data can include information, such as but not limited to solenoid calibration curve coefficients and the like. The data contained on these devices can be accessed by a data retrieval system, such as a scanner, and transferred, for example, to a transmission control unit.

Abstract: A software calibration strategy for calibrating solenoid controlled valves and valve systems in an automatic transmission. The strategy includes identifying a characteristic equation for the valve or valve system that is a mathematical relationship between a current applied to the solenoid and the pressure at the output of the valve or valve system. The valve or valve system is coupled to a test stand that depicts the operation of the valve or valve system in the transmission. Current signals are applied to the valve or valve system, and the output pressures are measured to determine coefficients in the equation using a curve fitting function. The coefficients are then stored in a control unit.

Abstract: An automatic transmission having at least one hydraulic valve with flow force compensation. The hydraulic valve includes a valve body having a valve bore and at least one inlet and at least one outlet adapted to provide fluid communication with a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid and a return to the source of pressure. A valve member is slidingly disposed within the valve body that includes at least one valve element having an outer diameter and a metering face. The metering face is adapted to control the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid between the inlet and the outlet of the valve body. The metering face includes a flow force compensating annular void disposed adjacent to the outer diameter that is defined by a lead angle ? measured between the outer surface and a line intersecting the outer surface and tangential to the annular void.

Abstract: An automatic transmission having a pressure regulator with flow force compensation. The pressure regulator includes a valve body having a valve bore and at least one inlet and at least one outlet adapted to provide fluid communication with a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid and a return to the source of pressure. A valve member is slidingly disposed within the valve body that includes at least one valve element having an outer diameter and a metering face. The metering face is adapted to control the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid between the inlet and the outlet of the valve body. The metering face includes a flow force compensating annular void disposed adjacent to the outer diameter that is defined by a lead angle ? measured between the outer surface and a line intersecting the outer surface and tangential to the annular void.

Abstract: A dual clutch transmission for a motor vehicle having a synchronizer actuation interlock system includes two input shafts, a counter shaft, and a plurality of gear sets rotatively disposed on the shafts. The gear sets are adapted to be operatively engaged to and disengaged from their respective shafts. A plurality of synchronizers are disposed about the gear sets and the synchronizers are adapted to operatively engage and disengage the gear sets to and from their respective shafts. A plurality of hydraulically actuated shift actuators are each operatively connected to one of the plurality of synchronizers. Each shift actuator is adapted to cause its respective synchronizer to engage and disengage its respective gear sets to and from their respective shaft and further adapted to provide a hydraulic interlock that prevents an associated shift actuator on the same shaft from hydraulically actuating when the shift actuator is already engaged.

Abstract: An automatic transmission having a pressure regulator with flow force compensation. The pressure regulator includes a valve body having a valve bore and at least one inlet and at least one outlet adapted to provide fluid communication with a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid and a return to the source of pressure. A valve member is slidingly disposed within the valve body that includes at least one valve element having an outer diameter and a metering face. The metering face is adapted to control the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid between the inlet and the outlet of the valve body. The metering face includes a flow force compensating annular void disposed adjacent to the outer diameter that is defined by a lead angle ? measured between the outer surface and a line intersecting the outer surface and tangential to the annular void.

Abstract: A dual clutch transmission for a motor vehicle having a synchronizer actuation interlock system includes two input shafts, a counter shaft, and a plurality of gear sets rotatively disposed on the shafts. The gear sets are adapted to be operatively engaged to and disengaged from their respective shafts. A plurality of synchronizers are disposed about the gear sets and the synchronizers are adapted to operatively engage and disengage the gear sets to and from their respective shafts. A plurality of hydraulically actuated shift actuators are each operatively connected to one of the plurality of synchronizers. Each shift actuator is adapted to cause its respective synchronizer to engage and disengage its respective gear sets to and from their respective shaft and further adapted to provide a hydraulic interlock that prevents an associated shift actuator on the same shaft from hydraulically actuating when the shift actuator is already engaged.

Abstract: Calibration data transfer systems are described for use in conjunction with, for example, automotive components such as but not limited to transmission systems. The systems employ devices, such as but not limited to barcode systems such as 2D barcodes, radio frequency identification devices (RFID), digital data storage systems such as CD-ROM's, and the like, to record and/or store data thereon. The data can include information, such as but not limited to solenoid calibration curve coefficients and the like. The data contained on these devices can be accessed by a data retrieval system, such as a scanner, and transferred, for example, to a transmission control unit.

Abstract: A method of controlling the timing of the shift events of a dual clutch transmission that includes the steps of sensing the current output speed of the transmission, determining the time required to complete each possible shift event within the transmission, and determining an output speed modification value for each possible shift event. The method also includes the steps of determining a modified shift point output speed for each possible shift event by summing the determined output speed modification value with a predetermined shift pattern output speed, and commanding the shift when the current output speed reaches the determined modified shift point output speed.

Abstract: A partial assembly process for a vane-type cam phaser. A pulley/sprocket is loaded onto a first camshaft-shaped fixture with a cam nose extending beyond the length of an actual cam nose such that a phaser rotor containing a locking bolt, when mounted onto the cam nose, is displaced axially from the pulley/sprocket by an amount sufficient to set the axial engagement of the bolt upon final assembly. A stator is loaded onto the pulley/sprocket and is rotated clockwise until it contacts the rotor, thereby removing all rotational and radial lash from the system. One or more axial holes are bored through the pulley/sprocket and stator and a locking pin such as a roll pin is inserted to permanently pin the stator to the pulley/sprocket.

Abstract: A variable torsional damper rotatably supported for translating torque between a prime mover and the input of a transmission. The variable torsional damper includes a torque input member operatively connected for rotation with the power take off of a prime mover, an output member operatively connected for rotation with the input to a transmission and a plurality of damping members interposed between the input member and the output member. The damping members act to translate torque between the input member and the output member to dampen torsional forces generated between the prime mover and the transmission. A magneto-rheological damper assembly is disposed in parallel with the damping members and is adapted to operatively vary the hysteresis between the input member and the output member of the variable torsional damper.

Abstract: A variable torsional damper rotatably supported for translating torque between a prime mover and the input of a transmission. The variable torsional damper includes a torque input member operatively connected for rotation with the power take off of a prime mover, an output member operatively connected for rotation with the input to a transmission and a plurality of damping members interposed between the input member and the output member. The damping members act to translate torque between the input member and the output member to dampen torsional forces generated between the prime mover and the transmission. A magneto-rheological damper assembly is disposed in parallel with the damping members and is adapted to operatively vary the hysteresis between the input member and the output member of the variable torsional damper.

Abstract: A method of controlling the timing of the shift events of a dual clutch transmission that includes the steps of sensing the current output speed of the transmission, determining the time required to complete each possible shift event within the transmission, and determining an output speed modification value for each possible shift event. The method also includes the steps of determining a modified shift point output speed for each possible shift event by summing the determined output speed modification value with a predetermined shift pattern output speed, and commanding the shift when the current output speed reaches the determined modified shift point output speed.

Abstract: A hydraulic transmission pump assembly includes a pump adapted to provide fluid under pressure to predetermined components in a transmission, an electric motor operatively coupled to the pump, and a line pressure control device in electrical communication with the electric motor. The line pressure control device is operable to control the electric motor as to cause it to drive the pump when engine speeds are below a predetermined level such that the pump provides fluid at a predetermined volume and pressure to the transmission during this operating condition. A differential gear assembly is also included that is interposed between an engine and the electric motor, the differential gear assembly acting to drive both the pump and the electric motor when engine speeds are above the predetermined level such that the pump provides fluid at a predetermined volume and pressure to the transmission and the electric motor provides generated electricity.

Abstract: A synchronizer assembly for a vehicle transmission, where the synchronizer assembly is electrically actuated during a shift. The assembly includes a sleeve having an inner surface and an outer surface. A rotor is rotatably mounted to the outer surface of the sleeve and a shift collar is axially mounted to the inner surface of the sleeve. The rotor is threadably coupled to the shift collar so that when the rotor rotates, the shift collar moves in an axial direction relative to the sleeve. An armature coil is electrically coupled to the rotor to cause it to rotate. Keys are rigidly secured to the shift collar to maintain the orientation of the shift collar while it moves. The shift collar locks a shift gear to the transmission output shaft during a shift.

Abstract: A hydraulic transmission pump assembly including a pump, an electric motor operatively coupled to the pump, and a differential gear assembly interposed between the two. The differential gear assembly acts to divide engine torque between the pump and the electric motor at engine speeds above a predetermined level thereby providing fluid under pressure to the transmission and driving the electric motor to generate electricity; the electric motor also being operable to drive the pump at engine speeds below the predetermined level thereby providing fluid under pressure to the transmission during this operating condition.

Abstract: A synchronizer assembly for a vehicle transmission, where the synchronizer assembly is electrically actuated during a shift. The assembly includes a sleeve having an inner surface and an outer surface. A rotor is rotably mounted to the outer surface of the sleeve and a shift collar is axially mounted to the inner surface of the sleeve. The rotor is threadably coupled to the shift collar so that when the rotor rotates, the shift collar moves in an axial direction relative to the sleeve. An armature coil is electrically coupled to the rotor to cause it to rotate. Keys are rigidly secured to the shift collar to maintain the orientation of the shift collar while it moves. The shift collar locks a shift gear to the transmission output shaft during a shift.

Abstract: A hydraulic transmission pump assembly adapted to provide fluid under pressure to predetermined components in a transmission including a one-way clutch assembly operatively coupled to the pump and an electric motor operatively coupled to the one-way clutch. The one-way clutch is operatively connected to an engine to provide motive power the pump and the electric motor at engine speeds above a predetermined level thereby providing fluid under pressure to the transmission and driving the electric motor to generate electricity. The electric motor is operable to drive the pump at engine speeds below the predetermined level to provide fluid under pressure to the transmission during this operating condition.