Adaptive Control Patents (Class 701/68)
  • Patent number: 9626457
    Abstract: Method for real time computation of the state variables of a hybrid differential-algebraic process model (DAP) in succeeding time steps on a process computer with a process interface, the process computer detecting at least one process variable of a physical process and/or producing output for influencing the physical process, the hybrid DAP being solved at least by a integrator functionality, a condition evaluation functionality and identification of a condition change by a consistency detection functionality for structure decision variables, and depending on the result parts of the hybrid DAP being active or inactive. Prompt computation is possible when a condition of the hybrid DAP changes by the consistency detection functionality being carried out in a sorted consistency handling function (KHF), in the case of a condition change, first and third parts of the sorted KHF being carried out once and a second part thereof being carried out repeatedly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Art Systems Software GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Curatolo, Marcus Hoffmann, Benno Stein
  • Patent number: 9534646
    Abstract: A method of adjusting clutch characteristics of a Double Clutch Transmission (DCT) vehicle may include determining whether gear shifting has been initiated, updating a T-S curve of a release-side clutch by a transmission torque that is determined using an equation of motion of an engine and a clutch, when a condition in which a difference between an engine speed and a speed of a release-side input shaft is satisfied to be above a first predetermined reference value during a first reference period of time when the gear shifting is determined to have been initiated, and when a torque handover has not been initiated, updating the T-S curve of a connection-side clutch by the transmission torque that has been determined using the equation of motion during a period of time from completion of torque handover to completion of the shifting of gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORP.
    Inventors: Sung Hyun Cho, Hwan Hur
  • Patent number: 9476395
    Abstract: A control device for a hybrid vehicle has an engine, a starter motor that starts the engine, a driving motor that transmits a motor torque to the engine and a drive wheel, a starting motor selective control unit that starts the engine using the starter motor in response to a driving force request by a driver of the hybrid vehicle during a selected mode of operation in which the driving motor serves as the driving source, and that starts the engine using the driving motor in response to a system request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., RENAULT S.A.S.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Konishi, Kakuzou Kaneko, Susumu Kubo
  • Patent number: 9328783
    Abstract: A vehicle driving device includes: a clutch that is provided between a driving shaft of an engine and an input shaft of a manual transmission and that connects the driving shaft and the input shaft to each other or disconnects the driving shaft and the input shaft from each other; a clutch torque changing unit that changes clutch torque between the driving shaft and the input shaft; a collision possibility determination unit that determines a possibility of collision between an obstacle and a host vehicle; and a collision avoidance unit that gives an instruction to the clutch torque changing unit so as to avoid collision with the obstacle when the collision possibility determination unit determines that there is a possibility of collision with the obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Daisuke Tamaru
  • Patent number: 9249882
    Abstract: A transmission for a motor vehicle with an engine includes a transmission housing and a dual clutch assembly with a clutch housing connectable to an engine output member. The clutch housing is rotationally supported within the transmission housing. The selective engagement of the dual clutch assembly interconnects the dual clutch housing with at least one of a first input member and a second input member. The transmission also includes a plurality of gear sets associated with various forward and reverse gear ratios, a controller implemented with an algorithm that provides a lock-up profile for the dual clutch assembly, and a plurality of synchronizer assemblies that couple at least one of the gear sets with at least one of a first countershaft and a second countershaft. The selective engagement of at least one of the synchronizer assemblies establishes at least one of the forward speed ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Jesse B. Bradley, John E. Marano, Joseph B. Burtch
  • Patent number: 9242630
    Abstract: A powertrain system includes an internal combustion engine rotatably coupled to a non-combustion torque machine and a torque converter which is rotatably coupled to an input member of a transmission. A method for operating the powertrain system includes operating the torque converter in a controlled slip operating state and controlling a torque converter clutch capacity in response to a driver requested braking torque. Target torque outputs from the engine and from the torque machine are determined in response to the driver requested braking torque subjected to a time delay. A torque modifier for the torque machine is determined in response to a torque converter clutch slip error. Torque output from the engine is controlled in response to the target torque output from the engine, and torque output from the torque machine is controlled in response to the target torque output and the torque modifier from the torque machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: John S. Mitchell, Jeremy V. Horgan, Christopher E. Whitney, Scott A. Hearld
  • Patent number: 9108617
    Abstract: A method for controlling a clutch which pertains to a vehicle and which is operated by means of a vehicle control system. The vehicle is provided with an engine, and a driver of the vehicle requests propulsive force from the engine. A first propulsive force requested by the driver and transmitted via a clutch involves determining whether the clutch slips while transmitting the first propulsive force. When the clutch slips during transmission of the first propulsive force, the propulsive force transmitted by the clutch increases. The invention relates also to a system and a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: SCANIA CV AB
    Inventors: Mikael Wågberg, Mats Liwell
  • Patent number: 9080617
    Abstract: A method for controlling a friction clutch in a drive train of a motor vehicle, using a clutch actuator, on the basis of a clutch model. A nominal characteristic curve of the clutch moment, which is transmitted via the friction clutch, is adapted continuously to actual operating parameters. In order to counteract a loss of comfort of the motor vehicle, which is caused by the running-in behavior, for example, of the friction linings of the friction clutch, the friction clutch is operated by way of different sets of operating parameters during a running-in phase of the friction clutch, and after the run-in phase of the friction clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ekkehard Reibold, Georg Goeppert, Loyal George MacMillian
  • Patent number: 9037369
    Abstract: A method of controlling clutch transfer torque in a hybrid vehicle comprises estimating clutch characteristics from a relation between a control current for a clutch hydraulic valve and a clutch transfer torque corresponding to the control current for the clutch hydraulic valve. With the method, a clutch friction coefficient can be precisely estimated, thereby reducing/eliminating a shock that can occur in the event of the clutch going on or off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Hyundai Motor Japan R&D Center Inc., Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Kadota Keiji
  • Patent number: 9037370
    Abstract: A transmission includes an electro-hydraulic controller that includes redundancy in the hydraulic circuit that permits single fault failures to be compensated for by changing the flow path of hydraulic fluid to bypass the single fault failure. The redundancy results in the ability of the transmission to maintain full operation in all modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Darren J. Weber, John William Edward Fuller, Stephen Murray
  • Patent number: 9037366
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling a fail-safe for a vehicle is provided. The method includes determining, by a controller, that remaining hydraulic pressure exists in the clutch when the clutch is not opened and a target value of oil pressure for opening the clutch is maintained for a predetermined time period. In addition, whether a vehicle is stopped is confirmed in response to determining that remaining hydraulic pressure exists in the engine clutch. The controller is further configured to transmit a signal to shift to the vehicle to a neutral (N) stage to a transmission controller and shift to the vehicle to the N-stage in response to determining that the vehicle is stopped. Then, the engine is driven by the controller in response to determining that the vehicle is shifted to the N-stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Seong Wook Moon, Jong Han Oh, Seok Min Jeong
  • Patent number: 9037326
    Abstract: A method for disconnecting an electrical machine connected with the wheels of a vehicle's drive axle by means of a dog clutch having intermeshing couplers includes, upon receipt of a command to disengage, two successively activated steps. In the first step, a torque equal to a calibrated threshold of a target torque (d) is applied to the electrical machine so to effect a zero torque between the couplers. During this step, a dog clutch actuator is deactivated so to allow the dog clutch to disengage from the electrical machine as quickly as possible. Next, a torque having a value determined according to a slope whose value ranges from the calibrated threshold of the target torque (d) to zero is applied to the electrical machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventors: Eric Schaeffer, Florian Galinaud
  • Patent number: 9031752
    Abstract: A device for controlling an automatic transmission including a lock-up clutch control portion and a zero slip control portion for bringing a lock-up clutch into a zero slip state immediately before slippage occurs in accordance with a zero slip request outputted during a non-gear shift, wherein in a case where a target slip amount is equal to or smaller than a slip amount threshold value upon transition to the zero slip state, the zero slip control portion fixes the target slip amount to the slip amount threshold value and retains the fixed target slip amount for a predetermined period of time, and after the predetermined period of time has elapsed, gradually decreases the target slip amount from the slip amount threshold value to a zero slip amount with a predetermined gradient with time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Morimasa Yamawaki, Tatsuya Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9031751
    Abstract: In a control apparatus for an automatic transmission, a gear shift from a second gear shift stage to a first gear shift stage is inhibited and the gear shift from the first gear shift stage to the second gear shift stage is continued, when, during the gear shift from the first gear shift stage to the second gear shift stage, a request of the gear shift from the second gear shift stage to the first gear shift stage by means of an automatic transmission section has occurred during a time duration from a time at which a gear shift command from the first gear shift stage to the second gear shift stage is issued to a time at which an inertia phase is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignees: JATCO Ltd, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Go Endo, Kunihiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9031753
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an automatic transmission that selectively engages a plurality of frictional engaging elements for shift control includes a shift instruction device, a temperature calculator, an engageability determiner, an engagement delay device, a load calculator, a cumulative load calculator, and a threshold temperature changer. The engageability determiner is configured to determine whether at least one of the plurality of frictional engaging elements is engageable or not based on a comparison between a temperature of the at least one of the plurality of frictional engaging elements calculated by the temperature calculator and a predetermined threshold temperature in a case where the shift instruction device outputs a shift instruction. The threshold temperature changer is configured to change the predetermined threshold temperature in a case where a cumulative load calculated by the cumulative load calculator reaches a value greater than or equal to a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Satoyoshi
  • Patent number: 9026328
    Abstract: A transmission controller increases an indicated hydraulic pressure to a starting frictional engagement element to a normal hydraulic pressure, causes a hydraulic piston to stroke and executes a learning control of the indicated hydraulic pressure so that a time until the starting frictional engagement element starts generating a transmission capacity after the range is switched from the neutral range to the drive range becomes a target time when a range is switched from a neutral range to a drive range. The transmission controller further detects a driver's starting intention and increases the indicated hydraulic pressure to the starting frictional engagement element to a starting time hydraulic pressure higher than the normal hydraulic pressure and prohibits the learning control if the starting intention is detected before the starting frictional engagement element starts generating the transmission capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventor: Hiromichi Akebono
  • Patent number: 9026331
    Abstract: A system, computer-implemented method, and computer program product are provided for a monotonic coupling assembly engagement. A coupling assembly actuation force output is increased to a coupling assembly associated with a rotary power source and a piece of driven equipment. A determination is made whether a power source process variable associated with the rotary power source drops below a pause threshold. A current coupling assembly actuation force output is maintained to the coupling assembly in response to a determination that the power source process variable drops below the pause threshold. A determination is made whether the power source process variable rises above a resume threshold. The coupling assembly actuation force output is increased to the coupling assembly in response to a determination that the power source process variable rises above the resume threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: WPT Power Corporation
    Inventors: Bryan D. Schaffner, John G. Boland
  • Patent number: 9020719
    Abstract: The clutch control system includes a motor in a liquid pressure modulator for engagement/disengagement of a clutch, a clutch control unit for controlling the operation of the motor, vehicle condition detection means which detects at least that an engine is in working and which detects the running speed of the vehicle, and neutral detection means for detecting the neutral state of a transmission. As controlled states of the clutch, there are set a first control state in which the clutch is in a partially engaged state or an engaged state, and a second control state in which the clutch is disengaged. When the engine being working and the vehicle speed being in excess of a predetermined value is detected and the neutral state is detected, in the first control state, transition to the second control state is effected and the clutch is disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihiko Tomoda
  • Patent number: 9020722
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission having a plurality of clutches, including an oncoming binary clutch and an off-going clutch. The oncoming binary clutch is a binary device and the off-going clutch is a non-binary device. An internal combustion engine is operatively connected to the transmission and configured to generate an engine torque based on an input torque request. A controller is operatively connected to the transmission and has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions for executing a method for controlling a power-on downshift with the off-going clutch and the oncoming binary clutch. The controller is configured to generate a first pressure command at below a threshold pressure to at least partially pressurize the oncoming binary clutch and initiate a clutch slip for the off-going clutch. Among other steps, the controller is configured to determine if synchronization is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Nathaniel E. Wilke
  • Publication number: 20150112562
    Abstract: A method for controlling a clutch start after an engine stop coasting phase of a motor vehicle whose service brake is applied and whose braking system may be influenced by a clutch control with regard to the braking torque. In this connection, the braking torque is reduced by the value caused by the clutch start as an effective wheel torque by engaging the clutch. This has the advantage that the exact amount of braking effect is achieved, which was intended by the original application of the brake without a clutch start. Consequently, no additional braking effect results from the clutch start, which would reduce the comfort of the passengers. The passengers namely perceive a clutch start as the application of the brake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Frank BAST
  • Patent number: 9014933
    Abstract: An electric tool has a housing, a motor disposed in the housing, an output shaft, a first planetary gear transmission mechanism, having a power input member, disposed between the motor and the output shaft, and a locking mechanism, having a power output member. The locking mechanism has a locked state and an unlocked state. When torsion is transmitted from the motor to the output shaft, the locking mechanism is in the unlocked state, and the output shaft is driven by the motor to rotate to perform electric operation. When the output shaft reversely receives a force, the locking mechanism is in the locked state, and the power input member of the first planetary gear transmission member is locked to perform manual operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Chervon (HK) Limited
    Inventors: Liang Chen, Wu Chen
  • Patent number: 9008924
    Abstract: A transmission control system and method for controlling the level of creep torque supplied by a powertrain. The transmission control system having a controller configured to receive output signals from any one of a driver interface device sensor, a grade sensor, and a brake pedal sensor. Based on the output signals, the level of necessary creep torque and be determined and supplied, reducing unnecessary fuel consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Graeme A. Jackson
  • Patent number: 9008932
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a cruise control section arranged and programmed to perform control to maintain the vehicle speed at a prescribed vehicle speed while a clutch is engaged. A clutch actuator control section performs control to disengage the clutch when the value of a parameter becomes equal to or lower than a first threshold value, in the case where the cruise control section is determined to not be performing the control to maintain the vehicle speed at a prescribed vehicle speed; and performs the control to disengage the clutch when the value of the parameter becomes equal to or lower than a second threshold value, which is lower than the first threshold value, in the case where the cruise control section is determined to be performing the control to maintain the vehicle speed at a prescribed vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kengo Minami
  • Publication number: 20150100212
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling a fail-safe for a vehicle is provided. The method includes determining, by a controller, that remaining hydraulic pressure exists in the clutch when the clutch is not opened and a target value of oil pressure for opening the clutch is maintained for a predetermined time period. In addition, whether a vehicle is stopped is confirmed in response to determining that remaining hydraulic pressure exists in the engine clutch. The controller is further configured to transmit a signal to shift to the vehicle to a neutral (N) stage to a transmission controller and shift to the vehicle to the N-stage in response to determining that the vehicle is stopped. Then, the engine is driven by the controller in response to determining that the vehicle is shifted to the N-stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Seong Wook Moon, Jong Han Oh, Seok Min Jeong
  • Patent number: 9002585
    Abstract: A control system for electronically controlling engine speed and PTO clutch mechanism engagement of a grounds maintenance vehicle such as a lawn mower. In one embodiment, an electronic controller (electronic control unit or ECU) may receive operator inputs from a speed setting switch and an on/off PTO clutch engagement switch. The ECU may take these inputs and make intelligent decisions as to when to engage/disengage the clutch mechanism and may change engine speed automatically prior to, during, and/or after clutch mechanism engagement/disengagement. In one or more of these speed setting switch positions, the switch may set a speed of the engine to a first speed when the clutch mechanism is disengaged, and a second speed (different than the first speed) when the clutch mechanism is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Exmark Manufacturing Company, Incorporated
    Inventors: Trevor M. Porter, Christian S. C. Bryant, Garry W. Busboom, David M. Converse, John A. Swanson
  • Patent number: 9002607
    Abstract: In a lock-up clutch control device, base hydraulic pressure calculation device calculates base hydraulic pressure Pb for engaging a lock-up clutch based on input torque from an engine, correction factor calculation device calculates correction factor ?, which is greater than 0 but less than 1, for correcting the base hydraulic pressure Pb based on an input rotational speed Ni of a transmission and a cylinder cut-off state of the engine. Commanded hydraulic pressure calculation device calculates a commanded hydraulic pressure Pc from the base hydraulic pressure Pb and the correction factor ? by means of: current value of commanded hydraulic pressure Pc?previous value of commanded hydraulic pressure Pc+(base hydraulic pressure Pb?previous value of commanded hydraulic pressure Pc)×?, and the commanded hydraulic pressure Pc is made to converge to the base hydraulic pressure Pb by repeating this a predetermined number of times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumio Egashira, Akio Muto
  • Patent number: 9002600
    Abstract: An example method of operation comprises, selectively shutting down engine operation responsive to operating conditions and without receiving an engine shutdown request from the operator, maintaining the automatic transmission in gear during the shutdown, and during an engine restart from the shutdown condition, and with the transmission in gear, transmitting reduced torque to the transmission. For example, slippage of a forward clutch of the transmission may be used to enable the transmission to remain in gear, yet reduce torque transmitted to the vehicle wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Peter John Grutter, Roger Lyle Huffmaster, Felix Nedorezov
  • Patent number: 9002605
    Abstract: Slipping of a clutch can be minimized with a method of controlling the clutch different, depending on the current traveling status of the vehicle, when reaccelerating the vehicle with both clutches open before stopping the vehicle with a dual clutch transmission (DCT). The method can improve the sense of shifting by optimizing the inclination of an engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp.
    Inventors: Young Min Yoon, Sung Hyun Cho, Joung Chul Kim, Seung Sam Baek
  • Patent number: 9002606
    Abstract: A system and method can control the dry dual clutch transmission (dDCT) of a vehicle. The method includes modifying a recorded torque-to-position (TTP) table based on a calculated clutch torque difference between a calculated clutch torque and a commanded clutch torque. The commanded clutch torque is provided by a transmission control module and is defined as a clutch torque sufficient to move the vehicle without applying the accelerator applier after the brake applier has been released. The calculated clutch torque is a function of the actual engine torque value, the engine inertia, and the engine acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Craig J. Hawkins, Colin Hultengren
  • Publication number: 20150094922
    Abstract: In one aspect, a computer-implemented method for automatically calibrating clutches within a transmission of a work vehicle may include determining, with a computing device, whether a plurality of predetermined conditions are satisfied for performing a clutch calibration on a clutch of the transmission. The predetermined conditions may require that the work vehicle be in park and that a predetermined time period has elapsed since a previous clutch calibration was performed on the clutch. In addition, the method may include automatically initiating the clutch calibration without requiring operator input when the predetermined conditions are satisfied and performing the clutch calibration in order to calibrate the clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Peter J. Dix, Pawel Kuros
  • Publication number: 20150094923
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a procedure for controlling torque transmission rate of a clutch. The clutch is in connection with a transmission and an electric machine, configured to receive torque from the electric machine by a couple half of the clutch, and configured to produce a torque guiding connection between a combustion engine and the transmission. According to the procedure, when the clutch is in a slipping condition, a shifting demand to the transmission to shift from a neutral position to a gear is detected. After detecting such a shifting demand, either a counter is started so that when the counter reaches a first count, the torque transmission rate of the clutch is being increased, or an event detection is actuated to detect an event that directly precedes the shifting process, so that when this event is detected, the torque transmission rate of the clutch is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Christoph Ommer, Christian Soeldner, Ricardo Gonzalez-Ramos
  • Patent number: 8996265
    Abstract: A control device of a hybrid vehicle includes an engine and an electric motor, a clutch, and an automatic transmission. The motor is the only drive power source when the clutch is released. The control device is configured such that when a request for increasing drive torque while the motor is running is made, if start control of the engine and downshift control of the automatic transmission overlap, clutch engagement completion is a starting point to start a rotational change of an input rotation speed of the transmission toward a synchronous rotation speed after a shift, and a transmission torque capacity during the downshift control in the transmission until engagement completion of the clutch being set equal to or greater than an input torque of the transmission during the motor running and less than an input torque of the transmission at the time of engagement completion of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobufusa Kobayashi, Hideaki Otsubo
  • Patent number: 8989971
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and compensating for pressure transducer errors includes a valve for regulating operation of a hydraulic device, a pressure transducer for detecting a pressure output from the valve, and a microprocessor comprising logic for computing a pressure measurement error of the pressure transducer. The pressure transducer is configured to output a pressure reading representing the detected pressure. The pressure measurement error may be computed using a first pressure reading from the pressure transducer taken at an operating condition in which the actual output pressure of the valve is substantially known, together with the substantially known actual output pressure of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Mark L. Dell' Eva
  • Patent number: 8989978
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a vehicle powertrain that may be automatically stopped and started are presented. In one example, a method adjusts a position of a transmission clutch in response to battery current during engine cranking. The method may reduce clutch wear and improve vehicle launch from a stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Felix Nedorezov, Hong Jiang, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Matthew John Shelton, Roger Lyle Huffmaster
  • Publication number: 20150075941
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to durability enhancement techniques for a dry-clutch vehicle transmission. A cooling system that provides a direct convective cooling path to friction surfaces is disclosed. Also disclosed is a continuously variable clutch wear compensation assembly configured to adjust the position of clutch assembly components on-demand or as needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: STEVEN A. FRAIT, THOMAS G. LEONE, NORMAN J. BIRD, MATTHEW T. TRENT, JOHN E. BREVICK
  • Patent number: 8983745
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Vijay A. Neelakantan, Nathaniel E. Wilke
  • Patent number: 8983746
    Abstract: A method of modeling initial temperatures of a dry DCT includes reactivating a controller after a time lapse between first and second clock times representing an offline period. The last known temperatures of a first component and a second component are read and a first temperature difference therebetween is calculated. The method calculates a stop time and a start time on a predefined exponential function from the calculated temperature difference. A first conductive heat transfer between the first and second components is calculated by integrating the predefined exponential function between the stop time and the start time. Based upon the calculated first conductive heat transfer, a first conductive temperature change between the first and second components is calculated. A starting temperature of the first component is calculated from first conductive temperature change, and a control action on the dry DCT is executed based upon the calculated starting temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Xingyong Song, Kumaraswamy V. Hebbale, Farzad Samie
  • Publication number: 20150073673
    Abstract: A vehicle control system to prevent deterioration in controllability of the engagement device resulting from temporal deterioration of the engagement device. The vehicle control system is configured to switch a driving mode selectively between a first driving mode in which the engagement device is disengaged, and a second driving mode in which the engagement device is engaged. The vehicle control system comprises: an estimation means that estimates deterioration in an engagement property of the engagement device; and an engagement means that engages the engagement device after achieving synchronization between an input speed and an output speed, in case the estimation means estimates that the engagement property of the engagement device is deteriorated, and the driving mode is shifted from the first driving mode to the second driving mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kensei HATA, Yuji IWASE, Yosuke SUZUKI, Koichi KATO, Seitaro NOBUYASU, Taro MOTEKI
  • Patent number: 8977458
    Abstract: A twin clutch controlling apparatus wherein a clutch lever is operated during a deceleration operation in which an auto mode (Auto) is selected, then a shift down action from a gear position “N-2” at which a driving force can be transmitted only by one of an odd number stage side clutch CL1 and an even number stage side clutch CL2 to another position “1-2” at which the transmission gear for transmitting a driving force is switched in response to switching control of the clutch is carried out in response to the operation of the clutch lever. After the shift down action, if re-connection of the clutch is to be carried out by the clutch lever, then the clutch (CL1, CL2) on the side to be driven in response to a manual operation clutch capacity arithmetic operation value (tqc1tmt) is determined in response to a vehicle speed V.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Nedachi, Hiroyuki Kojima, Kazuyuki Fukaya, Kazuhiko Nakamura, Satoshi Honma, Yasuyuki Mori
  • Patent number: 8977456
    Abstract: A method predicts transfer torque of a dry clutch in a vehicle, in which a characteristic of transfer torque of the dry clutch caused by a stroke of a clutch actuator is accurately detected in a process of detecting a characteristic of a transmission when the vehicle is finished in an assembly line, and is applied to the control of the dry clutch using the clutch actuator, thereby previously preventing a phenomenon in which an excessive slip and an impact occur at the dry clutch and thus improving shift performance, for instance, securing durability of the dry clutch, or obtaining smooth shift feeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp.
    Inventor: Young Min Yoon
  • Patent number: 8977457
    Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes an engine, transmission, torque converter assembly, and controller. The controller includes recorded lumped inertia models of the powertrain and instructions for executing a clutch-to-clutch shift using these models. The models collectively reduce powertrain dynamics to two or three degrees of freedom. The controller executes a method to estimate clutch torques using the models. The models may include a first primary inertia block describing engine inertia and inertia of a torque converter pump, and a second primary inertia model describing the inertia of the turbine and transmission as reflected to the input member. The second primary inertia model includes bulk inertia models for each fixed gear state and each possible shift maneuver. The controller derives a required output torque value as a closed-loop target value using the lumped inertia models and a requested input torque, and uses the estimated clutch torque to achieve the target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Darrell Lee Robinette, Daniel N. Wehrwein, Jeremy V. Horgan
  • Patent number: 8972134
    Abstract: A method of searching for the touch point of a clutch includes a gear release determination step of determining whether the gear of a non-drive shaft has been released after a change of speed, a clutch operation step of, if the gear has been released, engaging a clutch connected to the non-drive shaft up to a current touch point, and a learning step of determining and learning the propriety of the current touch point depending on changes in the speed of the non-drive shaft after the clutch operation step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp.
    Inventors: Young Min Yoon, Sung Hyun Cho, Joung Chul Kim, Seung Sam Baek
  • Patent number: 8972133
    Abstract: A method for detecting the clutch condition in engine-powered vehicles. To ensure a reliable detection of the clutch condition even in extreme driving situations, the engine torque of at least one vehicle engine is increased or reduced automatically by pulses and the response of the engine to the torque pulse is evaluated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Goennenwein, Muhammad Rauf Hameed, Ruediger Poggenburg
  • Patent number: 8965538
    Abstract: A method for operating a controlled device. A feedback signal is received from a controlled device, the feedback signal indicating actual system dynamics of the controlled device. A predefined limit is applied to the actual system dynamics to create limited system dynamics. A modulation parameter is calculated by a processor based at least in part on the limited system dynamics and the actual system dynamics. Desired system dynamics for the controlled device are generated by the processor based at least in part on the modulation parameter and an external command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Ross J. Gadient, Eugene Lavretsky, David C. Hyde
  • Patent number: 8965653
    Abstract: A vehicle transmission includes a plurality of oncoming clutches that are hydraulically-actuated. A controller is operatively connected to the plurality of oncoming clutches. An algorithm stored on and executable by the controller causes the controller to determine if at least one predefined coast condition is met and identify the plurality of oncoming clutches configured to be engageable during a downshift event from an initial gear ratio to respective other gear ratios. The initial gear ratio is greater than each of the respective other gear ratios. The algorithm causes the controller to generate a first pressure command to at least partially pressurize a first one of the oncoming clutches to a first staging pressure (PS1) if the at least one predefined coast condition is met prior to the downshift event. The first staging pressure (PS1) is defined as a first return spring pressure (PR1) minus a first variable correction factor (CF1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kristopher J. Kokko, Dara Monajemi, David C. Webert, Amanda P. Igel
  • Patent number: 8965651
    Abstract: A shift control method for a vehicle having a double clutch transmission may include determining whether or not a speed change may be between transmission gears which may be allocated to a same input shaft, determining whether or not a gear of the input shaft may be released, when the gear of the input shaft may be released, engaging working parts of a clutch of the input shaft with each other in a range before synchronization of a final target transmission gear starts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp.
    Inventors: Young Min Yoon, Sung Hyun Cho
  • Patent number: 8965654
    Abstract: A vehicle control device includes an engine and a clutch configured to connect and disconnect a power transmission path between the engine and a drive wheel according to a supplied hydraulic pressure. The vehicle control device is configured to carry out neutral control that controls the hydraulic pressure supplied to the clutch to an N control study value for placing the clutch in a semi-engaged state while a vehicle stops and inertia control (free-run control, deceleration eco-run control, and N inertia control) that carries out an inertia travelling by releasing the clutch while the vehicle travels. At the time that the inertia control is executed, the vehicle control device controls the hydraulic pressure supplied to the clutch to the same value as the N control study value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Yamanaka, Yoshio Ito, Takahiro Yokokawa
  • Patent number: 8965652
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a transmission, and a controller which executes a method. The transmission includes a clutch having an actuator which applies the clutch using position-based control logic. The transmission also includes a fluid pump and a variable-force or other solenoid valve positioned downstream of the pump and upstream of the clutch. The valve outputs a flow rate (Q) for a corresponding solenoid control current (I). The controller adapts a calibrated Q vs. I characteristic table of the valve for different transmission temperatures by applying closed-loop position control signals to the actuator at the different transmission temperatures and recording a null point(s) describing the corresponding solenoid control current (I) at a zero flow rate condition. The controller calculates an offset value for solenoid control current (I) using the recorded null point(s), applies the offset value to the characteristic table, and controls the clutch using the adapted characteristic table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Steven P. Moorman, David H. Vu
  • Publication number: 20150051803
    Abstract: A method of learning a kiss point of a first clutch of a dual clutch transmission includes controlling a rotational speed of the input shaft to be within a pre-determined range. When both the first clutch and the second clutch are determined to be disengaged from the input shaft, and the rotational speed of the input shaft is within the pre-determined range, then the first clutch is moved from a disengaged position into an engaged position. An increase in a rotational speed of a first transmission shaft, which is coupled to the first clutch, is detected. When the increase in the rotational speed of the first transmission shaft is detected, a position of the first clutch is identified. The identified position of the first clutch is saved in a memory of a transmission control module as a learned first clutch kiss point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Xuefeng Tim Tao, Daniel Deras, Jayson S. Schwalm, Jeryl McIver
  • Patent number: 8958964
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing vacuum to a vehicle are described. In one example, a method adjusts an application force of a transmission clutch in response to a request for additional vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Ross Dykstra Pursifull