Luk Getriebe-systeme Gmbh

Johannes Braun

Robert Fischer

Urban Panther

Uwe Wagner

Anton Rink

Jürgen Freitag

The magnitude of torque which can be transmitted by a bypass clutch between the housing and the turbine of a torque converter between a prime mover, such as an engine, and an automatic transmission in the power train of a motor vehicle is selectively regulatable by a computerized regulating unit. The regulation involves the transmission of torque by the clutch in dependency upon the magnitude of the torque being transmitted by the output element of the engine and ascertaining as well as adaptively applying to the clutch a variable force so that the clutch can transmit a predetermined torque. This entails automatic selection of a minimum slip between a torque receiving and a torque transmitting part of the power train. Compensation, particularly long-range compensation, is carried out for the existence of possible differences between the predetermined and actual torques being transmitted by the clutch.

Method of and apparatus for transmitting torque in vehicular power trains

A fluid-operated system which can supply a pressurized fluid (e.g., oil) to one or more adjustable consumers (such as a clutch and/or a transmission) in a motor vehicle. The system employs one or more fluid pressurizing pumps and/or accumulators and an arrangement of valves in a path for pressurized fluid from the pressurizing unit(s) to the consumer(s). The valves can vary the fluid pressure in dependency upon at least one variable (such variable can be selected by a control unit in conjunction with an actor). In accordance with one presently preferred embodiment, the valves can cooperate with one or more flow restrictors to impart to the fluid in the path a first pressure within a first range of varying pressures as a first function of the at least one variable, and a second pressure within a second range of varying pressures as a different second function of the at least one variable. One of the valves can be embodied in or located outside of the mobile valving element and/or housing of another valve.

Growing community of inventors

Bühl, Germany

Johannes Braun