Eaton Corporation

Mark D Boardman

James Alden Beverly

Gary R Schultz

Daniel P Janecke

Stephen P Claussen

Karen L Marx

Mark A Osinski

James M Irwin

Robert M Langbo

Robert W Langbo

A method/system for controlling an automated mechanical transmission system ( ) utilized on a vehicle and having a manually operated master friction clutch operator (48). To protect from driveline damage due to dynamic clutch &ldquo;popping,&rdquo; upon sensing dynamic vehicle conditions (OS >REF ) and clutch ( ) not engaged, transmission ( ) engaged and THL>REF , a controller ( ) causes engine speed (ES) to be limited to a target value (ES ) substantially equal to input shaft speed (IS).

Vehicle synchronization algorithm for driveline protection

A method and apparatus for measuring hydraulic pressure in a solenoid valve includes coupling the solenoid valve with a voltage source and monitoring the input current rise characteristic as the solenoid valve moves between the open and closed positions. The rise characteristic indicates the amount of current needed to move the solenoid valve and changes when the solenoid changes positions. The current levels in the characteristic are taken at two different time periods and compared to determine whether the solenoid has shifted positions by the second time period. Because a greater amount of current is required to move the solenoid valve if the hydraulic pressure is high, the rise characteristic will change sooner if the pressure is low and later if the pressure is high. The hydraulic pressure can therefore be determined by comparing the two current levels and correlating them with pressure values. As a result, hydraulic pressure can be measured and monitored without requiring attachment of a separate pressure sensor on the solenoid valve.

Measurement of transmission oil pressure by monitoring solenoid current

A method/system for controlling downshifting in an automated mechanical transmission system (10) utilized on a vehicle. The anti-hunt logic after an upshift will sense conditions of high throttle demand (THL&gt;85%) and low vehicle acceleration (d/dt(OS)&lt;0) and reduce at least a portion (72) of the direction of last shift anti-hunt offset to the downshift profiles.

Adaptive anti-hunt logic for automated transmission downshift control

A method for measuring the pressure of fluid in the wet tank (32) of a central tire inflation system (10) prior to initiating a tire pressure check sequence in order to ensure an accurate tire pressure reading by waiting for a sufficient wet tank pressure. To measure wet tank pressure, the wet tank (32) is isolated from the atmosphere and from a distribution manifold (55). Pressure is measured with an existing pressure transducer (44). Once wet tank pressure is sufficient, a normal tire pressure check sequence is allowed to begin.

Measure wet tank routine comparing its pressure to that of associated

A torque converter lock-up clutch (26) control is provided which is adaptive to sensed torque demand across the torque converter (20) of a vehicular automated transmission system (12). Torque demand is, in one embodiment, sensed as a function of torque converter slip rate ((ES-IS)/(ES)), and torque converter lock-up is delayed upon sensed positive (ZNV ((ES-IS)/(ES)) torque converter slip rate.

Torque converter slip rate-based torque converter lock-up strategy

A control system/method for an automated mechanical transmission system (12) is provided for limiting driveline torque to a predetermined maximum value (max.sub.-- OS.sub.-- torq). Driveline torque is controlled by controlled fueling of the engine (16) to limit engine speed (ES) to a maximum value (ES max) which is determined as a function of input shaft speed (IS), maximum output shaft torque (max.sub.-- OS.sub.-- torq), mechanical ratio (gear-ratio) of the engaged transmission gear and torque converter (20) constants (torque.sub.-- ratio, K factor).

Driveline torque limit control strategy-using SAE J1922 type engine

A power downshift control method/system strategy (FIG. 6), based upon sensed torque converter slip (TC slip) is provided for an automated mechanical transmission system (12) including an engine (16), a mechanical transmission (14) and a torque converter (20) drivingly interposed the engine and transmission. At the beginning of a power downshift, the target gear is derived from the TC.sub.-- slip, vehicle deceleration, current gear and operator throttle demand. These four vehicle conditions are parameters of a four dimensional matrix such that increasing values of each parameter promote a greater potential for skip power downshifting.

Torque converter slip rate based skip power downshift control strategy

A vehicle central tire inflation system (10), which checks and inflates/deflates tires of an automotive tractor and trailer, is provided with a prevention control (110) for preventing inflation/deflation operation of the system (10) when the tractor is disconnected from the trailer.

Trailer detection control for vehicle central tire inflation system

A robust control method/system for smoothing upshifts in an automated mechanical transmission system (12) is provided. During the torque recovery portion of an upshift, engine deceleration (dES/dt) and the difference between current engine speed (ES) and a target engine speed (ES.sub.SYNC) and actuator response times are utilized to sequence the issuance of command output signals to the friction clutch (24) and throttle override (34) actuators.

Smooth upshift control method/system

A shift control method/system for shifting an automated compound range type transmission (14) in only the auxiliary section (96) to provide a limp-home function if system faults adversely effecting continued main section (94) shifting are detected is provided.

Range shifting only fault tolerance method/system

A fault sensing and tolerant logic (FIG. 6) is provided for a control system/method for an automated mechanical transmission system (12) including a throttle dip override device (34).

Throttle control fault detection and tolerance method/system

A control method/system for an automated mechanical transmission system 12) including a nonsynchronized transmission (14) is provided with logic rules for detecting and responding to conditions indicative of jaw clutch tooth (98 a/b, 114 a/b, 118 a/b, 120 a/b, 128 a/b butt. and/or tooth buzz.

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Portage, MI, United States of America

Mark D Boardman