1717results about "Clutches" patented technology

Hydraulic fill and drain of a clutch chamber is controlled with a blocking valve and a trim valve. The blocking valve selectively provides pressurized fluid to the trim valve which in turn selectively provides the pressurized fluid to the clutch chamber. Exhausting of the clutch chamber is effected through one of two alternate paths utilizing deactivation of one of the trim and blocking valves. Back up exhausting of the clutch chamber is effected through the other of the alternative paths. Such system allows for determination of valve failures and continued operation until such failures can be rectified.

A shift control for an electrically variable transmission shifts between modes through a neutral mode wherein the output is decoupled from the transmission. Normally, shifts between modes are accomplished synchronously through a duration of fixed-ratio operation. Extreme driving conditions may invoke shifts through neutral mode. Ratio violations characterized by one mode being active in a preferred input/output ratio range for another mode are handled by a shift through neutral. Similarly, rapid acceleration and deceleration conditions likely to result in undesirable engine speeds if synchronous shifting is employed are handled by a shift through neutral.

Clutch engagement is preferably determined in accordance with monitored pressure conditions within a clutch control chamber. Clutch slip is monitored and information respecting clutch engagement inferred therefrom is stored for subsequent retrieval and use in a redundant slip based clutch engagement determination. Clutch slip is also monitored for information respecting clutch disengagement for use in a redundant slip based clutch disengagement determination.

A driveshaft assembly includes a yoke including a body portion, a pair of opposed yoke arms that extends generally in a first axial direction from the body portion, and a neck portion that extends generally in a second axial direction from the body portion. A driveshaft tube is secured to the neck portion of the yoke, such as by magnetic pulse welding. A ring is secured to the body portion of the yoke, such as by press fitting, and a balance weight is secured to the ring, such as by welding.

A control system for a hybrid vehicle controls the various operating modes of the hybrid vehicle. Operating modes of the hybrid vehicle include an electric-only power mode, a series hybrid mode, a series hybrid dual-power mode, and a parallel hybrid tri-power mode. The control system selects one of the operating modes for the hybrid vehicle based on one or more inputs and comparisons. Examples of inputs for the control system include a gear-mode, a present battery storage capacity, a present velocity of the hybrid vehicle, and the previous operating mode of the hybrid power system. The control system may also take into account whether a user has selected the electric-only power mode. The control system may also control the operations of one or more components of the hybrid vehicle while operating in one of the operating modes.

A hybrid vehicle drive control system selectively switches from an electric drive (EV) mode in which a first clutch is released and a second clutch is engaged, and a hybrid drive (HEV) mode in which both clutches are engaged. A slip control of the second clutch is executed when the first clutch is being connected to start the engine during switching from EV mode to HEV mode by controlling a torque transfer capacity of the second clutch to a required drive force, and by simultaneously increasing a motor/generator torque by an amount corresponding to a torque required to start the engine while maintaining a slipping state of the second clutch until connection of the first clutch is completed. Thus, a loss of torque is not felt by the driver and the shock is small when the engine is started during switching from EV mode to HEV mode.

A hybrid vehicle drive control system has a first clutch interposed between an engine and a motor/generator, a transmission including several gear position clutches arranged between the motor/generator and a drive wheel, and a controller. The controller selectively starts the engine using torque from the first clutch during a mode drive change from an electric drive mode to a hybrid drive mode. When an engine start command occurs during the drive mode change, the controller selects the engaged gear position clutch that has the maximum torque transfer capacity from the engaged clutches constituting a vehicle running gear occurring during an engine starting process as a second clutch to be controlled. Then the controller executes a slip control of the second clutch when the first clutch is being connected to start the engine during the mode change from the electric drive mode to the hybrid drive mode.

A control apparatus of a vehicle includes a clutch provided between a driving force source and a drive wheel; a torque transfer power controller that controls a torque transfer power of the clutch based on a predetermined condition; a behavior control apparatus that is provided separately from the clutch, that adjusts a physical quantity related to a speed of the vehicle that changes with a control of the torque transfer power of the clutch by the torque transfer power controller; and a function determiner that determines a vehicle speed control function of the behavior control apparatus, wherein the torque transfer power controller controls the torque transfer power of the clutch based on the predetermined condition and a result of determination provided by the function determiner.

A hybrid vehicle includes a battery system, an internal combustion engine, a first motor/generator, a second motor/generator, and an engageable clutch assembly. The engageable clutch assembly is disposed between the internal combustion engine and the first motor/generator. When engaged, the engageable clutch assembly couples the rotor spindle of the second motor/generator with the hollow rotor shaft of the first motor/generator. The engageable clutch assembly may also operate in a first mechanical mode that selectively engages and disengages the internal combustion engine from the second motor/generator, or operate in a second mechanical mode that dampens shock between the internal combustion engine and the first motor/generator when the international combustion engine operates at a rotational speed that is different than a rotational of the first motor/generator.

Methods of ex situ synthesis of graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, other graphene derivative structures and nanoparticles useful as polishing agents are disclosed. Compositions and methods for polishing, hardening, protecting, adding longevity to, and lubricating moving and stationary parts in devices and systems, including, but not limited to, engines, turbos, turbines, tracks, races, wheels, bearings, gear systems, armor, heat shields, and other physical and mechanical systems employing machined interacting hard surfaces through the use of nano-polishing agents formed in situ from lubricating compositions and, in some cases, ex situ and their various uses are also disclosed.

Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a transfer function of a driveline disconnect clutch is adapted.

A control system for a power transmission unit of a vehicle transmitting power outputted from a prime mover, comprising: a resonance detecting/predicting device for detecting or predicting a generation of a resonance of the power transmission unit resulting from a power transmission; a driving condition detecting device for detecting a driving condition of a vehicle in case the generation of a resonance is detected or predicted by the resonance detecting/predicting device; and a resonance dampening control selecting device for changing contents of a control for dampening the detected or predicted resonance on the basis of the driving condition of the vehicle detected by the driving condition detecting device.

A hybrid vehicle control apparatus is provided with an engine, an electric motor, a holding element, an automatic transmission, a range position detecting device and a controller. The holding element is arranged between the engine and the electric motor to selectively connect and disconnect the engine and the electric motor to and from each other. The automatic transmission is arranged between the electric motor and a drive wheel. The range position detecting device detects a range position of the automatic transmission selected by a driver. The controller executes a control operation serving to stop the engine while also executing a slip control serving to lower a torque transfer capacity of the holding element upon a determination that a request to stop the engine has occurred while the engine is operating, the holding element is engaged, and the automatic transmission is detected in a non-driving range.

The invention is based on a toothed gear transmission in which an input shaft is connected to an output shaft by a first and a second partial transmission, which are disposed parallel to each other in the power flow and which both have a frictionally engaged load shifting clutch and an intermediate shaft, in which each of the intermediate shafts can be effectively connected to the input shaft through the load shifting clutch, and with at least one first transmission constant. It is proposed that for starting, the first load shifting clutch can be placed in effective connection with the output shaft through a transmission constant and the second load shifting clutch can be placed in effective connection with the output shaft through a transmission constant, each at a gear ratio of the lowest gear speed.

A hybrid vehicle drive control system has a first clutch interposed between an engine and a motor/generator, a transmission including several gear position clutches arranged between the motor/generator and a drive wheel, and a controller. The controller selectively starts the engine using torque from the first clutch during a drive mode change from an electric drive mode to a hybrid drive mode. When an engine start command and a gear shifting operation occur during a drive mode change, the controller selects the gear position clutch that is a common engaged clutch from among the engaged gear position clutches constituting the vehicle running gears occurring from immediately before starting the engine until immediately after starting the engine as a second clutch to be controlled. Then, the controller executes a slip control of the second clutch when the first clutch is being connected to start the engine during the drive mode change.

An output shaft and an input shaft are connected with a connection member interposed therebetween, and a motor rotor is provided outside the connection member. Part of oil flowing down from an oil supply opening 11a of a motor housing MH is supplied to a first spline joint section of the input shaft and the connection member through a space and an opening of a bearing flange fixed to the motor housing MH. The oil lubricating the first spline joint section moves along an inner circumferential surface of a hole by a centrifugal force generated by rotation of the connection member, the oil moves in a radial direction along an end face on one end section side of the connection member 40 in one end section of the connection member, and the oil is supplied to a second spline joint section of the output shaft and the connection member.

A hybrid vehicle drive system including (a) an engine, (b) an electric motor, (c) a planetary gear device having a first rotary element connected to the engine, a second rotary element connected to the electric motor and connected through a first clutch to an output member connected to vehicle drive wheel, and a third rotary element connected through a second clutch to the output member, (d) a forward-motor-drive control device for engaging the first clutch and releasing the second clutch to thereby establish a forward motor drive mode in which the vehicle is driven in a forward direction by the electric motor, (e) a forward-engine-drive control device for engaging at least the second clutch to establish an engine-drive mode in which the vehicle is driven in the forward direction by the engine, and (f) a second-clutch control device operable upon switching of a vehicle drive mode from the forward motor drive mode to the forward engine drive mode, for engaging the second clutch only after the engine speed has exceeded the motor speed.

A propeller shaft assembly (10) comprising a constant velocity universal joint (12) including a hollow shaft (20) and a connecting shaft (18) is provided. The hollow shaft (20) includes an aft open area (34) and is connected to an outer joint part (23) that has outer ball tracks (32). The connecting shaft (18) is connected to an inner joint part (25) that has inner ball tracks (46). A ball cage (26) that has a plurality of balls (28) is included. A standard plunge (22) that has an aft plunge portion (54) is also included. The aft plunge portion (54) and the aft open area (34) having inner diameters that are greater then or equal to an inner diameter D.sub.1 of the outer joint part (23). A first stop (55) limits the ball movement of travel in the aft direction. The first stop (55) is forcibly dispensable such that the connecting shaft (18) may release the first stop (55) and intrude significantly within the aft open area (34) which is outside a normal operating range (24).

A spherical inner surface 5 of the outer race 1 and track grooves in the outer race 1 are each defined by a post-hardening cut surface. A spherical outer surface 6 of the inner race 2 and track grooves in the inner race 2 are also each defined by a post-hardening cut surface. A retainer 4 has a spherical outer surface 10, a spherical inner surface 11 and inner surfaces of the pockets 9, all of which are defined by a post-hardening cut surface. Respective surfaces of the retainer 4, the outer race 1 and the inner race 2 which contact with each other are formed with a surface treatment layer for reducing a frictional resistance.

A method is disclosed for estimating clutch engagement characteristics of a friction clutch system in a vehicle powertrain. A dynamic model of the system is used under conditions that cause clutch slipping. Algebraic equations defining a functional relationship between clutch torque and an engagement angle have characteristic parameters that are estimated using a non-linear least squares technique. A non-linear least squares technique iteratively minimizes the difference between a measured output clutch disk speed and an output clutch disk speed from the system dynamic model for the same inputs until a small insignificant error is reached. Parameter estimates are used to compile an estimated clutch engagement characteristic.

A hybrid vehicle control system for cutting off fuel to an internal combustion engine of hybrid vehicle while providing smooth transitions from a hybrid drive mode to an electric drive mode is provided. The hybrid vehicle control system includes an integrated controller configured to receive inputs corresponding to vehicle speed and an indicated driving force, and to select an appropriate mode transition pattern from a group of mode transition patters according to the change in indicated driving force.

A hybrid electric vehicle is capable of transmitting both of a driving force outputted from an engine and a driving force outputted from an electric motor and blocking the transmission of the driving force from the engine to a transmission unit by using a clutch. If the electric motor is in an inoperable state when a gear currently used in the transmission is shifted to a target gear, after disengaging the clutch and bringing the transmission unit into a neutral mode, the vehicle ECU implements temporary engagement control for temporarily engaging and then disengaging the clutch, selects the target gear, and then engages the clutch again.

In general, an oil pump driving control device for a hybrid vehicle is described. A hybrid vehicle includes a drive-train configured and arranged to transmit power in the order of an engine, a first clutch, a motor generator, a second clutch and a drive wheel, and an oil pump operably configured and arranged at a location between the first clutch and the second clutch such that the oil pump is mechanically driven by at least one of the engine and the motor generator. The invention provides an oil pump driving control device that supplies the necessary oil pressure for an automatic transmission with only a single mechanical oil pump. For example, even when it is not possible to maintain tightening of the second clutch, oil pressure may be supplied by rotating the oil pump using the motor generator. In this way, the oil pressure may be supplied with a single oil pump.

A method of searching for a sync start in an automated manual transmission, may include a slip preparing step of operating, in a parked position, a sleeve and a clutch restrained so as not to rotate into a slip state, an actuator operating step of moving the sleeve toward a clutch gear from a neutral position, a clutch speed determination step of determining whether or not a speed of rotation of the clutch has decreased by the actuator operating step, a stop determination step of determining whether or not a movement of the sleeve that was driven by the actuator operating step has stopped, and a first position determination step of determining a point where the clutch speed determination step determines that the speed of the rotation of the clutch has decreased and the stop determination step determines that the movement of the sleeve has stopped as the sync start.

A mode switching controlling device and method switches a hybrid drive (HEV) mode to an electric drive (EV) mode without engine stoppage shock. A fourth-to-fifth speed upshifting command is generated due to reduction in an accelerator opening. Then, an HEV-to-EV-mode switching command is generated. A command pressure of a direct clutch is set to 0, and an actual-pressure reduction disengages the direct clutch, causing an automatic transmission to be in a neutral state. When a first time elapses from generation of the switching command, a first clutch command pressure is set to its maximum value, and the first clutch disengages by an actual pressure increase. When a second time elapses, the engine is stopped by reducing engine torque to perform mode switching. A front brake command pressure is set to a precharge pressure when the second time elapses and to its maximum value at a later time when a gear-switching rotation matching controlling operation of a motor-generator is ended, so that the front brake is engaged due to an actual pressure increase for upshifting from the fourth to fifth speed.

A hybrid drive module including: a torque converter with a cover, an impeller and a turbine; a rotor for an electric motor; a hub non-rotatably connected to the rotor and the cover and including a circumferential surface and a plurality of protrusions extending radially outward from the circumferential surface; and an end plate disposed between the plurality of protrusions and the rotor and engaged with the end plate and the rotor. The plurality of protrusions is formed of a material forming the hub and restrains the end plate and the rotor, with respect to the hub, in an axial direction.

A method of controlling the torque transferred across each of the two clutches of a dual clutch transmission during a two-gear positive downshift, wherein the first of the two clutches drives an initial gear and the final gear and the second of the two clutches drives an intermediate gear. The method includes the steps of determining a clutch torque and slip profile for the changeover of the clutches and determining a target engine speed profile. The torque transfer across each clutch is simultaneously controlled so that the torque output of the transmission will be linearly changed over from the first clutch to the second clutch to cause the engine to track the target engine speed profile. When the first clutch is slipping at a greater rate than the second clutch the method changes over the gears driven by the first clutch by disengaging the synchronizer of the initial gear and engaging the synchronizer of the final gear as the engine continues to tracks the target speed. The torque transfer across each clutch is simultaneously controlled so that the torque output of the transmission will be linearly changed back from the second clutch to the first clutch in an inversely proportional rate to continue to cause the engine to track the target engine speed profile.

In torque controlling method and apparatus for a hybrid vehicle, a vehicular propelling torque transmitted to the driven wheels is controlled under a predetermined torque distribution condition, a motor is made to perform a power running by supplying a generated electric power obtained as a result of a drive of a generator by the engine to the motor, an engine torque is distributed into both of a clutch transmission torque transmitted to the driven wheels via the clutch and a generation torque transmitted to the generator; and both of a clutch rate of the clutch and the generation torque of the generator are controlled on the basis of at least a vehicular velocity.

A vehicle control system is provided. The vehicle control system is applied to a vehicle comprising an engine having a plurality of cylinders, a power transmission route between the engine and drive wheels and a clutch device adapted to selectively connect and disconnect the power transmission route, and that is configured to disconnect the power transmission route during running to allow the vehicle to coast. The vehicle control system is comprised of: a means that detects a vehicle speed; a means detecting an operation of an accelerator by a driver; a means detecting a speed of the engine; an execution means executing a coasting control when an operating amount of an accelerator is reduced to be smaller than a predetermined value during running, by bringing the clutch device into disengagement to disconnect the power transmission route while controlling the engine in a manner such that the engine speed is reduced to be lower than an idling speed that is lower than the engine speed of a case in which the coasting control is not carried out; and a deactivation means connecting the power transmission route by bringing the clutch device into engagement while stopping fuel supply to the engine and deactivating intake valves and exhaust valves of the cylinders, when the vehicle speed exceeds a reference speed or an increasing amount of the vehicle speed exceeds a reference value.

The present invention provides advanced hardware diagnostic detection for the clutch control components in a hydraulic control module of a multi-mode hybrid transmission. The detection scheme of the present invention utilizes pressure switch sensors to detect the position of each of the valves associated with the clutch control mechanization. The mechanization of these sensors with the valves provides the ability to clearly define the position of each of the valves, while also enabling the transmission electro-hydraulic control module (TEHCM) to diagnose the state of health of each pressure switch. This will allow the diagnostics to differentiate between a failed switch and a failed (e.g., “stuck” or “out of position”) valve. The present invention offers the ability to safely diagnose the clutch control components in a power transmission, while preventing unexpected and undesired shift sequencing within the transmission.