Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
477168000 | With fluid drive | 32 |
20080207396 | OIL PRESSURE SUPPLY DEVICE - An oil pressure control circuit includes an oil pump for outputting an oil pressure from each of a first port and a second port, a lockup control valve for making a switchover between a state in which a secondary pressure is supplied to an engagement-side oil chamber of a torque converter and a state in which a secondary pressure is supplied to a release-side oil chamber of the torque converter, in accordance with an oil pressure supplied from a first solenoid valve, a garage shift control valve for maintaining a supply source of an oil pressure when an oil pressure is supplied from the first solenoid valve, and a port switchover valve for shutting off the first port of the oil pump from a line-pressure oil passage when an oil pressure is supplied from each of both the first solenoid valve and a second solenoid valve. | 08-28-2008 |
20090054206 | TORQUE CONVERTER - A torque converter having a lockup clutch or a coupling device, for selectively providing a mechanical connection between a drive unit and a drive train. The lockup clutch (C) or coupling device has a driving part connected to the drive unit and a driven part connected to the drive train. The torque converter also has a control system for applying a first pressure in a sense to cause frictional engagement between the driving part and the driven part and a second pressure in a sense to cause disengagement of the driving part and the driven part. A differential between the pressures is progressively controllable by the control system so as to control the relative positioning between the driven part and the driving part. | 02-26-2009 |
20090192016 | CLUTCH ACTUATOR AND METHOD FOR ACTUATING A CLUTCH - A clutch plate ( | 07-30-2009 |
20090298647 | HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENT FOR OPERATING A HYDRODYNAMIC TORQUE CONVERTER - A hydraulic circuit arrangement for operating a hydrodynamic torque converter ( | 12-03-2009 |
20100056335 | Automatic transmission with part-throttle shifting - A power train for a machine is provided having a power source and a transmission, which includes a plurality of gears configured to produce multiple output ratios when selectively engaged. The power train also has a torque converter operatively coupling the power source and the transmission. A lockup clutch is associated with the torque converter, and the engagement of the lockup clutch is restricted so that the lockup clutch is engaged only when permissible gear ratios are actuated. The power train further has a controller in communication with the lockup clutch, the controller being configured to selectively engage the lockup clutch in either a first or a second shift mode with the number of permissible gear ratios being greater in the first shift mode than the second shift mode. | 03-04-2010 |
20100190606 | CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION - A hydraulic control system for a dual clutch transmission includes a plurality of solenoids and valves in fluid communication with a plurality of clutch actuators and with a plurality of synchronizer actuators. The clutch actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of torque transmitting devices and the synchronizer actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of synchronizer assemblies. Selective activation of combinations of the solenoids allows for a pressurized fluid to activate at least one of the clutch actuators and synchronizer actuators in order to shift the transmission into a desired gear ratio. | 07-29-2010 |
20110098153 | VEHICLE CONTROL APPARATUS - A vehicle control apparatus that controls a vehicle having a torque converter provided on a power transmission path between an internal combustion engine and a transmission is provided. The torque converter includes a pump impeller, to which rotational power from the internal combustion engine is input to rotate, a turbine runner that receives oil from the rotating pump impeller and transmits the rotational power toward the transmission, and an impeller clutch that is configured to connect and disconnect the rotational power transmission from the internal combustion engine to the pump impeller. The vehicle control apparatus controls the internal combustion engine and the impeller clutch, such that, when a rotation number of the internal combustion engine is equal to or less than a first threshold value during control of the impeller clutch from a non-engaged state to a completely engaged state, increases the rotation number of the internal combustion engine. | 04-28-2011 |
20110098154 | VEHICLE CONTROL APPARATUS - A vehicle control apparatus that controls a vehicle having a torque converter provided on a power transmission path between an internal combustion engine and a transmission is provided. The torque converter includes a pump impeller, to which rotational power from the internal combustion engine is input to rotate, a turbine runner that receives oil from the rotating pump impeller and transmits the rotational power toward the transmission, and an impeller clutch that is configured to connect and disconnect the rotational power transmission from the internal combustion engine to the pump impeller. The vehicle control apparatus controls the internal combustion engine and the impeller clutch, such that, when a throttle opening degree is equal to or larger than a first threshold value during control of the impeller clutch from a non-engaged state to a completely engaged state, lowers an output torque of the internal combustion engine. | 04-28-2011 |
20110118082 | CONTROL MECHANISM AND METHOD FOR ENGAGEMENT OF IMPELLER CLUTCH - A method for engagement of an impeller clutch includes a process for decreasing a back pressure relative to a clutch engagement pressure by decreasing an internal pressure of a torque converter in a case where the impeller clutch is brought into an engaged state, the impeller clutch enabling a driving force of an engine to be transmitted and disconnected to and from a pump impeller of the torque converter, transmission and disconnection of the driving force between the engine and the pump impeller being controlled by the clutch engagement pressure that is applied to the impeller clutch through an independent oil passage. | 05-19-2011 |
20110160020 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING A TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH - A method for controlling torque transmitted between an internal combustion engine and a torque transmission device includes controlling actuation of a torque converter clutch device effective to maintain an engine output within a predetermined range when an input to the transmission is less than a threshold, and controlling actuation of the torque converter clutch device effective to maintain a relative speed across the torque converter substantially at a predetermined magnitude when the input to the transmission is greater than the threshold. | 06-30-2011 |
20110172056 | Transmission Torque Converter Clutch Control - A method for controlling a vehicle torque converter lockup clutch during a deceleration coasting event includes producing slip across the clutch by reducing the clutch's torque capacity, decreasing said slip by increasing said torque capacity, and maintaining slip across the clutch. | 07-14-2011 |
20110237395 | POWER TRANSFER MECHANISM CONTROL DEVICE AND POWER TRANSFER DEVICE - A power transfer mechanism control device that controls a power transfer mechanism which is mounted on a vehicle including an automatically stoppable and automatically startable motor and which transfers power from the motor to an axle side via a friction engagement element actuated by a fluid pressure from a fluid pressure actuator, wherein during neutral control performed while the motor is in operation, a neutral control amount, which is a control amount for causing the friction engagement element to stand by in a neutral state with pressure lower than a complete engagement pressure, is set on the basis of a power transfer state of the power transfer mechanism to control the fluid pressure actuator, and learned, and while the motor is automatically stopped, the fluid pressure actuator is controlled using the learned neutral control amount such that the friction engagement element stands by in the neutral state. | 09-29-2011 |
20120065023 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AMOUNT OF TIME NEEDED TO COMMENCE TRANSMITTING ENGINE TORQUE IN A VEHICLE - A method controls an amount of time required to commence transmitting torque of an internal combustion engine equipped with a stop/start feature to a transmission configured to transmit the torque of the engine to drive-wheels in a vehicle. The method includes determining whether a start of the engine is likely. The method also includes pre-filling with fluid a hydraulically-actuated clutch that is configured to connect the engine to the transmission when the start of the engine is likely. Accordingly, the amount of time required to commence transmitting torque of the engine to the transmission is reduced. A system employs the method for controlling an amount of time required to commence transmitting torque of the engine. | 03-15-2012 |
20130316874 | HYDRAULIC APPARATUS COMPRISING AN IMPROVED ASSEMBLY OF A HYDRAULIC MACHINE AND A CLUTCH - The present invention relates to a hydraulic apparatus comprising
| 11-28-2013 |
20140080671 | CONTROL DEVICE FOR LOCKUP CLUTCH - A control device for a lockup clutch is provided in which when control region determination means (M | 03-20-2014 |
20140094343 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ASSISTED DIRECT START CONTROL - Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle system including a selectively shut-down engine, a torque converter and a torque converter lock-up clutch. One example method comprises, during an idle-stop engine shut-down, restricting flow of transmission fluid out of the torque converter, and adjusting engagement of the torque converter lock-up clutch to adjust a drag torque on the engine to stop the engine. | 04-03-2014 |
20140194247 | TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH SLIP CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS BASED ON ACTIVE CYLINDER COUNT - A torque converter clutch control system of a vehicle includes a target slip module and a slip control module. The target slip module determines a target torque converter clutch slip based on an average number of activated cylinders of an engine during a predetermined period. The slip control module controls a torque converter clutch based on the target torque converter clutch slip. | 07-10-2014 |
20150065298 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A VEHICLE DRIVELINE - Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, driveline disconnect clutch operation is adjusted in response to vehicle mass so that the vehicle may operate similarly at lower and higher vehicle masses. | 03-05-2015 |
20150321550 | Method and Apparatus for the Conversion of Two Wheel Drives to Four Wheel Drives With a Self Engaging Bi-Directional Double Overrunning Clutch Assembly - A drive arrangement comprising a motor, a self engaging, double overrunning, bi-directional pump, and a wheel is usable in converting two wheel drive vehicles to four wheel drive vehicles. | 11-12-2015 |
20160091087 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING VEHICLE - An apparatus for controlling a vehicle includes a torque converter including a lockup clutch, and a lockup controller configured to controllably move the lockup clutch from a released state in an engagement direction when the vehicle has just started. The apparatus further includes a rolling-down sensor configured to sense whether or not the vehicle that has just started has rolled down, and a lockup retarder configured to retard the movement of the lockup clutch in the engagement direction if the vehicle is sensed to have rolled down. | 03-31-2016 |
477169000 | Speed responsive control | 12 |
20080234106 | ENGINE CONTROL FOR DISPLACEMENT ON DEMAND - An engine control system for controlling a displacement on demand engine having a plurality of cylinders includes a torque converter with a torque converter clutch. A control module determines a slip speed of said torque converter clutch, estimates a temperature state of said torque converter clutch based on said slip speed, and selectively activates at least one of said cylinders based on said temperature state. | 09-25-2008 |
20080254941 | Controlling the operating states of a torque converter clutch in an automatic transmission - A method for controlling a torque converter clutch in an automatic transmission of a vehicle that includes an engine, an accelerator pedal and wheels, the converter clutch alternately connecting and disconnecting the engine and transmission when the clutch is engaged and disengaged. The method includes determining that the vehicle is either ascending a grade or operating in a loaded condition, determining that the clutch is engaged, determining whether the vehicle is operating in a curve, preventing disengagement of the clutch if the vehicle is either ascending a grade or operating in a loaded condition and the vehicle is operating in a curve, and allowing disengagement of the clutch if the vehicle is neither ascending a grade nor operating in a loaded condition. | 10-16-2008 |
20090011902 | LOCKUP DEVICE AND HYDRAULIC TORQUE TRANSMISSION DEVICE PROVIDED WITH THE SAME - A lockup device | 01-08-2009 |
20090181824 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A TORQUE-CONVERTER LOCKUP CLUTCH FOR A HYDRODYNAMIC TORQUE CONVERTER AND CONTROL DEVICE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE METHOD - A method for operating a torque-converter lockup clutch ( | 07-16-2009 |
20090192017 | WHEEL SLIPPAGE DETECTION FOR DRIVETRAIN CONTROL - A method for preventing a torque converter clutch that controls the slip in a torque converter between a vehicle engine and transmission from locking up in response to wheel slip from one or more of the vehicle wheels. The method includes monitoring the vehicle speed and/or the transmission output speed, and converting the speed to an acceleration. An average of the acceleration is provided over a predetermined number of sample points. The method then determines whether the current acceleration exceeds the average acceleration by a predetermined amount. If the current acceleration does exceed the average acceleration, then the method causes the converter slip to be held at its current value so that the torque converter does not lock up. Additionally, the method prevents the transmission from changing gears. The method then monitors whether the acceleration has fallen below a predetermined value or a predetermined period of time has expired. | 07-30-2009 |
20090298648 | HYDRAULIC VEHICLE CLUTCH SYSTEM AND PREEMPTIVE CONTROL METHOD - A hydraulic vehicle clutch system and preemptive control method includes a hydraulic vehicle clutch for transferring torque from a propeller shaft to at least one rear wheel drive axle, a vehicle speed sensing device for monitoring a vehicle speed, a shift position sensing device for monitoring a shift position of a transmission shift lever, and a hydraulic pressure generating system for delivering hydraulic fluid at a desired pressure to the hydraulic vehicle clutch for selectively actuating the clutch to couple the propeller shaft and the at least one rear wheel drive axle and thereby transfer torque from the propeller shaft to the at least one rear wheel drive axle. The pressure generating system sends hydraulic fluid to the clutch with the desired pressure at a first pressure when (1) the vehicle speed sensing device indicates that the vehicle speed is at or below a threshold vehicle speed and (2) the shift position sensing device indicates that the shift position is in a nondrive position. The pressure generating system sends the hydraulic fluid to the clutch with the desired pressure at a second, higher pressure when (1) the vehicle speed sensing device indicates that the vehicle speed is at or below the threshold vehicle speed and (2) the shift position sensing device indicates that the shift position is in a drive position. | 12-03-2009 |
20100099538 | OUTBOARD MOTOR CONTROL APPARATUS - In an apparatus for controlling an outboard motor having an internal combustion engine to power a propeller and a torque converter interposed between the engine and a drive shaft and equipped with a lockup clutch, it is configured to, based on input rotation speed and output rotation speed of the torque converter, calculate a speed ratio of the torque converter and a change amount of the input rotation speed, and make the lockup clutch ON/OFF based on the calculated speed ratio and change amount. With this, it becomes possible to appropriately make the lockup clutch ON/OFF, thereby improving speed performance. | 04-22-2010 |
20110118083 | MOTOR GRADER - A motor grader includes an engine, a torque converter, a drive wheel, an engine revolution detector, and a control unit. The torque converter, including a lock-up clutch, transmits driving force from the engine. The drive wheel is rotationally driven by the driving force from the engine. The engine revolution detector detects engine revolution. When the lock-up clutch is engaged, the control unit is configured to: maintain the engaged state of the lock-up clutch when the engine revolution is greater than a predetermined lock-up release revolution lower than a low idle revolution; and switch the lock-up clutch into a disengaged state when the engine revolution is less than or equal to the predetermined lock-up release revolution. | 05-19-2011 |
20120172175 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ASSISTED DIRECT START CONTROL - Methods and systems are provided for reducing audible clunks and objectionable drive feel in vehicles including start/stop systems. In one example, a vehicle engine is shutdown during vehicle coasting. The vehicle engine is then restarted, while the vehicle is moving with a torque converter clutch disengaged. A transmission clutch pressure is then adjusted during the restart based on a torque converter output speed relative to a torque converter input speed. | 07-05-2012 |
20150072834 | Variable Channel Type Fan Clutch - A variable channel type fan clutch apparatus may include a storage chamber and an operation chamber in which oil may be collected, wherein a fan clutch rotor may be interposed between the storage chamber and the operation chamber, an oil circulatory channel which fluid-connects the storage chamber and the operation chamber to circulate the oil therethrough, and a variable value which may be located in the oil circulatory channel, wherein the variable value may be configured to close the oil circulatory channel when an engine may be stopped or when a fan clutch exceeds an operation temperature, and wherein the variable value may be configured to open the oil circulatory channel when the engine may be operated or when the fan clutch does not exceed the operation temperature. | 03-12-2015 |
20150133267 | STARTING CLUTCH CONTROL SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES - According to the present invention, a starting clutch control system is configured to stop the engine while disengaging the clutch upon satisfaction of a predetermined condition when the vehicle is running, and restart the stopping engine while engaging the clutch upon satisfaction of a predetermined restarting condition. The starting clutch control system applied to a vehicle is configured: to estimate a turbine torque of the torque converter based on engine speed, and capacity coefficient and a torque ratio of the torque converter, when the engine is required to increase a power to be restarted; to increase a torque transmitting capacity of the clutch in accordance with the estimated turbine torque; to estimate the turbine torque based on an air intake of the engine and an engine speed after a completion of an engagement of the clutch; and control the torque transmitting capacity of the clutch with the estimated turbine torque. | 05-14-2015 |
20150369361 | VEHICLE CONTROL DEVICE - Vehicle control device of vehicle including lockup clutch configured to directly couple between input/output rotating members of fluid power transmission device transmitting power of engine to automatic transmission, vehicle control device engaging lockup clutch when running state of vehicle in predetermined running state, vehicle control device providing lockup clutch pressure learning control of learning oil pressure of lockup clutch used in start-time lockup slip control in which lockup clutch placed in slip-engaged state toward engaged state at start of vehicle based on rotation speed of engine at time of engagement of lockup clutch, vehicle control device inhibiting engagement of lockup clutch when running state of vehicle in predetermined running state and also in second predetermined running state, vehicle control device engaging lockup clutch after running state of vehicle goes out of second predetermined running state, and providing lockup clutch pressure learning control in engaging process of lockup clutch. | 12-24-2015 |