Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090071777 | Electro-Hydraulic Control System with Multiplexed Solenoid for Retarder Operation and Main Pressure Modulation - An electro-hydraulic control system is provided that utilizes a shift solenoid and shift valve to multiplex a single pressure control solenoid to control both modulation of a main pressure regulator valve and retarder operation (fill and pressure). | 03-19-2009 |
20090075772 | Electro-Hydraulic Control System for Transmission with Dual-Area Piston for Torque-Transmitting Mechanism - An electro-hydraulic control system is provided for a transmission with a torque-transmitting mechanism that has a dual area piston. When pressurized fluid is provided to a first of the two piston areas, the position of a spring-biased shift valve controls whether pressurized fluid communicates with the second piston area. A solenoid valve in fluid communication with the shift valve is energizable to direct pressurized fluid to the shift valve to urge the shift valve to the unstroked position to which the spring also urges. The shift valve may also be urged by pressurized fluid to the stroked position, but only when the solenoid valve is not energized. The spring maintains the shift valve in the unstroked position when pressurized fluid is directed to the shift valve to act both against and with the spring. | 03-19-2009 |
20110138898 | VARIATOR FAULT DETECTION SYSTEM - A variator fault detection system for a continuously variable transmission is incorporated into a hydraulic control circuit that controls fluid pressure applied to a variator of the continuously variable transmission. The hydraulic control circuit for the variator includes a number of electrically-controlled shift valves and pressure control valves. Sensing devices are multiplexed to these valves to detect a number of different possible fault states relating to the variator shift valves and the variator pressure control valves. | 06-16-2011 |
20110140017 | Fast Valve Actuation System for An Automatic Transmission - A fast valve actuation system for an automatic vehicle transmission includes a pair of spring-biased shift valves. Solenoids control the application of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the head of each of the shift valves. Each shift valve has at least one port that is coupled to a fluid chamber of a torque transferring mechanism of an automatic transmission. The position of each of the shift valves determines whether its ports are connected with fluid pressure. Fluid passages connect the head of each shift valve to the spring pocket of the other shift valve. | 06-16-2011 |
20110143882 | System and Method for Multiplexing Gear Engagement Control and Providing Fault Protection in a Toroidal Traction Drive Automatic Transmission - An apparatus for multiplexing gear engagement control in an automatic transmission is provided. At least two friction engagement devices are configured to selectively engage and disengage a different gear ratio of the transmission. A trim system is configured to selectively supply engagement and disengagement pressures to at least one fluid passageway. A first control valve is fluidly coupled directly to the at least one fluid passageway and directly to each of the at least two friction engagement devices. The first control valve is configured to selectively route the engagement and disengagement pressures through the first control valve directly to the at least two friction devices. | 06-16-2011 |
20110144870 | FAIL-TO-NEUTRAL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A TOROIDAL TRACTION DRIVE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - A fail-to-neutral diagnostic technique for a transmission that includes a variator may include monitoring a state of a pressure differential valve fluidly coupled to a high side pressure applied to at least one actuator coupled to at least one corresponding roller of the variator and also fluidly coupled to a low side pressure applied to the at least one actuator, determining from the state of the pressure differential valve a variator torque sign corresponding to whether torque transferred by the at least one roller is positive or negative, determining an expected variator torque sign based on current operating conditions of the transmission, and commanding the transmission to a true neutral condition if the determined variator torque sign is different from the expected variator torque sign. | 06-16-2011 |
20110144872 | VARIATOR LOCKOUT VALVE SYSTEM - A variator lockout valve system for a continuously variable transmission includes a pair of shift valves. Each shift valve has at least one port that is fluidly coupled to a variator of the continuously variable transmission. Electro-hydraulic actuators control the position of each of the shift valves. When the shift valves are in one position, pressure control valves supply fluid pressure to the variator. If one of the shift valves is in another position, one of the pressure control valves is blocked from supplying fluid pressure to the variator. | 06-16-2011 |
20110144925 | System and Method for Detecting Clutch-Related Faults in an Automatic Transmission - A fault diagnostic method for an automatic transmission may include monitoring an operating state of a trim system configured to selectively supply clutch engagement pressure and exhaust to at least one clutch control valve, determining an expected operating state of the trim system based on current operating conditions of the transmission, and generating a fault signal if the monitored operating state of the trim system is different from the expected operating state of the trim system. | 06-16-2011 |
20120199217 | DUAL PUMP REGULATOR SYSTEM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE TRANSMISSION - An apparatus and method are disclosed for controlling fluid flow in a motor vehicle transmission. At least one friction engagement device is fluidly coupled to a first pump, and a lubrication and cooling sub-system is normally fluidly coupled to a second pump. Illustratively, when a flow rate of the fluid in the first fluid passageway is less than a threshold fluid flow rate, a temperature of the fluid is greater than a temperature threshold and a fluid flow demand is greater than a fluid flow demand threshold, fluid flow from the second pump to the lubrication and cooling sub-system is blocked and fluid supplied by the second pump is instead directed to the at least one friction engagement device such that fluid is supplied by both the first and second pumps only to the at least one friction engagement device. | 08-09-2012 |
20120202642 | Variator Switching Valve Scheme For A Torroidal Traction Drive Transmision - An apparatus for controlling a variator having at least one roller between two torroidal disks may include at least one actuator responsive to fluid pressure at separate high side and low side fluid inlets thereof to control torque applied by the at least one roller to the disks. First and second variator switching valves may each receive a first fluid at a first pressure and a second fluid at a second lesser pressure. The first and second variator switching valves supply the first fluid to the high side fluid inlet and the second fluid to the low side fluid inlet during two of four different operational states together defined by the variator switching valves, and supply the second fluid to the high side fluid inlet and the first fluid to the low side fluid inlet during each of the remaining two of the four different operational states. | 08-09-2012 |
20120202643 | VARIATOR MULTIPLEX VALVE SCHEME FOR A TORROIDAL TRACTION DRIVE TRANSMISION - An apparatus and method are disclosed for controlling fluid flow to a variator which responsive to separate high and low pressure fluids to control an output torque thereof. A first trim valve may be responsive to a first control signal to supply a first fluid at a fluid outlet thereof. A second trim valve may be responsive to a second control signal to supply a second fluid at a fluid outlet thereof. A variator switching sub-system may controllably supply the high pressure fluid and the low pressure fluid to the variator. A multiplex valve may be fluidly coupled to the outlets of the first and second trim valves, and may supply the first fluid as the high pressure fluid to the variator switching sub-system during at least one predefined operating condition and may otherwise supply the second fluid as the high pressure fluid to the variator switching sub-system. | 08-09-2012 |
20130018557 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLUTCH PRESSURE CONTROL - A method, apparatus and system for controlling transmission clutch and/or variator system pressures is provided. A transmission control unit and a pressure control device including an electro-hydraulic valve and a pressure switch cooperate to provide self-calibrating clutch and/or variator pressure control systems. | 01-17-2013 |
20130218430 | FAIL-TO-NEUTRAL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TOROIDAL TRACTION DRIVE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - A fail-to-neutral diagnostic technique for a transmission that includes a variator may include monitoring a state of a pressure differential valve fluidly coupled to a high side pressure applied to at least one actuator coupled to at least one corresponding roller of the variator and also fluidly coupled to a low side pressure applied to the at least one actuator, determining from the state of the pressure differential valve a variator torque sign corresponding to whether torque transferred by the at least one roller is positive or negative, determining an expected variator torque sign based on current operating conditions of the transmission, and commanding the transmission to a true neutral condition if the determined variator torque sign is different from the expected variator torque sign. | 08-22-2013 |
20130225359 | VARIATOR FAULT DETECTION SYSTEM - A variator fault detection system for a continuously variable transmission is incorporated into a hydraulic control circuit that controls fluid pressure applied to a variator of the continuously variable transmission. The hydraulic control circuit for the variator includes a number of electrically-controlled shift valves and pressure control valves. Sensing devices are multiplexed to these valves to detect a number of different possible fault states relating to the variator shift valves and the variator pressure control valves. | 08-29-2013 |
20130338888 | VARIATOR CONTROL WITH TORQUE PROTECTION - 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. | 12-19-2013 |
20130338889 | COLD OPERATION MODE CONTROL FOR AN IVT - 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. | 12-19-2013 |
20130338891 | REDUNDANT CONTROLS FOR A MULTI-MODE TRANSMISSION - 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. | 12-19-2013 |
20130338893 | MULTI-PLEXING CLUTCH LOGIC CONTROL OF A MULTI-MODE TRANSMISSION - 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. | 12-19-2013 |
20140066249 | System and Method for Multiplexing Gear Engagement Control and Providing Fault Protection in a Toroidal Traction Drive Automatic Transmission - An apparatus for multiplexing gear engagement control in an automatic transmission is provided. At least two friction engagement devices are configured to selectively engage and disengage a different gear ratio of the transmission. A trim system is configured to selectively supply engagement and disengagement pressures to at least one fluid passageway. A first control valve is fluidly coupled directly to the at least one fluid passageway and directly to each of the at least two friction engagement devices. The first control valve is configured to selectively route the engagement and disengagement pressures through the first control valve directly to the at least two friction devices. | 03-06-2014 |
20140074367 | FAIL-TO-NEUTRAL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A TOROIDAL TRACTION DRIVE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - A fail-to-neutral diagnostic technique for a transmission that includes a variator may include monitoring a state of a pressure differential valve fluidly coupled to a high side pressure applied to at least one actuator coupled to at least one corresponding roller of the variator and also fluidly coupled to a low side pressure applied to the at least one actuator, determining from the state of the pressure differential valve a variator torque sign corresponding to whether torque transferred by the at least one roller is positive or negative, determining an expected variator torque sign based on current operating conditions of the transmission, and commanding the transmission to a true neutral condition if the determined variator torque sign is different from the expected variator torque sign. | 03-13-2014 |
20140196528 | System and Method for Detecting Clutch-Related Faults in an Automatic Transmission - A fault diagnostic method for an automatic transmission may include monitoring an operating state of a trim system configured to selectively supply clutch engagement pressure and exhaust to at least one clutch control valve, determining an expected operating state of the trim system based on current operating conditions of the transmission, and generating a fault signal if the monitored operating state of the trim system is different from the expected operating state of the trim system. | 07-17-2014 |
20140214287 | VARIATOR LOCKOUT VALVE SYSTEM - A variator lockout valve system for a continuously variable transmission includes a pair of shift valves. Each shift valve has at least one port that is fluidly coupled to a variator of the continuously variable transmission. Electro-hydraulic actuators control the position of each of the shift valves. When the shift valves are in one position, pressure control valves supply fluid pressure to the variator. If one of the shift valves is in another position, one of the pressure control valves is blocked from supplying fluid pressure to the variator. | 07-31-2014 |
20140249725 | Variator Multiplex Valve Scheme for a Torroidal Traction Drive Transmission - An apparatus and method are disclosed for controlling fluid flow to a variator which responsive to separate high and low pressure fluids to control an output torque thereof. A first trim valve may be responsive to a first control signal to supply a first fluid at a fluid outlet thereof. A second trim valve may be responsive to a second control signal to supply a second fluid at a fluid outlet thereof. A variator switching sub-system may controllably supply the high pressure fluid and the low pressure fluid to the variator. A multiplex valve may be fluidly coupled to the outlets of the first and second trim valves, and may supply the first fluid as the high pressure fluid to the variator switching sub-system during at least one predefined operating condition and may otherwise supply the second fluid as the high pressure fluid to the variator switching sub-system. | 09-04-2014 |
20140257649 | DUAL PUMP REGULATOR SYSTEM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE TRANSMISSION - An apparatus and method are disclosed for controlling fluid flow in a motor vehicle transmission. At least one friction engagement device is fluidly coupled to a first pump, and a lubrication and cooling sub-system is normally fluidly coupled to a second pump. Illustratively, when a flow rate of the fluid in the first fluid passageway is less than a threshold fluid flow rate, a temperature of the fluid is greater than a temperature threshold and a fluid flow demand is greater than a fluid flow demand threshold, fluid flow from the second pump to the lubrication and cooling sub-system is blocked and fluid supplied by the second pump is instead directed to the at least one friction engagement device such that fluid is supplied by both the first and second pumps only to the at least one friction engagement device. | 09-11-2014 |
20140309895 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLUTCH PRESSURE CONTROL - A method, apparatus and system for controlling transmission clutch and/or variator system pressures is provided. A transmission control unit and a pressure control device including an electro-hydraulic valve and a pressure switch cooperate to provide self-calibrating clutch and/or variator pressure control systems. | 10-16-2014 |
20150020633 | FAST VALVE ACTUATION SYSTEM FOR AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - A fast valve actuation system for an automatic vehicle transmission includes a pair of spring-biased shift valves. Solenoids control the application of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the head of each of the shift valves. Each shift valve has at least one port that is coupled to a fluid chamber of a torque transferring mechanism of an automatic transmission. The position of each of the shift valves determines whether its ports are connected with fluid pressure. Fluid passages connect the head of each shift valve to the spring pocket of the other shift valve. | 01-22-2015 |
20150080172 | VARIATOR CONTROL WITH TORQUE PROTECTION - 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. | 03-19-2015 |
20150247572 | MULTI-PLEXING CLUTCH LOGIC CONTROL OF A MULTI-MODE TRANSMISSION - 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. | 09-03-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20160138517 | Engine Piston - A piston for an internal combustion engine includes a piston body forming a crown portion and a skirt portion. The skirt portion includes a bore that is arranged to receive a pin for connecting the piston to a connecting rod. The crown portion forms a bowl surrounded by a flat crown surface having an annular shape. The bowl and flat crown surface meet along a circular edge surrounding a rim of the bowl. The piston further includes an annular protrusion disposed within the bowl adjacent the rim. The annular protrusion has a generally convex shape in cross section that is created by an upper, inwardly extending surface and a lower, inwardly extending surface, which meet along a convex apex. | 05-19-2016 |
20160138518 | Engine Piston - A piston for an internal combustion engine includes a piston body forming a crown portion and a skirt portion, the skirt portion including a bore that is arranged to receive a pin for connecting the piston to a connecting rod, the crown portion forming a bowl surrounded by a flat crown surface having an annular shape and disposed along a plane, the bowl and the flat crown surface meeting along a circular edge surrounding a rim of the bowl, and an airfoil surface formed in the flat crown surface, the airfoil surface having a convex shape and extending annularly around the rim of the bowl. | 05-19-2016 |
20160138519 | Engine Piston - A piston for an internal combustion engine includes a piston body forming a crown portion and a skirt portion. The skirt portion includes a bore that is arranged to receive a pin for connecting the piston to a connecting rod. The crown portion forms a bowl surrounded by a flat crown surface having an annular shape. The bowl and the flat crown surface meet along a circular edge surrounding a rim of the bowl. The piston further includes an annular protrusion disposed within the bowl adjacent the rim. The annular protrusion has a generally convex shape in cross section created by an upper, inwardly extending surface and a lower, inwardly extending surface that meet along a convex apex. The piston further includes a recirculation surface formed within the bowl adjacent the annular protrusion. The recirculation surface meets the lower, inwardly extending surface along an inflection edge. | 05-19-2016 |
20160138520 | Engine Piston - A piston for an internal combustion engine includes a piston body forming a crown portion and a skirt portion. The skirt portion includes a bore that receives a pin for connecting the piston to a connecting rod, and the crown portion forms a bowl surrounded by a flat crown surface having an annular shape and disposed along a plane. The bowl and the flat crown surface meet along a circular edge surrounding a rim of the bowl. The piston further includes an annular protrusion disposed within the bowl adjacent the rim. The annular protrusion has a generally convex shape in cross section created by an upper, inwardly extending surface and a lower, inwardly extending surface that meet along a convex apex. The piston further includes an airfoil surface formed in the flat crown surface. The airfoil surface has a convex shape and extends annularly around the rim of the bowl. | 05-19-2016 |