Damper lock-out clutch and motor/generator cooling multiplexed control system and method for an electrically variable hybrid transmissions
View Patent ↗The present invention provides a multiplexed control system, employing a single solenoid valve, to selectively control the damper lock-out clutch and motor/generator cooling of an electronically variable hybrid transmission. The present invention also contemplates a method of selectively controlling damper lock-out clutch engagement and motor/generator cooling for an electrically variable hybrid transmission control.
1. A system for controlling damper lock-out clutch engagement and motor/generator cooling for an electrically variable hybrid transmission comprising:
a selectively engageable damper lock-out clutch;
a damper trim valve operable to effect engagement of said selectively engageable damper lock-out clutch;
at least one motor/generator cooling valve operable to provide a calibrated flow rate of fluid to cool at least one motor/generator;
a selectively actuatable solenoid valve operable to selectively provide control pressure to said damper trim valve and said at least one motor/generator cooling valve; and
a multiplex valve operable to selectively direct control pressure to said damper trim valve and said at least one motor/generator cooling valve.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said selectively actuatable solenoid valve is a variable bleed solenoid valve.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein said selectively actuatable solenoid valve is a pulse width modulation solenoid valve.
4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an auxiliary pressure source in fluid communication with said multiplex valve, and operable to selectively control said multiplex valve.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein said auxiliary pressure source is an electrically controlled hydraulic pump.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein said damper trim valve is in fluid communication with a line pressure source, said trim valve being operable to provided regulated line pressure to said damper lock-out clutch to effect said engagement.
7. A system for controlling damper lock-out clutch engagement and motor/generator cooling for an electrically variable hybrid transmission comprising:
a control pressure source of fluid;
a selectively engageable damper lock-out clutch;
a damper trim valve with a spring set position and a trim position, wherein said damper trim valve is operable to effect engagement of said damper lock-out clutch when said damper trim valve is in said trim position, and to disengage said damper lock-out clutch when said damper trim valve is in said spring set position;
at least one motor/generator cooling valve operable to selectively provide variable rates of fluid flow to effect cooling of at least one motor/generator; and
a multiplex valve having a first position enabling communication of said fluid to said damper trim valve but not said at least one motor/generator cooling valve, and a second position enabling communication of said fluid to said at least one motor/generator cooling valve but not said damper trim valve.
8. The system for controlling damper lock-out clutch engagement and motor/generator cooling of claim 7 , wherein said first position and second position of said multiplex valve is controlled by an auxiliary pressure source.
9. The system for controlling damper lock-out clutch engagement and motor/generator cooling of claim 8 , wherein said auxiliary pressure source is an electrically controlled hydraulic pump.
10. The system for controlling damper lock-out clutch engagement and motor/generator cooling of claim 7 , wherein the pressure of said fluid from said control pressure source is regulated by a solenoid valve.