System, Method, And Apparatus For Operating A High Efficiency, High Output Transmission
A transmission includes an input shaft coupled to a prime mover, a countershaft, main shaft, and an output shaft, with gears between the countershaft and the main shaft. A shift actuator selectively couples the input shaft to the main shaft by rotatably coupling gears between the countershaft and the main shaft. The shift actuator is mounted on an exterior wall of a housing including the countershaft and the main shaft. A controller controls the shift actuator utilizing an actuating pulse and an opposing pulse.
1 - 20 . (canceled)
21 . A transmission, comprising:
an input shaft configured to couple to a prime mover;
a countershaft having a first plurality of gears mounted thereon;
a main shaft having a second plurality of gears mounted thereon;
an output shaft selectively providing a torque output to a driveline;
a clutch configured to selectively couple the input shaft to the main shaft by rotatably coupling at least one of the second plurality of gears to the main shaft, wherein the clutch is engaged by a shift actuator controlled by a solenoid; and
a clutch control logic including a solenoid temperature circuit that determines an operating temperature of the solenoid, a solenoid control circuit that operates the solenoid in response to the operating temperature of the solenoid, wherein the solenoid control circuit operates the solenoid by providing an electrical current to the solenoid, such that a target temperature of the solenoid is not exceeded.
22 . The transmission according to claim 21 , wherein the solenoid temperature circuit determines the operating temperature of the solenoid according to a determination of the solenoid temperature in response to an electrical current value of the solenoid and an electrical resistance value of the solenoid.
23 . The transmission according to claim 22 , wherein the electrical current value of the solenoid is a determined current value of the solenoid.
24 . The transmission according to claim 21 , wherein the solenoid temperature circuit determines the solenoid temperature in response to a steady state voltage applied to the solenoid.
25 . The transmission according to claim 21 , wherein the solenoid exhibits a resistance response to temperature according to a known characteristic of the metal in the solenoid coil, wherein a resistance-temperature curve is calibrated and stored in the controller and accessible to the solenoid temperature circuit such that the solenoid temperature circuit determines the operating temperature of the solenoid in response to an electrical current value of the solenoid and an electrical resistance value of the solenoid.
26 . The transmission according to claim 25 , wherein at least one of the electrical current value and the electrical resistance value are determined by the solenoid temperature circuit.
27 . The transmission according to claim 21 , wherein the solenoid temperature circuit determines the voltage drop across the solenoid.
28 . The transmission according to claim 21 , wherein the solenoid temperature circuit determines a current through the solenoid with a solid state current meter in a circuit to the solenoid.
29 . The transmission according to claim 21 , wherein the solenoid temperature circuit further determines the operating temperature of the solenoid in response to a thermal model of the solenoid, including a cooldown estimate of the solenoid to provide an estimated temperature of the solenoid when active voltage is not being provided to the solenoid.
30 . The transmission according to claim 21 , wherein the voltage provided to the solenoid is varied to assist in determining the operating temperature of the solenoid to provide a voltage value that is at a known temperature determination point for the solenoid.
31 . A transmission, comprising:
a first rotatable member engageable to a second member by a friction element, wherein the friction element is engaged by a shift actuator controlled by a solenoid; and
a friction element control logic including a solenoid temperature circuit that determines an operating temperature of the solenoid, a solenoid control circuit that operates the solenoid in response to the operating temperature of the solenoid, wherein the solenoid control circuit operates the solenoid by providing an electrical current to the solenoid, such that a target temperature of the solenoid is not exceeded.
32 . The transmission according to claim 31 , wherein the solenoid temperature circuit determines the operating temperature of the solenoid according to a determination of the solenoid temperature in response to an electrical current value of the solenoid and an electrical resistance value of the solenoid.
33 . The transmission according to claim 32 , wherein the electrical current value of the solenoid is a determined current value of the solenoid.
34 . The transmission according to claim 31 , wherein the solenoid temperature circuit determines the solenoid temperature in response to a steady state voltage applied to the solenoid.
35 . The transmission according to claim 31 , wherein the solenoid exhibits a resistance response to temperature according to a known characteristic of the metal in the solenoid coil, wherein a resistance-temperature curve is calibrated and stored in the controller and accessible to the solenoid temperature circuit such that the solenoid temperature circuit determines the operating temperature of the solenoid in response to an electrical current value of the solenoid and an electrical resistance value of the solenoid.
36 . The transmission according to claim 35 , wherein at least one of the electrical current value and the electrical resistance value are determined by the solenoid temperature circuit.
37 . The transmission according to claim 31 , wherein the solenoid temperature circuit determines the voltage drop across the solenoid.
38 . The transmission according to claim 31 , wherein the solenoid temperature circuit determines a current through the solenoid with a solid state current meter in a circuit to the solenoid.
39 . The transmission according to claim 31 , wherein the solenoid temperature circuit further determines the operating temperature of the solenoid in response to a thermal model of the solenoid, including a cooldown estimate of the solenoid to provide an estimated temperature of the solenoid when active voltage is not being provided to the solenoid.
40 . The transmission according to claim 31 , wherein the voltage provided to the solenoid is varied to assist in determining the operating temperature of the solenoid to provide a voltage value that is at a known temperature determination point for the solenoid.