IP Library Granted Patent US 7,513,851
Granted Patent B2
US 7,513,851 · App. 11/515,518 · Granted Apr 7, 2009

Torque converter clutch slip control

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,513,851
App. No.
11/515,518
Granted
Apr 7, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method and system for regulating engagement of a torque converter clutch (TCC) in a vehicle incorporating a transmission that is driven by an engine through a torque converter includes determining a non-linear slip profile based on vehicle operating parameters, calculating an actual TCC slip, calculating a TCC ramp pressure based on the non-linear slip profile and the actual TCC slip and regulating a TCC engagement pressure based on the TCC ramp pressure.

Claims (38)

1. A method of regulating engagement of a torque converter clutch (TCC) in a vehicle incorporating a transmission that is driven by an engine through a torque converter, comprising:

determining a non-linear slip profile based on vehicle operating parameters;

calculating an actual TCC slip;

calculating a TCC ramp pressure based on said non-linear slip profile and said actual TCC slip; and

regulating a TCC engagement pressure based on said TCC ramp pressure.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining said TCC engagement pressure based on a base pressure and said TCC ramp pressure.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said TCC ramp pressure is determined based on a TCC delta ramp pressure.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said TCC ramp pressure is determined based on a slip delta correction term and a slip error correction term.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said slip delta correction term is determined based on a vehicle operating parameter, a TCC slip target and a TCC slip reference.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said TCC slip reference is a fixed value.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein said slip error correction term is determined based on a vehicle operating parameter and said actual TCC slip.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said actual TCC slip is determined as a difference between an engine speed and a turbine speed of said torque converter.

9. A method of regulating engagement of a torque converter clutch (TCC) in a vehicle incorporating a transmission that is driven by an engine through a torque converter, comprising:

initiating an electronic clutch control (ECC) on mode;

determining an engine torque and a turbine speed of said torque converter;

determining a non-linear slip profile based on said engine torque and said turbine speed;

determining an actual TCC slip;

calculating a TCC ramp pressure based on said non-linear slip profile and said actual TCC slip; and

regulating a TCC engagement pressure based on said TCC ramp pressure.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising determining said TCC engagement pressure based on a base pressure and said TCC ramp pressure.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said TCC ramp pressure is determined based on a TCC delta ramp pressure.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein said TCC ramp pressure is determined based on a slip delta correction term and a slip error correction term.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said slip delta correction term is determined based on said engine torque, a TCC slip target and a TCC slip reference.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said TCC slip reference is a fixed value.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein said slip error correction term is determined based on said engine torque and said actual TCC slip.

16. The method of claim 9 wherein said actual TCC slip is determined as a difference between an engine speed and said turbine speed.

17. A torque converter clutch (TCC) regulation system in a vehicle incorporating a transmission that is driven by an engine through a torque converter, comprising:

a first module that determines a non-linear slip profile based on vehicle operating parameters;

a second module that calculating an actual TCC slip;

a third module that calculates a TCC ramp pressure based on said non-linear slip profile and said actual TCC slip; and

a fourth module that regulates a TCC engagement pressure based on said TCC ramp pressure.

18. The TCC regulation system of claim 17 wherein said third module determines said TCC engagement pressure based on a base pressure and said TCC ramp pressure.

19. The TCC regulation system of claim 17 wherein said TCC ramp pressure is determined based on a TCC delta ramp pressure.

20. The TCC regulation system of claim 17 wherein said TCC ramp pressure is determined based on a slip delta correction term and a slip error correction term.

21. The TCC regulation system of claim 20 wherein said slip delta correction term is determined based on a vehicle operating parameter, a TCC slip target and a TCC slip reference.

22. The TCC regulation system of claim 21 wherein said TCC slip reference is a fixed value.

23. The TCC regulation system of claim 20 wherein said slip error correction term is determined based on a vehicle operating parameter and said actual TCC slip.

24. The TCC regulation system of claim 17 wherein said actual TCC slip is determined as a difference between an engine speed and a turbine speed of said torque converter.

Assignments (12)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034184/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2011
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 025781/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025327/0041 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2010
From: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025314/0901 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025245/0656 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 28, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023162/0093 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 27, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023156/0142 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 21, 2009
From: CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR BANK PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES; CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR HEDGE PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023155/0663 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 20, 2009
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023124/0563 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 16, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR BANK PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES; CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR HEDGE PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES
Reel/Frame 022553/0540 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 3, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 022195/0334 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 6, 2006
From: SIEFFERT, JEAN; CASTERAN, REGIS
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC
Reel/Frame 018485/0325 →