Closed-loop feedback control and reduction of the torque converter clutch slip for enhanced drivability for heavy tip-in maneuvers

1. Method for responding to a rapid change in engine torque in a powertrain comprising an engine, a transmission, a torque converter located between the engine and the transmission, and a torque converter clutch, the torque converter clutch being responsive to a torque converter clutch pressure command including a slip-based feedback control controlling a torque converter slip, the method comprising: monitoring a change in engine torque; monitoring engine speed; determining a rapid change in engine torque when the change in engine torque exceeds a threshold change in engine torque; subsequent to determining the rapid change in engine torque: providing an increase in the torque converter slip by reducing the torque converter clutch pressure command by a selected value and thereafter deactivating the feedback control for a predetermined duration; determining a local maximum engine speed based upon the monitoring the engine speed; and controlling the engine speed to the local maximum engine speed until the feedback control is reactivated; subsequent to the predetermined duration, reactivating the feedback control to decrease the torque converter slip toward a desired torque converter slip value; and reducing the engine speed to decrease the torque converter slip toward the desired torque converter slip value subsequent to feedback control being reactivated; wherein engine speed is reduced according to a desired slope.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein monitoring the change in engine torque comprises monitoring at least one of throttle position, engine torque, air mass flow, and fuel flow.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selected value is set based upon a desired increase in engine speed.

4. Method for responding to a rapid change in engine torque in a powertrain comprising an engine, a transmission, a torque converter located between the engine and the transmission, and a torque converter clutch, the torque converter clutch being responsive to a torque converter clutch pressure command including a slip-based feedback control controlling a torque converter slip, the method comprising: monitoring a change in engine torque; monitoring engine speed; determining a rapid change in engine torque when the change in engine torque exceeds a threshold change in engine torque; subsequent to determining the rapid change in engine torque: providing an increase in the torque converter slip by reducing the torque converter clutch pressure command by a selected value and thereafter deactivating the feedback control for a predetermined duration; determining a local maximum engine speed based upon the monitoring the engine speed; and controlling the engine speed to the local maximum engine speed until the feedback control is reactivated; subsequent to the predetermined duration, reactivating the feedback control to decrease the torque converter slip toward a desired torque converter slip value; and reducing the engine speed to decrease the torque converter slip toward the desired torque converter slip value subsequent to feedback control being reactivated; wherein engine speed is reduced according to a time constraint.

5. Method for responding to a rapid change in engine torque in a powertrain comprising an engine, a transmission, a torque converter located between the engine and the transmission, and a torque converter clutch, the torque converter clutch being responsive to a torque converter clutch pressure command including a slip-based feedback control controlling a torque converter slip, the method comprising: monitoring a change in engine torque; monitoring engine speed; determining a rapid change in engine torque when the change in engine torque exceeds a threshold change in engine torque; subsequent to determining the rapid change in engine torque: providing an increase in the torque converter slip by reducing the torque converter clutch pressure command by a selected value and thereafter deactivating the feedback control for a predetermined duration; determining a local maximum engine speed based upon the monitoring the engine speed; and controlling the engine speed to the local maximum engine speed until the feedback control is reactivated; subsequent to the predetermined duration, reactivating the feedback control to decrease the torque converter slip toward a desired torque converter slip value; and reducing the engine speed to decrease the torque converter slip toward the desired torque converter slip value subsequent to feedback control being reactivated; wherein engine speed is reduced according to a profile comprising one of a linear reduction, an exponential decay reduction, a quadratic reduction, a spline-defined reduction, and a filter-based reduction.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the profile is based upon at least one of the rapid change in engine torque, a current transmission gear, and a monitored temperature of the torque converter clutch.

7. Method for responding to a rapid change in engine torque in a powertrain comprising an engine, a transmission, a torque converter located between the engine and the transmission, and a torque converter clutch, the torque converter clutch being responsive to a torque converter clutch pressure command including a slip-based feedback control controlling a torque converter slip, the method comprising: monitoring a change in engine torque; monitoring engine speed; determining a rapid change in engine torque when the change in engine torque exceeds a threshold change in engine torque; subsequent to determining the rapid change in engine torque: providing an increase in the torque converter slip by reducing the torque converter clutch pressure command by a selected value and thereafter deactivating the feedback control for a predetermined duration; determining a local maximum engine speed based upon the monitoring the engine speed; and controlling the engine speed to the local maximum engine speed until the feedback control is reactivated; subsequent to the predetermined duration, reactivating the feedback control to decrease the torque converter slip toward a desired torque converter slip value; and reducing the engine speed to decrease the torque converter slip toward the desired torque converter slip value subsequent to feedback control being reactivated; wherein reducing the engine speed to decrease the torque converter slip toward the desired torque converter slip value comprises a temporary reduction in engine speed.

8. Method for responding to a rapid change in engine torque in a powertrain comprising an engine, a transmission, a torque converter located between the engine and the transmission, and a torque converter clutch, the torque converter clutch being responsive to a torque converter clutch pressure command including a slip-based feedback control controlling a torque converter slip, the method comprising: monitoring a change in engine torque; determining a rapid change in engine torque when the change in engine torque exceeds a threshold change in engine torque; subsequent to determining a rapid change in engine torque, providing an increase in the torque converter slip by reducing the torque converter clutch pressure command by a selected value and thereafter deactivating the feedback control for a predetermined duration; and subsequent to the predetermined duration, reactivating the feedback control to decrease the torque converter slip toward a desired torque converter slip value, wherein reactivating the feedback control to decrease the torque converter slip toward the desired torque converter slip value comprises: determining a torque converter slip profile based upon a current torque converter slip, the desired torque converter slip, and a time constraint; and modulating the torque converter clutch pressure command based upon the torque converter slip profile; wherein the torque converter slip profile comprises one of a linear reduction, an exponential decay reduction, a quadratic reduction, a spline-defined reduction, and a filter-based reduction.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the torque converter slip profile is based upon at least one of the rapid change in engine torque, a current transmission gear, and a monitored temperature of the torque converter clutch.

10. Method for responding to a rapid change in engine torque in a powertrain comprising an engine, a transmission, a torque converter located between the engine and the transmission, and a torque converter clutch, the torque converter clutch being responsive to a torque converter clutch pressure command including a slip-based feedback control controlling a torque converter slip, the method comprising: monitoring a change in engine torque; determining a rapid change in engine torque when the change in engine torque exceeds a threshold change in engine torque; subsequent to determining a rapid change in engine torque, providing an increase in the torque converter slip by reducing the torque converter clutch pressure command by a selected value and thereafter deactivating the feedback control for a predetermined duration; and subsequent to the predetermined duration, reactivating the feedback control to decrease the torque converter slip toward a desired torque converter slip value, wherein reactivating the feedback control to decrease the torque converter slip toward the desired torque converter slip value comprises: determining a torque converter slip profile based upon a current torque converter slip, the desired torque converter slip, and a time constraint; and modulating the torque converter clutch pressure command based upon the torque converter slip profile; wherein the torque converter slip profile comprises one of a linear reduction, an exponential decay reduction, a quadratic reduction, a spline-defined reduction, and a filter-based reduction.

11. Method for responding to a rapid change in engine torque in a powertrain comprising: an engine, a transmission, a torque converter located between the engine and the transmission, and a torque converter clutch, the torque converter clutch being responsive to a torque converter clutch pressure command including a slip-based feedback control controlling a torque converter slip, the method comprising: monitoring a change in engine torque; monitoring temperature of the torque converter clutch; determining a rapid change in engine torque when the change in engine torque exceeds a threshold change in engine torque; subsequent to determining a rapid change in engine torque, providing an increase in the torque converter slip by reducing the torque converter clutch pressure command by a selected value and thereafter deactivating the feedback control for a predetermined duration; and subsequent to the predetermined duration, reactivating the feedback control to decrease the torque converter slip toward a desired torque converter slip value; comparing the monitored temperature a limit temperature; and deactivating the feedback control based upon the comparing; wherein deactivating the feedback control comprises releasing the torque converter clutch.

12. Method for responding to a rapid change in engine torque in a powertrain comprising: an engine, a transmission, a torque converter located between the engine and the transmission, and a torque converter clutch, the torque converter clutch being responsive to a torque converter clutch pressure command including a slip-based feedback control controlling a torque converter slip, the method comprising: monitoring a change in engine torque; monitoring temperature of the torque converter clutch; determining a rapid change in engine torque when the change in engine torque exceeds a threshold change in engine torque; subsequent to determining a rapid change in engine torque, providing an increase in the torque converter slip by reducing the torque converter clutch pressure command by a selected value and thereafter deactivating the feedback control for a predetermined duration; subsequent to the predetermined duration, reactivating the feedback control to decrease the torque converter slip toward a desired torque converter slip value; comparing the monitored temperature a limit temperature; and deactivating the feedback control based upon the comparing; wherein deactivating the feedback control comprises locking the torque converter clutch.