A system and method for determining filling parameters of a wet clutch system used with a transmission is provided. The method comprises the steps of collecting information about the torque output of the torque converter of the transmission during a filling process associated with the wet clutch system, analyzing the signal associated with the torque output of the torque converter within a time period of the filling process associated with the wet clutch system, and identifying when the signal associated with the torque output of the torque converter changes with respect to the time period of the filling process of the piston to determine a filling parameter associated with the wet clutch system. The system and method eliminates a need for recalibrating the transmission and accommodates production variances for components and assembly of systems using wet clutch systems.

Power transmission systems including clutch arrangement and control systems are adapted to be used in numerous different operational environments. Such power transmission systems may include clutch arrangements that provide more effective power transmission capabilities as well as greater durability and longer life. Control arrangements are provided to more effectively control and monitor clutch operation in ways that provide for greater system flexibility and drive options.

The present disclosure includes: a creep control unit configured to perform a creep control including bringing one of a first clutch and a second clutch into a half-clutch state and bringing the other into a disengaged state, so as to transmit a predetermined torque from a drive source to a transmission mechanism via a clutch device; and a clutch switching control unit configured to, when a vehicle stops during the performing of the creep control, perform a clutch switching control including, on the basis of the heat-generating state of the one clutch that is maintained in the half-clutch state from the stop of the vehicle, switching the one clutch from the half-clutch state to the disengaged state and switching the other clutch from the disengaged state to the half-clutch state.

A method for determining a service life of a friction clutch of a vehicle with a clutch actuation system includes setting a maximum torque at the friction clutch of the clutch actuation system. The method also includes incrementing a service life counter when an unintended slip at the friction clutch occurs, determining that wear has occurred on the friction clutch in response to reaching a specific counter value of the service life counter, and multiplying a weighted sensitivity factor by a first absolute vale which increments the counter in response to an unintended slip occurring.

A clutch controller provides protective disengagement of a clutch between an engine and driven machinery to prevent engine failure due to rapid onset overload. Sensor signals of measured parameters are used by the controller to determine potential engine failure. Multiple, successive sensor signals and elapsed times are assessed during which the current sensor signal value and the scaled rate of change in signal values is compared against a predefined amount. The clutch controller sends a clutch disengagement signal if a calculation result is indicative of imminent failure.

A clutch mechanism includes a control member. The control member is adapted to receive motive power and includes a first dry clutch member and a first viscous clutch member. The clutch mechanism further includes an output member that includes a second dry clutch member and a second viscous clutch member. The first and second dry clutch members form a dry clutch and the first and second viscous clutch members form a viscous clutch. The clutch mechanism further includes an actuation arm coupled to at least one of the control and output members. The actuation arm is selectively controllable to effect relative movement of the control and output members such that one of the dry and viscous clutches is selectively engaged.

A slip control method and arrangement for a driveline is described herein. The driveline includes a clutch that is so controlled as to slip when a torque higher than the usable torque attempts to pass through. Accordingly, the clutch prevents the prime mover from stalling.

A rotational system can include a shaft assembly rotationally coupling a first rotor, a second rotor, and a fluid pump. A fluid circuit can include the fluid pump that can be configured to motivate a working fluid through the fluid circuit. A pressurizing valve can be disposed downstream of the fluid pump wherein the rotational system can be configured to rotationally decouple the first rotor from the second rotor by closing the pressurizing valve. The pressurizing valve can be actuated by a controller. A method can include raising a pressure differential across a fluid pump driven by a shaft assembly thereby applying an increased braking torque to the shaft assembly. The pressure differential can be raised by actuating a valve in hydraulic communication with the fluid pump. The shaft assembly can rotationally couple a first rotor with a second rotor, and increasing the braking torque can decouple the rotors.

A control device for a lock-up clutch includes a control unit, an abnormality determination unit, a release control unit and a prohibition unit. The control unit is configured to control an engagement state of a lock-up clutch, and to perform a slip lock-up control by performing a feedback control of an engagement hydraulic pressure to be a first slip amount during coasting. The abnormality determination unit is configured to determine an abnormality when a state continues with a slip amount being equal to or greater than a second slip amount. The release control unit is configured to release the lock-up clutch when the abnormality is determined. The prohibition unit is configured to allow the control unit to raise the engagement hydraulic pressure by a prescribed pressure, and to prohibit determination by the abnormality determination unit, when the transmission ratio is downshifted during coasting while the slip lock-up control is performed.

A method of, and a system for, controlling and predicting the health of a torque converter clutch control system is provided. The method includes determining, via a controller, rotational input and output speeds of the torque converter and a torque converter clutch slip. The method also includes determining, via the controller, whether a set of predetermined conditions are met for predicting the health of the torque converter clutch control system. The method includes gathering a plurality of initial features of the vehicle propulsion system, determining statistical information about the plurality of initial features, and selecting at least one feature of the vehicle propulsion system based on the statistical information. Furthermore, the method includes classifying the health of the torque converter clutch control system based on the selected feature or features. In some forms, principal component analysis is used to select the feature or features used for classification.