A system for determining a torque converter clutch is stuck in an engaged position includes a control module, an engine speed sensor, and a transmission speed sensor. The control module evaluates the torque converter clutch by determining a value of a torque converter clutch command. The torque converter clutch command indicates a position of the torque converter clutch. In response to determining that the value of the torque converter clutch command indicates the disengaged position, the control module calculates accumulated slip based on the transmission speed and the engine speed during an evaluation time. In response to determining the evaluation time is complete, the control module compares the accumulated slip with a calibrated threshold of slip. In response to the accumulated slip being less than or equal to the calibrated threshold of slip, the control module determines the torque converter clutch is stuck in the engaged position.

A transmission system includes a fluid-coupling device, an electro-hydraulic control system, and a clutch. The fluid-coupling device includes an input coupled to an impeller, an output coupled to a turbine, and a stator disposed between the impeller and the turbine. The electro-hydraulic control system includes a flow valve disposed in fluid communication with the input and the output of the fluid-coupling device that is movable between at least a first position and a second position, at least one trim valve system fluidly coupled to the flow valve, and a solenoid disposed in fluid communication with the flow valve that is electrically controllable between an energized state and a de-energized state. The clutch is disposable in fluid communication with the flow valve and controllable between an applied position and an unapplied position.

Variator (20) and forward clutch (Fwd/C) disposed in series are provided between engine (1) having starter motor (15) and driving wheel (7). Sailing stop control that, on the basis of satisfaction of sailing entering condition, interrupts power transmission by frictional engagement element (Fwd/C), stops engine (1) and performs coast-travel is performed. When sailing entering condition is satisfied, coast-travel is started with rotation stop timing of variator (20) being delayed with respect to rotation stop timing of engine (1). When accelerator pedal depression operation intervenes after start of coast-travel, engine (1) is restarted by starter motor (15). When judged that input and output rotation speeds of frictional engagement element (Fwd/C) become synchronization rotation speed after restart of engine (1), frictional engagement element (Fwd/C) is reengaged. Shift response from coast-travel to normal travel is therefore improved at change-of-mind at which sailing quitting condition is satisfied during progress of automatic stop of engine.

A control apparatus for a vehicle drive-force transmitting apparatus including a dog clutch that is operated by an actuator to selectively connect and disconnect a drive-force transmitting path. In process of switching of the dog clutch from released state to engaged state, the control apparatus determines whether a rotational speed difference of the dog clutch is equal to or larger than a given difference value when a sleeve of the dog clutch is positioned on an engaging side of a synchronizing position for placing the dog clutch into the engaged state, and stops the switching of the dog clutch to the engaged state and causes the actuator to place the dog clutch back into the released state, when determining that the rotational speed difference is equal to or larger than the given difference value with the sleeve being positioned on the engaging side of the synchronizing position.

According to one embodiment, for example, a transfer control device controls a transfer that adjusts torque distribution to front wheels and rear wheels of a four-wheel vehicle and that includes a wet type multi-disc clutch and a piston. The transfer control device includes: a detector that detects, based on an output value of a sensor provided in the vehicle, whether a predetermined condition corresponding to a state immediately before ignition of the vehicle is turned ON is established; a controller that starts moving the piston when the detector detects that the predetermined condition is established, so that the multi-disc clutch is switched to a connected state from a disconnected state; and a storage that stores therein, while the piston is moved by the controller, information on a connection start state at which connection of the multi-disc clutch is started.

A vehicle propulsion system that includes a prime mover having an output shaft, a torque converter including a compressor coupled to the output shaft of the prime mover, a turbine fluidly coupled to the compressor, and a torque converter clutch for selectively mechanically coupling the compressor to the turbine, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) coupled to the turbine of the torque converter, and a controller that is programmed to receive signals indicating operating conditions of the vehicle propulsion system, determine whether the received signals indicate a reduction in ratio in the CVT is impending, determine whether to open the torque converter clutch based upon a determination that a reduction in ratio is impending, and open the torque converter clutch in response to a determination to open the torque converter clutch.

A method of controlling an axle assembly. The method includes executing a speed synchronization mode and operating a clutch actuator to shift a clutch from a neutral position toward an engaged position. The method may also include executing a low torque synchronization mode when the clutch cannot be shifted from a neutral position to an engaged position within a first predetermined period of time.

A method of controlling a damper pulley clutch for selectively transmitting power of an engine to engine accessories, may include determining, by a controller, whether a vehicle is driven in a fuel-cut mode under deceleration of the vehicle and controlling the damper pulley clutch, by the controller, to be engaged upon determining that the vehicle is driven in the fuel-cut mode and to be disengaged upon determining that the vehicle is not driven in the fuel-cut mode.

Methods and apparatus for predicting clutch local peak temperatures in real time and controlling engagement of a friction clutch are disclosed. The clutch local peak temperature prediction can take into account machine operating parameters such as clutch control current, clutch shaft speed and clutch load to determine clutch local peak temperatures at hot spots within the friction clutch. A thermal-mechanical finite element analysis model may be developed for the friction clutch and used to generate a surrogate model of the friction clutch that can be used by an electronic control module of the machine to predict the local peak temperature of the friction clutch in real time and control engagement and disengagement of the friction clutch to maintain the local peak temperature below a critical peak temperature above which damage to the components of the friction clutch may occur.

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.