A drive train has a hydrodynamic retarder including a rotating bladed rotor and bladed stator, forming a working chamber for hydrodynamic transmission of power from rotor to stator, a power input feeding drive power to the retarder, and a synchronized separating clutch connected between power input and rotor. The clutch has two clutch halves, friction elements contacting each other and mechanical blocking elements. The friction elements equalize rotational speed between clutch halves, and the blocking elements form-lockingly connect the clutch halves. The clutch has an actuator displaceable along a displacement travel, over a first distance bringing the friction elements into mutual contact, and a second distance adjoining the first distance to synchronize the friction elements and rotational speed for locking with the blocking elements. At least one displacement sensor directly or indirectly detects displacement travel by the actuator and/or position of the actuator on the displacement travel.

A method for controlling a hydrodynamic machine, including the steps of: providing a hydrodynamic machine which includes a bladed primary wheel and a bladed secondary wheel, which together form a working chamber, which can be filled with a working medium from a working medium supply contained in a working medium reservoir, to transfer drive power hydrodynamically from the bladed primary wheel to the bladed secondary wheel by forming a working medium circuit in the working chamber; applying a control pressure to the working medium supply in order to force the working medium from the working medium supply into the working chamber; detecting, at least indirectly, a pressure increase in the working medium reservoir, when the control pressure is applied to the working medium supply; and determining, as a function of the pressure increase that has been detected, a fill level of the working medium supply in the working medium reservoir.

A method for controlling a hydrodynamic machine, including the steps of: providing a hydrodynamic machine which includes a bladed primary wheel and a bladed secondary wheel, which together form a working chamber, which can be filled with a working medium from a working medium supply contained in a working medium reservoir, to transfer drive power hydrodynamically from the bladed primary wheel to the bladed secondary wheel by forming a working medium circuit in the working chamber; applying a control pressure to the working medium supply in order to force the working medium from the working medium supply into the working chamber; detecting, at least indirectly, a pressure increase in the working medium reservoir, when the control pressure is applied to the working medium supply; and determining, as a function of the pressure increase that has been detected, a fill level of the working medium supply in the working medium reservoir.

A retarder arrangement (1) is configured to brake rotation of a shaft (3) of a vehicle (5). The arrangement (1) includes a retarder rotor (7), a retarder transmission (9), a lubricant feed conduit (11) arranged to conduct lubricant to the retarder transmission (9), a coupling device (13), and an actuator element (15). The actuator element (15) is moveable between an actuated position and an unactuated position to move the coupling device (13) between an engaged state and a disengaged state. The coupling device (13) is configured, in the engaged state, to connect the retarder rotor (7) to the shaft (3) via the retarder transmission (9), and in the disengaged state, to disconnect the retarder rotor (7) from the shaft (3). The lubricant teed conduit (11) includes a valve (17) mechanically connected to the actuator element (15). The present disclosure further relates to a transmission arrangement (40), a power train (50), and a vehicle (5).

A retarder arrangement (1) is configured to brake rotation of a shaft (3) of a vehicle (5). The arrangement (1) includes a retarder rotor (7), a retarder transmission (9), a lubricant feed conduit (11) arranged to conduct lubricant to the retarder transmission (9), a coupling device (13), and an actuator element (15). The actuator element (15) is moveable between an actuated position and an unactuated position to move the coupling device (13) between an engaged state and a disengaged state. The coupling device (13) is configured, in the engaged state, to connect the retarder rotor (7) to the shaft (3) via the retarder transmission (9), and in the disengaged state, to disconnect the retarder rotor (7) from the shaft (3). The lubricant teed conduit (11) includes a valve (17) mechanically connected to the actuator element (15). The present disclosure further relates to a transmission arrangement (40), a power train (50), and a vehicle (5).

A method for controlling a separating clutch in a power train of a vehicle having a drive motor and a retarder. The clutch is arranged such that a rotor of the retarder is switched into a drive connection with the motor and/or power train via the clutch and a working chamber of the retarder can be filled with an operating medium to build up a braking power such that braking torque is exerted by the retarder onto the power train and/or motor. A control system switches the clutch into a closed or an open position. The switching of the clutch into the closed position occurs depending on an input signal to the controller, and the clutch is switched back into the open position depending on essentially no medium being present in the working chamber of the retarder and that predetermined limits of an operating and/or environmental parameter are not exceeded.

A method for controlling a separating clutch in a power train of a vehicle having a drive motor and a retarder. The clutch is arranged such that a rotor of the retarder is switched into a drive connection with the motor and/or power train via the clutch and a working chamber of the retarder can be filled with an operating medium to build up a braking power such that braking torque is exerted by the retarder onto the power train and/or motor. A control system switches the clutch into a closed or an open position. The switching of the clutch into the closed position occurs depending on an input signal to the controller, and the clutch is switched back into the open position depending on essentially no medium being present in the working chamber of the retarder and that predetermined limits of an operating and/or environmental parameter are not exceeded.

A method for controlling a motor vehicle, comprising: retrieving road gradient data relating to an expected travelling route of the motor vehicle; based on at least the retrieved road gradient data and on a motor vehicle mass, simulating a required value of a braking power related variable, which required value is needed to prevent a vehicle speed from increasing above a preset desired vehicle speed in an upcoming downhill slope; determining an available value of the braking power related variable of at least one auxiliary brake of the motor vehicle; and based on the determined available value and the simulated required value of the braking power related variable, controlling the vehicle speed and/or at least one brake actuator of the motor vehicle such that the vehicle speed does not increase above the preset desired vehicle speed in the upcoming downhill slope.

A brake system may comprise a hydraulic brake system or a hybrid brake system. The hydraulic brake system may include an inner axle disposed in an inner axle housing. The inner axle housing may include a working fluid therein. The inner axle may comprise a plurality of paddles extending radially from the inner axle. The working fluid may be pressurized and/or create friction with the plurality of paddles. The pressurized working fluid may impede a free rotation of the plurality of paddles.

A brake system may comprise a hydraulic brake system or a hybrid brake system. The hydraulic brake system may include an inner axle disposed in an inner axle housing. The inner axle housing may include a working fluid therein. The inner axle may comprise a plurality of paddles extending radially from the inner axle. The working fluid may be pressurized and/or create friction with the plurality of paddles. The pressurized working fluid may impede a free rotation of the plurality of paddles.