US 2008/0176705 A1 · METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROL OF A TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH

Abstract

A method and system to capture energy during regenerative braking while managing driveline disturbances by controlling locking and unlocking of a torque-converter clutch based upon operator input, typically throttle position or accelerator pedal position, vehicle speed, and engine load is offered. The exemplary vehicle has an engine, a torque converter with a clutch, and a transmission device. Vehicle kinetic energy is transmittable to an electrical machine using the transmission device and the torque converter. It includes monitoring an operator demand for power, engine operating speed, and, engine load; and, actuating the locking clutch for the torque converter based upon the operator demand for power, the engine operating speed, and, the engine load.

Claims21

Dependent claims

Method to regenerate an electrical energy storage device using kinetic energy of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine operably coupled to an electrical machine and to a torque converter operably coupled to a transmission device wherein the vehicle kinetic energy is transmittable to the electrical machine electrically connected to the electrical energy storage device, comprising:

monitoring an operator demand for power, an operating speed of the vehicle, and, an engine load;
and,
actuating a locking clutch for the torque converter based upon the operator demand for power, the vehicle operating speed, and, the engine load.

Vehicle propulsion system, comprising:

an internal combustion engine operably coupled to a torque converter operably coupled to a transmission device operably connected to a vehicle driveline;
an electrical machine, electrically coupled to an electrical energy storage device;
a bi-directional accessory drive device, operable to transmit torque between the electrical machine and the internal combustion engine;
and,
a control system, comprising a storage medium having a computer program encoded therein for effecting a method to regenerate an electrical energy storage device using kinetic energy of the vehicle wherein the vehicle kinetic energy is transmissible from the vehicle driveline to the electrical machine via the bi-directional accessory drive device, the engine, the transmission device, and the torque converter, the computer program comprising:
a) code for monitoring an operator demand for power, a vehicle operating speed, and, an engine load;
and,
b) code for actuating a locking clutch for the torque converter based upon the operator demand for power, the vehicle operating speed, and, the engine load.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for control of a transmission torque converter clutch

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for control of a transmission torque converter clutch

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21