System and Method for Controlling Lockup Clutch Engagement in a Torque Converter

A system for controlling engagement of a lockup clutch in a torque converter, comprising:

• a torque converter turbine,
• a torque converter pump engaged with an output shaft of an internal combustion engine and fluidly coupled to the turbine, the lockup clutch connected between the pump and the turbine,
• a first sensor configured to produce a pump speed signal corresponding to a rotational speed of the pump,
• a second sensor configured to produce a turbine speed signal corresponding to a rotational speed of the turbine, and
• a first control circuit including a memory having instructions stored therein that are executable by the control circuit to control the lockup clutch to an initial lockup clutch activation value, to process the pump speed signal and the turbine speed signal, and if the rotational speed of the turbine is greater than the rotational speed of the pump to request an increase in rotational speed of the engine until the rotational speed of the pump is within a first threshold value of the rotational speed of the turbine followed by controlling the lockup clutch to full engagement.