# US 2025/0092889 A1 · Systems and methods for clutch valve cleaning > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2025/0092889 A1 - Document ID: US20250092889A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/469,362 - Filed: 2023-09-18 - Published: 2025-03-20 - Earliest claimed: 2023-09-18 - Assignees: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC - Applicants: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC - Inventors: Aaron SHORT; Richard BARNBROOK; Daniel HYETT - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20250092889A1 ## CPC - F15B 21/041: Removal or measurement of solid or liquid contamination, e.g. filtering - F16K 31/02: electric {(F16K31/004 takes precedence)}; magnetic - F15B: SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)} ## Abstract Methods and systems are provided for cleaning a clutch valve of a closed clutch. In one example, a method comprising sending a valve cleaning control pulse to a valve in response to a clutch persisting in an engaged position and a clutch pressure demand within a threshold pressure range; and discontinuing the valve cleaning control pulse in response to detecting at least one exit condition. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method, comprising: sending a valve cleaning control pulse to a valve in response to a clutch persisting in an engaged position and a clutch pressure demand within a threshold pressure range; and discontinuing the valve cleaning control pulse in response to detecting at least one exit condition. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one exit condition comprises at least one of a clutch disengagement is anticipated and the clutch pressure demand is outside of the threshold pressure range. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one exit condition comprises an oil temperature exceeding an upper threshold or reducing below a lower threshold. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one exit condition comprises detecting a component fault. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the clutch persisting in the engaged position comprises a clutch torque demand above a current engine torque. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the clutch comprises one of a first clutch mechanism and a second clutch mechanism of a dual-clutch transmission. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the valve is a spool valve. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the valve cleaning control pulse comprises cyclically adjusting a valve pressure between a first threshold and a second threshold for a second threshold duration. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further comprising: discontinuing the valve cleaning control pulse in response to the valve cleaning control pulse exceeding the second threshold duration; and setting a delay timer. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the delay timer is set for 600 seconds. ### Claim 11 A system, comprising: a transmission configured to rotationally couple a prime mover to a drive shaft; a first input shaft coupled to the transmission; a second input shaft coupled to the transmission; a dual-clutch assembly comprising a first clutch mechanism and a second clutch mechanism, the first clutch mechanism and the second clutch mechanism selectively coupling one of the first input shaft and the second input shaft, respectively, to the prime mover in response to a clutch pressure demand; a valve configured to control a flow of hydraulic fluid to the dual-clutch assembly; and a controller including non-transitory instructions stored in memory executable to: send a valve cleaning control pulse to the valve in response to detection of one of the first clutch mechanism and the second clutch mechanism persisting in an engaged position for a first threshold duration and the clutch pressure demand within a threshold pressure range; and discontinue the valve cleaning control pulse in response to detection of at least one exit condition. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the valve is a spool valve. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the first input shaft is an inner shaft and the second input shaft is an outer input shaft coaxial with the first input shaft. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one exit condition comprises at least one of clutch disengagement is anticipated and the clutch pressure demand is outside of the threshold pressure range. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the valve cleaning control pulse comprises cyclically adjusting a valve pressure between a first threshold and a second threshold for a second threshold duration. ### Claim 16 A method, comprising: executing a closed clutch cleaning operation in response to clutch engagement in lockup torque control exceeding a first threshold duration and a clutch pressure demand within a threshold pressure range comprising sending a valve cleaning control pulse to a valve; discontinuing the closed clutch cleaning operation in response to detecting at least one exit condition; and setting a delay timer in response to the valve cleaning control pulse exceeding a second threshold duration. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one exit condition comprises at least one of a clutch disengagement is anticipated and the clutch pressure demand is outside of the threshold pressure range. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one exit condition comprises an oil temperature exceeding an upper threshold or decreasing below a lower threshold. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one exit condition comprises detecting a component fault. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the clutch engagement in lockup torque control comprises a clutch torque demand above a current engine torque.