System and method for controlling a clutch fill event

A method of controlling a fill event of a fluid-actuated clutch, the method comprising:

• determining a calibrated command line pressure and a calibrated command fill stroke pressure within the fluid-actuated clutch;
• estimating a viscosity of a fluid used for actuating the fluid clutch;
• processing the calibrated command line pressure, the command fill stroke pressure, and the estimated viscosity through a neural network, wherein the calibrated command line pressure, calibrated command fill stroke pressure, and viscosity collectively define a clutch fill signature (CFS);
• determining an estimated fill time (EFT) required for filling an apply chamber of the fluid-actuated clutch by recognizing a pattern of the CFS via the neural network;
• and
• controlling the filling of the apply chamber using the EFT.

A clutch fill system comprising:

• a fluid-actuated clutch having a piston disposed within an apply chamber;
• and
• a controller configured for determining a plurality of input values describing a fill event of the fluid-actuated clutch, wherein the plurality of input values collectively defines a clutch fill signature (CFS) and includes a calibrated command line pressure of the fluid-actuated clutch, a command fill stroke pressure of the fluid-actuated clutch, and an estimated viscosity of a fluid used to actuate the clutch;
• wherein the controller includes a neural network having an input layer with a plurality of input nodes, a hidden layer having a plurality of hidden nodes that is less than the plurality of input nodes, and an output layer having a single output node, and wherein the controller is configured for using the neural network for estimating a fill time required for filling the apply chamber by recognizing a pattern of the CFS, and is operable for controlling a filling of the apply chamber within the estimated fill time.