System and method for estimating torque in a powertrain

A method for estimating a torque value in a vehicle powertrain, the method comprising:

• measuring a rotational speed of a first rotatable member of the transmission using a first speed sensor;
• measuring a rotational speed of a second rotatable member of the transmission using a second speed sensor;
• generating a first and a second output signal encoding the measured rotational speeds of the respective first and second rotatable members;
• calculating, via a controller in communication with the first and the second speed sensors, a corresponding rotation angle for the respective first and second rotatable members using the corresponding first and second output signals;
• estimating a torque value in the transmission of the powertrain, via the controller, as a function of the corresponding rotation angles and a present gear ratio of the first and second rotatable members as determined via the respective first and second speed sensors;
• and
• executing, via the controller, a control action with respect to the powertrain using the estimated torque value.

A system for estimating a torque value in a vehicle powertrain, the system comprising:

• a first speed sensor positioned with respect to a first rotatable member of the powertrain, wherein the first speed sensor is configured to generate a first output signal encoding a rotational speed of the first rotatable member;
• a second speed sensor positioned with respect to a second rotatable member of the powertrain, wherein the second speed sensor is configured to generate a second output signal encoding a rotational speed of the second rotatable member;
• and
• a controller in communication with each of the first and second speed sensors;
• wherein the controller is configured to:
• calculate a rotation angle for each of the first and second rotatable members using the first and second output signals;
• and
• estimate the torque value of the powertrain as a function of the calculated rotation angles and a present gear ratio of the first and second rotatable members as determined via the respective first and second speed sensors.