Abstract:
A system for controlling pressure in a transmission comprises a transmission control unit 102, a valve controller 104 that receives a desired pressure 202 as input from the transmission control unit 102, a valve driver 108, a valve 112 that regulates an amount of fluid in a transmission clutch 106, and a pressure transducer that reads a pressure in the transmission clutch 106 and outputs a pressure reading 204 to the valve controller 104, wherein the valve controller 104 comprises logic for outputting to the valve driver 108 an instruction for controlling the valve 112, the instruction being formulated using the desired pressure 202 and the pressure reading 204.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus evaluating and improving the properties of fluid formulations is disclosed. The method and apparatus employ impedance spectroscopy (IS) measurements and data analyses to determine IS parameters for fluids representative of fluid formulation. Correlations are determined between the IS parameters and the properties of the fluids, and a modified or new fluid formulation is produced based on these correlations. IS measurements at three or more frequencies are made using probe electrodes in contact with fluids representative of a fluid formulation. The IS data are analyzed uring statistical techniques, equivalent circuit modeling techniques, or a combination thereof. The data analysis provides at least one IS parameter indicative of at least one fluid property for the fluids. At least one correlation is determined between one or more IS parameters and one or more properties of the fluids. A new fluid formulation is developed, responsive to correlations between the IS parameters and the properties of the fluids.
Abstract:
1. A method of monitoring fluid condition in situ comprising: (a) measuring and recording the temperature T o of the fluid; (b) disposing electrodes (11,12) in the fluid (16) and exciting one electrode (11) with an alternating current voltage (20) and sweeping the frequency (39) thereof over a certain range. (c) measuring the current (40) in a second electrode (13) and computing the reactance (Z') and resistance (E) (42) at a plurality of predetermined intervals of frequency in the range; (d) determining the frequency (F r um ) (48) in said range associated with the minimum value of reactance; (e) repeating steps a - d for a predetermined number of temperature intervals over a selected range of temperatures (50) and compiling a database of values of F F r ., (52) for each temperature interval in the range; (f) measuring the fluid temperature (T 1 ) and determining F F L, J by interpolation from the database (54); (g) exciting one electrode with an alternating current voltage at a frequency less than F T C (56) and measuring the current in a second electrode and computing the electrode interfacial impedance Z, (59) and computing the impedance difference (AZ a Z S - Z w o (60); and, (h) determining the fluid condition by interpolation from a database of values of known fluid condition Y' versus AZ (66).
Abstract:
A system for controlling pressure in a transmission comprises a transmission control unit (102), a valve controller (104) that receives a desired pressure (202) as input from the transmission control unit (102), a valve driver (108), a valve (112) that regulates an amount of fluid in a transmission clutch (106), and a pressure transducer that reads a pressure in the transmission clutch (106) and outputs a pressure reading (204) to the valve controller (104), wherein the valve controller (104) comprises logic for outputting to the valve driver (108) an instruction for controlling the valve (112), the instruction being formulated using the desired pressure (202) and the pressure reading (204).
Abstract:
An impedance spectroscopy technique and system for detecting in real time engine coolant contamination in lubricant. A probe is disposed in the lubricant and the probe excited with an a.c. voltage frequency sweep over a selected frequency range. The current and current phase angle are measured at selected frequency intervals and the reactance and resistance computed and plotted at each frequency internal as Nyquist plots. The Nyquist minimum is determined at various lubricant temperatures and a database compiled. The probe is then excited in-situ and current measurements taken for a selected frequency lower than the Nyquist minimum to insure measurement of electrode surfaces characteristics. The reactance and resistance are then computed and the angle Θ of change (slope) of reactance with respect to resistance computed. The value of Θ is then compared with values of contamination concentration ψ versus Θ in a database, and the value of ψ determined by interpolation.