Patent ID: 8600631

Claim:
Method for controlling actuation of a clutch device for a torque converter operative to transmit torque between an engine and a transmission, comprising: monitoring a transmission input speed; comparing the monitored transmission input speed to a threshold input speed; and when the transmission input speed is less than the threshold input speed, controlling an engine speed based upon a desired minimum engine speed comprising: monitoring a plurality of minimum engine speed critical parameters, comprising: a first minimum engine speed critical parameter corresponding to a first minimum engine speed, a second minimum engine speed critical parameter corresponding to a second minimum engine speed, and a third minimum engine speed critical parameter corresponding to a third minimum engine speed; determining the desired minimum engine speed as the greater one of the first, second, and third minimum engine speeds; comparing the engine speed to the desired minimum engine speed; and controlling actuation of the clutch device based upon a result of the comparing the engine speed to the desired minimum engine speed.