Patent ID: 8738257

Claim:
A method of controlling a dual clutch and a plurality of synchronizers in a transmission, the method comprising: selecting, by a controller, a synchronizer from the plurality of synchronizers and a clutch from the dual clutch to be actuated in order to achieve a desired speed ratio in the transmission; selecting, by the controller, a commanded pressure level for a clutch pressure control solenoid in upstream fluid communication with the selected clutch from the higher of a pressure level required to enable a required amount of flow through a first and a second flow control solenoid each in downstream fluid communication with the pressure control solenoid, a pressure level required to hold a clutch torque on the selected clutch, and a pressure level required to position a mode valve from a first position and a second position; commanding, by the controller, the clutch pressure control solenoid to provide a first supply of hydraulic fluid at the selected commanded pressure level; commanding, by the controller, at least one of the first and second clutch flow control solenoids to provide a flow rate of the first supply of hydraulic fluid that will actuate the selected clutch; commanding, by the controller, a synchronizer pressure control solenoid to provide a second supply of hydraulic fluid to a synchronizer flow control solenoid and to a first input of the mode valve; commanding, by the controller, the synchronizer flow control solenoid to provide a third supply of hydraulic fluid to a second input of the mode valve; actuating, by the controller, the mode valve to one of the first and second positions to connect the first input with a first output and the second input with a second output, wherein the first output is connected to a first portion of a chamber of an actuator and the second output is connected to a second portion of the chamber of the actuator; and modulating, by a valve, the second supply of hydraulic fluid from the synchronizer pressure control solenoid and the third supply of hydraulic fluid from the synchronizer flow control solenoid to move the actuator to an at least one of a first and second position to engage the selected synchronizer.