Controlled power clutch
First Claim
1. A power controlled clutch for coupling a driven shaft to the crank shaft of an engine having an adjustable throttle comprising,first and second engageable clutch elements, said first clutch element being connected to said crank shaft and said second clutch element being connected to said driven shaft,control means for controlling the amount of engagement of said engageable clutch elements, said control means having a first state in which said first and second clutch elements are completely disengaged, a second state in which said first and second clutch elements are completely engaged providing a positive mechanical link between said crank shaft and said driven shaft, and a third state occurring during the transition from said first state to said second state, when said first and second engageable elements are partially engaged, said control means being operative during said third state to engage said first and second clutch elements sufficiently to maintain the speed of rotation of said drive shaft at a value in predetermined relation to the adjustment position of said throttle and the acceleration of said drive shaft.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A controlled power clutch in which a series of signals are developed to represent engine speed, engine acceleration and throttle position, as well as a signal representing the heat buildup within the clutch over a period of time. The clutch has substantially conventional mechanical components. The clutch includes a control means for controlling the engagement of the mechanical clutch elements and particularly to control the amount of partial engagement in the transition from the clutch being completely disengaged to being completely engaged, the amount of partial engagement being adjusted in response to throttle position and acceleration of the drive shaft.
163 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A power controlled clutch for coupling a driven shaft to the crank shaft of an engine having an adjustable throttle comprising,
first and second engageable clutch elements, said first clutch element being connected to said crank shaft and said second clutch element being connected to said driven shaft, control means for controlling the amount of engagement of said engageable clutch elements, said control means having a first state in which said first and second clutch elements are completely disengaged, a second state in which said first and second clutch elements are completely engaged providing a positive mechanical link between said crank shaft and said driven shaft, and a third state occurring during the transition from said first state to said second state, when said first and second engageable elements are partially engaged, said control means being operative during said third state to engage said first and second clutch elements sufficiently to maintain the speed of rotation of said drive shaft at a value in predetermined relation to the adjustment position of said throttle and the acceleration of said drive shaft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5, 6)
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6. A controlled clutch in accordance with claim 4 wherein A varies with variations in throttle position.
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3. A clutch in accordance with claim wherein said control means includes a first sensing element for sensing the rotational speed and change of rotational speed of said drive shaft and providing a first output signal proportional to the rotational speed of said driven shaft and a second output signal proportional to the acceleration of said crank shaft and wherein said control means includes means for providing an output signal which varies with variation in the adjustment of said throttle.
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7. A controlled clutch for coupling a driven shaft to the crank shaft of an automotive engine having an adjustable throttle position comprising,
first and second engageable clutch elements, said first clutch element being connected to said crank shaft and said second clutch element being connected to said driven shaft, control means for controlling the engagement of said first and second clutch elements, said control means including, an operator actuated control switch having a first position for disengagement of said clutch and a second position for re-engagement of said clutch, said control means operating in response to said switch being set to said first position to entirely disengage said first and second clutch elements, said control means operating in response to said control switch changing from said first position to said second position to partially engage said clutch elements sufficient to maintain said drive shaft at a speed of rotation in predetermined relation to the position of adjustment of said throttle and to the acceleration of said drive shaft and to thereafter completely engage said first and second clutch elements to provide a positive mechanical link between said crank shaft and said driven shaft.
Specification