Generator system for use in automotive vehicle
AssigneeDenso Corporation
InventorMakoto Taniguchi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A generator system includes an alternator driven by an engine through a driving belt and an electronic control unit for controlling operation of the engine. The alternator and the engine is coupled by a driving belt through a one-way clutch that transmits the engine torque to the alternator and intercepts torque transmission from the alternator to the engine. A malfunction in the one-way clutch is detected, under a condition where the engine speed is decreasing, by comparing a rotational speed of its inner ring connected to the alternator with a rotational speed of its outer ring coupled to the engine through the driving belt. The malfunctioning one-way clutch is either replaced or repaired, to thereby avoid damages of the driving belt caused by the clutch malfunction.
Claims12
A generator system for use in an automotive vehicle powered by an engine, the generator system comprising:
- an alternator having a rotor;
- a driving belt for driving the rotor by the engine;
- a one-way clutch that transmits a rotational torque of the engine to the rotor while intercepting transmission of an inertial rotational torque of the rotor to the engine, the one-way clutch having a driving member connected to the engine through the driving belt and a driven member connected to the rotor, wherein:
- the generator system further includes means for detecting a malfunction in the one-way clutch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.