Synchronized electromagnetic single plate clutch system
AssigneeROLLS-ROYCE plc
InventorDonald Klemen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electromagnetic clutch assembly may include a first clutch plate, a second clutch plate, and a synchronizer. The second clutch plate may define an aperture. A portion of the synchronizer may be configured to extend through the aperture. In the absence of a magnetic field, the first clutch plate and the first surface of the second clutch plate may define an air gap and the portion of the synchronizer may extend into the air gap. In response to a first magnetic field, the portion of the synchronizer may contact the first clutch plate. In response to a second magnetic field, the portion of the synchronizer may translate in the aperture toward the second clutch plate and the first clutch plate and the second clutch plate may close the air gap.
Claims20
An electromagnetic clutch assembly comprising:
- a first clutch plate configured to rotate about a clutch axis;
- and
- a second clutch plate configured to rotate about the clutch axis, the second clutch plate comprising:
- a first surface facing the first clutch plate;
- and
- a second surface facing away from the first clutch plate, wherein the second clutch plate defines an aperture extending from the first surface to the second surface,
- a synchronizer, wherein at least a portion of the synchronizer is configured to extend from the second surface of the second clutch plate through the aperture,
- wherein, in the absence of a magnetic field, the first clutch plate and the first surface of the second clutch plate define an air gap and the portion of the synchronizer extends through the aperture into the air gap,
- wherein, in response to a first magnetic field, a surface of the synchronizer is configured to contact the first clutch plate, and
- wherein, in response to a second magnetic field, the synchronizer is configured to translate in the aperture toward the second surface of the second clutch plate and the first clutch plate and the first surface of the second clutch plate are configured to close the air gap.
A system comprising:
- a first clutch plate configured to rotate about a clutch axis;
- a second clutch plate configured to rotate about the clutch axis, the second clutch plate defining an aperture extending substantially parallel to the clutch axis;
- a synchronizer configured to extend through the aperture toward the first clutch plate;
- a spring configured to exert a spring force on the synchronizer in a direction toward the first clutch plate, wherein the spring is configured to compress in response to the synchronizer translating in the aperture in the direction away from the first clutch plate;
- an electromagnet configured to:
- generate a first magnetic field as a first magnetic flux passing through the first clutch plate and the second clutch plate, wherein a first magnetic force of the first magnetic field is less than a spring force of the spring to close the air gap, and
- generate a second magnetic field as a second magnetic flux passing through the first clutch plate and the second clutch plate, wherein a second magnetic force of the second magnetic field is greater than a spring force of the spring to close the air gap;
- and
- processing circuitry configured to control a magnetic field generated by the electromagnet.
A method comprising:
- rotating a first clutch plate around a clutch axis;
- controlling an electromagnet to generate a first magnetic field to cause a synchronizer extending through an aperture of defined by a second clutch plate to contact the first clutch plate and generate a torque on the synchronizer, wherein the first clutch plate and the second clutch plate define an air gap;
- and
- controlling the electromagnet to generate a second magnetic field to cause the first surface of the second clutch plate to contact the first clutch plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.