Electronically controlled rotational control apparatus

Apparatus for disconnecting a rotatable output transferring rotational motion from a rotatable input in the event of reaching a torque overload level comprising, in combination:

• an overload protection rotational control apparatus for selectively rotatably relating the input and the output at select rotational positions of the input relative to the output;
• first means for detecting the rotational position of the output;
• second means for detecting the rotational position of the output;
• and means for controlling actuation of the overload protection rotational control apparatus in response to the relative rotational positions of the input and the output as detected by the first and second detecting means allowing removal of the actuation of the overload protection rotational control apparatus when the first and second detecting means detect relative rotation of the input and the output from the select rotational position.

Method for connecting an output to an input at select rotational positions, with at least the input rotating at connection, comprising the steps of:

• homing the relative rotational positions of the input and the output at the select rotational positions;
• rotating the input;
• detecting the rotational position of the input;
• rotating the output by a first rotational control apparatus independent of the relative rotational positions of the input and the output;
• detecting the rotational position of the output;
• and rotatably relating the input to the output by a second rotational apparatus when the rotational positions of the input and the output are detected to be at the select rotational position, with the second rotational apparatus rotatably relating the input and the output at the select rotational position.

Apparatus for connecting, transferring, and disconnecting rotational motion between a rotatable input and a rotatable output and while at least one of the input and the output is continuously rotating comprising, in combination:

• a clutch for rotating the output independent of the relative rotational positions of the input and the output;
• an overload protection apparatus for selectively rotatably relating the input and the output at select rotational positions of the input relative to the output;
• and electronic means for independently controlling actuation of the clutch and the overload protection apparatus, with the electronic actuation controlling means including:
• means for electronically detecting the relative rotational position between the input and the output;
• means for homing the relative rotational position between the input and the output at least at one of the select rotational positions;
• means for causing actuation of the clutch to rotate the output;
• means for causing actuation of the overload protection apparatus to rotatably relate the input and the output at the select rotational position when the output is brought to general alignment with the input in the select rotational position by the clutch;
• and means for removing actuation of the clutch and of the overload protection apparatus.