Controlled engagement of supercharger drive clutch
AssigneeEaton Corporation
InventorDale A. Stretch
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a control system and method of controlling a supercharger having an input and a pair of rotors. The method comprises providing a magnetic particle clutch having an input member, an output member and a source of magnetic flux. In the presence of a magnetic field, a magnetically reactive medium disposed between the input and output members is transformed into a torque transmitting coupling that causes the clutch to transition from a disengaged state to an engaged state. The method includes sensing a vehicle parameter and generating a signal operable to engage the clutch in response to the sensed vehicle parameter, so that the transition to the engaged state may be controlled as a function of the sensed vehicle parameter.
Claims27
A method of controlling a rotary blower comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a magnetic particle clutch in driving relationship with the blower, the clutch operable to transition from a disengaged state to an engaged state;
- (b) sensing at least one vehicle parameter;
- and
- (c) generating a signal operable to engage the clutch in response to the sensed vehicle parameter, wherein the transition from a disengaged state to an engaged state is a function of the sensed vehicle parameter.
A control system for controlling operation of a rotary blower comprising:
- a magnetic particle clutch in driving relationship with the blower, the clutch operable to transition from a disengaged state to an engaged state;
- at least one sensor for sensing a vehicle parameter;
- a control unit operable to selectively communicate a signal to the clutch in response to the sensed vehicle parameter causing the clutch to engage;
- and
- wherein the transition from said disengaged state to said engaged state is a function of the sensed vehicle parameter.
A method of controlling a rotary blower comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a magnetic particle clutch in driving relationship with the blower, the clutch operable to transition from a disengaged state to an engaged state;
- (b) sensing at least one vehicle parameter;
- and
- (c) generating a signal operable to engage the clutch in response to the sensed vehicle parameter, the step of generating the signal is performed as a function of the rate of change of the sensed vehicle parameter, wherein the transition from a disengaged state to an engaged state is a function of the sensed vehicle parameter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.