US5094332A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Digital control system for electromagnetic clutch
Assignee: Warner Electric Technology LLC
•
Filing: 1990-12-31
•
Granted: 1992-03-10
•
Expires: 2010-12-31
Abstract
Abstract A soft start controller for regulating the engagement and disengagement of an electromagnetic clutch is disclosed. The controller includes a microprocessor which, in response to an engagement signal, causes electrical current to be provided to a coil of the clutch. A plurality of sensors are provided for generating electrical signals which are representative of various operating conditions of the clutch, such as engine load, clutch temperature and the like. These signals are selectively fed through a multiplexer and an analog to digital converter to the microprocessor. The microprocessor samples the signals generated by the sensors and controls the magnitude of the current fed to the coil of the clutch in response thereto. A plurality of manually operable start select switches are provided for selecting one of a plurality of clutch current curves stored in a memory of the microprocessor for use. Alternatively, the microprocessor may be programmed to select one of the clutch current curves in accordance with the sensed operating conditions. The microprocessor may also be responsive to the sensed operating conditions for automatically engaging or disengaging the clutch under certain conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 John H. Wall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 00:10
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D48/00; F16D48/06; F16D48/064; F16D2500/00; F16D2500/10; F16D2500/102; F16D2500/1021; F16D2500/1022; F16D2500/30; F16D2500/302; F16D2500/3022; F16D2500/304; F16D2500/30404; F16D2500/306; F16D2500/3061; F16D2500/3067; F16D2500/312; F16D2500/3125; F16D2500/3127; F16D2500/314; F16D2500/31493; F16D2500/50; F16D2500/51; F16D2500/5102; F16D2500/5104; F16D2500/5114; F16D2500/70; F16D2500/702; F16D2500/70205; F16D2500/70223; F16D2500/704; F16D2500/70402; F16D2500/7041; F16D2500/70418; F16D2500/706; F16D2500/70605; F16D2500/70668
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 64
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A controller for supplying electrical current to a coil of an electromagnetic clutch to regulate the engagement thereof comprising: means for storing a plurality of clutch current engagement curves; means for generating a signal when it is desired to engage the clutch; means for generating a signal which is representative of the temperature of the clutch; and control means responsive to said engagement signal and said temperature signal for selecting one of said stored clutch current engagement curves, for supplying electrical current to the coil of the clutch in accordance with the selected curve, and for decreasing the amount of electrical current supplied to the coil of the clutch if the temperature of the clutch exceeds a predetermined magnitude.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
A controller for supplying electrical current to a coil of an electromagnetic clutch to regulate the engagement thereof comprising: means for storing a plurality of clutch current engagement curves; means for generating a signal when it is desired to engage the clutch; means for generating a signal which is representative of the temperature of the clutch; and control means responsive to said engagement signal and said temperature signal for selecting one of said stored clutch current engagement curves, for supplying electrical current to the coil of the clutch in accordance with the selected curve, and for decreasing the amount of electrical current supplied to the coil of the clutch if the temperature of the clutch exceeds a predetermined magnitude.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said clutch is driven by an engine including means for generating a signal which is representative of the speed of the engine, wherein said control means is also responsive to said engine speed signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said clutch is driven by an engine including means for generating a signal which is representative of the vacuum level generated by the engine, wherein said control means is also responsive to said engine vacuum level signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said clutch is mounted in a vehicle including means for generating a signal which is representative of the relative angle at which the vehicle is being operated, wherein said control means is also responsive to said vehicle angle signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention defined in claim 1 further including means for generating signals which are representative of a plurality of operating conditions of the clutch, wherein said control means is also responsive to each of said operating condition signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention defined in claim 5 wherein said means for generating said operating condition signals includes a plurality of sensors, each sensor generating a signal which is representative of an operating condition of the clutch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention defined in claim 6 further including means for sequentially sampling each of said sensors and for supplying said sampled sensor signals to said control means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention defined in claim 7 wherein said means for sequentially sampling includes a multiplexer connected between each of said sensors and said control means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the clutch includes an armature which is movable between engaged and disengaged positions, and wherein said control means is also responsive to a decrease in the magnitude of the electrical current passing through the coil of the clutch caused by the initial movement of the armature from said disengaged position to said engaged position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said control means is responsive to said temperature signal for interrupting the supply of electrical current to the coil of the clutch when an abnormal condition is sensed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
100 words
A controller for supplying electrical current to a coil of an electromagnetic clutch driven by an engine to regulate the engagement thereof comprising: means for storing a plurality of clutch current engagement curves; means for generating a signal when it is desired to engage the clutch; means for generating a signal which is representative of the vacuum level generated by the engine; and control means responsive to said engagement signal and said engine vacuum level signal for selecting one of said stored clutch current engagement curves and for supplying electrical current to the coil of the clutch in accordance therewith.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
100 words
A controller for supplying electrical current to a coil of an electromagnetic clutch driven by an engine to regulate the engagement thereof comprising: means for storing a plurality of clutch current engagement curves; means for generating a signal when it is desired to engage the clutch; means for generating a signal which is representative of the vacuum level generated by the engine; and control means responsive to said engagement signal and said engine vacuum level signal for selecting one of said stored clutch current engagement curves and for supplying electrical current to the coil of the clutch in accordance therewith.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention defined in claim 11 further including means for generating a signal which is representative of the temperature of the clutch, wherein said control means is also responsive to said clutch temperature signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention defined in claim 11 further including means for generating a signal which is representative of the speed of the engine, wherein said control means is also responsive to said engine speed signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention defined in claim 11 wherein said clutch is mounted in a vehicle including means for generating a signal which is representative of the relative angle at which the vehicle is being operated, wherein said control means is also responsive to said vehicle angle signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention defined in claim 11 further including means for generating signals which are representative of a plurality of operating conditions of the clutch, wherein said control means is also responsive to each of said operating condition signals.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention defined in claim 15 wherein said means for generating said operating condition signals includes a plurality of sensors, each sensor generating a signal which is representative of an operating condition of the clutch.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention defined in claim 16 further including means for sequentially sampling each of said sensors and for supplying said sampled sensor signals to said control means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention defined in claim 17 wherein said means for sequentially sampling includes a multiplexer connected between each of said sensors and said control means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
61 words
The invention defined in claim 11 wherein the clutch includes an armature which is movable between engaged and disengaged positions, and wherein said control means is also responsive to a decrease in the magnitude of the electrical current passing through the coil of the clutch caused by the initial movement of the armature from said disengaged position to said engaged position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention defined in claim 11 wherein said control means is responsive to said engine vacuum level signal for interrupting the supply of electrical current to the coil of the clutch when an abnormal condition is sensed.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
102 words
A controller for supplying electrical current to a coil of an electromagnetic clutch mounted in a vehicle to regulate the engagement thereof comprising: means for storing a plurality of clutch current engagement curves; means for generating a signal when it is desired to engage the clutch; means for generating a signal which is representative of the relative angle at which the vehicle is being operated; and control means responsive to said engagement signal and said vehicle angle signal for selecting one of said stored clutch current engagement curves and for supplying electrical current to the coil of the clutch in accordance therewith.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
102 words
A controller for supplying electrical current to a coil of an electromagnetic clutch mounted in a vehicle to regulate the engagement thereof comprising: means for storing a plurality of clutch current engagement curves; means for generating a signal when it is desired to engage the clutch; means for generating a signal which is representative of the relative angle at which the vehicle is being operated; and control means responsive to said engagement signal and said vehicle angle signal for selecting one of said stored clutch current engagement curves and for supplying electrical current to the coil of the clutch in accordance therewith.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention defined in claim 21 further including means for generating a signal which is representative of the temperature of the clutch, wherein said control means is also responsive to said clutch temperature signal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention defined in claim 21 wherein said clutch is driven by an engine including means for generating a signal which is representative of the speed of the engine, wherein said control means is also responsive to said engine speed signal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention defined in claim 21 wherein said clutch is driven by an engine including means for generating a signal which is representative of the vacuum level generated by the engine, wherein said control means is also responsive to said engine vacuum level signal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention defined in claim 21 further including means for generating signals which are representative of a plurality of operating conditions of the clutch, wherein said control means is also responsive to each of said operating condition signals.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention defined in claim 25 wherein said means for generating said operating condition signals includes a plurality of sensors, each sensor generating a signal which is representative of an operating condition of the clutch.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention defined in claim 26 further including means for sequentially sampling each of said sensors and for supplying said sampled sensor signals to said control means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention defined in claim 27 wherein said means for sequentially sampling includes a multiplexer connected between each of said sensors and said control means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
61 words
The invention defined in claim 21 wherein the clutch includes an armature which is movable between engaged and disengaged positions, and wherein said control means is also responsive to a decrease in the magnitude of the electrical current passing through the coil of the clutch caused by the initial movement of the armature from said disengaged position to said engaged position.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention defined in claim 21 wherein said control means is responsive to said vehicle angle signal for interrupting the supply of electrical current to the coil of the clutch when an abnormal condition is sensed.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
110 words
A controller for supplying electrical current to a coil of an electromagnetic clutch to regulate the engagement thereof comprising: means for storing a plurality of clutch current engagement curves; means for generating a signal when it is desired to engage the clutch; means for generating signals which are representative of a plurality of operating conditions of the clutch; and control means for sequentially sampling each of said operating condition signals, said control means being responsive to said engagement signal and each of said operating condition signals for selecting one of said stored clutch current engagement curves and for supplying electrical current to the coil of the clutch in accordance therewith.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
110 words
A controller for supplying electrical current to a coil of an electromagnetic clutch to regulate the engagement thereof comprising: means for storing a plurality of clutch current engagement curves; means for generating a signal when it is desired to engage the clutch; means for generating signals which are representative of a plurality of operating conditions of the clutch; and control means for sequentially sampling each of said operating condition signals, said control means being responsive to said engagement signal and each of said operating condition signals for selecting one of said stored clutch current engagement curves and for supplying electrical current to the coil of the clutch in accordance therewith.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention defined in claim 31 further including means for generating a signal which is representative of the temperature of the clutch, wherein said control means is responsive to said clutch temperature signal.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention defined in claim 31 wherein said clutch is driven by an engine including means for generating a signal which is representative of the speed of the engine, wherein said control means is responsive to said engine speed signal.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention defined in claim 31 wherein said clutch is driven by an engine including means for generating a signal which is representative of the vacuum level generated by the engine, wherein said control means is responsive to said engine vacuum level signal.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention defined in claim 31 wherein said clutch is mounted in a vehicle including means for generating a signal which is representative of the relative angle at which the vehicle is being operated, wherein said control means is responsive to said vehicle angle signal.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention defined in claim 31 wherein said means for sequentially sampling includes a multiplexer connected between each of said operating condition signal generating means and said control means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
60 words
The invention defined in claim 31 wherein the clutch includes an armature which is movable between engaged and disengaged positions, and wherein said control means is responsive to a decrease in the magnitude of the electrical current passing through the coil of the clutch caused by the initial movement of the armature from said disengaged position to said engaged position.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention defined in claim 31 wherein said control means is responsive to said operating condition signals for interrupting the supply of electrical current to the coil of the clutch when an abnormal condition is sensed.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
140 words
A controller for supplying electrical current to a coil of an electromagnetic clutch having an armature which is movable between engaged and disengaged positions to regulate the engagement thereof comprising: means for storing a plurality of clutch current engagement curves; means for generating a signal when it is desired to engage the clutch; means for generating a signal which is representative of the magnitude of the electrical current passing through the coil of the clutch; and control means responsive to said engagement signal and a decrease in the magnitude of the electrical current passing through the coil of the clutch caused by the initial movement of the armature from said disengaged position to said engaged position for selecting one of said stored clutch current engagement curves and for supplying electrical current to the coil of the clutch in accordance therewith.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
140 words
A controller for supplying electrical current to a coil of an electromagnetic clutch having an armature which is movable between engaged and disengaged positions to regulate the engagement thereof comprising: means for storing a plurality of clutch current engagement curves; means for generating a signal when it is desired to engage the clutch; means for generating a signal which is representative of the magnitude of the electrical current passing through the coil of the clutch; and control means responsive to said engagement signal and a decrease in the magnitude of the electrical current passing through the coil of the clutch caused by the initial movement of the armature from said disengaged position to said engaged position for selecting one of said stored clutch current engagement curves and for supplying electrical current to the coil of the clutch in accordance therewith.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention defined in claim 39 further including means for generating a signal which is representative of the temperature of the clutch, wherein said control means is also responsive to said clutch temperature signal.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention defined in claim 39 wherein said clutch is driven by an engine including means for generating a signal which is representative of the speed of the engine, wherein said control means is also responsive to said engine speed signal.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention defined in claim 39 wherein said clutch is driven by an engine including means for generating a signal which is representative of the vacuum level generated by the engine, wherein said control means is also responsive to said engine vacuum level signal.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention defined in claim 39 wherein said clutch is mounted in a vehicle including means for generating a signal which is representative of the relative angle at which the vehicle is being operated, wherein said control means is also responsive to said vehicle angle signal.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention defined in claim 39 further including means for generating signals which are representative of a plurality of operating conditions of the clutch, wherein said control means is also responsive to each of said operating condition signals.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention defined in claim 44 wherein said means for generating said operating condition signals includes a plurality of sensors, each sensor generating a signal which is representative of an operating condition of the clutch.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention defined in claim 45 further including means for sequentially sampling each of said sensors and for supplying said sampled sensor signals to said control means.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention defined in claim 46 wherein said means for sequentially sampling includes a multiplexer connected between each of said sensors and said control means.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention defined in claim 39 wherein said control means is responsive to said electrical current signal for interrupting the supply of electrical current to the coil of the clutch when an abnormal condition is sensed.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
114 words
A controller for supplying electrical current to a coil of an electromagnetic clutch to regulate the engagement thereof comprising: means for storing a plurality of clutch current engagement curves; means for generating a signal when it is desired to engage the clutch; means for generating a signal which is representative of an operating condition of the clutch; and control means responsive to said engagement signal and said operating condition signal for selecting one of said stored clutch current engagement curves and for supplying electrical current to the coil of the clutch in accordance therewith and for interrupting the supply of electrical current to the coil of the clutch when an abnormal condition is sensed.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
114 words
A controller for supplying electrical current to a coil of an electromagnetic clutch to regulate the engagement thereof comprising: means for storing a plurality of clutch current engagement curves; means for generating a signal when it is desired to engage the clutch; means for generating a signal which is representative of an operating condition of the clutch; and control means responsive to said engagement signal and said operating condition signal for selecting one of said stored clutch current engagement curves and for supplying electrical current to the coil of the clutch in accordance therewith and for interrupting the supply of electrical current to the coil of the clutch when an abnormal condition is sensed.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention defined in claim 49 further including means for generating a signal which is representative of the temperature of the clutch, wherein said control means is responsive to said clutch temperature signal.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention defined in claim 49 wherein said clutch is driven by an engine including means for generating a signal which is representative of the speed of the engine, wherein said control means is responsive to said engine speed signal.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention defined in claim 49 wherein said clutch is driven by an engine including means for generating a signal which is representative of the vacuum level generated by the engine, wherein said control means is responsive to said engine vacuum level signal.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention defined in claim 49 wherein said clutch is mounted in a vehicle including means for generating a signal which is representative of the relative angle at which the vehicle is being operated, wherein said control means is responsive to said vehicle angle signal.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention defined in claim 49 further including means for generating signals which are representative of a plurality of operating conditions of the clutch, wherein said control means is also responsive to each of said operating condition signals.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention defined in claim 54 wherein said means for generating said operating condition signals includes a plurality of sensors, each sensor generating a signal which is representative of an operating condition of the clutch.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention defined in claim 55 further including means for sequentially sampling each of said sensors and for supplying said sampled sensor signals to said control means.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention defined in claim 49 wherein said means for sequentially sampling includes a multiplexer connected between each of said sensors and said control means.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
61 words
The invention defined in claim 49 wherein the clutch includes an armature which is movable between engaged and disengaged positions, and wherein said control means is also responsive to a decrease in the magnitude of the electrical current passing through the coil of the clutch caused by the initial movement of the armature from said disengaged position to said engaged position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2718951A
Cited
US3172020A
Cited
US3335829A
Cited
US3402793A
Cited
US3989129A
Cited
US4214290A
Cited
US4376476A
Cited
US4425992A
Cited
US4526257A
Cited
US4636912A
Cited
US4509091A
Cited
US4567975A
Cited
US4535879A
Cited
US4649458A
Cited
US4635774A
Cited
US4650052A
Cited
US4723644A
Cited
US4620261A
Cited
US4620261B1
Cited
US4609965A
Cited
US4734817A
Cited
US4679116A
Cited
US4730712A
Cited
US4805751A
Cited
US4749073A
Cited
US4905801A
Cited
US4977988A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-03-10 | 1995-09-09 | 1996-03-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-10 | 1999-09-09 | 2000-03-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-10 | 2003-09-09 | 2004-03-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |