초록 ▼

A system for protecting one or more drivetrain components from excessive inertial torque includes an automated clutch disposed between an internal combustion engine and a transmission coupled thereto, wherein the automated clutch is responsive to computer control. Under conditions wherein driveline

A system for protecting one or more drivetrain components from excessive inertial torque includes an automated clutch disposed between an internal combustion engine and a transmission coupled thereto, wherein the automated clutch is responsive to computer control. Under conditions wherein driveline acceleration exceeds an acceleration threshold, wherein the acceleration threshold preferably corresponds to the weakest of the drivetrain components, a control computer is operable to actuate the automated clutch to thereby electronically disengage the engine from the transmission, and accordingly protect the various drivetrain components from damage due to excessive engine inertial torque. In an alternate embodiment, a control computer is operable to compute or otherwise estimate engine inertial torque and actuate the automated clutch as just described if/when the engine inertial torque exceeds a torque threshold corresponding to an input torque capacity of one or more of the drivetrain components.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A system for protecting one or more drive train components from excessive engine inertial forces, comprising:a drive train including an internal combustion engine coupled by a clutch to a number of additional drive train components, said clutch responsive to a disengageme

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A system for protecting one or more drive train components from excessive engine inertial forces, comprising:a drive train including an internal combustion engine coupled by a clutch to a number of additional drive train components, said clutch responsive to a disengagement signal to automatically disengage said engine from said number of additional drive train components;means for determining an acceleration rate of said drive train and producing a acceleration value corresponding thereto; anda control computer comparing said acceleration value with at least one acceleration threshold corresponding to a maximum acceleration capacity of one of said number of additional drive train components, said control computer producing said disengagement signal if said acceleration value exceeds said at least one acceleration threshold.