초록 ▼

A speed monitoring system (6) for a fluid-coupling device (10) includes a hub (44) and a ring magnet (220). The hub (44) rotates at a first speed that is proportional to an input clutch speed of a fluidically engageable input member. The ring magnet (220) rotates at a second speed that is proportion

A speed monitoring system (6) for a fluid-coupling device (10) includes a hub (44) and a ring magnet (220). The hub (44) rotates at a first speed that is proportional to an input clutch speed of a fluidically engageable input member. The ring magnet (220) rotates at a second speed that is proportional to an output clutch speed of a fluidically engageable output member. A magnetic sensor (232) generates a differential speed signal of the ring magnet (220) relative to the first speed. A controller (54) generates an actual speed signal indicative of the second speed in response to said differential speed signal.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A speed monitoring system for a fluid-coupling device comprising: a hub rotating at a first speed proportional to an input clutch speed of a fluidically engageable input member;a ring magnet rotating at a second speed proportional to an output clutch speed of a fluidically engageable output membe

1. A speed monitoring system for a fluid-coupling device comprising: a hub rotating at a first speed proportional to an input clutch speed of a fluidically engageable input member;a ring magnet rotating at a second speed proportional to an output clutch speed of a fluidically engageable output member; said ring member comprising a plurality of alternating magnetic sections;a stationary magnetic sensor in operational relationship with said ring magnet and generating a differential speed signal of said ring magnet relative to said first speed;wherein said magnetic sensor comprises at least one of a hall effect sensor, a hall effect switching sensor, a latching sensor, a magnetic pick-up sensor, and an inductive sensor;a concentrator coupled to said magnetic sensor and directing magnetic flux through said magnetic sensor; anda controller electrically coupled to said magnetic sensor and generating an actual speed signal indicative of said second speed in response to said differential speed signal. 2. A system as in claim 1 wherein said hub rotates at a water pump speed. 3. A system as in claim 1 wherein said second speed is approximately equal to said output clutch speed. 4. A system as in claim 1 wherein said second speed is approximately equal to a fan speed. 5. An operational control system for a fluid-coupling device comprising: an input member;an output member fluidically engageable with and forming an operating chamber with said input member;a hub rotating at a first speed proportional to an input clutch speed of said input member;a ring magnet rotating at a second speed proportional to an output clutch speed of said output member;a stationary magnetic sensor and flux concentrator in operational relationship with said ring magnet and generating a differential speed signal of said ring magnet relative to said first speed; anda valve in fluid communication with said operating chamber; anda controller electrically coupled to said magnetic sensor and said valve, said controller controlling engagement of said input member with said output member in response to said differential speed signal;said controller generating an actual speed signal indicative of said second speed in response to said differential speed signal and controls said engagement in response thereto;said controller controlling fluid flow into said operating chamber in response to said differential speed signal. 6. A system as in claim 5 wherein said controller in generating said actual speed signal subtracts said differential speed signal from an input clutch speed signal. 7. A system as in claim 5 comprising a magnetic flux loop comprising said hub, said ring magnet, said magnetic sensor, and a water pump shaft. 8. A system as in claim 5 comprising: a coil magnetizing at least a portion of said hub;said controller in controlling said engagement controls operation of said coil to actuate said valve and adjust fluid flow into said operating chamber. 9. A system as in claim 8 wherein said valve comprises a valve arm, said controller in controlling said engagement adjusts position of said valve arm in relation to a fill port of said operating chamber. 10. A system as in claim 5 wherein said input member and said output member have a normally engaged default state and a disengaged state. 11. A system as in claim 5 further comprising at least one vehicle sensor generating a vehicle parameter signal, said controller controlling said engagement in response to said vehicle parameter signal. 12. A method of controlling the engagement of a fluid-coupling device comprising: rotating a fluidically engageable input member at an input clutch speed;rotating a ring magnet at a magnet rotational speed proportional to an output clutch speed of a fluidically engageable output member, said ring magnet comprising a plurality of alternating magnetic sections;generating a differential speed signal of said ring magnet relative to said input clutch speed by use of a stationary magnetic sensor and flux concentrator;generating an actual speed signal of said output member in response to said differential speed signal; andcontrolling engagement of said input member and said output member in response to said actual speed signal. 13. A method as in claim 12 wherein controlling said engagement comprises continuous variability of engagement between a fully disengaged state and a fully engaged state.