Measuring and testing – Simulating operating condition – Marine
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-26
2001-08-28
McCall, Eric S. (Department: 2855)
Measuring and testing
Simulating operating condition
Marine
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279391
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention discloses a means of retarding pulses in a vehicle drive train which are typically associated with engine firing.
Modern vehicles are typically driven by an engine which has a number of firing locations during each rotation of crank shaft. Thus, during each rotational cycle of the crank shaft, there are several locations where a particular cylinder is being “fired”. The crank shaft drives a transmission, typically through a clutch. The several engine firing pulses result in a number of peaks in the torque being transmitted through the drive shaft. These peaks are associated with undesirable vibration, etc.
Thus, it would be desirable to eliminate the peaks which occur associated with the separate cylinder firings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the disclosed embodiment of this invention, a shaft rotation retarder is associated with a rotating shaft of a vehicle drive train. The shaft rotation retarder is constructed such that it is operable to retard rotation at positions associated with the firing peaks of the vehicle engine, but not retard rotation during other times.
In one embodiment, a number of elements are positioned on the engine drive shaft. The elements are positioned at locations to be associated with the firing pulses. A control senses rotation of those elements, and is thus able to determine when the firing pulses will occur. The control also drives a switch on an electro magnetic circuit which can selectively apply magnetic resistance to rotation of the drive shaft. The shaft is preferably provided with a permanent magnet on its outer periphery associated with the electromagnet.
When the engine is operating, the control opens and closes a switch used to power the electromagnet at times associated with the firing pulses. The switch is maintained closed for a period of time which corresponds to the period of time where the imbalance and torque from the engine firing pulse is at its maximum. The switch is then opened.
The electromagnet thus selectively retards rotation of the shaft during periods of the rotational cycle associated with the peaks due to the firing pulses. In this way, imbalances during each rotational cycle of the drive shaft are reduced or eliminated. Further, the resistance in the electromagnet created by the closing of the switch generates current which may be utilized for other purposes, and may be stored and later utilized for other purposes. Thus, this invention not only eliminates the discontinuities in the rotation on each cycle, but also generates electricity.
In a second embodiment, the driveline has magnets mounted at circumferential locations associated with the engine firing pulses. That is, magnets are mounted at circumferentially spaced locations on the driveline at a location spaced from the engine.
The magnets are associated with an electric circuit and coil which is positioned at one circumferential location, and offers resistance to rotation as the magnets pass that location. The magnets approach the coil at a firing pulse. In this way, the peaks are again reduced or eliminated.
These and other features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4838077 (1989-06-01), Shifflet et al.
patent: 5004981 (1991-04-01), Hashimoto et al.
patent: 5265467 (1993-11-01), Baer
patent: 5855534 (1999-01-01), Bates
patent: 5893892 (1999-04-01), Loeffler
Bell Dale
Brissette Ronald N.
Keeney Christopher S.
Kramer Dennis A.
McKenzie Jack R.
Carlson & Gaskey & Olds
McCall Eric S.
Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems LLC
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