An example electromagnetic clutch assembly includes a rotatable portion and a stationary portion. The rotatable portion includes a field winding and a clutch body, and the stationary portion includes an exciter winding that is inductively coupled to the rotatable portion and is operable to energize the field winding. The field winding is operable, when energized, to provide a magnetic field that causes engagement or disengagement between the clutch body and an armature body. A method of operating an electromagnetic clutch assembly is also disclosed.

A system comprises magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatuses, each magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus including a first rotor having at least one first shear surface, a second rotor rotating about a common axis with the first rotor, the second rotor having at least one second shear surface opposite the at least one first shear surface, the shear surfaces separated by at least one annular space, magnetorheological (MR) fluid in an MR fluid chamber including the at least one annular space, the MR fluid configured to generate a variable amount of torque transmission between the rotors when subjected to a magnetic field, and coil(s) actuatable to deliver a magnetic field through the MR fluid such that each said magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus is actuatable to selectively transmit actuation by controlled slippage of the rotors with respect to one another. The MR fluid chambers of the second magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatuses are in fluid communication for the MR fluid to circulate between the magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatuses.

The present invention relates to a vehicle (1) having a torque generating machine (4); and one or more driven wheel (W.sub.D). A driveline (6) is provided for transmitting torque from the torque generating machine (4) to said one or more driven wheel. The driveline (6) includes a torque transmitting means (8). A first decoupling mechanism (11) is operable to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the torque generating machine (4). The first decoupling mechanism (11) is closed to couple the torque transmitting means (8) to the torque generating machine (4) and is opened to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the torque generating machine (4). A second decoupling mechanism (12) is operable to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the one or more driven wheel. The second decoupling mechanism (12) is closed to couple the torque transmitting means (8) to the one or more driven wheel and is opened to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the one or more driven wheel. A controller (2) is provided having at least one electronic processor for controlling operation of the first and second decoupling mechanisms (11, 12). The at least one electronic processor (P) is configured to close the second decoupling mechanism (12) to couple the torque transmitting means (8) to the one or more driven wheel, determine a target operating speed of the torque generating machine (4), control an operating speed of the torque generating machine (4) in dependence on the determined target operating speed and close the first decoupling mechanism (11) when the operating speed of the torque generating machine (4) at least substantially matches the determined target operating speed. The present invention also relates to a corresponding method of controlling first and second decoupling mechanisms (11, 12) to control the transmittal of torque from a torque generating machine (4) to one or more driven wheel of a vehicle (1).

A transmission control unit for a wedge clutch, comprising a controller configured to send one or more signals to a switch connected to the wedge clutch, the switch being configured to demagnetize the wedge clutch by sending current in a first direction to a coil of the wedge clutch.

A control system is provided for controlling movements of an end effector connected to a clutch output of at least one magnetorheological (MR) fluid clutch apparatus. A clutch driver is configured to drive the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus between a controlled slippage mode, in which slippage between a clutch input and the clutch output of the MR fluid clutch apparatus varies, and a lock mode, in which said slippage between the clutch input and the clutch output is maintained below a given threshold, the clutch output transmitting movement to the end effector. A motor driver is configured to control a motor output of at least one motor, the motor output coupled to the clutch input. A mode selector module is configured to receive signals representative of at least one movement parameter of the end effector, the mode selector module selecting a mode between the controlled slippage mode and the lock mode of the clutch driver based on the signals, and switching the selected mode based on the signals. A movement controller controls the clutch driver and the motor driver to displace the end effector based on at least one of the selected mode and on commanded movements of the end effector for the end effector to achieve the commanded movements. A method for controlling movements of an end effector connected to the MR fluid clutch apparatus is also provided.

An active suspension system comprises at least one biasing device configured to support a body from a structure, and at least one motor. A magnetorheological (MR) fluid clutch apparatus(es) is coupled to the at least one motor to receive torque from the motor, the MR fluid clutch apparatus controllable to transmit a variable amount of torque. A mechanism is between the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus and the body to convert the torque received from the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus into a force on the body. Sensor(s) provide information indicative of a state of the body or structure. A controller receives the information indicative of the state of the body or structure and for outputting a signal to control the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus in exerting a desired force on the body to control movement of the body according to a desired movement behavior.

A protection system of a railway vehicle traction system includes an electric motor and an electrical power supply circuit. The system further includes: a mechanical coupler between first and second components of a transmission line, the first component being connected to an output shaft of the electric motor and the second component being connected to an input shaft of an axle of the railway vehicle, the coupler being able to be in an engaged or disengaged state; and a controller able to apply a disengagement signal to the coupling signal, to switch from the engaged state to the disengaged state if a failure of the power supply circuit and/or the electric motor is detected.

Systems and methods are shown for electrically controllably transmitting power from a motor involving electrically controllably coupling the first input hub to a shuttle so that power is transmitted from the first input hub to the shuttle, providing for one-way rotation between the shuttle and a stationary chassis, and coupling the shuttle to an output hub with a spring such that energy is stored and released from the spring as the output hub rotates. Examples are shown that include controlling engaged and disengaged time intervals of the first input hub and shuttle to maintain a torque level at the output hub, such as by utilizing pulse width modulation or pulse frequency modulation. Examples are also shown involving electroadhesively coupling the first input hub to the shuttle.

Systems and methods are shown for electrically controllably transmitting power from a motor involving electrically controllably coupling the first input hub to a shuttle so that power is transmitted from the first input hub to the shuttle, providing for one-way rotation between the shuttle and a stationary chassis, and coupling the shuttle to an output hub with a spring such that energy is stored and released from the spring as the output hub rotates. Examples are shown that include controlling engaged and disengaged time intervals of the first input hub and shuttle to maintain a torque level at the output hub, such as by utilizing pulse width modulation or pulse frequency modulation. Examples are also shown involving electroadhesively coupling the first input hub to the shuttle.

A control system for an engagement device that engage the engagement device promptly to reduce a power loss is provided. The control system has a controller configured to start controlling a first motor in such a manner as to synchronize a rotational speed of a first engagement element to a rotational speed of a second engagement element, simultaneously with a commencement of engagement of the first engagement element with the second engagement element, or after the commencement of the engagement of the first engagement element with the second engagement element.