Abstract: A disconnect clutch and method of controlling the connection of a parasitic load to an engine disposed on a machine is disclosed. The disconnect clutch may comprise a flywheel assembly, a friction plate and a coupling. The flywheel assembly may include a flywheel having a cavity, a chamber, a piston moveable between a contracted position and an expanded position, a pressure plate, a lever, and a coupling operably connected to the friction plate. The flywheel may include an end plate. The chamber may be defined by the flywheel and the piston. The lever may apply an activation force to the pressure plate when the piston is in the expanded position. The friction plate may be attached to and rotatable with the flywheel assembly when the piston is in the expanded position and generally stationary when the piston is in the contracted position.

Abstract: A disconnect clutch and method of controlling the connection of a parasitic load to an engine disposed on a machine is disclosed. The disconnect clutch may comprise a flywheel assembly, a friction plate and a coupling. The flywheel assembly may include a flywheel having a cavity, a chamber, a piston moveable between a contracted position and an expanded position, a pressure plate, a lever, and a coupling operably connected to the friction plate. The flywheel may include an end plate. The chamber may be defined by the flywheel and the piston. The lever may apply an activation force to the pressure plate when the piston is in the expanded position. The friction plate may be attached to and rotatable with the flywheel assembly when the piston is in the expanded position and generally stationary when the piston is in the contracted position.

Abstract: A variable stiffness torsional coupling includes a plurality of piston and barrel combinations that each define a variable volume chamber fluidly connected to a pressure control device. An electronic controller is in control communication with the pressure control device and configured to execute a resonance avoidance algorithm to generate pressure control signals to change the rotational stiffness of the coupling.

Abstract: A damped torsional coupling is utilized to couple a drive shaft to a work shaft while permitting some relative rotation due to torsional vibrations. The coupling includes a second coupler oriented to rotate with respect to a first coupler about an axis through a continuum of negative to positive torque orientations. The first coupler defines a fluted perimeter surface with a number of flutes, distributed with radial symmetry about the axis. The second coupler a number of pistons reciprocally received in respective barrels to define a variable volume chamber fluidly connected to a damping passage. A spring biases the pistons and barrels to extend toward a position in contact with one of the flutes. The contact end may be an edge of a roller that rolls on the fluted perimeter surface in one of the flutes responsive to torques transmitted between the couplers.

Abstract: A torsional coupling includes a body having a circumference and defining a center axis. The body is rotatable about the center axis. The coupling also includes a ring including an inner diameter disposed about the circumference. The ring includes a ring contact surface having a first radius and the ring is configured to rotate about the center axis. A coupling element is associated with the body and is configured to apply a centrifugal force radially outwardly from the circumference of the body when the body rotates. The coupling element includes a coupling element contact surface having a second radius which is different than the first radius of the ring contact surface. The coupling element contact surface is in contact with the ring contact surface and is configured to apply a force against the ring contact surface to rotate the ring relative to the body and increase the effective stiffness of the torsional coupling as the rotational speed of the body increases.