Patent ID: 7851933
Filing Date: 2010-12-14
Classification: F03D,F05B,F16D,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A clutch for interconnecting a first machine through a first shaft which is rotatable at variable rotational rates and a second machine though a second shaft, said second shaft being rotatable at a controllable rotational rate, said clutch comprising: a first shaft rotatable at variable rotation rates; a first rotor connected to said first shaft for rotation at variable rotation rates by said first shaft, said first rotor being configured to be one of a first element and a second element of an electrical machine; a second shaft rotatable at a controllable rotation rate; a second rotor connected to said second shaft to rotate said second shaft at said controllable rotation rate, said second rotor being configured to be the other of said first element and said second element of said electrical machine, said first element and said second element each being configured electrically and mechanically for one to rotate relative to the other to generate a torque to urge said second rotor to rotate; a source of electrical power connected to one of said first element and said second element to supply an electrical current thereto; torque varying means connected to one of said first rotor, said second rotor and said source of electrical power to vary said torque; sensing means positioned and configured to sense the rotation rate of said second shaft, said sensing means being configured to supply a second shaft rate signal reflective of said rotation rate of said second shaft; and control means connected to said sensing means to receive said second shaft rate signal and connected to said torque varying means to supply a control signal thereto to vary said torque, said control means being configured to compare said rotation rate of said second shaft received from said sensing means with said controllable rotation rate and to generate said control signal to cause said force varying means to vary said torque to urge said second shaft to rotate at said controllable rotation rate.