Patent ID: 8701851
Filing Date: 2014-04-22
Classification: F02B,F16F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A selectable mass flywheel for a powertrain of a motor vehicle comprising: a first mass connected to an engine of the powertrain with a crankshaft; a second mass that selectively engages a clutch of the powertrain to transfer torque from the engine to a transmission, the second mass and the first mass being rotatable relative to each other over a limited angular distance; and a spring damper system positioned between and coupling the first mass and the second mass, wherein the spring damper system is not in contact with the crankshaft and wherein the spring damper system includes a spring and a damper arranged to provide limited angular rotation between the first mass and the second mass; and a locking mechanism that engages the first mass and the second mass during startup of the engine to minimize vibrations and pulsations in the powertrain during startup of the engine, the locking mechanism reducing vehicle vibration modes by about a factor of three when the locking mechanism locks the first mass and the second mass together.