Abstract:
A variable torsion converter for use with automobiles and other like vehicles using transmission whereas the present invention uses a magnetic clutch in which a ferromagnetic slurry forms a magnetic bond with a power output plate as the slurry is rotated by a power input plate that is electromagnetically energized accordingly in response to the operator depressing or releasing the accelerator pedal thereby eliminating mechanical connections that are prone to wear and tear and breaking.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to automobile transmissions and, more specifically, to a variable torsion converter utilizing a magnetic clutch, in which fluid containing ferromagnetic material is used to control the transmission of power. The fluid is contained between two plates at the ends of power drive shafts, where the transfer of power is regulated by the varying degree of the viscosity of the ferromagnetic fluid under a magnetic field. The strength of the magnetic field is controlled by a servo attached to an accelerator pedal. A stronger magnetic field applied to the ferromagnetic fluid increases the viscosity of the fluid, thereby transferring more power between the two plates of the power drive shafts. This invention makes the change in torsion in the power train smoother and more progressive unlike the conventional transmissions with finite gear settings. 
     When the accelerator pedal is depressed, power is supplied to a generator source. The pedal at the same time is potentially switching the power surplus to the magnetic coil by actuating a power control servo with a curved tooth in gear arrangement. This power control servo is a potentiometer switch that channels power the generator source to the magnetic coil. The magnetic coil is positioned as a sleeve around the mechanical power input shaft. As power is increased to the coil, the mechanical power output plate becomes increasingly magnetized. This magnetic energy is then converted into a magnetic field of slurry. The slurry is ferromagnetic particles in a fluid suspension. The slurry positioned between the mechanical power input and output plates acts as a bridge between the two opposing plates, transferring magnetic energy from the mechanical power input plate to the mechanical power output plate. The coil and the mechanical power input and output plates are secured in position by two bearing seated within the housing. The housing consists of an upper and lower section that is of an EMF shielding material. The two sections are adjoined with a gasket to create a seal for the fluid suspension. 
     Described below are the characteristics of the three operational states of the present invention. 
     The characteristics of the present invention while in an idle state. When a vehicle is idle or stopped, no power is being delivered to the magnetic coil. Without power within the magnetic coil, there is no magnetic energy in the mechanical power input plate. Thus there is no magnetic field in the ferromagnetic particle slurry that is positioned between the mechanical input and mechanical output plates. In turn, the mechanical output plate remains stationary. 
     The characteristics of the present invention while in an accelerated or active state. When a vehicle&#39;s accelerator pedal is depressed, the vehicle begins to move in either a forward or reverse direction. This is attained by the accelerator pedal delivering power to the coil. The coil utilizes this power to magnetize the plate on the mechanical power input shaft. In turn, the magnetized plate activates the ferromagnetic particles in the slurry sustained between the power output and power input plates, forming a “bridge” of magnetically bound particles capable of grasping and turning the mechanical power output plate by progressively securing engagement between the plates. The coil power increases as the accelerator pedal is further depressed. In turn the magnetic field in the slurry is intensified increasing velocity to the mechanical power output plate until the desired velocity is reached. 
     The characteristics of the present invention while in the state of deceleration. When a vehicle&#39;s accelerator pedal is released and the user wishes to slow the vehicle, less power is supplied to the coil. In turn, there is a reduction in the magnetism of the mechanical power input plate and a decrease in the velocity of the slurry. Subsequently there is a reduction in the speed of the mechanical power output plate, slowing the vehicle. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     There are numerous other transmission devices designed for automobiles. There are also many other transmission devices for automobiles which provide non-mechanical power transmission. While these non-mechanical power transmission devices may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. It is thus desirable to provide a power transmission using a variable torsion converter. It is further desirable to achieve torque conversion through the use of ferromagnetic material in fluid form in a varying magnetic field that can be electronically controlled. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide non-mechanical power transmission. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide smooth and progressive power conversion. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide control of the power conversion with the use of electronic devices such as a servo. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide simplicity in design by employing ferromagnetic fluid instead of using complicated mechanical devices. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide longevity to the transmission device by utilizing ferromagnetic fluid rather than mechanical parts that wear out in time. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to lower the cost of manufacture of the transmission device. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide buffer for possible impact that can be delivered forward from the wheels, thereby protecting the engine. 
     Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
     The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing non-mechanical power conversion means that can be easily controlled electronically while keeping the overall structure of the device simple and durable as well as economically affordable. 
     The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of the illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawing, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
     The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the power control servo. 
     FIG. 6 is a chart of power distribution in the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is an additional element of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is an additional element of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate the Variable Torsion Converter of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures. 
       10  Variable Torsion Converter of the present invention 
       12  housing assembly 
       14  first housing member 
       16  second housing member 
       17  housing chamber 
       18  mechanical power output shaft 
       19  power input assembly 
       20  mechanical power input shaft 
       21  power output assembly 
       22  mechanical power output plate 
       24  mechanical power input plate 
       26  mechanical power output bearing 
       28  first mechanical power input bearing 
       30  second mechanical power input bearing 
       32  gasket 
       34  magnetic coil 
       36  electrical cables 
       38  ferromagnetic slurry 
       40  accelerator pedal 
       42  power control servo 
       44  bolt 
       50  mechanical gearbox 
       52  fan belt 
       54  generator 
       56  crankshaft 
       58  drive shaft 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments, practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims. 
     FIG. 1 is an additional element of the present invention. Shown is the present invention  10  having mechanical power input shaft  20  generally connected to an internal combustion engine crankshaft for the torque input. The mechanical power output shaft  18 , located at the opposing end generally connected to an automobile&#39;s drive shaft, delivers desired mechanical power from the device to the drive train. The torque is then converted in the device  10  from the mechanical power input. Also shown are the electrical cables  36  connected to the magnetic coil  34  to the power control servo  42 . 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the present invention  10 . Shown is the present invention  10  exploded into its individual components with the device having a housing assembly  12  comprising a first housing member  14  and a lower housing member  16  made with EMF shielding material. The two housing members  16 ,  18  are sealed with a gasket therebetween and secured to one another with a plurality of bolts  44  to form an air tight seal so that an enclosure for the device is formed. Also shown is the present invention  10  having a magnetic coil  34  slipped over the mechanical power input shaft  20  so that magnetic forces may travel through it&#39;s associated hardware to create magnetic forces of attraction on surface of the mechanical power input plate  24 . 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the present invention  10 . Shown is the present invention  10  before the magnetic coil  34  is activated. The ferromagnetic particle slurry  38  in between the power output plate  22  and power input plate is not activated and the slurry  38  remains fluid. The mechanical power input shaft  20  turns under power, but the mechanical power output plate  22  and the mechanical power output shaft  18  remain stationary. 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the present invention  10 . Shown is the present invention  10  with the magnetic coil  34  activated and the ferromagnetic particles in the slurry  38  sustained between the two plates forming a bridge of magnetically bound particles capable of grasping and turning the mechanical power output plate  22  by progressively securing engagement between the plates as power increases in the magnetic coil  34 . 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the power control servo  42 . Shown is the power control servo  42  of the present invention. The power control servo  42  is a potentiometer switch, which when activated by the accelerator pedal  40 , gradually increases power from generator source to the magnetic clutch coil  34 . This in turn increases the magnetic field within the slurry  38 . The accelerator  40  is attached to the servo  42  with a curved tooth in gear arrangement. 
     FIG. 6 is a chart of power distribution in the present invention  10 . Shown is the relationships between the engines input torque, the present inventions output torque, the distance between the mechanical power output plate  22  and magnetized plate  24  and the amount of power distributed to the magnetic coil  34  as the accelerator  40  is manipulated from an undisturbed position to a fully compressed position. 
     FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the present invention  10 . Shown is the relationship between the operating systems included in the present invention operation. 
     FIG. 8 is an additional element of the present invention  10 . Shown is the additional element of the present invention providing a gearbox  50  that may be installed to the mechanical power output plate  22  so that a reverse option may be used. Shown is the gearbox  50  engaged in the forward position. 
     FIG. 9 is an additional element of the present invention  10 . Shown is the gearbox  50  with the reverse gear engaged. 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other applications differing from that described above. 
     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.