Patent GB-1061589-A (GB)
Title: Control means for an engine driven vehicle having an automatic change speed mechanism
IPC: F16H63/30
Filed: 1963-10-18
Abstract: 1,061,589. Controlling clutches. REGIE NATIONALE DES USINES RENAULT. Oct. 18, 1963 [Oct. 25, 1962; Sept. 20, 1963], No. 41326/63. Heading F2L. [Also in Division Fl] To provide shock-free deceleration and acceleration of a motor car, &c. engine during automatically controlled ratio shifts effected concomitantly with disengagement, &c. of the usual main clutch, an electromagneticallyoperated auxiliary engine power control device, such as an extra butterfly valve in the inlet manifold, is closed during each ratio shift and has its movements retarded by a damper to obtain progressive operation. In one form, energization of an electromagnet 8 on initiation of a ratio shift, causes the electromagnet armature 7<SP>1</SP>to act through a link 6 and turn a lever 5 fast with the spindle 4 of an auxiliary butterfly valve 3 in the induction pipe 1 of a car engine, to shut off the supply of fuel. A pneumatic dashpot 10 is connected by a link 14 to the arm 5, and retards rotation of the butterfly spindle 4. The dashpot 10 consists of a housing 16 divided into two compartments 12, 13 by a diaphragm 11 connected to the link 14. The compartment 13 is freely open to the ambient atmosphere, and the compartment 12 allows ingress and egress of air through an orifice 15. Shifts may be selected automatically by a governor (19) (not further described), Fig. 2 (not shown), opening a switch (21) in the control circuit of a main clutch (17) which, in this form, is electromagnetically controlled by current flowing through a coil (20). In parallel with the clutch-engaging coil (20) is a circuit including a rectifying diode (22) and a resistor (23). When the switch (21) is thrown open, the self-induction current passing through the coil (20), the diode (22), &c. effects gradual disengagement of the clutch (17). Gradual re-engagement is effected by controlled increase of current provided through a device (25) from a battery (24).  In a modified form, an electromagnet (28), Fig. 4 (not shown), has an armature (33) connected at its end (35) to the auxiliary butterfly valve, &c., and secured by a rod (36) to the flexible diaphragm (38) of a pneumatic dashpot (30). The compartment (39) on one side of the diaphragm (38) is connected to the ambient atmosphere through a hole (40), and the compartment (41) on the other side is connected to atmosphere both through an orifice (42) and through a hole (45). In the position illustrated in Fig. 4 (not shown), the electromagnet (28) has been energized during a ratio shift so that its armature (33) has moved to close the auxiliary butterfly valve, and the rod (36) has opened a valve (43) normally closing the hole (45) due to the bias of a spring (44). As soon as the ratio shift is established, the electromagnet (28) is deenergized and the armature (36), &c. is spring moved to start re-opening the auxiliary butterfly valve, first movement of the armature (33). &c. closing the valve (43) so that further movement of the armature, &c. is damped by ingress of air through the orifice (42). When the clutch is being disengaged, initial movement of the armature (33) to shut-down the engine is damped by egress of air through the orifice (42), until such time as the valve (43) is opened to allow rapid completion of the movement.  As modifications, the dashpot may be of hydraulic or hydro-pneumatic type, and the ratios in the gearing may be manually preselected for automatic establishment.