Patent ID: 7979187

Claim:
A method for coupling a load to a power source by means of a clutch, the clutch comprises at least one pressure plate connected to the power source, at least one clutch plate connected to the load and located near the at least one pressure plate to allow contact with the at least one pressure plate, an actuator connected with the at least one pressure plate and capable of forcing the at least one pressure plate against the at least one clutch plate, the method comprises the steps of: initially increasing the pressure of the actuator for a first time interval to bring the at least one pressure plate into contact with the at least one clutch plate; gradually increasing the pressure of the actuator during a second time interval to allow the at least one clutch plate to be engaged with the at least one pressure plate; and after said second time interval, leveling the pressure of the actuator to maintain the engagement of the at least one pressure plate with the at least one clutch plate to allow the load to be driven by the power source, wherein the gradually increasing step includes gradually increasing the pressure of the actuator while applying at least once a pressure decrease lasting a short time interval to create at least one pressure dip for decreasing at least temporarily the torque generated in driving the load, wherein the application of the pressure dip is repeated until the at least one clutch plate and the at least one pressure plate are engaged sufficiently such that the generated torque is no longer above a predetermined value.