Patent ID: 7228215

Claim:
A method of operating an automatic clutch apparatus to reduce impact of a clutch apparatus, the clutch apparatus being placed in a drive train between a drive machine and a transmission, the clutch apparatus being engaged by a closing force and is disengaged by a piston-cylinder combination when pressure is applied thereto, valve units with actuation members facilitate supplying pressurized fluid to the piston-cylinder combination and facilitate de-aeration thereof, at least one sensor determines at least one operational condition of the clutch apparatus and sends at least one signal representative of the at least one operational condition to an electronic control unit for adjustment of a respective actuator member of the valve units such that an adjusted movement of the clutch apparatus is available, the method comprising the steps of: determining on a continuous basis, by the at least one sensor, an actual engagement position and an actual engagement speed of the clutch apparatus toward impact; generating the at least one signal by the at least one sensor and sending the at least one signal to the electronic control unit; comparing, in the electronic control unit, data representing the actual engagement position and the actual engagement speed of the clutch apparatus with a stored predetermined set position and a correlated stored set engagement speed; and braking the actual engagement speed of the clutch apparatus, upon attainment of a defined set position or any deviation from a desired engagement speed, so as to attain a predetermined engagement of the clutch apparatus which minimizes, at the very least, the clutch impact.