Patent ID: 8701636

Claim:
A variable-input driving system for transmitting driving power between an output shaft of a prime mover, the output shaft being rotatable at a driving speed of the prime mover, and an input shaft of a driven component, comprising: a first rotatable component configured to rotate at a first speed due to rotation of the output shaft when the output shaft is rotating at the driving speed; a first sensor disposed to measure a rotation of the first rotatable component and provide a first signal indicative of the rotation of the first rotatable component; a second rotatable component configured to rotate at a second speed due to rotation of the output shaft when the output shaft is rotating at the driving speed; a second sensor disposed to measure a rotation of the second rotatable component and provide a second signal indicative of the rotation of the second rotatable component; a drive selector having a first input, a second input, and an output, the first input being rotatably associated with the first rotatable component, the second input being rotatably associated with the second rotatable component, and the output being rotatably associated with the input shaft of the driven component, the drive selector responsive to a command signal to selectively engage the first input or the second input with the output such that rotation of the first or second input is transmitted to the driven component; and an electronic controller configured to receive the first and second signals, and provide the command signal based on the first and second signals.