Patent ID: 8066619

Claim:
A clutch control system interposed between an engine and driven equipment, comprising: a clutch assembly; an input speed sensor operatively connected to said clutch assembly for monitoring an input speed from the engine and producing an input speed signal corresponding thereto; an output speed sensor operatively connected to said clutch assembly for monitoring an output speed to said driven equipment and producing an output speed signal corresponding thereto; a pressure sensor operatively connected to said clutch assembly and presenting an output signal corresponding to clutch pressure; a pressure control valve operatively connected to said clutch assembly for regulating the application of actuating pressure to said clutch assembly; a clutch control unit interconnected with said input and output speed sensors, pressure sensor and pressure control valve for regulating an application of clutch pressure as a function of said input and output signals; and wherein said clutch control unit determines an amount of energy being absorbed by said clutch assembly from an assessment of said input and output speed signals, current and initial clutch pressure signals, and an amount of time elapsed during which the input speed and output speed are out of sync by a predefined difference.