DE-COUPLING CLUTCH, PARTICULARLY FOR MARINE USE

摘要

Stand alone decoupling clutch (10) is used in drive shafts, eg of watercraft. Clutch (10) is separate from any gearbox, etc, does not change the direction of rotation of the drive shaft, and has a single clutch area which allows slippage at any speed or torque. Electronic control system (44) controls slippage of the clutch (10) providing for low speed operation, high energy launches, driveline protection, etc. Slip speed is controlled sensing input shaft speed (38) and the output propeller speed (40) and altering hydraulic pressure accordingly on a clutch-compressing piston by opening direct-acting, high flow, electro-hydraulic solenoids (36).