Variable inertia flywheel

摘要

A variable inertia flywheel and clutch assembly having a primary flywheel mass rotationally fixed to an engine crankshaft and a secondary flywheel mass selectively engageable with a clutch disc, which is rotationally fixed to a transmission input shaft. A radial spring assembly is coupled between the primary mass and the secondary mass, as well as a latching assembly that can latch to selectively prevent relative rotation between the primary mass and the secondary mass. Preferably, the latching assembly is also employed as a variable damper between the primary mass and the secondary mass when the latching assembly is not latched.