Multi-speed drive for transferring power to a load
US9169904B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 11, 2012 |
| Grant date | Oct 27, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 1, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H55/36
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In a first aspect, the invention is directed to a multi-speed drive for controlling the speed of a load that is driven from a crankshaft of an engine. The multi-speed drive permits the speed of the load to be adjusted based on one or more parameters, such as vehicle speed, engine RPM, battery charge level (e.g. when the load is an alternator), coolant temperature (e.g. when the load is a cooling fan), engine power demand from the vehicle driver, water level in which the vehicle is driving (e.g. when the load is a cooling fan whose blades could be damaged or could cause damage to other vehicle components if they impact water during use). The speeds provided by the multi-speed drive may include two or more non-zero rotational speeds, or two or more non-zero rotational speeds and a zero speed, or one non-zero rotational speed and a zero speed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.