SELECTABLE MASS FLYWHEEL

• Main Authors: PIORKOWSKI PAUL A, PARTRIDGE MICHAEL, MUCHMORE ROBERT A, POWELL MICHAEL S
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 12.04.2012
• Subjects: BLASTING; COMBUSTION ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; HEATING; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS; INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; LIGHTING; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; SPRINGS; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; WEAPONS

A selectable mass flywheel assembly for a powertrain of a motor vehicle includes a first mass and a second mass. The first mass is connected to a crankshaft of an engine and the second mass engages with a clutch to transfer torque from the engine to a transmission. The two masses are rotationally coupled to each other with a spring and damper assembly. The flywheel assembly further includes a locking mechanism that engages both masses during the startup of the engine to lock the two masses together to minimize the vibrations and pulsations in the powertrain during startup of the engine.