Importance

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Abstract

The method and apparatus are used for operating a magnetic clutch system of the type which includes a magnetic clutch having a clutch magnetizing coil which can be actuated to couple a first rotatable element to a second rotatable element when voltage is applied across the clutch magnetizing coil and which disengages the second rotatable member when voltage is disconnected from, or connected in reverse polarity across, the clutch magnetizing coil and which can include a brake with a brake magnetizing coil. The method includes the steps of and the apparatus includes means for: applying a voltage from a high voltage DC voltage source across an inductor coil, such as a brake magnetizing coil, for a first time period, applying a voltage from the voltage source across the clutch magnetizing coil for a first time period with both of the coils being connected in parallel across the voltage source, providing a unidirectional current path across the coils, simultaneously and momentarily disconnecting the voltage across both coils causing the coils to reverse polarity with the current generated in each coil flowing through the unidirectional current path, reconnecting the clutch magnetizing coil in series with the inductor coil across the voltage source but with the clutch magnetizing coil connected in reverse polarity to the first connection thereof across the voltage source for a second period of time thereby to accelerate a rapid change of magnetic polarity of the clutch magnetizing coil to repel a flywheel coupling disc of the magnetic clutch, and after the second time period, again disconnecting the coils from the voltage source.

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First Claim