F1technical.net

Hello guys. I've got a question to you:

Do you know if it would be better/feasible using the clutch to control speed?


What I mean is this. If the engine has max power at 10.000RPM. Put 1st, leave it 10kRPM and work out the speed with clutch release. Once the clutch is totally released, you put 2nd (engine still at 10krpm) and you gain speed releasing the clutch.


So we would have an ECU keeping 10kRPM and instead of an accelerator we would have a clutch release pedal.

I thought of this just because you can keep the engine at max power at all times. But I don't know much about clutches, so I couldn't answer myself.


Bye bye

Caito

top fuel cars have no gears and slip the clutch for the entire run. then again the clutch only has to live for a few seconds

Caito, the effect you are describing - maintaining maximum engine power while varying wheel speed - is also achieved by CVT transmissions like those found on scooters or many forklifts. Essentially, the throttle pedal determines the power level, which determines the rpm level, chosen by the rpm range that produces that power most efficiently, and then the transmission varies it's ratio according to wheel speed.

Your engine would be at a good point in the RPM range, sure.. but if you're just slipping a clutch you wouldn't be applying all that power to the wheels.

I was once a guest of the Loc-Tite sponsored Funny Car team run by Whit Bazemore. During tear down after a run, the clutch disc (fully metallic) is removed from the car and thrown in a 5 gallon bucket of water which it promptly brought to a boil. The clutch disc was replaced every few runs. In fact, brought two home with me....

Thank you for the answers guys.

l4mbch0ps: I know CVT, but was thinking in rules and regulations so the regular gearbox would be a must.

Jersey Tom: I know you wouldn't be applying that power to the ground but just a fraction. The question would be if that fraction would be bigger than just having the clutch with 0 slip and lower RPM.

countersteer: Single clutch? Do you know why it was fully metallic?


Bye bye!


Caito.-