Air Conditioning Compressor Clutch System Protection Options: Thermal Fuse, Integral Slip Signal Generator

The objective of the air conditioning clutch protection systems described here is to limit or avoid the damage caused by a slip and burn failure.

The thermal fuse system is an economical way to limit such damage. The temperature range and mounting details of the thermal fuse are selected to avoid false triggering yet provide reliable one-time operation and provide protection to the system.

The Integral Slip Signal Generator provides a way to monitor each clutch engagement. It provides a high resolution sawtooth-type amperage signal that occurs only during clutch slippage. Used in conjunction with a vehicle's computer, it provides a real time way to disengage the clutch during any overload without reference to any other signals - only clutch amperage needs to be observed. The sensor is not a Hall-effect type, it is derived from the clutch construction itself via unique configuration of its magnetic poles.