any ideas / pneumatic clutch master slave ?, Yep another strange idea Options

[drive-ability]

I have really been looking for a system to use to replace my hydraulic clutch setup.
The idea of using an air cylinder to operate my clutch is appealing to me. I am sure an air cylinder would have enough power but the idea of being able the modulate the clutch is a sticking point. The reason I think it might be doable is there are so many air ride system being sold with a lot of R&R already completed.
The idea of being able to release the clutch with control is the problem. Any of you guys have any thoughts? Sure I might be able to set a fixed rate of engagement and that might work. I mean once you depress the clutch a switch would open the air charge to the cylinder, that part is a snap. Now when engaging the clutch one could have a set rate and you could then modulate that simply by depressing the clutch quickly if needed. Then you could have any pedal tension you want. Again I am trying to civilize the car a bit more. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/type.gif)

[alpha434]

How do you power it? Mount a compressor to leech off what little horepower you have, or up some sort of storage tank for holding air, which you could run out of, and then I hope your clutchless shifting is good.

Meanwile... I've been thinking of similar ideas.

I was thinking of a hydraulic setup that is pressurized by an oil pump from the cooling system that would be added to either the engine or the trans and then controlled by a pentiometer and a selenoid valve.

[alpha434]

Oh. right. To answer your question... Pentiometer and selenoid valves. You have to set it up to detect position of the clutch pedal and reflect that. Alternately, you can have it go through a start program, where it would apply limited pressure to the clutch at low speeds, and then move the clutch quickly off/on at speed. You could probly even rid yourself of the pedal entirely if you used an rpm switch and a speed switch...

rpm<1000, speed irrelevent= clutch disengage
rpm1000-2500, speed <15mph= clutch partially engaged
rpm1000-2500, speed >15mph= clutch in on/off mode
rpm2500-8000, speed irrelevent= clutch in on/off mode (so you can still burn the tires)

Putting the rpm inputs for the different program routines on a rheostat would allow for some sort of tunability.

Approaching a gear change on the shift stick could disengage clutch when in on/off mode. Being completely in gear could engage clutch.

If you use a double acting cylinder, then you can apply a far greater amount of force against the clutch plate.

PM me if you want more, or want to start a project.