> Why do you need a staring gauge??

The strain gauge was mentioned as one possible way of measuring the force
applied to the clutch mechanism. That measurement would be used in a
feedback mechanism so the driver can perceive the force being used (or at
least a proportion of it) like a force feedback joystick.

> If your using a limit switch you don't need a staring gauge.

Right, the limit switches and toggle switch was mentioned as an overly
simplified case.

> Now you mention a motor, how will you attach it ,and to what??
> will you just use the motor to operate the clutch cylinder???
> Or are you thinking of eliminating the clutch master and slave
cylinders???

I hadn't actually decided about the mechanical parts yet. The first idea
that I had was a beefy motor connected to a winch drum with a cable to the
clutch linkage (think 10-speed bicycle shifter cable, only bigger). Rough
guesstimates I'm thinking ~2 inches travel / ~100 pounds of force / <0.25
second cycle time - so it needs to be on the large side. (if memory serves 1
Hp = 550 ft*lb / sec, so 2/12 * 100 /0.25 = 66.6 ft*lb /sec or ~1/8 Hp -
doable) BTW, many vehicles have mechanically linked clutches - not
hydraulic. Master/slave cylinders aren't relevant in this case.

> As far as a trigger you could tie a push button to the stick shift
> with some sort of feed back to the operator that the clutch is fully
> disengaged .
> at this point the operator shifts the auto,and press the button again so
the
> clutch will engage.

I was thinking more along the lines of a sliding collar around the shift
lever, with about an inch of travel, spring loaded returns down. Connect a
sensor to it to provide a variable position feedback and have the actuator
"track" the position of the hand control. All the way down - clutch fully
engaged, all the way up - clutch disengaged.

-Denny


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