Re: Torsen defined

["Doug Johnson" <ur-quattro@msn.com>]

----- Original Message -----
From: <QSHIPQ@aol.com>

> Dave E writes:
>
> >3) neither the locker or the torsen have any knwoledge of slip angles.
they
> >proportion torque based solely on tractive differences between the front
and
> >rear axles (front/rear slip).  both allocate torque to the axle with the
> >most traction.

> NO.  A torsen is fooled into allocating torque based on a turning radius.
> The conclusion is *not* that the torsen is allocating torque to the axle
with
> the most traction.  It's only allocating torque to the axle with the
highest
> resistance to torque.  That *can be* based on either a traction or a slip
> angle variable.

The cf of a sliding tire ids less than the cf of one that isn't sliding
(from previous college-level course-work).

Scott,

The Torsen isn't "fooled" at all.  Increased lip-angle and loss of traction
are essentially the same.  Note the first word in the term; "slip."  Does
this not indicate a loss of traction.  There's only one who's being "fooled"
here!

FWIW,

 - Doug (who dropped the senior level engineering course titled "Friction
and Lubrication," because it was far to theoretical for my tiny mind)