Fluid friction clutch
US4940121A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 6, 1988 |
| Grant date | Jul 10, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 6, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16D35/022
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Fluid friction clutches tend to operate discontinuously when the performance requirement is low and therefore the filling ratio in the working chamber is also low. This so-called "surging" is to be avoided. According to the invention, a forced guiding is provided for the clutch fluid from a front part of the working chamber into the rear part of the working chamber, and only then is the return flow provided to the storage chamber which is achieved by a sealing-off of the working chamber into these two areas by means of the clutch disk and by means of the arrangement of a fluid deflector with damming bodies at a part of the circumference. The resulting forced distribution of clutch fluid on both sides of the clutch disk permits a smooth operation of the clutch and, when pumping elements are arranged, also a reduction of the hysteresis. Fluid friction clutches of this type are particularly suitable for fan drives for cooling devices of motor vehicles.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.