Remote sensing viscous fluid coupling
US5025906A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 26, 1990 |
| Grant date | Jun 25, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 26, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16D2500/70442
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A viscous clutch (10) is typically employed in a fan drive mechanism within a truck or automobile. A shaft (18), driven by the engine (12), rotates a clutch member (42) within the fan drive. The clutch member is arranged for fluid engagement with a body member (60) for the transmission of torque thereto when fluid is disposed in an operating chamber (100) defined by complimentary shear surfaces in the clutch and body members (48,98), respectively. An actuator assembly (30) operates to displace a valving element (196) within the clutch to control the torque transmission therethrough and thus the speed of the output shaft and fan (34) thereof. The actuator is electrically powered by a generator (222) made up of an armature (224) carried by the body member and a plurality of field generating magnets carried by clutch member (42) for rotational interaction therebetween. The clutch is tetherless and receives a slip speed demand signal by an optical or other non-contacting data link to provide tight control of fan speed and engine outlet coolent temperature.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.