Magnetorheological fluid fan clutch
US5896965A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 2, 1997 |
| Grant date | Apr 27, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 2, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16D2037/007
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A magnetorheological fluid fan clutch effects modulated rotational motion transmission between a rotatable input shaft carrying an input clutch plate and a housing having a front cover and a rear cover forming a cavity about the input clutch plate wherein the front and rear covers operate as output clutch plates. A nonmagnetic spacer is positioned between the front and rear covers and radially outside the input clutch plate. A bearing supports the housing on the input shaft through the rear cover so that the input clutch plate is rotatable on the input shaft relative to the housing. Magnetorheological fluid is carried in the cavity, through which torque is variably transferred between the input clutch plate and the housing. A coil is positioned radially outside the nonmagnetic spacer and carries a variable electrical current to effect a variable magnetic field across the input clutch plate and through the magnetorheological fluid providing modulated torque transmission between the input clutch plate and the housing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.