Viscous clutch assembly
US6102177A · kind A · utility
12Cited by
17References
13Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 8, 1999 |
| Grant date | Aug 15, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 8, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16D2037/004
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A viscous fluid clutch includes a housing which defines a chamber. A fan assembly is attached to the housing. A rotor is rotatably attached to the housing through a bearing. The bearing is disposed entirely within the chamber at a radially inner portion of the chamber. The viscous fluid is located within a radially outer portion of the chamber. The housing and the rotor form a labryinth passage between the outer portion of the chamber and the inner portion of the chamber. This labryinth passage encourages condensation of any oil vapors that may have formed at the shear point of the viscous fluid.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.