Water pump with electronically controlled viscous coupling drive
US6644933B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 2, 2002 |
| Grant date | Nov 11, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 2, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16D2037/005
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An electronically-controlled viscous coupling is coupled to a water pump to control the coolant flow rate of engine coolant to an engine at a given engine speed to maximize fuel economy and minimize emissions. The viscous coupling has a stationary electrical coil that, when excited by electrical current, induces the driven disk to flex away from an input disk within the viscous, thereby increasing the size of the shear area, thereby decreasing the amount of torque produced to drive the water pump shaft and impellers that control the coolant flow rate. A carrier coupled to the back of the driven disk maximizes the amount of flex allowed to the driven disk, thereby assuring a maximum decrease in rotational speed of the impellers at a given engine speed and ensuring that the driven disk does not contact the stationary coil.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.