Viscous clutch with eddy current reduction

US8100241B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• HORTON, INC. · US

Inventors

• David R. Hennessy · Burnsville, US
• Bastian Brand · Schonungen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 12, 2011
• Grant date: Jan 24, 2012
• Expiry date: May 12, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16D35/024
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An electromagnetically actuated viscous clutch assembly includes a rotor arranged relative to an axis of rotation, an electromagnetic coil for generating magnetic flux, a housing positioned adjacent to the rotor to create a fluid working chamber therebetween with the housing and the rotor being selectively rotatable relative to one another, an insert extending through the housing and configured to conduct magnetic flux from the electromagnetic coil along a flux path, a valve assembly electromagnetically linked to the insert along the flux path for selectively controlling fluid flow into the working chamber to selectively engage the rotor and the housing, and a plurality of recesses defined in a portion of the housing located at an interior of the flux path to reduce eddy currents.