Multi-gap magnetorheological fluid clutch
US8215467B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 21, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jul 10, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 25, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16D2037/004
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vehicle has a multi-gap magnetorheological fluid (MRF) clutch connecting rotatable input and output members, and includes a drum connected to the output member and a rotor connected to the input member. The drum contains a magnetically-permeable stator and a magnetic core, while the rotor has a magnetically-permeable member extending axially into the drum to define an outer working gap in conjunction with the stator and an inner working gap in conjunction with the magnetic core. MR fluid fills the working gaps, and a magnetic field generator or electromagnet induces a magnetic field when electrical current is passed through a field coil therein to change an apparent viscosity of the MR fluid. The inner and outer working gaps have a predetermined inner to outer gap thickness ratio balancing the slip power dissipation per unit volume in each of the working gaps.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.