초록 ▼

A viscous fan clutch is typically employed in a fan drive mechanism within a truck or automobile. A shaft, driven by the engine, rotates a clutch member within the fan drive. The clutch member is arranged for fluid engagement with a body member for the transmission of torque thereto when fluid is di

A viscous fan clutch is typically employed in a fan drive mechanism within a truck or automobile. A shaft, driven by the engine, rotates a clutch member within the fan drive. The clutch member is arranged for fluid engagement with a body member for the transmission of torque thereto when fluid is disposed in an operating chamber defined by complimentary shear surfaces in the clutch and body members. During relative rotation between the two members, fluid is pumped through a return passage to a valve coaxially disposed with the driven shaft which selectively directs a flow of viscous fluid alternately to a storage chamber or directly back into the operating chamber. The valve is biased into a first position in which the fluid is directed into a fluid storage chamber and is actuated into the second position by means of a coaxially disposed solenoid acting upon ferrous metal members of the valve. When the valve is in the second position, a port is opened for fluid communication between the fluid storage chamber and the operating chamber. A system of stops and reinforcing ridges are provided to insure that the valve blade remains in alignment when in the first and second positions.

대표청구항 ▼

A viscous fluid clutch comprising: a first member secured for rotation with a shaft; a second member rotatbly disposed on said shaft relative to said first member; shear surfaces disposed on said first and second members and forming an operating chamber therebetween; a fluid storage chamber adjacent

A viscous fluid clutch comprising: a first member secured for rotation with a shaft; a second member rotatbly disposed on said shaft relative to said first member; shear surfaces disposed on said first and second members and forming an operating chamber therebetween; a fluid storage chamber adjacent said operating chamber; pump means operative to circulate fluid between said operating chamber and fluid storage chamber; a valving element operable to modulate said fluid circulation and including an elongated valve blade disposed within said fluid storage chamber and axially displaceable between a first position in which said blade overlays at least one drain port interconnecting the radially outwardmost portion of said fluid storage chamber with said operating chamber, and a second position in which said blade uncovers said drain port, thereby permitting fluid communication between said fluid storage chamber and said operating chamber; and valve blade control means comprising stiffening means cooperatively oriented along the line of elongation of said valve blade and operative to maintain said valve blade in an orientation substantially parallel to that assumed in said first position when said valve blade is in said second position.