초록 ▼

An electroviscous fan clutch (10) is employed as an accessory drive mechanism within a truck or automobile. A shaft (36), either driven by the engine or driving a load (31), carries a clutch member (14) arranged for fluid engagement with a body member (12) for the transmission of torque therebetween

An electroviscous fan clutch (10) is employed as an accessory drive mechanism within a truck or automobile. A shaft (36), either driven by the engine or driving a load (31), carries a clutch member (14) arranged for fluid engagement with a body member (12) for the transmission of torque therebetween when electroviscous fluid is disposed in an operating chamber (45) defined by complimentary shear surfaces (40 and 44) in the clutch and body members. The clutch and body members are electrodes, connected to a source of high voltage potential (86), which establish an electrostatic field within the operating chamber to selectively vary the characteristic viscosity of fluid flowing therethrough.

대표청구항 ▼

An electroviscous fluid clutch comprising: first and second members mounted for relative rotation about a common axis and defining cooperating shear surfaces forming an operating chamber therebetween; means operative to circulate electroviscous fluid between said operating chamber and a storage cham

An electroviscous fluid clutch comprising: first and second members mounted for relative rotation about a common axis and defining cooperating shear surfaces forming an operating chamber therebetween; means operative to circulate electroviscous fluid between said operating chamber and a storage chamber; means operative to modulate said circulating flow as a function of a sensed parametric input; a source of high voltage potential; and a plurality of electrodes in circuit with said source positioned to establish an electrostatic field within said operating chamber to selectively vary the characteristic viscosity of fluid flowing therethrough.