US4346797A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Magnetically actuated viscous fluid coupling
Assignee: BorgWarner Inc
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Filing: 1980-07-25
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Granted: 1982-08-31
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Expires: 2000-07-25
Abstract
Abstract A viscous fan clutch (10) is typically employed in a fan drive mechanism within a truck or automobile. A shaft (12) driven by the engine, rotates a clutch member (24) within the fan drive. The clutch member is arranged for fluid engagement with a body member (42) for the transmission of torque thereto when the fluid is disposed in an operating chamber (70) defined by complimentary shear surfaces (30 and 56) in the clutch and body members. During relative rotation between the two members, fluid is pumped from the operating chamber to a storage chamber (76). Fluid is returned to the operating chamber via bleed ports (94) which are selectively restricted by an electromagnetically controlled valve (88). A control system (110) senses vehicle coolant temperature and actuates the valve as a function thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Warren G. Bopp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 01:42
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D35/00; F16D35/02; F16D35/021; F16D35/024
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A viscous fluid clutch comprising: first and second members mounted for relative rotation about a common axis and defining cooperating shear surfaces; means operative to generate a flow of viscous fluid between said surfaces; and a valving element carried by one of said members and operable to frictionally engage the other of said members to effect modulation of said flow by producing a limited rotation of said valving element with respect to said valve element carrying member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
A viscous fluid clutch comprising: first and second members mounted for relative rotation about a common axis and defining cooperating shear surfaces; means operative to generate a flow of viscous fluid between said surfaces; and a valving element carried by one of said members and operable to frictionally engage the other of said members to effect modulation of said flow by producing a limited rotation of said valving element with respect to said valve element carrying member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The viscous clutch of claim 1, wherein said valving element comprises means operative to compensate for relative misalignment of said first and second members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The viscous clutch of claim 1, wherein said means operative to generate a flow of viscous fluid comprises a pump operative to displace said fluid as a function of relative rotation between said first and second members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
82 words
A viscous fluid clutch comprising: first and second members mounted for relative rotation about a common axis and defining cooperating shear surfaces; means operative to generate a flow of viscous fluid between said surfaces; a valving element mounted for rotation with one of said members and operable to frictionally engage the other of said members to effect modulation of said flow; and actuator means operative to displace said valving element from a first position to a second position to effect said engagement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
82 words
A viscous fluid clutch comprising: first and second members mounted for relative rotation about a common axis and defining cooperating shear surfaces; means operative to generate a flow of viscous fluid between said surfaces; a valving element mounted for rotation with one of said members and operable to frictionally engage the other of said members to effect modulation of said flow; and actuator means operative to displace said valving element from a first position to a second position to effect said engagement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The viscous clutch of claim 4, wherein said valving element comprises means operative to compensate for relative misalignment of said first and second members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The viscous clutch of claim 4, wherein said means operative to generate a flow of viscous fluid comprises a pump operative to displace said fluid as a function of relative rotation between said first and second members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The viscous clutch of claim 4, wherein said valving element operates to restrict said flow in said first position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The viscous clutch of claim 4, wherein said actuator means displaces said valving element axially with respect to said first and second members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The viscous clutch of claim 4, wherein said actuator means comprises an electromagnet operative to establish a magnetic circuit which passes through ferrous material within said valving element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The viscous clutch of claim 9, wherein said electromagnet comprises an inductor disposed concentrically about said axis which is electrically energized as a function of the temperature of a fluid associated with said clutch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The viscous clutch of claim 4, further comprising means operative to bias said valving element into said first position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
93 words
A viscous fluid clutch comprising: a first member secured for rotation with a shaft; a second member rotatably 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; means operative to generate a circulating flow of viscous fluid between said chambers; and a valving element mounted for rotation with said second member and operable to frictionally engage said shaft to effect modulation of said flow by angular displacement of said element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
93 words
A viscous fluid clutch comprising: a first member secured for rotation with a shaft; a second member rotatably 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; means operative to generate a circulating flow of viscous fluid between said chambers; and a valving element mounted for rotation with said second member and operable to frictionally engage said shaft to effect modulation of said flow by angular displacement of said element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The viscous clutch of claim 12, further comprising actuator means operative to displace said valving element from a first position to a second position to effect said engagement.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The viscous clutch of claim 13, wherein said valving element operates to restrict said flow in said first position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The viscous clutch of claim 13, wherein said actuator means displaces said valving element axially with respect to said shaft.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The viscous clutch of claim 15, wherein said valving element is angularly displaced in a first sense when in said second position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The viscous clutch of claim 16, further comprising means operative to angularly bias said valving element in a second sense.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The viscous clutch of claim 17, wherein said biasing means also operates to bias said valving element axially into said first position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The viscous clutch of claim 13, wherein said actuator means comprises an electromagnet operative to establish a magnetic circuit which passes through ferrous metal within said shaft and valving element.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The viscous clutch of claim 19, wherein said electromagnet comprises an inductor disposed concentrically about said shaft which is electrically energized as a function of the temperature of a fluid associated with said clutch.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The viscous clutch of claim 13, further comprising means operative to bias said valving element into said first position.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The viscous clutch of claim 12 wherein said valving element comprises means operative to compensate for relative misalignment of said first and second members.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The viscous clutch of claim 12, wherein said valving element is disposed within said fluid storage chamber.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
149 words
A viscous fluid clutch comprising: a first member secured for rotation with a shaft; a second member rotatably 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; a pump operative to displace fluid from said operating chamber to said storage chamber as a function of relative rotation between said members; at least one drain port interconnecting said chamber for fluid communication therebetween; and a valving element mounted coaxially with said second member for rotation therewith and axially displacable to frictionally engage said shaft to effect modulation of the flow of fluid through said port by angular displacement of said element from a first limit of travel in which said element overlays said port to a second limit of travel in which said port is relatively unobstructed.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
149 words
A viscous fluid clutch comprising: a first member secured for rotation with a shaft; a second member rotatably 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; a pump operative to displace fluid from said operating chamber to said storage chamber as a function of relative rotation between said members; at least one drain port interconnecting said chamber for fluid communication therebetween; and a valving element mounted coaxially with said second member for rotation therewith and axially displacable to frictionally engage said shaft to effect modulation of the flow of fluid through said port by angular displacement of said element from a first limit of travel in which said element overlays said port to a second limit of travel in which said port is relatively unobstructed.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
The viscous fluid clutch of claim 24, further comprising a tethered electromagnet disposed concentrically about said shaft and operative to displace said valving element from said first position to said second position.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
30 words
The viscous fluid clutch of claim 25 wherein said electromagnet comprises an inductor which is electrically energized as a function of the temperature of a fluid associated with said clutch.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The viscous fluid clutch of claim 24, further comprising means operative to bias said valving element axially into said first position.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
The viscous fluid clutch of claim 27, wherein said biasing means further operates to bias said valving element angularly into said first limit of travel.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
The viscous fluid clutch of claim 24, further comprising means operative to bias said valving element angularly into said first limit of travel.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The viscous fluid clutch of claim 24, wherein said valving element is disposed within said fluid storage chamber.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
The viscous clutch of claim 24, wherein said valving element comprises means operative to compensate for relative misalignment of said first and second members.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
112 words
A viscous clutch comprising: first and second members mounted for relative rotation about a common axis and having cooperating sheer surfaces defining therebetween an operating chamber containing viscous fluid; means operative in response to sensing of a predetermined operating condition of an associated apparatus to generate a control signal; a valving element movable to vary the amount of operating fluid in said chamber and thereby vary the transmission of torque between said members; and means operative in response to said control signal to extract kenetic energy from one of said members and input it to said valving element to move said valving element and thereby vary the torque transmitted between said members.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
112 words
A viscous clutch comprising: first and second members mounted for relative rotation about a common axis and having cooperating sheer surfaces defining therebetween an operating chamber containing viscous fluid; means operative in response to sensing of a predetermined operating condition of an associated apparatus to generate a control signal; a valving element movable to vary the amount of operating fluid in said chamber and thereby vary the transmission of torque between said members; and means operative in response to said control signal to extract kenetic energy from one of said members and input it to said valving element to move said valving element and thereby vary the torque transmitted between said members.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-08-30 | 1986-03-01 | 1986-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-08-30 | 1990-03-01 | 1990-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-08-30 | 1994-03-01 | 1994-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |