Borgwarner Inc.

Eaton Corporation

Christian M Tilly

Thomas Buchholz

Thomas Tauschel

Matthias Busch

Ulrich Niedermeier

Ralf J Fuchs

An actuator which, by a movement of a component which is generated by means of an electric current, can effect control of another component in a mechanical environment having rotating parts which are housed in a very small space. A rotating element, for example a clutch shaft (), is hollow, and an electromagnetic coil arrangement () is housed in this cavity in such a way that the excitation of the coil is converted into a mechanical displacement of a component arranged outside the clutch shaft, for example of a sleeve sliding axially on the clutch shaft. For this purpose, parts of the clutch shaft are made ferromagnetic and are integrated in the magnetic loop of the coil (). The actuator according to the invention can be used, for example, in a viscous clutch for controlling the throughput of shear medium.

Actuator for viscous clutch with magnetic oil circulation valve

A viscous fluid-type heat generating apparatus comprises a conveying rotor in communication with at least one channel for conveying a tempering fluid through it. The conveying rotor is mounted on a driven shaft. A shearing arrangement provides shearing forces onto viscous liquid situated in a chamber. This chamber is immediately formed within a hollow space of the conveyor rotor.

Heat generator

Cooling fin arrangement

A fluid friction clutch, in particular for the fan of the radiator of an internal combustion engine, is described. A valve element ( ) controlling the clutch is operated via a solenoid control by means of a piston rod ( ) which is guided coaxially in the drive shaft ( ) of the clutch. The piston rod ( ) includes an anchor ( ), which is guided in the drive shaft ( ). An actuator coil ( ) is received in the magnet body ( ), which is seated rotatably upon the drive shaft ( ). The drive shaft ( ) guiding the anchor ( ) is provided with a non-magnetic separation gap ( ).

Fluid friction clutch

A fluid coupling device in which the input coupling member (11) includes a plate-like member (29) defining a first inlet port (63), and a second inlet port (67) disposed radially outward of the first inlet port. The device includes a valve member (43) having a disengaged position (FIG. 4) blocking flow through both inlet ports. As the valve member (43) moves from the disengaged position toward a first operating position (FIG. 5) the first inlet port (63) is uncovered, while the second inlet port (67) remains covered. Continued movement of the valve member results in progressive uncovering of the second inlet port (67). Finally, there is a third inlet port (73), radially outward from the second inlet port (67), and further movement of the valve member (43) eventually uncovers the third inlet port. As the valve member moves, after uncovering the first inlet port, it passes through a dead band region (D1), then after uncovering the second inlet port, it passes through a dead band region (D2), in both cases helping to insure that the desired amount of fluid has been communicated into the operating chamber (35).

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Uhldingen, Germany

Christian M Tilly