Warner Electric Technology, Inc.

Dana Corporation

Other

Warner Electric Brake & Clutch Company

James A Pardee

George Patrick Gill

Paul A Larson

Michael Humy

Brian K Holmbeck

Robert L Stibbe

Charles F Magers

Pankaj C Modi

A rotational coupling device is provided with an integrated rotor and brake disc to simplify design of the device and remove liquids from the device when used in a wet environment. The rotor is configured for rotation about a rotating hub and includes a first member defining one pole of the rotor and a second member defining a second pole of the rotor and a braking surface. The second member is coupled to the first member, but axially movable relative to the first member. During clutch engagement, an electromagnetic circuit used to engage the clutch urges the second member into engagement with the first member for rotation. When the clutch is disengaged, the second member disengages from the first member to create a fluid flow path between the members and engages a brake plate to halt rotation of the rotor.

Rotational coupling device with integrated rotor and brake disc

A rotational coupling device is configured for vertical orientation. The device includes a hub disposed about a rotational axis. A rotor is supported on, and configured for rotation about, the hub and defines a radially extending wall. An armature is supported on the hub for rotation therewith and axially spaced from the wall. Clutch plates are disposed between the rotor wall and armature and rotatably coupled to the rotor or armature. A field shell is disposed on an opposite side of the rotor wall from the armature and houses a conductor. The armature and clutch plates move in a first axial direction towards the rotor wall when the conductor is energized and in a second axial direction when the conductor is subsequently deenergized. At least one of the hub and rotor defines means for limiting movement of a corresponding one of the clutch plates in the second axial direction.

Rotational coupling device configured for vertical orientation

A rotational coupling device having a self-contained wet clutch pack and fluid isolated field shell is provided. The device includes a hub disposed about a rotational axis. A rotor is supported on, and configured for rotation about, the hub and defines a radially extending wall and a chamber on one side of the wall surrounding said hub and defining a sump containing a fluid. An armature is supported on the hub for rotation therewith within the chamber and axially spaced from the wall. A field shell is disposed on an opposite side of the rotor wall from the armature and houses a conductor. The field shell is isolated from the fluid in the chamber. Energization of the conductor urges the armature in a first axial direction towards the radially extending wall of said rotor to couple the rotor to the hub for rotation therewith.

Rotational coupling device with self-contained wet clutch pack

A rotational coupling device having improved lubrication is provided. The device includes a hub disposed about a rotational axis. A rotor is supported on, and configured for rotation about, the hub and defines a radially extending wall and a chamber on one side of the wall surrounding said hub and defining a sump containing a fluid. An armature is supported on the hub for rotation therewith within the chamber and axially spaced from the wall. Clutch plates are disposed between the rotor wall and armature and rotatably coupled to the rotor or armature. A field shell is disposed on an opposite side of the rotor wall from the armature and houses a conductor. One or more tubes have an end submerged in the fluid and extend through apertures in the armature. Rotation of said armature draws fluid through the tubes and onto the clutch plates.

Rotational coupling device with improved lubrication

A rotational coupling device for use as a clutch and/or brake is provided with improved retention of a drive key during shipping, assembly, and operation of the device. The device includes a rotor disposed about an input shaft. The input shaft is disposed about a rotational axis and the rotor and input shaft define opposed keyways. A key is disposed in the keyways and rotatably couples the rotor and input shaft. An armature is disposed about the axis and coupled to an output member and configured for selective engagement with the rotor. In one embodiment, the key and a support member in the device are shaped in a complementary fashion to limit radial and axial movement of the key. In another embodiment, an axial end of the key or rotor is deformed to axially align the axial ends of the key and rotor and limit axial movement of the key.

Rotational coupling device with improved drive key retention structure

A rotational coupling device is provided that minimizes flux leakage from a magnetic circuit that engages the device. The device includes a rotor and an armature defining opposed engagement surfaces. The rotor, the armature and a field shell disposed on one side of the rotor and housing an electrical conductor comprise members of a magnetic circuit that, upon energization of the conductor, draws the armature into engagement with the rotor. A torque transmission member is coupled to the armature and supported by a bearing. In one embodiment a sleeve is disposed radially inwardly of the bearing. To prevent flux leakage through the torque transmission member, the sleeve has a magnetic permeability that is lower than a magnetic permeability of the members of the magnetic circuit. In another embodiment, a support cup of the torque transmission member has a radially outwardly turned flange to distance the cup from the rotor.

Rotational coupling device with flux leakage path insulator

A rotational coupling device for use as a clutch, a brake, or a combination clutch and brake is provided having structure to compensate for wear on braking surfaces. The device includes an armature coupled to an output member and movable between positions of engagement with a rotor and a brake plate. The brake plate is coupled to a stationary field shell that houses a conductor on one side of the rotor opposite the armature and brake plate. The brake plate is axially spaced from the field shell and a removable shim or adjustable spacer is disposed between the brake plate and the field shell. Removal of the shim or adjustment of the spacer permit movement of the brake plate towards the field shell to compensate for wear in any of the clutch or brake engagement surfaces of the device.

Rotational coupling device with wear compensation structure

A rotational coupling device for use as a clutch and/or brake is provided having improved magnetic efficiency and structural integrity. An electrical conduction assembly is disposed within a field shell between radially spaced inner and outer poles of the field shell. The assembly includes a conductor disposed within a shell having a radially extending flange that is disposed proximate the outer pole of the field shell and that is affixed to the field shell at a plurality of points.

Rotational coupling device

A rotational coupling device for use as a clutch and/or brake is provided having improved magnetic efficiency and structural integrity. A permanent magnet is coupled to one of a brake plate and an armature and axially aligned with a portion of the other for improved braking performance.

A rotational coupling device for use as a clutch and/or brake is provided having a construction enabling improved torque transfer characteristics. The device includes a rotor rotatably coupled to an input shaft and an armature coupled to an output member and configured for selective engagement with the rotor. The rotor includes a hub having a central bore into which the input shaft extends. A support member, such as a spacer or pulley hub is coupled to the rotor hub using an axially projecting lug and notch construction. The structure of the device provides greater clearance for the input shaft and may eliminate the need for keys on the support member.

A rotational coupling device for use as a clutch and/or brake is provided having improved magnetic efficiency and structural integrity. A field shell and a rotor of the device each define radially spaced, axially extending inner and outer poles. The inner pole of the rotor is disposed radially outwardly of the inner pole of the field shell resulting in improved magnetic efficiency.

An improved brake/clutch unit for use in a riding lawnmower or another vehicle is provided. The unit includes a rotor assembly disposed radially outwardly of a longitudinally extending input shaft, an armature assembly, and a field shell assembly. The rotor assembly includes a rotor disc disposed radially outwardly of the input shaft. The armature assembly includes an armature axially-spaced from the rotor disc and an output member connected to the armature. The field shell assembly includes a field shell that is fixed against rotation, a pair of permanent magnets, first and second pole pieces having relatively low magnetic reluctance, a third pole piece having a relatively high magnetic reluctance, and a field coil. The field shell includes a radially outwardly extending flange on which all of the pole pieces are disposed. The magnets are disposed between the flange and the first and second pole pieces while the third pole piece is disposed between the first and second pole pieces. The field shell, magnets, first and second pole pieces and armature form a magnetic circuit that draws the armature in a first axial direction into a braked position in engagement with the first and second pole pieces. Upon energizing the field coil, a second magnetic circuit is formed between the field shell, rotor disc, and armature. The second magnetic circuit draws the armature in a second axial direction towards the rotor disc and into a clutch engaged position. In particular, a portion of the armature angularly opposite the magnets engages the rotor disc first and forces the armature to disengage from one of the first and second pole pieces.

Mag stop clutch with center pole

A clutch/brake assembly for selectively connecting a source of rotational power to a driven device includes an input hub and a flange secured to the input hub for rotation therewith. An output hub is journalled within the clutch/brake assembly for rotation relative to the input hub. One or more outwardly extending bosses are formed on the outer surface of the output hub. A friction plate is disposed about the input hub between the lower surface of the flange and the upper surface of the output hub. A ring of friction material is secured to the upper surface of the friction plate adjacent to the lower surface of the flange. The friction plate is connected to the output hub for rotation therewith and for axial movement relative thereto. To accomplish this, the peripheral edge of the friction plate has one or more axially extending finger portions formed integrally therewith. The finger portions have slots formed therethrough which are sized and positioned such that each of the bosses extends through one of the slots. After the output hub has been installed on the friction plate, the ends of the finger portions are bent radially inwardly to form retaining tabs which retain the output hub on the friction plate. The engagement of the bosses with the finger portions positively couples the friction plate with the output hub for rotation therewith as a unit, but permits the friction plate to move axially relative to the output hub during use. A coiled spring is disposed between the output hub and the friction plate, urging them apart from one another. The retaining tabs permit the output hub and the friction plate to be removed from the clutch/brake assembly to permit access to the interior thereof for service without requiring disassembly of the output hub from the friction plate.

Clutch/brake assembly

A rotor for a six-pole electromagnetic clutch includes an outer pole ring and an axially facing disc. The disc is formed with two circumferentially extending and radially spaced rows of circumferentially spaced slots, there being short circumferentially extending bridges between adjacent slots in each row. To strengthen the bridges against failure under high load and heavy wear conditions, a stainless steel reinforcing ring is brazed to the outer pole ring and the disc and transmits torque between the two. The outer edge of the disc thus may be spaced radially inwardly from the outer pole ring to establish an annular air gap which coacts with the two rows of slots to enable the rotor to possess the requisite magnetic characteristics to function in a six-pole clutch.

Rotor for electromagnetic coupling

The clutch includes an input hub keyed to a drive shaft, a spacer telescoped into and keyed to the input hub, a bearing telescoped over and supported radially on the spacer, and an output member supported by the bearing. A bolt is threaded into the drive shaft and, when tightened, causes the bearing to be clamped axially between the spacer and the input hub. The spacer is formed with flats adapted to be engaged by a wrench in order to prevent the spacer, the input hub and the drive shaft from turning when the bolt is tightened.

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Janesville, WI, United States of America

James A Pardee