Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

James O Strader

Lawrence C Kennedy

A fan clutch assembly for a vehicle includes a flexible, ferromagnetic valve plate for controlling fluid flow through a pump plate into a shear zone. When an electromagnetic coil is energized, the resulting flux deflects the valve plate away from the pump plate to open fluid gates in the pump plate. When the coil is de-energized, the valve plate returns to its original engagement position against the pump plate to close the fluid gates.

Electromagnetically actuated valve plate for a viscous fluid fan clutch

A fan clutch assembly for a vehicle includes an electromagnetic control assembly for actuating a rotatable valve plate. A rotatable shaft is connected to the valve plate. A ferromagnetic element is slidably mounted on the shaft. When an electromagnetic coil is energized, the resulting flux attracts the ferromagnetic element. As the ferromagnetic element slides, it is rotated to cause rotation of the shaft, thereby opening the valve plate.

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Spring Valley, OH, United States of America

James O Strader