Horton, Inc.

John B Davis

Robert C Bredt

Kent Carlson

Hugh K Schilling

Rick Vatsaas

Darren Reasy

Integral steel-aluminum ring for eddy current activated friction clutch

Rotational control apparatus in the forms of fan clutches (A, A') are shown including an eddy current drive (224). Specifically, the eddy current drive (224) includes a plurality of permanent magnets (226) mounted circumferentially spaced and with alternating polarity by a holder (228) to the input or output of the clutch (A, A') and a magnetically conductive ring (242) mounted to the other of the input or output of the clutch (A, A'). Thus, the output portion and the fan blades mounted thereto are driven at engine speeds when the clutch (A, A') is air actuated and are driven at a rotational speed less than engine speed by the eddy current drive (224) when the clutch (A, A') is not air actuated and without separate controls for the eddy current drive (224). A housing (62) comprises the output portion of the clutch (A) which is rotatably mounted by a bearing (58) to the hub portion (24) of a friction disc (28) which comprises the input portion of the clutch (A). In other forms, the output portion of the clutch (A') is in the form of a hub (20') rotatably mounted on a stationary shaft (24') and the input portion is in the form of a sheave (50') rotatable relative to the hub (20') and the shaft (24'). Additionally, the hub (20') can be braked by rotatably relating the hub (20') to the shaft (24'). In one form, the friction ring (252) includes peripheral gear teeth (256) in slideable gearing relation with gear teeth (250) formed in the housing (62) and is formed of fiber brake material to act as a dampener between the friction disc (28) and the housing (62) to absorb torsional vibration.

Rotational control apparatus

Rotational control apparatus in the preferred forms of fan clutches (A) are shown including an eddy current drive (224). Specifically, the eddy current drive (224) includes a plurality of permanent magnets (226) mounted circumferentially spaced and with alternating polarity by a holder (228) to a radially extending surface (232) of a housing (62) rotatably mounted by a bearing (58) to the hub portion (24) of a friction disc (28). A magnetically conductive ring (242) is mounted on the opposite axial side of the friction disc (28) than the surface (34) engaged by a friction ring (86, 252) which is rotatably fixed but axially displaceable relative to the housing (62). In the embodiments shown, the friction ring (86, 252) is biased in a disengaged condition from the friction disc (28) by springs (138, 256) and is moved to an engaged condition by a fluid actuated piston (80). In one of the preferred forms, the friction ring (252) includes peripheral gear teeth (256) in slideable gearing relation with gear teeth (250) formed in the housing (62) and is formed of fiber brake material to act as a dampener between the friction disc (28) and the housing (62) to absorb torsional vibration. Thus, the housing (62) and the fan blades mounted thereto are driven with the friction disc (28) in its engaged condition and are driven at a rotational speed less than the speed of the friction disc (28) in its disengaged condition by the eddy current drive (224) and without separate controls for the eddy current drive (224).

Rotational control apparatus in the preferred forms of fan clutches (A, A') are shown including an eddy current drive (224). Specifically, the eddy current drive (224) includes a plurality of permanent magnets (226) mounted circumferentially spaced and with alternating polarity by a holder (228) to the input of the clutch (A, A') and a magnetically conductive ring (242) mounted to the output of the clutch (A, A'). Thus, the output portion and the fan blades mounted thereto are driven at engine speeds when the clutch (A, A') is air actuated and are driven at a rotational speed less than engine speed by the eddy current drive (224) when the clutch (A, A') is not air actuated and without separate controls for the eddy current drive (224). In preferred forms, a housing (62) comprises the output portion of the clutch (A) which is rotatably mounted by a bearing (58) to the hub portion (24) of a friction disc (28) which comprises the input portion of the clutch (A). In another preferred form, the output portion of the clutch (A') is in the form of a hub (20') rotatably mounted on a stationary shaft (24') and the input portion is in the form of a sheave (50') rotatable relative to the hub (20') and the shaft (24'). Additionally, the hub (20') can be braked by rotatably relating the hub (20') to the shaft (24'). In one of the preferred forms, the friction ring (252) includes peripheral gear teeth (256) in slideable gearing relation with gear teeth (250) formed in the housing (62) and is formed of fiber brake material to act as a dampener between the friction disc (28) and the housing (62) to absorb torsional vibration.

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Tonka Bay, MN, United States of America

John B Davis