New Venture Gear, Inc.

Jon Shults

Carl F Stephens

A viscous coupling apparatus having enhanced torque progression characteristics. The viscous coupling apparatus includes two sets of viscous coupling plates which are interleaved and mounted with rotatable members for relative rotation therebetween. Each plate is a generally circular ring of thin plate material and has one or more openings formed therein. The openings include coined edge surfaces that form an inclined surface and an arcuate wiping surface. The coined edges of inner and outer coupling plates oppose one another and facilitate the removal of viscouse fluid from in between and wiping of viscous fluid from the surface of adjacent coupling plates when relative rotation and frictional contact occurs between adjacent plates without generating excessive wear on either one of the plates. The removal of the viscous fluid promotes enhanced frictional contact between the facing adjacent plate surfaces and results in an increased torque transmission characteristic.

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Camillus, NY, United States of America

Jon Shults