Dana Corporation

Warner Electric Technology, Inc.

Mark E Blakeman

Dwight E Booth

Douglas J Clemens

Stewart B Dobson

Brian A Taylor

Kalvin G Van Laningham

John C Carlson

Robert D Keller

An armature assembly for a selectively engageable and disengageable electromagnetic coupling is provided. The armature assembly includes a hub having a central axis that is disposed radially outwardly, and mounted for rotation with, a shaft used to drive an air-conditioning compressor. The assembly also includes a resiliently flexible spider disposed radially outwardly of the hub. The spider is fixed against rotation relative to the hub, but is able to flex axially relative to the hub at a hinge. The armature assembly further includes an annular armature disc disposed radially outwardly of the hub and connected to a first side of the spider. Finally, the armature assembly includes a counterweight disposed on a second side of the spider. The counterweight may be integral with the spider or connected to the hub. An armature assembly in accordance with the present invention balances the dynamic loads present in the electromagnetic coupling without substantially affecting the living hinge of the resiliently flexible spider. The armature assembly is also able to retain the armature disc in the event of a failure of the spider.

Electromagnetic coupling armature assembly with counterweight

The preferred field assembly includes a field shell of generally T-shaped radial cross-section and molded of powdered metal, a plastic bobbin for supporting a multiple turn winding, and a plastic bobbin ring which covers part of the field shell and which helps hold the bobbin in assembled relation with the field shell. The bobbin is formed with a terminal block for supporting electrical leads which extend along grooves in the outboard face of one flange of the bobbin and which, together with the end portions of the winding, extend into potting cavities in the outboard face of the bobbin flange. The bobbin ring includes a cap which interfits with the terminal block to retain the leads. Various embodiments of field shells, bobbins and bobbin rings are disclosed.

Field assembly for an electromagnet

Growing community of inventors

Beloit, WI, United States of America

Mark E Blakeman