Facet Enterprises, Inc.

Michael L Mower

William A Carleton

Gary Richard Packard

A non-magnetic molded plastic bobbin has a bore by which the bobbin is slip-fitted upon the cylindrical outer surface of the inner body carried by the rotating shaft. An integrally molded radial thrust flange at one end of the bobbin slip-fits against a radial flange of the inner body and defines an annular recess for the winding of a coil on the bobbin. The molded plastic bobbin also has an annular recess which extends concentric with the bore to receive the magnet body therewithin. A ridge is molded integrally with the bobbin on the wall thereof defining the magnet body annular recess and engages against the magnet body to retain the magnet body within the recess. A plurality of snap fingers are molded integrally with the bobbin and project inwardly from the bore thereof into slip-fitting relationship within an annular groove in the inner body to enable rotation of the inner body relative the stationary bobbin while retaining the bobbin axially relative the inner body. An integral axial extension of the bobbin abuts with a stationary clutch housing to retain the stationary field rotationally stationary during rotation of the inner body.

Plastic bobbin for electromagnetic clutch

A coupling arrangement is disclosed for establishing a rotary connection between an axially movable armature element and a rotary drive hub, which transmits torque from the hub into the armature while allowing limited axial movement of the armature against an axial spring force exerted by the coupling arrangement. The coupling arrangement includes a series of circumferentially extending leaf springs, each having one end pinned to the armature and the other riveted to the hub. The circumferential pattern of the spring links is such that each link overlies other spring links in the series to enable the length of the spring link to be great enough to insure adequate flexibility of the links to accommodate axial movement of the armature, while enabling a sufficient number of the spring links to be disposed about the armature and hub axis to adequately transmit the torque through the clutch unit.

Coupling arrangement for an electromagnetic clutch

An electromagnetically operated engine cooling fan drive assembly is disclosed having a configuration particularly suited for retrofit applications, including a central shaft adapted to be mounted to an existing fan drive flange to be driven thereby. The fan is mounted on a fan hub member rotatably mounted on the central shaft, with a temperature responsive electromagnetic clutch arrangement controlling drive to the fan hub which arrangement includes an inner body keyed to the central shaft, an armature connected by spring connection to the fan hub, and a fixed electromagnetic coil energized by a temperature switch at high engine temperatures and adapted to urge the armature into clutching engagement with the inner body and cause the fan to be rotated. A number of design features are described: an axially compact mounting of the fan hub to enable positioning of the fan within existing shrouding; the fan hub also encloses the magnetic clutch elements to shield the same against the entrance of dirt and other contaminants; special locking tabs which, in the event of electrical failure, can be positioned to mechanically lock together the inner body and fan hub; the inner body and armature do not support the fan in order to reduce the incidence of failure of these elements; an adjustable anti-rotation arm is provided restraining the magnetic coil body against rotation; the magnetic clutch may be assembled and disassembled on the engine allowing a more compact assembly and convenient repairs; a special fan hub bearing washer retainer is described that is locked to the central shaft insuring that bearing failure will not cause rotation of an end bolt which secures the fan hub on the central shaft.

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Elmira, NY, United States of America

Michael L Mower