Borgwarner Inc.

Eaton Corporation

Rick L Boyer

Neil E Robb

Gary E Hart

Walter K O'Neil

Todd L King

William L Kelledes

An engagement system () for a fluid-coupling device () may include a first engagement member () and a second engagement member () that is in operation with the first engagement member (). A working chamber () is disposed between and at least partially defined by the first engagement member () and the second engagement member (). The working chamber () has an inlet port () and an outlet port (). A fluid reservoir () is fluidically-coupled to the working chamber (). A scavenge valve () is coupled between the working chamber () and the fluid reservoir () and adjusts the fluid flow through the outlet port (). An engagement system () for a fluid-coupling device () may in addition to or alternatively include a working chamber () that includes a working chamber inlet port () that is along an outer perimeter () of the first engagement member (). A valve () is coupled between the working chamber () and the fluid reservoir () and adjusts the fluid flow through the working chamber.

Viscous fan drive systems having fill and scavenge control

A speed monitoring system () for a fluid-coupling device () includes a hub () and a ring magnet (). The hub () rotates at a first speed that is proportional to an input clutch speed of a fluidically engageable input member. The ring magnet () rotates at a second speed that is proportional to an output clutch speed of a fluidically engageable output member. A magnetic sensor () generates a differential speed signal of the ring magnet () relative to the first speed. A controller () generates an actual speed signal indicative of the second speed in response to said differential speed signal.

Electromagnetic differential speed control system for a fluid coupling device

A viscous fan drive with a front-mounted fan and electrical actuation without a tethered harness. The mechanical package includes an inverted viscous clutch, a drive pulley and a split electromagnetic actuator with the electrical portion mounted to a stationary mounting member. An axially moveable valve member controls the flow of viscous fluid.

Electronically controlled fluid coupling device with fluid scavenge control

A viscous fan drive with a front-mounted fan and electrical actuation without a tethered harness. The mechanical package includes an inverted viscous clutch, a drive pulley, a split electromagnetic actuator with the electrical portion mounted to a stationary mounting member. Enhanced cooling can be provided with breather openings in the pulley, breather slots in the body member, and fins in the reservoir.

Electronically controlled fluid coupling device with fluid scavenge control and enhanced cooling

A viscous fan drive with a front-mounted fan and electrical actuation without a tethered harness. The mechanical package includes an inverted viscous clutch, a drive pulley, a split electromagnetic actuator with the electrical portion mounted to a stationary mounting member, and anti-drainback check valve.

Electronically controlled fluid coupling device with fluid scavenge control and check valve

A viscous fan drive with a front-mounted fan and electrical actuation without a tethered harness. The mechanical package includes an inverted viscous clutch, a drive pulley and a split electromagnetic actuator with the electrical portion mounted to a stationary mounting member. An integrated slip speed sensor is provided in order to determine the output speed.

Electronically controlled fluid coupling device with fluid scavenge control and slip speed sensor

A magnetorheological fan coupling () having a fan-drive subassembly (), an electromagnet subassembly (), and a magnetic medium (). The fan-drive subassembly () includes an output member () and an input member () rotatably mounted around the output member () with the magnetic medium () therebetween. The magnetic medium () has a shear stress that can be adjusted by a magnetic flux () for transferring torque between the input member () and the output member (). The electromagnet subassembly () includes a stationary electromagnet coil () for adjusting the shear stress of the magnetic medium () and regulating a torque transferred between the input member () and the output member ().

Magnetorheological fan coupling

A magnetorheological fan coupling () having an inverted construction with an input member () rotatably mounted to an output member (). The input member () defines a fluid chamber () with the output member () rotating therein and a magnetic medium () between the output member () and the input member (). The coupling () further includes an electromagnet subassembly () actuated by a controller () for adjusting the shear stress of the magnetic medium () and regulating the amount of torque transferred from the input member () to the output member ().

An electronically-controlled fluid coupling device having a front mounted fan and electrical actuation without a tethered harness. The fluid coupling device combines an inverted viscous clutch, drive pulley and a split electromagnetic actuator package. In this arrangement, the electrical portion of the split electromagnetic actuator is not physically attached to the fan drive, but is instead mounted to a stationary member. The remaining actuator components are integral to the fan drive and are composed of only mechanical parts. The inverted clutch arrangement having remote electronic control allows three output modes: engaged, partially engaged, or disengaged.

Electronically controlled fluid coupling device

A controllable viscous clutch that is integral to a water pump. The pump impeller is part of the output member of the clutch while the input is composed of a central drive shaft (attached to a pulley) and a clutch plate. A bimetallic control element located internally within the output member of a viscous type water pump to control the flow rate of engine coolent to an engine. The bimetallic control element reacts directly to sensed engine coolant temperature to control the amount of viscous fluid entering or exiting an operating chamber of the viscous type water pump. This enables the water pump to deliver low coolant flow during cold engine conditions and higher flow once the engine exceeds a predetermined temperature. This provides faster engine warm-up resulting in improved occupant comfort, fuel economy, and decreased tailpipe emissions.

Temperature-controlled variable speed water pump

A method of controlling a viscous fluid coupling (15) in which, when the vehicle engine (E) is operating at low speeds, if the speed of rotation (SF) of the fan exceeds a predetermined speed limit (L3), the input signal (29) to the coupling is modified to move the valve member (49) toward a closed position (FIG. 3A). This action reduces the occurrence of an overfill condition, thus reducing undesired fan noise when the engine again accelerates. Another aspect of the invention is to sense the speed (SE) of the engine, and whenever the sensed speed (SE) is high enough that operation in an excess slip heat region (ESH) is possible, compare the demanded fan speed (29) to the lower limit (CHP) of the slip heat region. Whenever the demanded fan speed exceeds the limit, the input signal (29) to the coupling is modified to operate the coupling at a speed safely above or below the slip heat region (ESH) depending on the state of control inputs such as engine temperature.

Viscous fan drive system logic

A fluid coupling device is disclosed of the type having an output coupling assembly (13) and an input coupling member (11). Control of the flow of viscous fluid between a reservoir chamber (35) and an operating chamber (33) is controlled by rotation of a valve arm (43), to cover or uncover a fill opening (45). Rotation of the valve arm is affected by an actuator assembly (61). An electrical signal to a coil (69) results in a flux path (FP) through a stationary ferromagnetic housing (63), with the flux passing through an armature (83) which is attached to the valve member. The flux path passes from armature segments (105) through respective pole pieces (111), which comprise part of the outer cylindrical surface of the reservoir chamber (35). Thus, energization of the coil (69) results in rotation of the valve member (43) without the need for frictional engagement of friction surfaces.

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Marshall, MI, United States of America

Rick L Boyer