Eaton Corporation

Thomas H Tinholt

Phillip E Konkle

Richard T Crisenbery

A mechanism (19 or 200) disposed in a torque converter housing (24) for damping torsionals in a vehicle driveline. The mechanism (19) comprises a viscous coupling (22) including a housing (64) having two sidewalls (24a, 68) defining a chamber (70) containing a viscous liquid, and a clutch member (72) disposed in the chamber for viscous clutching coaction with the housing. One of the sidewalls (24a) is defined by an end wall of the torque converter housing. The housing and clutch member are interconnected by a spring assembly (20) including flat torsion springs (61, 62) which transmit steady-state driveline torque and isolate driveline torsionals. The inner surfaces (24b, 68a) of housing (64) each include two circumferentially spaced clutching surfaces separated by the clutch member. The clutch member has oppositely facing surfaces (72b, 72c) each which include two flat circumferentially spaced clutching surfaces. When the clutching surfaces of the housing are disposed opposite the clutching surfaces of the clutch member, the clutching coaction therebetween is a maximum. When the clutching surfaces of the housing are disposed opposite the spaces between the clutching surfaces of the clutch member, the clutching coaction is a minimum. Mechanism (200) differs from mechanism (19) mainly with respect to the clutching surfaces and the position of the spring assemblies. Mechanism (19) has flat clutching surfaces, and the spring assembly is external of the viscous coupling, whereas mechanism (200) has annular rings defining the clutching surfaces, and the spring assembly is internal of the viscous coupling.

Torsion damping mechanism with a viscous coupling

A centering abutment to readily locate the clutch member relative to the side member of the housing of a viscous fluid drive. The side member has an opening for a bearing in which is located an input shaft. Lands and grooves are located on the side and clutch members. When substantial radial clearance exists between the housing and clutch member, problems are encountered in assembling the members. Assembly time is greatly reduced by providing the centering abutment on one of the members for alignment with a trough in the other member. The length of the abutment is greater than the length of the lands on the member and preferably has an angled outer portion for quick alignment.

Centering abutment for viscous fluid drive

A fluid coupling device is disclosed of the type including a valve member actuated by a valve shaft extending through the cover, the position of the valve and valve shaft being controlled by a temperature responsive bimetal coil. The coil has a first end attached to the valve shaft and a second end received within a clip member to prevent circumferential movement of the second end of the coil. The clip member includes wing portions which are generally parallel to the adjacent surface of the cover. After the clip and the bimetal coil are assembled, the coil is permitted to achieve its neutral position in both the radial and circumferential direction, and subsequently, each of the wing portions is attached to the adjacent portion of the cover without causing substantial radial or circumferential movement of the second end of the coil. As a result, the coil is able to withstand extreme vibration conditions, but is not subject to the high hysteresis which normally occurs with a rigid mounting of the coil.

Fluid coupling device, bimetal clip and method of assembly therefor

A viscous fan drive having a clutch member with a plurality of restricted fluid flow paths of a given cross sectional area communicating at one end with an element to pump fluid from the restricted flow path to a reservoir and at the other end with radially extending fluid flow paths having a greater cross sectional area than the restricted flow paths and transversing the shear area of the clutch. The restricted flow paths reduce the fluid flow outwardly of the shear area of the clutch member to reduce high speed pumpout and thus increase the speed of the fan when the drive is engaged. The flow paths have a constant cross sectional area, are circumferentially spaced about the clutch member, and transverse the lands and grooves area. The restricted flow paths have a stepped configuration radially outwardly of the flow paths to reduce fluid flow. Each restricted fluid flow path communicates with an axially extending opening transversing the clutch member radially outwardly of the stepped configuration. The openings communicate with a pumping surface on the clutch member which is closely spaced relative to the pump element.

Fluid flow restriction path in viscous fluid clutch

Solid resilient compound retaining the outer end of a bimetallic helical coil spring of a temperature responsive viscous fluid drive to a clip. The clip is secured to the cover plate of the drive. The inner end of the spring is secured to the valve shaft while the outer end of the spring is configured into a bight having a straight center portion inserted within a slot in the clip. A liquid compound is placed in the bight and surrounds a portion of the clip and fills the bight. The liquid solidifies to resiliently retain the outer end relative to the clip. A method for assembling the spring, valve shaft, cover plate, and clip is also described.

Resilient support for coil of viscous fluid drive

A temperature responsive viscous drive coupling having a working chamber which substantially conforms to the rotor. The coupling has a housing which defines a central cavity divided by a plate into a reservoir and a working chamber. A rotor is rotatably supported relative to the housing and located within the working chamber. The housing and the plate closely conform to the configuration of the rotor to reduce to a minimum the space within the working chamber surrounding the rotor. Dimensions are maintained between the plate and the rotor and the housing and the rotor which are generally no greater than fifty to seventy thousands of an inch. These dimensions are within acceptable manufacturing tolerances to insure that rubbing does not occur between the rotor and the housing or the plate. In such an arrangement, the volume of the fluid in the working chamber when the coupling is in the static condition will be about one-third or less than the total volume of fluid within the coupling. The disclosure results in an increase in torque capacity and a substantial decrease in the time required to pump fluid out of the working chamber into the reservoir during start up.

Quick disengagement viscous drive coupling

A fluid coupling adapted to be attached to a pulley assembly which includes a pulley member and a hub having a set of external threads. The fluid coupling includes an output coupling member, an input coupling member rotatably disposed within a fluid chamber containing a volume of viscous fluid whereby torque is transmitted from the input coupling member to the output coupling member in response to relative rotation therebetween. The input coupling member includes an input shaft having a boss portion adjacent the rear surface of the output coupling member. The boss portion defines a set of internal threads for threaded engagement with the hub. The boss portion also defines a radial aperture and the output coupling member defines a slot disposed radially outward from the aperture and adjacent thereto. Both the aperture and the slot are adapted to receive an elongated tool such that rotating the output coupling member in either direction rotates the input coupling member and the boss portion in the same direction to thread the boss portion onto the hub during assembly, or unthread the boss portion from the hub to permit repair of either the fluid coupling or a device on which the coupling is mounted, such as the engine water pump.

Viscous fan drive assembly arrangement

A viscous fluid coupling is provided of the type driven by a prime mover, the speed of which varies over a wide range. The coupling includes an output member defining two fluid chambers, with an input member being rotatably disposed in each of the fluid chambers, and the two input members being driven by the prime mover at different rotational speeds. At lower prime mover speeds, viscous fluid is pumped into the fluid chamber containing the higher speed ratio input member to provide a higher ratio of output speed to prime mover speed. At higher prime mover speeds, viscous fluid is pumped into the fluid chamber containing the lower speed ratio input member to provide a lower ratio of output speed to prime mover speed. Utilizing the disclosed fluid coupling as a drive for a radiator cooling fan results in more cooling at low engine speeds, but less wasted power at higher engine speeds.

Dual speed viscous fluid coupling

A fluid coupling device is provided of the type including a rotatable input member and a relatively rotatable output member cooperating with a cover to define a fluid chamber therein. The device includes a movable valve member mounted on a valve shaft which is rotatably supported by a support insert seated within an opening in the cover. The rotational position of the valve shaft is made temperature-responsive by means of a bimetal coil having a first end connected to the valve shaft and a second end mounted relative to the cover. The bimetal coil has a nominal width over the major portion of its length but includes an initial portion adjacent the first end having a width substantially less than the nominal width. The initial portion comprises between about one and one and one-half turns of the coil to permit the coil to be disposed closer to the cover without interfering with the support insert.

Fluid coupling device and bimetal coil for use therein

A fluid coupling device of the type including a rotatable input coupling member, a cover associated therewith to define a fluid chamber, a valve plate separating the fluid chamber into an operating chamber and a reservoir chamber, and an output coupling member disposed in the operating chamber and rotatable relative to the input coupling member. The valve plate defines a discharge orifice permitting the flow of fluid from the operating chamber to the reservoir chamber and a generally flat valve member is located within the reservoir chamber and disposed to move in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the valve plate to vary the flow area of the discharge orifice. The movement of the valve member defines a valve operating area and the cover includes a portion coextensive with the valve operating area and oriented substantially parallel to the plane of movement of the valve member. The cover portion is closely spaced from the valve member during movement thereof to prevent 'blowoff' of the portion of the valve member adjacent the discharge orifice as fluid flows from the operating chamber to the reservoir chamber.

Fluid coupling device and valve support used therein

A viscous shear overrunning clutch having a housing and circular member is disclosed which provides a driving force in one direction and an overrunning clutch when the relative angular velocities of the clutch and housing are reversed. The design includes a housing having a circular member mounted therein. In one embodiment, spaced radially extending passageways are circumferentially defined in the circular member and allow fluid communication between a working chamber and a reservoir. Flow directing means are located on the outer periphery of the circular member adjacent the end of the radially extending passages to create pressures within the passages to move fluid between the working chamber and reservoir in response to differences in angular velocity between the housing member and circular member.

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Marshall, MI, United States of America

Thomas H Tinholt