Thermosensitive fluidized fan coupling device

Abstract

A fluidized fan coupling device is provided to substantially eliminate accompanying rotation followed engine start up. The device includes a sealed housing with a partition plate dividing the interior of the housing into a torque transfer chamber and an oil reservoir. The housing is rotatably mounted to a shaft which extends into the torque transfer chamber. A driving disk is mounted to the shaft and is disposed in the torque transfer chamber. An oil outflow regulating hole extends through the partition plate and is provided with a valve that responds to changes in temperature. The partition plate also has an oil circulating aperture to permit flow of oil from the torque transfer chamber to the oil reservoir only when the engine is stopped. An idle oil groove in the outer periphery of the torque transfer chamber communicates with an oil circulation passage which extends from the idle oil groove to the oil reservoir. A dam is provided in the idle oil groove to urge the oil through the oil circulation passage. Thus, a portion of the oil accumulated in the torque transfer chamber flows through the oil circulating aperture after the engine has stopped. Any remaining oil is accumulated in the idle oil groove and is urged by the dam through the oil circulating passage immediately after engine start up to substantially eliminate accompanying rotation.