The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 12, 1996
Filed:
Sep. 06, 1994
Hugh J Muirhead, Lockport, NY (US);
Richard L Marker, Lockport, NY (US);
General Motors Corporation, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
An air conditioning compressor clutch transfers torque from a spring mounted armature to a pulley not directly, but indirectly, through a free floating, thin, intermediate drive plate keyed to the shaft hub between the two. The armature is fixed to a circular spring member which, in turn, is fixed to pulley. Consequently, the armature and spring turn with the pulley, obtaining concentricity and stability from the pulley bearings. When the coil is energized, the already spinning armature is pulled in, clamping the drive plate between it and the pulley. The drive plate is light enough that it accelerates quickly, and slips very little before complete engagement is made. The lightness of the drive plate also means that it is much less subject to whirl or eccentricity as it spins.