Abstract: An automotive air conditioning compressor clutch eliminates all rivets and utilizes only one return spring. A hub with multiple radial teeth closely fitting into armature openings supports the armature plate concentric and parallel to a pulley friction disk. The armature is free to slide relative to the hub as the return spring is compressed. The thrust areas between the hub teeth and armature are large, which reduces compressive stress. The lower stress reduces the wear rate for both the all-metal and rubber torque cushion versions of the clutch.

Abstract: An automotive air conditioning compressor clutch eliminates all rivets and utilizes only one return spring. A hub with multiple radial teeth closely fitting into armature openings supports the armature plate concentric and parallel to a pulley friction disk. The armature is free to slide relative to the hub as the return spring is compressed. The thrust areas between the hub teeth and armature are large, which reduces compressive stress. The lower stress reduces the wear rate for both the all-metal and rubber torque cushion versions of the clutch.

Abstract: A compressor housing is sealed around the bolt head without the use of an intervening sealing washer. Instead, the bolt hole is machined through the compressor housing in such a way as to assure that the sharp circular edge of the bolt hole always has a degree of radial overlap with the rounded corner that makes the transition from the body of the bolt to the flat undersurface of the bolt. Then, when the bolt is tightened, it is assured that the sharp corner of the bolt hole will be hit and be rounded over by the rounded corner of the bolt head into a closely matching configuration. This assures good, close contact and a tight gas seal. It also allows for over tightening the bolt head, because the ideal sealing pressure will still be attained at some point moving radially inwardly along the interface between bolt head round corner and the deformed bolt hole edge.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch for an automotive air conditioning compressor supports the armature co axial to, and facing, a pulley friction disk with a novel support structure that self cools the armature, as well as providing a torque cushion. A multi lobed drive plate is welded to a compressor shaft mounted hub, while a similarly shaped armature support disk turns freely on the outer surface of the hub, supporting armature rings on spring fingers co axial and parallel to a belt driven pulley friction disk. The lobes of the drive plate and support disk are aligned in three pairs, with a significant axial gap between, and extend radially over the entire outer face of the armature rings, while leaving most of the outer face exposed to the ambient air. A layer of resilient elastomer is bonded between the aligned lobes of the drive plate and support disk, holding them together, limiting the degree to which the support disk can twist on the hub, and cushioning the shock of initial engagement.