Abstract: A device that employs shear forces to transmit energy includes an outer housing assembly, a disk, and a reservoir with a working fluid. The disk is received in and rotatable relative to the outer housing assembly. A working cavity is formed between a rotor portion of the disk and the outer housing assembly into which the working fluid is received to create shear forces. A plurality of flow altering structures are disposed on the outer housing assembly and are configured to reduce a thickness of a boundary layer of the working fluid in the working cavity in areas that are local to the flow altering structures.

Abstract: A viscous fluid shear device that includes a floating wiper. The wiper defines at least one fluid channel on a surface of the wiper that faces a circumferentially extending surface on a rotor. Each fluid channel has a first portion, which is formed with a first cross-sectional area, and a second portion that is formed with a second, smaller cross-sectional area. Each of the first and second cross-sectional areas is defined by first and second planes, respectively, that extend through the central axis. The second plane is spaced circumferentially apart from the first plane in the predetermined rotational direction.

Abstract: A device that employs shear forces to transmit energy includes an outer housing assembly, a disk, and a reservoir with a working fluid. The disk is received in and rotatable relative to the outer housing assembly. A working cavity is formed between a rotor portion of the disk and the outer housing assembly into which the working fluid is received to create shear forces. A plurality of flow altering structures are disposed on the outer housing assembly and are configured to reduce a thickness of a boundary layer of the working fluid in the working cavity in areas that are local to the flow altering structures.

Abstract: A device that employs shear forces to transmit energy includes an outer housing assembly, a disk, and a reservoir with a working fluid. The disk is received in and rotatable relative to the outer housing assembly. A working cavity is formed between a rotor portion of the disk and the outer housing assembly into which the working fluid is received to create shear forces. A plurality of flow altering structures are disposed on the outer housing assembly and are configured to reduce a thickness of a boundary layer of the working fluid in the working cavity in areas that are local to the flow altering structures.

Abstract: A viscous fluid shear device that includes a floating wiper. The wiper defines at least one fluid channel on a surface of the wiper that faces a circumferentially extending surface on a rotor. Each fluid channel has a first portion, which is formed with a first cross-sectional area, and a second portion that is formed with a second, smaller cross-sectional area. Each of the first and second cross-sectional areas is defined by first and second planes, respectively, that extend through the central axis. The second plane is spaced circumferentially apart from the first plane in the predetermined rotational direction.

Abstract: An overmolded steel flux ring member for an eddy-current fan drive assembly. The flux ring member includes a base member having a hub member, an annular outer ring member, and a plurality of connecting arm members. An overmolding material, such as aluminum, is overmolded on the annular outer ring member preferably in separate sections. Ventilation openings in said base member allow air to flow past a magnet ring for cooling.

Abstract: A device that employs shear forces to transmit energy includes an outer housing assembly, a disk, and a reservoir with a working fluid. The disk is received in and rotatable relative to the outer housing assembly. A working cavity is formed between a rotor portion of the disk and the outer housing assembly into which the working fluid is received to create shear forces. A plurality of flow altering structures are disposed on the outer housing assembly and are configured to reduce a thickness of a boundary layer of the working fluid in the working cavity in areas that are local to the flow altering structures.

Abstract: A device that employs shear forces to transmit energy includes an outer housing assembly, a disk, and a reservoir with a working fluid. The disk is received in and rotatable relative to the outer housing assembly. A working cavity is formed between a rotor portion of the disk and the outer housing assembly into which the working fluid is received to create shear forces. A plurality of flow altering structures are disposed on the outer housing assembly and are configured to reduce a thickness of a boundary layer of the working fluid in the working cavity in areas that are local to the flow altering structures.

Abstract: A clutch assembly comprising a clutch housing, a central piston chamber positioned therein and a translatable clutch piston movable between a piston neutral and activated positions in response to air pressure. A rotating drive shaft member is positioned within the clutch housing. A cone clutch friction member is moved from a clutch engaged position to a clutch disengaged position in response to the translatable clutch piston moving between the piston neutral and activated positions. The cone clutch friction member engages the rotating drive shaft when in the clutch engaged position. A clutch spring biases the cone clutch friction member into the clutch engaged position with a clutch engagement force. The cone clutch friction member comprises a V-shaped member with a hollow or solid core, or a bent metal member. Friction material is positioned on at least the surfaces which engage and make contact with the rotating drive shaft member.

Abstract: A pneumatic dry friction clutch with a cone-shaped friction backing member and an intermediate member interlinked together with mating protrusions and recesses. The axial and circumferential degrees of freedom minimize or reduce noise and vibrations of the clutch, particularly any resonance. The clutch can be either an On-Off clutch or a two-speed clutch.

Abstract: An overmolded steel flux ring member for an eddy-current fan drive assembly. The flux ring member includes a base member having a hub member, an annular outer ring member, and a plurality of connecting arm members. An overmolding material, such as aluminum, is overmolded on the annular outer ring member preferably in separate sections. Ventiliation openings in said base member allow air to flow past a magnet ring for cooling.

Abstract: Pneumatic fan drive assembly with improved capacity, longevity and heat control. The output member is positioned radially internally of the output member. The friction mechanism has longer movement (moment) arms and torque. The friction engagement has an increased friction surface arm. A portion of the heat generated by the friction mechanism is evacuated to the atmosphere rather than being completely internalized in the assembly. The friction material for the friction lining alternatively can be formed of a plasma spray.

Abstract: Pneumatic fan drive assembly with improved capacity, longevity and heat control. The output member is positioned radially internally of the output member. The friction mechanism has longer movement (moment) arms and torque. The friction engagement has an increased friction surface arm. A portion of the heat generated by the friction mechanism is evacuated to the atmosphere rather than being completely internalized in the assembly. The friction material for the friction lining alternatively can be formed of a plasma spray.

Abstract: A clutch assembly comprising a clutch housing, a central piston chamber positioned therein and a translatable clutch piston movable between a piston neutral and activated positions in response to air pressure. A rotating drive shaft member is positioned within the clutch housing. A cone clutch friction member is moved from a clutch engaged position to a clutch disengaged position in response to the translatable clutch piston moving between the piston neutral and activated positions. The cone clutch friction member engages the rotating drive shaft when in the clutch engaged position. A clutch spring biases the cone clutch friction member into the clutch engaged position with a clutch engagement force. The cone clutch friction member comprises a V-shaped member with a hollow or solid core, or a bent metal member. Friction material is positioned on at least the surfaces which engage and make contact with the rotating drive shaft member.

Abstract: A clutch assembly having an overall diameter and overall axial length. Both the axial length and the ratio of the length to the diameter are reduced. A translatable clutch piston is in communication with a pressure chamber and is movable between a piston neutral position and a piston activated position in response to air pressure. A cone clutch member is moved from a clutch engaged position to a clutch disengaged position in response to the translatable clutch piston moving from the piston neutral position to the piston activated position. The cone clutch member engages the rotating drive shaft when in the clutch engaged position. A clutch spring member biases the cone clutch member into the clutch engaged position with a clutch engagement force. The clutch spring has a primary spring ratio of a wire diameter to a spring diameter optimized such that a maximum spring force is achieved while minimizing the spring length.

Abstract: A clutch assembly (20) for a fan drive system (12) of an engine (14) includes a translatable clutch housing (30) that is coupled to a fan (16). A rotating shaft (27) has a non-grooved thermal energy transfer portion (28) that is coupled to a drive pulley (32) of the engine (14). A liner (34) resides between and is engageable with the rotating shaft (27) and the translatable clutch housing (30). The engagement thereof generates thermal energy. The non-grooved thermal energy transfer portion (28) has a cross-sectional thickness (T1) of approximately less than 11 mm and transfers a significant portion of the thermal energy to the drive pulley (32).

Abstract: One advantageous embodiment of the claimed invention is an air cylinder (12) for a pneumatic fan drive system (10). The air cylinder (12) is comprised of a single-piece stamping, which is utilized for covering a piston (22) of the pneumatic fan drive system (10). This single-piece stamping has an e-coating (40) applied thereon for improving a surface finish of the single-piece stamping and inhibiting corrosion of said single-piece stamping.

Abstract: A clutch assembly (20) for a fan drive system (12) of an engine (14) includes a translatable clutch housing (30) that is coupled to a fan (16). A rotating shaft (32) is coupled to a drive pulley (22) of the engine (14). A liner (34) resides between and is engageable with the translatable clutch housing (30) and the rotating shaft (32). A clutch spring (35) engages the translatable clutch housing (30) with the rotating shaft (32). A spring carrier (42) retains a portion of the clutch spring (35) and comprises a passage (46) for fluid pressure adjustment within a clutch spring area (38) of the clutch assembly (20).