Abstract: A drive unit includes a prime mover, a torque converter, and a torque converter casing. The torque converter is configured to amplify a torque generated by the prime mover. The torque converter is disposed to be rotatable. The torque converter casing is disposed to be non-rotatable. The torque converter casing accommodates the torque converter. The torque converter casing includes a first air intake port and a first air discharge port. The first air intake port is configured to draw air into the torque converter casing therethrough. The first air discharge port is configured to discharge the air inside the torque converter casing therethrough. The drive unit allows the torque converter to be cooled.

Abstract: In some examples, a cone clutch assembly includes an inner cone member rotationally coupled to a first shaft, the inner cone member defining a first friction surface; and an outer cone member rotationally coupled to a second shaft, the outer cone member defining a second friction surface opposing the first friction surface. The inner cone member and outer cone member may be selectively engaged and disengaged from another. The inner cone member and/or the outer cone member may include a first metallic layer and a second metallic layer separated by an open structure core. The open structure core is configured to allow flow of a fluid between the first metallic layer and the second metallic layer to remove heat from the at least one of the inner cone member or the outer cone member.

Abstract: A two-piece magnet retention ring for an eddy-current fan drive mechanism.

Abstract: A viscous clutch (20) includes a housing assembly (28), a rotor assembly (26), a reservoir (38) to hold a supply of a shear fluid, a working chamber (40) operatively positioned between the housing assembly and the rotor assembly, and a fluid return bore (26-1B) that optionally extends radially through at least an outer diameter portion of the rotor assembly to the working chamber. Selective introduction of the shear fluid to the working chamber facilitates selective torque transmission between the housing assembly and the rotor assembly. The fluid return bore can form at least a portion of a fluid return path (50) from the working chamber to the reservoir.

Abstract: A fan drive system is provided that is hydraulically controlled having an electrical failure mode wherein midrange operation of the fan drive system is maintained. Accordingly, in the failure mode, a fan drive system hydraulic relief valve is not closed thereby ensuring a degree of operation of the fan drive system even during periods of electrical failure.

Abstract: Methods and brake disc assemblies are disclosed to increase the use of friction material. A disclosed example carbon composite brake disc includes a generally annular body having an opening, an outer axial surface, an inner axial surface, a disc thickness extending radially between the outer axial surface and the inner axial surface, and at least one ring extending radially from the outer axial surface to define an outer diameter of the carbon composite brake disc.

Abstract: A viscous fan drive with a front-mounted fan and electrical actuation without a tethered harness. The mechanical package includes an inverted viscous clutch, a drive pulley, a split electromagnetic actuator with the electrical portion mounted to a stationary mounting member. Enhanced cooling can be provided with breather openings in the pulley, breather slots in the body member, and fins in the reservoir.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a clutch system may drive an output member to rotate at a first speed when the opposing clutch surfaces are engaged and to rotate at a second speed when the clutch surfaces are shifted to a disengaged position. In particular embodiments, the multi-speed clutch system may employ an eddy current drive system that causes the output portion to rotate even when the opposing clutch surfaces are disengaged.

Abstract: A cooling system is provided for automatic transmission torque converter assemblies having a housing shell and flex plate. The cooling system includes a housing cover having opposing exterior and interior surfaces that define a wall portion and a preferably circular base portion. The base portion is configured to attach to the flex plate, preferably by one or more stud members, to be rotated thereby. The wall portion extends from a periphery of the base portion and is configured to attach to the housing shell. The cooling system also includes a plurality of vane members positioned along the outer periphery of the base portion. The vane members are configured to increase convective dissipation of heat from the torque converter assembly to surrounding ambient air by increasing the heat transfer coefficient and surface area. Optimally, the vanes have a turbine fin configuration, but may alternatively have curved fin or a straight-fin configuration.

Abstract: A magnetorheological fan coupling (10) having a fan-drive subassembly (12), an electromagnet subassembly (14), and a magnetic medium (16). The fan-drive subassembly (12) includes an output member (22) and an input member (20) rotatably mounted around the output member (22) with the magnetic medium (16) therebetween. The magnetic medium (16) has a shear stress that can be adjusted by a magnetic flux (24) for transferring torque between the input member (20) and the output member (22). The electromagnet subassembly (14) includes a stationary electromagnet coil (62) for adjusting the shear stress of the magnetic medium (16) and regulating a torque transferred between the input member (20) and the output member (22).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of controlling thermal energy within a fan drive. The fan drive includes an input member rotating at an input speed, and an output member attached to the fan and rotating at a fan speed, with a viscous fluid disposed therebetween. The fluid selectively transmits torque between the input member and the output member such that the fan speed is a function of a controllable parameter of the fluid. The parameter is continually controlled by a programmed controller. The method includes the steps of pre-determining a threshold temperature for the fan drive, with the threshold temperature approaching a maximum desirable temperature for the fan drive, and adjusting the fan speed as necessary to maintain a fan drive temperature below the threshold temperature. The controller may regulate fluid volume or fluid viscosity, or any other controllable parameter of the fluid.

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: A friction clutch assembly has a clutch housing, at least one first friction plate, which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the clutch housing and can be displaced in axial direction therein, and a second friction plate, which bears the clutch housing. At least one driver disk is arranged axially adjacent to the first and second friction plates and has friction linings on both sides, which interact with the friction plates, and a spring which can apply a compressive force for actuation of the clutch to the at least one first friction plate. At least one of the friction plates is made at least in part from a metal matrix and at least one nonmetallic foreign phase included in the matrix, which together form a metal matrix composite material. In a further aspect of the invention, the clutch housing is likewise formed from a metal matrix composite material.

Abstract: A fan fluid coupling includes a housing that is rotateable mounted to a shaft. A driving disc is rigidly mounted to the shaft and is rotateably disposed within the housing. Oil is disposed in the housing and transmits torque from the driving disc to the housing. The volume of oil adjacent the driving disc is varied directly in accordance with temperature. Thus, more torque is transmitted to the housing when temperature is high and when cooling needs are greatest. At least one outer surface of the housing has cooling fins in the form of short radially aligned plates. The cooling fins are arranged from a central portion on the housing toward the outer edge and are spaced from one another in radially and circumferential directions. The cooling fins reduce the temperature of the oil, and hence avoid heat-related reductions in viscosity.

Abstract: A multi-plate clutch for a motor vehicle has a U-shaped spring element fastened to an intermediate plate for holding adjacent pressure plates at a distance from one another. The intermediate plate is reliably held between the pressure plates. Grinding of friction facings arranged between the intermediate plate and the pressure plates is accordingly minimized. The spring element is arranged in an area of an external toothing of the intermediate plate and therefore does not contribute to an increase in the radial dimensions of the multi-plate clutch.

Abstract: A rotor disk (20) is arranged between two stator disks (30, 40; 130, 140), the disks being made in thermostructural composite material at least for the wear parts. A first supporting structure (50, 150) has a bell shape with a bottom part (52) whereon rests the first stator disk (30, 130) and part of the skirt (70, 170) linked to the bottom part (52) and encloses the disks (20, 30, 40), the bell-shaped structure having cooling means (170, 174) for evacuating the heat generated by the mutual friction of the disks. A second supporting structure (80, 180) has a part in the shape of an annular support plate whereon rests the second stator disk (40, 140); and the bell-shaped structure bottom part (52) and the support plate (80, 180) are provided with cotters (60) or radial ribs (84) co-operating with the corresponding radial housings (36) formed in the outer surfaces (33, 44) of the stator disks (30, 40; 130, 140) to block the latter in rotation relative to the supporting structures (50, 150; 80, 180).

Abstract: A pressure plate for a friction clutch has a friction-surface region which can be pressed against a friction-lining arrangement of a clutch disk or the like. The pressure plate, in the friction-surface region, is formed at least partially from a first material which provides rapid dissipation of heat generated by friction, and in a body region which adjoins the friction-surface region, is formed from a second material which has a high heat absorption capacity for the heat dissipated from the friction-surface region.

Abstract: A power transmission unit having an input section and an output section and a hydraulic clutch which depends on the rotational speed difference, in which unit a hydrostatic displacement machine (20) generates a pressure on the occurrence of a rotational speed difference between the input section (1; 6) and the output section (6; 1), which pressure causes a reduction in the rotational speed difference. The displacement machine consists of parts (21, 22) respectively drive-connected to the input section and the output section and one of the sections (1; 6) forms a housing (4) containing the displacement machine, the displacement machine drawing in working fluid from a suction space.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a fluid coupling assembly (20, 120, 220, 320 and 420) of the type including a housing having spaced side walls (24, 124, 224 and 434) extending radially relative to an axis (A) and defining a fluid chamber surrounding a disc (30, 130) supported by a shift (26) extending through and rotatably supported by one of the side walls with cooling fins for cooling the fluid chamber. The invention is characterized by fabricating a cooling sub-assembly (44, 46, 48, 144, 244, 246, 248, or 444) of cooling fins connected to a ring (50, 54, 58, 150, 250, 350, 450 and 472) having an axis with the cooling fins extending radially and axially of the ring. Subsequently, the cooling sub-assembly is secured to the housing by placing the ring axially between the side walls so as to transmit heat from the housing to the cooling fins. The housing and/or the disc may be fabricated from sheet metal.