Abstract: A flexible shaft (42) driven by a transversely mounted engine (18) of an automobile (10) and extending rearwardly of the axis (48--48) of the crankshaft of the engine a distance transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and then curving and extending longitudinally forwardly to the cooling fan (32) used to draw air through the radiator (28) of the vehicle. The engine (18) is mounted in a front wheel drive vehicle (10) and has a pulley (36) mounted on the forward end of the engine driven via a belt (38) from a pulley (40) on the crankshaft of the engine. The pulley (36) in turn rotates the core (54) of the flexible shaft (42) which in turn rotates a shaft (64) used to drive the cooling fan (32) mounted juxtaposition the radiator (28). Means (58,60) secure the shaft at each end respectively to the rear end of the pulley (36) and the cooling fan (32). A gentle sweeping curve is provided from the transverse extending portion of shaft (42) to the longitudinally extending portion.

Abstract: An improved drive shaft is disclosed of the type used in a rotary fluid pressure device including an input-output shaft and a gerotor gear set having an externally toothed member which orbits and rotates within an internally toothed member. Both the input-output shaft and the externally toothed member define straight internal splines, and the drive shaft includes a set of crowned, involute external splines at each end thereof, in engagement with the respective straight internal splines. The crowned external splines are hobbed with a hob on which the cutter teeth have a pressure angle .phi..sub.H greater than the primary pressure angle .phi..sub.S of the crowned splines. The increased pressure angle .phi..sub.H of the cutter teeth makes it possible to reduce the crown angle on the splines, while still maintaining the necessary clearance X between each external spline and the adjacent internal spline at any given axial distance Y along the external spline from the central plane.

Abstract: A fluid coupling device, especially a viscous fan drive, of the type including an output coupling member defining a fluid operating chamber. The device includes an input coupling member rotatably disposed in the operating chamber and cooperating with the output member to define a shear space. The output coupling member defines an annular inner surface, at least a major portion of the inner surface cooperating with the axis of rotation to define an included angle between about 20 degrees and about 70 degrees. The input coupling member defines an annular outer surface, a major portion of which conforms generally to the angled inner surface of the output coupling member and is closely spaced apart therefrom. The fluid coupling device of the invention has a substantially reduced idle speed, without a loss of peak speed, as well as a greatly reduced pump-out time.

Abstract: A fluid coupling device, especially a viscous fan drive, of the type including an output coupling member defining a fluid operating chamber and an annular inner surface. The device includes an input coupling member rotatably disposed in the operating chamber and cooperating with the output member to define a shear space. The input coupling member defines an annular outer surface including a generally cylindrical surface portion adjacent the forward surface of the input member and closely spaced apart from the inner surface of the output member. The outer surface of the input member also includes a second surface portion which is generally frusto-conical and cooperates with the axis of rotation to define an included angle between about 25 degrees and about 35 degrees. The invention results in a coupling having lower disengaged output speeds as well as reduced disengagement time during cold-start-up, without weakening of the outer periphery of the input member.

Abstract: A fluid coupling device of the type including a rotatable coupling body defining a fluid operating chamber and a coupling member rotatable relative to the coupling body. A cover is associated with the coupling body and coupling member to define a fluid reservoir chamber, and a valve is operable to control fluid communication between the operating chamber and the reservoir chamber. The valve is mounted on a shaft which is rotatable relative to the cover and the rotational position of the shaft is controlled by a bimetallic coil having one end connected to the shaft and a second end which must be fixed relative to the cover. A bracket is fixedly attached to the cover and a clip member, in movable engagement with the bracket, receives the second end of the bimetal coil to prevent substantial rotational movement of the second end relative to the bracket.