Abstract: A viscous clutch head may be replaced by selecting a viscous clutch head and a mount adapter. The viscous clutch head and the mount adapter may be selected from a group of universal modular fan drives and from a group of mount adapters. The mount adapter of a threaded type or a flange and bolt type may be selected. Depending on the viscous clutch head to be replaced, a fan adapter and/or a pilot adapter may also be selected from a group of fan adapters and from a group of pilot adapters. Accordingly, a range of models of viscous fan clutch systems may be replaced by using a limited number of parts. These parts may be stored on a tool cart. As different models of viscous fan clutch systems may be replaced using a limited number of parts, the in-stock inventory of replacement parts may be reduced.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a fan clutch system for use in a vehicle can provide efficient access to one or more components for inspection and service even after the fan clutch system is installed in the vehicle. In particular embodiments, the fan clutch system can include a fan clutch device and a coil retainer assembly that are removably mounted to a right-angle gear box assembly in a manner that permits a technician to accessing at least one component for inspection, repair, or replacement. The coil retainer assembly may at least partially house an electromagnetic coil for selective activation. The system may further include a fan clutch device removably mounted to the drive member of the gear box assembly.

Abstract: A viscous clutch head may be replaced by selecting a viscous clutch head and a mount adapter. The viscous clutch head and the mount adapter may be selected from a group of universal modular fan drives and from a group of mount adapters. The mount adapter of a threaded type or a flange and bolt type may be selected. Depending on the viscous clutch head to be replaced, a fan adapter and/or a pilot adapter may also be selected from a group of fan adapters and from a group of pilot adapters. Accordingly, a range of models of viscous fan clutch systems may be replaced by using a limited number of parts. These parts may be stored on a tool cart. As different models of viscous fan clutch systems may be replaced using a limited number of parts, the in-stock inventory of replacement parts may be reduced.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a fan clutch system for use in a vehicle can provide efficient access to one or more components for inspection and service even after the fan clutch system is installed in the vehicle. In particular embodiments, the fan clutch system can include a fan clutch device and a coil retainer assembly that are removably mounted to a right-angle gear box assembly in a manner that permits a technician to accessing at least one component for inspection, repair, or replacement. The coil retainer assembly may at least partially house an electromagnetic coil for selective activation. The system may further include a fan clutch device removably mounted to the drive member of the gear box assembly.

Abstract: A clutch system may include in certain embodiments a clutch body attached to a drive member such as a drive pulley, wherein the clutch body may be removed from the drive member without disassembling the clutch body. In various embodiments, the clutch body may include two clutch plates which enclose a spring-loaded pneumatic reciprocating assembly that in operation causes the plates to selectively separate and engage one another. In certain embodiments, the clutch body may be readily attached to a associated drive pulley in a single step by installation of a single set of fasteners.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a clutch system or method include a fan clutch device having a clutch shut-off system permits a cooling fan to continue to provide airflow even when the friction ring is worn down to a level that requires replacement.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a clutch system may drive an output portion to rotate at a first rotational speed when the clutch surfaces are engaged and to rotate at a second rotational speed when the clutch surfaces are shifted to a disengaged position. The viscous two-speed clutch system may employ a viscous drive system that causes the output portion to rotate even when the clutch surfaces are disengaged. In such circumstances, the cooling fan can be driven to rotate at a first rotation speed due to interconnection with a drive source and to rotate at a second rotational speed even when the clutch surfaces are disengaged. Thus, the clutch system facilitates the flow of cooling air both when the vehicle cooling system activates the fan (e.g. by causing the clutch surface to engage) and when the vehicle cooling system deactivates the fan (e.g. by causing the clutch surfaces to disengage).

Abstract: Some embodiments of a clutch system may an output member and an input member can be biased to engage one another along opposing clutch surfaces. When input member drives rotation of the output member and a fan blade device secured thereto, the resulting fan thrust provides supplemental engagement to the opposing clutch surfaces.

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: Some embodiments of a clutch system or method include a fan clutch device having a clutch shut-off system permits a cooling fan to continue to provide airflow even when the friction ring is worn down to a level that requires replacement.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a fan clutch system for use in a vehicle can provide efficient access to one or more components for inspection and service even after the fan clutch system is installed in the vehicle. In particular embodiments, the fan clutch system can include a fan clutch device and a coil retainer assembly that are removably mounted to a right-angle gear box assembly in a manner that permits a technician to accessing at least one component for inspection, repair, or replacement. The coil retainer assembly may at least partially house an electromagnetic coil for selective activation. The system may further include a fan clutch device removably mounted to the drive member of the gear box assembly.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a fan clutch system may drive an output member to rotate at a first speed when opposing friction clutch surfaces are engaged and to rotate at a second, slower speed when the friction clutch surfaces are shifted to a disengaged position. In particular embodiments, the multi-speed clutch system may employ an eddy current drive system that is arranged axially rearward of the friction clutch surfaces while the fan blade device is mounted in a position that is axially forward of the of the friction clutch surfaces.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a clutch system may an output member and an input member can be biased to engage one another along opposing clutch surfaces. When input member drives rotation of the output member and a fan blade device secured thereto, the resulting fan thrust provides supplemental engagement to the opposing clutch surfaces.

Abstract: A clutch system may include in certain embodiments a clutch body attached to a drive member such as a drive pulley, wherein the clutch body may be removed from the drive member without disassembling the clutch body. In various embodiments, the clutch body may include two clutch plates which enclose a spring-loaded pneumatic reciprocating assembly that in operation causes the plates to selectively separate and engage one another. In certain embodiments, the clutch body may be readily attached to a associated drive pulley in a single step by installation of a single set of fasteners.

Abstract: A clutch system may include in certain embodiments a clutch body attached to a drive member such as a drive pulley, wherein the clutch body may be removed from the drive member without disassembling the clutch body. In various embodiments, the clutch body may include two clutch plates which enclose a spring-loaded pneumatic reciprocating assembly that in operation causes the plates to selectively separate and engage one another. In certain embodiments, the clutch body may be readily attached to a associated drive pulley in a single step by installation of a single set of fasteners.

Abstract: A clutch system may include in certain embodiments a clutch body attached to a drive member such as a drive pulley, wherein the clutch body may be removed from the drive member without disassembling the clutch body. In various embodiments, the clutch body may include two clutch plates which enclose a spring-loaded pneumatic reciprocating assembly that in operation causes the plates to selectively separate and engage one another. In certain embodiments, the clutch body may be readily attached to a associated drive pulley in a single step by installation of a single set of fasteners.

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 clutch system may include in certain embodiments a clutch body attached to a drive member such as a drive pulley, wherein the clutch body may be removed from the drive member without disassembling the clutch body. In various embodiments, the clutch body may include two clutch plates which enclose a spring-loaded pneumatic reciprocating assembly that in operation causes the plates to selectively separate and engage one another. In certain embodiments, the clutch body may be readily attached to a associated drive pulley in a single step by installation of a single set of fasteners.

Abstract: A clutch system may include in certain embodiments a clutch body attached to a drive member such as a drive pulley, wherein the clutch body may be removed from the drive member without disassembling the clutch body. In various embodiments, the clutch body may include two clutch plates which enclose a spring-loaded pneumatic reciprocating assembly that in operation causes the plates to selectively separate and engage one another. In certain embodiments, the clutch body may be readily attached to a associated drive pulley in a single step by installation of a single set of fasteners.

Abstract: A clutch system may include in certain embodiments a clutch body attached to a drive member such as a drive pulley, wherein the clutch body may be removed from the drive member without disassembling the clutch body. In various embodiments, the clutch body may include two clutch plates which enclose a spring-loaded pneumatic reciprocating assembly that in operation causes the plates to selectively separate and engage one another. In certain embodiments, the clutch body may be readily attached to a associated drive pulley in a single step by installation of a single set of fasteners.