Abstract: A viscous fluid shear device having a housing, a rotor, which is rotatable in the housing, and a wiper that is coupled to the housing. The housing defines a scavenge conduit and a nozzle. Viscous fluid that clings to the circumference of the rotor during operation of the viscous fluid shear device is driven through the nozzle and directed by the wiper into the scavenge conduit.

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 having a housing, a rotor, which is rotatable in the housing, and a wiper that is coupled to the housing. The housing defines a scavenge conduit and a nozzle. Viscous fluid that clings to the circumference of the rotor during operation of the viscous fluid shear device is driven through the nozzle and directed by the wiper into the scavenge conduit.

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 ring fan and shroud assembly having a fan, a shroud member, a recirculating flow member, and a plurality of curved guide vanes. The fan has a hub with a plurality of projecting fan blades and an outer ring member. The shroud member is positioned around the outer ring member. The recirculating flow member is on the shroud member and is positioned forward adjacent the outer ring member. The guide vanes are positioned within the recirculating flow member and define an inlet angle, which is nearly tangential with an outer entry diameter radial surface of the recirculating flow member, and an outlet angle that is nearly radial along an inner exit diameter of the recirculating flow member.

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 ring fan and shroud guide system which includes a rotating fan member with a conical outer ring and a cylindrical shroud member overlapping at least a portion of the outer ring. A plurality of guide vanes are provided in the shroud which minimize the tangential velocity component of the air flow entering the tip-gap region and provide improved air flow through the system. The guide vanes can have a curved configuration.

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 fan member particularly for use in a vehicle cooling system. A formed metal hub member with a plurality of plastic polymer blade members. The blade members are overmolded on the hub member, preferably individually. The plastic polymer material is molded through openings in the hub member to help securely hold the blade members in place.

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 ring fan and shroud guide system which includes a rotating fan member with a conical outer ring and a cylindrical shroud member overlapping at least a portion of the outer ring. A plurality of guide vanes are provided in the shroud which minimize the tangential velocity component of the air flow entering the tip-gap region and provide improved air flow through the system. The guide vanes can have a curved configuration.

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: 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: A fan member particularly for use in a vehicle cooling system. A formed metal hub member with a plurality of plastic polymer blade members. The blade members are overmolded on the hub member, preferably individually. The plastic polymer material is molded through openings in the hub member to help securely hold the blade members in place.

Abstract: Injection molded ring fan embodiments and methods for making them. The methods influence material flow during the injection molding process such that a major portion of the materials flowing in opposite directions in the outer rings preferably flow past one another, intermix in a swirling relationship, and/or collide at an angle relative to one another. This results in better material mixing or integration of the flow fronts. In one embodiment, the thickness of the outer ring varies in different portions between adjacent fan blades.