Abstract: A torsion isolator assembly (30) for reducing driveline torsionals includes a vane damper (36) having valving (40d,40e) for regulating the damping factor of the damper, spiral springs (32,34 or 82,84), and cam surfaces (44d,44c) which engage the ends of the spiral springs (32,34 or 82,84).; The spiral springs (32,34 or 82,84) have a lesser radial spacing between the outer convolutions as compared to the radial spacing between the inner convolutions.

Abstract: A torsion damping assembly includes a spring or spring assemblies (20 or 108,110) and a viscous damper (22 or 106) adapted to be installed between input and output drives of a vehicle driveline. In one embodiment of the assembly the spring (22) is a torsion shaft. In the other embodiment (100) a housing member or assembly (112) contains the spring assemblies (108,110) and the viscous damper (106). The spring assemblies (108,110) are disposed in parallel relative and each assembly includes a plurality of helical coil springs (136) disposed in series.

Abstract: A torsional damping mechanism (30,32) disposed in a two mass flywheel assembly (24) for reducing the effects of driveline torsionals or vibrations. The assembly includes primary and secondary flywheel masses (26,28), a viscous damper assembly having an annular housing assembly (46c, 50a) integrally formed with the primary flywheel mass, an annular clutch assembly defined by radially inner and outer clutching members (72,74) disposed in the housing, and nested spiral wound springs (58,60) disposed between an inner hub portion (46a) of the primary mass and a radially inner portion (28b) of the secondary mass. The inner clutching member (72) is driven by an axially extending hub portion (28c) of the secondary mass and the outer clutching member (74) is driven by the inner clutching member through a lost motion means defined by splines (72c, 74b).

Abstract: A torsional vibration isolation mechanism (30, 102 or 200) disposed in a two mass flywheel assembly (100) for reducing the effects of torsionals or vibration in a vehicle driveline and particularly high amplitude torque spikes occurring during resonance mode operation. The assembly includes primary and secondary flywheel assemblies (26,28), a resilient means 30 including a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart coil springs for attenuating torsional vibrations, and a viscous liquid damper 102 or 200 which increases damping in proportion to relative rotational velocity of the flywheel assemblies.

Abstract: An assembly (19) for damping torsionals in a vehicle driveline. Assembly (19) includes a spring assembly (20) and a vane damper assembly (22) disposed in parallel and immersed in automatic transmission fluid of a torque converter housing (24). The spring assembly (20) isolates driveline torsionals and the damper assembly dissipates the torsionals. The damper assembly (22) includes first and second relatively rotatable housing members (66,68) respectively connected to the spring assembly output (62b) and input (62a). Members (66,68) are also frictionally interconnected by surfaces (68a,74a). Housing members (66,68) define chambers (78a,78b) containing the transmission fluid and which vary inversely in volume in response to flexing of the spring assembly (20) by the driveline torsionals. As the chambers vary in volume, energy from the torsionals is converted to fluid pressure in the chambers decreasing in volume.

Abstract: A mechanism (19) disposed in a torque converter housing (24) for damping torsionals in a vehicle driveline. The mechanism comprises a viscous coupling (22) including a housing (64) having two sidewalls (24a, 68) defining a chamber (70) containing a viscous liquid, and a clutch member (72) disposed in the chamber for viscous clutching coaction with the housing. One of the sidewalls (24a) is defined by an end wall of the torque converter housing. The housing and clutch member are interconnected by a spring assembly (20) including flat torsion springs (61, 62) which transmit steady-state driveline torque and isolate driveline torsionals. The inner surfaces (24b, 68a) of the housing each include two circumferentially spaced clutching surfaces separated by the clutch member. The clutch member has oppositely facing surfaces (72b, 72c) each which include two flat circumferentially spaced clutching surfaces.

Abstract: An assembly (19) for damping torsionals in a vehicle driveline. Assembly (19) includes a spring assembly (20) and a vane damper assembly (22) disposed in parallel and immersed in automatic transmission fluid of a torque converter housing (24). The spring assembly (20) isolates driveline torsionals and the damper assembly dissipates the torsionals. The damper assembly (22) includes first and second relatively rotatable housing members (66,68) respectively connected to the spring assembly output (62b) and input (62a). Members (66,68) are also frictionally interconnected by surfaces (68a,74a). Housing members (66,68) define chambers (78a,78b) containing the transmission fluid and which vary inversely in volume in response to flexing of the spring assembly (20) by the driveline torsionals. As the chambers vary in volume, energy from the torsionals is converted to fluid pressure in the chambers decreasing in volume.

Abstract: A mechanism (19) disposed in a torque converter housing (24) for damping torsionals in a vehicle driveline. The mechanism comprises a viscous coupling (22) including a housing (64) having two sidewalls (24a, 68) defining a chamber (70) containing a viscous liquid, and a clutch member (72) disposed in the chamber for viscous clutching coaction with the housing. One of the sidewalls (24a) is defined by an end wall of the torque converter housing. The housing and clutch member are interconnected by a spring assembly (20) including flat torsion springs (61, 62) which transmit steady-state driveline torque and isolate driveline torsionals. The inner surfaces (24b, 68a) of the housing each include two circumferentially spaced clutching surfaces separated by the clutch member. The clutch member has oppositely facing surfaces (72b, 72c) each which include two flat circumferentially spaced clutching surfaces.

Abstract: A viscous fan clutch (10) is typically employed in a fan drive mechanism within a truck or automobile. A shaft (12) driven by the engine, rotates a clutch member (24) within the fan drive. The clutch member is arranged for fluid engagement with a body member (42) for the transmission of torque thereto when the fluid is disposed in an operating chamber (70) defined by complimentary shear surfaces (30 and 56) in the clutch and body members. During relative rotation between the two members, fluid is pumped from the operating chamber to a storage chamber (76) through a return passage (111). Fluid is returned to the operating chamber via bleed ports (118). The return passage and bleed ports are selectively restricted by an electromagnetically controlled valve (112) which taps the kinetic energy of the rotating members. A control system (132) senses vehicle coolant temperature and actuates the valve as a function thereof.

Abstract: A mechanism (19) disposed in a torque converter housing (24) for damping torsionals in a vehicle driveline. The mechanism comprises a viscous coupling (22) including a housing (64) having two sidewalls (24a, 68) defining a chamber (70) containing a viscous liquid, and a clutch member (72) disposed in the chamber for viscous clutching coaction with the housing. One of the sidewalls (24a) is defined by an end wall of the torque converter housing. The housing and clutch member are interconnected by a spring assembly (20) including flat torsion springs (61, 62) which transmit steady-state driveline torque and isolate driveline torsionals. The inner surfaces (24b, 68a) of the housing each include two circumferentially spaced clutching surfaces separated by the clutch member. The clutch member has oppositely facing surfaces (72b, 72c) each which include two flat circumferentially spaced clutching surfaces.

Abstract: A bypass driveline (27) for a torque converter-type automatic transmission (11) in which the bypass driveline includes a viscous coupling (30). The viscous coupling includes an annular body member (32) formed of aluminum, an annular cover member (34) of steel secured at its outer periphery (34a) to the outer peripheral portion (32a) of the body member and radially inwardly thereof spaced axially from the body member to define a viscous fluid chamber therebetween, and an annular clutch member (36a) disposed in the chamber and having a central hub portion (36e) adapted to be drivingly connected to an output shaft (16) of the torque converter. Confronting portions (32e, 32f) and (36c, 36d) of the body and clutch members define closely spaced working means for viscously transmitting force from the body member to the clutch member.

Abstract: A bypass drive line (27) for a torque converter type automatic transmission (11) in which the bypass drive line includes a viscous coupling (30). The viscous coupling is of a sandwich construction including an annular body member (32) formed of aluminum, an annular cover member (34) of steel secured at its outer periphery (34a) to the outer peripheral portion (32a) of the body member and radially inwardly thereof spaced axially from the body member to define a viscous fluid chamber therebetween, and an annular clutch member (36a) disposed in the chamber and having a central hub portion (36e) adapted to be drivingly connected to the output shaft (16) of the torque converter. Confronting portions (36e, 32f) and (36c, 36d) of the body and clutch members define closely spaced working area, for viscously transmitting force from the body member to the clutch member.

Abstract: A bypass drive line for a torque converter type automatic transmission in which the bypass drive line includes a viscous coupling. The viscous coupling is of a sandwich construction including an annular body member, an annular cover member secured at its outer periphery to a side face of the outer peripheral portion of the body member and spaced axially from the body member to define a viscous fluid chamber therebetween, and an annular clutch member disposed in the chamber and having a central hub portion adapted to be drivingly connected to the output shaft of the torque converter. The drive into the coupling from the housing of the torque converter is through an annular clutching surface defined on the side face of the radially outer peripheral portion of the body member radially outwardly of the outer periphery of the cover member.

Abstract: A bypass drive line (27) for a torque converter type automatic transmission (11) in which the bypass drive line includes a viscous coupling (30). The viscous coupling is of a sandwich construction including an annular body member (32) formed of aluminum, an annular cover member (34) of steel secured at its outer periphery (34a) to the outer peripheral portion (32a) of the body member and radially inwardly thereof spaced axially from the body member to define a viscous fluid chamber therebetween, and an annular clutch member (36a) disposed in the chamber and having a central hub portion (36e) adapted to be drivingly connected to the output shaft (16) of the torque converter. Confronting portions (32e, 32f) and (36c, 36d) of the body and clutch members define closely spaced working area for viscously transmitting force from the body member to the clutch member.

Abstract: A viscous coupling adapted to be positioned within the housing of a torque converter automatic transmission for use as a bypass of the torque converter and including an annular clutch lining secured to a side face of the outer peripheral portion of the coupling and a control valve assembly positioned in the outer peripheral portion to cushion the impact of engagement of the annular clutch lining with the confronting surface of the torque converter housing. The control valve assembly includes a rolling diaphragm which extends across the open end of an axially extending bore in the outer peripheral portion and is arranged to rollingly traverse the bore to successively cover or uncover a series of axially spaced leakage holes communicating with the main chamber of the torque converter and the bore.

Abstract: A viscous fan clutch (10) is typically employed in a fan drive mechanism within a truck or automobile. A shaft (12) driven by the engine, rotates a clutch member (24) within the fan drive. The clutch member is arranged for fluid engagement with a body member (42) for the transmission of torque thereto when the fluid is disposed in an operating chamber (70) defined by complimentary shear surfaces (30 & 56) in the clutch and body members. During relative rotation between the two members, fluid is pumped from the operating chamber to a storage chamber (76) through a return passage (111). Fluid is returned to the operating chamber via bleed ports (118). The return passage and bleed ports are selectively restricted by an electromagnetically controlled valve (112) which taps the kinetic energy of the rotating members. A control system (132) senses vehicle coolant temperature and actuates the valve as a function thereof.

Abstract: A bypass drive line for a torque converter type automatic transmission in which the bypass drive line includes a viscous coupling and automatic transmission fluid is selectivley passed through the periphery of the viscous coupling to provide a flow of cooling fluid around the coupling. The fluid flowing through the coupling enters at one face of the coupling adjacent the periphery of the coupling and then flows around the periphery of the coupling through a plurality of separate elongated narrow passages and then exits at the opposite face of the coupling.The passages are defined by a series of interconnected concentric peripheral grooves defined within the coupling. In one disclosed embodiment, four separate circuitous paths are provided through the coupling and in a second disclosed embodiment two separate circuitous paths are provided.

Abstract: A fan drive for the cooling fan of an internal combustion motor vehicle in which the temperature of the engine coolant is constantly sensed and, in response to a sensed predetermined coolant temperature, heated air is directed by a blower through a conduit from a heat sink adjacent the exhaust manifold to the temperature sensing element of the fan drive. The heated air impacting on the temperature sensing element causes the element to react in a sense to engage the fan drive and cool the coolant.

Abstract: A viscous fan clutch (10) is typically employed in a fan drive mechanism within a truck or automobile. A shaft (12) driven by the engine, rotates a clutch member (24) within the fan drive. The clutch member is arranged for fluid engagement with a cover assembly (38) for the transmission of torque thereto when the fluid is disposed in an operating chamber (70) defined by complementary shear surfaces (30, 31, 56, and 57) in the clutch and cover. During relative rotation between the clutch and cover, fluid is pumped from the operating chamber to primary (76) and secondary (77) fluid storage chambers. Independent fluid temperature responsive control valves (120 and 190) provide for selective communication between the storage chambers and the operating chamber to effect modulation of the total fluid flow whereby dual speed operation of the clutch is achieved.

Abstract: A viscous fan clutch (10) is typically employed in a fan drive mechanism within a truck or automobile. A shaft (12) driven by the engine, rotates a clutch member (24) within the fan drive. The clutch member is arranged for fluid engagement with a cover assembly (38) for the transmission of torque thereto when the fluid is disposed in an operating chamber (70) defined by complementary shear surfaces (30, 31, 56, and 57) in the clutch and cover. During the relative rotation between the clutch and cover, fluid is pumped from the operating chamber to primary (76) and secondary (77) fluid storage chambers. A fluid temperature responsive control valve (190) provides for selective communication between the storage chambers and the operating chamber to effect modulation of the total fluid flow whereby quasi dual speed operation of the clutch is achieved.