Abstract: A fluid friction clutch includes a drivable housing having a working chamber and a reservoir, at least one opening between the reservoir and the working chamber configured to provide fluid communication between the reservoir and the working chamber, a driven disk supported for rotation in the working chamber, and a rotor mounted in the reservoir and rotatably coupled to the driven disk for rotation about an axis of rotation, the rotor having a plurality of arms, separated by a plurality of gaps, projecting away from its axis of rotation.

Abstract: A device for transmission and/or generation of torque having a driveshaft and having a driven shaft acted upon by field-excited forces of a magnetorheological medium, the driveshaft terminates in a flange in a housing, at least one cylinder is arranged on the flange (7), and the cylinder extends over the driven shaft coaxially while forming a gap which is filled with the magnetorheological medium.

Abstract: A regulating device (2) for a viscoclutch (4) which is provided with a primary disc (6) and a secondary disc (8), the primary disc having a first rotation speed (10) and the secondary disc a second rotation speed (12). The regulating device (2) receives signals which represent the rotation speeds and a desired degree of engagement (14), and calculates a prevailing degree of engagement (15) between the discs (10). The degree of engagement between the discs is controlled by regulating an amount of viscous oil between them by delivering a control signal (16) to an oil pump unit (18) which pumps oil (20) into the viscoclutch (4). The nature of the engagement, and controlling for maximum to minimum engagement is disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to a clutch system for use in controllably transmitting torque from an input shaft to an output shaft. The clutch system has a torque transmission fluid that has a viscosity that changes based on the strength of an electromagnetic field passing through the fluid. A number of sensors are placed at different radial locations on the torque transmission disks to detect the strength of the electromagnetic field. Based on the strength of the electromagnetic field, the amount of torque being transmitted from the input shaft to the output shaft can be adjusted. Also disclosed is a distributed actuation architecture that uses this clutch system. The distributed actuation architecture allows for the use of a single drive motor in conjunction with multiple instances of the clutch system to actuate a mechanical linkage, such as a robotic arm.

Abstract: A magnetorheological clutch includes a primary part, a secondary part and a magnet for the generation of a magnetic field. The primary part and the secondary part are rotatable relative to one another around an axis of rotation of the clutch, with the primary part being rotationally fixedly connected to at least one disk. The disk is surrounded by coupling gaps in which a magnetorheological medium is arranged. The thickness of the at least one disk along the coupling gap has a value of approximately 0.4 mm to approximately 1 mm, with the at least one disk being formed along the coupling gaps without material interruptions.

Abstract: A viscous coupling (10) includes a case body (12) for forming a working chamber (16) which contains the viscous fluid, a shaft (20) inserted into the case body (12) in such a manner that the shaft is relatively rotatable with respect to the case body (12), a plurality of inner plates (30) coupled to the shaft (20), and a plurality of outer plates (50), coupled to the case body (12), which are arranged in the working chamber (16) in such a manner as to be spaced apart from the inner plates (30) with a pitch in an axial direction of the shaft (20). The pitch between each of the inner plates (30) and each of the outer plates (50) is adjustable by deforming either of the inner plates (30) and the outer plates (50) in response to the rotation speed of the shaft (20) or the case body (12).

Abstract: A fluid friction clutch includes a drivable housing having a working chamber and a reservoir, at least one opening between the reservoir and the working chamber configured to provide fluid communication between the reservoir and the working chamber, a driven disk supported for rotation in the working chamber, and a rotor mounted in the reservoir and rotatably coupled to the driven disk for rotation about an axis of rotation, the rotor having a plurality of arms, separated by a plurality of gaps, projecting away from its axis of rotation.

Abstract: A magnetorheological clutch comprises a stationary part, a rotating primary part with primary laminated strips and a secondary part with secondary laminated strips, whereby a controllable magnetic field acts upon the magnetorheological fluid. The aim of the invention is to allow transmission of a highest possible torque in a smallest possible space and with minimal power consumption. Said aim is achieved, whereby a number of solenoid coils, each having a first yoke with a substantially radial winding axis, are alternately oppositely polarized; the first yokes have cylindrical front faces, whereby the magnetic field lines radially enter and exit said yokes, the primary laminated strips and secondary laminated strips form closed cylindrical envelopes and second outer and inner yokes are provided radially outside of and radially inside the first yokes, whereby the magnetic field lines radially enter the second yokes and radially exit said yokes in the opposite direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a magnetorheological clutch comprising a stationary part (1), a rotating primary part (2) with primary lamellae (7), and a coaxially rotating secondary part (3) with secondary lamellae (20). An adjustable magnetic field acts upon the magnetorheological fluid. In order to be able to transmit the greatest possible torque in a minimum of space and at minimal power consumption, at least one magnet coil (25) encompassing a first yoke (24a, 24b) is disposed such that primary lamellae (7, 7?) and secondary lamellae (20, 20?) are located on both sides thereof. The lamellae are made of a material which is provided with moderate magnetic permeability and allows limited short-circuit flux. A second yoke (27, 27?) having a face (32, 32?) that extends parallel to the lamellae adjoins the outermost lamella on both sides, “outermost” being in relation to the axial direction.

Abstract: A magnetorheological clutch comprises a stationary part (1), of a rotatable primary part (2) with primary lamellae (3) and of a secondary part (8) with secondary lamellae (17) which surrounds the primary part (2), there being formed between the primary part (2) and the secondary part (8) a space (28) which contains a magnetorheological fluid, a regulatable magnetic field acting on the magnetorheological fluid.

Abstract: A magnetorheological clutch comprises a stationary part (1), of a rotatable primary part (2) with primary lamellae (3) and of a secondary part (8) with secondary lamellae (17) which surrounds the primary part (2), there being formed between the primary part (2) and the secondary part (8) a space (28) which contains a magnetorheological fluid, a regulatable magnetic field acting on the magnetorheological fluid.

Abstract: A viscous damper for driving accessories by a crankshaft though a viscous coupler of the viscous damper. The rotational driving force of the crankshaft is transmitted to the viscous damper hub through the meshing of a large diameter gear and a driven gear, the viscous damper forming a unit with the driven gear. The rotational driving force is further transmitted to a viscous damper housing through the hub and the viscous coupler, i.e., the viscous coupler including a number of plates which are movable relative to each other in a space filled with silicon oil. The rotational driving force, which is transmitted to the housing and is dampened in torque changes by the function of the coupler, is transmitted to a rotor shaft of an alternator to smoothly rotate the alternator rotor. A smooth performance in driving the accessories is ensured by the viscous damper having the viscous coupler.

Abstract: The invention relates to a controllable viscous coupling for generating a locking effect between two coupling parts rotatable relative to one another around a common longitudinal axis, more particularly for the driveline of a motor vehicle. The viscous coupling comprises a first coupling part, a second coupling part, wherein the first and the second coupling part form a sealed annular chamber. First plates are connected to the first coupling part in a rotationally fast way and second plates are connectable to the second coupling part in a rotationally fast way, as well as controllable connecting means to allow switching between an open position in which the second plates are freely rotatable relative to the second coupling part, and a closed position in which the second plates are connected to the second coupling part in a rotationally fast way.

Abstract: The invention relates to a controllable viscous coupling for generating a locking effect between two coupling parts rotatable relative to one another around a common longitudinal axis, more particularly for the driveline of a motor vehicle. This viscous coupling comprises a first coupling part, a second coupling part, wherein the first and the second coupling part form a sealed annular chamber. First plates are connectable to the second coupling part in a rotationally fast way. Controllable connecting apparatus allow switching between an open position in which the second plates are freely rotatable relative to the second coupling part and a closed position in which the second plates are connected to the second coupling part in a rotationally fast way.

Abstract: A clutch arrangement, especially for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing arrangement (12) which is filled or which can be filled with fluid, at least one first friction element (22) which can be jointly rotated with the housing arrangement (12) and at least one second friction organ (24) which can be jointly rotated with an output element (18) and which can be brought to rest against the at least one first friction element (22) in order to produce at least one interactive friction effect. At least one friction element (22, 24) is embodied in such a way that fluid can circulate around at least certain areas of the friction elements (22, 24).

Abstract: A viscous coupling comprising two parts which form an annular chamber 16 which is filled with a highly viscous fluid and in which first coupling plates 17 are connected to the first one of the parts 11 for rotation therewith and second coupling plates 18 are connectable to the second one of the parts 12 which are arranged so as to alternate in the longitudinal direction. The second coupling plates 18 are arranged so as to alternate with clamping rings 20 in the second one of the parts 12, which clamping rings 20, in turn, are connected to the second one of the parts 12 for rotation therewith. A first axial adjusting device 23 acts in an axial direction on the second coupling plates 18 and on the clamping rings 20 and locks the same relative to one another and to the second one of the parts 12.

Abstract: A shaft coupling having two attachment elements that are rotatable relative to one another and that are connected to one another by a rotationally resilient assembly, and further having a dampening device which is active between the attachment elements for the purpose of suppressing torsional vibrations of the rotationally resilient assembly is disclosed. The rotationally resilient assembly comprises two ramp discs that are rotatable relative to one another and that support one another at least indirectly. One disc is supported in a rotationally fixed and rigid manner on one of the attachment elements and the other disc is supported in a rotationally fixed and axially resilient manner on the other one of the attachment elements by a spring. The dampening device is a viscous coupling having a hub connected to one of the attachment elements and a housing connected to the other one of the attachment elements.

Abstract: A multiple-disc clutch pack. The clutch pack comprises a plurality of porous metal plates mounted concentrically and each having a first and a second surface with at least one of the surfaces impregnated with a magneto-rheological substance. A plurality of grooves is defined on at least one of the surfaces of at least one of the plates.

Abstract: A shaft coupling having two attachment elements that are rotatable relative to one another and that are connected to one another by a rotationally resilient assembly, and further having a dampening device which is active between the attachment elements for the purpose of suppressing torsional vibrations of the rotationally resilient assembly is disclosed. The rotationally resilient assembly comprises two ramp discs that are rotatable relative to one another and that support one another at least indirectly. One disc is supported in a rotationally fixed and rigid manner on one of the attachment elements and the other disc is supported in a rotationally fixed and axially resilient manner on the other one of the attachment elements by a spring. The dampening device is a viscous coupling having a hub connected to one of the attachment elements and a housing connected to the other one of the attachment elements.

Abstract: A shaft coupling having two attachment elements that are rotatable relative to one another and that are connected to one another by a rotationally resilient assembly, and further having a dampening device which is active between the attachment elements for the purpose of suppressing torsional vibrations of the rotationally resilient assembly is disclosed. The rotationally resilient assembly comprises two ramp discs that are rotatable relative to one another and that support one another at least indirectly. One disc is supported in a rotationally fixed and rigid manner on one of the attachment elements and the other disc is supported in a rotationally fixed and axially resilient manner on the other one of the attachment elements by a spring. The dampening device is a viscous coupling having a hub connected to one of the attachment elements and a housing connected to the other one of the attachment elements.

Abstract: A viscous coupling comprising two parts which are supported inside one another, which are rotatable around a common longitudinal axis and which form an annular chamber which is filled with a highly viscous medium and in which there are arranged inner plates which are non-rotatably connected to the inner one of the parts and form a set of inner plates, as well as outer plates which are non-rotatably connected to the outer one of the parts and form a set of outer plates, said inner plates and outer plates being arranged so as to alternate in the longitudinal direction for the purpose of generating a coupling effect between the two parts when the latter rotate relative to one another, wherein a partial set of one of the sets of inner plates and outer plates is directly carried by a sleeve which is connected to the part of the coupling which carries said set of inner plates or outer plates in such a way that it can be uncoupled.

Abstract: A viscous coupling having two rotatable parts in the form of a hub and a housing for the transmission of torque between the rotatable parts caused by a positive speed differential between the rotatable parts, which are supported inside one another, which are rotatable relative to one another around a common longitudinal axis, and which form an annular chamber which is filled with a highly viscous fluid and in which first coupling plates non-rotatably connected to the first one of the two rotatable parts, e.g. the hub, and second coupling plates non-rotatably connected to the second one of the rotatable parts, e.g. the housing, are arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A differential device (11) of the type including a clutch pack (23), engaged by a ball ramp actuator (21), which is initiated by a viscous coupling (19;101). The output of the device (11) is an output shaft (13) which is hollow and extends through the entire axial extent of the device. The viscous coupling (19;101) includes, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, an annular input coupling member (25) and an annular output coupling member (27), within the input member, to define therebetween a cylindrical viscous shear chamber (29). The output coupling member (27) at least partially surrounds the first ramp plate (41) of the ball ramp actuator (21), and is in driving engagement therewith, for improved packaging.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a rotary drag device having relatively rotatable members one (4) of which has a stack (5) of closely spaced, thin-walled flexible annular plates (20) peripherally mounted thereon to provide annular running faces and a viscous fluid filling the spaces between the plates, and the other (6) of which members has a stack (8) of segmental plates (33) having part-annular running faces interleaved with the annular plates to slide between the plates with relative rotation of the members. Slits (26, 27) in the annular plates permit release of viscous fluid from between the plates as fluid pressure rises ahead of the segmental plates with increasing relative speed between the members.

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.