Electrical activation of a viscous clutch

Details Electrical activation of a viscous clutch Electrical activation of a viscous clutch

2006-12-28

2009-12-08

Wright, Dirk (Department: 3655)

192 clutches and power-stop control

Clutches

Fluent material

Reexamination Certificate

active

07628262

ABSTRACT:
A system for controlling the engagement and disengagement of a viscous type coupling is accomplished by controlling the relative positioning of a spring loaded valve arm relative to a fluid port through the use of an electrically-activated, temperature-sensitive member, such as a NiTi wire. The characteristics of shape memory alloy materials are such that they are hard above a predetermined temperature, but soft and ductile below a predetermined temperature. When engagement or disengagement of the coupling is desired, electrical current is introduced through the member, therein heating it above a predetermined temperature to harden it. This hardening causes the valve arm to either move to either cover or uncover a fluid port, depending upon the design arrangement of the valve arm relative to the fluid port. A controller coupled to a plurality of engine operating sensors and a power source controls the electrical activation as a function of a desired operating condition.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4965545 (1990-10-01), Johnson
patent: 5125491 (1992-06-01), Takikawa et al.
patent: 6725813 (2004-04-01), Boyer
patent: 6814206 (2004-11-01), Usui et al.
patent: 6851260 (2005-02-01), Mernøe
patent: 7178648 (2007-02-01), Barnum et al.
patent: 7503444 (2009-03-01), Bohan

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