TWO SPEED CLUTCH WITH VISCOUS SYSTEM

摘要

A clutch device for a clutch system has an input member that rotates at a first speed. A friction drive system is disposed between the input member and an output member. The clutch device is selectively movable by a fluid actuator assembly, between an engaged position in which the friction drive system drives the output member to rotate at the first speed, and a disengaged position in which a viscous drive system rotates the output member at a second speed slower than the first speed. A variable viscous fluid supply assembly includes a viscous fluid storage chamber, a valve, and a valve actuator that selectively drives the valve to move between an open position and a closed position to control an amount of viscous fluid available to the viscous drive system, thereby varying the second speed.

主权项

1. A fan clutch device, comprising:
an input member including a drive device mounting portion; a central shaft including a fluid inlet portion; an output member including an output device mounting portion; a friction drive assembly including a friction medium, the friction drive assembly being movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position in which the friction medium frictionally couples the input member with the output member to rotate the output member at a first speed; a biasing member that urges the friction drive assembly toward one of the engaged position or the disengaged position; a fluid actuator assembly that selectively opposes the biasing member to urge the friction drive assembly toward the other of the engaged position or the disengaged position; a viscous drive assembly including a resistance member that is fixed to rotate with the central shaft and is disposed in a viscous chamber in which a viscous fluid is disposed, the viscous drive assembly fluidically coupling the input member to the output member so that the output member rotates at a second speed slower than the first speed when the friction drive assembly is in the disengaged position; and a variable viscous fluid supply assembly including
a viscous fluid storage chamber,a valve disposed between the viscous chamber and the viscous fluid storage chamber, such that fluid communication between the viscous chamber and the viscous fluid storage chamber is permitted when the valve is in an open position and restricted when the valve is in a closed position, anda valve actuator that selectively drives the valve to move between the open position and the closed position.