Liquid cooled magnetorheological fluid clutch for automotive transmissions

摘要

A magnetorheological fluid clutch has a pair of radially spaced magnetic core members that cooperate with an input rotor to form a pair of working gaps filled with magnetorheological fluid (MRF). An encapsulated electric coil disposed in a radially inner of the two magnetic cores is energized to establish a magnetic field through the cores, the input rotor and the MRF to establish a torque transmitting relation therebetween. The magnetic cores are secured to a channel ring and a housing in both of which a plurality of cooling channels are formed. The channels in the housing are in fluid communication with an input path to a serpentine flow path formed between the radially outer magnetic core and the housing to direct liquid cooling flow thereto. A return path from the serpentine flow path is in communication with the channels in the channel ring to direct liquid cooling flow therefrom. Further cooling passages are formed in the housing, channel ring, and radially inner magnetic core to direct liquid cooling through an annular chamber containing the encapsulated electric coil. The liquid cooling flow from the annular chamber and the channels in the channel ring are commingled and returned to a reservoir.