CA2188564A1 - Fan clutch construction and method of making - Google Patents
Fan clutch construction and method of makingInfo
- Publication number
- CA2188564A1 CA2188564A1 CA002188564A CA2188564A CA2188564A1 CA 2188564 A1 CA2188564 A1 CA 2188564A1 CA 002188564 A CA002188564 A CA 002188564A CA 2188564 A CA2188564 A CA 2188564A CA 2188564 A1 CA2188564 A1 CA 2188564A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- plate
- dam
- scoop
- scoop plate
- drive plate
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
- F16D35/00—Fluid clutches in which the clutching is predominantly obtained by fluid adhesion
- F16D35/02—Fluid clutches in which the clutching is predominantly obtained by fluid adhesion with rotary working chambers and rotary reservoirs, e.g. in one coupling part
- F16D35/021—Fluid clutches in which the clutching is predominantly obtained by fluid adhesion with rotary working chambers and rotary reservoirs, e.g. in one coupling part actuated by valves
- F16D35/023—Fluid clutches in which the clutching is predominantly obtained by fluid adhesion with rotary working chambers and rotary reservoirs, e.g. in one coupling part actuated by valves the valve being actuated by a bimetallic coil
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49316—Impeller making
- Y10T29/4933—Fluid coupling device
Abstract
A fan clutch construction and method of making the same are provided, the fan clutch construction (20) comprising a drive plate (28) rotatably mounted in a chamber (26) of a housing (21) and a scoop plate (43) disposed in the chamber (26) and being operatively interconnected to the housing (21) to cause rotation of the housing when the scoop plate (43) is rotated by the rotation of the drive plate (28), the scoop plate (43) having a dam (59) that cooperates with the drive plate (28) to cause rotation of the scoop plate (43) through a fluid coupling drive arrangement with the drive plate (28), the dam (59) having a surface (61) that provides a substantially zero clearance with the drive plate (28) when relative movement is provided between the drive plate (28) and the scoop plate (43).
Description
~ WO95130101 21 8856~ I ". c ,~, FAN CLUTCH CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD OF MAKING
T.-rhn; r;ll Field This invention relates to a new f an clutch construction, such as for cooling the radiator of an int~rn~l combustion engine, and to a new method of making such a fan clutch construction.
Backround Art It is known to provide a fan clutch construction comprising a housing means having a chamber therein, a drive plate rotatably mounted in the chamber, and a scoop plate disposed in the chamber and being operatively interconnected to the housing means to cause rotation of the housing means when the scoop plate is rotated by the rotation of the drive plate, the scoop plate having a dam thereon that cooperates with the drive plate to cause rotation of the scoop plate through a fluid coupling drive arrangement with the drive plate, the dam comprising a portion of ~the scoop plate coined or def ormed out of the same to have a surf ace means thereof that provides a slight clearance with the drive plate when relative 1 IV~ t is provided between the drive plate and the scoop plate. For example, see FIG . 4 of this ~rr~ i rat; on.
Also see the U. S. patent to Kennedy et al, No. 5,062,514, for a similar fan clutch construction .
Di6closure of the Invention It is one of the features of this invention to provide a fan clutch construction that has a unique dam on the scoop plate thereof that increases the ef f iciency of the f an clutch construction .
35 In particular, it ~as found that the ~V0 95/30101 P~~ IYL
T.-rhn; r;ll Field This invention relates to a new f an clutch construction, such as for cooling the radiator of an int~rn~l combustion engine, and to a new method of making such a fan clutch construction.
Backround Art It is known to provide a fan clutch construction comprising a housing means having a chamber therein, a drive plate rotatably mounted in the chamber, and a scoop plate disposed in the chamber and being operatively interconnected to the housing means to cause rotation of the housing means when the scoop plate is rotated by the rotation of the drive plate, the scoop plate having a dam thereon that cooperates with the drive plate to cause rotation of the scoop plate through a fluid coupling drive arrangement with the drive plate, the dam comprising a portion of ~the scoop plate coined or def ormed out of the same to have a surf ace means thereof that provides a slight clearance with the drive plate when relative 1 IV~ t is provided between the drive plate and the scoop plate. For example, see FIG . 4 of this ~rr~ i rat; on.
Also see the U. S. patent to Kennedy et al, No. 5,062,514, for a similar fan clutch construction .
Di6closure of the Invention It is one of the features of this invention to provide a fan clutch construction that has a unique dam on the scoop plate thereof that increases the ef f iciency of the f an clutch construction .
35 In particular, it ~as found that the ~V0 95/30101 P~~ IYL
2~ 8~5~4 ~
evacuation efficiency of a prior know high tor~aue fan drive with a low inertia, low load engine cooling fan needed ~i ~ uv -n~, In addition, such prlor known fan clutch construction was found to have excessive assembly line scrap due to stack up tolerances caused by rubbing between the drive plate and the dam of the scoop plate. A180, premature clutch failure due to:
bearing wear is caused by axial run out of the drive plate and the dam of the scoop plate whereby the end result is high ;n~Prn~l clutch temperatures from frictional heat and premature faiIure of the bearing seal, the 0-rings and the silicone fluid.
Xowever, it was found according to the tPi~rh;n~R of this invention that the 8COOp plate can be provided with a unir"ue dam that allows reduction of the clearance betwee~ the drive plate and the dam or even allows contact therebetween whereby the result is greatly improved pumpiIlg action, no a~sembly scrap due to rubbing and no friction heat related failures in the field due to bearing wear.
In fact, it ha6 been found that the uni,r,ue dam of this invention permits zero clearance and the ability of the fan clutch construction to compensate for wear by allowing the dam to "run-in" without generating excessive frictional heating.
~or example, one embodiment of this invention comprises a fan clutch construction comprising a fan clutch construction comprising a housing means having a chamber therei~, a drive plate rotatably mounted in the chamber, and a scoop plate disposed in the c_amber and being operatively interconnected to the housing means~ to cause rotation of the housing means when the scoop plate is rotated by the rotation of the drive plate, the wo 95r30101 21 8856~
scoop plate having a dam thereon that cooperates with the drive plate to cause rotation of the 8COOp plate by means of a fluid coupling drive arrangement with the drive plate, the dam having a surface means that provides a subst;lnt;i~l~y zero clearance with the drive plate when relative movement is provided between the drive plate and the scoop plate.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a new fan clutch construction having one or more of the novel features of this invention as set forth above or hereinafter shown or described .
Another object of this invention is to provide a new method of making such a fan clutch construction, the method of this invention having one or more of the novel f eatures of this invention as set forth above or hereinafter shown or described .
Brief De8cri~tion of the Dxawi r~
The features of the invention, and it6 technical advantages, can be seen irom the following description of the preferred embodiment together with the claims and the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is an end view of the new fan clutch construction of this invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of 3 0 a portion of the stxucture illustrated in FIG . 2;
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 and illustrates a prior known fan clutch construction;
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of certain parts of the fan clutch construction of FIGS. 1-3, FIG. 5 illustrating the dam and its Wo 95/30101 I~
21 88~6~
_~ 4 securing clip greatly e~larged relative to the other parts illu3tratea in FIG. 5; and FIG. 6 is an exploded pers~ective view of the other side of certain parts of the fan clutch construction of FIG. 5.
r~escri~tion of the P;~eferred r ~
While the variou3 f eatures of this invention are hereinafter illustrated and described as being particularly adapted to provide a fan clutch construction of a particular configuration, . it is to be understood that the various features of this invention can be utilized singly or in various combinations thereof to provide fan clutch constructions of other ~types as desired.
Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodiment illustratea in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized to illustrate one of the wide variety of use3 of this invention.
Referriny now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the new fan clutch construction of this invention is generally indicated by the ref erence numeral 2 0 and comprise3 a housing means 21 ~ormea from a first housing part 22 and a second housing part 23 securea together by having the outer peripheral edge means 24 of the housing part 23 turned over the outer peripheral edge means 25 of the housing part 22 in a conventional manner to def ine a chamber 26 in the housi~g means 21 that is sealed from the exterior thereof by an annular O-ring sealing member 27 disposed between the housing part3 22 and 23.
A drive plate 28 is disposed in the chamber 26 and has a hub 29 fixed on a shaft means 30 that is rotatably mounted in an opening 31 in the housing part 22 by a bearing means 32 all in a Wo 9~/30101 r~
21~
manner well known in the art, the drive plate 28 having opposite sides 33 and 34 with the side 34 having an inner substantially flat surface 35 and an outer substantially flat surface 36 that is inwardly stepped relative to the surf ace 3 5 to def ine an annular shoulder 37 between the surfaces 35 and 36.
The shaft means 30 of the fan clutch construction 2 0 is adapted to be mounted to any suitable drive means, such as drive means 38 illustrated in FIG. 2 by an interc~-nn~ct;~n means 39 in a manner well known in the art whereby the drive means 38 is adapted to rotate the shaft 30 and, thus, the drive plate 28 in the proper direction thereof. As is well known in the art, the drive means 38 can comprise a water pump construction of an internal combustion engine 40 while the housing means 21 i5 adapted to carry a plurality of fan blades 41 that are bolted thereto at the bolt hole3 42 formed in the housing part 22 in a manner well known in the art so that when the housing means 21 is subsequently rotated by the drive plate 28 in a manner hereinafter set forth, the fan blades 41 can provide a cooling air f low over a radiator means of the engine means 40 that is disposed to the right of the fan clutch construction 20 when viewing FIG. 2.
A scoop plate 43 is disposed in the chamber 26 of the housing means 21 and has a central part 44 splined to the housing part 23 by having a pair of posts 45 of the housing part 23 received in respective slots 46 passing through the central part 44 of the scoop plate 43 as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6 whereby when the scoop plate 43 is fluidly driven by the drive plate 28 in a manner hereinafter set forth, the scoop plate 43 will rotate the housing means 21 therewith and thus rotate the fan Wo 95/30101 . ~~ . /92 2 1 8~564 ~
blades 41 all in a manner well known in the art.
For example, see the afo~:~ i nn~od U. S . patent to Kennedy et al, No. 5,062,514, whereby this U. S.
patent is being incorporated into this disclosure by this reference thereto. ~
The scoop plate 43 cooperates with a side 47 of the housing part 23 to cover a ~ cavity or reservoir 48 formèd therein that ,-~ntA;nq a siLicon oil (not shown) which is permitted to exit from the reservoir 48 through an opening 49 in the scoop plate 43 when a valve member 50 is rotated to uncover the opening 49 of the scoop plate 43 ~in a manner well known art.
In particular, the valve member 50 is carried on a shaft 51 rotatably mounted in a suitable opening means 52 formed through the housing part 23 and having its outer end 53 interconnected to one end of a coiled bimetallic member 54 that has its outer end fixed between Al ' t meanS 55 of the housing part 23 so that when the bimetallic coil 54 senses a certain increased temperature condition that is greater than a certain temperature, the bimetallic member 54 will open the valve member 50 away from the opening 49 and when the h; tAl l; f' member 54 senses a decreasing temperature that falls below another certain temperature a certain amount, the bimetallic member 54 will move the valve member 50 to close the opening 49 in the scoop plate 43 all in a manner well known in the art.
Thus, when the b;r-- Allic member 54 sense6 a temperature above a certain temperature, the same causes the silicone oil from the reservoir 48 to flow between the drive plate 28 and the scoop p~late 43 at the respective surface means 35 and 56 thereof and by means of the resulting fluid coupling thereof WO95/30101 r~v s 2~?1 88~6~
cause the scoop plate 43 to ~end to rotate with the drive plate 28 and thereby cause the housing means 21 to rotate and provide a cooling air flow with - the fan blades 41 all in a manner well known in the art. When the bimetallic member 54 senses a temperature below a predetermined temperature, the bimetallic member 54 causes the valve member 50 to close the opening 49 in the scoop plate 43 80 that the silicone oil that returns to the reservoir 48 cannot leave the same and thereby terminates the fluid coupling between the drive plate 28 and the scoop plate 43 80 that the housing means 21 ceases to rotate with the drive plate 28 as is well known in the art.
Also, as is well known in the art, the scoop plate 43 does not rotate as fast as the drive plate 28 during the fluid coupling thereof because the fan blades 41 provide a resistance to such rotating motion and such rotational differential in speed between the drive plate and the scoop plate 43 causes the R; l; c~nP oil that is moving outwardly between the surface means 35 and 56 of the drive plate 28 and scoop plate 43 to be pumped back to the reservoir 48 through an opening 57 passing through opposed sides 56 and 58 of the scoop plate 43 and flow through a T-shaped groove means 60 formed in the surface ~7 of the housing part 23 back to the reservoir 48 to again be circulated through the opening 49 in the scoop plate 43 to pass between the surface means 35 and 56 of the drive plate 28 and scoop plate 43.
In order to cause the silicone oil to pump through the hole 57 in the scoop plate 43, a dam 59 is carried on the side 56 of the scoop plate 43 and cooperates with the surface means 36 and shoulder 37 Wo 9S/30101 ~ /Y~
- 21 88564 ~
of the drive plate 28 to back up the circulating oil at the outer peripheral surfaces means of the drive plate 28 and scoop plate 43 to pump through the hole 57, the hole or opening 57 being located adjacent the dam 5 9 on the trailing side thereof when the drive plate 2B and scoop plate are being rotated in a counterclockwise direction as indicated ~y arrows in FIGS. 5 and 6.
As previously stated, a prior known fan clutch construction: has the dam thereof formed integral and one-piece: ~ith the 5COOp plate.
In particular, references is now made to FIG.4 wherein the prio~ known fan clutch construction i3 generally indicated by the rPf~r~lle numeral 2QA and parts thereof similar to the parts of the fan clutch construction 20 of this invention are indicated by like reference numerals followed by the reference numerals "A".
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the dam 59A of the scoop plate 9;3A is coined or ~lPf~ 1 therefrom 80 as to define a surface means 61 that is disposed closely adjacent the surface means 36 A of the drive plate 28A and to define an annular peripheral edge means 62A that is also disposed closely adjacent the annular shoulder 37A of the drive plate 28A.
Because the scoop plate 43A and the drive plate 28A are respectively formed of metallic material, any engagement of the scoop plate 43A with the drive plate 28A will create an adverse frictional situation whereby a close tolerance of the surface means 61A of the dam 59A with the surface means 36A of the drive plate 28A is ~ not possible even though it is well known that the closer surface means 61A is wlth the surface means 36A of the d~ive plate 28A the more efficient the Wo 9S/30101 r~l,u~ Y~
21 ~8564 g fluid coupling arrangement will be provided between the drive plate 28A and the 8COOp plate 43A. It has been found that such clearance in the prior known - fan clutch construction 20A between the surface means 36A and 61A thereof is approximately 0 . 030 cm (0.012 of an inch) to approximately 0.038 cm (0.015 of an inch).
In order to increase the efficiency of the prior known fan clutch construction 20A, the scoop plate 43A is provided with another dam 59A at a location diametrically opposite the dam 59A
illustrated in FIG. 4.
~owever, the afor. tir~nPt~ problems with such prior known dam 59A in the fan clutch construction 20A still exist.
In contrast, it was found that the dam 59 of = this invention can be formed of a high temperature polymeric material that is in~ ection molded into the conf iguration illustrated in the drawings 80 as to be secured to the scoop plate 43 in manner hereinaf ter described and to provide a subst~ntiAlly zero clearance of the surface means 61 thereof with the surf ace means 3 6 of the drive plate 28, such zero clearance providing an improved pumping ef f iciency that is at least twice the efficiency provided by the prior known dam 59A 80 that only one dam 59 is required on the scoop plate 43 of this invention to provide an evacuation efficiency for the silicone oil that is even higher than the use of two prior known dams 59A in the fan clutch construction 20A previously described.
In one working embodiment of the dam 59 of this invention, the same comprises 409~ glass filled polyphenylenesulfide sold by the DuPont Corporation of Wilmington, Delaware under the trademark RYTON
W0 9513010~ Y~
the dam 59 being injection molded to=~define an enlarged head 63 that has the surface means 61 thereof being substantially flat and the peripheral edge means 62 thereo~ being subst~nt;~lly circular and having a surface means 64 opposite to the surface means 61. The dam 59 has reduced cylindrical sectioll 65 PYtPntl;ng from the side 64 thereof and passing through an opening 66 through the scoop plate 43 to the other side 58 thereof, the cylindrical section 65 having an annular groove 67 there' n and receiving a portion 68 of a C-clip 69 therein so that an outer portion 70 of the C-clip 69 engages against the side 58 of the scoop plate 43 to hold the side 64 of the enlarged head 63 of the dam 59 against the side 56 of the scoop plate 43. --The one working ~ l t of_the dam 59 of this invention when assembled to the scoop plate 43 by the C-clip 69 in the manner previously set f orth can have the surf ace means 61 thereof provide a substi~nt;~lly zero clearance with the surface means 36 of the drive plate 28 when the fan clutch construction 20 is initially assembled together by having the surface means 61 initially provide anywhere between and including an interf erence f it with the surface means 36 of approximately 0 . 013 cm (o . 005 of an inch) to approximately 0 . 009 cm ~0 . 0035 of an inch) clearance with the surf ace means 3 6 of the drive plate 28. In addition, the peripheral edge means 62 of the dam 59 can provide an initial interference with the annular shoulder 37 of :~the drive plate 28 of approximately o . 005 cm (0 . 002 of an inch) to approximately 0.010 cm (0.004 of an inch) or can initially provide up to a 0.009 cm (0.0035 of an inch) clearance therewith.
35 In this manner, even though an WO 95/30101 r~
21 885f~
interference is provided between the dam 59 and the drive plate 28 at the initial assembly thereof, by forming the dam 59 of the high temperature polymeric - material and the drive plate 28 of 380 aluminum, the dam 59 permits the fan clutch construction 20 to compensate for wear by allowing the dam 59 to "run in~ without generating excessive frictional heating.
Thus, the prior known requirement for limiting the assembly to a minimum clearance to allow for manufacturing tolerances and normal bearing wear is not required when using the dam 59 of this invention .
The dam 59 in such one working pmho~; t of this invention has the enlarged head 63 thereof provided with a diameter of approximately 0 . 762 cm (0.300 of an inch) and a length of approximately o .178 cm (0 . 070 of an inch) while the section 65 thereof has a diameter of approximately 0 . 318 cm (0.125 of an inch) and a length of approximately 0 . 216 cm (0 . 085 of an inch) . The annular groove 67 of such dam 59 i8 approximately 0 . 051 cm (0 . 020 of an inch) wide and begins approximately 0 . 038 cm (0 . 015 of an inch) from the free end of the section 65. The dam 59 is mounted to the scoop plate 43 so as to be subs~ l ly in the same location as the prior known dam 59A.
Accordingly, it has been found that the dam 59 of this invention results not only in greatly improved pumping efficiency but also result in substantially no assembly scrap due to rubbing and substantially no friction heat related failures in the f ield due to bearing wear .
Thus, it can be seen that this invention not only provides a new fan clutch construction, but also this invention provides a new method of making Wo 95/30101 r~ 2 21 8~564 such a ~an clutch construction.
While the ~orms and methods o~ this inveILtiorl now preferred have been illustrated and described as required, it is to be u~derstood that other forms and method steps can be l~t;l;7p~l and still ~all within the scope o~ the ;~r~n~ claims.
evacuation efficiency of a prior know high tor~aue fan drive with a low inertia, low load engine cooling fan needed ~i ~ uv -n~, In addition, such prlor known fan clutch construction was found to have excessive assembly line scrap due to stack up tolerances caused by rubbing between the drive plate and the dam of the scoop plate. A180, premature clutch failure due to:
bearing wear is caused by axial run out of the drive plate and the dam of the scoop plate whereby the end result is high ;n~Prn~l clutch temperatures from frictional heat and premature faiIure of the bearing seal, the 0-rings and the silicone fluid.
Xowever, it was found according to the tPi~rh;n~R of this invention that the 8COOp plate can be provided with a unir"ue dam that allows reduction of the clearance betwee~ the drive plate and the dam or even allows contact therebetween whereby the result is greatly improved pumpiIlg action, no a~sembly scrap due to rubbing and no friction heat related failures in the field due to bearing wear.
In fact, it ha6 been found that the uni,r,ue dam of this invention permits zero clearance and the ability of the fan clutch construction to compensate for wear by allowing the dam to "run-in" without generating excessive frictional heating.
~or example, one embodiment of this invention comprises a fan clutch construction comprising a fan clutch construction comprising a housing means having a chamber therei~, a drive plate rotatably mounted in the chamber, and a scoop plate disposed in the c_amber and being operatively interconnected to the housing means~ to cause rotation of the housing means when the scoop plate is rotated by the rotation of the drive plate, the wo 95r30101 21 8856~
scoop plate having a dam thereon that cooperates with the drive plate to cause rotation of the 8COOp plate by means of a fluid coupling drive arrangement with the drive plate, the dam having a surface means that provides a subst;lnt;i~l~y zero clearance with the drive plate when relative movement is provided between the drive plate and the scoop plate.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a new fan clutch construction having one or more of the novel features of this invention as set forth above or hereinafter shown or described .
Another object of this invention is to provide a new method of making such a fan clutch construction, the method of this invention having one or more of the novel f eatures of this invention as set forth above or hereinafter shown or described .
Brief De8cri~tion of the Dxawi r~
The features of the invention, and it6 technical advantages, can be seen irom the following description of the preferred embodiment together with the claims and the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is an end view of the new fan clutch construction of this invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of 3 0 a portion of the stxucture illustrated in FIG . 2;
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 and illustrates a prior known fan clutch construction;
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of certain parts of the fan clutch construction of FIGS. 1-3, FIG. 5 illustrating the dam and its Wo 95/30101 I~
21 88~6~
_~ 4 securing clip greatly e~larged relative to the other parts illu3tratea in FIG. 5; and FIG. 6 is an exploded pers~ective view of the other side of certain parts of the fan clutch construction of FIG. 5.
r~escri~tion of the P;~eferred r ~
While the variou3 f eatures of this invention are hereinafter illustrated and described as being particularly adapted to provide a fan clutch construction of a particular configuration, . it is to be understood that the various features of this invention can be utilized singly or in various combinations thereof to provide fan clutch constructions of other ~types as desired.
Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodiment illustratea in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized to illustrate one of the wide variety of use3 of this invention.
Referriny now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the new fan clutch construction of this invention is generally indicated by the ref erence numeral 2 0 and comprise3 a housing means 21 ~ormea from a first housing part 22 and a second housing part 23 securea together by having the outer peripheral edge means 24 of the housing part 23 turned over the outer peripheral edge means 25 of the housing part 22 in a conventional manner to def ine a chamber 26 in the housi~g means 21 that is sealed from the exterior thereof by an annular O-ring sealing member 27 disposed between the housing part3 22 and 23.
A drive plate 28 is disposed in the chamber 26 and has a hub 29 fixed on a shaft means 30 that is rotatably mounted in an opening 31 in the housing part 22 by a bearing means 32 all in a Wo 9~/30101 r~
21~
manner well known in the art, the drive plate 28 having opposite sides 33 and 34 with the side 34 having an inner substantially flat surface 35 and an outer substantially flat surface 36 that is inwardly stepped relative to the surf ace 3 5 to def ine an annular shoulder 37 between the surfaces 35 and 36.
The shaft means 30 of the fan clutch construction 2 0 is adapted to be mounted to any suitable drive means, such as drive means 38 illustrated in FIG. 2 by an interc~-nn~ct;~n means 39 in a manner well known in the art whereby the drive means 38 is adapted to rotate the shaft 30 and, thus, the drive plate 28 in the proper direction thereof. As is well known in the art, the drive means 38 can comprise a water pump construction of an internal combustion engine 40 while the housing means 21 i5 adapted to carry a plurality of fan blades 41 that are bolted thereto at the bolt hole3 42 formed in the housing part 22 in a manner well known in the art so that when the housing means 21 is subsequently rotated by the drive plate 28 in a manner hereinafter set forth, the fan blades 41 can provide a cooling air f low over a radiator means of the engine means 40 that is disposed to the right of the fan clutch construction 20 when viewing FIG. 2.
A scoop plate 43 is disposed in the chamber 26 of the housing means 21 and has a central part 44 splined to the housing part 23 by having a pair of posts 45 of the housing part 23 received in respective slots 46 passing through the central part 44 of the scoop plate 43 as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6 whereby when the scoop plate 43 is fluidly driven by the drive plate 28 in a manner hereinafter set forth, the scoop plate 43 will rotate the housing means 21 therewith and thus rotate the fan Wo 95/30101 . ~~ . /92 2 1 8~564 ~
blades 41 all in a manner well known in the art.
For example, see the afo~:~ i nn~od U. S . patent to Kennedy et al, No. 5,062,514, whereby this U. S.
patent is being incorporated into this disclosure by this reference thereto. ~
The scoop plate 43 cooperates with a side 47 of the housing part 23 to cover a ~ cavity or reservoir 48 formèd therein that ,-~ntA;nq a siLicon oil (not shown) which is permitted to exit from the reservoir 48 through an opening 49 in the scoop plate 43 when a valve member 50 is rotated to uncover the opening 49 of the scoop plate 43 ~in a manner well known art.
In particular, the valve member 50 is carried on a shaft 51 rotatably mounted in a suitable opening means 52 formed through the housing part 23 and having its outer end 53 interconnected to one end of a coiled bimetallic member 54 that has its outer end fixed between Al ' t meanS 55 of the housing part 23 so that when the bimetallic coil 54 senses a certain increased temperature condition that is greater than a certain temperature, the bimetallic member 54 will open the valve member 50 away from the opening 49 and when the h; tAl l; f' member 54 senses a decreasing temperature that falls below another certain temperature a certain amount, the bimetallic member 54 will move the valve member 50 to close the opening 49 in the scoop plate 43 all in a manner well known in the art.
Thus, when the b;r-- Allic member 54 sense6 a temperature above a certain temperature, the same causes the silicone oil from the reservoir 48 to flow between the drive plate 28 and the scoop p~late 43 at the respective surface means 35 and 56 thereof and by means of the resulting fluid coupling thereof WO95/30101 r~v s 2~?1 88~6~
cause the scoop plate 43 to ~end to rotate with the drive plate 28 and thereby cause the housing means 21 to rotate and provide a cooling air flow with - the fan blades 41 all in a manner well known in the art. When the bimetallic member 54 senses a temperature below a predetermined temperature, the bimetallic member 54 causes the valve member 50 to close the opening 49 in the scoop plate 43 80 that the silicone oil that returns to the reservoir 48 cannot leave the same and thereby terminates the fluid coupling between the drive plate 28 and the scoop plate 43 80 that the housing means 21 ceases to rotate with the drive plate 28 as is well known in the art.
Also, as is well known in the art, the scoop plate 43 does not rotate as fast as the drive plate 28 during the fluid coupling thereof because the fan blades 41 provide a resistance to such rotating motion and such rotational differential in speed between the drive plate and the scoop plate 43 causes the R; l; c~nP oil that is moving outwardly between the surface means 35 and 56 of the drive plate 28 and scoop plate 43 to be pumped back to the reservoir 48 through an opening 57 passing through opposed sides 56 and 58 of the scoop plate 43 and flow through a T-shaped groove means 60 formed in the surface ~7 of the housing part 23 back to the reservoir 48 to again be circulated through the opening 49 in the scoop plate 43 to pass between the surface means 35 and 56 of the drive plate 28 and scoop plate 43.
In order to cause the silicone oil to pump through the hole 57 in the scoop plate 43, a dam 59 is carried on the side 56 of the scoop plate 43 and cooperates with the surface means 36 and shoulder 37 Wo 9S/30101 ~ /Y~
- 21 88564 ~
of the drive plate 28 to back up the circulating oil at the outer peripheral surfaces means of the drive plate 28 and scoop plate 43 to pump through the hole 57, the hole or opening 57 being located adjacent the dam 5 9 on the trailing side thereof when the drive plate 2B and scoop plate are being rotated in a counterclockwise direction as indicated ~y arrows in FIGS. 5 and 6.
As previously stated, a prior known fan clutch construction: has the dam thereof formed integral and one-piece: ~ith the 5COOp plate.
In particular, references is now made to FIG.4 wherein the prio~ known fan clutch construction i3 generally indicated by the rPf~r~lle numeral 2QA and parts thereof similar to the parts of the fan clutch construction 20 of this invention are indicated by like reference numerals followed by the reference numerals "A".
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the dam 59A of the scoop plate 9;3A is coined or ~lPf~ 1 therefrom 80 as to define a surface means 61 that is disposed closely adjacent the surface means 36 A of the drive plate 28A and to define an annular peripheral edge means 62A that is also disposed closely adjacent the annular shoulder 37A of the drive plate 28A.
Because the scoop plate 43A and the drive plate 28A are respectively formed of metallic material, any engagement of the scoop plate 43A with the drive plate 28A will create an adverse frictional situation whereby a close tolerance of the surface means 61A of the dam 59A with the surface means 36A of the drive plate 28A is ~ not possible even though it is well known that the closer surface means 61A is wlth the surface means 36A of the d~ive plate 28A the more efficient the Wo 9S/30101 r~l,u~ Y~
21 ~8564 g fluid coupling arrangement will be provided between the drive plate 28A and the 8COOp plate 43A. It has been found that such clearance in the prior known - fan clutch construction 20A between the surface means 36A and 61A thereof is approximately 0 . 030 cm (0.012 of an inch) to approximately 0.038 cm (0.015 of an inch).
In order to increase the efficiency of the prior known fan clutch construction 20A, the scoop plate 43A is provided with another dam 59A at a location diametrically opposite the dam 59A
illustrated in FIG. 4.
~owever, the afor. tir~nPt~ problems with such prior known dam 59A in the fan clutch construction 20A still exist.
In contrast, it was found that the dam 59 of = this invention can be formed of a high temperature polymeric material that is in~ ection molded into the conf iguration illustrated in the drawings 80 as to be secured to the scoop plate 43 in manner hereinaf ter described and to provide a subst~ntiAlly zero clearance of the surface means 61 thereof with the surf ace means 3 6 of the drive plate 28, such zero clearance providing an improved pumping ef f iciency that is at least twice the efficiency provided by the prior known dam 59A 80 that only one dam 59 is required on the scoop plate 43 of this invention to provide an evacuation efficiency for the silicone oil that is even higher than the use of two prior known dams 59A in the fan clutch construction 20A previously described.
In one working embodiment of the dam 59 of this invention, the same comprises 409~ glass filled polyphenylenesulfide sold by the DuPont Corporation of Wilmington, Delaware under the trademark RYTON
W0 9513010~ Y~
the dam 59 being injection molded to=~define an enlarged head 63 that has the surface means 61 thereof being substantially flat and the peripheral edge means 62 thereo~ being subst~nt;~lly circular and having a surface means 64 opposite to the surface means 61. The dam 59 has reduced cylindrical sectioll 65 PYtPntl;ng from the side 64 thereof and passing through an opening 66 through the scoop plate 43 to the other side 58 thereof, the cylindrical section 65 having an annular groove 67 there' n and receiving a portion 68 of a C-clip 69 therein so that an outer portion 70 of the C-clip 69 engages against the side 58 of the scoop plate 43 to hold the side 64 of the enlarged head 63 of the dam 59 against the side 56 of the scoop plate 43. --The one working ~ l t of_the dam 59 of this invention when assembled to the scoop plate 43 by the C-clip 69 in the manner previously set f orth can have the surf ace means 61 thereof provide a substi~nt;~lly zero clearance with the surface means 36 of the drive plate 28 when the fan clutch construction 20 is initially assembled together by having the surface means 61 initially provide anywhere between and including an interf erence f it with the surface means 36 of approximately 0 . 013 cm (o . 005 of an inch) to approximately 0 . 009 cm ~0 . 0035 of an inch) clearance with the surf ace means 3 6 of the drive plate 28. In addition, the peripheral edge means 62 of the dam 59 can provide an initial interference with the annular shoulder 37 of :~the drive plate 28 of approximately o . 005 cm (0 . 002 of an inch) to approximately 0.010 cm (0.004 of an inch) or can initially provide up to a 0.009 cm (0.0035 of an inch) clearance therewith.
35 In this manner, even though an WO 95/30101 r~
21 885f~
interference is provided between the dam 59 and the drive plate 28 at the initial assembly thereof, by forming the dam 59 of the high temperature polymeric - material and the drive plate 28 of 380 aluminum, the dam 59 permits the fan clutch construction 20 to compensate for wear by allowing the dam 59 to "run in~ without generating excessive frictional heating.
Thus, the prior known requirement for limiting the assembly to a minimum clearance to allow for manufacturing tolerances and normal bearing wear is not required when using the dam 59 of this invention .
The dam 59 in such one working pmho~; t of this invention has the enlarged head 63 thereof provided with a diameter of approximately 0 . 762 cm (0.300 of an inch) and a length of approximately o .178 cm (0 . 070 of an inch) while the section 65 thereof has a diameter of approximately 0 . 318 cm (0.125 of an inch) and a length of approximately 0 . 216 cm (0 . 085 of an inch) . The annular groove 67 of such dam 59 i8 approximately 0 . 051 cm (0 . 020 of an inch) wide and begins approximately 0 . 038 cm (0 . 015 of an inch) from the free end of the section 65. The dam 59 is mounted to the scoop plate 43 so as to be subs~ l ly in the same location as the prior known dam 59A.
Accordingly, it has been found that the dam 59 of this invention results not only in greatly improved pumping efficiency but also result in substantially no assembly scrap due to rubbing and substantially no friction heat related failures in the f ield due to bearing wear .
Thus, it can be seen that this invention not only provides a new fan clutch construction, but also this invention provides a new method of making Wo 95/30101 r~ 2 21 8~564 such a ~an clutch construction.
While the ~orms and methods o~ this inveILtiorl now preferred have been illustrated and described as required, it is to be u~derstood that other forms and method steps can be l~t;l;7p~l and still ~all within the scope o~ the ;~r~n~ claims.
Claims (7)
1. A fan clutch construction comprising a housing means (21) having a chamber (26) therein, a drive plate (28) rotatably mounted in said chamber, and a scoop plate (43) disposed in said chamber (26) and being operatively interconnected to said housing means (21) to cause rotation of said housing means when said scoop plate (43) is rotated by the rotation of said drive plate (28), said scoop plate (43), having a dam (59) thereon that cooperates with said drive plate (28) to cause rotation of said scoop plate (43) through a fluid coupling drive arrangement with said drive plate (28), said dam (59) having a surface means (61) that provides a substantially zero clearance with said drive plate (28) when relative movement is provided between said drive plate and said scoop plate (43), said dam (59) comprising a part that is initially separate from said scoop plate (43) and then is secured thereto, said scoop plate (43) having an opening (66) passing therethrough, said dam (59) having a section said (65) thereof extending through said opening (66) of said scoop plate (43) and a clip (69) attached to said section (65) to secure said dam (59) to said scoop plate (43), said scoop plate (43) having opposite sides (56,58), said dam (59) having an enlarged head (63) that is disposed against one (56) of said opposite sides of said scoop plate (43) and that has said surface means (61) thereon, characterized in that section (65) of said dam (59) is integral and one-piece with said enlarged head (63) and has an annular groove (67) therein that is disposed outboard of said opening (66) of said scoop plate (43), said clip (69) having a portion (68) received in said annular groove (67) and another portion (70) thereof disposed against the other (58) of said opposite sides of said scoop plate (43).
2. A fan clutch construction as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that said substantially zero clearance is provided by said surface means (61) of said dam (59) initially providing an interference with said drive plate (28) and then being operated therewith to create a run in condition thereof.
3. A fan clutch construction as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that said substantially zero clearance is provided by said surface means (61) of said dam (59) initially providing an interference with said drive plate (28) of approximately 0.013 cm (0.005 of an inch) to an initial clearance with said drive plate of approximately 0.009 cm (0.0035 of an inch).
4. A fan clutch construction as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that said dam (59) is formed of polymeric material or of 40%
glass filled polyphenylenesulfide.
glass filled polyphenylenesulfide.
5. A fan clutch construction as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that said dam (59) is formed of a material that is different from the material of said scoop plate (43).
6. A fan clutch construction as set forth in claim 8, characterized in that said enlarged head (63) of said dam (59) has a circular transverse cross-sectional configuration and said section (65) of said dam (59) has a circular transverse cross-sectional configuration.
7. A method of making a fan clutch construction comprising a housing means (21) having a chamber (26) therein, a drive plate (28) rotatably mounted in said chamber (26), and a scoop plate (43) disposed in said chamber (26) and being operatively interconnected to said housing means (21) to cause rotation of said housing means when said scoop plate (43) is rotated by the rotation of said drive plate (28), said scoop plate (43) having a dam (59) thereon that cooperates with said drive plate (28) to cause rotation of said scoop plate (43) through a fluid coupling drive arrangement with said drive plate (28), said dam (59) having a surface means (61) that provides a substantially zero clearance with said drive plate (28) when relative movement is provided between said drive plate and said scoop plate (43), said dam (59) comprising a part that is initially separate from said scoop plate (43) and then is secured thereto, said scoop plate (43) having an opening (66) passing therethrough, said dam (59) having a section (65) thereof extending through said opening (66) of said scoop plate (43), and a clip (69) attached to said section (65) to secure said dam (59) to said scoop plate (43), said scoop plate (43) having opposite sides (56, 58), said dam (59) having an enlarged head (63) that is disposed against one (56) of said opposite sides of said scoop plate (43) and that has said surface means (61) thereon, characterized by the steps of forming said section (65) of said dam -15a-(59) to be integral and one-piece with said enlarged head (63) and to have an annular groove (67) therein that is disposed outboard of said opening (66) of said scoop plate (43), and forming said clip (69) to have a portion (68) thereof received in said annular groove (67) and another portion (70) thereof disposed against the other (58) of said opposite sides of said scoop plate (43).
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/233,910 US5573095A (en) | 1994-04-28 | 1994-04-28 | Fan clutch construction and method of making the same |
| US08/233,910 | 1994-04-28 | ||
| PCT/US1995/005792 WO1995030101A1 (en) | 1994-04-28 | 1995-04-28 | Fan clutch construction and method of making |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2188564A1 true CA2188564A1 (en) | 1995-11-09 |
Family
ID=22879148
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002188564A Abandoned CA2188564A1 (en) | 1994-04-28 | 1995-04-28 | Fan clutch construction and method of making |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (2) | US5573095A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU684164B2 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9507542A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2188564A1 (en) |
| MX (1) | MX9605162A (en) |
| NZ (1) | NZ285619A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1995030101A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7650974B2 (en) * | 2005-05-02 | 2010-01-26 | Borgwarner Inc. | OD wiper |
| US8732947B2 (en) * | 2010-02-25 | 2014-05-27 | Kit Masters Inc. | Method for accessing components of a fan clutch system |
| USD969699S1 (en) * | 2020-10-02 | 2022-11-15 | Bugatti International SA | Automobile body part—diffuser |
Family Cites Families (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3227254A (en) * | 1962-07-25 | 1966-01-04 | Eaton Mfg Co | Fluid coupling |
| US3155209A (en) * | 1962-04-19 | 1964-11-03 | Schwitzer Corp | Fluid coupling device |
| US3191733A (en) * | 1963-01-07 | 1965-06-29 | Schwitzer Corp | Torque transmitting fluid coupling |
| US3339689A (en) * | 1963-10-25 | 1967-09-05 | Eaton Yale & Towne | Temperature responsive fluid coupling device |
| US3964582A (en) * | 1974-07-26 | 1976-06-22 | Wallace-Murray Corporation | Fan drive hydraulic coupling |
| US4383597A (en) * | 1980-12-22 | 1983-05-17 | Wallace Murray Corporation | Fluid shear coupling apparatus |
| DE3147797A1 (en) * | 1981-12-03 | 1983-06-16 | Süddeutsche Kühlerfabrik Julius Fr. Behr GmbH & Co KG, 7000 Stuttgart | LIQUID FRICTION COUPLING |
| US4938329A (en) * | 1989-07-24 | 1990-07-03 | General Motors Corporation | Snap-in-place wiper for a viscous fluid clutch |
| US4938328A (en) * | 1989-09-08 | 1990-07-03 | General Motors Corporation | Floating wiper for a pump plate of a viscous fluid clutch |
| JP2576962Y2 (en) * | 1990-11-09 | 1998-07-23 | アイシン精機株式会社 | Viscous fluid coupling device |
| US5062514A (en) * | 1991-04-22 | 1991-11-05 | General Motors Corporation | Insulating retainer for a viscous fluid clutch |
-
1994
- 1994-04-28 US US08/233,910 patent/US5573095A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1995
- 1995-04-28 AU AU24783/95A patent/AU684164B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1995-04-28 BR BR9507542A patent/BR9507542A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1995-04-28 NZ NZ285619A patent/NZ285619A/en unknown
- 1995-04-28 WO PCT/US1995/005792 patent/WO1995030101A1/en active Application Filing
- 1995-04-28 CA CA002188564A patent/CA2188564A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1995-04-28 MX MX9605162A patent/MX9605162A/en unknown
- 1995-12-08 US US08/569,642 patent/US5575369A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU2478395A (en) | 1995-11-29 |
| NZ285619A (en) | 1997-09-22 |
| US5575369A (en) | 1996-11-19 |
| MX9605162A (en) | 1997-12-31 |
| BR9507542A (en) | 1997-08-05 |
| WO1995030101A1 (en) | 1995-11-09 |
| AU684164B2 (en) | 1997-12-04 |
| US5573095A (en) | 1996-11-12 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |