CLUTCH SYSTEM AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A fan clutch device to be removably mounted to a drive member, the fan clutch device comprising:
- a hub portion that, when the fan clutch device is mounted to a drive member, is selectively movable relative to the drive member, the hub portion having a first spring-engaging surface; and
a piston portion adjustable in an axial direction relative to the drive member when the fan clutch device is mounted to a drive member, the piston portion being adjustable between first and second positions, the piston portion having a second spring-engaging surface that opposes the first spring-engaging surface; and
a single spring device abutting against the first spring-engaging surface of the hub portion and the second spring-engaging surface of the piston portion to urge the piston portion toward one of the first position and the second position, wherein the single spring device is coaxially arranged with at least one of the hub portion and the piston portion, the single spring device biasing the piston portion toward the drive member when the fan clutch device is mounted to a drive member.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A clutch system may include in certain embodiments a clutch body attached to a drive member such as a drive pulley, wherein the clutch body may be removed from the drive member without disassembling the clutch body. In various embodiments, the clutch body may include two clutch plates which enclose a spring-loaded pneumatic reciprocating assembly that in operation causes the plates to selectively separate and engage one another. In certain embodiments, the clutch body may be readily attached to a associated drive pulley in a single step by installation of a single set of fasteners.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A fan clutch device to be removably mounted to a drive member, the fan clutch device comprising:
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a hub portion that, when the fan clutch device is mounted to a drive member, is selectively movable relative to the drive member, the hub portion having a first spring-engaging surface; and a piston portion adjustable in an axial direction relative to the drive member when the fan clutch device is mounted to a drive member, the piston portion being adjustable between first and second positions, the piston portion having a second spring-engaging surface that opposes the first spring-engaging surface; and a single spring device abutting against the first spring-engaging surface of the hub portion and the second spring-engaging surface of the piston portion to urge the piston portion toward one of the first position and the second position, wherein the single spring device is coaxially arranged with at least one of the hub portion and the piston portion, the single spring device biasing the piston portion toward the drive member when the fan clutch device is mounted to a drive member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification