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Clutch system and methods

  • US 8,360,219 B2
  • Filed: 04/26/2010
  • Issued: 01/29/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A fan clutch device to be removably mounted to a drive pulley, the fan clutch device comprising:

  • an input portion that rotates with a drive pulley when the fan clutch device is mounted to the drive pulley;

    an output portion for receiving a fan blade device and having a friction ring that reciprocates in an axial direction relative to the input portion between an engaged position in which the friction ring frictionally engages with an opposing surface of the input portion to drive the output portion to rotate with the input portion and a disengaged position in which the friction ring is spaced apart from the opposing surface of the input portion; and

    a self-activating, clutch shut-off system that causes continuous friction engagement between the friction ring and the opposing surface of the input portion in response to the friction ring wearing down below a threshold thickness.

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