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US 4,290,393 AGranted
Fan unit
OwnerWilliam B. Hart, Rami Domlogeinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A thermostatically controlled fan unit, particularly for a motor vehicle, has a fan assembly driven through a clutch. The clutch is controlled by a clutch actuator incorporating an element having an elastic modulus which varies significantly with temperature.
Claims11
A thermally controlled fan unit comprising a rotatable fan;
- a driving member;
- engageable driven and driving clutch plates operatively connected to the fan and to the driving member respectively;
- and a temperature responsive clutch actuating mechanism acting on one of the clutch plates, said mechanism including an element of shape memory effect material, having a variable elastic modulus which varies significantly with temperature over a transition temperature range, and second biasing means acting in opposition to the element;
- said shape memory effect material having sufficient energy to maintain engagement of said clutch plates;
- and adjustment means for adjusting said second biasing means acting in opposition to said element of shape memory effect material to adjust the temperature at which the clutch plates are engaged.
2 more elements
A fan unit for an engine comprising a pulley adapted to be driven by the engine about an axis;
- a driving clutch plate secured to the pulley for rotation therewith;
- a fan journalled on bearings on a shaft mounted coaxially with the pulley;
- a driven clutch plate drivingly connected to the fan;
- and a temperature-responsive clutch actuating mechanism which includes a spring of shape memory effect alloy acting on the driven clutch plate urging that plate towards engagement with the driving clutch plate, the spring having an elastic modulus which varies significantly with temperature over a transition temperature range encompassing the required operating range of the fan, said spring providing substantially the whole of mechanical energy to maintain the clutch plates in engagement resilient biasing means opposing the action of the shape memory effect spring;
- and adjustment means for adjusting said resilient biasing means opposing the action of the shape memory effect spring to adjust the temperature at which the clutch plates are engaged.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.