Eddy current coupling having rotating and non-rotating flux paths

An eddy current coupling comprising:

• rotatable input and output shafts;
• a generally tubular inductor member mounted on one of said input and output shafts for rotation therewith;
• a magnetic rotor member mounted on the other of said input and output shafts for rotation therewith, said rotor member being located within said inductor member and having a plurality of peripheral, arcuately spaced, poles separated from said inductor member by a circumferential air gap;
• a field coil positioned radially inwardly from said rotor member and surrounding the associated shaft, said field coil generating an encircling magnetic flux causing torque transmission between said inductor and rotor members and said input and output shafts;
• and
• a stationary support for said field coil, said support being in proximity to said rotor member poles for providing a stationary field coil flux return path between said poles, said support being positioned with respect to the rotating elements of the coupling for dividing the flux between a field coil flux return path in the rotating elements in parallel with the stationary flux return path of said support, said stationary support and rotating elements being so dimensioned as to provide flux return paths transmitting flux at maximum density.