Magneto-rheological fluid coupling

A magneto-rheological fluid coupling including an input coupling member driven by an input drive assembly having an input drive member, an output coupling assembly including an output coupling member, said input and output coupling members defining a viscous shear chamber;

• an electromagnetic coil operably associated with said input and output coupling members to generate a magnetic field passing through said viscous shear chamber, and contact means operable to transmit an electrical input signal to said electro-magnetic coil;
• and ferro-magnetic means operably disposed to direct lines of flux of said magnetic field;
• characterized by:
• (a) said electro-magnetic coil and said contact means being stationary, and disposed in a generally surrounding relationship relative to said input drive member, and being surrounded by said output coupling assembly;
• (b) said input and output coupling members defining said viscous shear chamber at a location disposed radially outward from said electro-magnetic coil;
• and
• (c) said input drive assembly including a drive member extending radially from said input drive member, and at least partially surrounding said electro-magnetic coil, said drive member being in driving relationship with said input coupling member.