Fan clutch system and method for accessing components of the fan clutch system

#Vehicle transmission systems, cooling systems, and braking systems may employ clutches or like devices to selectively transmit rotational forces from a drive source to an output member. For example, some cooling systems employ fan clutch devices that control the output rotation of engine cooling fans. Such a fan clutch can be driven by a drive pulley that rotates in response to the vehicle engine.

#In general, the clutch can be operated to engage (or disengage) opposing clutch surfaces, which rotationally interconnect (or rotationally disconnect) the drive pulley and the output member. In an example related to fan clutches, when the clutch surfaces shift to the engaged position, the output member (carrying fan blades) is driven to rotate along with the drive pulley. However, when the clutch surfaces are shifted to the disengaged position, the output member is no longer directly urged by the drive pulley.

#Some embodiments of a fan clutch system for use in a vehicle can provide efficient access to one or more components for inspection and service even after the fan clutch system is installed in the vehicle. In particular embodiments, the fan clutch system can include a fan clutch device and a coil retainer assembly that are removably mounted to a right-angle gear box assembly in a manner that permits a technician to accessing at least one component of the fan clutch device, the coil retainer assembly, or the right-angle gear box assembly for inspection, repair, or replacement. Moreover, in some cases, one or both of the fan clutch and the coil retainer assembly can be removed for inspection or service while the right-angle gear box assembly remains mounted in an engine compartment of a vehicle.

#This document describes these and other aspects in detail with reference to the following drawings.

#FIG. 1 shows a top view of an example vehicle that employs a right-angle fan clutch system.

#FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of the right-angle fan clutch system.

#Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

#Referring to FIG. 1 some embodiments of a vehicle 100 can employ a right-angle fan clutch system 200. Generally, the vehicle 100 may be a commercial vehicle such as a bus or large truck, a recreational vehicle such as a motor home, or other types of vehicles that may implement a fan clutch for use in an engine cooling system.

#The vehicle 100 in this embodiment includes an engine 110 arranged at a rear portion 102 of the vehicle (opposite to a front portion 104). Rotatably coupled to an output shaft (not shown) of the engine 110 is a pulley 120. As the engine 110 operates, the output shaft rotates, driving the pulley 120 to rotate. A belt 130 runs over the pulley 120 to transfer the rotational motion of the pulley 120 via a crown spline assembly 140 to a drive pulley 290, which in turn drives rotation of particular components of the right-angle fan clutch system 200. As described in more detail below, the right-angle fan clutch system 200 can operate to provide three different output speeds for a fan blade device, and is constructed such that various subassemblies may be individually removed for service or replacement while other subassemblies can remain mounted in the vehicle 100 (e.g., portions of the right-angle fan clutch system 200 can be serviced without requiring the entire right-angle fan clutch system 200 to be removed from the vehicle 100 or otherwise replaced). The components and operation of the right-angle fan clutch system 200 are further discussed in connection with FIGS. 2-6.