Patent ID: 7137362
Filing Date: 2006-11-21
Classification: F01P,F16D

Abstract:
1. An on/off fan drive system of an engine comprising: a clutch housing; a pressure chamber defined by said clutch housing; a piston rod including a central piston channel feeding said pressure chamber; a translatable clutch piston head positioned about said piston rod and within said clutch housing, said translatable clutch piston head is in communication with said pressure chamber and is movable between a piston neutral position and a piston activated position; a rotating drive shaft positioned within said clutch housing; a clutch element in communication with said translatable clutch piston head such that said clutch element is moved from a clutch engaged position to a clutch disengaged position in response to said translatable clutch piston head moving from said piston neutral position to said piston activated position, said clutch element engaging said rotating drive shaft when in said clutch engaged position; and a clutch spring mechanism positioned between said rotating drive shaft and said clutch element, said clutch spring mechanism biasing said clutch element into said clutch engaged position with a clutch engagement force, said clutch spring mechanism having a two-component spring end cap including a steel cap portion and a non-metallic portion, said non-metallic portion located between said steel cap portion and said piston rod.