Patent ID: 8100241
Filing Date: 2012-01-24
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
1. An electromagnetically actuated viscous clutch assembly comprising: a rotor arranged relative to an axis of rotation; an electromagnetic coil for generating magnetic flux; a housing positioned adjacent to the rotor to create a fluid working chamber therebetween, wherein the housing and the rotor are selectively rotatable relative to one another; an insert extending through the housing, wherein the insert is configured to conduct magnetic flux from the electromagnetic coil along a flux path; a valve assembly electromagnetically linked to the insert along the flux path for selectively controlling fluid flow into the working chamber to selectively engage the rotor and the housing; and a plurality of recesses defined in a portion of the housing located at an interior of the flux path to reduce eddy currents, wherein the plurality of recesses are open voids that reduce an amount of solid material present at an interior of the flux path.