Patent ID: 6318531
Filing Date: 2001-11-20
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
A magnetorheological fluid clutch comprising:a rotatable input member having a drum portion;a rotatable output member having first and second magnetically permeable members radially inboard and radially outboard of said drum portion, a coil assembly secured with one of said magnetically permeable members, and an electrical source for supplying electrical energy to said coil assembly to effect the establishment of a magnetic field between said magnetically permeable members;a two-part working gap formed between said drum portion and said magnetically permeable members;a magnetorheological fluid disposed in said two-part working gap between said drum portion and said magnetically permeable members;first wiper elements formed on one of said input member and said output member for directing magnetorheological fluid radially outward into a first part of said working gap;second wiper elements formed on one of said input member and said output member for directing magnetorheological fluid radially outward into a second part of said working gap; anda first plurality of grooves formed in a cylindrical outer surface of said first magnetically permeable member, and a second plurality of grooves formed in a cylindrical outer surface of said drum portion, said first and second grooves being effective during rotation of said input member and said output member to distribute the magnetorheological fluid in said two-part working gap.