Patent ID: 6659894
Filing Date: 2003-12-09
Classification: F01P,F02B,F16H,H02K

Abstract:
A variable pitch drive sheave assembly for interconnecting first and second fan pulleys operatively connected to a fan by a rotatable fan shaft and first and second rotatable drive pulleys, the fan generating an air flow through a radiator to cool the temperature thereof, comprising:a shaft extending along an axis and having first and second opposite ends; a first outer sheave member positioned adjacent the first end of the shaft; a second outer sheave member positioned adjacent the second end of the shaft; an intermediate sheave member positioned between the first and second ends of the shaft; a first movable sheave member slidable between the first outer sheave member and the intermediate sheave member, the first movable sheave member and the first outer sheave member defining a first drive pulley groove therebetween for receiving a first drive belt and the first movable sheave member and the intermediate sheave member defining a first fan pulley groove therebetween for receiving a first fan belt; a second movable sheave member slidable between the second outer sheave member and the intermediate sheave member, the second movable sheave member and the second outer sheave member defining a second drive pulley groove therebetween for receiving a second drive belt and the second movable sheave member and the intermediate sheave member defining a second fan pulley groove therebetween for receiving a second fan belt; an actuator operatively connected to the shaft for moving the first and second movable sheave members between a first high speed position and a second low speed position; a monitoring device for monitoring the temperature of the radiator, the monitoring device controlling movement of the actuator in response to the temperature of the radiator; and wherein: the first drive belt operatively connects the first drive pulley groove and the first drive pulley; the second drive belt operatively connects the second drive pulley groove and the second drive pulley; the first fan belt operatively connects the first fan pulley groove and the first fan pulley; and the second fan belt operatively connects the second fan pulley groove and the second fan pulley such that rotation of the first and second drive pulleys is translated to the first and second fan pulleys.