Patent ID: 6481390
Filing Date: 2002-11-19
Classification: F01P

Abstract:
An electronically-controlled viscous coupling having a fluid chamber coupled to a water pump for controlling the coolant flow rate through the water pump, the electronically-controlled viscous coupling comprising:a pulley adapted to a belt drive; a clutch fluidically coupled with said pulley; a water pump drive shaft coupled with said clutch, said water pump drive shaft extending into said water pump and having a plurality of impellers; a valve plate disposed to separate the fluid chamber into a fluid working chamber and a fluid reservoir chamber, said valve plate having at least one valve capable of movement between an open position, a semi-open position, and a closed position, said valve being normally biased in said open position, wherein said open position and said semi-open position allows movement of a viscous fluid from said fluid reservoir chamber to said fluid working chamber through a fill port, wherein said viscous fluid within said fluid working chamber is sheared between said pulley and said clutch to produce rotational movement of said water pump drive shaft and said plurality of impellers, thereby producing coolant flow through the water pump; and a stationary coil, said stationary coil capable of being electrical stimulated to produce a magnetic flux, said magnetic flux capable of moving said at least one valve from said open position to said closed position, wherein said closed position prevents the movement of viscous fluid from said fluid reservoir chamber to said fluid working chamber through said fill port.