Patent ID: 8016092

Claim:
A magneto-rheological (MR) clutch system comprising: first and second drive members; a first driven member spaced from the first drive member such that a first gap is present between the first drive member and the first driven member; a second driven member spaced from the second drive member such that a second gap is present between the second drive member and the second driven member; a drive wheel and a snow blower impeller being operably connected to the first and second driven members, respectively; first and second quantities of MR fluid disposed in the first and second gaps, respectively; and first and second magnetic field generation assemblies comprising first and second magnets, respectively, the first magnetic field generation assembly being operable to apply a first magnetic field to the first quantity of MR fluid to engage the first drive member with the first driven member for engaging the drive wheel, and the second magnetic field generation assembly being operable to apply a second magnetic field to the second quantity of MR fluid to engage the second drive member with the second driven member for engaging the snow blower impeller, the engagement of the snow blower impeller and the engagement of the drive wheel being independently controllable; wherein the first magnet is selectively positionable with respect to the first quantity of MR fluid for controlling engagement of the first driven member with the first drive member, and wherein the second magnet is selectively positionable with respect to the second quantity of MR fluid for controlling engagement of the second driven member with the second drive member.