Patent ID: 6988602

Claim:
A torque transfer mechanism for use in a motor vehicle to transfer drive torque from a first rotary member to a second rotary member, comprising: a friction clutch operably interconnected between the first and second rotary members; a magnetorheological clutch actuator for applying a clutch engagement force to said friction clutch, said clutch actuator including a first cam driven by the first rotary member and having a first cam surface, a second cam having a second cam surface engaging said first cam surface and a rotor disposed in a chamber filled with a magnetorheological fluid, and an electromagnetic energy source capable of varying the viscosity of said magnetorheological fluid in said chamber for retarding rotation of said second cam relative to said first cam in response to electric control signals, said electromagnetic energy source is an electromagnetic coil secured to a non-rotary housing such that said chamber is defined between said rotor and said housing; and a control system for detecting an operational characteristic of the motor vehicle and generating said electric control signals in response thereto.