Patent ID: 7159702

Claim:
Actuator for actuating a valve for controlling the oil throughput of a viscous clutch, this actuator cooperating functionally with a clutch shaft ( 1 ; 21 ) of the viscous clutch, the actuator comprising: a solenoid coil ( 7 ; 24 ) which is mounted by means of a bearing ( 13 ; 29 ) within a hollow cylindrical region of the clutch shaft and permitting a rotation of the solenoid coil relative to the clutch shaft ( 1 ; 21 ); means ( 1 a , 3 , 4 , 5 , 8 , 9 ) on the solenoid coil and the clutch shaft for communicating a control activity of the solenoid coil from inside the hollow cylindrical region to the valve located outside the hollow cylindrical region; and a sleeve member for executing a movement by said solenoid coil, said sleeve member being slidably positioned outside said clutch shaft.