John W Snodgrass

US Patent:

39839818, Oct 5, 1976

Filed:

Jun 9, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/585137

Inventors:

John N. Snodgrass - Miamisburg OH
Joseph P. Pendergast - Bellbrook OH

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F16D 3500
F16D 4325

US Classification:

192 58B

Abstract:

A viscous fluid clutch wherein a fluid medium functions in response to ambient temperature changes to transmit torque between relatively rotatable input and output members by variably filling a predetermined shear space therebetween with a viscous fluid medium, the shear space consisting of interdigitated concentric annular grooves formed on adjacent faces of the input and output members, each groove being approximately 0. 060 inch wide and 0. 270 inch deep, with the lands separating adjacent grooves being approximately 0. 040 inch wide, and the fluid medium used in conjunction therewith having a viscosity of approximately 3,000 centistokes, the combination producing improved results with respect to inhibiting boiling of the radiator coolant and prolonging fluid medium operational life.