Friction clutch assemblies

Abstract

A friction clutch assembly, preferably for a hybrid cooling pump. The friction clutch assembly includes a friction lining carrier member, a friction lining member, a compression spring member, a clutch carrier member and a flux plate member. A solenoid can be utilized to control the compression of the spring member. The friction clutch assembly has a preferred use in a hybrid coolant pump with two modes of operation, an electric motor operation, and a mechanical pulley-driven operation. The friction clutch assembly can be positioned inside a motor housing. The softening compression spring can minimize parasitic clutch power consumption.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A friction clutch assembly comprising:
 a friction lining carrier member;   at least one friction lining member positioned on said friction lining carrier member;   a compression spring member fixedly attached to said friction lining carrier member;   a clutch carrier member fixedly attached to said compression spring member; and   a flux plate positioned between said clutch carrier member and said compression spring member and attached to said friction lining carrier member;   wherein said flux plate actuated by a solenoid can cause the spring member to compress.   
     
     
         2 . The friction clutch assembly as described in  claim 1  wherein said compression spring member has an outer ring member, an inner ring member and a plurality of deformable connecting members connecting together said inner and outer ring members. 
     
     
         3 . The friction clutch assembly as described in  claim 2  wherein said friction lining carrier member is attached to said outer ring member, and wherein said clutch carrier member is attached to said inner ring member. 
     
     
         4 . The friction clutch assembly as described in  claim 3  wherein said plurality of connecting members deform when said friction lining carrier member and said clutch carrier member are moved axially toward each other. 
     
     
         5 . The friction clutch assembly as described in  claim 1  wherein said compression spring member has a ring member and a plurality of deformable connecting members. 
     
     
         6 . The friction clutch assembly as described in  claim 1  wherein said compression spring member comprises a plurality of deformable connecting members. 
     
     
         7 . The friction clutch assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the amount of force necessary to compress said compression spring member lessens over displacement once a peak amount of force has been reached. 
     
     
         8 . The friction clutch assembly as described in  claim 7  wherein said compression spring member comprises connecting members radially positioned between inner and outer ring members, and a plurality of tangential flex arms and radial gaps, said radial gaps being positioned between said flex arms and said outer and inner ring members. 
     
     
         9 . The friction clutch assembly as described in  claim 1  wherein said compression spring member comprise a plurality of area members having openings therein and a plurality of deformable connecting members extending between and connecting together at least two of said areas. 
     
     
         10 . The friction clutch assembly as described in  claim 9  further comprising at least one ring member also connecting with a plurality of said area members. 
     
     
         11 . The friction clutch assembly as described in  claim 9  wherein an outer ring member and an inner ring member are provided, each of said outer and inner ring members connecting with a separate plurality of area members. 
     
     
         12 . The friction clutch assembly as described in  claim 1  wherein said compression spring member comprises a plurality of buckling beam spring members.