A viscous coupling may include: a housing part and an input body rotatable relative to the housing part that at least partially delimit an interior space; a shaft rotatable relative to the housing part and on which an output body arranged in the interior space may be formed for conjoint rotation with the shaft; a coupling region formed between the output and input bodies and configured to hold a viscous fluid to assure a coupling between the input body and the output body; a holding chamber for collecting coolant leaking from the coolant pump; a housing wall conformed integrally with the housing part and partially delimiting the holding chamber; and an actuator housing and an electric actuator therein by which a degree of the coupling between the input body and the output body may be adjustable. The actuator housing may at least partially cover the holding chamber.

A viscous coupling may include: a housing part and an input body rotatable relative to the housing part that at least partially delimit an interior space; a shaft rotatable relative to the housing part and on which an output body arranged in the interior space may be formed for conjoint rotation with the shaft; a coupling region formed between the output and input bodies and configured to hold a viscous fluid to assure a coupling between the input body and the output body; a holding chamber for collecting coolant leaking from the coolant pump; a housing wall conformed integrally with the housing part and partially delimiting the holding chamber; and an actuator housing and an electric actuator therein by which a degree of the coupling between the input body and the output body may be adjustable. The actuator housing may at least partially cover the holding chamber.

A clutch mechanism includes a control member. The control member is adapted to receive motive power and includes a first dry clutch member and a first viscous clutch member. The clutch mechanism further includes an output member that includes a second dry clutch member and a second viscous clutch member. The first and second dry clutch members form a dry clutch and the first and second viscous clutch members form a viscous clutch. The clutch mechanism further includes an actuation arm coupled to at least one of the control and output members. The actuation arm is selectively controllable to effect relative movement of the control and output members such that one of the dry and viscous clutches is selectively engaged.

A clutch mechanism includes a control member. The control member is adapted to receive motive power and includes a first dry clutch member and a first viscous clutch member. The clutch mechanism further includes an output member that includes a second dry clutch member and a second viscous clutch member. The first and second dry clutch members form a dry clutch and the first and second viscous clutch members form a viscous clutch. The clutch mechanism further includes an actuation arm coupled to at least one of the control and output members. The actuation arm is selectively controllable to effect relative movement of the control and output members such that one of the dry and viscous clutches is selectively engaged.

An active suspension system comprises at least one biasing device configured to support a body from a structure, and at least one motor. A magnetorheological (MR) fluid clutch apparatus(es) is coupled to the at least one motor to receive torque from the motor, the MR fluid clutch apparatus controllable to transmit a variable amount of torque. A mechanism is between the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus and the body to convert the torque received from the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus into a force on the body. Sensor(s) provide information indicative of a state of the body or structure. A controller receives the information indicative of the state of the body or structure and for outputting a signal to control the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus in exerting a desired force on the body to control movement of the body according to a desired movement behavior.

An active suspension system comprises at least one biasing device configured to support a body from a structure, and at least one motor. A magnetorheological (MR) fluid clutch apparatus(es) is coupled to the at least one motor to receive torque from the motor, the MR fluid clutch apparatus controllable to transmit a variable amount of torque. A mechanism is between the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus and the body to convert the torque received from the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus into a force on the body. Sensor(s) provide information indicative of a state of the body or structure. A controller receives the information indicative of the state of the body or structure and for outputting a signal to control the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus in exerting a desired force on the body to control movement of the body according to a desired movement behavior.

A power transmission apparatus includes a first meshing engagement mechanism that selectively couples a first rotational section and a second rotational section; and a second meshing engagement mechanism that selectively couples a third rotational section and a fourth rotational section. The first meshing engagement mechanism includes a first movable member provided with third meshing teeth that mesh with first meshing teeth provided on one of the first and the second rotational sections. The second meshing engagement mechanism includes a second movable member provided with fourth meshing teeth that mesh with second meshing teeth provided on one of the third and the fourth rotational sections. At least a portion of a first movable region of the third meshing teeth and at least a portion of a second movable region of the fourth meshing teeth overlap with each other in a radial direction with respect to a rotational axis.

A power transmission apparatus includes a first meshing engagement mechanism that selectively couples a first rotational section and a second rotational section; and a second meshing engagement mechanism that selectively couples a third rotational section and a fourth rotational section. The first meshing engagement mechanism includes a first movable member provided with third meshing teeth that mesh with first meshing teeth provided on one of the first and the second rotational sections. The second meshing engagement mechanism includes a second movable member provided with fourth meshing teeth that mesh with second meshing teeth provided on one of the third and the fourth rotational sections. At least a portion of a first movable region of the third meshing teeth and at least a portion of a second movable region of the fourth meshing teeth overlap with each other in a radial direction with respect to a rotational axis.

A viscous coupling may include: a housing part and an input body rotatable relative to the housing part that at least partially delimit an interior space; a shaft rotatable relative to the housing part and on which an output body arranged in the interior space may be formed for conjoint rotation with the shaft; a coupling region formed between the output and input bodies and configured to hold a viscous fluid to assure a coupling between the input body and the output body; a holding chamber for collecting coolant leaking from the coolant pump; a housing wall conformed integrally with the housing part and partially delimiting the holding chamber; and an actuator housing and an electric actuator therein by which a degree of the coupling between the input body and the output body may be adjustable. The actuator housing may at least partially cover the holding chamber.

A viscous coupling may include: a housing part and an input body rotatable relative to the housing part that at least partially delimit an interior space; a shaft rotatable relative to the housing part and on which an output body arranged in the interior space may be formed for conjoint rotation with the shaft; a coupling region formed between the output and input bodies and configured to hold a viscous fluid to assure a coupling between the input body and the output body; a holding chamber for collecting coolant leaking from the coolant pump; a housing wall conformed integrally with the housing part and partially delimiting the holding chamber; and an actuator housing and an electric actuator therein by which a degree of the coupling between the input body and the output body may be adjustable. The actuator housing may at least partially cover the holding chamber.