Importance

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Abstract

A device (10) is disclosed for intercepting the input of a system (23) of an internal combustion engine (12) normally provided to a solenoid valve (22) for actuating a fan clutch (20) when rotation of a fan (16) is desired. The input is received by terminals (42, 43) and is conditioned and passed on to a timer (96) and a controller (97). A vacuum switch (24) senses whether the fan (16) is rotating and provides a second input to the controller (97). In the event that an input is provided by the system (23) and the time delay signal has been provided by the timer (96) and also in the event that an input is provided by the system (23), the time delay has expired, and the second input is provided by the vacuum switch (24), the controller (97) provides an actuation output to terminals (71, 73) connected to the solenoid valve (22) by use of actuation provisions (98) to actuate the fan clutch (20). After the time delay signal is no longer provided by the timer (96), the actuation output is interrupted to the fan clutch (20) if one or both of the first and second inputs are interrupted. Thus, device (10) interrupts the actuation of the fan clutch (20) in the event that the fan (16) is unable to rotate for any reason and thereby provides overheating protection for the fan clutch (20).

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First Claim