GB892314A - Improvements in or relating to hydro-kinetic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

892,314. Hydraulic couplings. HEENAN & FROUDE Ltd. July 29, 1958 [July 31, 1957], No. 24321/57. Class 69 (2). [Also in Group XXXIV] An hydro-kinetic apparatus comprises a housing 1 defining a fluid-pressure chamber 2 having inlet and outlet means and containing a rotor 3 secured to a rotatable shaft 9 and a stator 4 freely rotatable relative to rotor 3, valve means 21 for varying the flow of fluid into chamber 2, and means 11, 12 for restraining the stator against rotation when it is desired to exert a braking effort on the rotor, the outlet means including a leakage path 27, 28 for opposing free flow of fluid and having a predetermined pressure flow characteristic. The stator 4 is secured to a sleeve 10 surrounding shaft 9 and terminates in a brake drum 11. A vaned pump 14 driven by shaft 9 delivers fluid via passages 15, 20, valve 21, passages 22, 23, chamber 24 and passage 34 in stator 4 to chamber 2 and the working compartments 26, fluid being expelled via labyrinths 27, annulus 28 and passage 29, a labyrinth 30 prevents excessive flow of fluid back to chamber 24 and vice versa. When the stator 4 is braked by brake shoes 12 engaging drum 11, the apparatus acts as a hydro-kinetic brake, the valve 21 controlling the flow of fluid to compartment 26 and the degree of braking. By releasing or omitting brake 11, 12, stator 4 is able to rotate and the device acts as a clutch, the torque transmitted being varied by varying the setting of valve 21. Dimensions of labyrinth 27 are given in the Specification to produce an outlet flow rate proportional to the square root of the rotor speed whereby the torque transmitted to the stator is proportional to the square of the rotor speed. The valve 21 and brake 11, 12 may be linked to open valve 21 on application of brake 11, 12 and vice versa. An air vent passage is provided in chamber 2. When the apparatus is used in the power transmission of an internal-combustion engine driven vehicle, the operating fluid can be connected to the engine cooling system so that heat generated by the brake may be either dissipated or used to maintain correct engine working temperatures, the generated heat may also be used in other vehicle heating systems. In Fig. 2, not shown, the apparatus normally acts as a clutch between two shafts, the rotor being fixed to the driving shaft and the stator to a driven shaft, the stator may be braked as before to convert the clutch to a brake. Specifications 691,556 and 736,127 are referred to.