GB965733A - Variable speed hydraulic coupling - Google Patents

Abstract

965,733. Hydraulic clutches. EATON MANUFACTURING CO. Feb. 15, 1963, No. 6293/63. Heading F2C. A variable speed hydraulic clutch comprises a gear-type pump 5 having a sun gear 56 fast with an output shaft 3 and planet pinions 78 carried in a housing 61, the ends of which are closed by a manifold 62 and an end plate 22 of an input driven casing 4 which is partially filled with oil so that during rotation an outer annulus of oil is formed round an inner core of air. Inlet and outlet chambers 80, 81 of the pump are located radially inwardly of the annulus of oil and the inlet chambers 80 communicate with a constantly open oil inlet duct 83 and through a duct 84 with an air intake port 85. The outlet chambers 81 communicate through a duct 86 with a fluid discharge port 87. A valve 76 axially movable by rods 104 and a collar 111 controls the air intake and fluid discharge ports. In the neutral position shown, both the air intake port 85 and fluid discharge port 87 are open, and the pump 5 draws air from the inner zone and passes it to exhaust. The oil being prevented from entering the inlet chambers 80 by centrifugal force. Axial movement of the valve 76 initially progressively closes the air intake port 85 and some oil is drawn in by the pump to commence torque transmission. Further movement of the valve 76 closes the air intake port 85 and the pump draws oil from the outer zone and passes it to exhaust. Still further movement of the valve 76 progressively closes the fluid outlet port 87, until finally the outlet port 87 is closed for one-to-one drive. Cooling ribs 26 are provided on the outside of the casing 4 and the oil is cooled by drawing it through a narrow annular passage between the manifold 62 and casing 4.