GB994256A - Improvements in and relating to hydraulic clutches particularly for electric motor drives - Google Patents

Abstract

994,256. Hydrodynamic couplings. C. SCHULER-VOITH, M. VOITH, and H. RUPF. Feb. 4, 1964, No. 4638/64. Heading F2C. A hydrodynamic coupling comprises an impeller 3 having a chamber 6 rotating therewith having inlet valves 12 located radially inwardly of the inner periphery 9 of the impeller, and having discharge orifices 8 at about the mean radius of the impeller blades. The inlet valves 12 are rotary valves controlled by centrifugal weights so that they are open below a predetermined pump speed and closed above this speed. Below the predetermined speed, and with medium or high clutch slip liquid entering the space 10 beneath the inner periphery 9 of the impeller passes into the chamber 6 at a greater rate than it is discharged through the orifices 8 to partially empty the coupling and reduce its transmission capacity. The chamber 6 is provided with radial blades 6a, and the impeller may be formed with projections or plates inwardly of the orifices 8 to reduce the pressure at the outlet of these orifices to facilitate discharge from the chamber 6. One or more guide plates may be associated with a corresponding number of inlet valves 12 to direct liquid thereto when the toroidal flow in the coupling is reversed in order to act as a brake with reduced filling. The inlet valves 12 may also be associated with flow deflection means to guide liquid thereto for either direction of peripheral rotation in order to permit the coupling to be used for either direction of rotation. Venting ducts may be provided proceeding from a central position of the chamber 6 to near the inner periphery of the impeller to permit an interchange of air between the coupling and the chamber 6.