US20220112925A1 - Fluid Coupling with Partially Curved Impeller Vanes - Google Patents
Fluid Coupling with Partially Curved Impeller Vanes Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20220112925A1 US20220112925A1 US17/376,839 US202117376839A US2022112925A1 US 20220112925 A1 US20220112925 A1 US 20220112925A1 US 202117376839 A US202117376839 A US 202117376839A US 2022112925 A1 US2022112925 A1 US 2022112925A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- turbine
- fluid
- fluid coupling
- section
- vanes
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
- F16D33/00—Rotary fluid couplings or clutches of the hydrokinetic type
- F16D33/18—Details
- F16D33/20—Shape of wheels, blades, or channels with respect to function
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
- F16D2300/00—Special features for couplings or clutches
- F16D2300/12—Mounting or assembling
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
- F16D2300/00—Special features for couplings or clutches
- F16D2300/26—Cover or bell housings; Details or arrangements thereof
Abstract
The fluid coupling of the present disclosure transmits torque by a fluid in a variable speed transmission. The fluid coupling comprises a front cover and a back cover, and the front cover and the back cover forming a chamber. The fluid coupling includes a plurality of impeller vanes are located on the back cover and the back cover is configured to rotate in a first direction. The fluid coupling also includes a turbine having a plurality of turbine vanes located within the chamber. The ends of each of the plurality of impeller vanes are curved in the first direction to direct flow of the fluid into the plurality of turbine vanes at a sharper angle thereby increasing torque applied to the turbine.
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 17/066,587, titled Fluid Coupling With Partially Curved Impeller Vanes. The prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- The present disclosure relates to a fluid coupling for a variable speed transmission for transferring torque between two rotary members, and particularly to a fluid coupling with a curved perimeter section of impeller vanes.
- A fluid coupling uses an impeller and a turbine, usually within a housing with a working fluid. The impeller acts on the working fluid to rotate the fluid within the housing. The fluid then transfers that torque to the turbine vanes by acting on the turbine vanes to begin rotating the turbine. In a vehicle, the turbine is connected to a drive shaft to drive the wheels of the vehicle.
- In a torque converter, a stator is used to take the fluid that is returning from the turbine to the impeller and alter the direction of flow of the fluid before the fluid returns to the impeller. The impeller then acts on the fluid to continue rotating and the fluid with increased torque then acts on the turbine resulting in a multiplied torque force to the engine.
- Torque converters are complex due to the number of moving parts. Thus, there is a need to create a simplified fluid coupling that maintains the benefits of multiplying torque that is created by a stator.
- The present disclosure provides a fluid coupling to transfer torque between an impeller and a turbine in a vehicle transmission by rotating in a first direction thereby rotating a fluid in the first direction to rotate a turbine. The fluid coupling comprises a front cover and a back cover, with the front cover and back cover forming a chamber and a turbine located within the chamber. The fluid is rotated in the first direction by a plurality of impeller vanes affixed on an inside of the back cover. A perimeter section of each of the plurality of impeller vanes curving toward the first direction to direct the fluid into the turbine at an angle that applies increased torque to the turbine.
- In one embodiment of the fluid coupling, the turbine further comprises a plurality of turbine vanes in a center section, a closed section, and a perimeter section. The center section and the perimeter section of the turbine are open to allow the fluid to pass between the plurality of turbine vanes in the center section and perimeter section. And the closed section of the turbine prevents the fluid from flowing between the plurality of turbine vanes in the closed section.
- In another embodiment of the fluid coupling, a metal plate is attached to a back of the turbine over the closed section thereby blocking fluid flow through the portion of the vanes in the closed section.
- In another embodiment, the front cover has a toroidal shape which directs the fluid that passes through the perimeter section of turbine vanes into the back of the center section of the turbine vanes.
- In another embodiment, the front cover includes a plurality of blades located on an inner surface of the front cover configured to direct the fluid toward the back of the center section of the turbine in a complimentary direction thereby increasing torque applied in the direction of rotation.
- In another embodiment, each of the plurality of blades is angled in the first direction to adjust the fluid flow into the center section of the turbine at an angle that increases the torque applied by the fluid as it enters the back of the center section of the turbine.
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FIG. 1 is a side view of the fluid coupling according to the present disclosure; -
FIG. 2 is a side, cross-section view of the fluid coupling of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 3 is a cutaway view of a back cover of the fluid coupling of the present disclosure showing the impeller vanes; -
FIG. 4 is a front view of the turbine that sits within a chamber of the fluid coupling of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 5 illustrates the perimeter section of the impeller vanes directing fluid into the perimeter section of the turbine vanes; -
FIG. 6 is a side view of a second embodiment of the fluid coupling of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 7 is a side, cross-section view of the second embodiment of the fluid coupling of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 8 is a side, cross-section view of a third embodiment of the fluid coupling of the present disclosure; and -
FIG. 9 is a cutaway view looking at a front cover of the third embodiment of the fluid coupling of the present disclosure showing the blades for redirecting fluid flow. - The present disclosure and accompanying figures present an improved fluid coupling that changes the shape and angle of impeller vanes to increase the torque applied by the fluid.
- Referring to
FIG. 1 , a side view of the fluid coupling according to the present disclosure is shown. Thefluid coupling 1 is formed by securing thefront cover 2 to theback cover 4. In a transmission, theback cover 4 is configured to receive torque from a vehicle engine (not shown) through aninput shaft 5. This input torque is transferred via theturbine shaft 9 to drive the wheels of a vehicle. - Referring to
FIGS. 2 and 3 ,FIG. 2 illustrates a side, cross-section view of the fluid coupling of the present disclosure according to one embodiment, whileFIG. 3 illustrates the impeller vanes affixed to theback cover 4 with thefront cover 2 removed. Thefluid coupling 1 is comprised of afront cover 2 and aback cover 4 forming achamber 6. Aturbine 8 is situated within thechamber 6. A plurality ofimpeller vanes 10 are located on theback cover 4. Theimpeller vanes 10 extend outward radially from acenter 12 of theback cover 4 toward aside 14 of thefluid coupling 1. Aperimeter section 16 of theimpeller vanes 10 is curved in the direction of rotation (arrow A) of theback cover 4. Theimpeller vanes 10 are straight from thecenter 12 out to theperimeter section 16. In theperimeter section 16, the ends of theimpeller vanes 10 are curved or angled in the direction of rotation. - The
impeller vanes 10 may be affixed to theback cover 4 of thefluid coupling 1. Theimpeller vanes 10 may be perpendicular to theback cover 4 extending out from acenter 12 toward aside 14 of thefluid coupling 1. In this perimeter section, the ends of theimpeller vanes 16 are angled or curved in the direction of rotation. - The
turbine 8 has three distinct sections of vanes, aperimeter section 24, a closedsection 28, and acenter section 22. Thecenter section 22 and theperimeter section 24 are open to allow fluid to pass through adjacent vanes. Ametal plate 26 is affixed to the back of the closedsection 28 to prevent fluid from passing through. - In operation, the
fluid coupling 1 receives force from an engine (not shown) and begins rotating. As thefluid coupling 1 rotates, theback cover 4 having theimpeller vanes 10 begins rotating the fluid within thechamber 6. The rotating fluid then begins acting on theturbine 8 to rotate theturbine 8 which is attached to adrive shaft 9 to transfer torque to the wheels of a vehicle (not shown). -
FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of theturbine 8 removed from thefluid coupling 1. Thecenter section 22 and theperimeter section 24 are open to allow fluid to flow between theturbine vanes 18. Ametal plate 26 is attached to the back of theturbine 8 to create the closedsection 28 that prevents the fluid from flowing betweenvanes 18 in the closedsection 28. -
FIG. 5 illustrates the flow offluid 30 as it moves along theimpeller vanes 10 to the curved ends in theperimeter section 24. The fluid then flows into theperimeter section 24 of theturbine 8 at a sharp angle resulting in increased torque applied to theturbine 8. - Referring to
FIG. 6 , another embodiment of the fluid coupling according to the present disclosure is shown. In this embodiment, thefront cover 2 has a torus shape resulting in a semi-toroidal fluid coupling. - Referring to
FIG. 7 , a side, cross-section view of another embodiment of the fluid coupling is shown. The torus shape of thefront cover 2 directs the fluid into the back of thecenter section 22 of theturbine 8. - In some embodiments, the fluid coupling may include
blades 32 affixed to thefront cover 2 to adjust fluid flowing into the back of thecenter section 22 of theturbine 8 to further multiply torque on the turbine. Theblades 32 may be angled, curved, or slanted in the direction of rotation to direct the fluid 30 into thecenter section 22 at a sharp angle thereby applying more torque on theturbine 8. - In another embodiment, the
blades 32 on thefront cover 2 would be attached to a separate component (not shown) that fits within the torus shape of thefront cover 2 such that the vanes could be locked or moved independently of the rotation of the fluid coupling. - Referring to
FIG. 8 , another embodiment of thefluid coupling 1 according to the present disclosure is shown with theturbine 8 removed to show the flow of fluid within thefluid coupling 1. In some embodiments, theblades 32 are affixed to the inside of thefront cover 2. As theimpeller vanes 10 rotate, fluid in the fluid coupling begins to move to the side 14 (shown inFIG. 7 ) of the fluid coupling 1 (Arrow B). The fluid continues to move around the outer edge of thechamber 6 around thefront cover 2 until it reaches the blades 32 (Arrow C). Because theblades 32 are angled or pitched the fluid is then directed back to the center of theback cover 4 to continue being rotated by theimpeller vanes 10, thereby multiplying the torque applied. -
FIG. 9 shows a cutaway view of afront cover 2 of afluid coupling 1 according to the present disclosure showing theblades 32. Arrow C shows fluid flowing along thefront cover 2 into theblades 32 affixed on thefront cover 2. Arrow D shows the fluid changing direction and moving out away from thefront cover 2 back to theback cover 4 to continue being rotated by theimpeller vanes 10. - Although the inventive concepts of the present disclosure have been described and illustrated with respect to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is not limited to the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts.
Claims (6)
1. A fluid coupling to transfer torque by rotating in a first direction thereby rotating a fluid in the first direction to rotate a turbine, the fluid coupling comprising:
a front cover and a back cover, the front cover and back cover forming a chamber;
the turbine located within the chamber; and
a plurality of impeller vanes affixed on an inside of the back cover and a perimeter section of each of the plurality of impeller vanes curving toward the first direction,
the perimeter section directing the fluid into the turbine at an angle that applies increased torque to the turbine.
2. The fluid coupling of claim 1 , wherein the turbine further comprises a plurality of turbine vanes, a center section, a closed section, and a perimeter section;
the center section and the perimeter section of the turbine are open to allow the fluid to pass between the plurality of turbine vanes in the center section and perimeter section; and
the closed section of the turbine prevents the fluid from flowing between the plurality of turbine vanes in the closed section.
3. The fluid coupling of claim 2 , further comprising a metal plate attached to a back of the turbine over the closed section and blocking fluid flow through the closed section.
4. The fluid coupling of claim 1 , wherein the front cover has a toroidal shape.
5. The fluid coupling of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of blades located on an inner surface of the front cover configured to direct the fluid toward the back of the center section of the turbine in a complimentary direction thereby increasing torque applied.
6. The fluid coupling of claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of blades is angled in the first direction to adjust the fluid flow into the center section of the turbine at an angle that increases the torque applied by the fluid.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/376,839 US20220112925A1 (en) | 2020-10-09 | 2021-07-15 | Fluid Coupling with Partially Curved Impeller Vanes |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/066,587 US11085497B1 (en) | 2020-10-09 | 2020-10-09 | Fluid coupling with partially curved impeller vanes |
US17/376,839 US20220112925A1 (en) | 2020-10-09 | 2021-07-15 | Fluid Coupling with Partially Curved Impeller Vanes |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US17/066,587 Continuation US11085497B1 (en) | 2020-10-09 | 2020-10-09 | Fluid coupling with partially curved impeller vanes |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20220112925A1 true US20220112925A1 (en) | 2022-04-14 |
Family
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Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US17/066,587 Active US11085497B1 (en) | 2020-10-09 | 2020-10-09 | Fluid coupling with partially curved impeller vanes |
US17/376,839 Abandoned US20220112925A1 (en) | 2020-10-09 | 2021-07-15 | Fluid Coupling with Partially Curved Impeller Vanes |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US17/066,587 Active US11085497B1 (en) | 2020-10-09 | 2020-10-09 | Fluid coupling with partially curved impeller vanes |
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US (2) | US11085497B1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US11085497B1 (en) * | 2020-10-09 | 2021-08-10 | David Johnson | Fluid coupling with partially curved impeller vanes |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11085497B1 (en) * | 2020-10-09 | 2021-08-10 | David Johnson | Fluid coupling with partially curved impeller vanes |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2046703A (en) * | 1932-07-12 | 1936-07-07 | Sinclair Harold | Hydraulic coupling |
US2179519A (en) * | 1934-11-05 | 1939-11-14 | Automatic Turbine Drive Compan | Hydraulic coupling |
US2381187A (en) * | 1941-07-14 | 1945-08-07 | Hydraulic Brake Co | Fluid coupling |
GB978463A (en) * | 1960-07-27 | 1964-12-23 | George Monaghan | Improvements in fluid-couplings |
US3481148A (en) * | 1966-05-07 | 1969-12-02 | Voith Getriebe Kg | Fluid flow machine,especially fluid coupling and fluid brake |
-
2020
- 2020-10-09 US US17/066,587 patent/US11085497B1/en active Active
-
2021
- 2021-07-15 US US17/376,839 patent/US20220112925A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11085497B1 (en) * | 2020-10-09 | 2021-08-10 | David Johnson | Fluid coupling with partially curved impeller vanes |
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US11085497B1 (en) | 2021-08-10 |
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