Fluid clutch

摘要

A fluid clutch includes a rotatably driven shaft. A closed casing is rotatably mounted on the shaft by bearings. The casing includes an oil basin chamber and a torque transfer chamber. A driving disc is rigidly mounted to the shaft and in the torque transfer chamber. An exhaust passage extends from an outer position in the torque transfer chamber to the oil basin chamber. A dam in the torque transfer chamber urges oil into the exhaust passage and to the oil basin chamber. A pump is disposed between the oil basin chamber and the torque transfer chamber and is operative to urge oil from the oil basin chamber downstream into the torque transfer chamber. A valve is operative to selectively open or close access to the pump in accordance with sensed temperature. Thus, the dam and exhaust passage urge oil from the torque transfer chamber to prevent accompanying rotation. However, the pump urges oil into the torque transfer chamber in accordance with cooling needs.