FLUID SHEAR COUPLING APPARATUS

摘要

A fluid shear coupling apparatus is disclosed herein which includes a driving member received within a working chamber defined by a driven member. The driven member is mounted with needle bearings to a shaft portion of the driving member to have the members rotatable about a common axis. The driving and driven members include complementary shaped and positioned fluid shear and thrust surfaces defining fluid shear and thrust chambers, respectively, therebetween and cooperable with shear fluid within the chamber to transmit torque and axial thrust loads between the members. The fluid shear surfaces are defined by interdigitated ridges and grooves. A shear fluid reservoir is located in the central portion of the driven member and passageways lead from an annular groove and cylindrical cavity adjacent the driving member back to the reservoir. A recycle passageway also leads from the annular groove and connects with the working chamber at a radially-inward location to provide recirculation of shear fluid through the working chamber. Several projections and dams are received within the cylindrical cavity and annular groove to provide shear surfaces for transmitting torque between the driving and driven members, and also to facilitate the pumping of the shear fluid from the working chamber back to the reservoir or through the recycle flow path. A weighted valve and associated temperature-responsive valve provide for modulated coupling between the driving and driven members.