Hydrostatic torque converter and torque amplifier

A vane for a hydraulic device comprising:

• an inner end;
• an outer end having a recess therein, the recess configured to at least partially receive a roller;
• and
• a body defining a passage that communicates with the recess and extends within the body to the inner end, and wherein in operation the passage is configured to allow a flow of the hydraulic fluid within the vane.

A hydraulic device comprising a hydraulically controllable coupling, comprising:

• an input shaft coupled to rotate one of a body defining a chamber, the body in fluid communication with an inlet, and a rotating group disposed in the chamber;
• and
• an output shaft coupled to rotate the other of the body and the rotating group, wherein the rotating group comprises:
• a rotor rotatable around an axis inside the chamber, with the rotor defining a plurality of slots extending parallel to the axis along an exterior of the rotor and opening to the chamber, the rotor further defining a retainer passage in fluid communication with one or more of the plurality of slots;
• a plurality of vanes disposed in the plurality of slots, wherein each of the plurality of vanes has an outer tip with a recess therein,
• a roller mounted at the outer tip of each of the plurality of vanes at least partially positioned within the recess,
• a hydraulically controlled retainer disposed in the retainer passage to retain the first vane in a retracted vane mode of operation and to release the first vane in a vane extended mode of operation in which the first vane and the second vane extend to meet the body to hydraulically work fluid when the first vane and the second vane are moved with respect to the body,
• a programmable torque device to select a desired torque between the input shaft and the output shaft that is independent of vane position,
• wherein the input and the output are coupled to rotate together in the vane extended mode of operation, and the input and output are free to rotate with respect to one another in the vane retracted mode of operation.

A system including a hydraulic device comprising a hydraulically controllable coupling, the system comprising:

• the hydraulic device comprising:
• an input shaft coupled to rotate one of a body defining a chamber, the body in fluid communication with an inlet, and a rotating group disposed in the chamber;
• and
• an output shaft coupled to rotate the other of the body and the rotating group, wherein the rotating group comprises:
• a rotor rotatable around an axis inside the chamber, with the rotor defining a plurality of slots extending parallel to the axis along an exterior of the rotor and opening to the chamber, the rotor further defining a retainer passage in fluid communication with one or more of the plurality of slots;
• a plurality of vanes disposed in the plurality of slots, wherein each of the plurality of vanes has an outer tip with a recess therein,
• a roller mounted at the outer tip of each of the plurality of vanes at least partially positioned within the recess, and
• a hydraulically controlled retainer disposed in the retainer passage to retain the first vane in a retracted vane mode of operation and to release the first vane in a vane extended mode of operation in which the first vane and the second vane extend to meet the body to hydraulically work fluid when the first vane and the second vane are moved with respect to the body,
• wherein the input and the output are coupled to rotate together in the vane extended mode of operation, and the input and output are free to rotate with respect to one another in the vane retracted mode of operation,
• a torque producer coupled to the input shaft;
• a powertrain coupled to the output shaft;
• and
• a hydraulic pump motor including a second output shaft, the hydraulic pump motor including a pump motor inlet in fluid communication with a discharge pressure of the hydraulic device.