Hydrodynamic clutch device

Method for controlling flow of a hydrodynamic clutch device of the type comprising:

• a clutch housing connected to a drive;
• a pump wheel connected to the clutch housing, the pump wheel having a hub;
• a turbine wheel connected to a takeoff, the turbine wheel and the pump wheel forming a hydrodynamic circuit;
• a bridging clutch essentially surrounded by the hydrodynamic circuit, the bridging clutch comprising a piston and a friction surface which can be acted on by the piston to connect the drive to the takeoff independently of the hydrodynamic circuit, the piston having one surface facing the hydrodynamic circuit and an opposite surface facing a pressure space;
• a clutch fluid reservoir;
• a pressure circuit comprising a first pressure medium line connecting the fluid reservoir to the hydrodynamic circuit and a second pressure medium line connecting the fluid reservoir to the pressure space;
• and
• a throttle which allows a defined exchange of fluid between the hydrodynamic circuit and the pressure space;
• the method comprising
• engaging the bridging clutch by increasing pressure in the first pressure medium line so that a positive pressure in the hydrodynamic circuit causes fluid to flow past the at least one friction surface, through the throttle to the pressure space, and through the second pressure medium line back to the fluid reservoir;
• and
• disengaging the bridging clutch by increasing pressure in the second pressure medium line so that a positive pressure in the pressure space causes fluid to flow through the throttle to the hydrodynamic circuit, past the at least one friction surface, and through the first pressure medium line back to the fluid reservoir.