Drives incorporating variable filling fluid couplings
AssigneeFluidrive Engineering Company Limited
InventorWalter Hugh Knight James
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fluid coupling, of the kind in which the filling of its working circuit is determined by a movable trimming scoop, is driven by an electric motor. The coupling output drives a high-inertia load such as a long, loaded conveyor belt. During start-up, filling control means for the coupling increases the coupling filling except when the transmitted torque, determined by sensing the motor current, exceeds a predetermined value. The movable scoop is then held stationary to hold the degree of filling of the coupling constant until the torque again drops below the predetermined value.
Claims4
In a fluid coupling assembly comprising a variable filling fluid coupling, adjustable filling control means for controlling the degree of filling of the coupling by removing excess liquid therefrom, said filling control means providing the sole means of escape for liquid from the coupling under running conditions, torque-sensing means for sensing the driving torque of the fluid coupling, and controller means under the control of the torque-sensing means for (1) moving the filling control means to increase the filling of the coupling when the sensed torque falls below a predetermined value and (2) stopping the filling control means when the sensed torque exceeds said predetermined value to hold the degree of filling of said coupling constant until said sensed torque falls below said predetermined value, whereupon said torque sensing means operates said filling control means to allow the degree of filling of said coupling to increase.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.