Fluid coupling

A fluid coupling comprising a first member secured on a first shaft, a second member secured on a second shaft in axial alignment with said first shaft, and an annular fluid race chamber, one of said members having a vaned annulus within said fluid race chamber and the other said member presenting at least one gate in the fluid race chamber, said gate or each gate being arranged to allow the vaned annulus of the vaned member to pass relative thereto whilst obstructing the circumferential flow of fluid along the race chamber and whereby, when the race chamber is charged with fluid and the assembly is rotated, the fluid flows in the race chamber generate a pressure gradient acting circumferentially of the axis of rotation to create a pressure difference across the, or each, gate to impart rotation to the gated member, annular sealing means being provided between the casing and the member or members therein, said sealing means being located adjacent the radially innermost limits of the race chamber, the casing and/or the displaceable member or members defining one or more volumes radially within the sealing means, said volume or volumes being maintained substantially at atmospheric pressure when the fluid race chamber is charged with fluid and the coupling is rotating.

A fluid coupling comprising a first member secured on a first shaft, a second member secured on a second shaft in axial alignment with said first shaft, and an annular fluid race chamber, one of said members having a vaned annulus within said fluid race chamber and the other said member presenting at least one gate in the fluid race chamber, said gate or each gate being arranged to allow the vaned annulus of the vaned member to pass relative thereto whilst obstructing the circumferential flow of fluid along the race chamber and whereby, when the race chamber is charged with fluid and the assembly is rotated, the fluid flows in the race chamber generate a pressure gradient acting circumferentially of the axis of rotation to create a pressure difference across the, or each, gate to impart rotation to the gated member, annular sealing means being provided between the casing and the member or members therein, said sealing means being located adjacent the radially innermost limits of the race chamber, the casing and/or the displaceable member or members defining one or more volumes radially within the sealing means, said volume or volumes being connected to a fluid source via a duct in one of said shafts.

A fluid coupling comprising a first member secured on a first shaft, a second member secured on a second shaft in axial alignment with said first shaft, and an annular fluid race chamber, one of said members having a vaned annulus within said fluid race chamber and the other said member presenting at least one gate in the fluid race chamber, said gate or each gate being arranged to allow the vaned annulus of the vaned member to pass relative thereto whilst obstructing the circumferential flow of fluid along the race chamber and whereby, when the race chamber is charged with fluid and the assembly is rotated, the fluid flows in the race chamber generate a pressure gradient acting circumferentially of the axis of rotation to create a pressure difference across the, or each, gate to impart rotation to the gated member, annular sealing means being provided between the casing and the member or members therein, said sealing means being located adjacent the radially innermost limits of the race chamber, the casing and/or the displaceable member or members defining one or more volumes radially within the sealing means, a duct or ducts being provided to connect said volume or volumes with the race chamber adjacent the, or each, gate at that part, or each part, of the race chamber intended to be at low pressure when the coupling is operating.

A fluid coupling comprising a first member secured on a first shaft, a second member secured on a second shaft in axial alignment with said first shaft, and an annular fluid race chamber, one of said members having a vaned annulus within said fluid race chamber and the other said member presenting at least one gate in the fluid race chamber, said gate or each gate being arranged to allow the vaned annulus of the vaned member to pass relative thereto whilst obstructing the circumferential flow of fluid along the race chamber and whereby, when the race chamber is charged with fluid and the assembly is rotated, the fluid flows in the race chamber generate a pressure gradient acting circumferentially of the axis of rotation to create a pressure difference across the, or each, gate to impart rotation to the gated member, and means sensitive to pressure differences across the, or each, gate and adapted to open a communication duct across the, or each, gate when the pressure difference across the gate falls below a predetermined value.

A fluid coupling comprising a first member secured on a first shaft, a second member secured on a second shaft in axial alignment with said first shaft, and an annular fluid race chamber, one of said members having a vaned annulus within said fluid race chamber and the other said member presenting at least one gate in the fluid race chamber, said gate or each gate being arranged to allow the vaned annulus of the vaned member to pass relative thereto whilst obstructing the circumferential flow of fluid along the race chamber and whereby, when the race chamber is charged with fluid and the assembly is rotated, the fluid flows in the race chamber generate a pressure gradient acting circumferentially of the axis of rotation to create a pressure difference across the, or each, gate to impart rotation to the gated member, and friction shoes adapted to frictionally engage the gated member with the vaned member for mutual rotation when the rotational speed of the coupling exceeds a predetermined value.