Hydrodynamic coupling device

A hydrodynamic coupling device, comprising:

• a housing for holding hydraulic fluid;
• a turbine wheel,
• an output shaft, the turbine wheel being connected with the output shaft for rotation therewith;
• and
• a sliding bearing arrangement for rotatably supporting the turbine wheel in the housing, said sliding bearing arrangement including a hydraulic fluid channel for passage of hydraulic fluid in radially outward and radially inward flow directions relative to a region of the output shaft, the sliding bearing arrangement further including a sliding bearing element fixed on the turbine wheel and supporting the turbine wheel in axial and radial directions relative to the housing, the sliding bearing element being formed from one of fiber-reinforced plastic, a sintered metal, and aluminum.

A hydrodynamic coupling device, comprising:

• a housing for holding hydraulic fluid;
• a turbine wheel,
• an output shaft, the turbine wheel being connected with the output shaft for rotation therewith;
• and
• a sliding bearing arrangement for rotatably supporting the turbine wheel in the housing, said sliding bearing arrangement including a hydraulic fluid channel for passage of hydraulic fluid in radially outward and radially inward flow directions relative to a region of the output shaft, the sliding bearing arrangement further including a sliding bearing element fixed on the turbine wheel and supporting the turbine wheel in axial and radial directions relative to the housing, wherein in a region of the sliding bearing element extends radially inward from the outer circumference of the output shaft to a location proximal an axis of rotation of the output shaft and has a passage opening for connecting the hydraulic fluid channel arrangement to an axial passage opening constructed through the output shaft.

A hydrodynamic coupling device, comprising:

• a housing for holding hydraulic fluid;
• a turbine wheel,
• an output shaft, the turbine wheel being connected with the output shaft for rotation therewith;
• and
• a sliding bearing arrangement for rotatably supporting the turbine wheel in the housing, said sliding bearing arrangement including a hydraulic fluid channel for passage of hydraulic fluid in radially outward and radially inward flow directions relative to a region of the output shaft, the sliding bearing arrangement further including a sliding bearing element fixed on the turbine wheel and supporting the turbine wheel in axial and radial directions relative to the housing, in which a guide element surrounds the sliding bearing arrangement, the device further including:
• a lockup clutch, the lockup clutch including a clutch element, the clutch element being guided by said guide element to move in the axial direction, the guide element having a hydraulic fluid channel which is connected in fluid exchange communication with the sliding bearing arrangement fluid channel, said guide element being sealed off from at least one of said turbine wheel and said sliding bearing element such that an exchange of hydraulic fluid occurs only through the two said hydraulic fluid channels.

A hydrodynamic coupling device, comprising:

• a housing for holding hydraulic fluid;
• a turbine wheel;
• an output shaft, the turbine wheel being connected with the output shaft for rotation therewith;
• and
• a bearing arrangement for rotatably supporting the turbine wheel in the housing, said bearing arrangement including a hydraulic fluid channel for passage of hydraulic fluid in radially outward and radially inward flow directions relative to a region of the output shaft, the bearing arrangement including a bearing for supporting the turbine wheel axially and radially relative to the housing, the bearing arrangement further including a bearing element which is fixed at an inner surface of the housing, said bearing element having a surface facing an inner surface of the housing, said bearing element surface having at least one groove-like depression defining the hydraulic fluid channel, the groove like-depression being at least partially covered by said housing inner surface, the bearing being supported on the bearing element on a housing side, and
• a clutch element of a lockup clutch arrangement is guided in the housing for movement axially on the bearing element.

A hydrodynamic coupling device, comprising:

• a housing for holding hydraulic fluid;
• a turbine wheel having a hub;
• an output shaft, the turbine wheel being connected with the output shaft for rotation therewith;
• and
• a bearing arrangement for rotatably supporting the turbine wheel in the housing and at least one of axially and radially relative to the housing, said bearing arrangement including a hydraulic fluid channel for passage of hydraulic fluid in radially outward and radially inward flow directions relative to a region of the output shaft, the hydraulic fluid channel including at least a first radially extending passage opening in said hub, and at least a second passage opening in the output shaft, said at least a second passage opening extending radially and being connected to an axial passage in said output shaft.