Fluid clutch

A fluid clutch, comprising:

• a first transmission element having a torque transmission surface;
• a second transmission element, which is rotatable about an axis of rotation with respect to the first transmission element, said second transmission element having a torque transmission surface;
• a working fluid region wherein the torque transmission surfaces of the first and second transmission elements are located opposite one another and in which torque transmission can be selectively coupled between the first and the second transmission elements by means of fluid arranged between the torque transmission surfaces;
• a fluid storage region for the reception of fluid;
• a valve arrangement, which can be actuated for selectively making and breaking a fluid flow connection between the fluid storage region and the working fluid region, in order respectively to allow and prevent the ingress of fluid from the fluid storage region into the working fluid region;
• braking apparatus comprising an essentially fixed position first braking region having an electromagnet arrangement for generating a braking force acting on the second transmission element and a second braking region which can magnetically interact with the first braking region, said braking force being achieved exclusively by said magnetic interaction;
• two components which move with respect to one another within a limited range of movement in response to said braking force acting on the second transmission element, and
• means for actuating said valve arrangement in response to relative movement between said two components.