Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid clutch of the kind comprising cooperating vaned pump and turbine elements between which toroidal power-transmitting liquid vortices are established. At least part of the vanes of one of the elements is movable between clutch engaged and disengaged portions through a wall of the element into a reservoir on the other side of the wall. This reservoir also serves as a stall reservoir into which working liquid is fed automatically upon the existence of a stall condition of the element, so as to reduce the torque transmission capacity to a value preventing stalling of the prime mover.

Abstract: A speed-sensitive device comprises a cylinder mounted on a shaft and rotatable therewith. The cylinder contains liquid that is pushed by the action of centrifugal force against a piston, the piston being connected to engage a clutch when the shaft speed reaches a predetermined minimum value. A speed-sensitive valve opens a bore connecting the opposite sides of the piston when the speed is above a minimum value to prevent a vacuum affecting the operation. The principal application is to a fluid coupling and the device operates a mechanical clutch that "locks up" the fluid coupling above the predetermined speed to prevent slip losses therein.1. Field of the InventionThe present invention is concerned with a speed sensitive device for power transmissions, and especially but not exclusively with a speed-sensitive lock-out device that is particularly suitable for use with fluid couplings and clutches.2.

Abstract: In a hydraulic coupling the pump element is provided with an annular reservoir rotatable therewith, the reservoir having its interior divided into separate analogization and stall compartments by a weir. A first set of catches feeds liquid from the working chamber into the analogization compartment and the volume which can remain therein is controlled by speed sensitive valves which feed excess liquid into the stall compartment from wherein it returns to the working chamber. The valve control the filling of the working chamber so that the power transmission capacity of the coupling is maintained analogous with the power output of the associated prime mover at that speed. Upon the existence of stall conditions with the turbine element a second set of radially-inward catches are engaged by the working liquid and fill the stall compartment to almost empty the working compartment and permit the coupling to continue operating without dangerous overload of itself or the prime mover.

Abstract: In a fluid clutch of the type comprising cooperating pump and turbine elements between which toroidal power-transmitting liquid vortices can be established, control of the clutch by an operator is effected by moving a baffle within the working chamber between a clutched position in which the vortices can be established and maintained, and a declutched position in which it is interposed in the path taken by such vortices and prevents their establishment and maintainence. The baffle is operative to produce the required de-clutching and clutching action by changing the operative volume of the clutch element in which it is mounted. In a preferred structure a radially-slotted annular baffle is mounted on a cylindrical sleeve slidable on the output shaft and moves within the turbine chamber toward and away from the pump element, the turbine vanes entering the slots in the baffle; a spring urges the sleeve and the baffle toward the clutch engaged position further from the pump element.

Abstract: A valve-controlled hydraulic coupling fluid clutch is provided with a reservoir compartment containing first and second chambers, the first chamber receiving liquid from the working chamber during normal operation, while the second chamber receives such liquid only while the turbine is stalled or slowed excessively. Liquid flow means are provided between the two chambers of less capacity than means feeding liquid into the second chamber. Operator controlled valve means between the first reservoir chamber and the coupling working chamber are normally open and upon closing retain liquid in the first reservoir compartment to declutch the coupling, while automatic declutching takes place upon the slowing or stalling of the turbine to prevent overload by removal of working liquid from the working chamber into the second compartment.

Abstract: A fluid clutch of the kind comprising cooperating radiallyvaned pump and turbine elements has at least a portion of each vane of one of the sets of vanes of the pump and turbine elements movable either by axial motion or by pivoting motion under an external operator's control within an external enclosure formed between the outside face of the respective element and an annular shell rotatable therewith. Disengagement of the clutch is effected by the said motion which withdraws the movable vanes or vane portions from the working circuit into the said external enclosure, so that the power transmitting vortices usually produced by the vanes cannot be maintained. The clutch turbine may be provided with a device which can apply some rotational friction thereto when the clutch is fully disengaged, in order to stop the turbine fully against residual fluid friction in the working circuit.