Abstract: A system and method includes a thrust system; a generator for providing electric power to at least one electromechanical actuator of the thrust system; a turbine for driving the generator; a speed control valve for metering propellant to the turbine; and a gear assembly for connecting the turbine, the generator, and the speed control valve.

Abstract: A torque converter for converting torque between an input shaft and an output shaft includes an impeller operably connected to the input shaft and rotatable therewith. The torque converter further includes a turbine operably connected to the output shaft and rotatable therewith. A fluid flow system directs a flow of motive fluid through the impeller and through the turbine to drive rotation of the output shaft relative to the input shaft. A lockup mechanism is engageable to urge rotation of the output shaft at an output shaft rotational speed identical to an input shaft rotational speed. A switching module controls an actuation system to urge engagement of the lockup mechanism.

Abstract: A vehicle driving apparatus includes: a torque converter having a pump vane wheel, a turbine vane wheel, and a stator vane wheel, the stator vane wheel rotatably disposed between the turbine vane wheel and the pump vane wheel; an electric motor that drives the stator vane wheel; a 25 first connecting and disconnecting means capable of connecting and disconnecting the electric motor and the stator vane wheel to/from each other; and a second connecting and disconnecting means capable of connecting and disconnecting the electric motor and a output shaft to/from each other.

Abstract: A control device for a vehicular drive apparatus, includes: a torque converter having a pump wheel, a turbine wheel and a stator wheel rotatably disposed between the turbine wheel and the pump wheel; an electric motor operative to drive and/or apply a brake to the stator wheel; a first connecting/disconnecting means operable to connect/disconnect the electric motor and the stator wheel to and from each other; a second connecting/disconnecting means operable to connect/disconnect the electric motor and an output shaft to and from each other; and mode switching means for switching a first mode in which the first connecting/disconnecting means is held in a connecting state to allow the electric motor to control a rotating state of the stator wheel and a second mode in which the second connecting/disconnecting means is held in a connecting state to enable the electric motor to perform power running and regeneration, depending on a running condition of a vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrodynamic torque converter comprising a driving pump wheel, a driven turbine wheel, and a guide wheel, which has guide wheel blades. In order to create a hydrodynamic torque converter, which requires less installation space than conventional torque converters and is producible cost-effectively, the guide wheel blades are attached to the guide wheel such that they can move between a throughflow position and a guide position.

Abstract: A torque converter comprises a pump having a pump shell and impellers; a turbine having a turbine shell and runners; a stator arranged between the pump and the turbine and is supported by the housing; and an operation fluid filled in the pump and in the turbine. Transmission torque limit means is arranged between the stator and the housing to so limit the transmission of torque transmitted to the stator as will not to increase in excess of a predetermined value.

Abstract: A fluid coupling comprising a pump having a pump shell and a plurality of impellers arranged in the pump shell, a turbine having a turbine shell arranged to be opposed to the pump and a plurality of runners arranged in the turbine shell, and a baffle mechanism arranged in a fluid circulation passage formed by the pump shell and the turbine shell, wherein the baffle mechanism comprises a first baffle plate having a plurality of first openings, a second baffle plate that has a plurality of second openings and is disposed in such a manner as to overlap with the first baffle plate and as to be allowed to rotate relative thereto, and a centrifugal operation means for turning the second baffle plate relative to the first baffle plate in response to the rotational speed of the first baffle plate.

Abstract: A fluid coupling comprising: a pump having a pump shell and a plurality of impellers arranged in the pump shell; and a turbine disposed opposite said pump and having a turbine shell and a plurality of runners arranged in said turbine shell; wherein provision is made of a baffle mechanism which retractably protrudes into a fluid circulatory passage formed by the pump shell and the turbine shell, the baffle mechanism greatly protruding into the fluid circulatory passage in a state where the rotational speed is low and protruding little into the fluid circulatory passage in a state where the rotational speed is high.

Abstract: In an assembly including a diesel engine, a fluid coupling connected to the flywheel of the diesel engine, a comminuting machine and a conveyor for feeding the comminuting machine, a fluid coupling module is common to various output power train assemblies. Slip speed of the fluid coupling between impeller input and runner output shafts is measured, and modulates or regulates the process feed rate of the conveyer. An electrically actuated control valve acts as an oil flow diverter valve directing oil into the fluid coupling impeller when a signal to engage the coupling is given, and in response to a signal from an over-temperature sensor when the temperature of circuit oil leaving the element exceeds a preset set point value, diverts the oil to a reservoir, thereby permitting the impeller and runner cavity to evacuate, which separates the engine from the load.

Abstract: Convertible top assembly for a vehicle with a passenger compartment, comprising a convertible top which can move between a closed position, in which the convertible top covers the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and an open position, in which the passenger compartment is open, and a hydraulic actuating device for moving one or more components of the convertible top assembly, the actuating device comprising a hydraulic pump with an associated drive motor and a reservoir for hydraulic fluid, as well as one or more hydraulic actuators, the actuators acting on the convertible top assembly and the pump being designed to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to the actuators. The actuating device comprises control means which are designed to regulate the volumetric output of the pump while the convertible top assembly is being actuated.

Abstract: The present invention includes a centrifugal pump powered by an engine. A hose is connected to the centrifugal pump at a pump outlet. An injection nozzle is connected at the other end of the hose. A controller is operable to move the nozzle. A turbine is directly connected to an output shaft. Power oil is provided by the pump, through the hose, to the injection nozzle. The turbine receives the injected power oil from the nozzle and transmits power to the output shaft.

Abstract: The variable speed drive mechanism includes an input member (17) and an output member (18), each rotatable within a housing (11) filled with fluid. The input and output members each have helical vanes (26) that are in a close running fit with sleeves (21, 22) within the housing. The amount of axial overlap of the sleeves with the helical vanes of either the input member or the output member is adjustable. Rotation of the input member causes the helical vanes of the input member to pump the fluid towards the helical valves of the output member, causing the output member to rotate. The ratio of the speed of the output member with respect to the input member is varied, by varying the axial length of overlap.

Abstract: A fixed fluid capacity fluid coupling comprises a main bypass chamber and an auxiliary bypass chamber. The output wheel includes at least one hole and an offtake channel connecting the working circuit to the auxiliary bypass chamber uses this hole. Applications include fixed fluid capacity fluid couplings for driving high-inertia loads.

Abstract: In a fluid machine, for instance a hydrodynamic transmission, an injector means (31) including an adjusting member (32) acting as a throttle is provided upstream of the inlet (28) to the turbine wheel (23). At the injector means (31), two fluid components having different flow velocities are combined, one of said fluid components being a part of the total fluid flow which flows into the working part (23) and which is returned through a bypass passage (30) from the outlet (27) of the working part (23) to the inlet (28) thereof.

Abstract: The hydrodynamic control coupling has primary and secondary vane wheels (2,4 respectively) inclined to the coupling axis (20) and a working space (5) which is provided with an inlet (6) and an outlet (7) for the working medium, the working medium capable of being diverted from the working space into a receiving chamber (10) via tangential bores (7) running in the direction of the flow, a valve (8) being provided which determines the rate at which the working space fills. In accordance with the invention, the receiving chamber for the working medium is located radially inwardly of the working space and is defined by walls of the primary and secondary vane wheels. Such an arrangement of the coupling enables it to be constructed with smaller dimensions and to be simply controlled.

Abstract: A single stage, twin valve, variable torque converter has a vaned input impeller, a vaned, single stage output turbine and a twin valve all disposed in a fluid filled, generally torroid-shaped chamber of a housing. The torque converter by means of its twin valve provides a variable forward output torque for a constant input speed and also provides a low reverse torque. The twin valve consists of two connected, concentric cylindrical sleeves which can be moved axially into and out of the torroid-shaped chamber so that the first sleeve can be interposed between the vanes of the input impeller and the vanes of the output turbine and the second sleeve can surround the vanes of the output turbine and thus seal off the output turbine from the fluid within the torroid-shaped chamber of the torque converter and provide a low reverse torque.

Abstract: A fluid coupling interposed between an induction motor and a load has an impeller and a turbine together defining a working chamber connected via radially inward and radially outward passages with a delay chamber on the impeller side of a corotating housing. The two sets of passages are selectively blockable by shutters that are controlled by an evaluator, inserted in a space between the motor and load shafts, which also accommodates a power supply consisting of one or more batteries. The evaluator responds to several sensors, measuring such parameters as motor torque, load speed and acceleration, to drain or refill the working chamber.

Abstract: In an oil-coupling arrangement for transferring the drive from a driving shaft to a driven shaft, particularly for the propulsion of ships, the improvement is disclosed wherein the oil cup system has switchable vanes which can be switched from one position to another, and vice versa, so as to deflect the oil stream in the driving and the driven cup in such a way that the driven cup is compelled to rotate in a direction contrary to that of the driving cup.

Abstract: Gearing is normally used to obtain reverse operation from an output turbine. An improvement is provided herein in a torque converter (10) which comprises a stator (12), an impeller (14) and an output turbine (16). The improvement comprises a plurality of self-cambering blades (42) carried by the output turbine (16) with the angle at which fluid impelled by the impeller (14) attacks the self-cambering blades (42) being adjusted to select the direction of rotation of the output turbine (16). In this manner, the output shaft (36), which is driven by the output turbine (16), can be rotated in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction thereby driving a vehicle or other machinery in either a forward or reverse direction without the necessity for gearing.

Abstract: The hydraulic energy absorbing device of U.S. Pat. Re. 28,736 is adapted to serve as a variable torque hydraulic clutch for a flywheel catapult by mobilizing the fixed array of annular vanes disposed about the rotor blades and mounting them on an output shaft. The torque transmission through the device is controlled by the degree of enclosure of the input rotor blade ring by a channel-shaped shroud, which is mounted in an annular recess in the toroidal flow-control ring disposed in an annular cavity in the casing.

Abstract: A fixed geometry torque converter having variable power absorption capacity by provision of a secondary fluid flow path which introduces fluid at the trailing edge region of the stator vane adjacent the impeller and at a direction normal to the primary flow of fluid from the turbine passing across the stator to return to the impeller. The rate of this secondary fluid flow is selectively varied to alter the direction of the primary flow of fluid and thereby selectively vary the power absorption capacity of the torque converter. In combination with a fluid turbomachine as utilized in aircraft systems, the variable capacity torque converter is arranged in the power drive train so as to load the turbomachine. By selectively varying the power absorption capacity of the torque converter in relation to prevailing ambient conditions, a greater amount of the power output capacity of the turbine machine may be utilized at various ambient conditions without causing stalling of the turbine machine.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter for vehicles, particularly for passenger motor vehicles, with at least one pump wheel, one turbine wheel and one guide wheel supported on a free-wheeling device, in which the guide blades are automatically adjustable, when the guide wheel rotates, in dependence on the centrifugal force in the sense of a cascade opening with an increasing rotational speed.