Patent ID: 6918471
Filing Date: 2005-07-19
Classification: B60T,F16D

Abstract:
1. A hydrodynamic brake comprising: an annular stator with a stator recess therein, an annular rotor opposite the stator with a rotor recess therein, the stator recess and the rotor recess opening toward each other to together define an annular toroid-shaped space; the stator and the rotor are coaxial around an axis of rotation of the rotor; a first plurality of vanes in the stator recess, a second plurality of vanes in the rotor recess, with the vanes in each recess extending toward the other recess, each pair of adjacent vanes in each recess define a respective pocket between the vanes of the pair, the stator and rotor each being shaped to define a bottom surface of each pocket between each pair of adjacent vanes, each pocket has an outer radial edge and an inner radial edge; the vanes being oriented in their respective pockets to define a first side of each vane in the rotation direction and an opposite second side of each vane opposite the rotation direction; the vanes being so located and oriented in their respective recesses that upon rotation of the rotor around the axis in the rotation direction, a higher pressure is developed on the first side of each vane of the stator and a lower pressure is developed on the second side of each vane of the stator; at least one supply opening in the stator, arranged closer to the second side of each vane of the stator than to the first side of the vane of each stator where there is a lower pressure, for supplying fluid to the toroid-shaped space, wherein the fluid in the space brakes the rotor during rotation; and at least one discharge opening for the fluid from the space.