Patent ID: 6216841
Filing Date: 2001-04-17
Classification: F16D,F16H

Abstract:
A hydraulic coupling for use in an automotive vehicle, comprising:a fixed housing;a rotatively driven hollow casing journaled in the housing;a rotatable output shaft;a friction clutch selectively actuable in a range between a first state in which the casing and the shaft are rotatable relative to each other and a second state in which the casing and the shaft are drivingly connected to each other;means for forming a suction chamber;means for forming a pressure chamber;a hydrostatic pump responsive to differences in rotation between the hollow casing and the output shaft for generating pressure in the pressure chamber by pumping fluid from the suction chamber;means moveable as a function of the pressure for actuating the clutch to the second state;means for forming a first rotary fluid link intermediate the housing and the casing; andmeans for forming a valve mounted in the housing and connected to the pressure chamber through the first rotary fluid link for controlling the pressure in the pressure chamber.