Patent ID: 8113325
Filing Date: 2012-02-14
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
1. A hydrodynamic clutch device for establishing and releasing a working connection between a drive and a takeoff, comprising: a housing rotatable around an axis of rotation, the housing defining a clutch space having a clutch volume CV; a pump wheel and a turbine wheel which are disposed in the housing and define a torus space having a torus volume TV; a mechanical transmission circuit disposed in the clutch space and comprising a bridging clutch and a torsional vibration damper; and a volume reduction arrangement in the housing, wherein a fluid is distributed throughout the housing and has a total volume comprising at least the torus volume TV and the clutch volume CV during an operating phase of the hydrodynamic clutch device, wherein the fluid in the housing decreases from the total volume to a resting volume RV by the force of gravity after a predetermined minimum resting phase of the hydrodynamic clutch device, a top of the resting volume RV being at least essentially below the axis of rotation, wherein the volume reduction arrangement is configured to reduce the clutch volume CV relative to the resting volume RV, and wherein the volume reduction arrangement is configured so that a ratio of RV/CV is in a range of 0.9 to 1.2.