Patent ID: 7478713

Claim:
A hydrodynamic clutch device comprising: a pump wheel; a housing connecting the pump wheel to a drive; a turbine wheel connected to a takeoff, the turbine wheel being located in the housing and cooperating with the pump wheel to form a hydrodynamic circuit; a bridging clutch located in the housing and comprising a piston located between the hydrodynamic circuit and a pressure space, said piston being movable between an engaged position, wherein the drive transmits torque to the takeoff via the bridging clutch, and a released position, wherein the drive transmits torque to the takeoff via the hydrodynamic circuit; a pressure circuit comprising a first pressure medium line which supplies clutch fluid to the hydrodynamic circuit, and a second pressure medium line which supplies clutch fluid to the pressure space; a pressure barrier installed between the hydrodynamic circuit and the pressure space, said pressure barrier cooperating with said bridging clutch to substantially completely prevent exchange of clutch fluid between the hydrodynamic circuit and the pressure space regardless of the position of the piston; a pump wheel hub connected to the pump wheel; a pressure source connected to a fluid reservoir; at least one first flow route provided radially between the pump wheel hub and the takeoff, the first flow route connecting the pressure source to the first pressure medium line; and a second flow route in the takeoff, the second flow route connecting the pressure source to the second pressure medium line.