Patent ID: 6899209

Claim:
A starter unit, comprising: an input that can be coupled with a drive and an output that can be coupled with the drive; a starter element in the form of a hydrodynamic coupling; a switchable clutch encompassing a first coupling element and a second coupling element that can be brought together in a striking connection with each other either directly or indirectly via transfer means, said first coupling element and said second coupling element respectively coupled in a rotationally fixed manner to the input and the output; the hydrodynamic coupling and the switchable clutch being arranged in parallel in two power branches and able to be switched jointly or individually, the hydrodynamic coupling being controlled or regulated; an operating resources system supplied to the hydrodynamic coupling, the operating resources system comprising an operating resources supply source, a first connection for coupling with a first guiding channel or chamber and a second connection for coupling with a second guiding channel or chamber, the operating resources system including an open circuit connected to said supply channels or chambers by way of said connections; means for operational change in flow direction of the hydrodynamic coupling through allocation of inflow or outflow functions to both supply channels or chambers; and means to control the absolute pressure in the working chamber of the hydrodynamic coupling and the differential pressure between the first connection and the second connection.