Patent ID: 7343739

Claim:
A method for the supply of bearing elements in a hydrodynamic coupling, wherein the coupling includes a primary wheel and a secondary wheel, the wheels being shaped and positioned to together form a working area capable of being filled with an operating fluid; an outlet from and an inlet into the working area; an operating fluid system comprising a direct circulation connecting the outlet from the working area to the inlet into the working area, an operating fluid source and at least one filling line connectable between the inlet into the working area and at least indirectly to the operating fluid source; at least one emptying line connectable between the outlet from the working area and at least indirectly to the operating fluid source, whereby the filling line and the emptying line are connected via the direct circulation to the inlet and to the outlet, and a lubricant supply system connectable to the filling line; the method comprising supplying lubricant during all operating modes of the coupling, comprising at least during a filling mode, supplying the lubricant supply system via the filing line that is capable of connection to the operating fluid source, the lubricant supply system is supplied solely from the direct circulation in a direct circulation functional mode of the operating fluid between the outlet and the inlet of the working area.