The invention relates to a hydrodynamic machine, in particular a hydrodynamic coupling, having a bladed primary wheel and a stationary or revolving bladed secondary wheel, forming a working chamber in order to transmit torque hydrodynamically. The primary wheel and/or the secondary wheel is rotatably mounted by means of at least one plain bearing, which is lubricated by a lubricant source connected by way of at least one lubricant supply line, and a lubricant outlet which is connected by way of a lubricant discharge line, such that in the lubricant supply line and/or the lubricant discharge line a lubricant reservoir, connected to the at least one plain bearing by means of at least one lubricant feed conduit and at least one lubricant return conduit and therefor forming a lubricant circuit, is provided in the event of a failure of the lubricant supply from the lubricant source.

A device that employs shear forces to transmit energy includes an outer housing assembly, a disk, and a reservoir with a working fluid. The disk is received in and rotatable relative to the outer housing assembly. A working cavity is formed between a rotor portion of the disk and the outer housing assembly into which the working fluid is received to create shear forces. A plurality of flow altering structures are disposed on the outer housing assembly and are configured to reduce a thickness of a boundary layer of the working fluid in the working cavity in areas that are local to the flow altering structures.

A torque converter includes a housing, and an impeller shell disposed within the housing. The impeller shell has a back wall, and a plurality of fins radially arranged and extending outwardly from the back wall. The torque converter further includes a backing hub rigidly coupled to the back wall of the impeller shell. The backing hub has a barrier element extending therefrom. A free end of the barrier element is disposed proximal to the housing to restrict a flow of fluid therebetween.

A power coupler for transferring rotary power from a rotary power device to a load device includes a shear thickening fluid (STF) and a chamber that contains the STF. The power coupler further includes a drive shaft housed radially within a drive side section of the chamber and protruding outward from an end of the chamber for coupling to the rotary power device. The power coupler further includes a load shaft housed radially within a load side section of the chamber and protruding outward from another end of the chamber for coupling to the load device. The power coupler further includes a drive turbine housed radially within the drive side section and coupled to the drive shaft. The power coupler further includes a load turbine housed radially within the load side section at a fixed operational distance from the drive turbine and coupled to the load shaft.

A power coupler for transferring rotary power from a rotary power device to a load device includes a shear thickening fluid (STF) and a chamber that contains the STF. The power coupler further includes a drive shaft housed radially within a drive side section of the chamber and protruding outward from an end of the chamber for coupling to the rotary power device. The power coupler further includes a load shaft housed radially within a load side section of the chamber and protruding outward from another end of the chamber for coupling to the load device. The power coupler further includes a drive turbine housed radially within the drive side section and coupled to the drive shaft. The power coupler further includes a load turbine housed radially within the load side section at a fixed operational distance from the drive turbine and coupled to the load shaft.

A power shunt for shunting rotary power from a load device includes a shear thickening fluid (STF) and a chamber that contains the STF. The power shunt further includes a drive shaft housed radially within a drive side section of the chamber and protruding outward from an end of the chamber for coupling to a lock configured to prevent rotation of the drive shaft. The power shunt further includes a load shaft housed radially within a load side section of the chamber and protruding outward from another end of the chamber for coupling to the load device. The power shunt further includes a drive turbine housed radially within the drive side section and coupled to the drive shaft. The power shunt further includes a load turbine housed radially within the load side section at a fixed operational distance from the drive turbine and coupled to the load shaft.

A power shunt for shunting rotary power from a load device includes a shear thickening fluid (STF) and a chamber that contains the STF. The power shunt further includes a drive shaft housed radially within a drive side section of the chamber and protruding outward from an end of the chamber for coupling to a lock configured to prevent rotation of the drive shaft. The power shunt further includes a load shaft housed radially within a load side section of the chamber and protruding outward from another end of the chamber for coupling to the load device. The power shunt further includes a drive turbine housed radially within the drive side section and coupled to the drive shaft. The power shunt further includes a load turbine housed radially within the load side section at a fixed operational distance from the drive turbine and coupled to the load shaft.

A power shunt for shunting rotary power from a load device includes a shear thickening fluid (STF) and a chamber containing the STF. The power shunt further includes a drive shaft housed radially within a drive side section of the chamber protruding outward from an end of the chamber for coupling to a lock preventing rotation of the drive shaft. The power shunt further includes a load shaft housed radially within a load side section of the chamber protruding outward through a shaft collar from another end of the chamber for coupling to the load device. The power shunt further includes a drive turbine housed radially within the drive side section coupled to the drive shaft. The power shunt further includes a load turbine housed radially within the load side section at an adjustable operational distance from the drive turbine and coupled to the load shaft.

A power shunt for shunting rotary power from a load device includes a shear thickening fluid (STF) and a chamber containing the STF. The power shunt further includes a drive shaft housed radially within a drive side section of the chamber protruding outward from an end of the chamber for coupling to a lock preventing rotation of the drive shaft. The power shunt further includes a load shaft housed radially within a load side section of the chamber protruding outward through a shaft collar from another end of the chamber for coupling to the load device. The power shunt further includes a drive turbine housed radially within the drive side section coupled to the drive shaft. The power shunt further includes a load turbine housed radially within the load side section at an adjustable operational distance from the drive turbine and coupled to the load shaft.